🎙️ The Nonprofit Reframe – Special Episode: Because We Can’t Stay Quiet 🧨 Why This Episode Now? It’s been two years since their last episode, but Brittny and Nia return for a one-time special because the nonprofit sector is in crisis — and staying quiet is not an option. From funding freezes to increased political hostility and burnout, nonprofits are struggling under immense pressure. Brittny and Nia unpack the chaos and call for solidarity, advocacy, and action. 💥 Topics Covered: Collapsing...
Apr 28, 2025•41 min•Ep. 118
This is it, folks, our very last episode. At least for now. Never say never, and all of that. But we wanted to leave you with some reflections from the 150 episodes we’ve done of this show. We’ve made some great memories and laughed and raged and we hope you’ve enjoyed what we’ve created here about the nonprofit sector and all of its ups and downs. In today’s episode, we’re reflecting on the past and projecting out the future. We talk about our favorite memories from the show, some never-before-...
Aug 14, 2023•43 min•Ep. 117
Volunteers are such an important part of nonprofit organizations, but we don’t always treat them the way we should and it leads to big time burnout. Volunteers give their time because they believe in a cause and want to support it, but so often they get taken advantage of and it needs to stop. In today’s episode, we’re talking about how volunteers need to set boundaries with their time and skills, how we can honor those boundaries by involving them in future planning, and why volunteer appreciat...
Jul 31, 2023•29 min•Ep. 116
It’s that time again - Nia’s favorite episode of the year on data from Giving USA! It’s interesting to review this 2022 report and see the correlations that are happening in our immediate nonprofit worlds, but also the disparities. So much has changed and the future of giving looks kind of bleak, especially when you consider the impact of inflation. In today’s episode, we’re taking a look back at what was happening in 2022, and reviewing the philanthropy data from Giving USA’s annual report. Plu...
Jul 17, 2023•25 min•Ep. 115
It’s planning time for fall event season and we’ve seen some big “don'ts” when it comes to event programs. Chaos often ensues when the appropriate planning hasn’t been done beforehand and all the stakeholders are not on the same page. Trust us. In today’s episode, we’re sharing our tips on how to structure your event program to have a successful event for your nonprofit organization and keep everyone and everything in line - the schedule, the speakers, the messaging, the goals. You want everyone...
Jul 03, 2023•37 min•Ep. 114
Lately, we’ve worked with a lot of people who have retired or left their careers in the for-profit sector and entered the nonprofit sector, and we’re kind of pissed about it. The implication is that nonprofit jobs are somehow lesser or easier to handle. Spoiler alert: nonprofits aren’t a cake walk! In today’s episode, we’re diving into making the jump from for-profit to nonprofit. We talk about why it makes us mad, the problems that arise from it, and don’t worry, we grudgingly remain positive w...
Jun 19, 2023•34 min•Ep. 113
You hear about endowments a lot in our field, usually associated with universities. But what about endowments from a fundraiser’s perspective? What are they? How do they work? What’s the point of them? In today’s episode, that’s exactly what we’re talking about. Shout out to the listener who suggested this topic! We’re discussing how an endowment can be seen as a status symbol, what fundraising for endowments can look like, what the indicators are for when an organization should start an endowme...
Jun 05, 2023•28 min•Ep. 112
We’ve just finished our first ever Patreon book club pick, The Revolution Will Not Be Funded: Beyond the Non-Profit Industrial Complex and we have so many thoughts. Not all of them are good. In fact, they are downright infuriating in terms of the power imbalance in nonprofit funding. In today’s episode, we’re giving you our high-level summary and review of the significant points of the book. We touch on the chapters that really stood out to us, especially those about ethical funding, systems of ...
May 22, 2023•29 min•Ep. 111
Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) are charitable giving tools with a lot of complexity and ambiguity. So how can nonprofit staff engage donors in discussions about using them more effectively (or dismantling them all together)? We talk about a guide Nia and her colleague Maegan wrote for nonprofits to start conversations, make more informed decisions, and ultimately, disrupt the lack of DAF giving. In today’s episode, we’re discussing why DAFs are not accountable or trackable once created, why foundati...
May 08, 2023•24 min•Ep. 110
We live in the nonprofit world, day in and day out, so naturally, we know quite a bit about how it operates. But how much does the average American know? Not so much, it turns out. In today’s episode, we’re talking about the results of a survey put out by Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, “What Americans Think about Philanthropy and Nonprofit.” We learned some very interesting things, such as how much people trust the giving transparency of religious charitable organizati...
Apr 24, 2023•28 min•Ep. 109
The nonprofit world is not exempt from the every day realities of racism, tax schemes, and even sexual assault. However, considering the mission and values of these organizations… you’d hope that behavior would at least be called out and appropriately dealt with when it appears within a nonprofit. In today’s episode, we’re discussing why that is unfortunately not always the case, the culture of complicity that pops up in many nonprofit organizations, and how even other nonprofit consultants can ...
Apr 10, 2023•27 min•Ep. 108
Religious organizations that provide human services programming can be incredibly problematic and Nia is fired up about it. Without oversight, these organizations can require religious participation in order for people to receive their services, among other issues. Talk about messed up. In today’s episode, we’re chatting about the different types of religious organizations, why the ones providing direct resources are problematic, the damage of discriminatory religious doctrine, and funding impli...
Mar 27, 2023•29 min•Ep. 107
It’s truly amazing to think how far technology has come. We now live in an era where an AI tool exists that will write a pretty dang good podcast introduction, essay, or fundraising plan. Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? Well, it is … and it isn’t. In today’s episode, we’re talking about ChatGPT and how you can use AI tools in nonprofit fundraising specifically, but also in university messaging, HR departments, classroom settings, and more. We’re sharing both how it can be helpful (e.g. c...
Mar 13, 2023•26 min•Ep. 106
Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore. The proverbial house has fallen on AmazonSmile, and it is dead as a doornail. Uproar and opinions of all kinds are circulating in regard to this news. We, on the other hand, could not be more relieved. In today’s episode, we’re explaining how AmazonSmile worked, how it didn’t actually serve or benefit nonprofits in any significant way, misconceptions around the program, and why you should be focusing on fundraising that actually cultivates donors. What’s in thi...
Feb 27, 2023•28 min•Ep. 105
Working in a nonprofit is meaningful and rewarding work for most of us. But let’s be real – it’s also a fast-track to burnout and overwork as we try to create a world that is better for everyone. Enter the sabbatical: a solution backed by research that can help staff and directors recover, refuel, and revitalize their creativity and enthusiasm. In today’s episode, we’re chatting with Hayden Dansky, co-founder and co-director of Boulder Food Rescue, who recently took a three-month sabbatical. The...
Feb 13, 2023•40 min•Ep. 104
DEI training for nonprofits spiked in 2020 after the murder of George Floyd. But how many organizations have actually kept up with internal DEI work? A one-time seminar to check a box and give a pat on the back isn’t going to cut it. DEI training that actually makes an impact and creates a lasting change requires planning, dedication to the principles, and – shocking, we know – more than a single meeting. In today’s episode, we’re talking about why ongoing DEI training is crucial in nonprofit or...
Jan 30, 2023•28 min•Ep. 103
You’re familiar with the model that we’re talking about today. You buy something, and with your purchase, something—whether an item or money—is donated to a person or organization. Buy one, give one. But what if those on the receiving end aren’t actually getting anything they need? In today’s episode, we’re sharing three examples of buy one, give one corporate philanthropy (TOMS, Warby Parker, and Bombas). We’re going into how each philanthropic concept came about, how this model can have negati...
Jan 16, 2023•36 min•Ep. 102
Your year-end fundraising is over and last year's goals are in the rearview mirror. Time to rest, take some time off, and celebrate right?! (Yeah, we’re laughing right along with you.) Nonprofit staff are notorious for not resting, not creating boundaries, and as a result, burning themselves out. And it’s a disservice to your organization, sure, but also you, as a human being! In today’s episode, we’re talking about leaning into our strengths, why nonprofit staff should not be expected to be goo...
Jan 02, 2023•34 min•Ep. 101
We’ve talked a lot about fundraising, and this episode is no different (tis’ the season). Today, we’re focusing on the most important rule of fundraising: Do no harm. On the surface, it might seem unbelievable to think that you can harm your mission through fundraising efforts (all organizations need money, right?), but the way you frame your messaging as you ask for funds can either support or undermine your long-term goals. We all know an emotional story can get a powerful reaction from potent...
Dec 19, 2022•38 min•Ep. 100
Donors are critical to your organization, but it’s about more than just a transaction or future donation. Fostering genuine relationships with your donors is crucial—not only for the growth and success of your organization, but also for community building. In today’s episode, we’re talking about why you should get to know the donors you already have because, let’s face it, it’s easier to retain donors than it is to find new ones. We share actionable takeaways for building stronger donor relation...
Dec 05, 2022•34 min•Ep. 99
All organizations will experience a time when an ED/CEO, Development Director, or another higher level role, makes plans to leave. Sometimes you have notice—a year, if you’re really lucky—and sometimes, you don’t. This can feel like a time that is hectic and scary, but if you have plans in place, it can, in fact, run smoothly. In today’s episode, we’re talking about how to handle interim roles, what to do and what not to do, as well as what the real purpose of an interim. We’re also talking abou...
Nov 21, 2022•37 min•Ep. 98
Committees are a really hot topic in the nonprofit world. You can create a committee for almost anything and comprise it of staff, board members, and/or volunteers. But, how do you create a committee that’s actually useful—both to the organization and those involved? In today’s episode, we’re talking about all things committees: from how to manage expectations and accountability, to good examples (and bad ones), to how to successfully create engagement that doesn’t overwork your staff. We’ll als...
Nov 07, 2022•34 min•Ep. 97
We’re back! After a year-long hiatus, the Nonprofit Reframe podcast is back with more nonprofit content, stories, and laughs. It’s that time of the year that nonprofits know and love and dread and hate: year-end giving. There’s a lot to juggle when it comes to sending year-end appeals to your donors. In today’s episode, we’re talking about why year-end appeals are important, using mailed appeals to your advantage, and how to do segmentation in a way that increases and personalizes outreach to yo...
Oct 24, 2022•36 min•Ep. 96
Our first episode back from hiatus is coming out on October 24! If you want to catch up with us, become a member at our all new Patreon site for behind the scenes content and the Lost Episode. Photo Cred: All Digital Photo and Video Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 14, 2022•1 min
Brittny and Nia share a special announcement about the podcast in this minisode! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 25, 2021•13 min•Ep. 12
How great to have a "free" resource in social media to amplify your voice. Right? Brittny and Nia dive into the reality of using social media and the toll it takes. Resources Empower: Social Media Stats for Nonprofits - 2021 (all the stats cited came from here) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 18, 2021•48 min•Ep. 95
The fear of ruffling feathers, angering donors, and losing funding is very real for many fundraisers. How do you address systemic oppression within these systems when you also are worried about the bottom line? Resources A Conversation on Race and Power with Edgar Villanueva Changing the Paradigm on Funding and Fundraising - A Conversation with Edgar Villanueva White Development Colleagues, We Need To Have A Conversation About Fundraiser Fragility from Nonprofit AF (Vu Le) Hosted on Acast. See a...
Oct 11, 2021•40 min•Ep. 94
University fundraising accounts for a ton of the fundraising jobs across the country, especially the high paying ones. What do two non-advancement fundraisers have to say about that? And their outsized endowments? Resources US News and World Report: Universities with the Biggest Endowments 9/21/21 Harvard University: FY19 Financial Report NACUBO-TIAA: 2020 Study of Endowments NPR News: Harvard University Will Stop Investing In Fossil Fuels After Years of Public Pressure 9/10/21 Hosted on Acast. ...
Oct 04, 2021•43 min•Ep. 93
Trying to hire in the current climate is TOUGH STUFF. Our same old tactics for hiring in the nonprofit sector just won't work. Grab some tips and tricks from Brittny and Nia on pandemic hiring. Resources Nonprofit Hiring Slows in August as Delta Variant Spreads , from the Chronicle on Philanthropy (Paywall) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Sep 27, 2021•47 min•Ep. 92
Toxic Board Chairs and societal musings are included in this round of listener emails, along with a meandering joke submitted by a listener. Enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 20, 2021•41 min•Ep. 91
