If you’re a nonprofit leader looking for strategies to help your organization retain more employees, then give this episode a listen. I sat down with special guest and founder of Balanced Good, Lacey Kempinski, to chat about how her organization is partnering with nonprofits to provide parental leave coverage. She dove into how she supports nonprofits with parental leave, the implications of a weak parental leave policy, and how to plan for parental leave. Lacey also discussed the challenges of ...
Nov 18, 2024•42 min•Ep. 181
If you’ve been thinking about a career change, but still want to stay in the nonprofit sector, then this episode is for you! I sat down with special guest, Julia Devine, founder of Relatable Nonprofit. She shared her journey from six-figure nonprofit job to consultant including how she made the shift, stepped out of her comfort zone, and what she wished she had done differently. Julia also dove into what kind of people are right for consulting and how to work less while still managing to grow yo...
Nov 04, 2024•49 min
If you’re looking for ways to make a massive, lasting impact with your nonprofit, then this episode is for you. I sat down with special guest, Jennifer Hutchins Executive Director of the Maine Association of Nonprofits and collaboration expert. She spoke on the importance of collaborating across different sectors and how it has transformed nonprofit organizations. She dove into examples of strong collaborations and how organizations are thriving in a post-COVID world. This is a great opportunity...
Oct 21, 2024•47 min•Ep. 179
If you’re a nonprofit leader looking to make a change in your organization, then this episode is for you! I sat down with Christa Stelzmuller, Chief Technology Officer of charity:water, to chat about how nonprofits can become more innovative. We dove into how to leverage technology, even if your nonprofit is small. Christa also shares strategies for implementing change like getting everyone on the same page, ensuring your systems are working together, and more. About Christa Christa is the CTO o...
Oct 07, 2024•46 min•Ep. 178
If you’re looking for a way to improve your nonprofit’s fundraising strategy, then this podcast episode is for you. I sat down with special guest and impact data expert, John Mark Vanderpool. He is diving into how to get clarity on your nonprofit’s big goals, collect and translate data meaningfully, and put the right systems in place. This is a great episode to tune into, especially before the big end-of-the-year fundraising push. About John Mark Donors demand impact data and many organizations ...
Sep 23, 2024•52 min•Ep. 177
Are you a nonprofit leader battling burnout? If you’re working in the nonprofit sector, chances are you’ve had some experience with burnout, which is why I was so excited to sit down with special guest and nonprofit coach, Elle McPherson. She breaks down burnout red flags, contributing factors, balancing woo with logic, and so much more. This is a great episode for leaders looking for practical strategies to overcome burnout! About Elle Elle has over 15 years of experience in coaching, financial...
Sep 09, 2024•45 min•Ep. 176
Nonprofit leaders, if you’re ready to catapult your revenue, then this episode is for you! I sat down with special guest, Barabara O’Reilly, expert fundraiser and CEO of Windmill Hill Consulting, to chat about what organizations can do to boost their fundraising revenue. We dove into what’s holding nonprofits back and how they can grow to become financially strong organizations. We also discussed the importance of setting realistic goals and expectations when hiring a fundraiser. Plus, why relat...
Aug 26, 2024•41 min•Ep. 175
Are you a nonprofit leader wondering if your organization should launch a capital campaign? If you’re on the fence about it, then this episode is for you. I’m chatting with special guest, Amy Varga, capital campaign expert and founder of The Varga Group. She dives into what you need to know, including how to leverage your donor base, conduct a feasibility study, and how financial planning plays an important role in campaign planning. She also breaks down how to tell the difference between increm...
Aug 12, 2024•56 min•Ep. 174
Nonprofit leaders, are you leveraging the power of a quarterly review in your organization? If you haven’t implemented one yet or are looking for ways to improve your process, then this episode is for you. I’m breaking down strategies for how to effectively conduct a quarterly review. I’m giving you strategies to help you do a deep dive into your financials including establishing benchmarks, setting goals, planning for the future and so much more. Grab a notebook and tune in for a juicy episode!...
Jul 29, 2024•27 min
If you’re a nonprofit leader looking to shake up the way you connect and collaborate, then this is the episode for you. I chat with Topher Wilkins, CEO of Opportunity Collaboration (OC), as he shares his journey of building a global community of leaders working to create positive change. Topher also discusses the importance of understanding what people need, disrupting industry norms, and building a strong community collaborative. Plus, he shares how he’s navigating the transition to community o...
Jul 15, 2024•36 min•Ep. 172
In this episode, I’m giving a behind-the-scenes look at a project that is near and dear to my heart, writing a full-length book! I’m diving into why this project is so special to me and what my journey has been like so far, including the ups, downs, and bumps in the road. I’m also sharing a huge mindset shift that helped me get fully aligned with my book concept and navigate the no’s I’m getting from publishing agents. Plus, some of the biggest lessons I’ve learned so far during this process. Th...
Jul 01, 2024•23 min•Ep. 171
If you’re a nonprofit leader looking to elevate your marketing using storytelling, then this podcast episode is for you. I chat with special guest, Diana Farias Heinrich, CEO of Habrá Marketing and ethical communication strategy expert. We dove into how she became an advocate for ethical storytelling and important lessons she’s learned along the way. Diana also shares the important differences between marketing and fundraising communications and how you can truly build meaningful relationships w...
Jun 17, 2024•46 min•Ep. 170
Nonprofit leaders, are you spending enough money on your organization? This probably sounds like a strange question, especially since many of you are looking for ways to minimize your expenses. However, there are five crucial things nonprofit leaders need to invest in in order to have a thriving organization. In this episode, I dive into what these five things are and why they’re so important. I share strategies for how to evaluate different areas of your nonprofit to determine their impact, eff...
Jun 03, 2024•17 min•Ep. 169
Are you a nonprofit leader looking to take your leadership skills to the next level? If so, then give this episode a listen! I got some amazing insight from special guest, Erica Rooney, Executive Coach and a Chief People Officer. She shared how she empowers leaders, particularly women, to step into their own and become successful leaders for their organizations. We dove into how Erica reinvigorated her passion, and not only recognized symptoms of burnout but also put strategies in place to allev...
May 20, 2024•44 min•Ep. 168
Nonprofit leaders, are you wasting money on unnecessary things? I know this sounds like a harsh question, but it’s so important to evaluate. It’s something I see all the time with many of the nonprofits my team and I work with. That’s why, in this episode, I dive into the six main things nonprofits need to stop spending money on and what you can do instead. I’m sharing strategies for evaluating your budget and how you’re allocating precious resources. Plus, a different way of thinking about thes...
May 06, 2024•19 min
Are you looking for fresh, new ways to up your individual fundraising game? This is the episode for you! I chatted with special guest, Haley Cooper, CFRE, about how she is empowering new nonprofits to be strategic with their individual fundraising. We dove into how Haley stumbled into the nonprofit world after one mission trip completely changed the trajectory of her life. Plus, how she is using her experience as both a nonprofit founder and an entrepreneur to help organizations build a strong f...
Apr 29, 2024•37 min•Ep. 166
Does your organization have team retreats? Whether you’re just beginning to explore them or you’re looking for new ideas for your next one, this episode is for you. I’m diving into a special, behind-the-scenes look at our annual team retreat. I’m discussing the benefits of retreats and why I think they are 100% worth the investment. Plus, the logistics and considerations leaders need to keep in mind when planning them. I’m also sharing the lessons I’ve learned from this retreat and from past yea...
Apr 22, 2024•24 min•Ep. 165
How does your nonprofit take care of its employees? Recent research shows that employees who strongly agree their employer cares about their overall well-being (compared with those who don't) are 71% less likely to report high levels of burnout, leading to happier and more productive employees. In this episode, I spoke with special guest, Melissa Wesner, Licensed Counselor, about how nonprofit leaders can create a culture of wellness that benefits both employees and your bottom line. Melissa sha...
Apr 15, 2024•49 min•Ep. 164
When was the last time you took a long, hard look at your systems and processes? Although this isn’t exactly an exciting process, it is so beneficial for your nonprofit. Organizations that regularly look at how they can improve their processes not only save time but money and resources as well. In this episode, I’m discussing why taking a deep dive into your processes is important, how it builds trust with your donors, and how this can help your nonprofit scale in the future. I’m also sharing my...
Apr 08, 2024•29 min•Ep. 163
Is your nonprofit getting donations from Donor-Advised Funds (DAF)? Whether your nonprofit is seasoned, brand new, or just looking to start accepting donations from DAFs, this episode is for you! I chatted with special guest, Mitch Stein, Head of Strategy for Chariot, a Donor-Advised Fund solution for nonprofits to maximize DAF fundraising. Mitch shared how he is helping nonprofits leverage the power of DAFs by explaining what they are, why they’re important, and how he is breaking down barriers...
Apr 01, 2024•47 min•Ep. 162
Are you leveraging the power of strong community relationships? This episode is full of strategies leaders can use to build lasting relationships in their communities and help diversify their funding with earned income. I spoke with special guest, Megan McNally, co-founder of The Foundry, who shared how she’s using the relationships she’s built to fund her nonprofit primarily through earned income. She discussed how she is building a social enterprise, partnering with the community, and not heav...
Mar 25, 2024•41 min•Ep. 161
Are you looking for ways to scale your nonprofit? This episode is full of strategies leaders can use to grow their organizations and boost their impact on the communities they serve. I spoke with special guest, Sara Allen, Executive Director for Sojourns Community Health Clinic, who shared how she’s managed to do just that by using unconventional revenue streams. She chatted about how she’s shifted her mindset to think of her nonprofit as more like a business, and how this has positively impacte...
Mar 18, 2024•36 min•Ep. 160
Are you a nonprofit leader searching for ways to better serve your community? Look no further! I chat with special guest, Kelly Dumas, about how you can have a bigger impact on the people you serve. She discusses the importance of cultural considerations, going beyond “checking the box” and truly understanding your community. Kelly shares her first-hand experience of this when an individual came to her organization after a hallucination misdiagnosis. In reality, this person was performing a spir...
Mar 11, 2024•39 min•Ep. 159
If you’re a nonprofit leader looking to 4x your fundraising revenue, then this episode is for you. I chat with special guest, Christina Edwards who shares how she is teaching nonprofit leaders to break industry norms to skyrocket their fundraising. We dive into the importance of investing in professional development, nonprofit “rules” Christina wants us to break when it comes to social media and email outreach, how to leverage social media influencers, and so much more! About Christina Christina...
Mar 04, 2024•56 min•Ep. 158
Have you settled on a word of the year for 2024 yet? This is one of my favorite ways to prepare for the upcoming year. It helps me set an intention and gives me something to work towards. However, choosing a word was a struggle for me this year. I wasn’t resonating with anything, and I didn’t want it to feel forced. In this episode, I’m diving into how I set my intention for the new year, even when choosing a word was a struggle. I’m sharing important lessons I’ve learned from unexpected places,...
Feb 26, 2024•19 min•Ep. 157
As nonprofit leaders, we are always looking for ways to grow our impact on the communities we serve. It can be a challenge especially when we’re depending on government funding, which can be unpredictable and limited. My podcast guest, Ali Rabe, is sharing how she managed to 10x her nonprofit in under 5 years, even with government funding. Ali is diving into strategies she’s used to get creative with her fundraising, marketing, and growing her nonprofit, Jesse Tree. Her organization went from 2 ...
Feb 19, 2024•49 min•Ep. 156
Nonprofit leaders, when is the last time you set aside time to read? Whether you’re an avid reader like me, or it’s been a while since you picked up (or listened to) a book, you’ll want to give this episode a listen. I’m giving you my top book recommendations for 2024! I read 48 books in 2023 and now I’m diving into my favorites, from fun reads to the most inspiring and impactful. Some of these books have quite literally changed my life and how I’m leading my team. Several of these books are gea...
Feb 12, 2024•18 min•Ep. 155
Knowing Your Numbers and Planning for the Future with Margaret Chapman Pomponio How do you use your nonprofit numbers to plan for the future? Knowing where your organization stands with its finances is so important for continuing to grow your impact on the communities you serve. In this episode, I chat with special guest Margaret Chapman Pomponio about how she’s using this knowledge to plan for the future sustainability of her nonprofit, West Virginia FREE. Margaret dives into how she is steppin...
Feb 05, 2024•42 min•Ep. 154
Overcoming the Challenges of Inflation Is your organization struggling with the many challenges that come with inflation? The rising cost of everything has been top of mind for most people, including nonprofit leaders. Inflation is impacting our employees, the communities we serve, and our donors. While rising costs are all around us, there are some strategies your organization can implement to overcome these challenges. In this episode, I dive into how you can keep up with rising costs like div...
Jan 29, 2024•23 min•Ep. 153
Is one of your New Year's resolutions to attend more conferences and professional development opportunities? Maybe you’re looking for how to make the most of these experiences. If this is on your 2024 bucket list, then this episode is for you! Your time and money are precious, so you want to be sure you are getting the highest possible return on investment (ROI) from the events you attend. In this podcast episode, I’m diving into ways to elevate your ROI of conferences by telling you the exact s...
Jan 22, 2024•19 min•Ep. 152