Creating Community for Good

My guest today is Jordan Langer, a wildly creative and successful business entrepreneur, and a high-school dropout. As the founder of Non Plus Ultra, best known for hosting large-scale parties or conferences in its myriad portfolio of properties, Jordan works 20-hour days, but still found time to invest in the community. His desire to do something truly impactful for people and his own story with the American education system led him to create Project Wreckless, a San Francisco-based capacity development non-profit organization centered around the restoration of badass old American classic cars. Head to http://CreatingCommunityForGood.com for full show notes, key takeaways, and episode resources.

Ask for more! There are so many issues, local to global, that it seems almost impossible to find a solution to all of them: poverty, access to education, clean water, housing, human trafficking… you name it. Furthermore, there are a ton of other issues that seem to be reaching a tipping point like climate change and the refugee crisis.  But you know what? We already have the solutions to many of these problems. The nonprofit space exists to mend these issues through participation and programming. It's a matter of time, energy, and resources to make it happen. This is a hard question: if there is enough money out there, are we fundraisers doing enough to activate extraordinary giving? Organizations need stability. They need overhead funding. And they need ambitious goals to fulfill their missions. If we have the guts to solicit bigger gifts, we can see the change.  Head to http://CreatingCommunityForGood.com for full show notes, key takeaways, and episode resources.

Welcome to Creating Community for Good, a podcast dedicated to philanthropy: the love of humankind. WITH THE INTENTION TO inform, inspire and evolve. What would it be like to be a fly on the wall as a nationally recognized, 9-figure donor talks to an executive director about giving motivations and priorities? This episode does just that (with consent and some gentle guidance from yours truly, of course.) Our goal in this episode was to make it a working meeting – and to share it with you! We talked about how to refine a case for support, activate best practices for capital campaign engagement, consider how to cultivate potential prospective donors, and learn about foundation giving at large – especially during a spend-down.  Head to http://CreatingCommunityForGood.com for full show notes, key takeaways, and episode resources.

Welcome to Creating Community for Good, a podcast dedicated to philanthropy: the love of humankind. WITH THE INTENTION TO inform, inspire and evolve. In this episode of Creating Community for Good podcast, I talk to Rick Happy, a philanthropic renowned advisor for over 35 – and my mentor, shares wisdom and advice all members of nonprofit leadership would benefit from considering. Take a listen to the first interview Rick did with me in the height of the pandemic, episode 8. In that episode, we talked from the eye of the hurricane about techniques to find funders and stay afloat. It's been almost 18 months since then and things have definitely changed. Today I am interested in exploring with him what humanity has learned in this time about giving, and about our own human behavior when it comes to times of crisis. Join in! Head to http://CreatingCommunityForGood.com for full show notes, key takeaways and episode resources.

Welcome to Creating Community for Good, a podcast dedicated to philanthropy: the love of humankind. WITH THE INTENTION TO inform, inspire and evolve. In this episode of Creating Community for Good podcast, I talked to Ryan Marshall and Bill Tortorici. Both are talented fundraisers from different parts of the country and in different roles in the sector who were laid off during the pandemic. And they were not the only ones who met this same fate: 926,045 nonprofit jobs were lost by the end of February 2021. With an average recovery of 39,520 jobs per month, it will take the sector around two years to return to its pre-covid level of employment, according to the March 2021 updated estimates following the procedures laid out on Candid's December Report. Head to http://CreatingCommunityForGood.com for full show notes, key takeaways and episode resources.

Welcome to Creating Community for Good, a podcast dedicated to philanthropy: the love of humankind. WITH THE INTENTION TO inform, inspire and evolve. In today´s episode of Creating Community for Good I was joined by criminal defense attorney and author, Shanti Brien. Being a defense attorney is a work of tremendous responsibility and pressure since your client’s life is essentially in your hands. Shanti specializes in criminal appeals and post-conviction proceedings; the very last instances of the criminal justice system like the habeas corpus. Shanti’s clients are those who have already been convicted and are fighting the system from the inside; many of them convicted to life in prison. Head to http://CreatingCommunityForGood.com for full show notes, key takeaways and episode resources.

Welcome to Creating Community for Good, a podcast dedicated to philanthropy: the love of humankind. WITH THE INTENTION TO inform, inspire and evolve. In this episode of the Creating Community for Good Podcast, Ashley Dittmar shares how she uses technology paired with the human instinct to engage and retain giving to organizations, year-over-year. That repeat giving is called donor retention. Ashley is the Director Of Development at Crisis Text Line and a specialist in digital campaigns, donor retention, and storytelling. In this conversation, she shares techniques of building rapport with donors, perspectives on the value of retention, and the power of automated technology for meaningful interactions. Head to http://CreatingCommunityForGood.com for full show notes, key takeaways and episode resources.

Welcome to Creating Community for Good, a podcast dedicated to philanthropy: the love of humankind. WITH THE INTENTION TO inform, inspire and evolve. On today’s episode of Creating Community For Good, I was joined by Mallory Erickson, a certified fundraising coach with experience serving over 50 fundraisers and organizations. She, like myself, believes in the importance of changing the narrative of nonprofits around money, engagement, and donor-organization relationships. It is not about begging or chasing donors for money anymore, it’s about providing people with an awesome opportunity to join a cause and fuel a movement! Head to http://CreatingCommunityForGood.com for full show notes, key takeaways and episode resources.

In this episode a fellow consultant and dear friend of mine, Tiffany Williams, and I explore a day in the life of a consultant. In this interview you’ll hear the challenges we grapple with in terms of what clients we will take, and what we won’t; how to prioritize the assignment while opening the space to pressing current events and societal demands; and techniques of building trust. Head to http://CreatingCommunityForGood.com for full show notes, key takeaways and episode resources.

Now, I know a lot of you are glad you don’t have to go to any more (proverbial) rubber chicken dinners. Not me! I loved galas! I’m a social butterfly who liked connecting with new and old friends, experiencing delight of an orchestrated festivity, and then floating away lit up about the cause we rallied to support that evening. I’m not really one for TV in general, so, when I tell you I did NOT enjoy pre-recorded, virtual Zoom events in Q1 of SIP, believe me, I mean it. Good news! Creativity wins again!! I am jazzed by the astute genius that has proven me wrong: virtual events can be captivating, dynamic, and ...dare I say, fun! The entertainment- and community-engagement-experts of the world pivoted and innovated quickly to enchant us, all from the comfort of our PJs. No doubt some of these new strategies will inform how we connect in person or virtually going forward. Welcome to Creating Community for Good, a podcast dedicated to philanthropy: the love of humankind (...and nature and animals and environment and all the things.) With the INTENTION to inform, inspire and evolve, allow me to introduce to you my new go-to social / virtual / positivity gal: Dana Snyder. Dana is a bad@ss. Just listen to her! Her enthusiasm and optimism are contagious. She rolls through this interview spilling creativity and solutions effortlessly. As someone who thought she was allergic to virtual events, I’m sincerely excited to know what we saw months ago is not what we’ll see going forward. Innovation abounds and Dana’s got all the juice you need to hook your event up with something your audience will be talking about for the ages.Head to http://CreatingCommunityForGood.com for full show notes, key takeaways and episode resources.

We Are For Good is a place dedicated to celebrating the power of philanthropy, and equipping this generation of nonprofit leaders and philanthropists with the mindsets, tools, and innovative ideas to make a bigger impact. Becky Endicott, Co-Founder and Chief Storyteller, started her career in philanthropy at the Oklahoma State University Foundation and worked for over a decade at INTEGRIS Foundation where she led teams in annual giving events, stewardship, major gifts, prospect research and campaigns. Jonathan McCoy, Co-founder and CEO at We Are For Good, has consulted on branding, marketing and fundraising for more than 25 organizations and served the sector as a front line fundraiser for nearly a decade as a Director of Annual Giving for INTEGRIS Foundation in Oklahoma City. Jon, Becky and their wonderful Content & Production Manager, Julie Confer, and I became fast friends in 2020 and now collaborate on various projects from podcasting to fundraising advising to clubhouse co-hosting. Check out the interview of me on their show where I explained the 5 steps in making a successful solicitation. They’re truly kind, curious and capable humans whom I am grateful to know. You will hear the warmth and comfort in our voices as we discuss the topic of employee giving.

What comes to your mind when you hear the word “cryptocurrency”? I know that, for me, that word meant little more than intangible money, but after getting to know more about it, I can tell you that cryptocurrency concerns us philanthropists, and that it is already shifting the game in our community. The world and the way people are handling their money are changing. Most importantly, the way they donate to charity is changing too. Although Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies have been around for a while now, it’s only recent that nonprofits have really acknowledged their existence almost by necessity. At the beginning of 2021, the cryptocurrency market hit an all-time high exceeding $1 trillion for the first time according to the World Economic Forum. This community of users is not only growing incredibly fast, but it is also beginning to shift its attention towards charity-giving.

Fundraising is a TOUGH job. What’s even harder is that there is more and more pressure to raise the funds from donors that ultimately operate critically important societal needs and services. In some cases, fundraising can feel transactional, urgent and stressful. This doesn’t feel good for anyone. Let’s examine the nature of our relationships and how we communicate with more grace, generosity and purpose. I am quite excited to share this incredible episode from the perspective of a “major gifts donor” with you. As you know, the Creating Community for Good podcast was born as a platform to open up and have authentic and real conversations with everyone involved in the world of philanthropy. I want to know about fundraisers, volunteers, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and share their perspectives to keep adding value to our community. In this episode, I bring in Lisa Greer, a philanthropy powerhouse, to talk about a very unique perspective in the philanthropy game — the donor. I won’t lie, this conversation was enlightening, as Lisa shared not only her own experience as a donor, but reframed the entire way fundraisers approach and establish conversations with potential donors, so be ready to take notes!Head to http://CreatingCommunityForGood.com for full show notes, key takeaways and episode resources.

Philanthropy’s ultimate goal has always been around gathering resources, time and efforts in favor of service to others. People seem to be irked by the word, “philanthropy” these days, but I still celebrate it for the root meaning: the love of humankind. Nevertheless, forget the “traditional” (stodgy) connotation and get back to the heart of it. Philanthropy doesn’t mean you have to “be rich” and give huge sums of money. No! Being a philanthropist is as simple as contributing in a meaningful way to others and being involved in your community. An awesome entrypoint is through joining a “giving circle.” They make philanthropy more tangible and accessible for communities, and create an atmosphere for people to come together to solve societal issues with their pooled resources.Head to http://CreatingCommunityForGood.com for full show notes, key takeaways and episode resources.

Whether you call it influence, confidence, or even freedom, power is relevant for your own personal and professional development, as it is for your team’s success, too. In order to change the world, you certainly will need it. In this episode, I am joined by my colleague and friend, Leti McNeill Light, to have a conversation around group dynamics, power and leadership. What does power even mean? And, how can we create opportunities for others, especially women, to gain access to roles of power? Head to http://CreatingCommunityForGood.com for full show notes, key takeaways and episode resources.

I’m the one being interviewed! My new friends Becky and Jon (and Julie!) at We are for Good interviewed me and shared with their community. It got so many listens and positive comments that I decided to “double click” on it and share it with you, my Creating Community for Good Family as a bonus episode.Big visions and big hearts motivate big giving! Act with gratitude, kindness and enthusiasm for successful fundraising. In the end, every step along this journey is creating community for good! Keep going!Head to http://CreatingCommunityForGood.com for full show notes, key takeaways and episode resources.

Alana is a tech guru with 20 years at Google and an active philanthropist. The essence of this episode is to draw back the curtain for a fireside chat about a leader in tech and her approach to creating community for good. In this episode, I bring on Alana Karen, author of The Adventures of Women in Tech — how we got here and why we stay. She is also a 20 year vet in tech and currently serves as the Director of Search Platforms at Google and a Founding Member of Enrich, a private network for business leaders.Head to http://CreatingCommunityForGood.com for full show notes, key takeaways and episode resources.

In an effort to create and CELEBRATE community — we can’t forget about the power of music! Whether it is hip hop, gospel, country or top 40… music is the soundtrack of our lives. From neurological activation to the way we tap our feet (or get up and boogie) the art form of music is both expressive and connective. It’s also a reflection of our culture and society. It bonds us through shared joy and pain. That’s why I sit down today with Khafre Jay to discuss Hip Hop culture and its impact on communities.Hip Hop for Change is a grassroots nonprofit organization fighting to protect the culture of Black America, empowering young kids by developing their sense of self-affirmation and breaking the cultural barriers with activism deeply rooted in communities dealing with real issues. Khafre Jay, a community organizer, nonprofit consultant, keynote speaker, and executive director of Hip Hop for Change, joins us today to share the achievements and the vision of this 501c3 education organization that uses Hip Hop culture to educate and advocate for social justice.Head to CreatingCommunityForGood.com for full show notes, key takeaways and episode resources.

When it comes to money-related issues, mum’s the word. Talking about wealth right now couldn’t be more charged. Did you know that 8 out of 10 people who are wealthy grew up in middle class or poor neighborhoods?! I didn’t. Have you ever felt bad for the rich? I have. Why? They are human just like everyone else! There’s a lot of stigma around the issue. This is why I am delighted to talk today with Jennifer Risher, author of the book We Need to Talk: A Memoir About Wealth and initiator of the social giving movement encouraging giving during COVID-19 called #HalfMyDAF. This effort called for spending (donating) the $120 Billion parked into Donor Advised Funds NOW. Head to CreatingCommunityForGood.com for full show notes, key takeaways and episode resources.

October is Ethics Awareness Month, and we acknowledge the importance of this topic with fundraising consultant Eric Heininger, CFRE. Eric is the founding managing director of EDEN+ in Des Moines, Iowa, and founder of the Des Moines Fundraising Institute. Today, we cover two key ethics topics: gift acceptance policies and sexual harassment in fundraising and volunteer management. There is a very personal story that Eric shares with us, that hasn’t been shared anywhere else before, so I invite you to listen with a compassionate ear as It’s important to have these conversations. Head to CreatingCommunityForGood.com for full show notes, key takeaways and episode resources.

Giving Circles have existed since the beginning of time, we just haven’t called them that. Communities around the world have always had systems of supporting each other for communal prosperity. But wealth and finances have become so personal and private, especially in the US, that if you don’t have the capacity to give a significant amount, or you don’t know where to begin with philanthropy, you might not get involved at all. This episode’s guest, Sara Lomelin, discusses the importance and evolution of giving circles and how she and Philanthropy Together are taking ‘giving’ back into the mainstream… and beyond.Sara is a connector. Introducing people who care with trustworthy organizations is a passion. Originally from Mexico City, Sara moved to the United States 24 years ago. She began her philanthropic career as a fundraiser in the Bay Area Latino Community Foundation — knowing nothing about fundraising — and started a giving circle with 16 Latinas that were born in the US, each of them putting in $1,000 dollars per year. She’s since developed the largest Latino donor network in the country and is now the Founder and Executive Director at Philanthropy Together, an organization whose mission is to connect and catalyze the field of giving circles to democratize and diversify philanthropy.Head to CreatingCommunityForGood.com for full show notes, key takeaways and episode resources.

Nonprofits raise almost half of their annual budgets between October and December. So, no matter what kind of organization you have, you need to be doing something throughout the holiday season -- and now is the time to strategize and activate plans. This is why I’ve called on area expert Mike Spear. We talk about End of Year Giving, #GivingTuesday, and what you can do in January to steward your donors and cultivate them for bigger gifts. With over 10 years in the social sector, Mike comes from a different background, and his ideas are reflective of a mindset that’s beyond traditional fundraising. He was a journalist and a filmmaker, before working in a little startup called Stay Classy Productions. Since then, it has evolved into Classy.org, a social enterprise that creates top-notch online fundraising software for nonprofits, modernizing the giving experience to accelerate social impact around the world. Mike Spear recently created Moonshot.co and the Cause & Purpose Podcast. Working directly with high-impact organizations ready to level up for major growth, he focuses on the “why” first, and then strategies for major impact from there.Head to CreatingCommunityForGood.com for full show notes, key takeaways and episode resources.

When it comes to pursuing a career in fundraising, people like Darcie Champagne Wells are worth watching. She is the Nonprofit Executive and Market Leader at March of Dimes in the Greater Houston Area. She’s deeply passionate and recently celebrated a major milestone —  she and the team she manages have collectively raised $100 million! She has been with the March of Dimes for the last 12 years and been in this profession for the past 25 years, but for her, this is just the beginning of the journey. She’s hoping to raise her next $100 million in just half the time. Darcie and I know each other from our collaboration on The Campaign to End Premature Birth for the March of Dimes where our team designed and ran a major gifts program for individuals, starting with the launch of the capital campaign (shout outs to a few teammates at the end of these show notes.) In this episode, we have a friendly conversation that veers away from formality into a place of truth and authenticity (my favorite kind of pod!).Head to CreatingCommunityForGood.com for full show notes, key takeaways and episode resources.

Among the vineyards of wine country, near the small town of Sonoma California, you can find a 32-acre non-profit that provides a safe haven for about 150 animals. Charlie’s Acres Farm Animal Sanctuary, a nonprofit organization caring for abused, homeless and rescued farm animals, was founded by my dear friend Tracy Vogt in 2016. By educating the public on animal welfare issues she is changing the way society views farm animals, creating a community — both physically and virtually — and opening a space for people to congregate and connect around an aligned mission: kindness and compassion.Head to CreatingCommunityForGood.com for full show notes, key takeaways and episode resources. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

There’s so much connectivity between people who are really trying to do good in the world through their individual actions and through their business. How we define good and how we choose to engage in that, allows us to shift our perspectives from the self and the ego into the collective and the spiritual. Some common traits can be found between people who are both self-loving and community-driven in the way they carry themselves through life and the rituals that they practice. Such is the case with my latest guest in the show, Brad Black, Co-founder and Chairman of the Board of EO and Everyone, an essential collection of natural and organic body care products that puts responsible manufacturing ahead of profits. Brad is a spiritual and mindful person who is changing the world by taking care of his neighbour — one bottle at a time.Head to CreatingCommunityForGood.com for full show notes, key takeaways and episode resources. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ever since he was a young kid Troy Alexander, founder of TROY Skincare, wanted to build something meaningful. Having been in prison for 2 years as a youth — and taking it as an opportunity for personal growth — Troy turned a negative into a positive. In his own words, ‘prison was really my MBA. It was the greatest experience I could have ever had in my life.’ Troy shows us that through hardships come perseverance, grit, and growth. Since then, he has embarked on a journey of love, understanding, and success.In today’s episode of Creating Community for Good, we take a dive into the mind of how a kid behind bars can turn into a journalist for Forbes, The New York Times, and Details; how he was able to travel the world and consult luxury brands like Bentley, Range Rover, and Jaguar; and ultimately, how he became a successful entrepreneur raising $2.5 million for an untapped market in the straight, male fashion and self-care industries with TROY Skincare. This is a story synchronistically following the conversation with our previous guest, Celia Tejada, and our conversation about providing art and counselling to youth in juvenile hall via The Imagine Bus Project.Head to CreatingCommunityForGood.com for full show notes, key takeaways and episode resources. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Professionally, she’s a powerhouse: Restoration Hardware’s retired Chief Creative Officer. Philanthropically, she’s an influencer: Former Board Chair, Major Gifts Donor, and Activist. For our guest today, Celia Tejada, her love of humankind runs much deeper than these roles: Her statement today is that, ‘You should always look for the light — for what inspires you. Some times are harder than others, but you cannot lose sight that life is short.’ Times of uncertainty bring great opportunities for creative development. The power of creativity is transformational: allowing your heart and your soul to transcend from your body and fly away. Creativity means being able to live in the now, while honoring the past and being excited about the future. Savor the tiny moments.Head to CreatingCommunityForGood.com for full show notes, key takeaways and episode resources. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

There are so many things we can’t do during these days, and for event planners like Kelley O’Brien, creativity has been essential in order to pivot during the crisis and keep the business going. Things are much different now than they were six months ago, and we’ve seen a huge increase in virtual events, and more and more people engaging online to collaborate. Unfortunately, it is hard for event planners to make the magic happen without human-to-human interaction, so how can we delight donors and keep relationships with vendors and donors open? In today's episode, Lindsay Simonds explores the universe of events and fundraising with premier event producer Kelley O'Brien, as she shares how things have changed during the pandemic and how those who’s industries have been rocked can slow down, take time to center oneself, and get healthy.Head to CreatingCommunityForGood.com for full show notes, key takeaways and episode resources. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

How do we know if an organization is worth contributing to? Impact monitoring and evaluation is paramount today, but it wasn’t always so — and it won’t be much longer. Determining philanthropic priorities has changed generationally. Going back to the times of the Silent Generation (think: our oldest, living or recently-passed generation), there were far fewer nonprofits than now, and they were supported primarily because of their brand, celebrity endorsement, relevance to society and scope of service. There was trust, legacy and loyalty. It evolved over the last decade or so to focus on impact monitoring and evaluation to prove relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and impact of activities in the light of specific objectives. Return on investment and overhead were most closely examined — almost obsessively. While the intention behind the rigor and review is good, it caused many to lose sight of the bigger picture. Nonprofits were then forced to reallocate funds from the program to reports. That’s why evaluation is evolving again now. In this episode, Corey Newhouse — consultant, analytical brain power, and founder of Public Profit — unveils a new measurement: are we addressing the root issue with our work (not just putting a bandaid on it) and are we tracking learnings over time? Head to CreatingCommunityForGood.com for full show notes, key takeaways and episode resources. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

When Ryan Oliver first stepped into the role of Regional Executive Director of the Bay Area and Los Angeles for BUILD, the organization was undergoing a national reorganization. At the time, I was a fundraising strategy and operations consultant for BUILD, and had the task of supporting Ryan’s onboarding and a regional advisory board development. His charge was to activate volunteer leadership from people genuinely driven by the mission. That body of representatives would hold the primary responsibility of advising growth initiatives, communications strategies, program expansion — and of course — fundraising. In today’s episode of Creating Community for Good, we’ll learn how Ryan assembled his team, the learnings he gathered during the process, and the principles behind creating an organization that values its members and acknowledges their unique skills and needs, while staying true to the cause.Head to CreatingCommunityForGood.com for full show notes, key takeaways and episode resources. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

How are community and private foundations redirecting COVID funds for a brighter future in our communities? Philanthropy is increasing as Foundations and Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) are called to distribute money now, rather than holding them in the “parking lot”. Legally, foundations are required to distribute 5% of their assets each year in grants to nonprofits. According to Market Watch, private foundations hold an estimated $1 trillion in assets and DAFs contain $120 billion. But the ultra-high net wealth individuals and foundations are advocating for distribution now. For example, the “Patriotic Millionaires” are advocating for the next stimulus package to ensure philanthropists distribute 10% money to charities while the country grapples with the pandemic. Also, to encourage people to give more freely in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the California couple David and Jennifer Risher created the #HalfMyDAF challenge which offers matching donations to donors who pledge to empty half of their donor-advised-fund account and direct that money to charity by September 30.Fundamentally, a foundation is an investment vehicle where dividends are distributed to charity. Benefits include strategic advice on giving, ability to aggregate funds overtime to support large initiatives and, of course, tax burden reduction. A community foundation’s mission is very general: to improve the quality of life in a given area. In this episode, we chat with Jim Becker, the President and CEO of the Richmond Community Foundation of California. Jim offers a thoughtful and holistic perspective on community needs as well as strategies for funding, not just in his region but nationally.Head to CreatingCommunityForGood.com for full show notes, key takeaways and episode resources. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Transitioning from a nonprofit organization to a for-profit company can be an exciting professional change and powerful career move. After 15 years in the nonprofit work, today’s guest, Andrew Kaufteil, successfully transitioned into the for-profit space over five years ago. When he hungered for a change, he reflected on his core competencies and transferable skills to launch him into a new career — and has never looked back! He believes one can have an equally challenging, rewarding and impactful career in both sectors, when done carefully. Finding one’s sweet-spots and super-powers will open doors.Head to CreatingCommunityForGood.com for full show notes, key takeaways and episode resources. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Last week we talked about micro-donations, instant gratification behavioral trends and the reality of our uber-connected world. With the great transfer of wealth, millennials are revolutionizing philanthropy. This generation is finding ways to integrate volunteerism into their lifestyle for ways to pass the time, for corporate team-building and for metric-driven PBs (personal bests). This generation sees itself as a teammate in the fight for change. They co-own hopes, goals, and visions for individuals, communities and, ultimately, the course of history. These ideals paired with rally-cries for engagement are sure to shape social, environmental, racial, and political spheres as the next wave of humanity’s majority generation.  In this episode, Lindsay sits down with her cousin Michaela Colbert— a keystone millennial engaged in doing good while having fun — for a human story. They talk about ideals, motivations and peer behaviors relating to volunteer engagement, shifts since Covid-19, corporate employee engagement and micro-acts of kindness.Head to CreatingCommunityForGood.com for full show notes, key takeaways and episode resources. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Millenials have surpassed Baby Boomers as the nation's largest living adult generation; 92% of them own a smartphone and 85% of them use social media to keep themselves informed and involved with the world's problems. So how does this group’s behavior and the concept of one-click engagement impact giving? In today’s episode, we chat with Richie Kendall, Co-founder and CXO of Cheerful (a Goodworld Company), the first Millennial-native giving platform that rounds up purchases for nonprofit causes.Head to CreatingCommunityForGood.com for full show notes, key takeaways and episode resources. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Feasibility Studies, Capital Campaigns, Major Gifts… what are they all about? Just as podcasting is about connecting with others and growing together, it is crucial to cultivate a strong relationship with your community at large if you want to bring bold ideas to life in nonprofit organizations. That is why in today’s episode, we flipped the script to have Mary Hiland interview me as a guest for her show, Inspired Nonprofit Leadership.Head to CreatingCommunityForGood.com for full show notes, key takeaways and episode resources. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Nonprofit boards are charged as the highest level of leadership of an organization. Alongside the Executive Directors and CEOs, board members manage operations, envision the future, advance the mission, inspire the community, and commit to fiduciary compliances. Today’s guest, Mary Hiland PhD, has been on all sides of the sector: she went from volunteer, to staff member, to executive director, and now to serve as a consultant and coach. Mary’s biggest passion is to help leaders transform their nonprofits with the potential of boards. Tune in this conversation to learn about the power of well-selected boards, understanding peoples’ needs, and the true value of making a difference in the world.Head to CreatingCommunityForGood.com for full show notes, key takeaways and episode resources. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

How can the nonprofit community stay relevant and keep evolving in the ever-changing, modern world? Artificial Intelligence tools and knowledge are more accessible than ever before, and people are starting to understand this is the future. Thus, hopping on new technologies and following the latest trends should be a common practice in the philanthropy ecosystem as well. Today, Lindsay sits down to chat with Nathan Chappell, one of the world's foremost experts on the intersection between Artificial Intelligence and philanthropy.Head to CreatingCommunityForGood.com for full show notes, key takeaways and episode resources. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What’s the heart of fundraising? Why are donors genuinely happy to contribute to a cause? Giving is human nature. By inviting a donor to invest in change through funding an organization that addresses a shared vision, you are providing an opportunity for mission fulfillment. In other words, if philanthropy is the love of humankind, then fundraisers are conduits of love in action in a symbiotic relationship. After the gift is received, stewardship is the response. Stewardship of giving is the critical element to recognizing mission fulfillment, and it will ultimately merit continued giving overtime. In this episode, Lindsay shares her expertise to discover why stewardship is intrinsically connected to the culture of philanthropy. She offers statistics, tactics, strategies and resources that are both evergreen and innovative that will be relevant during this time of social distancing. Head to LindsaySimondsConsulting.com to view the webinar and download the presentation deck. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

America is going through a social revolution. If we want to create a community for good, we must look in all directions. We have to look further and see the full picture, instead of making divisions to see the problem from the outside. This goes beyond black or white. Are we failing to see past the racial issues and condemning people that are victims of our broken systems, too? #BlackLivesMatter and the George Floyd murder is just the tip of the iceberg. What can we all do to step into action and stand up for civil rights? The allies of the BLM movement are demanding justice and equality for all minorities, and we should be supporting them. In this episode, Lindsay sits down with her long-time friends Quentin Wheeler-Bell and Liza Fox, to address the Black Lives Matter movement and the social inequality in America.Head to LindsaySimondsConsulting.com for full show notes, key takeaways and episode resources. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

When our loved ones reach out to us for advice or to talk about a situation concerning them, we just have to sit down and listen. With the current social distancing, physical gatherings have been suspended and all we have left are remote communication channels to stay connected with the ones we care about the most. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, everyone is facing emotional and mental distress, so making others feel heard remotely sounds overwhelming and maybe even impossible. With an amazing initiative, Empower Work blends emotional and tactical support for workers at critical moments… all via SMS. How would you make a stranger feel safe with just words? In this episode, Lindsay chats with Empower Work’s founder Jaime-Alexis Fowler about exactly that.Head to LindsaySimondsConsulting.com for full show notes, key takeaways and episode resources. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What does it take to run an effective and inclusive virtual meeting? What can we do to stay in touch with our people in times of distancing? In today’s episode, trainer, facilitator, speaker and coach, Renee Rubin Ross, Ph.D., talks about inclusive and effective tools to lead virtual meetings that get participants sharing ideas, interacting and moving towards engagement and action.Head to LindsaySimondsConsulting.com for full show notes, key takeaways and episode resources. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The master of individual giving and major gifts fundraising is a combination of an art and a science. Crisis or not, it can be a challenge. Fundraising is about listening more than pitching. Ask the right questions — high value questions, and you will co-develop a winning strategy for a long-term relationship — in fundraising or otherwise. Today’s guest Sterrin Bird, joins Lindsay in an enlightening conversation about techniques, language and frameworks around major gifts solicitations (even during uncertain times).Head to LindsaySimondsConsulting.com for full show notes, key takeaways and episode resources. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The initial shock of the COVID-19 outbreak is over, even though the world is still paralyzed. Now what? Keep going! The most important lesson from our past experience with crises is that it is crucial for nonprofits to keep going rather than stopping fundraising efforts to sustain themselves and keep their doors open — figuratively and literally. With an economic crisis around the corner, fundraisers are tuning in to figure out ways to count on their donors’ support. Today, Rick Happy, Principal and Managing Director of CCS Fundraising, sits down with Lindsay to share insights on philanthropy and relevant advice for every nonprofit around the globe.Head to LindsaySimondsConsulting.com for full show notes, key takeaways and episode resources. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Human beings are kindhearted creatures by nature, and this kindness is even enhanced in difficult times like the current COVID-19 crisis. That’s why GivingTuesday Now has announced a second Day of Global Action for Giving and Unity in addition to the current Giving Tuesday after Thanksgiving, to take place on May 5th, 2020. A passionate nonprofit strategist, Tim Sarrantonio, joins Lindsay in today’s episode to talk about the power of giving, and how to take important actions that will positively affect your nonprofit.Head to LindsaySimondsConsulting.com for full show notes, key takeaways and episode resources. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As we grow up, we can usually tell where our lives might go, and getting girls interested in careers that have been normalized as “men only” has become a challenge. As a social justice advocate and CEO of Techbridge Girls, Nikole Collins-Puri supports girls from marginalized communities to get interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Today she talks to Lindsay about what it means to be a woman of color leading a national organization that urges social change in our communities.Head to LindsaySimondsConsulting.com for full show notes, key takeaways and episode resources. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Sharing content through the internet allows you to build your brand by letting others know who you are and what you do. There is no faster way to do that today than creating a social media presence of your personal brand or your organization. In this episode, Lindsay Simonds chats to Kevin Nichols, a mega influencer and social media guru. Kevin shares with us how to build that presence and how to influence others using online resources, such as Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Head to LindsaySimondsConsulting.com for full show notes, key takeaways and episode resources. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What motivates you to help others and become successful? As we enter the philanthropy world, giving back to society becomes the main priority. It doesn’t matter if you are a writer or a chef, bringing magic and empowering others is something everyone should be able to do. Our guest for today’s show, dynamic philanthropist, nonprofit leader and creator Diana von Welanetz Wenworth is founder of The Inside Edge Foundation for Education and bestselling author of ten books! She is an amazing woman that has not only survived a heart attack and lived to tell her story, but is also dedicated to helping others and creating community for good.Head to LindsaySimondsConsulting.com for full show notes, timestamps and episode resources. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Goal achieving might not be the easiest thing to do, but a good way to start is with a personal goal-setting practice. Today's episode is all about maximizing actability and concreteness through our habits. In order to do that, we have a special guest today: Maria Cristini is here to share with us through real-life demonstration, how to see the big picture and take daily inspired action. If you are having trouble setting personal or business goals, this is your chance to improve and clear this process.Head to LindsaySimondsConsulting.com for full show notes, timestamps and episode resources See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As we start on our own personal journey, we all learn and seek to transform our lives to have a better future. Today's guest was shaped by two loving parents and knows best when it comes to creating opportunities and starting something good. Bart Skorupa is a social entrepreneur that dedicates his life to inspiring leaders in crafting a better world. He is a dear friend who will share with us how to stay balanced in our professional and personal life.Head to LindsaySimondsConsulting.com for full show notes, timestamps and episode resources See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Can we solve the systematic and environmental challenges we are constantly facing in today’s world? Now more than ever, humanity has to come together and unite forces to deal with the crisis we have created. Today’s podcast guest, Aila Malik, will teach us how to create positive change for good and build communities through small acts of kindness. Aila is convinced that the way to move forward as a society and drive impact in scale is by engaging with others and building meaningful connections.Head to LindsaySimondsConsulting.com for full show notes, timestamps and episode resources See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.