Nonprofit Confidential

Leaders have always been charged with making tough decisions. In fact, the hallmark quality of a truly great leader is the ability to weigh the options and to make the best decisions for their people. But oftentimes the decisions we have to make feel like lose-lose situations. When that’s the case, how can you feel confident moving forward? On this episode, I’ll talk about what it really means to make a good decision, and describe a four-step process to ensure you make the best decisions. For more information and show notes: CLICK HERE  To join our free, private Facebook group: CLICK HERE

When we think of innovation, we typically attribute this to technology and for-profit companies. They’re the ones with the big ideas and the money to see them through. But, when it comes to solving the most pressing issues facing our communities, nonprofits are actually perfectly positioned for innovation.  While the nonprofit sector faces some real obstacles to innovation, there are steps organizations can take to think differently and attack problems from a different viewpoint. On this episode, I talk through the four elements that help nonprofits eliminate societal problems through innovation.  For more information and show notes: CLICK HERE To join our free, private Facebook group: CLICK HERE  

To every single person on the frontlines, thank you for all you are doing to keep our communities safe and healthy. Unfortunately, child abuse, domestic violence, hunger, homelessness, and of course healthcare does not pause just because of a pandemic. In fact, the role frontline staff play in the lives of those they serve is probably amplified right now. On this episode, I share a few tips for how nonprofit bosses can support frontline staff who must show up in the community each day. For more information and show notes: CLICK HERE To join our free, private Facebook group: CLICK HERE

Many nonprofits are shying away from fundraising or even charging for programs right now because of the coronavirus crisis. These actions come from a good place and demonstrate how compassionate and empathetic people in the nonprofit field truly are. But, on this episode, I offer a different point of view- not just as a nonprofit expert, but as a donor and an active participant in nonprofit programs. If you've been struggling with deciding whether to actively fundraise or not, this episode is for you. For information and show notes: CLICK HERE To join our private Facebook group: CLICK HERE

With coronavirus forcing most of us to work from home, a question that has come up a lot is, how can I manage a remote team? Many nonprofit leaders are concerned with how to keep their teams engaged and motivated during this unprecedented time. On this Nonprofit Boss Network episode, I offer tactical advice for engaging with your team, and ensuring that everyone feels supported. Importantly, I walk you through a step by step system for making sure that working from home is just as productive (if not more!) than working together in the office. For more information and show notes: CLICK HERE To join our free, private Facebook group: CLICK HERE

The coronavirus has canceled events the world over- from weddings to conferences and, unfortunately, our nonprofit fundraisers. So many nonprofits rely on spring fundraisers to raise crucial funding for their causes. If you’ve had to cancel your event you may be wondering, what do we do now?  On this episode I’ll chat about the three fundraising questions I’ve received most frequently in the last week: It appropriate to fundraise right now? Now that my fundraiser is canceled, how can we get funding to keep our programs running? Should we host a virtual fundraiser?  For more information and show notes : CLICK HERE  To join our free, private Facebook group: CLICK HERE

Emotional intelligence is one of those buzz words that gets thrown around. In fact, it’s easier to spot when someone lacks it, than when someone has it. But emotional intelligence is actually one of the most important skills that nonprofit leaders can develop, particularly right now.  On this episode, I share with you how researchers define emotional intelligence, why it’s such a valuable quality, and how you can develop your own skills. For more information and show notes: CLICK HERE To join our free, private Facebook group: CLICK HERE

Stephanie Hathaway is a Regional Donation Center Manager for the nonprofit Soles4Souls. While she is creating huge impact with her work now, she didn't always work in the nonprofit space- her background is in fashion. But, after landing her dream job, she found that she wasn't as fulfilled as she thought she would be.  If you’ve ever felt like you lack passion for your work but it’s too late to make a shift, then this episode is for you. Or if you’ve ever considered making a change but you wondered how your skills would translate over to a new field or position, then this episode is for you. For more information and show notes: CLICK HERE For more information about Soles4Souls: CLICK HERE  

We're thrilled to kick off the Nonprofit Boss Network (NBN) weekly minisodes with our first topic- leadership vs. management. The skills that it takes to effectively lead are similar regardless of how many people you’re supervising or managing. But there are important differences between managing and leading. There’s also a time to manage and a time to lead.  However, that doesn’t mean that one is better than the other. In fact, all organizations need both leaders and managers in order to succeed. In this episode, we'll cover the 5 most important distinctions between managers and leaders. We'll also discuss how to determine when it's appropriate to act as a leader or manager.  For more information and show notes: CLICK HERE.    

In a recent Harvard Business Review article, the authors considered how metrics could take businesses further away from their strategic goals.  As all nonprofit professionals know, measurement and program evaluation are hugely important for nonprofits. We need data for grants and donors want to know that they are supporting effective programs. But with the emphasis we've placed on metrics in the nonprofit sector recently, this article raises a nagging question- are metrics helping or hurting us? The answer is, it depends. For more information and show notes: CLICK HERE  

Dr. Gretchen Foskett is part of the physician duo behind the Little Zebra Fund, a nonprofit that “provides funding for universal access to clinical genetic testing by eliminating financial obstacles.” Physician by day and nonprofit boss by night (and every other spare moment she can piece together), Gretchen shares invaluable insight into how to start a nonprofit, how to grow an organization, and how to successfully run a nonprofit as a side hustle. For more information about the Little Zebra Fund CLICK HERE. For shownotes and more information about the episode CLICK HERE.  

I love meetings- they’re my absolute favorite! Said no one. Ever. I think most of us can agree that meetings are literally the worst. Even though they take over our calendars and are practically a universal part of doing business, most of us have never received any training on how to run a meeting. The good news is that there are proven characteristics that separate effective meetings from those that make a trip to the dentist seem fun. So, while I wouldn’t dream of trying to convince you to enjoy meetings, I can help you become an effective meeting facilitator. This episode will help you identify steps you can take right this instant to make the most out of your next meeting.  NONPROFIT CONFIDENTIAL FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nonprofitconfidential/ NONPROFIT CONFIDENTIAL SHOWNOTES: http://thirdsuite.com/25 NONPROFIT CONFIDENTIAL INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/nonprofitconfidential

Becoming an effective nonprofit professional takes more than years of experience. It takes shifting your mindset in a way that helps you tap into your strengths and align your work with your passions. On this episode, I share with you five key areas to focus on as you develop the mindset of an effective nonprofit professional.  For more information and show notes, please click HERE. Join the Nonprofit Confidential Podcast Community, please click HERE. 

Fundraising may seem like an extrovert's game, but us introverts have some innate strengths that make us equally qualified excel in fundraising. On this episode I share with you some of the tips and tricks that have helped me succeed in my fundraising career, even as an unapologetic introvert.   For show notes and more information, please click HERE. 

On today's episode of Nonprofit Confidential, I share my conversation with Chelsi Bennett. Among her many roles, Chelsi is the founder of the Life With Chelsi Foundation, a nonprofit organization that empowers women and helps moms-to-be.  Running her nonprofit as a side-hustle, Chelsi has learned how to balance a full-time job and a side-hustle along with being a wife, and involved community member. She shares valuable insight into just how she manages her many roles and takes care of herself while she does it all.  For more information about this episode, please click HERE.  To take an even deeper dive into the topics discussed on this episode, join Nonprofit Scholars. Check it out by clicking HERE.

In today's episode, I'm talking about creating a mission-oriented data strategy. Essentially, this means shifting your mindset (and the mindset of your nonprofit organization) so that you view data as a tool to help you achiever greater impact, not just report on results.  To illustrate this point, I refer to a case study found in the Stanford Social Innovation Review that discusses how the nonprofit City Year shifted its data strategy and was able to achieve amazing results.  For more information and show notes, please click HERE.  If you enjoyed today's episode and would like more learning opportunities, check out Nonprofit Scholars. To learn more about Nonprofit Scholars, please click HERE.   

In today's episode of Nonprofit Confidential, I'm answering the most important question for fundraisers- what do donors really want?  When we have a million and one things to do, it's easy to let touch points slip by without taking action. After you listen to this episode, you'll understand why touch points are so important and what these small interactions help establish for your organization.  For more information and links to the resources mentioned in the episode, please click HERE.  For more information about ThirdSuite's new membership program, Nonprofit Scholars, please click HERE.   

For many nonprofits, July 1 marked the start of a new fiscal year. With a clean slate and seemingly unlimited potential, that new fiscal year feeling fits in perfectly with summer.  But those good vibes can easily start to slip away once you get into the swing of programs and fundraising. What seemed like unlimited potential can soon become feelings of overwhelm and stress. In this episode, I share five tips for preparing yourself to hit all of your goals and making this your best fiscal year yet. For more information and show notes, please click HERE.  This episode is brought to you by ThirdSuite's Book Club, a FREE virtual book club. For more information or to join today, please click HERE.

It's time for another FAQ episode! Today I'm answering questions like:  How can my organization engage volunteers when we don't have direct service programs? (including some ideas to help you get started) How can I convert social media followers, likes and shares into donors?  What is one thing nonprofits don't do enough of? (the answer might surprise you!) I hope you enjoy this jam-packed conversation. To get your questions into the next FAQ episode, simply submit your requests to hello@thirdsuite.com This episode is brought to you by ThirdSuite's Book Club- a FREE, online book club for passionate nonprofit professionals. Click here to join today! For show notes and more information, please click HERE.  

As the host of Nonprofit Confidential and founder of ThirdSuite, I often get asked to share my story. Specifically, why I started ThirdSuite and why I'm so passionate about what I do.  On this episode, I am flipping the script. Rather than being the one to interview, I'm sharing an interview that I did on Chats with Chelsi.  We talk about my background in public health, where I see the sector going, and share advice for young professionals who wish to have a career in the nonprofit sector. For show notes CLICK HERE.  For more information about Chats with Chelsi CLICK HERE.

Common sayings we hear around the workplace are often found to be untrue after further investigation. In the best case scenario, these little myths are totally harmless but in the nonprofit field, these myths can hold your organization back from serving your community to best of your abilities.  In this episode, I dispel five myths nonprofit organizations commonly encounter.  For more information and links to resources discussed in the episode, please click HERE. This episode is brought to you by ThirdSuite's Book Club. To join this private, online book club please click HERE. For daily tips, follow ThirdSuite on Instagram! Click HERE

Remember when strategic planning meant multiple, day long meetings and a thick packet of information?  Nonprofits have moved away from this method of strategic planning in recent years- thankfully! In this episode I answer FAQ’s about strategic planning in general as well as describe three scaled down and more efficient methods for strategic planning. For more information and show notes, please click HERE. This episode is brought to you by ThirdSuite's Book Club. This FREE virtual book club is a platform for insightful, passionate nonprofit professionals to share thoughts and discuss new ideas. To join this community, please click HERE. For daily nonprofit tips, follow ThirdSuite on Instagram- click HERE.

As the saying goes, the only constant is change. If that's the case, why is it so hard to deal with?  Shaking things up at your nonprofit is not an easy task. In fact, an incredible 70% of change management projects fail.  In this episode, I discuss why it is so difficult to introduce change into your organization and share 6 tips to help you make your next change management project a success.  For shownotes and links please click HERE.    

It goes without saying that nonprofits with strong, engaged boards are more successful than those with lackluster boards. We know what a board of directors is supposed to do, so what does it take for a board to head towards excellence and away from ordinary?    In this episode, we answer this question and share with you the seven key factors that separate strong boards from the pack.  For shownotes and more information, click HERE.

In honor of National Stress Awareness Month, this week's episode is all about stress and what we can do to relieve it. The nonprofit sector checks off many of the characteristics that lead to workplace stress. Things like low salary and excessive workloads (sound familiar?) can cause our staff to become stressed and actually leads to lower quality work.  The work we do in our sector is far too important to allow us to show up as less than our best selves. In this episode, I share 5 suggestions for ways you can reduce stress for yourself, as well as 5 suggestions for how nonprofit leaders can reduce stress amongst their team members.  Find shownotes with all of the resources discussed in this episode by clicking HERE.    

Sharron McDaniel is the Outreach Coordinator extraordinaire who has helped ART180 become an integral part of the Richmond, VA community. From its location in the arts district to creating a comfortable space for teens to hang out, ART180 has done a great job of intentionally creating an organization that young people want to engage with.  But, that's only half the battle. Sharron's job as Outreach Coordinator involves going out into the community and recruiting youth to actually participate in the impactful programs offered by ART180, all while wearing the many hats that fall under Outreach Coordinator.  In this episode, we talk about how she stays organized, measuring the success of the Outreach Coordinator role, engaging youth, and so much more.  This episode is brought to you by ThirdSuite's FREE guide, How to Make Daily Progress Toward your Strategic Plan. Click here to join ThirdSuite's email list and grab the free guide. To learn more about ART 180 please click HERE.

This episode provides answers to all the questions that keep you up at night, such as: How can I engage my board in fundraising?  How can I recruit a board for my new nonprofit?  Should my organization participate in Giving Tuesday?  And so much more! This is one episode you do not want to miss.  To preview the questions and get show notes for this episode, please visit: www.thirdsuite.com/10  

What does it take to create a successful fundraising program? Especially one that relies on volunteers? In this episode, I get all the insider details from Elizabeth Anderson, VP of Fund Development for the Junior League of Richmond. If your nonprofit is struggling to engage volunteers- such as board members- in fundraising, OR your organization is trying to find the right fundraising event for your nonprofit, then this is the episode for you. Find show notes for this episode at www.thirdsuite.com/9 For more information about the 2019 Book and Author event click HERE.  For more information about the Junior League of Richmond click HERE.  For more information about the Association of Junior Leagues International click HERE.   

If you've ever gone through the process of switching donor databases, you know it's the worst thing ever. Stress, anxiety, conflict- these don't have to be par for the course. In this episode I walk you through seven factors to consider to help you choose the best database for your nonprofit. You'll walk away from this episode knowing exactly how to get from "I have no idea where to start" to "I'm confident I've made the right choice." This episode is packed with information so there is also a FREE worksheet to guide you through this process. Download the worksheet and find the show notes HERE. Get free tips and resources from ThirdSuite by clicking HERE.

Choosing the right fundraising event for your donor crowd can make or break your event. While there's a lot of information out there about what tools to use to raise money or unique ideas for fundraising events, there is NOT much information out there about how to choose the best fundraising event for your specific organization. This episode fills in this gap.  After listening to this episode you'll be able to choose the correct fundraising event for your organization and be confident in the future success of this fundraiser.  We also have a FREE worksheet with this episode that walks you through all of the steps discussed here. Head over to www.thirdsuite.com/7 to download this FREE worksheet.

On this episode, I walk you through my Donor Road Map, which helps me engage donors in meaningful communication. If you're just starting out in your fundraising career, or fundraising fell into your lap and you're looking for direction, this episode is for you. If you've been listening to the first few episodes of Nonprofit Confidential, you know we typically feature nonprofit leaders. We're still going share compelling stories but this week, we're going to pivot a bit share some insider tips.To download a FREE PDF of the road map, please visit www.thirdsuite.com/6

Today’s episode features Yewande Austin- she is the executive director of the Change Rocks Foundation and the Global Institute for Diversity and Change. Yewande has created a multi-disciplinary approach to diversity and inclusion that has transformed both nonprofit and for-profit organizations. She development the country’s first recognized diversity healthcare curriculum for pre-health and professional health science students. These days, she has focused her efforts on Alheri Village, which is a resettlement community she developed in Nigeria for Boko Haram conflict survivors. In this conversation, we talk about tips for implementing a diversity and inclusion strategy for nonprofits, holistic approaches to problem solving, maintaining integrity when dealing with funders, and so much more. For more information on Yewande and her work , please visit: www.changerocksfoundation.com or www.globalinstituteforchange.com.

Adria Scharf is the executive director of the Richmond Peace Education Center. RPEC has a lofty goal- the organization works to build more peaceful, just and inclusive communities. In doing this work, they inevitably have to navigate controversial topics that could scare off potential supporters. In this episode, Adria talks about how she handles these subjects with finesse, while engaging youth in promoting peace.  For more information about the Richmond Peace Education Center, please visit www.rpec.org or follow them on Instagram @peacecenterrva. 

Anne McDonnell, executive director of the Brain Injury Association of Virginia, has successfully made the switch from patient-centered, clinical work to now serving as the leader of BIAV. We talk about how she navigated that transition, lessons learned along the way, running a nonprofit in a changing healthcare field, board success, and more! This episode is brought to you by ThirdSuite's new course, Nonprofits for Newbies. Think of this like a crash course in nonprofit management. This is a LIVE three-hour course split over three webinars. Each course is tailored to the unique needs of the students in that cohort. All students receive an exclusive invitation to a private Facebook group where they can chat with ThirdSuite consultants and their peers. Head over to www.thirdsuite.com to sign up today! Use promo code "nonprofitconfidential" at checkout to receive 10% off.

Rachel Douglas, executive director of Chrysalis Institute discusses how our inner work can help us find purpose and clarity. We get into mindfulness vs. spirituality and discuss how introspection can be particularly useful for nonprofits. We also talk about nonprofit branding and marketing, specifically answering the question: "How do you know it's time for a re-brand?"

Jeff Lafata, founder and executive director of Empowering People for Inclusive Communities discusses how he established his organization, the challenges he faced along the way, and how he has learned to let go when needed.