Nonprofit Everything

Nonprofits are "business on hard-mode," and sometimes this can take a toll on board members and staff. Is there something we can do about burnout in this high-stress environment? Stacey and Andy have some thoughts! Also this week, we talk about good ways to preserve our organization's stories, and discuss the tightrope-walk that is determining the first executive director's salary. Thanks for joining us this week, and please send your questions to Questions@NonprofitEverything.com.

How do nonprofits get better at talking to the media about our mission, programs and needs? Stacey joins guest expert Linda Bridges, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at SafeNest for the answer. Thanks for joining us this week! If you have any time between saving the world and pulling your hair out, please send your questions to Questions@NonprofitEverything.com.

How do you create a fundraising budget from scratch -- is that even possible if you have no past history? Andy and Stacey sure seem to think so! Also this week, we talk about how to officially wind down a nonprofit organization, and if it's possible to convert from a nonprofit to a for-profit. Thanks for your commitment to making the world a better place (and for joining us!) Oh, we also have something for your to-do list: Send a question you *wish* somebody else would ask to Questions@NonprofitEverything.com.

Is it possible (or ethical) to raise unrestricted funds at a program focused event? Stacey and Andy have some thoughts! Also this week, we discuss how a small membership organization can start to raise some cash, and we find out the three things about being a CFO that Andy wants everybody to know. (There weren't three - we counted.) Thanks again for joining us this week, and please don't forget to send any and all questions to Questions@NonprofitEverything.com. Pretty please with sugar on top!

How do we know which state's benefits apply to our remote workers? Andy joins guest expert Randy Marsh, Interim Chief Financial & Operations Officer for the nonprofit ANet to get the answer. Also this week, Stacey has some ideas about how to quiet down a rowdy crowd at a gala. Thanks for joining us this week, and please send any and all nonprofit related questions to Questions@NonprofitEverything.com.

Two of the members on one of our board committees can't stop fighting with each other... who should deal with this? We've definitely got a few ideas. Also this week, Stacey and Andy explore some options for smaller organizations to recognize and help out remote employees. Thanks for joining us this week, and please send your questions to questions@NonprofitEverything.com.

Everybody should have an endowment, shouldn't they? Not so fast -- Andy and Stacey have some thoughts. Also this week, are restaurant marketing fundraisers a good way to make a little money? Thanks for joining us this week, and please, please, please send any and all nonprofit-related questions to questions@NonprofitEverything.com.

Are there any special things we should be considering when former clients want to come back to volunteer? Stacey and Andy have thoughts. Also this week, we discuss whether an organization should have an "overhead target" and if it's appropriate for a financial auditor to suggest a specific number. Thanks for joining us this week, and be sure to send any and all questions (or suggestions!) to questions@NonprofitEverything.com.

We get a lot of requests for one-day corporate volunteering projects, but they take so much effort. How do we make these worth our time? Stacey and Andy have some thoughts! Also this week, we talk about how to manage a founder who has retired to the board, how to politely decline gifts that we shouldn't accept, and whether or not it's a good idea to hire in an executive director from outside the community. Thanks for joining us this week, and be sure to send your questions to questions@NonprofitEverything.com.

With so many options available, what strategies should we use to maximize our marketing efforts -- especially if we don't really have the capacity in the first place? Stacey joins guest expert Lisa Nelsen, Owner, Nonprofit Brand Designer & Copywriter at Coruzzi Communications for a comprehensive answer! Thanks for joining us this week, and don't forget to send your questions to questions@NonprofitEverything.com.

What's the best way to condense the massive impact our organization has into a easily digested social media clip? Stacey and Andy have some thoughts! Also this week, we (kinda) talk about how to find an easy to use accounting package for nonprofit organizations and dig into an uncomfortable story about a board overreacting to a personnel issue. Thanks for joining us this week, and please take the time to send us any and all questions to questions@NonprofitEverything.com. By the way, the show notes have good stuff this week, too.

Isn't it a huge waste of effort to be a nonprofit once you consider the compliance, reporting and donor rules? For an organization just starting out, couldn't we serve our mission more efficiently if we didn't have to bother with all that? Stacey and Andy definitely have some thoughts on this! Also this week, we talk about whether Event Planners are important when designing a fundraising event, and find out how to deal with a board member who has gone MIA. Thanks for joining us this week, and don't forget to send your questions to questions@NonprofitEverything.com.

Are there fundamental differences between the board responsibilities of an arts nonprofit and a regular old charitable one? This week Andy is joined by guest expert and author of Scene Change Alan Harrison to get this question answered properly. You might need to listen twice, because this episode goes deep -- court cases clarifying nonprofit law, the patronage system, and whether "art for arts sake" qualifies as a charitable mission. Thanks again for joining us this week! Please send us your questions and check out the show notes at NonprofitEverything.com.

How do you keep from being the subject of a negative news story? Stacey and Andy have some thoughts. Also this week, we talk about what a better set of nonprofit financial statements looks like. Thanks for joining us this week (and this entire year!), and please send your questions to questions@NonprofitEverything.com.

How do we attract and retain younger board members? Stacey and Andy have some thoughts. Also this week, we talk about how to engage with new pro sports teams (or any new companies) coming to your town. And finally, we share some tips for making sure you don't have a bad experience when working with a consultant. Thanks for joining us this week, and please send your questions to questions@NonprofitEverything.com.

Are there things we need to know when bringing in our first ever board? Stacey has thoughts. Also this week, we talk about internal controls for an organization with one staff member, and whether or not to submit a report for a grant that doesn't actually require one. And finally, Andy gets tricked into answering a question about gala auctioneers. Thanks for joining us this week, and please send your questions to questions@NonprofitEverything.com.

How do you encourage donors to fund capacity building and not just programs? Stacey and Andy have some thoughts! Also this week, we talk about whether or not there is a best practice around reserve spending, and share some ideas about inspiring high school students to join us in our nonprofit missions. Thanks for being here this week, and don't forget to send your questions to questions@nonprofiteverything.com.

Is there a difference between a nonprofit's "story" and its "elevator pitch?" Stacey has some thoughts. Also this week, we talk about criteria for a recognition wall, and a really big one: how the heck do you get boards to ask more (intelligent) questions!? Thanks for joining us this week, and please send your questions to questions@NonprofitEverything.com.

After starting a brand new nonprofit and filing the paperwork, what's next? Stacey and Andy will get you pointed in the right direction. Also this week, we talk about things to think about when hiring your first ever development professional, and whether or not it is appropriate to have a staff member also serve on the organization's board. Thanks for joining us this week, and please don't forget to send your questions to questions@nonprofiteverything.com!

Are donor advised funds good or evil? That's a big question, and Stacey and Andy definitely have some thoughts. Also, we talk about strategies for filling vacant committee leadership positions (it's tough!) and Stacey has some tips for getting a geographically dispersed board all on the same page. Thanks for joining us this week, and don't forget to send any and all nonprofit questions to questions@nonprofiteverything.com!

We've got a really nice balance of questions this week! Is it possible to get a founding executive director to embrace change? Stacey and Andy have some thoughts on that! Also this week, we brainstorm about how to get new people to come to the same old gala, and talk through a couple of options when your revenue comes in all in the same month. Thanks for joining us this week, and don't forget to send any and all nonprofit questions to questions@nonprofiteverything.com!

Just two questions for Stacey and Andy this week, but they're biggies! When creating a strategic plan is a consultant really necessasry, or can we spare that expense? Also this week, a technical question about calculating liquidity gets unexpectedly philosophical really fast. Thanks for joining us, and be sure to send us any nonprofit topic you want us to cover to questions@NonprofitEverything.com.

If there's something more terrifying than having to tell a grantor that they're wrong, we haven't heard of it. Is it even possible to push back on a state agency interpreting a federal grant incorrectly? Stacy and Andy have some thoughts! Also this week, we talk about when it's appropriate for the board to lead committees, and Andy goes off on a tangent about needing to get three bids for things. Thanks for joining us this week, and please don't forget to send your questions to questions@nonprofiteverything.com.

Should the executive director select their own replacement? Andy and Stacey certainly have some thoughts on that topic! Also this week, an organization needs help attracting new and different volunteers, and we discuss whether a nonprofit should set up a for-profit subsidiary. Thanks for joining us this week! Don't forget to check out the show notes at nonprofiteverything.com, and be sure to send us your nonprofit questions at questions@nonprofiteverything.com.

If you've spent years proudly telling donors that you're all volunteer run, is it even possible to hire paid staff when you need to level up? Stacey and Andy have some thoughts. Also this week, we talk about the possibility and consequences of failing the Form 990's "Public Support Test," and Stacey shares some ideas to help celebrate an organization's tenth anniversary (while Andy wisely stays silent). Thanks for being a loyal listener/nonprofit rockstar, and keep those questions and comments coming. Next week the theme is "things I wish my board would ask me" so warm up your typing fingers and send us stuff at questions@nonprofiteverything.com.

This week Stacey and Andy delve into the Nonprofit Everything archive to bring you a thematically consistent series of previously aired questions. Which is a fancy way of saying "Hey! It's a clip show!" From episode 79, we talk about how to handle a board member that's publicly off mission. From episode 103, we hear from a nonprofit with a board member in the newspaper for the wrong reasons. From episode 89, a board member asks the ED to record a campaign ad for her. Thanks for joining us this week, and please send your questions to questions@nonprofiteverything.com.

It's guest expert time! This week, Stacey is joined by April Mastroluca, Chief Solution Finder at Synergy Nonprofit Consulting to talk about the convergence of political campaign season and gala event season. Are there rules about ads in programs? Should we recognize elected officials and candidates who attend our events? What should we do if a candidate antagonistic to our mission wants to attend an event? Should we ever provide complimentary tickets to elected officials? That's a lot of questions, but the podcast is even better when you send yours to us: questions@nonprofiteverything.com. Thanks for listening! (And don't miss the show notes this week. They're jam packed with good infromation!)

Should we be buying mailing lists to expand our reach, or is that a tactic from the olden days? Stacey and Andy certainly have some thoughts! Also this week, we talk about how strict to be when using the words "evidence based program" (in that exact order) and disagree strongly on the utility of exit interviews. We're awarding ten points if you can guess which one of us thinks they're a waste of time. We're thankful that you've chosen to spend time with us today, and don't forget to send your questions to questions@nonprofiteverything.com.

If better boards can prevent nonprofit failures, would it be smart to require boards to take governance training? Stacey and Andy have some thoughts. Also this week, we talk about an executive director's responsibility to prevent a bad board member nomination, and have both a short and a long answer to a question about founders. Thanks for joining us this week, and don't forget to send your questions to questions@nonprofiteverything.com.

Is there some magic language we can use to magically make a sponsorship tax deductible? Andy and Stacey have some thoughts. Also this week, we find out how to see who's sharing your nonprofit mission and why its important, and try not to get buried in accounting speak when discussing split-interest agreements! Thanks for joining us, and don't forget to send any and all questions to questions@nonprofiteverything.com.

Is there some use for emeritus boards? Stacey and Andy have thoughts! Also this week, a new nonprofit wonders what kind on insurance coverage they should have, we find out how to determine when a contribution should be officially received, and discuss how frequently a board chair should meet with the executive director (is quadrennially too often?) Thanks for joining us this week, and be sure to send your nonprofit questions to questions@nonprofiteverything.com!

Are your staff meetings snoozers? One of our listeners has this challenge and Stacey and Andy are here to help! (Can we make them more dangerous -- like with fire?) Also this week, we discuss the historical antecedents of hierarchical organizational charts, and chat about the pros and cons of giving refunds for program events. Do you have questions? Send them to us at questions@nonprofiteverything.com.

When a long-time donor changes priorities and it puts the capital campaign in jeopardy is there anything you can do? Stacey and Andy have some ideas. Also this week, what's the best way to deal with some good old-fashioned nonprofit competition (other than a dance-off?) And finally, are we going to hurt the executive director's feelings if we let him know that some volunteers have scored him poorly on his review? Join us this week and find out! As always, questions are welcome -- the more complicated the better!

Is it okay to have all staff members be independent contractors and to give them titles like Director of Programs? Stacey welcomes guest expert Gina Bongiovi to help untie this complicated knot!

It's homework help time with Stacey and Andy! Is there a good definition of Theory of Change? We have some thoughts. Also this week, we talk about auditors that seem to be asking weird questions. Is it okay to push back on financial audit requests, or is that a terrible idea. Thanks for joining us, and don't forget to send in those questions!

This might be the most confusingly titled episode yet! No, there aren't Nonprofit Everything t-shirts. But what happens when the marketing team decides to just open up a little shop on nonprofit-swag.com to sell logo branded stuff?* Stacey and Andy have some thoughts. Also this week, is it time to reevaluate our employee time-off policies? Thanks for joining us this week, and please share, review, and send us questions!

Is there a thoughtful and ethical way to use client stories in grantwriting? Stacey and Andy have a few thoughts. Also this week, we talk about ways to get past the gatekeeper when a job posting has unreasonable requirements. Keep sending those questions and posting those reviews. We really appreciate it (and read every single one!)

What should you do when the executive director assigns you a vague task with no clear purpose? Unsurprisingly, Stacey and Andy get philosophical on this one: is it busywork, or could it be a career-defining moment? Also this week, we find out if it's useful to chase after board members from a particular industry. Thanks for joining us again in 2024, and please keep sending those questions (and reviews are nice, too)!

Have you just suffered through another boring, uninspiring office holiday party? Well your fellow listeners have a question crafted just for you: Is there a way to make the nonprofit holiday party into something good? Stacey and Andy have some thoughts! Also this week, Stacey answers a question about rules we should be following about board quorum (it's not as boring as it sounds!) and we find out about all different kinds of financial audits. Thinking of getting us a present? Andy and Stacey asked Santa for questions, reviews and shares. See you in 2024!

It's podcast day! Why on earth would an organization use the longer, more expensive, more complicated, more time consuming Form 1023 to form a new nonprofit organization when the 1023-EZ is available? We have a few thoughts. Also this week, Stacey has some great tips to help you fundraise for a vehicle, and Andy wants you to re-think credit cards that earn points (probably a hard sell.) Thanks for joining us, and don't forget to rate the podcast on your provider of choice and send us questions to questions@nonprofiteverything.com!

This week we've got a new and exciting format for you! Stacey and Andy camped out at a table at the Alliance for Nevada Nonprofits Fall Conference, and used the opportunity to chat with some up-and-coming nonprofit leaders. Join us for a free-flowing conversation (and a few questions, too!)

If you have a "Donate Now" button on your website (and since the internet is available everywhere) do you need to do a charitable solicitation registration in every single state in the US? Stacey and Andy have the answer (sorta!) Also this week, Stacey has some opinions about whether or not you should allow board members to take a leave of absence, Andy talks about just how fancy video screens should be in order to prevent triggering angst among your more ascetic staff members, and we answer a perennial favorite: "How do I start a foundation?"

Is it a good idea to take out a loan to help kickstart a fundraising program? Stacey and Andy have some thoughts! Also this week, we talk about finding a bank that understands how nonprofit organizations work, and what to do if you discover that your organization's bylaws don't actually comply with state law. While you're reading this summary, maybe consider giving us a review to help spread the word (links in the show notes), or even sending a question to questions@nonprofiteverything.com!

When applying for an Executive Director position, what questions should you ask the board during the interview? Stacey and Andy have some thoughts! Also this week, we have some opinions on on software for boards to use, and Stacy has a great conversation about the upcoming Alliance For Nevada Nonprofits Fall Conference with John Waldron (previous guest expert and CEO of The LGBTQIA+ Center in Las Vegas).

Andy would never turn down a well-made Spam Musubi, but he and Stacey have some tough love for newsletters that are hitting the junk folder. Also this week, we field a question from a programs person who wants to go for the CEO job -- is it possible or advisable? And finally, what happens when you're a board member who's friends with the Executive Director, and that Executive Director turns out to be not very good at her job? Stacey and Andy definitely have some thoughts! Thanks for listening, and be sure to send your questions to questions@nonprofiteverything.com!

The staff *hates* the ED but the Board *loves* the ED. Is this problem solvable? Stacey and Andy have some thoughts. Also this week, what's the best way to get your board engaged in important tasks like fundraising and strategic planning? Join us for another episode of Nonprofit Everything, and be sure to send us your questions!

We know that technically the Board Secretary is responsible for the minutes, but I *really* don't want to. Can't we just delegate that to staff? Stacey and Andy have some thoughts! Also this week, a question we have never heard before - Should tour guides at nonprofit cultural institutions get to keep their tips? Finally, we get into a deep and fascinating discussion about the possibilities of the Co-Executive Director model (not to be confused with co-eds who might be doing a little modeling on the side.)

Thanks for joining us for another episode of Nonprofit Everything! We've got just two questions, but one of them is *significant*. This week, Stacey and Andy try to discuss the impact of accepting donations from ethically challenging sources. It's a rough topic, and we would love to get your opinions on it, too! Also, Andy tackles another perpetual complaint: "Omigosh-this-audit-is-so-expensive-and-time-consuming-why-do-we-have-to-do-it-again-and-again-every-year?!?" Five points to Ravenclaw for guessing Andy's answer.

Do not miss this episode! This week, Stacey talks to guest expert and nonprofit guru Beth Kanter about what AI means for our organizations. Even though there's just one question this week, Beth and Stacey covered a lot: Is this really going to affect us? Is it just a cheap replacement for staff? What benefits, if any, will nonprofits see? Can we just avoid it if we want to? What are the risks and potential pitfalls of relying on LLMs?

Back again? Hello, it's the Nonprofit Everything Podcast! This week Stacey has some thoughts about how to keep a fifty-year-old nonprofit's story fresh. Also, we chat about consent agendas and what they're used for, and Andy gets philosophical about synchronizing gifts in the donor management system and the accounting system. Thanks for joining us this week, and be sure to send your questions to questions@nonprofiteverything.com.

It's the Nonprofit Everything Podcast again! This week, we hear from a five-year-old nonprofit that is just realizing they may have bitten off more than they could chew! Sound familiar? Also, what happens when we completely distrust the previous finance person's numbers? Andy and Stacey have some thoughts. And finally, are we allowed to apply for multiple grants to cover the exact same program? (Quick, can you answer this one faster than we can?)