Nonprofit Spark – Renee McGivern

This is my final episode of Nonprofit Spark. Over the three years I’ve hosted the show, I was delighted by my guests who are really good at what they do and so wiling to share it with all of you. I created Nonprofit Spark because I know how fun and even therapeutic conversations can be with others who do similar … Read more about this episode...

It’s Christmas week and so I’m replaying one of the most downloaded shows of 2013 – in fact, in Nonprofit Spark’s history. The episode? Six ways to make your case great, which aired the week of May 13, 2013. My guest is Jennie Winton, a founding partner of Mission Minded, a branding firm that believes that nonprofits, foundations, and … Read more about this episode...

When you think about how you’re communicating with your donors, funders, and community, do you wonder whether you’re spending your time and resources well? Do you feel frustrated that you’re communication is scattershot or ineffective? Then you need a communication strategy! My guest this week is James Howe, president of Communicate and Howe based in Kitchener, Ontario. We hone in … Read more about this episode...

This week, we look at fraud because it’s been in the news a lot lately. It all started with a series of stories in the Washington Post the fall, and the tales of woe for organizations large to small are heartbreaking. My guest is John P. Langan, a CPA and managing partner with CliftonLarsonAllen, our show sponsor. We discuss … Read more about this episode...

It’s coming on Christmas and for this week’s show I’ve tracked down Alison Carlman, the senior unmarketing manager for GlobalGiving, an online marketplace that connects you to the causes and countries you care about. Alison describes how GlobalGiving provides support for people at charities around the world and solutions for people who want to find projects in other countries … Read more about this episode...

Do you ever grumble, “There’s got to be a better way,” when it comes to applying for, managing and reporting on grants? Do you wish you could provide feedback to funders about how dreadful their website and procedures are? Then you’ll be happy to hear my guests on this week’s show discuss Project Streamline, a national program from the … Read more about this episode...

Hi, everyone. I’m getting ahead of America’s Thanksgiving travel rush and taking a holiday this week. I found a show that I wanted to replay for you about websites. Did you ever think of yourself as a publisher? Well, you are one if you have a website. This episode will help you understand a few things about content ownership, copyright … Read more about this episode...

This week, I have two guests who discuss taxes and I promise you, this is an interesting conversation that you will want to share with neighbors and nonprofits in your community. My guests this week describe a workshop and toolkit they’ve created called “Nonprofits Talking Taxes,” which is being rolled out this week. Kim Klein, is a principal of the … Read more about this episode...

This week we explore something called a dual-business model for nonprofits, an idea that is being actively promoted by state nonprofit associations who know their members can think smarter about generating revenue in a highly competitive environment. My guest is Allen J. Proctor, the founder and principal of Linking Mission to Money, the dual-business model to make nonprofits … Read more about this episode...

This week, we focus on five areas where you can give yourself the gift of time by eliminating some bad habits common to many nonprofit leaders and board members. My guest is Phil Van Horn, the CEO of Align, a Cheyenne, Wyoming nonprofit. His organization provides management consulting and leadership training to help clients become more efficient and effective.… Read more about this episode...

Have you been hurt by the staff of nonprofits you’ve volunteered for? Did you tell your friends about it, blame yourself for wasting your time, turn down other volunteer opportunities as a result? This week’s show focuses on volunteer rights, an idea that bubbled up about four years ago in England, is now being thoughtfully addressed in Australia, and is … Read more about this episode...

We’ve all heard news stories involving a donor who expected one thing to happen with his multi-million dollar contribution and the university, hospital or other charity who didn’t honor his request. Or perhaps you’ve had a donor approach you about making a contribution in exchange for recognition that you weren’t sure was such a good idea. My guest this week, … Read more about this episode...

In the fall, many nonprofits are gearing up year-end fundraising campaigns for December, a traditional strategy with proven results. On this show, my guest is Kim Klein who turns that idea on its head. Kim is a principle of Klein and Roth Consulting and an international speaker and author about fundraising. She was kind enough to come on the show … Read more about this episode...

This week, I’m happy to have back Sherry Truhlar of Red Apple Auctions to talk about Fund a Need, a fundraising tactic that takes advantage of an event where you have a number of people in attendance. Do you have an item you need to buy, like a bus to transport kids, or a specific program you want to give … Read more about this episode...

I look at a lot of nonprofit websites every month and I have become concerned that too many of you are not encouraging planned gifts. If you have a solid base of individual support, then you need to present these donors with opportunities for greater levels of giving. You don’t have to have a law or finance degree to encourage … Read more about this episode...

Ever feel frustrated that local nonprofits are doing similar things but aren’t working together on an issue, like literacy? Have you ever wondered what it’s going to take to solve problems you’ve been hearing about for years, like homelessness or improved graduation rates for low-income teens? It turns out, effective collaborations among all kinds of community programs address these concerns. … Read more about this episode...

Do you ever grapple with whether you should spend more on your finance department or buy new accounting software? Do you know if the work the staff is doing could be done more efficiently? Well, you’re not alone. My guest this week is Tim Warren, a partner with the national accounting firm of CliftonLarsonAllen. The company has been hosting … Read more about this episode...

Get out the Kleenex. In this week’s interview, you’ll hear remarkable stories about deep sea fishing expeditions for wounded soldiers, many who’ve lost their limbs. I encourage you to give your undivided attention to my interview with Michael C. Branson, the president of Saltwater Soldiers. You’ll be moved to tears by the sacrifice of soldiers and by Michael’s relentless … Read more about this episode...

I’m on a break this week so I’m replaying a show that really woke me up, even though I managed people for years! In this interview, I speak to two attorneys, Jeff Tenenbaum and Dave Warner of Venable LLP, a law firm based in Washington, D.C. We talk about common pitfalls they see nonprofit managers fall into when hiring … Read more about this episode...

Can you imagine one-hour board meetings? Is it even possible? Your nonprofit would become a magnet for the best and brightest leaders in your community. On this show my guest, Marilyn L. Donnellan, describes the key components of effective one-hour meetings, like training board members to facilitate them. Marilyn is the founder and president of Nonprofit Management Services, which … Read more about this episode...

This week’s episode is about counting and using what that data reveals to tell stories about people and programs. It took me years to figure out that counting people, sales, test results, donors and dollars, partnerships, visitors and the like is worth every bit of effort. First, you get grounded in what’s actually happening so you can build on what … Read more about this episode...

When you decide which charity to contribute money and time to, do you check out how much it spends on administration or overhead? If it spends 20 cents on the dollar for administration, is that okay? How about 30 or 40 cents? For years, donors have been told by leaders in the nonprofit sector to use the overhead ratio as … Read more about this episode...

Videos can be very convincing and are well-suited to non-profit web sites. On this show, David Johnson of Silent Images and I review ideas for planning your video and working effectively with a videographer so you end up with exactly what you need. There’s a lot more to producing a great video than pointing and shooting! Silent Images is a … Read more about this episode...

If you want to create a new non profit web site or start all over again with an existing one, this show will be very helpful. My guest is Eileen Webb, a founder of the web development firm, webmeadow, which works with non for profits and is based in Littleton, New Hampshire. Eileen discusses identifying goals, a budget, a … Read more about this episode...

So how are your social media doing? Is your online community growing and are you having fun? Or have you discovered that you can’t make much happen with Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and YouTube? On this week’s show, I speak with Eric Facas, the founder of Media Cause. His non-profit helps other non-profits with marketing and communications including search marketing … Read more about this episode...

A show from a few weeks ago focused on Making your nonprofit a welcome place for young professionals; thousands of you downloaded it. My guest on that show, Keenan Wellar of LiveWorkPlay, really got me thinking about how we can better manage a multigenerational workforce and so I sought out my favorite expert on human resources and nonprofits. Paula … Read more about this episode...

This week, Americans celebrate Independence Day on July 4th so I’m taking the week off. And in the spirit of breaking free from tyranny, I’m replaying a show from 2011 called Overcoming Nonprofit Board Dysfunction! Gee, you’ve never had to deal with that have you? There are two interviews. The first is with Susan Mogenson of Brown Dog Consulting. … Read more about this episode...

We focus the show this week on building relationships with donors so they stick around, and become more invested in your organization and eventually your true partners in fulfilling your mission. My guest is Andrew Shoaff, the interactive strategy manager of Blackbaud, the leading provider of software and services to nonprofits. Andrew works with a team to build something … Read more about this episode...

This week, we look at the way one 90-year-old agency is transforming how it impacts the lives of women and families who are homeless and in recovery from addiction and/or mental illness. Emma Norton Services is based in St. Paul, Minnesota and my guest this week is Executive Director Roxanne Condon. She has been with the organization since 2010. On … Read more about this episode...

Last week, the show explored how to keep high performers happy and this week, we look at young professionals. What do you need to do to attract and keep them? Are you willing to try something new? My guest this week is Keenan Wellar, a co-leader and director of communications for LiveWorkPlay, a nonprofit in Ottawa, Canada. It supports … Read more about this episode...

I’ve been thinking about emerging nonprofits, which I describe as those undergoing a noticeable, intentional shift in what their organizations are doing. This change often happens where there is a high-performing team and at this critical stage, you can’t afford to lose anyone. This week, my guest is Monique Ayotte-Hoeltzel, a partner with The Management Center, a Washington, D.C. … Read more about this episode...

This week, I talk to two attorneys from Venable LLP, a Washington, D.C. law firm, about how to make sure your website stays out of legal hot water. A.J. Zottola handles all types of negotiations involving intellectual property, privacy, trademark and copyright, and more. With him is a return guest, Jeff Tenenbaum, who is one of the nation’s leading … Read more about this episode...

We’re back to talking about fundraising on this show, but with an emphasis on making your case for support. My guest this week is Jennie Winton, a founding partner of Mission Minded, a branding firm that believes that nonprofits, foundations, and other do-gooders can only have an impact if people understand the importance of their work. Since starting the … Read more about this episode...

This week’s show builds on last week’s about budgeting. On that show, I mentioned how important it is to help your board understand your budget and financial statements. These reports are not easy to read and nonprofit leaders add to the confusion when they create a budget that doesn’t closely resemble the ensuing financial statements. Make them match! Also, create … Read more about this episode...

This show is geared to those nonprofit leaders who are somewhat intimidated by budgeting or who know there’s a better way to do it. I’m guessing that some of you have begun work on your July to June budgets and others are making mid-year budget corrections. My guest is Harold Parsons, a CPA with our show sponsor CliftonLarsonAllen. He’s … Read more about this episode...

We’re back to Texas again this week with a focus on two community foundations that have put a fun twist on their grant-making process. They’ve set up an event where grant finalists have to make 90-second pitch to a panel of judges and a public audience. Can you make a 90-second pitch about your nonprofit? I have two guests this … Read more about this episode...

This week my guest and I talk about what a professional volunteer manager can do for you. It’s our experience there are still too many non-profits who haven’t seen the light about how a full-time, paid volunteer manager can lighten your load and help you accomplish more. My guest is Mary Beth Harrington, a Texas-based nonprofit consultant who travels … Read more about this episode...

On this week’s show, we focus on strategic planning, and how the process works and benefits your organization. My guest is Wendy Siegel, a consultant with Millennia Consulting based in Chicago, Illinois. Wendy helpfully describes the neutral facilitation role she plays and a four-step process that is inclusive, engages a task force in doing research, aligns the research with the … Read more about this episode...

On this week’s show, I speak to two attorneys, Jeff Tenenbaum and Dave Warner of Venable LLP, a law firm based in Washington, D.C. We talk about common pitfalls they see nonprofit managers fall into when hiring and managing staff. Dave and Jeff offer ideas about preparing to hire, the interview process, and the importance of writing down who … Read more about this episode...

This week, I interview the program director of a nonprofit that serves girls by combining teaching life lessons and running. It’s a fun and inspiring program run by one paid staff person and a whole lot of volunteers. Melissa Bixby manages Girls on the Run of the Treasure Valley which includes communities in and surrounding Boise, Idaho. Her nonprofit is … Read more about this episode...

This week, I speak with my favorite fundraiser about donor attrition – that is, the rate at which donors stop giving – and how to keep donors connected and giving to you. My guest is Jerold Panas, the CEO of Jerold Panas, Linzy and Partners, one of the world’s most esteemed firms in the field of financial resource development. … Read more about this episode...

On this week’s show, we explore all the ways bicycles and volunteers go together and it’s a great starting point for thinking about volunteer initiatives you might create to start your organization or new program. My guest is Tristan Dahn of the Philadelphia-based Energize, Inc., my favorite resource for leaders of volunteers. Tristan describes how bicycle organizations and other … Read more about this episode...

This week, we focus on rebranding and how to go about it. It’s one of those projects that sounds like a great idea but means a lot of different things to board members, staff and communication professionals. It goes way beyond a new logo and is time-consuming, so you really need to know what you’re doing before you jump in.… Read more about this episode...

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It’s easy to say “yes” to serving on the board of an organization you’re passionate about. It’s often difficult, though, to bring that energy and enthusiasm to the nonprofit’s financial policies or legal requirements. I would bet that at least half of board members in the U.S. don’t understand what they’ve really agreed to when they start serving on a … Read more about this episode...

The week we explore nonprofit startup best practices and frankly, the ideas work for new programs of existing nonprofits as well. My guest is Robert G. Ottenhoff, president and CEO of the Center for Disaster Philanthropy in Washington, D.C. The Center was highlighted in The Chronicle of Philanthropy in December as one of five “nonprofit high points of 2012.” Bob … Read more about this episode...

On this week’s show my guest and I talk about social media and how his organization uses it to serve members. I have been waiting to focus on this topic until these different tools became more solid and defined, and smaller, local nonprofits were using them well. My guest this week is Chris Oien of the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network … Read more about this episode...

I just heard about a nonprofit that spent much more than it needed to on hardware and software the staff doesn’t need or have time to learn. The organization’s decision-makers became enamored by the technology and did not spend their money well. It’s a common problem. My guest this week is Allen Gunn, executive director of Aspiration, a San … Read more about this episode...

I’m pleased to have Sherry Truhlar of Red Apple Auctions back on the show this week. She is a charity auction educator and onstage auctioneer who has worked with nonprofits on more than 300 events. She also is a certified meeting planner. She’s one of my regulars because Sherry offers tips and tricks that can really make a difference for … Read more about this episode...

In late December, I replayed a 2012 interview with Aaron Rome about writing a statement of need for a grant proposal. It is really helpful if need to understand the kind of data and stories that you must compile to make a persuasive case for support. This week, Aaron and I take this conversation further to look at how creating … Read more about this episode...

Welcome to Nonprofit Spark, a show for leaders and board members of new and emerging non-profits. And happy 2013, the best year of our lives! This week’s show offers great tips about working with local media. It is so great when nonprofit stories are told in the newspaper or on the radio or television because nonprofits are, after all, community … Read more about this episode...