The Nonprofit Experience

Thanksgiving is a time to gather around the dinner table. During particularly divisive moments, we may ask ourselves how we can use this time to come together. In this spirit, we are taking a look back at a special episode we did last year where we heard voices from residents of Charlotte, NC doing just that.

What is a clue to a successful mission? One clue is that your nonprofit is so impactful, that it inspires the beneficiaries to come back and work. This is a common story at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. In this episode, former Club kids London Reeves and Shyah Dickerson talk abut the influence of their Club experiences and why it's important to have voices like theirs in the corporate office. View bios, an episode summary, topic-based timestamps, and images on our show notes: https://pj.news.chass.ncsu.edu/2019/11/20/ep-44-heart-of-service/

Do we have a right to clean air and water, a stable climate, and a healthy environment? It turns out that we don't, unless it's specifically written into your state's Bill of Rights (like it is in Pennsylvania and Montana). Maya van Rossum is trying to change that by fighting for environmental protections with constitutional law. Listen to Maya and her friend and community advocate, Kate Stauffer, talk about this movement for the Green Amendment, the importance of community, and what it means to use and tell other people's stories for the cause. View bios, an episode summary, topic-based timestamps, and images on our show notes: https://pj.news.chass.ncsu.edu/2019/11/13/ep-43-they-need-to-know/

How do we build cities that allow nature to improve our social, economic, and physical well-being? LaTresse Snead is the Director of The Nature Conservancy's Building Healthy Cities Program and Wm. Jahmal Miller is the Vice President of the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Common Spirit Health. These two childhood friends reconnect and discuss the connections between nature, health equity, and social justice. View bios, an episode summary, topic-based timestamps, and images on our show notes: https://pj.news.chass.ncsu.edu/2019/11/06/ep-42-from-the-ground-up/

Keith Timko (Executive Director and CEO of Support Center) and Eddie LaPorte (Executive Director of the New Jersey Office of Faith Based Initiatives) sit down for a lively conversation about capacity building. The two talk about what this buzzword actually means, how both nonprofits and funders should be thinking about it, and who needs it? (Hint: all nonprofits.) View bios, an episode summary, topic-based timestamps, and images on our show notes: https://pj.news.chass.ncsu.edu/2019/10/31/ep-41-systems-of-support/

With over 1.5 million nonprofits America, it's not surprising that many of them do similar work. There has been a push within the nonprofit sector for more collaboration and partnership, but what about taking that a step further? Holly Ivel and Gabe Cohen (both formerly of GuideStar) talk about the merge between GuideStar and Foundation Center into one nonprofit called Candid. They discuss the ups and downs of merging and what that process has looked like to them. View bios, an episode summary, topic-based timestamps, and images on our show notes: https://pj.news.chass.ncsu.edu/2019/10/10/ep-40-there-has-to-be-trust/

What does diet have to do with chattel slavery? This week, nutritionist, author, and activist Tracye McQuirter and Farm Sanctuary founder Gene Baur sit down to talk about veganism as a tool for social justice for the environment, for animal rights, and for communities of color. Hear about their efforts and collaborations and see the plant-based diet in a different light. View bios, an episode summary, topic-based timestamps, and images on our show notes: https://pj.news.chass.ncsu.edu/2019/10/02/ep-39-its-such-layered-work/

In a time that feels more partisan than ever, how do we bring people together? Maybe it's as simple as actually bringing people together to talk over a meal. That's the idea behind the "On the Table" initiative. Lilly Weinberg from the Knight Foundation talks with Kathryn Dennis from the Community Foundation of Central Georgia about how Macon, Georgia implemented "On the Table" in their community. View bios, an episode summary, topic-based timestamps, and images on our show notes: https://pj.news.chass.ncsu.edu/2019/09/25/ep-38-what-happens-next-is-up-to-you/

Recent trends have lead to huge changes in populations and as property values go up in different neighborhoods, many nonprofits feel pressure to sell their now-valuable land and move elsewhere. How does a community-based organization balance legacy with a changing sense of place? Don Blanchon, Executive Director of Whitman-Walker Health, talks with Andy Altman, co-founder of Fivesquares Development. The two talk about the partnership between the health center serving the LGBTQ community in Washington, D.C. and the real estate developer, which created a symbiotic and multi-use space in their historic 14th St site. View bios, an episode summary, topic-based timestamps, and images on our show notes: https://pj.news.chass.ncsu.edu/2019/09/19/ep-37-mission-over-self/

What exactly does it take to successfully address a topic like offshore drilling? It takes collective effort with collaboration across the aisle and a movement in tune with the communities values. In this special episode of The Nonprofit Experience we hear the diverse groups united in the fight to ban offshore drilling. This episode include audio recorded live from the Don't Drill SC rally in Charleston, SC on August 5th where we hear from community leaders like two mayors of small coastal towns, the head-of-state to the Gullah/Geechee nation Queen Quet, and SC state senator Chip Campsen. We also hear North America Chief Policy Officer of environmental group Oceana, Jackie Savitz and South Carolina U.S. House Representative Joe Cunningham sit down to talk about the big picture and the importance of the bipartisan effort on this issue. View bios, an episode summary, topic-based timestamps, and images on our show notes: https://pj.news.chass.ncsu.edu/2019/09/11/ep-36-we-dont-want-it/

What do a science foundation and an art museum have in common? This week, we pair Adam Falk, president of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, with Adam Weinberg, the Alice Pratt Brown Director of the Whitney Museum of American Art. Last year, the Sloan Foundation granted $100,000 to the Whitney for a exhibition exploring the intersection of art and science over the last 50 years. In this episode, the two Adams talk about the importance of partnerships like this one, how to increase trust in both art and science, and how the public interacts with it. View bios, an episode summary, topic-based timestamps, and images on our show notes: https://pj.news.chass.ncsu.edu/2019/09/04/ep-35-trust-in-the-age-of-disbelieving/

Nonprofits often feel pressure to put on a show of positivity, especially in front of funders. In this episode of The Nonprofit Experience, Phil Buchanan from the Center for Effective Philanthropy and Tiffany Gueye of Blue Meridian Partners talk about the importance of sometimes brutal honesty about nonprofits' needs, inequities and barriers to equal treatment in the sector, and fighting for a work-life balance. Go to https://pj.news.chass.ncsu.edu/2019/08/28/be-honest-be-direct/ for images, timestamp topics, and other show notes.

Through the lens of the devastating floods across Nashville and Middle Tennessee in May of 2010, Lori Shinton of Hands on Nashvile and Regine Webster from the Center for Disaster Philanthropy talk about disaster response and the challenges organizations and communities face in the aftermath. For images and more show notes: https://pj.news.chass.ncsu.edu/2019/08/21/back-to-whatever-normal-is-2/

TNE's Season 3 premiers next Wednesday, August 21st! Haven't caught up on Seasons 1 and 2? Listen to these clips for an idea of what stories we got to hear in the last year

Community support is essential to the success of nonprofit organizations. Community Workforce Solutions' Julie Griffin and Amy McElwain sit down with Mudcats' Joshua Clark to discuss how their partnership has benefited CWS clients, the Mudcats, and the larger community.

Creating systems change is complex. There is no one blanket solution to solving the social issues of our time. This week Peter Buffett, co-president of the NoVo Foundation, and Delores Bailey, Executive Director of EmPOWERment Inc., start to dig deep into the historical, psychological and systemic challenges to creating a community where civil rights are based on actual human dignity and purpose

Triangle Residential Options for Substance Abusers, Inc. (TROSA) is a nonprofit residential recovery center that helps men and women with substance use disorders rebuild their lives. TROSA is unique in that it also provides ways to advance one's education, by getting a GED or taking college courses, thanks to a partnership with Durham Technical Community College. Before Kim Connolly became staff at TROSA, she was a resident in their program. Kim sits down with GED Teacher Mariann Smith to talk about feelings of accomplishment in both their individual work and throughout the organization as a whole.

Inner Banks STEM Center's Alvin Powell and Jessica Williams discuss the role STEM education opportunities play in the sustainability of rural communities.

This week's episode is live from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation's Renew & Refresh Retreat. Since 1990, the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation has honored North Carolina's nonprofit leaders for their dedicated service and commitment to the sector by awarding these sabbaticals. This Spring, the Foundation invited all participants in the program throughout the years to convene at the beach for the first ever Renew & Refresh Retreat. We were there to capture conversations about the program and the impact it has had.

Blake Butler, Executive Director, NC Industrial Hemp Association, and Malcolm Anderson, co-founder of Green Heffa Farms, NC's first black-owned social equity hemp farm, sit down to discuss the impact on plant can have on individuals, communities, and our state.

Henry Crews and Eva Clayton have known each other for almost 50 years. These days, Eva is retired from the US Congress and United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, and Henry serves as the Executive Director of the Green Rural Redevelopment Organization. Listen in as they share how their paths have crossed throughout the years in work around food and nutrition at home in rural North Carolina and across the globe.

Bethann James, Founder & CEO of Gemstone Professional Services Consultants, and public health professional and podcaster Amarachi Anakaraonye discuss the importance and challenges of presenting your authentic self.

Digital storyteller Amarachi Anakaraonye and public health professional Lydia Moges discuss the ups and downs of nonprofit work, a life spent somewhere in the grey area.

As we say goodbye to our Multimedia Producer, David, we're saying hello to a new production team. Stay tuned for more from TNE!

This week, as we bid farewell to our multimedia producer David Mueller, he sits down with PJ Managing Editor Sandy Cyr to discuss the evolution of the podcast and share some of his favorite moments from Seasons 1 & 2.

Teacher Bee Smith and Executive Director Heather Ratliff of The Child Development Center discuss their work with special needs children and finding fulfillment under challenging conditions.

Terrence Smith and Noran Sanford of Growing Change reflect on the special significance of operating a sustainable farm and education center inside a decommissioned prison in Wagram, NC.

Attorneys Whitney Stanley and Mitch Yelverton of Duke's Office of Research Contracts discuss nonprofit governance, accountability and their work with the Triangle chapter of the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network.

Randolph Keaton, Executive Director of Men & Women United for Youth & Families, and Shawn Maynor, Mayor of Bolton, NC, reflect on the challenges of working in rural communities and the importance of partnerships, accountability and succession planning.

Veteran board member Creighton Blackwell and newly minted board chair Luke Weingarten discuss nonprofit boards, engaging stakeholders, and why you don't always need a preponderance of data to know what's right.

In our debut episode of Season 2, philanthropist Chuck ReCorr, whose Harvard 100 program provides Triangle-area nonprofit leaders an immersive learning experience, and nonprofit consultant Staci Barfield, a Harvard 100 alum, discuss the value of investing in human capital.

Colleagues and collaborators Michael Goodmon and David Joyner discuss their ongoing work in Rocky Mount and get right to the heart of some of the most challenging issues facing not just the town they love, but the entire nonprofit sector.

In this special episode, we present a series of pop-up conversations recorded live at The North Carolina Center for Nonprofits 2018 conference, Power Play: Disruption for Good

Donald Pilgreen and Michael Hopkins of Third Street Education Center discuss the struggles of sustained recovery and the redemption they found through serving others.

Long time friends and colleagues Robert Bush and Michael Marsicano reflect on their careers and the importance of coalition-building to community leadership.

Sarah Battersby of Triangle Community Foundation and NC State's Roderick Brown discuss challenges, expectations and rewards from different sides of the college scholarship journey.

In this special episode, we share conversations from the recent On The Table event in Charlotte, NC, where participants from different backgrounds came together to discuss the legacy and impact of segregation in their communities.

Researchers Jason Coupet and Jessica Berrett discuss their recent paper "Does the Overhead Ratio Measure Efficiency?" and the complex dynamics between academic research and nonprofit practice. To read a translation of their research, visit https://pj.news.chass.ncsu.edu/2018/10/22/the-overhead-ratio-is-not-a-measure-of-efficiency/

Longtime friends Nicole Stewart and Heather Yandow reflect on building their collaborative mission and cultivating women in leadership.

Development Directors Caleb Baker and Greg Lowenhagen talk about the evolving blend of outreach and relationship building that goes into creating a sustainable fundraising strategy

Professor Amanda Stewart discusses nonprofit research with Shalina Omar, a graduate student in Linguistics who has recently translated some of Dr. Stewart's academic writing for a nonprofit practitioner audience.

Current and former Executive Directors Ryan Fehrman and Stan Holt discuss the challenges of executing a nonprofit's mission and the unpredictable career paths directors must navigate after stepping down.

Executive Director Mona Johnson-Gibson and longtime volunteer Marguerite Rupar discuss establishing and running the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte, and the role volunteers have played in its survival and success.

Communication professionals and former colleagues Molly Rivera and Jen Newmeyer reflect on the challenges they shared and how their careers and expectations have evolved since moving on to new roles in the nonprofit sector.

Corporate Social Responsibility Director Jarian Kerekes and Executive Director Sean Garrett discuss their work in Charlotte's nonprofit community and the role mentorship has played in both their personal and professional development.

Development professionals Alyson Stoffer and Beth Briggs discuss the importance of investing in and elevating the nonprofit sector.

Communication professionals Melanie Davis-Jones and Katie Todd talk about affecting systemic change, and challenging our own thinking about the assumptions that we make.

Graduate students Krystin Gollihue and David Mueller talk about working at the Philanthropy Journal, and how this experiential education opportunity has given them a deeper understanding of their connection to the sector.