Podcasts about farra trompeter

Farra Trompeter, co-director, talks with Kevin L. Brown, CEO of Mighty Ally and author of Fundable & Findable, about why so many nonprofits get stuck in the starvation cycle and how brand strategy offers a way out. They explore the power of vision, the importance of clarity and brand personality, and the action steps nonprofits can take to become both fundable and findable. Get practical tools to help your organization rethink its approach to fundraising.

How can nonprofits get their board to fundraise without relying on rigid or stressful demands? In this episode, Farra Trompeter, co-director, talks with Amber Hamilton, founder of Fig Leaf Development, to unpack practical strategies for turning anxious or novice board members into confident fundraisers. They explore how to shift from transactional requests to strengths-based engagement and five entry points for board participation—investor, cultivator, connector, fundraiser, and advisor—giving every board member a valuable role to play. Amber also shares how to celebrate small wins, foster deeper board connections, and thoughtfully navigate the complex power and racial dynamics that can arise in philanthropy.

What if conflict could strengthen your relationships and drive meaningful change? Farra Trompeter, co-director, interviews Altagracia Montilla, founder of A.M. Consulting and creator of the Conflict BraveryTM masterclass. They discuss why avoiding conflict often holds us back. Altagracia shares how healing our relationship to conflict can build stronger teams and save us time. Get practical tips for becoming braver by reframing conflict as a positive force at work.

Why are nonprofit communicators so often brought in at the end of a project and treated more like an order-taker than a strategic partner? Farra Trompeter, co-director, talks with Ally Dommu, director of service development, about why communications staff deserve a seat at the table and what changes when they get it. They explore the organizational habits and assumptions that keep communications stuck in a tactical role, and share practical steps communicators can take to shift the culture, build stronger cross-team relationships, and demonstrate their strategic value.

What does your brand have to do with hiring? More than you think. Farra Trompeter, co-director, talks with Olivia Freire, director of operations, to explore how a clear, authentic brand helps nonprofits attract the right candidates, set expectations, and build stronger teams. Together, they share practical ways to align what you post in job ads with what it's actually like to work at your organization.

How can nonprofits connect more meaningfully with the people they serve during times of deep division and declining trust? Farra Trompeter, co-director, talks with Doug Hattaway, president of Hattaway Communications, and Erica Pelletreau, founder and CEO of The Pelletreau Group, about the science and strategy behind building trust, bridging divides, and fostering real community engagement. Drawing on the Trust Playbook developed for The Communications Network, they share practical insights on addressing misconceptions, using plain language, and designing communications that prioritize listening, relationships, and shared goals.

What does it take to really lead an inclusive strategic planning process, and why does it matter? Farra Trompeter, co-director, talks with Dr. Renee Rubin Ross, author of Inclusive Strategic Planning for Nonprofits, about designing plans that center participation, clarify purpose, and build real alignment. Get practical tips for assessing readiness, integrating communications throughout, and turning big ideas into actionable plans.

What does it really mean to center community voices in your messaging? Farra Trompeter, co-director, talks with Logan Herring, CEO of The WRK Group, about how organizations can develop communications grounded in authentic community experiences and how sharing genuine stories can revolutionize your nonprofit's messaging.

What if fundraising strategy started with the brain? Farra Trompeter, co-director, talks with Cherian Koshy, CFRE, CAP, author of Neurogiving: The Science of Donor Decision-Making, about how neuroscience and behavioral psychology can strengthen donor engagement. They share insights nonprofits can use to build trust, write clearer appeals, and design campaigns that motivate supporters.

How you talk to your funders shapes how they understand your work, your community, and your impact. Farra Trompeter, co-director, talks with grant writer and fundraising strategist, Dani Fauklner, about why nonprofits must rethink traditional, jargon-heavy fundraising language. Together, they explore practical ways teams can audit and improve proposals, reports, and messaging. Learn how cross-team communication can help nonprofits secure funding without compromising integrity.

Farra Trompeter, co-director, and Kivi Leroux Miller, founder and chief strategy officer of the Nonprofit Marketing Guide, discuss insights from the 16th annual Nonprofit Communications Trends Report. Together, they explore why communicators are ready for strategy, what AI means for visibility and influence, and where the approach to nonprofit communications is showing real maturity.

Narratives don't just tell stories; they shape meaning. Farra Trompeter, co-director, and Sadé Dozan, vice president of advancement at Borealis Philanthropy, discuss how nonprofits can use plain language and narrative strategies to build belonging, expand your “we”, and create more inclusive communications. Get practical guidance for anyone working at the intersection of storytelling and social change.

AI is reshaping nonprofit work, but adopting it responsibly takes intention. Farra Trompeter, co-director, is joined by Cheryl Contee, chief innovation officer at BrightWorksAI.com, and Darian Rodriguez Heyman, founder of Helping People Help, to discuss insights from their new book, AI for Nonprofits, including practical, ethical ways nonprofits can use AI from fundraising and communications to operations and culture.

In our 200th episode, Farra Trompeter, co-director, talks with writer, speaker, and beloved nonprofit truth-teller Vu Le, to explore how we can reimagine nonprofits and philanthropy. Learn about “sacred cows,” structural barriers, the urgency of this political moment, and what real transformation requires from all of us. Vu also shares insights from his new book, challenges long-held norms, and offers reflections on joy, community, and resilience. Listen or read along to this milestone conversation that's honest, energizing, and deeply needed.

What are the best parts of your brand, and are you putting them to work for your mission? Farra Trompeter, co-director, interviews Lyn Weinman, founder, president, and chief strategist at KidGlov and the author of Untangling Spaghetti: A Branding Fable (https://kidglov.com/untanglingspaghetti/), to discuss addressing brand confusion, aligning on strategy, and knowing what type of change is right.

Cybersecurity is everyone's job. Farra Trompeter, co-director, talks with Joshua Peskay, co-founder of Meet the Moment, about practical ways nonprofits can reduce risk, protect sensitive data, and create a culture of awareness and care. From reasonable security standards to tabletop exercises, learn how to keep the mission and the people you serve safe.

How do we find joy in our work and our lives, especially when burnout looms? In this episode, Farra Trompeter, co-director, and Elandria Jackson Charles, chief joy officer at Ayoka Partners, explore how sabbatical care, intentional rest, and daily micro-moments of joy can help you reconnect with yourself and your purpose.

What happens when funders shift decision-making powers to communities? Farra Trompeter is joined by Cynthia Gibson, PhD, principal of Cynthesis Consulting, and Kelley Buhles, independent consultant and owner of Buhles Consulting, to discuss participatory grantmaking and explore how sharing decision-making power with communities fosters stronger, more democratic philanthropy. They also outline the steps nonprofits and funders can take to initiate this approach.

Communicating with candor can be kind and helpful. Farra Trompeter, co-director, talks with Keyante Love, founder and president of Good Love Group, to discuss navigating power dynamics, embracing discomfort, and staying grounded in your values when collaborating with your team and your community.

Dive into the world of nonprofit branding with Farra Trompeter, co-director and worker-owner at Big Duck, as she shares transformative insights on aligning mission, messaging, and money for maximum impact. Drawing from nearly three decades of experience helping organizations tell their stories effectively, Farra offers a refreshing perspective that challenges conventional wisdom about what makes a nonprofit brand truly powerful.With fundraising pressures mounting for nonprofits in today's uncertain landscape, Farrah offers practical guidance for leaders feeling overwhelmed. Whether you're reimagining your nonprofit's brand, struggling to connect communications with fundraising goals, or simply seeking fresh perspectives on nonprofit leadership, this conversation delivers actionable insights grounded in decades of specialized experience. Tune in to discover how clarifying who you are internally can transform how effectively you communicate externally – and ultimately, how successfully you advance your mission.Connect with Farra and Big Duck at: ·       Website: https://bigduck.com/·       Contact Big Duck: Hello@BigDuck.com ·       Contact Farra: Farra@BigDuck.com

Is your communications plan sitting untouched? We have swapped roles for this episode of the Smart Communications Podcast, with our director of service development, Ally Dommu as host and Farra Trompeter, co-director, as her guest, who explore how to keep your communications plan useful, relevant, and responsive, even in chaotic times.

Managing feedback doesn't have to be messy or overwhelming. In this episode, Farra Trompeter, co-director, is joined by J Kelley, senior account manager, to walk through thoughtful steps to synthesize and clarify feedback—helping teams collaborate more efficiently, reduce confusion, and move forward with confidence.

What if self-care wasn't just personal but team-wide? Farra Trompeter, co-director, is joined by Lan To, senior consultant and executive coach at Community Resource Exchange (CRE), to examine CAREpacity, a powerful approach to organizational wellness and care-driven leadership.

Learn how to make your nonprofit's rebrand last. Farra Trompeter, co-director, and Sandy Zimmerman, design director, explore how nonprofits can go beyond the brand launch and learn how to bring your rebrand to life —and keep it thriving.

What is a midlevel donor, and how do organizations define that? Farra Trompeter, co-director, is joined by Alia McKee, principal at Sea Change Strategies, to explore how nonprofits can engage midlevel donors and offer strategies on how to segment effectively, steward with intention, and recognize the long-term value of these supporters.

How does AI perceive your nonprofit brand? Farra Trompeter, co-director, is joined by George Weiner, founder and chief whaler at Whole Whale, to explore “AI brand footprints” and how to proactively shape your visibility in tools like ChatGPT and Google's AI search. They explore how traditional SEO is shifting and what you can do to revisit your content strategy.

When a crisis emerges, how should your nonprofit respond? Farra Trompeter, co-director, is joined by Joanna Brody, founder and president of Brody PR, to explore how nonprofits can prepare and navigate crises with strategy, empathy, and impact.

Are you curious about using AI without compromising your values? In this episode, Farra Trompeter, co-director, chats with Meena Das, founder of Namaste Data, to unpack findings from the AI Equity Project and offer practical advice for nonprofits navigating this evolving technology.

What happens when two mission-aligned nonprofits decide to merge? Farra Trompeter, co-director, chats with Idealist's founder and executive director, Ami Dar, about their recent merger with VolunteerMatch—and what other orgs can learn from it.

Are you constantly busy but never feel accomplished? Farra Trompeter, co-director, and Kishshana Palmer, author, discuss Kishshana's book, Busy Is a Four-Letter Word: A Guide to Achieving More by Doing Less, what it means to work smarter, not harder, and offer practical insights for how personal development is professional development

Resilience isn't just a buzzword—it's essential for nonprofit success. Farra Trompeter, co-director, and Peter Heller, founder of Heller Fundraising Group, explore what it means when staff are resilient and supported, and how leaders can support their teams, adapt to change, and fundraise for a strong future.

Is it time to reboot your nonprofit's communications strategy? In this episode, Kivi Leroux Miller, founder and CEO of the Nonprofit Marketing Guide, and Farra Trompeter, co-director, discuss the latest nonprofit communications trends, the need to focus, evolve, and reflect on approaches, challenges staff face, and why nonprofits may need to reboot their communication strategy.

Farra Trompeter, co-director, talks with Nicholas Bruneau, communications consultant and author of Engage with Impact. Together, they explore how nonprofits can use the AGILE framework to create effective campaigns, deepen community engagement, and drive real-world change. They share actionable tips for nonprofits to foster collaboration, and turn social media followers into active partners.

Is succession and continuity planning a standard practice in your organization? Farra Trompeter, co-director, joins Sarah Durham, founder of Big Duck, to explore why it's smart for executive directors and senior leaders to plan their eventual departures. They discuss the key factors that influence decisions to leave, strategies for communicating exit plans effectively, and how to approach thoughtful, phased succession planning that ensures organizational stability.

Farra Trompeter, co-director, is joined by David Rhode to discuss his book, Passion Isn't Enough: A Practical Guide for Nonprofit Leaders. They explore strategies and actionable steps that executive directors, CEOs, senior staff, and board members can take to strengthen and grow their organizations.

How is artificial intelligence reshaping the nonprofit landscape? Alexandra M. Merceron, executive vice president at RUBENSTEIN, joins Farra Trompeter, co-director, to explore the impact of artificial intelligence on nonprofits. They discuss emerging themes, risks, ethical concerns, how to navigate AI's challenges, available safeguards, and three key implications AI has on nonprofit communications.

What lessons do fundraisers need to learn and unlearn? Farra Trompeter, co-director, is joined by Mari Eva Mendes, chief development officer at LEAP and founder and principal of MEM Consulting, to discuss the role of fundraisers and the need to challenge problematic practices. They also explore how to partner with donors to honor their investments and ensure that their resources are contributing to systemic change.

Fundraising can involve communicating to people with wealth or power with uneven dynamics. Farra Trompeter, co-director, is joined by Emily Bishop Runeari, founder of EBR Consulting, about how to shift conversations with donors to a more partnership-oriented approach, and ways you can educate groups of prospects and donors.

Doing fundraising and communications work more mindfully requires us to move at a slower pace, ask multiple people for feedback, and truly listen to what's being shared. Farra Trompeter, Co-Director, is joined by Karen Lundgard, Interim Chief Executive Officer for Girl Scouts of Greater New York, Lindsey Cosgrove, Chief of Staff at Greenwich House, and Sasha Prado, CFRE, Senior Manager of Major Gifts at Robin Hood, to chat about their work with Girl Scouts of Greater New York's Troop 6000. They share tools and processes to address problematic language and images in marketing and fundraising contexts.

Integrating inclusive practices into your projects leads to better outcomes. Farra Trompeter, co-director, is joined by account managers Josh Kelley, and Brenda Perez to discuss how to create stronger and welcoming projects from the outset. They share insights on ways to keep engagement and offer strategies for measuring success through an inclusive perspective.

Farra Trompeter, co-director, is joined by Dr. Nat Kendall-Taylor, CEO, and Carinne Wheedan, director of communications, at the FrameWorks Institute, to discuss how framing can inform a nonprofit's communications strategy. They share practical ways that organizations can effectively apply framing to their messaging or campaigns and provide general tips for those in the mission-driven sector.

Farra Trompeter, co-director, is joined by Marcus dePaula, audio engineer, podcast producer, and consultant, as they explore what an organization needs to launch a podcast as a part of its nonprofit communications strategy. They discuss factors organizations should consider before starting a podcast series and tips for how to manage podcasts once you get started.

Farra Trompeter, co-director, is joined by Sarita Joseph, director of accounts, to discuss sharing nonprofit branding concepts and what questions to ask before inviting others to view and provide feedback on branding work in progress. Get tips on what to avoid and what to emphasize.

Farra Trompeter, co-director, talks with Lisa Pilar Cowan, vice president of the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation, about the concepts of trust-based philanthropy, new ways some funders are working with nonprofits for more authentic relationships, and the connection between the community's role and the donor's role in guiding an organization.

Farra Trompeter, co-director, is joined by Natalie Yelton, content strategist at Kanopi Studios, to delve into content strategy and how to create an engaging nonprofit website. They share key performance indicators to use while writing new content for your site and insights on how to lead with accessibility.

Farra Trompeter, co-director, is joined by Sheleia Phillips, founder and principal consultant of SMP Nonprofit Consulting, to talk about how to better position your organization to secure funding. Hear examples of nonprofits that have better positioned themselves to receive funding and find out what the shift looked like that led to their success.

Farra Trompeter, co-director, talks with Meico Marquette Whitlock, founder and CEO of Mindful Techie, about mindfulness in the workplace and offers tips that nonprofit leaders can apply to cultivate care and resilience among their teams.

Farra Trompeter, co-director, sits down with Derrick Feldmann, managing director of Ad Council Research Institute and Ad Council Edge, who shares tips for nonprofit staff who are looking to connect awareness and action, to reach people who are hard to reach, and who want to equip trusted messengers to be amplifiers of their mission.

Farra Trompeter, co-director, is joined by Nneka Allen, Camila Pereira, and Nicole Salmon, co-editors of Collecting Courage: Joy, Pain, Freedom, Love, a collection of lived experiences written by 15 accomplished Black North American fundraisers in the United States and Canada, to discuss how nonprofit staff can push for more honest, kind, clear, and direct conversations with their colleagues.

Farra Trompeter, co-director, talks with Kivi Leroux Miller, founder and CEO of the Nonprofit Marketing Guide, about the latest nonprofit communications trends, including hot topics like AI, brand archetypes, and the structure of communications teams.