247 episodes

This podcast is a place for nonprofit leaders to gain insights, tips, inspiration, and encouragement to unleash their potential.

Inspired Nonprofit Leadership Sarah Olivieri

    • Business
    • 4.8 • 5 Ratings

This podcast is a place for nonprofit leaders to gain insights, tips, inspiration, and encouragement to unleash their potential.

    247: Benefits of Strategic Listening

    247: Benefits of Strategic Listening

    In the fast-paced world of nonprofit leadership, effective strategies and decision-making play a vital role in the success of organizations dedicated to making a difference in our communities. One essential but often overlooked aspect of leadership is strategic listening. In this episode, guest Emily Taylor talks about the who, what, where, when, and how of strategic listening in nonprofit leadership.



    My guest for this episode is Emily Taylor. Emily Taylor, Principal of teenyBIG, helps nonprofits at an inflection point make big decisions that affect their community so they can move from indecision to intentional, next-level growth. Bio Emily Taylor works with nonprofit leaders ready to catapult their organization's mission to the next stage of growth. Leaders who seek Emily’s expertise know they need to shift their decision-making from intuitive to intentional, but are unsure of how to begin. Emily first grounds the organization in ‘who they are’. Her community-based, strategic listening methodology allows the entire organization to discover its value and builds the foundation for collaborative decision-making. As a result, teams can paint a consistent picture of their organization– one viewed similarly internally and externally– and collaborate on making informed decisions with intention and purpose. By engaging in this process with Emily as their guide, organizations can boldly embark on the next stage of growth. Emily attributes her success to her unique ability to balance left and right brain thinking. A skilled and compassionate listener, Emily adds incomparable value to strategic thinking and planning by integrating the emotions, motivations, and perspectives of everyone in the room.
    Here's what to expect during the episode:



    Pre Strategic planning, what is this? What are some reasons nonprofits should take a step back from a strategic plan? How nonprofits can benefit from taking a step back to assess their situation The value of listening to various stakeholders Navigating leadership transitions and organizational identity


    Connect with Emily!
    Free Download: https://mailchi.mp/teenybig/you-shouldnt-jump-into-your-next-strategic-plan
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-taylor-teenybig/
    Website: https://www.teenybig.com/



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    Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don’t miss a single episode, and while you’re at it, won’t you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!
    Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.



    Connect with Sarah:


    On LinkedIn>>
    On Facebook>>
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    • 34 min
    Benefits of Creating a Brand Guide

    Benefits of Creating a Brand Guide

    In the digital age where communication is more visual than ever, having a cohesive brand identity is not just beneficial—it's essential. In this enlightening episode, Sarah speaks with Lidia Varesco Racoma, a Chicago-based designer who specializes in strategic branding and marketing design for nonprofits and small businesses. With over two decades of experience, Lidia brings a wealth of knowledge on the importance and impact of a well-crafted brand guide.
    My guest for this episode is Lidia Varesco Racoma, a designer out of Chicago who empowers organizations and entrepreneurs to make a change through strategic branding and marketing design. With over two decades of experience, Lidia is known not only for her ability to express a client’s mission but also for her friendly, approachable working style. She is a blogger and speaker and leads branding and creative marketing workshops for nonprofits and small businesses all over the world. Lidia is active in the nonprofit and marketing communities, currently serving on the Communications Committee for AMA Chicago as Graphics Manager, as well as a Co-chair of the Marketing & Communications Committee for the Association of Consultants to Nonprofits (ACN) with a past position on the board of directors. She has also served on the Association Forum’s Content Working Group as a content creator. Lidia Varesco Design is a certified woman-owned business (WBE/WOSB) and celebrated 20 years in business in November 2020.
     
    Here's what to expect during the episode:



    What Is A Brand Guide The The Key Parts Of A Brand Guide The Importance Of Your Brand Guide For AI The Evolution Of Brand Guides And Their Future Simple Steps For Getting Started


    Connect with Lidia!
    Blog www.lsvdesign.com https://lsvdesign.com/blog/ Facebook www.facebook.com/lsvdesign Instagram www.instagram.com/lsvdesign LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lsvdesign Lsvdesign Medium https://lsvdesign.medium.com/ NonprofitBrandingChecklisthttps://bit.ly/nonprofitbrandingchecklist Social Media Brand Guide Templatehttp://bit.ly/SMBrandGuideTemplate Creating a Nonprofit Brand Guide: A How-To Guide and Checklist


    Join the PivotGround newsletter for weekly tips and inspiration for leading your nonprofit! Access it here >>




















    Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don’t miss a single episode, and while you’re at it, won’t you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!
    Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.



    Connect with your host Sarah Olivieri:


    On LinkedIn>> On Facebook>> Subscribe on YouTube>>

    • 34 min
    245: What's the Boards Role?

    245: What's the Boards Role?

    In this episode nonprofit board expert Mike Burns dives deep into the purpose, challenges, and innovative practices concerning nonprofit boards! Our discussion critiques conventional wisdom around board responsibilities, such as budget approval and the potential benefits of rethinking board members' roles for greater organizational impact. 
     
    My guest for this episode is Michael (Mike) Burns, Partner, BWB Solutions. Mike began his career as an executive director of a community health center, followed by 15 years as an executive director and primary consultant for a nonprofit capacity building organization. During this time, he was also an associate professor of management at the Antioch-New England Graduate Schools of Organization and Management and Environmental Studies. Since 2017, Mike has been Adjunct Faculty in University of New Haven’s Nonprofit Management Certificate Program and Professor of Marketing Strategy. In 1994, Mike joined BWB Solutions. His practice focuses on strategic and revenue generating planning, nonprofit governance, and helping nonprofits assess their readiness for mergers and partnerships. He regularly posts to his blog, Nonprofit Board Crisis, where he focuses on nonprofit governance issues. As part of a research team he completed a national survey on the roles and relationships of nonprofit board chairs. In addition to his professional work as an organizational development and planning consultant, Mike operates an organic farm growing asparagus, raspberries, garlic, strawberries and tomatoes. Mike has been a professional foster parent for over 25 years. Mike graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Marquette University and completed a master’s degree in nonprofit management with a focus on governance at Lesley College. He also holds a graduate certificate in nonprofit marketing management from the University of Hartford.
     
    In this episode you’ll find:
    The Role and Purpose of Nonprofit Boards
    A Critique on Conventional Wisdom Around Board Responsibilities
    The Executive Director and Board Relationship
    Strategic Planning and Accountability in Nonprofits
    The Impact of Boards on Nonprofit Organizations
    Innovative Practices and the Future of Board Governance
     
    Go to https://www.pivotground.com/signup to get inspired with weekly insights on running your nonprofit.
     
    Connect with Mike:
    Web: www.bwbsolutions.com 
    Blog: https://nonprofitboardcrisis.typepad.com 
    To follow: https://twitter.com/nonprofitcrisis 
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bwbsolutionsllc/ 
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-burns-0ab61/
     
    Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don’t miss a single episode, and while you’re at it, won’t you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!
    Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.
    Connect with Sarah!
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-olivieri/
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahfolivieri/
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxB2J-XcixGeGaZvcu_cVxA

    • 40 min
    244: Better Budgets for Your Grants

    244: Better Budgets for Your Grants

    My guest for this episode is Maryn Boess. Over her 35+-year nonprofit career, Maryn has been an on-staff grantwriter; a grants consultant (winning $42 million for her clients over 10 years); a grants trainer; a grants reviewer, author, speaker, mentor and coach; and – starting in 2006 - even a grantmaker. This 3-D background brings a unique insider’s perspective to the practical, inspiring trainings on healthy, successful grantsmanship she shares with thousands of people each year through GrantsMagic U. A true dual-citizen of the grants world, Maryn may be the only person holding membership in both Grant Professionals Association (for grantseekers) - and Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (for grantmakers). In 2020, in recognition of her lifetime of contribution to the field, Maryn became just the second inductee into the international Grant Professionals Class of Distinguished Fellows.
    In this episode you’ll discover:
    What is total value budgeting for grant applications Different types of contributions to include in budgets How to properly value volunteer time  What you need to know about indirect cost ratios Go to https://www.pivotground.com/signup to get inspired with weekly insights on running your nonprofit.
    Connect with Maryn:
    GrantsMagic U website: https://u.grantsmagic.org/courses/budget-live The Quick-Start Guide to the One-Page Grant Proposal https://go.grantsmagic.org The Total Value Budget May16 Zoom webinar for $25: https://u.grantsmagic.org/courses/budget-live Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don’t miss a single episode, and while you’re at it, won’t you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!
    Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.
    Connect with Sarah!
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-olivieri/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahfolivieri/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxB2J-XcixGeGaZvcu_cVxA

    • 28 min
    Implementing a Four-Day Workweek

    Implementing a Four-Day Workweek

    My guest for this episode is Sean Kosofsky, the "Nonprofit Fixer!"  Sean is a coach, consultant, trainer, and strategic advisor to nonprofits. For the past 30+ years, he has helped causes, campaigns, and candidates raise millions of dollars and transformed nonprofit organizations and leaders. Sean has served in a wide variety of roles in nonprofits, including policy, communications, development, grassroots organizing, direct service, board leadership, and five stints as an executive director. He has worked on a wide range of issues, including LGBTQ equality, reproductive justice, voting access, bullying prevention, climate change, and more. 
     
    Sean has received numerous awards and recognitions from the sector, including the City of Detroit and the State of Michigan. Sean owns Mind the Gap Consulting, which offers coaching and consulting services for executive directors, boards, and fundraisers, as well as a suite of online training courses. I am a proud Detroit native but live with my husband and dog in New York City. 
     
    Here's what to expect during the episode:
    Sean's motivation for exploring the four-day workweek. What are the benefits of a four-day workweek? What impact does a compressed work schedule have on nonprofit organizations? The initial steps involved in implementing a four-day workweek. The importance of open communication and conducting a pilot program before fully implementing the change.


    Go to https://www.pivotground.com/signup to get inspired with weekly insights on running your nonprofit.
     
    Connect with Sean Kosofsky!
    Website: https://www.nonprofitfixer.com/
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nonprofitfixer/
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindthegapc
    The Complete Guide to Implementing a Four-Day Workweek: https://www.nonprofitfixer.com/nonprofit-fixer-blog/the-complete-guide-to-implementing-the-four-day-workweek
     
    Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don’t miss a single episode, and while you’re at it, won’t you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!
     
    Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.
     
    Connect with Sarah!
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-olivieri/
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahfolivieri/
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxB2J-XcixGeGaZvcu_cVxA
     

    • 34 min
    Leadership Transitions

    Leadership Transitions

    My guest for this episode is Mary Hiland, founder of the Inspired Nonprofit Leadership Podcast. Mary is a nonprofit board and leadership development consultant dedicated to assisting nonprofit executives to lead effectively with their boards. 
     
    She has over forty years experience in the nonprofit sector – both as an executive and as a board member. As an executive, she grew her nonprofit from $100K to $26 mil., leading two mergers. She has been consulting and coaching for 20 years, working with several hundred nonprofits.  
     
    Mary is a speaker, published author, researcher, and a business professor at DeAnza Community College. She is the author of the best-selling book: Love Your Board! The Executive Directors’ Guide to Discovering the Sources of Nonprofit Board Troubles and What to Do About Them (2021) and is a contributing author to four other nonprofit leadership and governance books. 
     
    Mary’s Ph.D. focused on nonprofit leadership and governance, and she has three Master’s degrees: social work, public administration, and organizational development.
     
    Here's what to expect during the episode:
     
    What is a leadership transition, and why is it so important? Strategies Mary employs to ensure a smooth transition into a new leadership role. How did Mary determine she was ready for a leadership transition? Sarah's initial feelings and thoughts when she learned she was at the receiving end of the transition. What are Mary's goals and aspirations as she enters this next transition phase?

    Go to https://www.pivotground.com/signup  to get inspired with weekly insights on running your nonprofit.
    Connect with Mary Hiland!
    Website: https://www.hilandconsulting.org/
    LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryhiland/
    Email:  mary@hilandconsulting.org
     
    Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don’t miss a single episode, and while you’re at it, won’t you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!
    Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.
     
    Connect with Sarah!
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-olivieri/
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahfolivieri/
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxB2J-XcixGeGaZvcu_cVxA
     

    • 37 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
5 Ratings

5 Ratings

JustBeCause Consulting ,

Much needed for the sector!

Mary has so much experience to bring to listeners! The nonprofit sector definitely needs more inspiration!

JaneGarthson ,

Best podcast for nonprofit leaders

I am really impressed with the way Mary helps the speakers communicate their expertise effectively and in ways that nonprofit leaders can readily use. There's a great range of nonprofit board topics and some truly excellent choices in who Mary interviews.

Jonah867363:7376 ,

A Practical “From the Trenches” Support for Nonprofit Leaders

I’m impressed with the applicability of topics here and the range of guests. Very practical and relevant advice that community leaders can put into practice straight away.

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