The Nonprofit Experts

Spark Group Consulting
  • 5.0 (2)
  • NON-PROFIT

You are the expert of your nonprofit organization. You work hard, know your organization inside and out, and seek thought partners to think through challenging moments and exciting new strategies. This show is a chance to have conversations with nonprofit leaders like yourself. In each episode, you'll hear from everyday, exceptional leaders of the nonprofit sector as they chat with host Mary Gladstone-Highland, CEO of Spark Group Consulting, about the critical issues that impact nonprofits and how they use their assets to provide creative solutions to complex problems.

  1. 01/25/2025

    The Power of Mentoring: A Conversation with Big Brothers Big Sisters CEO

    In this episode of the Nonprofit Experts podcast, Mary dives deep into the transformative power of mentorship and the strategic planning process for nonprofits featuring Lisa Humphrey, CEO and President of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flint and Genesee County. Lisa Humphrey provides strategic leadership and innovative problem-solving in carrying out the agency’s mission to ignite the power and promise of youth. She brings a wealth of knowledge and innovative programming in the field of mentoring. This episode covers the significant role of mentorship in empowering youth, the importance of community support, the reciprocal nature of mentor and mentee relationships, and the benefits of strategic planning.  00:00 Welcome to the Nonprofit Experts Podcast 00:59 The Power of Mentoring 07:03 Impact Stories and the Importance of Mentorship 13:21 Strategic Planning: Why It Matters 17:40 Engaging Stakeholders in Strategic Planning 24:18 Upcoming Initiatives and Final Thoughts 27:17 Conclusion and Tips for Effective Strategic Planning Connect with Lisa Humphrey: Visit bbbsflint.org Connect with the Big Brothers Big Sister of Flint and Genessee County on FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/bbbsflint  Reach their office at 810 235 0617

    32 min

  2. 12/04/2024

    Effective Nonprofit Tips for Increasing Engagement and Strategic Planning: Answering Your Top Questions of 2024

    Answering Nonprofit Leaders' Most Pressing Questions of 2024: Year-End Review In this episode of the Nonprofit Experts Podcast, Mary and Christina address the most frequently asked questions they receive from nonprofit leaders.  They discuss key topics including: ⭐Diversifying funding sources ⭐Effective strategic planning ⭐Utilizing AI tools ⭐Improving board engagement ⭐Measuring organizational impact This conversation aims to provide practical tips and insights to help nonprofit leaders feel less isolated and more empowered in their roles.  Tune into this episode for effective strategies you can implement in your organization today and stay until the end for valuable tips and tricks! 00:42 End of Year Show: Most Asked Questions of 2024 03:17 Highlights from the Past Year 07:04 Diversifying Funding Sources 12:20 Strategic Planning Tips 19:12 AI Tools for Nonprofits 25:33 Engaging Your Board of Directors 37:17 Measuring Impact and Success 42:56 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    47 min

  3. 11/06/2024

    Maximizing Year-End Campaigns: Insights from Nonprofit Leaders

    Mary discusses the importance of year-end campaigns with guest Christina Wood, Executive Director at Educational Child Care Center, EC3.  Christina Wood is the Executive Director of Educational Child Care Center in Lansing.   She worked in restaurant management for 20 years before pursuing her passion in early education. Starting as a classroom assistant, she worked her way up to a lead teacher earning her Child Development Accreditation, then an associate’s degree in child development and early education. It was her passion for children and families that led her to pursue her current career. They explore the challenges and opportunities of these campaigns, focusing on strategy, relationship-building, and use of modern tools such as ChatGPT and Canva to streamline processes.  Christina Wood shares her experiences and plans for her first year-end campaign, including rebranding and increasing visibility.  Additionally, Mary and her colleague Christina Wichert offer insights into leveraging AI tools for crafting impactful narratives and managing campaign logistics efficiently. Listen into this episode for effective strategies for year-end campaigns from these nonprofit leaders. 00:44 Year-End Campaigns: An Overwhelming Task 02:18 Year-End Campaign Insights with Christina Wood 04:31 Challenges and Strategies for Small Nonprofits 07:07 The Importance of Relationship Building 28:12 Using AI Tools for Year-End Campaigns 40:52 Conclusion and Final Tips

    44 min

  4. 10/09/2024

    Scaling Impact: Partnering with Community Foundations

    Mary welcomes Cindy Hales from the Capital Region Community Foundation for an intriguing discussion on navigating nonprofit collaboration and capacity building.  Cindy has over thirty years of experience in the nonprofit sector. She has served as an executive director of several organizations and has direct fundraising experience in higher education, healthcare, and cultural organizations. She holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership and a master’s degree in Public Administration from Central Michigan University. As Vice President of Community Investment, Cindy leads the Foundation's grantmaking programs and builds relationships with nonprofits in the community with support from the community investment team. She works closely with her team and is part of the leadership team. Mary & Cindy discuss vital strategies for effective nonprofit management, focusing on capacity building and cooperative relationships with funders. Cindy shares insights on succession planning, proactive organization management, and the importance of aligning nonprofit and funder priorities.  Encouraging nonprofits to build relationships with local community foundations, they offer practical advice for sustainable nonprofit growth. Mary emphasizes the benefits of shifting from reactive to proactive organizational operations through storytelling and real-life examples. 00:00 Introduction to the Nonprofit Experts Podcast 00:34 Celebrating the Success of Season One 02:19 Exciting Plans for Season Two 03:07 Today's Topic: Nonprofit Funder Relationships 03:33 Guest Introduction: Cindy Hale 04:21 Understanding Capacity Building 13:24 Proactivity vs. Reactivity in Nonprofits 17:35 Aligning Priorities with Funders 21:52 Tips for Working with Community Foundations 26:47 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

    31 min

  5. 11/29/2023

    From Hesitation to Legislation: Nonprofits and the Power of Lobbying

    In this episode of "Nonprofit Experts," host Mary Gladstone-Highland delves into the often-misunderstood world of nonprofit lobbying with a true advocate for change, Nick Lutton from Family Voices of California. Together, they explore the transformative journey from hesitation to legislation, revealing the untapped potential nonprofits hold in shaping policy and driving their mission forward. 🌟 Key Takeaways: Demystifying Lobbying: Nick shares insights on dispelling common fears surrounding lobbying, emphasizing the strategic aspects that can elevate a nonprofit's impact. Advocacy Success Stories: Discover real-life examples of nonprofits, including Family Voices of California, that have successfully utilized lobbying as a powerful tool to create positive change. Preparing for Advocacy: Mary and Nick discuss the essential steps nonprofits can take to prepare for effective lobbying, ensuring they navigate the political landscape with confidence. The Legislative Landscape: Gain a deeper understanding of how nonprofits can navigate legislative processes to influence policies that align with their mission and values. Join Mary and Nick on this empowering episode as they inspire nonprofit leaders to embrace advocacy, turning hesitation into a force for legislative change. Whether you're a seasoned nonprofit professional or just starting your journey, this episode is a roadmap for transforming your organization's impact through the strategic use of lobbying. 🔗 Connect with Our Guest: Learn more about Nick Lutton and Family Voices of California at familyvoicesofca.org. ✨ Don't miss this enlightening conversation that proves lobbying isn't just for the big players; it's a valuable tool for every nonprofit ready to make a lasting difference.

    36 min

  6. 10/19/2023

    Leadership in Times of Crisis

    In this episode of the Nonprofit Experts podcast, titled "Leadership in Times of Crisis," we tackle the common struggles of nonprofit leaders who often grapple with feelings of scarcity, whether it's not enough time, donations, or staff. Our expert shares three essential assets that you already possess to bolster your nonprofit work, and they recount an inspiring story of overcoming exceptional circumstances with unwavering resilience. Stay tuned to the end of the episode for an interactive poll where you can share your thoughts on this critical topic.

    36 min

  7. 08/30/2023

    Interims: A Secret Ingredient for Smooth Leadership Transitions

    Join host Mary Gladstone-Highland in a compelling conversation with Dorothy Norris-Tirrell, Interim Executive Director at the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance, on the Nonprofit Experts podcast. Discover intentionality's pivotal role in hiring, the dangers of hasty recruitment, and the valuable insights offered by interim leadership during times of transition. In this episode, explore: Intentional Hiring: Uncover why rushed hires can lead to pitfalls. Interim Leadership Insights: Learn the often-underestimated advantages of interim leaders in stabilizing organizations, facilitating transitions, and introducing fresh perspectives. Continuous Learning: Delve into the importance of nurturing professional growth through ongoing education, fostering innovation and adaptability. Tips for Emerging Leaders: Gain practical advice from Dorothy's journey, embracing challenges, building resilience, and forging meaningful connections. Navigating Senior Leadership Changes: Get a roadmap for managing leadership shifts with open communication and transparency. For a comprehensive exploration of intentional hiring, interim leadership's transformational effects, and navigating leadership changes, tune in to this enriching episode of Nonprofit Experts. Whether you're a seasoned nonprofit professional or an aspiring leader, you'll find valuable insights to elevate your leadership experience.

    33 min

  8. 07/13/2023

    Authors Chat - Calm: How to End Destructive Conflict in Your Church

    In this episode, Mary Gladstone-Highland, Christina Wichert, and Katy Stokes share insights from their upcoming book titled Calm: How to End Destructive Conflict in Your Church. The book focuses on providing practical guidance and strategies for addressing conflict within a faith-based organization, although many of the principles can be applied to any kind of organization. During the discussion, the authors provide a behind-the-scenes look at the process of developing their book. They talk about the personal experiences they drew upon, and the collaborative effort it took to create a comprehensive resource on conflict resolution. The authors explore different approaches and techniques that can be used to effectively handle conflicts in a productive and healthy manner. In this episode, you will hear: How to address conflict in your organization Tools and resources that you can use in order to not feel alone in your tension Tips for being proactive about conflict resolution

    25 min
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About

You are the expert of your nonprofit organization. You work hard, know your organization inside and out, and seek thought partners to think through challenging moments and exciting new strategies. This show is a chance to have conversations with nonprofit leaders like yourself. In each episode, you'll hear from everyday, exceptional leaders of the nonprofit sector as they chat with host Mary Gladstone-Highland, CEO of Spark Group Consulting, about the critical issues that impact nonprofits and how they use their assets to provide creative solutions to complex problems.

Information

  • Creator
    Spark Group Consulting
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Spark Group Consulting
  • Show Website
    The Nonprofit Experts