The Nonprofit Show American Nonprofit Academy

Insights into the complexities of labor and executive recruitment (aka headhunting or poaching) within the nonprofit sector. Led by Katie Warnock, CEO and founder of Staffing Boutique. Host Julia Patrick sets the stage by reflecting on the tumultuous changes the nonprofit workforce is witnessing, describing it as "incredibly diverse" and almost "schizophrenic." Katie echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the drastic transformation from the past to the present, wondering if the nonprofit labor force will ever return to its previous state.

Katie highlights a significant shift in work ethic, noting that prioritizing mental health, family, and home has become a cross-generational trend, challenging traditional notions of commitment and consistency in the corporate world. As she puts it, "People do not care, and it doesn't matter what age you're at." This observation leads to a discussion about the challenges faced by both employers and staffing firms like Staffing Boutique in navigating this landscape.

The conversation transitions to the topic of headhunting, a crucial aspect of executive recruitment, particularly in the nonprofit sector. Katie provides a look  into the process, emphasizing the importance of industry-specific expertise and confidentiality, especially when replacing key leadership positions. She sheds light on the fee structure of headhunting services, outlining the typical payment model based on a percentage of the hired candidate's first-year salary.

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Discover key insights from "10 Epic Fundraising Fails – Part 2".  Unpacking the most common mistakes in nonprofit fundraising.  Practical advice on how to avoid common pitfalls in fundraising, ensuring your nonprofit can engage donors effectively and secure essential funding. Host Julia Patrick and fundraising expert Jack Alotto discuss donor presentations, the importance of making the ask, mastering donor stewardship, maintaining ethical standards, and developing a personal fundraising philosophy.

Failure to Tailor Presentations to Donors: Jack emphasizes the importance of customizing fundraising pitches to align with the interests and motivations of potential donors. He shares a personal anecdote where he mistakenly offered to name a building after a major donor who preferred anonymity, highlighting the need for understanding donor preferences to effectively engage and secure support.

Failure to Ask: A significant challenge in fundraising is the reluctance or fear of asking for donations. Jack stresses that donors are not mind readers; fundraisers must make explicit asks. He argued that asking for a donation should be viewed not just as a transaction but as an invitation to the donor to join in the organization’s mission.

Failure in Stewardship: After securing a donation, the relationship management (stewardship) that follows is crucial.  Jack criticizes the common error of neglecting this phase, which should involve thanking donors and showing the impact of their contributions. Effective stewardship reinforces the donor's decision to support the cause and sets the stage for future contributions.

Failure to Understand the Importance of Ethical Fundraising: Ethics in fundraising was highlighted as critical. Jack points out how fundraisers often handle sensitive information about donors. Maintaining a high ethical standard, respecting donor privacy, and being transparent about the organization's goals and challenges are essential to build trust.

Failure to Develop a Personal Theory of Fundraising: Finally, Jack discusses the importance of fundraisers developing a personal approach to their work, informed by their own values and experiences. This personal theory should guide their actions and interactions with donors, ensuring that their fundraising practice is not just a job but a reflection of their commitment to making a positive impact.

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Are you ready to dig into the world of nonprofit fundraising failure?  We uncover the top ten fundraising failures and how to sidestep them. We're joined by the brilliant Jack Alotto CFRE, a seasoned expert from the Fundraising Academy at National University. In this part one of a two-part series, we explore embracing strategic planning, crafting compelling narratives, understanding donor motivations, and prioritizing stewardship.



Jack begins with comments on the importance of strategic planning, stating, "Failure to have a strategic development and marketing plan is a recipe for disaster." He underscores the significance of a strategic plan as the foundation for future fundraising endeavors, followed by a development plan to outline funding strategies and a marketing plan to communicate with stakeholders effectively.

Continuing, Jack stresses the critical role of a compelling case for support, describing it as the "rationale for philanthropic support." He highlights the versatility of a well-crafted case for support, which can be repurposed across various fundraising initiatives, from annual campaigns to grant proposals, amplifying its impact on donor engagement.

When it comes to prospect research, Jack advocates for a multi-pronged approach, leveraging existing networks, volunteers, and strategic questioning techniques. He points to the value of building relationships with donors, citing volunteers as potential major donors and emphasizing the need for open-ended questioning to uncover donor motivations.

Jack's shares specific insights on donor motivations, emphasizing the diversity of factors driving philanthropic giving, from shared values to emotional connections and societal impact. He emphasizes the importance of understanding donor motivations to tailor fundraising approaches effectively, dispelling the notion that donor size equates to commitment.

Lastly, Jack describes the significance of stewardship in the donor lifecycle, stating, "Making the ask is a small part; stewardship is the bigger part." He advocates for engaging volunteers in fundraising efforts and stresses the importance of learning from mistakes.

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Five years ago, Derrick Young, Jr. embarked on a mission to address the lack of diversity in advanced education, particularly in fields like law, medicine, and STEM. Despite facing challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and shifts in corporate support, the nonprofit he founded, Leadership Brainery , has emerged as a beacon of hope for underrepresented communities seeking access to higher education.  Co-hosts Julia Patrick and Mitch Stein welcome back Derrick for an insightful discussion on the organization's journey and impact.

Young's personal experiences as one of the few men of color in his graduate programs fueled his passion to create change. He emphasizes, "Leadership Brainery increases access to masters and doctoral degrees so that underrepresented communities can establish wealth for themselves and prosperity for their families, but then reinvest back in their communities." This mission is underscored by the organization's commitment to fostering diversity at leadership levels, ensuring marginalized voices are heard in decision-making processes.

The conversation dives into the challenges faced by nonprofit leaders like Young, including the need to educate funders about the importance of advanced education and navigating the complexities of HR and finance as a small but growing team. Despite these obstacles, LeadershipBrainery.org has achieved significant milestones. Through strategic alliances with other nonprofits, they've expanded their reach to over 50,000 students, guiding them towards educational opportunities beyond college.

The organization's adoption of project management tools like Asana has revolutionized their operations, streamlined workflows and enhanced productivity. With a budget of $1.2 million and the support of over 850 individual donors, Leadership Brainery is making tangible strides in creating pathways to success for underrepresented talent.

Thoughout this fast-paced conversation, Young's optimism and resilience shine through as he reflects on the organization's achievements and the transformative impact it's having on individuals and communities.

For those inspired to learn more, Leadership Brainery's website offers a comprehensive look into their programs and impact, showcasing the power of education to drive meaningful change in society.

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From including both spouses on nonprofit’s campus tours to the effectiveness of donor swag and the choice between upscale venues and authentic experiences for wealthy donors, LaShonda Williams and Julia Patrick share actionable insights on questions from viewers.

When a viewer asks about including both spouses on a campus tour for potential major donors, LaShonda points to the importance of involving both individuals in the relationship-building process. She stresses the need for alignment and engagement from both parties.

Julia prompts a discussion about the role of women in philanthropy, leading LaShonda to explore shifting dynamics in decision-making within families. 

The fun discussion then turns to the value of offering swag to donors and potential donors. LaShonda pushes for meaningful and practical items that align with an organization's brand and cater to donors' daily lives, emphasizing strategic selection to maximize impact and steward resources effectively.

Next, LaShonda addresses the choice between hosting a donor cultivation event at a shelter versus a more upscale venue.  Both Julia and LaShonda amplify the power of firsthand experiences in fostering connections with donors, advocating for authenticity over extravagance.

The episode concludes with insights into sharing enthusiasm and knowledge gained from conferences with colleagues, explaining the importance of maintaining enthusiasm and involving team members in conference planning to foster buy-in and collaboration.

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In the fast-changing world of nonprofits, staying true to mission while resisting the allure of scope creep can be a challenging dance. Miriam Dicks, founder and CEO of 180 Management Group, recently shed light on this topic during a riveting chat with hosts Mitch Stein and Sherry Quam Taylor. 

Miriam begins by defining scope creep, drawing parallels to its militaristic synonym, mission creep. She shares the webster definition, "Mission creep is a gradual shift in objectives during the course of a military campaign, often resulting in unplanned long-term commitments." She then links this definition to the nonprofit landscape, highlighting the challenges of altering objectives mid-campaign, akin to navigating the ever-changing battlefield of nonprofit work.

The interesting interview digs into the root causes of scope creep, with Miriam pinpointing changes in leadership, shifts in board perspectives, and the allure of diversifying revenue streams as common culprits. She points out the need for strategic planning and operationalization, stating, "Having an up-to-date strategic plan that has been operationalized is crucial. It provides teeth to your organization's direction, ensuring everyone moves towards a common goal."

Miriam's insights on wrap-around services further illuminated the discussion. She shares a compelling example, illustrating how organizations must tread cautiously when expanding their services beyond their core expertise. "If you're magnifying the voice that's already there, that's the same voice. But if you change your voice, the impact means people may not be able to hear you because that voice is unfamiliar coming from you," she wisely notes.

Throughout, Miriam speaks to the importance of maintaining objectivity amidst the passion that drives nonprofit work. "Passion can take us on high highs and low lows. But if we stay objective, knowing that the mission is at the center of what we do, it helps us remain objective without losing our passion," she offers.  Miriam then takes the moment to talk about the significance of regularly evaluating resource utilization and capacity building.

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