Do Your Good

This week I have the pleasure of interviewing Dana Dornsife, CEO of the Lazarex Cancer Foundation. After certain events in her life caused her to shift her worldview, she went on a divinely inspired mission to give back to others by providing families suffering from cancer the support and resources they need. She offers us her insight on how fundraisers and donors can tackle challenges and turn them into opportunities to do better, learn, and grow.

Episode Highlights:

• The event in Dana’s life that catalyzed the creation of the Lazarex Cancer Foundation.

• The logistics behind her foundation and her compelling reason to give back with her newfound wealth.

• Her story trying to navigate the nonprofit world as someone coming from a for-profit one.

• Lazarex Cancer Foundation’s growth and funding strategy

• Her favorite story while serving at Lazarex.

• Her words of wisdom on overcoming challenges and hurdles.

Get the full show notes and more information here:

https://www.doyourgood.com/blog/45-dana-dornsife 

Jim Kelly, Founder of Rejuvenation Hardware, is joining us to discuss his personal giving strategy as well as his journey to giving also through his business. As a self-described anomaly foundation, they take a non-traditional approach to philanthropy where they keep things small and nimble so they can maintain a clear vision and goal, and effectively focus their giving efforts towards issues related to his personal interests.

Episode Highlights:

• How Jim’s business got started and led him into the world of philanthropy.

• It’s okay to say ‘no’ so you can focus on the issue areas issues you truly care about.

• Similarities and differences between his personal giving strategy and the company’s.

• Why he finds it more fulfilling to actively go out into the field and get involved with others.

• His words of encouragement and caution for fellow donors.

Get the full show notes and more information here:

https://www.doyourgood.com/blog/44-jim-kelly 

I have the pleasure of interviewing Patrick Kirby, Founder of Do Good Better Consulting. With over a decade of experience in the nonprofit world under his belt, he’ll share with us his personal stories that have shaped him into the professional fundraiser he is today. He is a firm believer that donors and fundraisers should work with authenticity and purpose so that we can ‘Do Good Better’ every day.

Episode Highlights:

• Patrick’s transformational moment that led him to become a professional funder.

• The crucial importance of being authentic to your goals and mission.

• Ways nonprofit leaders can build better and more authentic relationships with their clients.

• His personal experiences as a fundraiser getting to know donors beyond their role as a donor.

• Nonprofits should find purpose in what they do and guide donors towards unlocking their own purpose as well

• The ultimate way nonprofits can articulate their impact to their donors.

Get the full show notes and more information here:

https://www.doyourgood.com/blog/43-patrick-kirby

For this week, I’m happy to be joined by Cristina Jorda Kinney, Director of Institutional Philanthropy at Action for the Climate Emergency. Originally working at the Hewlett Foundation, she has made the recent transition to become a full-time worker in the nonprofit world. As someone who has experience in both worlds, she’ll share with us her unique insights and perspectives so both donors and funders can maximize their effectiveness.

Episode Highlights:

• The rewards and challenges of shifting from foundation work to nonprofit work.

• The noticeable differences she’s felt now that she’s working on the other side.

• The things she was most proud of doing when she was at Hewlett and her recommendations for funders looking to make their grantees’ lives easier.

• The best form of information nonprofits can give to potential funders.

• How nonprofits can pierce through the funder bubble and reach out to funders in a meaningful manner.

• Why nonprofits and funders shouldn’t be afraid to engage in more discussions and conversations with each other.

• Her advice to fellow funders.

Get the full show notes and more information here:

https://www.doyourgood.com/blog/42-cristina-jorda-kinney 

It’s more difficult to give away money than you might think, so I’m going to share three strategies that will attract the nonprofits and organizations that fit your goals and missions and help make sure you’re able to give away your money effectively.

Episode Highlights:

• Learn the three possible approaches you can take to ensure you give all your money to good causes.

• The three possible strategies include a marketing type approach, a surgical strike, or a combination of both strategies coordinated together in a seamless manner.

Get the full show notes and more information here:

https://www.doyourgood.com/blog/41-sybil-speaks 

Is that long list of charities that you support weighing you down? Lighten your load to be even more effective while still honoring the issues and organizations that you care about.

You’d be surprised at how often I work with a new client that lists all the nonprofits they fund in alphabetical order. But I want to tell you now that this isn’t an effective method. You’re more likely to feel overwhelmed and miss out on the nonprofits that work on issues you actually care about.

If you’ve been struggling with this, listen in on this episode because I have a challenge for you! This will help you eliminate this method and I’ll give you three steps that give you greater visibility about the effectiveness of your funding strategy.

Episode Highlights:

• Focus on the issue areas you care about.

• Write two outcome statements under each issue area.

• Group the nonprofits you’re funding under their connected issue area.

Links referenced in this podcast

• If you’re enjoying the podcast and want to check out more of what I have to offer then click here. On my website, you can sign up for my free training, online courses, free resources, as well as my paid resources.

If you enjoyed this episode, listen to these as well:

• #39: Sybil Speaks: Maximize Your Funding Potential With Support for Backbone Organizations

• #38 Sybil Speaks: Tips to Fund Advocacy and Lobbying Correctly

• #37 The Best Tips from a White House Speechwriter Who Transitioned to Philanthropy with Lowell Weiss, President, Cascade Philanthropy Advisors, Inc.

Crack the Code: Sybil’s Successful Guide to Philanthropy

Become even better at what you do as I teach you the strategies as well as the tools you’ll need to avoid mistakes and make a career out of philanthropy through my new course, Crack the Code!

In this new course, you’ll gain access to beautifully animated and filmed engaging videos (one per week for a total of 8 weeks), and many more!

Check out her website soon with all the latest opportunities to learn from Sybil at www.doyourgood.com.

Connect with Do Your Good

• Facebook @doyourgood

• Instagram @doyourgood

Don’t forget to check out the #DoYourGoodChallenge and get a chance to win prizes as you give with a purpose!

Would you like to talk with Sybil directly?

Send in your inquiries through her website www.doyourgood.com, or you can email her directly at [email protected]!

If you want your limited funding to reach its true potential and have maximum impact, fund an important organization you have never heard of – the backbone organization!

Don’t forget about the invisible “backbone” organizations. I’ll take the time to talk about currently existing backbone organizations and ways you can find the right organization to support.

Providing backbone organizations with support is important to move an issue you care about forward to achieve significant progress so be sure to tune into this episode!

Episode Highlights:

• Learn what a backbone organization is about.

• 3 amazing backbone organizations that you may not have heard of.

• Top 3 questions to ask to find and then fund the backbone organizations working in the field you care about.

Links referenced in this podcast

• Click here to read the latest IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) report on climate change.

• Click this link to view Altarum Healthcare Value Hub’s definition of backbone organizations.

• Check out my episodes with Dany Sigwalt and co. on the Power Shift Network here and here.

• Check out my episode with Heidi Binko and the Just Transition Fund here.

• Listen to my episode with Sean Kosofsky, executive director of the Climate Advocacy Lab here.

• If you want to learn more about backbone organizations, check out these readings by the Stanford Social Innovation Review: Six Proven Practices for Backbone Organizations and Understanding the Value of Backbone Organizations in Collective Impact: Part 2.

• Read the United Nations’ report that we’re going to experience a hotter climate in the future.

If you enjoyed this episode, listen to these as well:

• #38 Sybil Speaks: Tips to Fund Advocacy and Lobbying Correctly

• #37 The Best Tips from a White House Speechwriter Who Transitioned to Philanthropy with Lowell Weiss, President, Cascade Philanthropy Advisors, Inc.

• #36 Sybil Speaks: Three Things You Can Do Now to Create a Legacy That Lasts

Crack the Code: Sybil’s Successful Guide to Philanthropy

Become even better at what you do as I teach you the strategies as well as the tools you’ll need to avoid mistakes and make a career out of philanthropy through my new course, Crack the Code!

In this new course, you’ll gain access to beautifully animated and filmed engaging videos (one per week for a total of 8 weeks), and many more!

Check out her website soon with all the latest opportunities to learn from Sybil at www.doyourgood.com.

Connect with Do Your Good

• Facebook @doyourgood

• Instagram @doyourgood

Don’t forget to check out the #DoYourGoodChallenge and get a chance to win prizes as you give with a purpose!

Would you like to talk with Sybil directly?

Send in your inquiries through her website www.doyourgood.com, or you can email her directly at [email protected]!

I don’t want you to be discouraged when you are confronted with a problem that may involve lobbying so I am going to provide you with key tips that will help you navigate this tricky situation (this conversation is focused on the United States).

Whether you’re connected to a private family foundation or working in a nonprofit, I hope this episode will be helpful to you.  

--

Disclaimer: I am not a registered lawyer and so it is important that if you have any questions about legal advice you hire a licensed lawyer experienced in answering the questions you seek.

Episode Highlights:

• Tips to fund a nonprofit correctly even if they are lobbying.

• Providing funds through general support grants.

Links referenced in this podcast

• Bolder Advocacy equips nonprofits and foundations with the confidence and resources to make advocacy easier and more accessible for them. Click here to learn more about them.

If you enjoyed this episode, listen to these as well:

• #37 The Best Tips from a White House Speechwriter Who Transitioned to Philanthropy with Lowell Weiss, President, Cascade Philanthropy Advisors, Inc.

• #36 Sybil Speaks: Three Things You Can Do Now to Create a Legacy That Lasts

• #35 Back by Popular Demand! Learn More Ways to Fund Indigenous Communities with Deep Respect and Grace with Jim Enote, CEO, Colorado Plateau Foundation

Crack the Code: Sybil’s Successful Guide to Philanthropy

Become even better at what you do as I teach you the strategies as well as the tools you’ll need to avoid mistakes and make a career out of philanthropy through my new course, Crack the Code!

In this new course, you’ll gain access to beautifully animated and filmed engaging videos (one per week for a total of 8 weeks), and many more!

Check out her website soon with all the latest opportunities to learn from Sybil at www.doyourgood.com.

Connect with Do Your Good

• Facebook @doyourgood

• Instagram @doyourgood

Don’t forget to check out the #DoYourGoodChallenge and get a chance to win prizes as you give with a purpose!

Would you like to talk with Sybil directly?

Send in your inquiries through her website www.doyourgood.com, or you can email her directly at [email protected]!

Funding multiple nonprofits and charities aren’t the only aspect of being a successful philanthropist. It’s important to go out into the field and engage grantees with dignity and respect. Unfortunately, unhealthy power dynamics between donors and grantees exist wherein the latter is viewed as an “other”, but it’s time to change that and work towards creating better connections for a better society. 

Lowell Weiss joins me this week to share with us his insights and realizations gathered from his two decades’ worth of experience as a donor consultant. Furthermore, he serves as the President of Cascade Philanthropy Advisors, where they aid donors who are seeking to make a deeper impact and achieve greater purpose and joy in their work. 

Tune into this episode to learn how you can evolve as a donor!

Episode Highlights:

• Lowell’s transition from White House speechwriter to donor consultant.

• Some of his favorite experiences working with donors.

• How can donors switch to a curiosity-based mindset and break out of the “Funder Bubble.”

• Creating a healthier dynamic between donors and grantees.

• His advice for donors who want to do better.

Links referenced in this podcast

• If you’re enjoying the podcast and want to check out more of what I have to offer then click here. On my website, you can sign up for my free training, online courses, free resources, as well as my paid resources. 

• If you’re looking for a firm that wants to help you make meaningful change, check out Cascade Philanthropy Advisors here.

• Learn more about Lowell Weiss here.

• Read about how funders can set their grantees up for success here.

• Check out the profiles of foundations already doing a great job here.

If you enjoyed this episode, listen to these as well:

• #36 Sybil Speaks: Three Things You Can Do Now to Create a Legacy That Lasts

• #35 Back by Popular Demand! Learn More Ways to Fund Indigenous Communities with Deep Respect and Grace with Jim Enote

• #34 Sybil Speaks: Reach Your Best Fundraising Potential

Crack the Code: Sybil’s Successful Guide to Philanthropy

Become even better at what you do as I teach you the strategies as well as the tools you’ll need to avoid mistakes and make a career out of philanthropy through my new course, Crack the Code!

In this new course, you’ll gain access to beautifully animated and filmed engaging videos (one per week for a total of 8 weeks), and many more!

Check out her website soon with all the latest opportunities to learn from Sybil at www.doyourgood.com.

Connect with Do Your Good

• Facebook @doyourgood

• Instagram @doyourgood

Don’t forget to check out the #DoYourGoodChallenge and get a chance to win prizes as you give with a purpose!

Would you like to talk with Sybil directly?

Send in your inquiries through her website www.doyourgood.com, or you can email her directly at [email protected]!

Don’t allow the fear that the world’s problems are too big to solve to paralyze you from trying to make a difference during your lifetime. 

For this episode, I’m going to discuss three key points that you can use working alongside nonprofits and charities to enact long-term change in your community. I’ll also be sharing my own personal experience from when I used to be in a similar situation and how I managed to encourage myself to act now. Change doesn’t happen instantly, but with these tools, you’ll have the ability to define your own future while also supporting others with theirs.

Don’t miss out on this week’s episode! Remember, change doesn’t need to happen when you’re gone.  

Episode Highlights:

• Name the problem you want to solve.

• Act today to make a difference tomorrow.

• It’s okay to not know the outcome.

Links referenced in this podcast

• If you’re enjoying the podcast and want to check out more of what I have to offer then click here. On my website, you can sign up for my free training, online courses, free resources, as well as my paid resources. 

• Check out my episode with Al Jubitz and the War Prevention Initiative here.

• If you’re interested in finding a consultant, check out Apex Gift Planning Services here.

If you enjoyed this episode, listen to these as well:

• #35 Back by Popular Demand! Learn More Ways to Fund Indigenous Communities with Deep Respect and Grace with Jim Enote, CEO, Colorado Plateau Foundation

• #34 Sybil Speaks: Reach Your Best Fundraising Potential

• #33 Sybil Speaks: The Four Best Options to Outsource Your Giving Strategy for Maximum Impact

Crack the Code: Sybil’s Successful Guide to Philanthropy

Become even better at what you do as I teach you the strategies as well as the tools you’ll need to avoid mistakes and make a career out of philanthropy through my new course, Crack the Code!

In this new course, you’ll gain access to beautifully animated and filmed engaging videos (one per week for a total of 8 weeks), and many more!

Check out her website soon with all the latest opportunities to learn from Sybil at www.doyourgood.com.

Connect with Do Your Good

• Facebook @doyourgood

• Instagram @doyourgood

Don’t forget to check out the #DoYourGoodChallenge and get a chance to win prizes as you give with a purpose!

Would you like to talk with Sybil directly?

Send in your inquiries through her website www.doyourgood.com, or you can email her directly at [email protected]!