Nonprofit Lowdown

Succession planning. We all know it’s a possibility, but none of us wants to think about it. What processes do you have in place to protect your organization from losing funding? How will you manage the optics and let funders know your organization’s values and vision won’t change just because one person steps down?

Hint: Don’t make it all about you!

Join me today as I talk to Cassie Haynes and Jean Friedman-Rudovsky, the powerhouse co-founders of Resolve Philly, to get the lowdown on how they emerged from a leadership transition after Cassie, a black co-founder, stepped down from her position to be closer to her newly widowed mother.

Find out what strategies they used to mitigate damages, disperse responsibilities, and elevate staff members to positions of higher visibility so that the organization could continue affecting change to make Philidelphia’s journalism scene a more equitable and diverse playing field.

“We have always prioritized the storytelling around our work coming from those who are carrying out the work. More and more folks on our team are… showing up at conferences to talk about the work. […] When our funders think about who Resolve is, they should think about 25 people.” - Cassie Haynes, Resolve Philly Cofounder

Important Links:

https://resolvephilly.org/

I’ve said it before; if you want to get big contributions, you have to make big asks. But, for so many of us, our scarcity mindset holds us back. We wonder, can we really make big asks in an economic downturn? Does generosity still exist in America in 2023? Do donors of color give monetarily to the causes they care about?

The numbers say, yes, to all of the above! Data for the win! 

Nerd out on numbers with me on today’s podcast as I get Dr. Una Osili’s thoughts on global philanthropy and giving trends in our complex philanthropic ecosystem.

Dr. Una Osili is the Director of Research at the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University and the Associate Dean for Research and International Programs at the Indiana University, Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. 

Listen to the full episode and subscribe for more data-based tips and tricks that will transform your mindset and help you niche down to find large givers and build trust as you can form a community of givers united under a common mission and vision.  

“So donors now know that it's possible to give in an unrestricted way. This is not just a good time to be engaging donors, but it's also an important time to bring innovative and transformational opportunities to those donors and to ask for those transformational gifts because more donors are aware of the needs.” - Dr. Una Osili

Important Links:

Lilly Family School of Philanthropy - https://philanthropy.iupui.edu/index.html

The General Social Survey - https://gss.norc.org/

Mays Family Institute on Diverse Philanthropy - https://philanthropy.iupui.edu/institutes/mays-institute/about/index.html

Global Philanthropy Tracker - https://globalindices.iupui.edu/tracker/index.html

Global Philanthropy Indices - https://globalindices.iupui.edu/tracker/index.html

Global Philanthropy Environment Index - https://globalindices.iupui.edu/environment-index/index.html

In this episode, we're joined by the inspiring voices of Alison Overseth, Gisele Castro, and Erica Hamilton at The Women's Leadership Council. Our discussion centers around the dynamic landscape of leadership, highlighting our personal experiences, insights, and the ever-important journey toward diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts.

We’ll dive into topics that are pertinent for any woman pursuing a career in leadership, specifically current and future CEOs and EDs. Join us as we get answers to the following questions:

“[H]ow much are we pursuing excellence and how are we passing on what we have learned to another group of people? [...] As an organization that at one point was not so visible and now it is, it comes with different pressure points… I didn't know I signed up for that. I did, I actually did by being a women leader.” Gisele Castro, CEO of exalt

Important Links:

http://exaltyouth.org

http://www.pasesetter.org

https://www.memoinevergot.com/

Meet my friend and homegirl, the amazing Rachel Bearbower. She is the Founder of Small Shop Strategies, a nonprofit consultancy focused on teaching Executive Directors how to detangle their systems so they can focus their time + energy on building relationships and raising more for their causes.

This episode is perfect for those Executive Directors and fundraisers who are neurospicy, who struggle with consistent, boring action, and who need help prioritizing tasks that drive results.

Are you awkward when you’re fundraising? So are we! We talk about the importance of being a real human and not taking things personally when you hear the word “no.”

Hear our personal experiences and mistakes in fundraising as we discuss nurturing donor relationships, managing board expectations, capitalizing on your board member’s genius, and upgrading yourself, your systems, and your software for sustainable success.

“You can create all the systems, but at the end of the day, it’s just doing the damn thing. There’s not a silver bullet. It’s the consistent reps over and over and over that are going to get you the result that you want... It’s those little things, building in those little habits that are going to help you raise that million dollars… two million… five million.” -Rachel Bearbower

Links:

https://www.smallshopstrategies.com/

Additional Resources:

10x Is Easier Than 2x by Dan Sullivan and Benjamin Hardy

The Nuclear Effect by Scott Oldford

Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen

In this episode, we’re joined by the mind-bending Dr. Emily Bennet, ND, CEO of Kindling who answers the question, “How can we take better personal responsibility for our own well-being in the midst of being devoted to this purpose-driven work?” 

We talk about our personal experiences with workplace burnout and explore the internal and external pressures of wanting to “do more for the cause” at the expense of our mental and physical health. We dive into potential factors influencing our decisions to muscle through it despite all the warning signs. Are we influenced by hustle culture? Do we have generational baggage on board? Do Gen Zers have the answer to all our workplace woes? Join us to learn the three facets of burnout, practical tips for managers and execs to protect their teams and some of the common triggers of burnout. Spoiler alert! Your loneliness just might be killing you.  

Also, listen for a quick self-evaluation to determine if you or your team are at risk for or are currently experiencing burnout.

“There are these structural pieces that play a part in influencing somebody to set themselves aside entirely and give too much, such that the energy they’re putting toward the cause is not going to be sustainable.” - Emily

Links:

https://www.dremilybennett.com/free-training

Additional Resources: 

Going Horizontal by Samantha Slade

Reinventing Organizations by Frederic Laloux.

In this episode, we're joined by the fierce Therese Shechter, the brain behind "My So-Called Selfish Life," who's flipping the script on pronatalism and societal norms.

From tearing apart the underpinnings of pronatalism to exposing its ties with white supremacy and racism, we're setting the stage for an eye-opening conversation. We deep-dive into how our policies, driven by hidden pronatalist forces, shape our society and what it means to be a woman.

Next, we explore powerful real-world scenarios where pronatalist policies are taking center stage.

As we advocate for equitable policies, join us for a conversation about childfree living as a choice, and a right.

"I think that being able to make the decision that you don't want to be pregnant and then having a procedure where you're no longer pregnant is a basic human right." - Therese

Links:

Additional Resources:

https://www.newlegacyinstitute.com/

In this insightful episode, I engage in a profound discussion with the esteemed Latanya Mapp Frett, Executive Director of Global Fund for Women, and author of 'The Everyday Feminist: The Key to Sustainable Social Impact - Driving Movements We Need Now More than Ever'.

Fun fact: Latanya was my boss over 20 years ago when I interned at UNICEF and we’re reconnecting!

We delve into the heart of influential feminist social movements, examining the leaders, art, and narratives that have propelled them to success. Mapp Frett shares her expertise, offering practical steps that organizations and individuals can implement to further their impact.

We discuss the significance of feminist funds, the role of men and boys in advancing a feminist future, and provide actionable advice to enact change globally.

'The Everyday Feminist' serves as a strategic blueprint for effecting social change. You can find the book in our show notes or click here to purchase. This episode is a crucial listen for anyone committed to making a difference. Tune in for a deep exploration of practical feminism in action.

"Women are the ones who are doing the work. So why are matching the resources not getting to them?" - Latanya

Get ready for some board management wisdom! In this episode, I sat down with the brilliant Bill Ryan, a nonprofit board governance expert 🌟 We dove into the nitty-gritty of effective board management, covering everything from board culture to fundraising and the three modes of governance. 💼💰

My friend and repeat guest Darren Isom is down to speak some truth. In this fun episode, we talk about the generational and cultural shifts in the workplace as Boomers retire and millennials are taking up the mantle of leadership. We discuss the challenge of Gen X’ers being the sandwich generation, how we’re not setting BIPOC leaders up for success and why tights are not pants.

This episode is perfect for anyone who has felt confounded and whipsawed by the rapidly changing norms and shifting expectations of the workplace at the nexus of generational, cultural, racial, political and pandemic shifts. TL:DR: I’m tired, y’all and maybe you are too.

Don't miss the opportunity to connect with Darren on LinkedIn and check out his podcast, "Dreaming in Color," for more inspiring conversations.

Listen to Darren's Podcast: Dreaming in Color

Connect with Darren Isom on LinkedIn

"The easiest way to disrupt a broken narrative is to create one and tell one that is more compelling and more beautiful." - Darren

In today's episode, we have a special guest joining us: Robby Fowler. Together, we'll explore the game-changing potential of ChatGPT in the world of fundraising.