Wanna know what the future holds? Welcome to another inspiring episode of Small Nonprofit. This week, Maria sits down with Kamilah Martin, founder and CEO of Katalyst, to discuss how the nonprofit sector is evolving and why consulting might be the future of work for nonprofit leaders. 

Kamilah shares her journey from being a VP at an international humanitarian organization to building a community for women of color transitioning to consulting roles. This conversation dives into innovation, equity, and nonprofit leadership.

The Future of Work in Nonprofits – The highlights:

• How the pandemic accelerated the nonprofit sector’s shift to remote work and innovation.
• Why consulting is an attractive option for nonprofit leaders seeking flexibility.
• Strategies for addressing equity in hybrid work environments.
• Examples of innovation in programming and nonprofit governance.
• The importance of investing in consulting and technology for nonprofit growth.
• How to create a nonprofit culture that embraces experimentation and iterative change.

 🎧 Listen to more episodes for actionable fundraising tips and insights on nonprofit leadership, nonprofit governance, donor retention, productivity & tools, and donor engagement strategies that work! We're here to eliminate nonprofit burnout and boost your donations!

About Kamilah Martin:

After working and leading in the nonprofit world for over 20 years, both as an executive and consultant, Kamilah took a bold step in 2020 and founded Katalyst. With particular expertise in optimizing virtual/remote environments—both domestically and globally—her magic is building empowered, effective, and happy communities, teams, and experiences through a liberatory and human-centered lens. She's also the creator of the award-winning Katalyst Nonprofit Consultant Mastermind Community, a global membership community that supports Black women and women of color nonprofit/NGO consultants, independent contractors, & coaches during years 0-5 of their independent consulting journey.

Quotable Moments from The Future of Work in Nonprofits: Consulting, Innovation, and Leadership with Kamilah Martin: 

"We existed a certain way because that's all we knew. But COVID forced us to rethink that — and that opened up so many opportunities for innovation." – Kamilah Martin 
"Innovation for innovation's sake isn't enough. What are your goals? How do you evaluate if your pilot actually achieves what you want?" – Kamilah Martin 
"Nonprofits that innovate now will thrive in the next 20 years. Those that don’t will get left behind." – Kamilah Martin 

Actionable Tips for Nonprofit Leaders: 

1. Embrace flexible work models: Involve program and admin staff in discussions on remote work equity, and find ways to offer flexibility, even to those in roles requiring in-person work (e.g., alternating schedules). 
2. Pilot innovations with clear goals: Establish a finite timeline for pilots with an evaluation period at the end to determine if adjustments are needed. 
3. Leverage external expertise: Don’t try to solve complex problems alone—engage consultants or experts in areas like change management, technology, or HR for quicker solutions.

Resources and Links: 

• Connect with Maria 
• Connect with Kamilah 
• The Katalyst Website  

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