The Practice of Nonprofit Leadership

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How do you build a board that can truly drive your nonprofit's mission forward? Who do you need and how do you find them?

Tim and Nathan answer these questions and also provide practical tips and strategies for adding members to your board.  Leveraging existing board members' networks, tapping into engaged donors and active volunteers, and maintaining community connections are all key tactics that are explored.  

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The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:

Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR)

Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH)

They can be reached at [email protected]

All opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.

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The U.S. Federal Reserve announced this week (September 18, 2024) a 50 basis point cut in interest rates, with reactions of joy from some and concern from others.  So what?  How does that impact me as a nonprofit leader?

In this special edition of the Practice of Nonprofit Leadership, Nathan Ruby tackles that topic and provides some practical fundraising tips in light of the interest rate news. 

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The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:

Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR)

Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH)

They can be reached at [email protected]

All opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.

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What if the lifeblood of nonprofit organizations wasn't funding, but the volunteers who power them?

Join us as we unpack this provocative idea with Jada Hoerr, Chief Resource Officer of Midwest Food Bank, and Corey Barrette, Volunteer and Community Relations Manager at Midwest Food Bank - New England. Jada and Corey reveal how an army of nearly 40,000 volunteers helps distribute a staggering $500 million worth of food annually, transforming lives and shaping communities along the way. 

In this episode, we explore the essential ingredients of a thriving volunteer program, from aligning volunteers with an organization's mission to the significance of effective communication and engagement. Discover why creating a sense of community and fostering a safe, organized environment are cornerstones of successful volunteer initiatives. 

Jada and Corey share practical strategies for understanding volunteers' availability, interests, and physical capabilities, ensuring even routine tasks feel meaningful by connecting them to the organization's mission. We’ll also discuss how passionate volunteers often become ardent donors, demonstrating that building a robust volunteer culture can yield lasting benefits for any nonprofit. Tune in to uncover how to unlock the transformative power of volunteerism in your organization.

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The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:

Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR)

Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH)

They can be reached at [email protected]

All opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.

Send us a text

A contentious national election can bring challenges to many aspects of leading a nonprofit...not the least the fundraising side.  How should a nonprofit leader handle political conversations with staff, board members, and donors?  How does fundraising change during this season?  At what level should a nonprofit engage in  public political discourse?

On today's episode, Christina Edwards joins Nathan to discuss the challenges of leading a nonprofit during a national election.  Christina, Founder of Splendid Consulting and the host of the popular Purpose & Profit Club podcast, is a frequent guest on the Practice of NonProfit Leadership.

Connect with Nathan, Tim, and Christiana on Linked-In:

Christina 
Nathan 
Tim

Disclaimer:  Any content shared on the podcast is solely the opinion of the presenters.  Any proposed action of a legal nature, should be discussed with licensed legal experts.

Support the show

The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:

Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR)

Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH)

They can be reached at [email protected]

All opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.

Send us a text

Imagine you're cruising along on a road trip when suddenly you're face-to-face with a roadblock. What now? Turn right, turn left, or hear your GPS say "recalculating"?

Same thing happens when leading a nonprofit organization.  Roadblocks pop up that hinder our progress, reaching our goals, and/or fulfilling our mission.  What do we do?

In today's episode, Tim and Nathan explore 5 steps to take when facing road blocks in your organization.  From identifying the real issue, seeking counsel both inside and outside, to taking action and monitoring the plan, the guys provide some practical steps to get you back on the road towards your goals.

If you are interested in working with Tim and Nathan, reach out to them at [email protected].

Support the show

The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:

Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR)

Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH)

They can be reached at [email protected]

All opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.

Send us a text

Could a simple phone call or face-to-face meeting revolutionize your mid-year fundraising success?

In this episode of The Practice of Nonprofit Leadership, Tim and Nathan unpack the critical steps to personally engage with top donors and re-engage those who may have fallen off the radar. Learn how to carefully review your donor lists to spot trends, make those essential connections that drive your fundraising goals forward, and prepare for an impactful and effective year-end fundraising focus.

Interested in downloading the Donor Meeting agenda mentioned in this episode?  Click here.

Support the show

The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:

Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR)

Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH)

They can be reached at [email protected]

All opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.

Send us a text

Discover the power of knowing what each donor brings to your nonprofit's table over the long haul. 

We're unlocking the secrets to calculating the lifetime value of a donor, and why this number is a game changer for your strategic planning and sustained funding. With every monthly donation, be it a humble $30 or more, Nathan will show you how those figures compound to form the bedrock of your organization's financial future. It's not just about the money—it's about understanding the true worth of consistent support and how it can pave the way for growth and stability.

Support the show

The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:

Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR)

Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH)

They can be reached at [email protected]

All opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.

Send us a text

A recent survey states that a large number of nonprofits have open positions that they cannot fill with qualified candidates.  As the Executive Director, could the answer be to recruit your spouse to fill one of those open positions?  What might be the pros and cons, when considering this possibility?  Listen in, as Tim and Nathan dive into this interesting possibility.

Support the show

The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:

Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR)

Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH)

They can be reached at [email protected]

All opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.

Send us a text

Many things in our organization and world feel like they are out of our control.  As much as we try,  control is not something we can often exercise. But when it comes to our leadership as nonprofit executive directors, there are a few things we can and should exercise control.

These areas are:

- My Attitude
- My Skillset
- My Priorities
- My Influencers
- My Work

Focusing on controlling these areas in a positive fashion, will increase the effectiveness of our leadership.

Support the show

The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:

Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR)

Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH)

They can be reached at [email protected]

All opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.

Send us a text

In this episode, we dive into four simple questions you can ask yourself to determine if your organization is ready to consider a capital campaign.

• Project: Do I have a project that aligns with the reasons people donate: to save or transform lives? We touch on common project types, including new construction, renovations, and expensive equipment purchases.
  
  
• Donors: Do I have the right donors needed based on campaign goals? We provide a simple breakdown using a $100,000 campaign as an example, and discuss the need for lead gifts, and how many donors you might need at different giving levels.
  
  
• Leadership: Do I have the right leadership needed to be successful? With a focus on the time commitment required from the Executive Director and the need for a dedicated campaign cabinet. The role of a campaign consultant and the challenges of a DIY approach for first-time campaign leaders are also discussed.
  
  
• Infrastructure: Do I have the organizational infrastructure needed to be a campaign home? Lastly, we discuss the necessary infrastructure for a successful campaign, including administrative support, a donor database, and the identification of potential lead donors.
  
  

Is your organization ready to even consider a capital campaign? If the answers to all four of these questions are yes, then you are in good shape to go to the next step in considering a capital campaign.

Support the show

The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:

Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR)

Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH)

They can be reached at [email protected]

All opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.