A Modern Nonprofit Podcast
By The Charity CFO, LLC
A Modern Nonprofit Podcast Oct 28, 2021
Episode 87: How to Be an Abundant Nonprofit Leader
There isn’t much that Trina Ramsey can’t do. We welcome her and her many talents to the podcast today and are excited to talk about all things leadership. Trina is an Executive and Career coach, author, speaker, and non-profit consultant. She is the founder of Just Do You Institute for Women’s Empowerment. Scarcity vs Abundance When it comes to leading an organization, there are an endless number of variables to consider. When asked about the unique things that nonprofit leaders may struggle with, Trina answers with abundance. First, it’s important to consider what a nonprofit leader might consider as focal points for their business. Relationships with funders Grant opportunities Turnover ratios and hiring opportunities Conflicts with the Board of Directors Multiple expectations The list could go on and on. As a piece of this puzzle, Trina comments on how many leaders will focus on categories like these and how there simply aren't enough people, hours, or opportunities out there. This, she calls the scarcity mindset. Tosha builds on this by relating to the pressures of leadership in any industry. As we may have heard on the The Modern Nonprofit Podcast before, stepping into a leadership role at a nonprofit organization can be analogous to stepping into a fortune 500 company and all of the expectations that come with it. Shareholders are actually board members, government requirements are similar to the SEC’s observance of large corporations, and long story short - all eyes are on you to make the right decisions and lead the entity to success. When it comes to having a positive mindset, it can also help to look at what positives the pandemic brought to the workplace. We learn that there was a heightened awareness of the social and emotional well-being of literally all of us, but more specifically those in the workplace. Because of this, we can see more investment into the areas of rest, time off, and policies around wellness. Even more so, businesses today will invest in benefits that can be utilized for therapy, or creating spaces for having those real and difficult conversations about life. Creating a culture and space for these conversations to take place can have a significant impact on the workplace and those within it. If you’d like to connect with Trina you can find her all over the web. Instagram: mycoachtrina Facebook: My Coach Trina & Just Do You Institute LinkedIn: Trina Ramsey Youtube: Trina Ramsey Or even on her website, Just Do You Institute where you can find her free gift to you a Career Decisions Tool Kit. This is designed to help others think about crossroads they may be facing, leaving a job or industry, considering retirement and so on. Please be sure to engage with the interview. Whether you enjoy listening to it, reading about it, or watching us on YouTube, make sure you review, share, and engage with A Modern Nonprofit Podcast. You can find Tosha and the Charity CFO team on Youtube or our website, thecharitycfo.com!
Episode 86: What Does it Take to Start a Nonprofit?
During today’s conversation on a Modern Nonprofit Podcast, Tosha welcomes Dr. Krystal White. Outside of a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology with a Masters degree in Christian Leadership, Dr. White also has a Masters degree in Mind, Brain, and Education from Harvard University. Needless to say, Dr. White is a skilled professional and we are excited to welcome her! She is the founder of The Executive Shaman and founder of Free Leadership, Inc. The latter is key for today’s conversion as Tosha and Krystal discuss what it takes to start a nonprofit from the ground up. 3 Reasons People Start Nonprofits Tosha seeks out Dr. White’s perspective on the main reasons nonprofits begin from startup to successes. Krystal shares 3 reasons people may follow this path. Need for Positive Impact People have a desire to have a positive impact for themselves and those around them. More often than not, people will likely have soft hearts for something in their community that needs to be seen. Dr. White says, ‘How you lead your life impacts those around you. Period. End of sentence. That’s a fact.’ When a life is led positively, then the consequence is impacting the community around them for good, and perhaps one of the main reasons individuals start nonprofit organizations. Personal Ambition A second idea here is that people may believe that if they don’t do it, then no one else will. Or in Dr. White’s words, ‘no one else can achieve it but the person who is willing to set out and do it themselves.’ She curates this to a personal ambition or entrepreneurial spirit inside of someone. They want to create something, so the task or startup becomes very personal to them. Transforming Negative Experiences This idea is rather interesting. Dr. White believes that many people who decide to start a business on their own, could have experienced something negative within other organizations. This overall experience leads them to do it on their own terms in their own way. This also runs parallel with the second idea, Personal Ambition, because ultimately, someone may deal with a negative experience long enough until personal ambition kicks in to make a change. Tosha pulls us all together with an extremely valid point. The overall theme between starting any form of business, for profit or nonprofits, is the motivation inside of someone and why exactly they want to do it. So the question is, many people seek to start a business, but why specifically a nonprofit organization? Tosha and Krystal’s conversation today was less about how to start a nonprofit and more about how to help others consider what it really takes to start a nonprofit from the ground up. If you are considering this, check out the conversation! You can connect with Dr. Krystal White at krystal@theexecutiveshaman.com or find her on her websites below: The Executive Shaman Free Leadership, Inc. Please be sure to engage with the interview. Whether you enjoy listening to it, reading about it, or watching us on YouTube, make sure you review, share, and engage with A Modern Nonprofit Podcast. You can find Tosha and the Charity CFO team on Youtube or our website, thecharitycfo.com!
Episode 85: What to Expect from a Nonprofit Executive Director
On today’s episode of A Modern Nonprofit Podcast, we have the Executive Director of Only Make Believe, Tamela Aldridge. Only Make Believe (OMB) is a 501c3 organization that creates interactive theater environments for children in hospital, special education, and care facility settings. When talking with Tamela, we hear a powerful message from her leadership experience within the organization and when it comes to serving others. We all have unique talents and characteristics that make us who we are, but everyone has an imagination. Tamela and her team build off of this mindset to fulfill their mission at Only Make Believe. A Day in the Life of an Executive Director An Executive Director of a nonprofit organization typically wears many hats. Tamela shares that although she juggles many things, the most important to her is having a passion for the mission. When it comes to the mission of OMB, they meet children where they are by bringing performances to the care sites or educational systems they are present in. Essentially, making theater accessible to them by meeting them where they are. Tamela and her team bring the experience to the children. And speaking of experience, Tamela’s background began in acting, as she herself was an actor in NYC. With this, she studied human behavior which translated to her ability to recognize how children reacted to their performances. She says, “After years starting out as an actor, I always studied human behavior. So then working with specialized populations, it was truly intriguing to me how these young people engaged and how they interpreted the information. [And even more so] how they were able to then push it back out.” Because Tamela’s experience is unique in its own way, it still provided a specific avenue not only for herself, but also those who are in the acting career as well. Just because she originated in the arts, does not mean she wasn’t prepared to handle the business world either. We learn that she attended Howard University, where one of her professors taught her that ‘the word is showbusiness’, but before you can ever do a show, you have to be able to handle your business.’ Such a powerful message in its own way. Now Tamela and her team can provide opportunities for actors and take their talents to showcase to children for a fantastic cause. A true win-win. To learn more about Tamela, her team, and Only Make Believe, check out their website. Please be sure to engage with the interview. Whether you enjoy listening to it, reading about it, or watching us on YouTube, make sure you review, share, and engage with A Modern Nonprofit Podcast. You can find Tosha and the Charity CFO team on Youtube or our website, thecharitycfo.com!
Episode 84: 501c3 management: How to look forward
Good morning from a Modern Nonprofit Podcast! Today we have a financial professional & co-founder of Fairlight Advisors, Maya Tussing.Maya and her team specialize in investing for nonprofit organizations. So, naturally our conversation today will include many topics from the viewpoint of the financial statements, those within the organization that Maya is working with directly, and so much more. Stay tuned for the conversations because you never know what you may need to hear! Organizational Roles When the conversation of finance comes about, many people pass over the topic because of its complexities. To make it simple, let’s begin with the ‘who?’ Who are Maya and her team working with directly within the 501c3 organization?When Fairlight Advisors are brought into the conversation, they will typically see a large amount of cash sitting around, maybe in a bank account here or CD there. Common practice is for an organization to have a Director of Finance who oversees the financial health of the organization. Maya also sees this individual within the organization partnered with the board member who is over the finance committee. In essence, the director and board chair work hand in hand to assure the best steps are taken when considering the nonprofit’s finances. This can also many times be a great partnership because it allows for the board to be involved in the process, instead of hearing about it at the monthly/quarterly meetings. The expectation of these two roles, whether separate people, (or one person in smaller organizations) is to be able to communicate the financial health of the organization quickly and effectively while in a presentation or board meeting. Simply put, it's important to know where everything is. Many organizations have relationships within the community, and because of this they decide to put a few dollars with a bank to maintain a relationship or have an outstanding dollar amount hiding elsewhere for a rainy day. The job of the Director of Finance, Treasurer, whatever title is given, is to be informed on what is going on in the organization financially and capable of speaking on it. On the flip side, if someone is asked to join the board of directors and potentially has financial experience, they may be asked to oversee the finance committee. This is wonderful! But, if that person’s job includes reading the financial statement that is given to them ever so often, they aren’t being used to their full capacity. Both the job of the Director and Board member are to dig deep into the finances of the organization in order to make a collective decision on how to move forward with the resources that are available. Asking the Right QuestionsMoving right along, Tosha seeks out another great talking point with Maya. She inquires with Maya, ‘What are questions a treasurer should be asking executive leadership, or those running the organization?’ For more resources from Maya and her team, you can visit their website, Fairlight Advisors.com. Here you can also find free resources from blogs, a guide to start your endowment and high level information you may need to know. Please be sure to engage with the interview. Whether you enjoy listening to it, reading about it, or watching us on YouTube, make sure you review, share, and engage with A Modern Nonprofit Podcast. You can find Tosha and the Charity CFO team on Youtube or our website, thecharitycfo.com!
Episode 83: Fundraising Hacks for Nonprofits
John Mark Vanderpool, co-founder of Social Impact Solutions joins the podcast today. With a focus in fundraising strategies, Tosha & John Mark settle here for the conversation as this is John Mark’s speciality.
It is no surprise that clients have struggled in the final quarter of 2023. Year end giving wasn’t as projected and not to mention the conversations about inflation and rising costs has yet to settle, the non-profit space faces many challenges entering into 2024.
John Mark is on the other end of the phone for others who are seeking help in operational efficiencies and fundraising effectiveness.
As Tosha mentions, a survey produced by BDO stated that 45% of nonprofits are going to combat inflation through fundraising efficiencies. But what does that really mean?
Thanks to John Mark & Tosha’s conversation, we identified the answer to this question. Starting with simplifying what the question is asking, when in a high inflationary environment, John Mark shares that non-profit organizations must address two things:
- Raising more dollars
- Cutting Costs
You can find Social Impact Solutions online or take their fundraising quiz here. You can also find them on LinkedIn & X.
Please be sure to engage with the interview. Whether you enjoy listening to it, reading about it, or watching us on YouTube, make sure you review, share, and engage with A Modern Nonprofit Podcast. You can find Tosha and the Charity CFO team on Youtube or our website, thecharitycfo.com!
Episode 82: How to handle nonprofit accounting cleanup
On today’s episode of A Modern Nonprofit Podcast, our special guest is the one and only Tosha Anderson, our very own founder and CEO.
The conversation today has a very simple focus, 5 red flags that your accounting needs improvement, even when it may not be recognized.
Whether the business is accrual or cash basis, it does not matter. Reconciliation is necessary and the bare minimum for successful completion of the accounting role.
The accountant must post all transactions that filter through the bank account. Once these have been transferred into the accounting system, QuickBooks for example, reconciliation is the next step.
This is how businesses prove that all transactions that enter the bank account are included in the accounting system.
Consider it like an internal audit and a necessity. We’re talking ground floor here when it comes to expectations for the accountant. Executive Directors should be checking off on this task, signing off, however they want to approach it, to assure that it is being completed.
If this is not being done, then it’s time to recognize the huge red flag in business’ processes.
Not only should this be completed in general, but completed consistently. Infrequent completions of this should also indicate trouble in paradise.
Red Flag #1: Bank Account Reconciliation
Red Flag #2: Lack of Financial Reports
Red Flag #3: Timely Revenue Streams
Red Flag #4: Auditor Feedback
Red Flag #5: Book Closing Turnarounds
Please be sure to engage with the interview. Whether you enjoy listening to it, reading about it, or watching us on YouTube, make sure you review, share, and engage with A Modern Nonprofit Podcast. You can find Tosha and the Charity CFO team on Youtube or our website, thecharitycfo.com!
Episode 81: Trauma & Mental Health in the Workplace
‘Being a human is messy; serving humanity is messier.’ These are the words of Dimple Dhabalia, our guest on today’s episode and founder of Roots in the Clouds (RITC). Dimple’s career started in Denver where she worked on abuse and neglect cases within the Department of Human Services.
Story after story, testimony after testimony began to take a toll on our guest. A phrase that came to her over and again was the phrase, vicarious trauma. This is defined as an occupational challenge for people working and volunteering in the fields of victim services, law enforcement, emergency medical services, fire services, and other allied professions, due to their continuous exposure to victims of trauma and violence by the Office for Victims of Crime.
The hardships of those Dimple was helping, also created hardships in her own life as well. In our society today, mental health is a rising issue and a topic not covered enough. Many deal with mental health concerns, but feel as if they have no one to talk to, or a lack of understanding of the help that is available to them. Of that many, Dimple was one of them, so she decided to bring awareness to health and well-being in the workplace.
Her story took off when she recognized that many ‘solutions’ to the mental health problem, especially in the workplace, revolved around an individual and their own efforts. She felt as if organizations needed a deeper look at each person in order to help them effectively.
Dimple is the author of Tell Me My Story – Challenging the Narrative of Service Before Self. A book written to ‘help the helpers’ as one reviewer writes, Dimple’s story is written from the perspective of a leader in the humanitarian field that addresses the issues of burnout, compassion fatigue, and vicarious trauma. In alignment with her book (and previously mentioned), she is the founder of RITC.
An organization that seeks to illustrate this thought: Imagine what might be possible if you could serve others without sacrificing your own mental health and well-being in the process. Examples of Mission Driven Occupational Trauma The most common term recognized when it comes to occupational trauma is burnout.
Unfortunately, many other occupational trauma terms also get lumped together under the ‘burnout umbrella’. Dimple shares that burnout is a very specific type of occupational trauma. She defines it as, ‘a prolonged physical and psychological exhaustion that is specifically related to the work that individuals do.’
Although burnout is very real and in nearly every industry, Dimple likes to also focus on the areas that are specific to humanitarian work. Or those in the business of alleviating pain and suffering in the world. On top of burnout, these folks can also experience vicarious trauma and secondary traumatic stress.
The two terms, used interchangeably, can have very diverse meanings. We mentioned vicarious trauma previously, and it’s important to understand that it is built up and happens over time. Secondary traumatic stress on the other hand, can occur from a single incident. Another example is compassion fatigue.
Finally, moral injury is the result of when an individual's values don’t align with the organization’s values. Or an individual may be asked to go against their own deeply held morals and beliefs. Something Dimple says is very prominent in the world and culture today.
If you enjoyed Dimple & Tosha’s conversation be sure to look at Dimple’s website, Roots in the Clouds (RITC) or her book releasing in February of 2024, Tell Me My Story – Challenging the Narrative of Service Before Self. Please be sure to engage with the interview. Whether you enjoy listening to it, reading about it, or watching us on YouTube, make sure you review, share, and engage with A Modern Nonprofit Podcast. You can find Tosha and the Charity CFO team on Youtube or our website, thecharitycfo.com!
Episode 80: A Different Approach to Earned Income for Nonprofits
John Renouard is the founder and executive director of the nonprofit organization, WHOlives. Like many nonprofit entrepreneurs, John’s career path wasn’t centered around becoming a 501c(3) director. For him, the journey truly started after he became curious about his son’s humanitarian and missionary work in Africa. The curiosity drove him and his wife to travel extensively through Mexico, Central America, and South America before diving deeper into exploration with a trip to Africa.
Through their previous trips, John had witnessed impoverished communities, but nothing comparable to the realities of 4am wake up calls to walk 3-4 miles for, not clean, but dirty water. When he imagined his children experiencing this problem, this struck a chord and he wanted to do something about it.
His thought was simple, if only they could problem solve and fix the water crisis, then they would ultimately eliminate existing healthcare problems because of the lack of water. Inturn, this would create more opportunities for the individuals in Africa to go to work, experience community engagement, and much much more. Can you imagine walking miles every morning, just to get water?
John couldn’t either and so WHOlives was created.
WHOlives’ operations model is a piece of their business that truly sets them apart. This really begins with John’s ‘why’. He didn’t want to only put a band-aid on the problems he witnessed, but he wanted to solve them. What began as serving and volunteering his time, changed to wanting to create a difference and sticking to it.
John and his team have developed one of the most unique formats of a nonprofit that exist today, yet their operations are extremely effective. Aside from their operational structure or the actual ‘how to’ of what they do, we can also learn from the strategies they have implemented.
Involving people in the problem-solving process gives them a sense of purpose, ownership and empowerment.
Giving away things can create dependency, while creating ownership opportunities invites independence and growth.
Economic empowerment and principles create future opportunities and equal opportunities
To learn more about what John and his team achieve, visit their website WHOlives.org
If you’re enjoying a Modern Nonprofit Podcast, please engage with us! Content is found through engagement and our podcast exists to create resources and share new and innovative, modern ways of running a nonprofit organization. Please share, like, and engage with our conversations. You can find Tosha and the Charity CFO team on Youtube or our website, thecharitycfo.com!
Episode 79: Nonprofit priorities and time management
As a young college student in the ROTC program, Alisa recognized a hardship for her Australian Shepherd, JD. With Alisa’s husband deployed and as she herself was heading to training for the Marine Corps, JD had nowhere to go.
After a cross country trip from CA to VA, a temporary home was found for JD while Alisa and Shawn were deployed. Then the question came: ‘How many military families struggle with the same issues?’
Alas, Dogs on Deployment (DoD) was then created. The nonprofit exists today to provide a central network for America’s Heroes to find volunteers willing to board their pets during times of service or hardship.
DoD’s Mission is to give America’s Heroes peace of mind concerning their pets during service or hardship through connection, compassion and care.
Episode 78: Grant Writes & Wrongs with Krista Kurlinkus
With over 10,000 students and a Ph.D. in English-Rhetoric, Composition & Literacy Studies, Krista is nothing short of an expert in her field.
Her organization, Grant Writing Made Easy has a mission to help visionaries and changemakers get the grant funding they deserve through 1-on-1 grant writing consulting and affordable online grant writing courses.
Although Tosha has had guests on the podcast to talk about grant writing, she has yet to have one that touches a newly discovered area in business like Krista does, and that is through Artificial Intelligence (A.I.).
Learn everything you need to know about grant writing in your nonprofit here!
Episode 77: Turning Things Around with 180 Management Group
180 Management Group is an operations consulting firm that specializes in operational strategy and design, specifically for nonprofit organizations. Led by Miriam Dicks (our guest on today’s show) 180 Management Group believes that people are their biggest asset.
After all, typically the highest expense on an income statement is the salary and benefits component, so employees are certainly the key to an organization’s success.
180 MG believes that how they serve their people ultimately translates into how well the employees serve the company. This creates a culture built on a solid foundation for prioritizing, serving, creating sustainability & growth for both the employees and clients.. They also happen to be the company values as well.
Episode 76: Nonprofit Trends with Tim Hudson
Welcome back to the Modern Nonprofit Podcast at The Charity CFO. Whether you are a consistent listener or joining for your first time, the podcast dives deep into the world of nonprofits, and sometimes for profit spaces to share industry specific principles, unique business practices, and much more. Today, the show hosts someone very special to Charity CFO and that is the group’s very own partner & COO, Tim Hudson. The host, founder and CEO, Tosha Anderson outlines The Charity CFO’s business, as the group works with hundreds of nonprofits every month. Based out of St. Louis, MO, the group serves clients from coast to coast with vastly different missions: Religious Organizations Healthcare Organizations Children & Family Social Services Basic Needs Veteran Organizations Animal Rescue Early Childhood Education Higher Education Legal Assistance Organizations All of this to say, The Charity CFO has a mission to give nonprofits the tools to fulfill their missions. What better guest to point out the hottest trends and biggest client-facing issues, than the individual who works so closely with each organization day in and day out, Tim Hudson.
Episode 75: Giving Tuesday Fundraising Tips with Michelle Boggs from Classy
Every year Q4 tends to be one of the busiest times of the year. As businesses prepare for the next year, the true to-dos originate from the holiday season. Thanksgiving kicks everything off with a giving mindset. From here, consumers move towards Black Friday shopping and Cyber Monday sales, to eventually be rounded out with Giving Tuesday.
The end-of-the-year season is exceptionally time-consuming, but Thanksgiving Thursday through Giving Tuesday is even busier.
This is especially true for Michelle Boggs, the Executive Nonprofit Industry Advisor at Classy.
Tosha and Michelle’s conversation will certainly provide some keen insights into strategies and tactics businesses can use around the giving season.
Innovating Nonprofit Programs with Systems & Design Thinking
**A Modern Nonprofit Podcast Episode: Innovating Nonprofit Programs with Systems & Design Thinking**
Hey Nonprofit Champions! Ever felt the challenge of marrying the needs of your community with the demands of your funders? 🤔 Dive into our latest episode where Tasha Anderson chats with Sheryl Cababa, the Chief Strategy Officer at Substantial, about revolutionizing program development using systems and design thinking.
Sheryl unpacks the nuances between systems thinking (the broad view, looking at the interplay between all stakeholders) and design thinking (a beneficiary-centric approach, co-designing for impact). When these two powerhouses meet, magic happens! By combining them, we get rapid, user-centric solutions that also take into account the larger picture.
One significant challenge we delve into? Prescriptive funding. With funders often setting the rules of the game, how can nonprofits retain their innovative edge? Sheryl's insights on a more flexible, systems-oriented approach by funders might be the game-changer we need.
And if you're curious to see this thinking in action, don’t miss Sheryl's fascinating case study on a grand challenge by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Spoiler alert: It’s about embracing complexity and collaboration.
Nonprofits, it's time to get nimble, innovate, and amplify our impact! Tune in for a treasure trove of actionable insights and get inspired to approach your next project with a fresh lens. 🎧🌍🚀
For more information on Sheryl Cababa
💻 Website 👥 LinkedIn
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Crafting Impactful Events in a Virtual World
Hey Nonprofit Leaders! Navigating the world of virtual events? 🖥️ Tosha is back with another insightful episode, and this time we're diving deep into the world of online and hybrid events with expert Elias Puurunen, author of "Memorable, Profitable and Virtual."
Ever wonder how to maximize the impact of your virtual events without emptying your coffers? Elias gives us the lowdown on the changing landscape of events in the post-pandemic era, sharing real-world examples of organizations that faced the challenges head-on. We chat about the nitty-gritty of event costs, the magic (and mayhem!) of hybrid events, and how to choose the format that aligns best with your mission.
Get inspired by creative strategies to make your next event a hit! Whether you're aiming for a cozy online gathering, a grand in-person shindig, or a blend of both, this episode is packed with tips and tricks to help you make the most of it.
Tune in for a chat filled with nuggets of wisdom, practical tips, and a fresh perspective on event planning. Let’s make your next nonprofit event memorable, impactful, and oh-so-effective! 🎧🚀🌐
For more information on Elias Puurunen
💻 Website 👥 LinkedIn 🎥 YouTube
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Talking Through WIN-WIN (Warehouse) Scenarios with Travis Laws
Ever wondered how to get your hands on essential items without breaking the bank? This episode is for you. Join Tosha as she chats with Travis Laws, the man behind WIN Warehouse, an awesome initiative turning corporate excess into nonprofit success!
From starting in a basement to now rocking an e-commerce platform, Travis walks us through WIN Warehouse's incredible journey. They've gone from focusing on uniforms to an ever-expanding catalog of items, all up for grabs by nonprofits like yours! Beyond just the goods, this chat is also packed with tips on embracing new tech and staying ahead in the game.
So, if you're on the lookout for cost-effective ways to source essentials or just need some inspiration from a fellow nonprofit rockstar, give this episode a listen. Let's get resourceful and make magic happen! 🎧🌟🛒
More on our Guest:
Travis lives in St. Louis County with his wife and has been a part of WIN since 2002, starting as the executive vice president coordinating distribution efforts and managing WIN’s website. Travis now oversees all operations as the organization’s president. When he’s not working his magic at WIN Warehouse, he serves on numerous fundraising and event committees in the church and the community. He is currently an active member of the Shriners, where he enjoys raising money and awareness for Shriners Hospital for Children as a member of the clown troupe.
For more information on Travis Laws
💻 Website ✖️ Twitter 🗺 Facebook
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The Elephant project: a different path to making a difference with Kristina McKean
Join Tosha and special guest Kristina McKean as they delve into the unique mission-driven work of The Elephant Project in this episode of A Modern Nonprofit. Unlike traditional nonprofits, Kristina's approach to elephant conservation is both innovative and impactful. She shares her journey from witnessing a baby elephant begging in the streets of Bangkok to creating a stuffed animal that raises both funds and awareness for the cause. Kristina leverages her background in product development and design to create a sustainable model for elephant conservation. This episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in mission-based work that transcends the conventional nonprofit structure. Ready to discover a different path to making a difference? More on our Guest: Kristina McKean, a passionate advocate for elephant conservation, brings over 23 years of commitment to the cause. As the Founder and Owner of The Elephant Project, she combines her expertise in design and product development to create stuffed animals that not only raise funds but also educate the younger generation about the plight of elephants. 🔗 For more information on Kristina McKean 💻 Website 👥 LinkedIn -------------------------------------- 🔗 For more content by The Charity CFO head to... 💻 Website 👥 LinkedIn 🎥 YouTube 📸 Instagram 🗺 Facebook
Leveraging Media For A Good Cause with Nick Lynch
Welcome back nonprofit leaders to another episode of A Modern Nonprofit. Think you know influencers? Think again! Tosha and special guest Nick Lynch, CEO of Collidescope.io, dive deep into the world of authentic partnerships, how they're built, and the magic that makes them so impactful. Not just a digital marketing whiz, Nick's journey from being a cancer survivor blessed by Make-A-Wish to his mission-driven endeavors in LA is super inspiring. Learn about identifying partnerships, key opinion leaders, and the three tenets of social media for nonprofits. More on our Guest: Nick Lynch is a standout in the digital realm, crafting solutions to help brands connect with online audiences and is deeply committed to nonprofit causes. His passion led him to launch Collidescope.io during the COVID-19 pandemic, a platform aiding nonprofits by offering social media analytics. Recognizing its potential, StartUs named Collidescope.io among the top 5 Social Tech Startups of 2021. With a decade of experience spanning MySpace to Amobee, Nick's expertise lies in digital media and ad tech. He values execution as the key to revenue and innovation. Throughout his career, Nick has been highlighted in global media outlets, including TechCrunch and Forbes. 🔗 For more information on Nick Lynch 💻 Website 👥 LinkedIn -------------------------------------- 🔗 For more content by The Charity CFO head to... 💻 Website 👥 LinkedIn 🎥 YouTube 📸 Instagram 🗺 Facebook
Treasurer Nightmares with Daniel Grunstein
Hey there, modern nonprofit leaders! Ready to get your financial house in order and ditch the overwhelm? Well, grab your earbuds and tune in to this 🔥 episode of A Modern Nonprofit Podcast with your ever-curious host, Tosha Anderson. Joining us today is Daniel Grunstein, the brain behind Crowded – a game-changing financial management platform crafted for the underdogs: the small nonprofits and membership groups. ⭐ He shares his experience on the challenges and joys of serving nonprofits. Ever found yourself tangled in a web of accounting apps or software? Daniel gets it. He believes in doing MORE with LESS. Hear him out as he dives deep into why it's essential to nail your financial tracking from day one and how integrating platforms (the RIGHT way) can uncomplicate your accounting world. Wrap up? It’s time for small nonprofits to level up and keep their eyes on the prize 🏆 - their mission! By leveraging fintech like Crowded, you can quit sweating the small stuff and start focusing on the important things. More about our Guest Daniel Grunstein is the Co-Founder and CEO of Crowded, a fintech company that empowers nonprofit organizations to take control of their financial management with modern solutions. With a wealth of experience in the finance and technology industries, Daniel has a unique perspective on the nonprofit sector's challenges and opportunities. 🔗 Don’t forget to follow Daniel! 💻 Website 👥 LinkedIn 📸 Instagram —--------------------------------------- 🔗 For more content by The Charity CFO head to... 💻 Website 👥 LinkedIn 🎥 YouTube Channel 📸 Instagram 🗺 Facebook
Provide a ‘WOW’ Experience in your Nonprofit Marketing with David Pisarek
Ready to take your organization's website from good to great? Buckle up! This episode of A Modern Nonprofit features a riveting chat with our guest expert, David Pisarek from WOW Digital. He shares exclusive insights on nonprofit website redesign and how to harness web analytics for success. And don't worry - we've got this broken down into bite-sized, easily digestible information. Curious about when your nonprofit should consider a website makeover? Or what this process entails? Or how often this magic should happen? We got you covered! David stresses that websites aren't "set and forget" projects - they need constant love and care. A big part of that care comes from understanding web analytics, and here's where Google Analytics (now the new-and-improved GA4) swoops in as your secret weapon. Google Analytics isn't just for tech-nerds; it's a tool that helps you understand what's going on with your website. It tells you what words people are using to find you, which "call to actions" are working, where people first land on your site, and how they're moving around. David shares a cool tidbit - when you hear 'conversion' in analytics, it's not just about making a sale (like it often is for businesses). For nonprofits like ours, a 'conversion' could mean a new volunteer, a donation, or even someone subscribing to your newsletter. Good stuff to know, right? His team also works with NPOs and website development by providing templates and website management through a website called, Mighty NPO. By using the coupon code charitycfoCharity CFO, this may qualify your business for a lifetime discount up to 70%. --------------------------------------- 🔗 For more information on David Pisarek 💻 Website - www.wowdigital.com 👥 Linkedin - linkedin.com/company/wowdigital 🗺 Facebook - facebook.com/wowdigitalin 📸 Instagram - instagram.com/wowdigitalinc 🔗 For more content by The Charity CFO head to... 💻 Website - www.thecharitycfo.com 👥 LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/company/the-charity-cfo-llc 🎥 YouTube Channel - @thecharitycfo 📸 Instagram - www.instagram.com/thecharitycfo 🗺 Facebook - www.facebook.com/thecharitycfo
The Problem with Boards Approving Budgets...
Join Tosha and special guest Sarah Olivieri as they shed light on nonprofit boardroom dynamics and fiscal planning in this episode of A Modern Nonprofit. Their conversation dives deep into the heart of nonprofit boardrooms, going beyond typical approvals and banter, and confronting the pressing issues surrounding budget planning. Sarah brings forward her fresh insights gained from years of experience, transforming the concept of 'budget' into a 'projection', thereby redefining the mindset around how funds are allocated to fulfill the mission of 501c(3) organizations. Sarah's innovative approach reshapes the process of program evaluation, aligning revenue and impact with organizational costs. This is a conversation you don't want to miss if you're part of a nonprofit looking to innovate the way your organization thinks about budgets and projections. Ready to reimagine your budgeting process and strengthen your nonprofit's mission? ----------------------------------------- More on our Guest: Sarah Olivieri, a seasoned leader in the nonprofit sector, leverages over 18 years of experience to guide organizations towards success. As the CEO and Founder of PivotGround, Olivieri implements her innovative Impact Method™ to simplify operations, create aligned teams, and increase impact. Beyond her work with PivotGround, which was founded in 2014, Olivieri also co-founded the Open Center for Autism and served as the executive director of the Helping Children of War Foundation. Known for challenging traditional strategic planning and promoting a less conventional, data-centric decision-making approach, Olivieri continues to push the boundaries of nonprofit management. 🔗 For more information on Sarah Olivieri 💻 Website - www.pivotground.com 👥 Linkedin - www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-olivieri/ 🔗 For more content by The Charity CFO head to... 💻 Website - www.thecharitycfo.com 👥 Linkedin - www.linkedin.com/company/the-charity-cfo-llc 🎥 YouTube Channel - @thecharitycfo 📸 Instagram - www.instagram.com/thecharitycfo 🗺 Facebook - www.facebook.com/thecharitycfo
How to Attract Investment-Level Donors with Sherry Quam Taylor
In this enlightening episode, Tosha engages in a captivating conversation with Sherry Quam Taylor, the CEO of QuamTaylor LLC. Sherry brings her expertise in helping nonprofit organizations secure vital general operating dollars to fuel their strategic plans and boost their budgets. This is a challenge many nonprofits face. Sherry encourages sharing the organization's growth, future plans, and walking potential donors through the budgeted needs. This enlightens donors about the organization's overall requirements and shifts their focus towards unrestricted gifts that can scale to meet evolving needs. Overall, the conversation highlights the need for a shift from transactional to relational fundraising and demystifying the major gift process.
We hope this episode of A Modern Nonprofit Podcast will help you gain valuable insights into understanding your organization's needs, attracting investment-level donors, and developing a powerful game plan.
🔗 For more information on Sherry Quam Taylor 💻 Website - www.quamtaylor.com 👥 Linkedin - www.linkedin.com/in/sherryquamtaylor
🔗 For more content by The Charity CFO head to... 💻 Website - www.thecharitycfo.com 👥 Linkedin - www.linkedin.com/company/the-charity-cfo-llc 🎥 YouTube Channel - www.youtube.com/@TheCharityCFO 📸 Instagram - www.instagram.com/thecharitycfo 🗺 Facebook - www.facebook.com/thecharitycfo
The Ins and Outs of Nonprofit Program Development with Rebecca Rodriguez
Discover the ins and outs of Program Development with Rebecca Rodriguez, Principal Consultant at For the Philanthropist.
On this episode of A Modern Nonprofit, Rebecca guides us through the process of program development, highlighting the significance of creating a logic model and tracking outcomes for measuring success. She also encourages aspiring founders to gain experience by volunteering with organizations and find a cause that truly inspires them. Additionally, she emphasizes the importance of community input and gratitude in the nonprofit sector.
After listening to this episode, you'll gain insights into:
- Approaching program development when starting a new organization or in the initial phase.
- Key elements of effective program design.
- Best practices for founders and nonprofit leaders during program development.
- Assessing the impact of programs to ensure positive change and avoid unintended harm.
- Program evaluation in typical nonprofits, including budget allocation considerations.
- Advice and guidance for individuals looking to make a difference in their community through programs or organizations.
For further guidance and best practices, we recommend checking out Rebecca's latest book, "The Nonprofit Workbook: Tips & Best Practices for Start-ups Serving the Greater Common Good." You can find her book here https://www.forthephilanthropist.com/the-nonprofit-workbook or send her an inquiry at info@forthephilanthropist.com.
As always, we appreciate your support. If you like what you heard, give us a like and subscribe! Don’t forget to follow The Charity CFO for more content from Tosha and the rest of TCCFO team.
LinkedIn -> linkedin.com/company/the-charity-cfo-llc/
Facebook -> @thecharitycfo
YouTube -> @TheCharityCFO
Instagram -> @thecharitycfo/
Bridging the Gap Between Technology and Social Equity with Linc Kroeger
Join Tosha as she chat’s with Linc Kroeger, President of Knight Moves, a limiting profit company creating the next generation of elite technology professionals through extensive training in technology disciplines. They discuss the challenges of starting a company and the benefits of being a limiting profit organization. Linc also shares the intentional focus behind Knight Moves of empowering Native American, rural, and urban underserved communities to break through barriers that block socioeconomic inclusion.
If you'd like to learn more about Knight Moves you can visit their website, knightmoves.org, or follow them on LinkedIn, hinkedin.com/company/knight-moves-org/.
To stay up to date with A Modern Nonprofit and The Charity CFO you can follow us on your preferred Social Media platform:
LinkedIn -> linkedin.com/company/the-charity-cfo-llc/
Facebook -> @thecharitycfo
YouTube -> @TheCharityCFO
Instagram -> @thecharitycfo/
How Leveraging An Assistant Will Change Your Life & Maximize Your Time with Lisa Seal
In this podcast of A Modern Nonprofit, we discuss the benefits of using virtual assistants for nonprofit organizations. Our guest, Lisa Seal from BELAY explains that virtual assistants can handle administrative tasks, communication with donors, event coordination, and more, allowing leaders to focus on the important tasks that only they can do. She also shares her personal experience working with a virtual assistant and how it has helped her stay organized and focused on her goals. To connect with Lisa and her team at BELAY Solutions, visit their website or download their ebook on delegating to elevate. Website: belaysolutions.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/belay-solutions/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/belaysolutions/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/belay_solutions/ Lisa Seal on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/Lisa-Seal/ Thanks for your support! For more information on The Charity CFO and what we do you can visit our website or find us on social media. Website: thecharitycfo.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/the-charity-cfo-llc/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/thecharitycfo Instagram: www.instagram.com/
Benefits of Using an all-in-one software for your nonprofit with Trish Seidel
In this episode of A Modern Nonprofit Podcast, Tosha talks with Trish Seidel, Growth Manager at Springly an all-in-one software designed to help nonprofit organizations automate their manual tasks, grow their revenue, and spend more time in the field to increase their impact. They discuss how technology can help nonprofits of different shapes, sizes, sectors, and budgets with a range of tools, including CRM, accounting, communication, website development, event management, and more.
If you're interested in learning more about how technology can help your nonprofit, this episode is definitely worth checking out!
Thank you to our special guest, Trish Seidel! Don't forget to connect with Trish and Springly if you wish to learn more:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricia-seidel-marketing/
- https://www.springly.org/en-us/
- https://www.linkedin.com/company/springlyorg/
Thank you once more for listening to another episode of A Modern Nonprofit Podcast powered by The Charity CFO. Don't forget to like, subscribe and follow on all our social media platforms.
- Website: https://thecharitycfo.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-charity-cfo-llc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecharitycfo
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecharitycfo/
How to Prepare for Your Big Proposal and Presentation with Lori Zoss Kraska, MBA, CFRE
On today's episode we had Lori Zoss Kraska, MBA, CFRE talk to us about corporate giving. She is the Founder and Chief Principal at Growth Owl, LLC. With over 22 years of expertise, she guides nonprofit organizations in revenue generation management, corporate sponsorship support, corporate cause marketing, fundraising, corporate social responsibility, non profit consulting, executive sales management, training, and marketing strategy.
If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to follow A Modern Nonprofit Podcast.
If you wish to learn more about our guest, follow her on Social Media or check out the Growth Owl website!
- YouTube
- Website
- The Boardroom Playbook available on Amazon
Ep 60: What a Nonprofit Treasurer Should Not Be Doing
Ever wonder what a Nonprofit Treasurer should or shouldn't do? On this episode of A Modern Nonprofit, Tosha discusses the do's and don'ts of the job. Thanks for watching. Be sure to subscribe for new episodes every week! For more nonprofit accounting resources check out https://thecharitycfo.com/
How to grow your non-profit from smaller to larger with Courtney Bullard
In this episode, Tosha chats with Courtney Bullard, Executive Director and CEO of The Pearl House. Learn how she launched The Pearl House and lessons learned along the way.
For more information on Courtney Bullard or The Pearl House visit:
- www.thepearlhouse.org
- https://www.facebook.com/ThePearlHouseGhana
- https://www.facebook.com/courtney.b.bullard
- https://www.instagram.com/thepearlhouse/
- https://www.instagram.com/courtneybellebullard/
Thank you for listening to another episode of A Modern Nonprofit Podcast powered by The Charity CFO.
- https://thecharitycfo.com/
- https://www.facebook.com/thecharitycfo
- https://www.instagram.com/thecharitycfo/
- https://www.linkedin.com/company/67878027/
Episode 58: Raising Funds & Exposure with Press Releases
Getting exposure for your nonprofit can lead to better fundraising totals and bigger partnerships, bringing you closer to achieving your mission.
And when people want exposure, they naturally turn to press releases. But many nonprofits are disappointed when their fundraiser or program launch doesn’t become front-page news.
How can you learn to use press releases to effectively level-up your nonprofit?
Enter Mickie Kennedy, the Founder and President of eReleases, the small business leader for press release distribution, now celebrating 22 years in business.
In this episode, the self-described Press Release Ninja shares his tips for helping you increase your visibility and credibility by doing press releases better.
We’ll talk about the common mistakes nonprofits make with press releases, how to create ‘hooks’ that journalists can’t resist, and how a single press release created millions of dollars of revenue for one of his clients.
Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe for new episodes every week!
The 5 BIG Myths of Nonprofit Accounting
In this episode, A Modern Nonprofit Podcast host Tosha Anderson comes to you directly, to talk about the 5 biggest myths she’s encountered time and again while working with nonprofits.
Don’t be misinformed, join Tosha as she reveals the truth behind concepts that tie nonprofit founders, board members, and bookkeepers in knots.
For more nonprofit accounting resources check out www.thecharitycfo.com
The Making of An Executive Director
In most industries, you work your way up through the ranks, learning from those who came before you. But in nonprofits, it doesn’t always work that way. A founder can often find themselves sitting in the Executive Director’s chair without any prior management experience, or even an idea of how the organization needs to run.
And that’s the experience that Miki Reynolds had when she took over the reins of her organization, Grid 10.
After a career in supporting roles, she suddenly found herself in charge of the show. And had to overcome battles with imposter syndrome, financial mindset, learning to ask for help, and more.
Her story covers many of the common struggles that Executive Directors face, and in this episode, she’ll walk you through how she overcame her biggest obstacles so you can learn from her experience.
Miki is the Executive Director and founding member of Grid110, an organization that provides entrepreneurs with access to community mentors and critical resources through no cost equity programs.
Join her for a wide-ranging conversation and practical approaches to problems you may be facing today.
Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe for new episodes every week!
For more nonprofit accounting resources check out www.thecharitycfo.com
For more information on Miki and her team, follow Grid110 on Instagram or Twitter, or sign up for their newsletter on their website grid110.org
Why “Branding” Matters to the Modern Nonprofit
A lot of people will tell you that your nonprofit “brand” is critical to your success, but what is a brand anyway?
Is it a logo? A color palette? More visibility? Or the right messaging?
In this episode, branding master Beth Brodovsky joins Tosha to talk about what branding actually is, how it’s misunderstood and why it impacts every corner of your organization.
Beth is the President of Iris Creative Group, a marketing consulting agency that works only with nonprofit organizations. She and her team have helped dozens of nonprofits develop strong brand messaging to drive support for their missions.
You can learn more about Iris at www.iriscreative.com.
Or email beth@iriscreative.com to get a copy of her free “Are You Ready for a Rebrand” guide.
Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe for new episodes every week!
For more nonprofit accounting resources check out www.thecharitycfo.com
The Truth About Nonprofit Audits
In this episode, Tosha will walk you through the most common misconceptions about nonprofit audits to let you know exactly what you can expect (and NOT expect) from a nonprofit audit before you commit.
Audits scare the daylights out of nonprofit founders.
But at The Charity CFO, Tosha and her team need to prepare 50+ nonprofit partners for audits every year. Thankfully, they’ve got 5 former nonprofit auditors on staff, which means they know all there is to know about audits.
Listen to this episode to make sure you’re fully prepared for your audit!
Driving Nonprofit Growth with Data
If the terms cloud software or data quality make you want to run for cover, you’re not alone in the nonprofit world where hand-keyed spreadsheets are still commonplace.
But the most successful nonprofits are already leveraging interconnected software systems to raise money more effectively, optimize internal communications, and work SMARTER instead of harder.
In this episode, Tosha is joined by Stu Manewith to talk about how cloud-forward technologies can help your team eliminate confusion, optimize communication and work much more efficiently!
Stu is the Director of Thought Leadership and Advocacy for Omatic Software, a data-integration software for non-profits that allows them a complete view of their donors, promoting data-driven decision making.
In this episode, he’ll show you:
- How cloud-forward software is more affordable, safer, more accessible, and more accurate than legacy software systems
- The 3 C’s of data quality that can help you raise more money
- Why better data can boost donor retention dramatically
- How companies like Facebook, Amazon, and Apple make it mandatory that you step up your game when it comes to effective communication
- And more…
Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe for new episodes every week!
For more nonprofit accounting resources check out www.thecharitycfo.com
For more information on Stu and to see how Omatic Software can help you centralize and organize your data, head to https://omaticsoftware.com/
Is Your Nonprofit Ready for Recession? with Tosha Anderson
In this episode, Tosha Anderson, CEO of The Charity CFO, breaks down the specific steps nonprofits can take today to prepare for a possible recession.
The possibility of recession is dominating the economic news these days. If you’ve turned on the TV or scrolled through your phone, you can’t miss it.
If a recession does hit is your nonprofit financially ready to weather the storm?
If there’s one thing we should have learned over the past few years, it’s that life is unpredictable. So whether it’s recession, pandemic, natural disaster or something else, your organization should always be prepared to survive the worst-case scenario.
Listen to this episode for some practical tips on how to strengthen your financial picture now so you’re ready for whatever comes your way!
Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe for new episodes every week!
For more nonprofit accounting resources check out www.thecharitycfo.com
Should you hire an operations manager?
Nonprofits teams have a tendency to break into silos that don’t communicate well with each other, like fundraising, programs, finance, HR.
And when those groups don’t communicate well with each other, things break down and get much harder than they need to be.
The founder or executive director can sometimes bridge those gaps, but they should really be more focused on large-scale vision, rather than micro-execution.
And that’s where the Director of Operations, or an Operations Manager, comes in.
The Operations director plays and increasingly important role in a modern nonprofit, especially when organizations start to work with outsourced teams for critical services like accounting, human resources, and IT.
And this week, Krysta Grangeno joins us to talk about what an Operations Director does and it might just need to be your next hire!
Krysta is the Director of Operations and Wellbeing at United 4 Children in St. Louis. In her current role, she helps coordinate and direct the work of several outsourced teams to ensure her organization hits their goals and stays on budget.
In this episode, she’ll will share with you:
- The specific responsibilities of a operations director
- How she manages external teams to get results
- Why an operations manager helps to bridge the gap between “silos” in your organization
- How to get the best out of outsourced providers and consultants
- Why “assuming positive intent” is critical to building productive collaborative relationships
- And more…
Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe for new episodes every week!
For more nonprofit accounting resources check out www.thecharitycfo.com
For more information on Krysta and her team help the children of St. Louis, check out united4children.org or follow United 4 Children on Facebook or LinkedIn.
To connect with Krysta directly, reach out to her at grangenok@united4children.org
Building Public Support with Strategic Communication Campaigns
How intentional is your nonprofit with your communication plans? Is there a strategy behind the image your organization is presenting to the world?
Houda Elyazgi joins A Modern Nonprofit to talk about building integrated and strategic communication campaigns to help build momentum and get public support for your most important initiatives.
Houda Elyazgi is the Chief Client Officer at Saxum, an integrated digital agency obsessed for good. Houda is committed to making the world better through her work in diversity, equality, education and public policy.
In this episode, Houda will share with you:
- What a strategic communication plan looks like
- How to choose the right tactics for spreading your unique message
- The 1 question to ask yourself BEFORE launching a communication effort
- How the concept of ‘Social Permitting’ helped build community support for “America’s Greatest Park”
- And how to know if YOUR communication strategy is working
Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe for new episodes every week!
For more nonprofit accounting resources check out www.thecharitycfo.com
For more information on how to improve your communication, visit Saxum.com to learn about how they can help!
Why Marketing Matters
When it comes to marketing, many nonprofits shift right to thinking about development. But development and marketing are different skills, with different needs and separate goals.
A robust marketing strategy that’s founded in clear and powerful branding, can help you raise money while also increasing your visibility in the community and around the world.
This week, Emily Heck joins us to talk about how marketing should fit into the plans of a modern nonprofit that wants to thrive and grow.
Emily is a marketing consultant and owner of Evergreen Strategic Communications. After years of working in the nonprofit and higher education industries, she launched Evergreen to help nonprofits and small businesses who may not have the time, resources, or skillset to grow their engagement through marketing.
In this episode, you'll discover...
- Why social media is a money-making tool, not just a waste of time (3:18)
- The most important thing successful nonprofits do with their marketing (7:00)
- ONE move smaller nonprofits can make to improve their marketing quickly (11:20)
- Why trying to DIY your marketing is a risky move (20:11)
- Is outsourcing your marketing to an agency a good idea? (23:40)
Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe for new episodes every week!
For more nonprofit accounting resources check out www.thecharitycfo.com
For more information on how to work with Emily, visit EvergreenStrategic.org or connect with Emily on LinkedIn!
Building A Better Nonprofit Board of Directors
What role should your board play in fundraising? Do all board members need to donate?
And how do successful nonprofits recruit and engage new board members?
If anyone has the answers to these questions, it’s Linda Lysakowski.
Linda has trained over 30,000 nonprofit professionals worldwide–from Nevada to Mexico to Egypt–and is only one of about 100 people to hold the prestigious title of Advanced Certified Fund Raising Executive (ACFRE).
And this week she sits down to talk about every Executive Director’s favorite topic–the board of directors.
Listen to our full conversation on Apple Podcasts, AnchorFM, or Spotify
In this episode of A Modern Nonprofit Podcast, Linda shares the best practices for recruiting, developing, and motivating board members that she’s picked up over 30+ as a philanthropic expert.
She’ll share her advice on:
- How many members do you need on your board of directors? (2:30)
- Ways to overcome your board’s objections to raising money (6:45)
- Why you MUST train your board to fundraise (14:30)
- How — and when — to set your board members up for success (hint: it’s not at orientation!) (17:00)
- The #1 under-used strategy for finding board members who are a perfect fit for your organization (33:30)
Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe for new episodes every week!
For more nonprofit accounting resources check out www.thecharitycfo.com
For learn more about Linda, her books, and her services, visit her website at https://www.lindalysakowski.com/
Want to WATCH A Modern Nonprofit? Check out clips from this episode on YouTube now: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheCharityCFO
Why Do People Donate? Understanding Fundraising & Human Behavior
Tim Kachuriak has dedicated the past 15 year of his life to answer this question…
“Why do people give to nonprofits?”
And while he’s found that the answers vary wildly, he’s managed to identify some core principles that can predictably boost giving to your nonprofit.
In this week’s episode, Tim sits down with me to talk about some simple techniques and everyday strategies you can use to attract more donations and build a better relationship with your donors.
Tim is the Founder and Chief Innovation and Optimization Officer for NextAfter, a fundraising research lab and consulting firm that works with businesses, nonprofits, and NGOs to help them grow their resource capacity.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- How human behavior impacts fundraising (4:00)
- The biggest communication problem most nonprofits face (13:25)
- How to optimize your “donation” page for more conversions (23:00)
- How to use your donor data to drive bigger gifts (27:30)
- Why you need to “humanize” your communication. And one proven strategy for doing it (33:15)
Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe for new episodes every week!
For more nonprofit accounting resources check out www.thecharitycfo.com
For more nonprofit accounting resources check out www.thecharitycfo.com
For more information on how to optimize your fundraising, check out the NextAfter’s free resources and join their mailing list @ NextAfter.com
Want to WATCH A Modern Nonprofit? Check out this episode on YouTube now: https://youtu.be/XOOfir_BLj0
Why Do Nonprofit Accountants Quit?
During the “Great Recession,” nonprofits have lost their accountants and financial directors at record rates. And finding new, qualified help that they can afford is nearly impossible…
At the same time, hundreds of nonprofits are waking up to realize that the financial structure they’ve always relied on doesn’t work as well any more. And they’re tired of the hamster wheel of hiring, re-hiring, training, and re-training bookkeepers and accountants.
So why do accountants leave nonprofit organizations? And what can nonprofits do to create consistency and predictability in the financial side of their operations?
Triná Owens is a former nonprofit financial director who left her job to become an Accounting Manager at The Charity CFO. In this episode, she and Tosha tell you the top reasons that your accountants don’t stick around. And show you how modern nonprofits are rethinking the way they handle specialized skills like HR and Accounting.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- The top 3 reasons nonprofit accountants quit
- How turnover in the financial department is SO damaging for nonprofits
- The surprising reason your finance director spends just 25% of their time on finances
- Why HR compliance issues are a bigger risk than tax compliance for most organizations (and why you shouldn’t trust your accountant with HR)
Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe for new episodes every week!
For more nonprofit accounting resources check out www.TheCharityCFO.com
For more information on how to create consistency and peace of mind by outsourcing your accounting, visit TheCharityCFO.com. Or book a free consultation at thecharitycfo.com/contact/
Want to WATCH A Modern Nonprofit? Check out this episode on YouTube now: https://youtu.be/catNvkpU4rc
Building Better Solutions for the Nonprofit Community
Why is it so hard for nonprofits to find the help they need?
From choosing a fundraising software to getting financial advice to finding a grant writer, nonprofits struggle to find good help.
Despite being a sector that employs 20 million people and spends $1 billion each year, the market for solutions and services for nonprofits continues to lag a decade behind most of the rest of the business world.
That’s the solution that Mitch Stein set out to solve as a co-Founder of Pond, a website that helps connect nonprofits to solutions and providers in a trusting environment.
So how did a former VP at Goldman Sachs end up serving nonprofits? And what can the for-profit world learn from the nonprofit world?
Find out in this week’s episode of A Modern Nonprofit Podcast.
Mitch talks with me about some of the hottest topics in nonprofits today, like:
- The role technology can play in today’s nonprofits
- Why the $1B nonprofit industry is so horribly underserved (and why it’s a HUGE missed opportunity)
- How the leading tech companies’ attempts at corporate philanthropy are failing
- The 3 BIG things for-profit companies could learn from nonprofits
Thanks for watching. Be sure to subscribe for new episodes every week!
If you’d like to join Pond’s growing marketplace, visit www.joinpond.com to sign up today! And don’t forget to Mitch Stein on LinkedIn for updates.
For more nonprofit accounting resources check out www.thecharitycfo.com
Want to WATCH A Modern Nonprofit? Check out this episode on YouTube now: https://youtu.be/bSDp2TVsEUs
Solving the ‘Founder’s Syndrome’ Problem in Nonprofits
When a founder plays a significant role in building and running a nonprofit, it’s easy for people to think that the founder “is” the nonprofit.
They often have an out-sized influence on the board, the staff and even donors. When that happens, it makes the transition to new leadership very hard, when they do decide to step down.
Darcella Craven of VetBiz joins me for this episode to talk about the warning signs for when a founder is “too important” to a nonprofit and how to handle the transition when you’re taking over for the founder of an organization.
Darcella is the President of VetBiz and replaced a founder when moving into her role 17 years ago. Now she helps counsel nonprofit leaders on how to make their transition successful. In this episode, you’ll discover:
- Darcella’s 3 tips when taking over for a founder (4:05)
- The first things to do when moving into the leadership role (14:00)
- Why you MUST have uncomfortable conversations with your board members. (19:20)
- What is “Founder’s Syndrome” and the key words that let you know if you have it. (23:35)
- The 3 signs that it’s time for a founder to step away from their leadership role (28:20)
Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe for new episodes every week!
For more nonprofit accounting resources check out www.thecharitycfo.com
For more information on Darcella and the good work she and her team do, go to https://vetbiz.com/ or follow VetBiz on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn!
For more nonprofit accounting resources check out www.thecharitycfo.com
The Secrets to Successful Grant Writing
Grant writing may be the most valuable skill in nonprofit fundraising. In a single grant application, you could change the fortunes of your entire organization.
Many nonprofits–established as well as new ones–are intimidated by the process. But you don’t need to be. Grant writing is more of a science than an art, and in this episode professional grant writer Kate Hephner sits down with Tosha to reveal the secrets that have helped her secure grants for nonprofits for over 20 years.
Kate is a freelance grant writer and Grants Specialist at Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin. In this episode, she’ll share:
- The FIRST place to look when you’re ready to start with grants
- The best resources for searching and finding grants
- Why “following the rules” is essential to getting funded
- How to organize your team to meet your grant application deadlines
- Why program directors make the best grant writers
- What NEW nonprofits can do prove they’re worthy of funding
- And much more…
Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe for new episodes every week!
For more nonprofit accounting resources check out www.thecharitycfo.com
If you need a freelance grant writer to help you win more funding, you can reach out to Kate through her LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-hephner-019a522/
Links to the grant directories mentioned by Kate:
- https://www.instrumentl.com/
- https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/
- https://grantstation.com/
- https://www.grantwatch.com/
Want to learn more about finding grants for your organization? Check out our episode with the founder of Grantwatch here: https://thecharitycfo.com/libby-hikind-how-to-find-grants/
Making Events Accessible for Everyone
Do you want your events to be accessible for everyone, but don’t know where to start other than choosing a venue with ADA ramps?
This week on A Modern Nonprofit, Dr. Daniela Ferdico joins us to talk about sensory disabilities and how to make events accessible for EVERYONE.
Dr. Ferdico is the Co-Founder of Sensory Access and is a global leader in inclusion and accessibility.
- The #1 way to make your events more accessible (5:52)
- What resource every accessible event must have (6:57)
- 5 things to consider when designing accessible events (11:41)
- How providing the right information to attendees automatically makes an event more accessible for everyone (19:40)
Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe for new episodes every week!
For more nonprofit accounting resources check out www.thecharitycfo.com
For more information on how to make events accessible for everyone, visit Sensory Access @ sensoryaccess.org to learn more.
Want to WATCH A Modern Nonprofit? Check out this episode on YouTube now: https://youtu.be/WnX6HB8UYD0
Cleaning Up the Skeletons in Your Financial Closet
Is this you…
“I don’t know if my nonprofit’s accounting systems are bad… and I probably won’t know for sure until something bad happens.”
99% of nonprofit founders we work with don’t have a background in finance. If you struggle with feeling confident that your books are in order… and don’t know how to tell if they’re in order or not, this is THE episode for you.
This week on A Modern Nonprofit Podcast we discuss common red flags you can check today to verify your organization’s financial health.
In this episode, Isabel Sippo joins me to talk about the most common reasons why your nonprofit’s finances might be a mess, and ways to clean them up.
Isabel is the Onboarding Specialist at The Charity CFO. She focuses on helping new clients feel more confident about their financial records by re-engineering financial systems and minimizing opportunities for errors.
In this episode, you’ll discover…
- Key questions to ask if your books are out-of-date (5:50)
- 3 common issues that lead to messy, inconsistent books (10:56)
- The Big Red Flag you need to check for and how to fix it (15:28)
- Tips for how to minimize opportunities for errors (31:29)
Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe for new episodes every week!
For more nonprofit accounting resources check out www.thecharitycfo.com.
Data Privacy Strategies for Modern Nonprofits
You think your information is encrypted… but is it?
No one took data privacy seriously for 20 years, and we’re now having to play catch-up on making sure valuable information is secure.
This week on A Modern Nonprofit Podcast we discuss today’s biggest cybersecurity threat and how nonprofits can use technology without putting themselves at risk.
My guest this week is John Gilmore, Director of Research at Abine.com and joindeleteme.com. He helps clients pinpoint where they are most at risk, and the steps needed to secure their data online.
In this episode, John talks about why organizations are more concerned about bad press than a data breach, and why you should be cautious when using a third-party organization to solicit donations.
In this episode, you’ll discover…
- Today’s biggest data privacy threat and why it causes such havok for businesses (5:43)
- Tips to keep your information more secure online (11:47)
- How nonprofits can use technology to work smarter without putting themselves at greater risk. (18:38)
- The one question you must ask if you outsource any work or data collection. (31:05)
Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe for new episodes every week!
For more nonprofit accounting resources check out www.thecharitycfo.com
For more information on how to increase your data privacy, visit joindeleteme.com
Three Secrets to Scaling a Nonprofit
Do you ever think, “if we get any bigger, this organization will crush me?”
Are you ready to scale, but you’re afraid that growth will make you even more alone in your leadership role?
This week on A Modern Nonprofit Podcast we’ll show you how to build the right team to scale your organization effectively.
In this episode, Dirk van Reenen joins us to talk about why nonprofits need a defined business structure, the right team (not just a passionate team), and the mental shift founders must make to scale.
Dirk is the founder and CEO of BERGFlow. He empowers founders to build better teams and prepares them for scalability and greater impact.
- Why working in silos stops your growth, and you can avoid it. (4:25)
- The 3 factors for determining if someone is right for a position and your mission? (7:13)
- How to shift your mindset from founder to collaborative business owner. (17:30)
- How to feel less alone in your leadership role. (28:09)
Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe for new episodes every week!
For more nonprofit accounting resources check out www.thecharitycfo.com
For more information on how to building a collaborative, mission-oriented team, visit BERGFlow @ https://bergflow.com
Want to WATCH A Modern Nonprofit? Check out this episode on YouTube now: https://youtu.be/LURgTfDtl-I
Beyond Donations: Growing Your Mission with Earned Income
How do you grow your mission without chasing the money?
Are you a nonprofit leader struggling with how prioritize revenue to avoid the trap of money becoming the mission?
Curious about how you can be sure a new revenue stream is a great fit for your organization?
You need to listen what Bill Woolsey has to say about earned income.
This week on A Modern Nonprofit, Bill Woolsey joins us to talk about how nonprofits can diversify their revenue streams with earned income opportunities, and tips for making sure those opportunities align with your mission and values.
Bill is the founder of FiveTwo Network and focuses on helping entrepreneurs grow their mission and build better programs by prioritizing revenue generation.
Tosha and Bill talk about how you can diversify your revenue streams with earned income. In this episode, you’ll find out:
- Ways for-profit companies can set up a nonprofit operation or foundation to advance their cause of choice. (4:02)
- How diversifying your revenue streams communicates a hand-up, not just a hand-out. (7:34)
- Why your earned income sources MUST align your mission (9:34)
- The #1 scarcity mindset shift nonprofits need to make and why it’s so hard to find a balance between your mission and the money needed to grow it. (15:50)
- The role every nonprofit founder has to own in order to grow their mission, and why that can be hard for many nonprofit leaders. (18:52)
Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe for new episodes every week!
For more nonprofit accounting resources check out www.thecharitycfo.com
For more information on how entrepreneurs can combine faith and business through new ventures, visit FiveTwo Networks @ fivetwo.com.
https://Fivetwo.com
https://startnewtraining.com
https://startnewtraining.com/mini-course
Want to WATCH A Modern Nonprofit? Check out this episode on YouTube now: https://youtu.be/5iiGXD5-y7A