501Crossroads

Latest Episodes:

Engaging Alumni and Former Board Members with Jan Misuraca Jul 29, 2016

Show notes

Those who have gone through our programs and schools and have served on our boards can be a nonprofit's greatest resource. However, so often nonprofits just let them fade away. Jan Misuraca, retired Executive Director of the Parkway Alumni Association, came to talk to Marjorie and Natalie about all the ways that you can engage alumni and former board members to create greater success for your programs.
Here's some resources if you're interested in getting an alumni association or board alumni group started at your organization:
Q&A: How to Engage Younger Alumni
Alumni Channel Blog: How to Start/Create an Alumni Association
Alumni Channel: 14 (New & Updated) Best Practices to Grow Your Alumni Association
The Hidden Treasure of Former Board Members
How Does Your Nonprofit Retain Termed-Out Board Members?
You can connect with Jan by calling her at 314-780-7472. Find her on LinkedIn and Facebook.
Contact us! Find 501Crossroads on Facebook Get LinkedIn with Natalie Jablonski Get LinkedIn with Marjorie Moore

Walks, Runs, and All That Jazz with Amanda Kernan Jul 22, 2016

Show notes

Although some experts note that charity run/walk events began back in the 1960s, they really took off in the fitness-focused 1980s and have continued to grow since then. So today we welcome our guest, Amanda Kernan, who is currently a Community Manager for the Lakeshore Division of the American Cancer Society, where she has served for the past five years in various roles, with nonprofit walking events as her specialty.

Amanda looks at prepping for a walk as "Not Just a To Do List" and will share her tips and tricks throughout the episode. Be sure to listen to the end for her sure fire insider tip at event volunteer engagement.

Check out Amanda's next event: Wine Witches & A Walk

Here's a link to the other articles we referenced in this show:
Do Charity Run/Walks Still Matter?
How to Organize a 5K
5 Quick Tips for Hosting a Successful Charity Run/Walk

How to Organize a Walkathon

How Many Charity Walk Volunteers Do You Need?

Find 501Crossroads on Facebook Get LinkedIn with Natalie Jablonski Get LinkedIn with Marjorie Moore

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The Role of the Executive Director with Cheryl Compton Jul 15, 2016

Show notes

It's the person you count on to lead your organization and build trust in the community. The role of the Executive Director is pivotal to the well being of any nonprofit organization. Cheryl Compton, an Executive Director with over 40 years of experience in the field, is here to share her experiences in the hot seat.
To contact Cheryl at her organization, Call for Help, call her at 618-397-0968 ext. 123 or email her at ccompton@callforhelpinc.org.
Here are some of the things we talked about in this episode.

The Role of an Executive Director of a Nonprofit Organization by David Ingram

How to Become a Great Executive Director by Joan Garry Leading a Nonprofit Organization: Tips and Tools for Executive Directors and Team Leaders We All Do It: Mistakes in Nonprofit Life By Melanie Lockwood Herman
Find 501Crossroads on Facebook Get LinkedIn with Natalie Jablonski Get LinkedIn with Marjorie Moore

Throw the Greatest Gala with Jason Frazier Jul 08, 2016

Show notes

Galas are a main stay of any development plan, but we’ve all been to one... or 10 thrown badly. Today, we're looking at the logistics of throwing the perfect party that each one of your guests will rave about for years to come. And, sometimes we don’t have to go very far to find our experts, this week, Jason Frazier, Development Director of MindsEye (Marjorie's organization) joined us to give his tips about how to throw a great party. And he knows his stuff. Prior to his years as an event and development specialist, Jason was an event promoter.
You can connect with Jason on MindsEye's Facebook or Twitter, or on his LinkedIn.
Want to read the articles we referenced?

Wild Apricot Event Check List

Event Creative: 5 Things to Consider when Choosing an Event Venue

Vogue: Met Gala Party-Planning Secrets—From Invitations to Icebreakers

How to Turn It Up a Notch When Planning Your Fundraising Gala By Julie Buckley
Find 501Crossroads on Facebook Get LinkedIn with Natalie Jablonski Get LinkedIn with Marjorie Moore

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Doing Donor Recognition Right with JoAnn Foppe Jul 01, 2016

Show notes

Multiple Choice Question: When in the donor cycle is the time to recognize and think about recognizing your donors? a. When Prospecting and Researching b. When Cultivating c. During Solicitation d. While Stewarding e. All of the above
If you answered e, you're absolutely right! JoAnn Foppe from Foppe Visual Communications stopped by to talk about why it is so important to think about and consider donor and recognition from the very start. She shares inspiration on some of the best recognition she's ever seen and creative ideas to make your donors love your organization even more.
You can find Foppe Communications at http://www.foppevisual.com/, on Facebook, and can call them at 618-654-8600.
Some of the great articles we read on this topic were: Smaller Charities Need Creativity and Care When Recognizing Donors from the Chronicle of Philanthropy Donor Recognition: Thinking Like a Donor from AFP 15 Creative Ways to Thank Donors from Classy.org
You can find 501Crossroads on Facebook at www.facebook.com/501crossroads.
Get LinkedIn with Natalie Jablonski at https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliejablonski
Get LinkedIn with Marjorie Moore at https://www.linkedin.com/in/marjorie-moore-6596901

Nonprofit Communication During Tragedy and Disaster Jun 27, 2016

Show notes

In the wake of the horrific shootings at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Marjorie and Natalie take a look at the role of nonprofits when tragedy strikes, whether made by man or mother nature.

We talk about what happens to nonprofits who are first responders or on the front lines of things and those tangentially involved. You'll even hear about those not involved but still part of a grieving public can craft the right messages to express their grief and stand with the community. You'll hear about who's doing it right and who is doing it wrong and what happens when communities begin to side step nonprofits to give collected funds directly to victims. We read a lot for this one!

Guidelines for Giving in a Disaster from the CIDI

Senator: Red Cross Misled Congress, Refused To ‘Level With the People’ on Haiti Money

$7 Million in Donations to Go Directly to Orlando Kin and Survivors

Three Tips for Managing your Nonprofit's Social Media During a Public Tragedy

How to Communicate in the Midst of Tragedy: 9-Step Checklist

Connect with Us!

Natalie on LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliejablonski

Marjorie on LinkedIn- http://www.linkedin.com/in/marjorie-moore

501Crossroads on Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/501crossroads

501Crossroads on Twitter- http://www.twitter.com/501crossroads

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Emotions Vs. Effective Altruism in Fundraising with Wendy Dyer Jun 10, 2016

Show notes

Wendy Dyer has SIZZLE and has enjoyed helping hundreds of nonprofits over the last 22 years find theirs. She has helped pump millions of dollars into the economy – expanding programs and building schools, health centers and cultural places - bringing opportunity to thousands of people. A frequent presenter and trainer, Wendy encourages agencies to find their “sizzle” and embrace her mantra, “People are giving money away, anyway, might as well be to you.”.

On today's show, Wendy talks about the art and science of using emotions in fundraising appeals and how the movement of effective altruism might be changing the game.

Peter Singer TED Talk

GiveWell's List of Top Charities Feel Good School of Philanthropy The Most Good You Can Do
Catch up with Wendy at http://www.wendydyer.com/.

You can find 501Crossroads on Facebook at www.facebook.com/501crossroads.

Get LinkedIn with Natalie Jablonski at https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliejablonski
Get LinkedIn with Marjorie Moore at https://www.linkedin.com/in/marjorie-moore-6596901

Targeted Marketing to Make Everyone Love You with Katie Mahoney Jun 03, 2016

Show notes

Nonprofits are always being told to segment their lists, spend less, raise more. Have you ever wondered how? Katie Mahoney, an Integrated Marketing Consultant and owner of the Mahoney Group, is on the show today- our first Skype interviewee- to talk about how to select your targets out of your database to send less mail and email and raise more dollars.
You can reach out to Katie to learn more on LinkedIn and on the Mahoney Group website.
Some of the articles we talked about were

10 Ways to Segment Your Donors to Improve Fundraising Effectiveness

Know Your Target Audience: 10 Questions to Ask

Create Personas to Bridge the Gap with Target Audiences

You can find 501Crossroads on Facebook at www.facebook.com/501crossroads.
Get LinkedIn with Natalie Jablonski at https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliejablonski
Get LinkedIn with Marjorie Moore at https://www.linkedin.com/in/marjorie-moore-6596901

Nonprofit Golf Tournament Pros with Tom Sipula May 27, 2016

Show notes

Planning a golf tournament... STOP!

Tom Sipula, a golf pro from the St. Clair CountryClub, chats with Natalie about the ins and outs of golf. They're not just talking pars and strokes and clubs, you'll hear about etiquette for golfers and volunteers and most importantly, how to raise lots of money at your tournament to support your cause. You can connect with Tom at tsipula@stclaircc.com and the St. Clair Country Club.

Check out some of the articles we reference at:

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/dos-and-donts-for-golf-spectators.html

http://www.the-best-golf-tips.com/Golf-Terms.html

http://www.premieregolfsolutions.com/tournament-tools-worksheets/on-course-events-activities/

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The Art of the Ask, Practical Tips for Fundraisers May 20, 2016

Show notes