Nonprofit Jenni Show

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77. How to Tell Your Nonprofit's Story, Even in the Midst of Crisis Jun 19, 2020

Show notes

Nonprofit storytelling is hard… And it gets even harder when unexpected crises come up in the world, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and heartbreaking cases of racial injustice. This week, we're getting advice from some storytelling experts so you can keep inspiring your donors, volunteers, and other supporters in the midst of crisis. We also talk about Jenni's new Awareness Kits to help your nonprofit educate the community about COVID-19 and Racial Injustice. Get a free version of each kit at nonprofitjenni.com/coursesandmore

Our first guest is Dan Reed, CEO of SEED Fundraisers. He offers tips for nonprofit leaders and fundraisers to keep soliciting donations, especially if you feel like it's inappropriate for you to do so right now. For example, you may feel like it's insensitive to ask for donations if your nonprofit isn't directly contributing toward COVID-19 relief or advocacy efforts against police brutality. Dan mentions one of SEED Fundraisers' most relevant resources right now: the "Scaling Through Crisis" Huddle which you can find at https://www.seedfundraisers.com/huddles

We also chat with Kyle Matthews, Executive Director of Beat NB. Kyle's team has to be sensitive with their storytelling at all times because the families they serve are all going through a crisis as their child struggles with neuroblastoma. He also shares how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted their storytelling.

Our guests this week include:--Dan Reed from SEED Fundraisers--Kyle Matthews from Beat NB

Nonprofit Jenni provides consulting services and coaching calls for nonprofits and social impact organizations seeking guidance in the areas of Marketing, Fundraising, Growth, and Starting Up. Visit nonprofitjenni.com to learn more.

All information in the Nonprofit Jenni Show is very general in nature, and may not apply to your specific nonprofit organization. Please direct clarifying questions to Nonprofit Jenni by visiting nonprofitjenni.com.

Produced by Wayfare Recording Co. Music by Emily Summers.

76. Tips for Pro Bono Relationships, Plus Some Nonprofit Resources! Jun 12, 2020

Show notes

COVID-19 has caused budgets to shrink, not just for nonprofits, but for corporations too. Fortunately, there are still plenty of opportunities to partner with businesses and executives to get pro bono support for your organization! This week on the Nonprofit Jenni Show, we're talking about best practices for navigating relationships as your nonprofit collaborates with corporations.

Before we dig into tips for pro bono relationships, Jenni shares info about her new COVID-19 Awareness Kits which can help your nonprofit protect seniors, people living in long-term care facilities, and people with underlying health conditions that make them especially vulnerable to the virus. Go to nonprofitjenni.com/coursesandmore to find the free and full versions of this kit, which both include four tools to help you spread awareness about how to stop transmission of COVID-19.

First, Danielle Holly (CEO of Common Impact) talks about how her nonprofit organization helps connect charitable corporations with small nonprofits in need. She explains the importance of cross-sector partnerships and highlights some resources for nonprofits to identify potential pro bono partners. Danielle is also on the boards of directors for Fan4Kids (fan4kids.org) and Women in Innovation (womenininnovation.co).

Get free help with your skills-based volunteering projects at capacitycommons.org with resources like sample projects, help valuing your project, and volunteer search tools.

Then Brenda Jimenez (CEO of MENTOR New York) describes how Common Impact helped connect her organization with JP Morgan Chase. She explains how she nurtured a strong relationship with C-suite executives at this giant corporation and offers advice for nonprofit leaders who want to enter pro bono relationships with for-profit companies.

Our guests this week include:--Danielle Holly from Common Impact: commonimpact.org--Brenda Jimenez from MENTOR New York: mentornewyork.org

Produced by Wayfare Recording Co. Music by Emily Summers.

75. How Nonprofit Advocacy Changes the Systems that Enable Crisis Jun 05, 2020

Show notes

Recent events involving police violence, riots, and COVID-19 have forced nonprofit leaders to reevaluate their mission, programs, and operational structures, so this is the perfect time to refamiliarize yourself with the concept of advocacy. "Advocacy" is one of those words which has a bunch of different meanings, especially depending on the person you ask. This week on the Nonprofit Jenni Show, Jenni invites nonprofit advocacy expert Meredith Benton from the Healing Trust to explain the legal definition of advocacy and which nonprofits should engage in advocacy efforts. We also hear from Nicole Lynch, a nonprofit professional who coordinates the advocacy efforts of the Saint Louis-based nonprofit Voyce.

As you listen to this week's episode, you'll hear Meredith Benton recommend several amazing advocacy resources for nonprofits. Here they are:--FSG webinar "Six Conditions of Systems Change": https://www.fsg.org/publications/water_of_systems_change --SSIR article "Stop Raising Awareness Already": https://ssir.org/articles/entry/stop_raising_awareness_already --Justice Alliance's Bolder Advocacy tools: https://www.afj.org/our-work/bolder-advocacy/

Our guests this week include:--Meredith Benton from the Healing Trust--Nicole Lynch from Voyce (email: nlynch@voycestl.org)

Produced by Wayfare Recording Co. Music by Emily Summers.

74. Free Online Marketing for Nonprofits: Google Ad Grant vs. SEO May 29, 2020

Show notes

"Safer at Home" ordinances and social distancing guidelines have caused an increase in people searching online for ways to support the causes they care about most, so it's super important for your nonprofit to show up in Google results. This week on the Nonprofit Jenni Show, we talk about two ways to ensure new supporters can find you: the Google Ad Grant and Search Engine Optimization (SEO).

After talking about SEO on the podcast last week, Jenni wanted to address some questions about the differences between the Google Ad Grant and SEO. She invites Grant Hensel, Founder and CEO of Nonprofit Megaphone, to answer common questions about how the Google Ad Grant works for nonprofits, including:

--How can nonprofits use the Google Ad Grant to get donations, volunteers, and other types of support?--What components does a nonprofit website need before it makes sense to get the Google Ad Grant?--Does the Google Ad Grant impact your SEO, or vice versa?

Jenni also gives a personal life update that impacts her work.

Nonprofit Megaphone can help your nonprofit get the Google Ad Grant for free! They also offer support in managing the grant, creating Google Ads for your nonprofit, and targeting the right audiences with your ads. Visit nonprofitmegaphone.com and let them know you're a listener of the Nonprofit Jenni Show.

Nonprofit Jenni offers resources to help improve your SEO so you can show up in search results without the Google Ad Grant. Try Jenni's Nonprofit SEO Mini-Course at nonprofitjenni.com/coursesandmore for a DIY approach. If you prefer one-on-one support, schedule a free half hour call with Jenni at nonprofitjenni.com/contact

Produced by Wayfare Recording Co. Music by Emily Summers.

73. 9 Tips to Improve Your Website and SEO May 22, 2020

Show notes

In this time of social distancing and Stay at Home / Safer at Home protocol, it's more important than ever to ensure that people are able to find your nonprofit online when they're searching for ways to support the causes they care about...because let's face it: Everyone is on their devices all hours of the day now! It's time to improve your nonprofit's Search Engine Optimization (SEO) so your donation needs, volunteer opportunities, and program offerings are easy to find.

Jenni recently released a Nonprofit SEO Mini-Course on her website at nonprofitjenni.com/coursesandmore

In this episode, Jenni's sister joins us again to break down 9 tips from the mini-course to help improve your nonprofit's website and SEO. Download the full mini-course on the Nonprofit Jenni website to learn how to fill in your SEO gaps, and for Jenni's full checklist of nonprofit website essentials.

Produced by Wayfare Recording Co. Music by Emily Summers.

72. Thrive Through COVID-19: Virtual Fundraisers, Reaching Underserved Communities, and More May 15, 2020

Show notes

A few weeks ago, we chatted with some nonprofit leaders from Childspring International and Good Tidings Foundation to learn how their organizations have adapted their fundraising and programming in the face of COVID-19. This week, we're talking to leaders from Gilda's Club Middle Tennessee and Reach Out and Read Colorado to hear even more examples and advice for how nonprofits can continue to thrive in the midst of the pandemic.

First, Hayley Levy (Director of Development for Gilda's Club Middle Tennessee) talks about how she planned her very first virtual 5k fundraising event and raised over $6,000 with over 100 runners and walkers. She also describes the planning process for converting her organization's signature fundraising event into an online live stream event.

Then Anne Tengler (Executive Director of Reach Out and Read Colorado) shares how her organization has adapted its programming to continue reaching families who need reading and literacy resources, even if they have limited access to technology. She also talks about how her organization's partnerships with places like the Mental Health Center of Denver and Colorín Colorado help advance Reach Out and Read's mission.

Our guests on this episode include:--Hayley Levy from Gilda's Club Middle Tennessee (hayley@gildasclubmiddletn.org) --Anne Tengler from Reach Out and Read Colorado

Produced by Wayfare Recording Co. Music by Emily Summers.

71. Where to Find Professional Development During the COVID-19 Pandemic May 08, 2020

Show notes

As part of our ongoing series about how nonprofits can thrive in the face of COVID-19, we wanted to address questions we've received from leaders about how they should fill staff and volunteer time. Many Executive Directors have told us they would like to use this time during "Safer at Home" periods to offer virtual professional development opportunities to staff and volunteers who aren't able to carry out their normal roles. In this week's episode of the Nonprofit Jenni Show, Jenni highlights a few high-quality professional development activities which can all be completed online from Holly Rustick of Grant Writing & Funding and Jenni's website.

Professional Development activities featured in this episode:--Holly's courses are available at grantwritingandfunding.com/jenni--Jenni's courses and coaching opportunities are available at nonprofitjenni.com

Produced by Wayfare Recording Co. Music by Emily Summers.

70. Advice for Your First Virtual Fundraising Event May 01, 2020

Show notes

Many nonprofits have had to cancel their upcoming fundraising events due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and some leaders are trying to figure out how to host virtual events for the first time. In this episode, you'll hear a real life coaching call between Jenni and the leaders of a nonprofit as they figure out what action steps they'll need to take to host a successful live streaming event. Jenni covers questions about:

--Live streaming platforms--Online fundraising tactics--Peer to peer fundraising, including fundraising kits and training--Online silent auctions--Virtual event sponsorship packages--And more!

Jenni offers biweekly coaching calls at a flat rate of $75 each. Each call includes 50 minutes of coaching via video chat and a wrap-up email with a summary of the call and additional recommended resources. Schedule a free initial consultation call with Jenni to learn more.

Our guests on this episode include:--Emily Layton, Executive Director of Williamson County CASA--Sydni Dicke, Development Director of Williamson County CASA

Produced by Wayfare Recording Co. Music by Emily Summers.

69. How Nonprofits Can Adapt in Response to COVID-19 Apr 24, 2020

Show notes

As COVID-19 forces us to engage in self isolation and social distancing, how should your nonprofit adjust its fundraising and program strategies? This week, we'll learn how two nonprofit organizations are adapting to this weird new world.

Childspring International had to cancel its signature fundraising event due to shelter-in-place policies, and decided to host an online silent auction event for the first time to offset this loss. They have also had to pause the components of their program which require international travel due to the risks associated with the coronavirus pandemic.

Good Tidings Foundation is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, and had to adjust their plans for promoting a donation matching campaign so they could remain sensitive to more urgent community needs. They have also added new program components to their organization to support kids impacted by COVID-19, while still remaining true to their mission.

Our guests on this episode include:--Alison Fussell from Childspring International--Drew Reynolds from Common Good Data: Download Drew's free Nonprofit Program (Re)Design Primer at http://www.commongooddata.com/re-design --Larry Harper from Good Tidings Foundation

Produced by Wayfare Recording Co. Music by Emily Summers.

68. Can You Get Funding from CARES Act and Local COVID-19 Emergency Response Funds? Apr 14, 2020

Show notes

As new loan and grant opportunities pop up through the CARES Act, COVID-19 emergency response funds, and other funding sources, you may feel pressure to research and apply for all of these opportunities for your nonprofit. But do these funding sources actually apply to you? In this special episode of the Nonprofit Jenni Show, we'll cover the basics of the new CARES Act legislation and best practices for researching and applying to COVID-19 rapid response funds.

Our guests on this episode include:--Charles Rodriguez from Adams Keegan, adamskeegan.com--Nicole Sibilski, https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolesibilskigpc/

Produced by Wayfare Recording Co. Music by Emily Summers.

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