Successful Nonprofits Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Reimagine Leadership for Bold Social Impact with Mohan Sivaloganathan Sep 17, 2024

Show notes

Are you tired of choosing between your personal well-being and performance in leadership? In this episode, Mohan Sivaloganathan, founder of Harmonious Leadership and former nonprofit chief executive, shares his vision for reimagining leadership to fuel bold social impact ideas. Known as the "Batman of Social Impact," Mohan blends his expertise in nonprofit leadership, coaching, and even hip-hop artistry to challenge the status quo. Discover how to break the cycle of burnout, foster a culture of growth, and inspire your team to thrive.

This episode answers the following questions:

How can I balance personal well-being and performance?
How can I, as a nonprofit leader, support the emerging workforce?
How can my organization sustain transformation and systems change for social impact?

Links mentioned in this episode:

Looking for more? Check out these amazing episodes:

Ep 335: Thriving as a Nonprofit Leader: Expert Guidance from Russ Finkelstein [Episode Title on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website with show notes]
Ep 289: Leading Authentically with Elana Frank [Episode Title on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website with show notes]

Navigating the Ethical Imperative with Andrew Cooper Sep 10, 2024

Show notes

Andrew Cooper, a trailblazer in ethical leadership and author of The Ethical Imperative, joins Dolph for this episode. Andrew shares profound insights on why ethical leadership is crucial for nonprofit organizations to solve seemingly intractable problems. Drawing on his experiences and research, Andrew explains how nonprofits can lead with integrity, invest in their teams, and build stronger communities.

Listen in as Andrew discusses practical strategies for nonprofit leaders to foster trust, enhance board engagement, and create lasting impact in their communities. This episode offers actionable advice to help you navigate these challenges ethically and effectively.

This episode answers the following questions:

What strategies can nonprofits use to invest in their teams and communities?
How can nonprofits enhance board engagement through ethical practices?
What are the key elements of leading with integrity in the nonprofit sector?

Links mentioned in this episode:

Learn more about Andrew Cooper
Get his book The Ethical Imperative on Amazon

Looking for more? Check out these amazing episodes:

Episode 272: 17 Leadership Books to Add to Your Reading List [Episode Title on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website with show notes]
Episode 307: Embrace the Challenge: Empowering Leaders with Luis Velasquez and Kristin Gleitsman [Episode Title on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website with show notes]

Maximize Your Fall Fundraising: Responsive Fundraising Strategies with Gabe Cooper (Encore) Sep 03, 2024

Show notes

As nonprofit professionals gear up for their Fall fundraising campaigns, it's the perfect time to revisit one of our most impactful episodes. Join us as we dive into Responsive Fundraising with Gabe Cooper, founder of Virtuous and author of the book by the same name.

In this encore episode, we explore innovative strategies that help nonprofits treat every donor like a major donor. Gabe shares real-world examples of how to build personal relationships with donors through automation, data-driven strategies, and thoughtful engagement techniques. Whether you're refining your campaign or just starting your planning (we see you!), this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you elevate your fundraising efforts this season.

This episode answers the following questions:

How can I refresh my stale fall fundraising campaign?
What is responsive fundraising?
What are donor personas? How can I use donor personas to engage my donors?
What Is journey mapping?
What are some best practices for involving all staff in donor cultivation?

Links mentioned in this episode:

Looking for more? Check out these amazing episodes:

Episode 156: Fundraising for Sustainability with Dr. Shantell Chambliss[Apple Podcasts | Spotify | our website with show notes]

Episode 72: Make Your Board an Engaged Fundraising Machine with Kim Horton and Greg Giles[Spotify | our website with show notes]

Your Nonprofit Needs a Rest Week with Kevin Greer (Encore) Aug 27, 2024

Show notes

It's the last week of August, and the lights are off here at Successful Nonprofits®. We have no meetings this week; the podcast and social media are scheduled in advance. And we're off the computer and off the phone. You know why? Because we're off having fun and enjoying our rest week!

Since we're on self-care rest week right now, it felt appropriate that we run this encore episode with Kevin Greer, the Chief Administrative Officer at New Profit, about the transformative power of incorporating rest weeks into your nonprofit's annual calendar.

As nonprofit professionals, we often push ourselves to the limit, but Kevin shares how New Profit's Radical Reset — a full week where the organization completely shuts down — helps to combat burnout and boost creativity. He discusses the implementation process, the benefits of collective rest, and how rest can be equitably designed for all staff members.

This week, as the Successful Nonprofits® team takes our own rest week, we encourage you to consider planning one for your organization next year, especially during a slower period like the last week of August. While acknowledging this may not be feasible for organizations providing 24/7 or emergency response services, the benefits for your team could be profound.

This episode answers the following questions:

Why is a rest period critical for nonprofit staff?
How does collective rest differ from individual vacation time?
What are the steps to successfully implement a rest week?

Links mentioned in this episode:

Looking for more? Check out these amazing episodes:

Ep 200: Self-Care Tips for Coming Out Stronger with Beth Kanter[Episode Title on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website with show notes]
Ep 295: Tips for Making Your Dream Sabbatical a Reality with Emily Raskin[Episode Title on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website with show notes]

Use Email Sequencing to Unlock Donor Retention with Lisa Fernandez Aug 20, 2024

Show notes

Are you losing new donors due to uninspired thank-you emails? Join our conversation with Lisa Fernandez as she shares her expertise in crafting effective email sequences to build lasting relationships with donors.

Learn how to engage your audience with personalized and automated emails, harness the power of storytelling, and create lead magnets that resonate.

Whether you're a seasoned nonprofit professional or new to email marketing, Lisa's insights will help you boost donor retention and elevate your email game.

This episode answers the following questions:

How can I increase my donor retention?
Why is email sequencing important for donor retention?
How can I create an effective donor email sequence?
What are some creative lead magnets for attracting and engaging donors?
How can I improve the effectiveness of the CTA in my emails?

Links mentioned in this episode:

Looking for more? Check out these amazing episodes:

Episode 181: How to Write Effective Copy that Gets Noticed with Nicki Krawczyk [Episode Title on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website with show notes]
Episode 246: Attention-Grabbing Marketing with Dan Schepleng [Episode Title on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website with show notes]

Mailbag: Board Members Behaving Badly Aug 13, 2024

Show notes

Are your board members causing more problems than they solve? In this mailbag episode, Dolph answers listener questions about dealing with difficult board members. Whether you're a board chair trying to keep the peace, or an executive director frustrated with a meddling board, this episode offers practical advice to help you refocus on your mission.

Listen to this episode to hear how to:

Enforce an "escalate together" rule to prevent being dragged into board drama.
Facilitate conflict resolution without becoming a judge or referee.
Recognize when it's time to fire a board member.

This episode answers the following questions:

How can I manage conflicts between board members without getting dragged into the drama?
What strategies can I use to encourage board members to resolve issues independently?
When should I escalate a board conflict, and when should I step back?
How do I set boundaries with Board members?

Links mentioned in this episode:

How to fire a difficult board member [Blog Post | Apple Podcast | Spotify]
Successful Nonprofits' Board Development Services
Subscribe to our newsletter!

Looking for more? Check out these amazing episodes:

Bonus Break: How to fire a difficult board member [Apple | Spotify | Our Web Page]
Bonus Break: Revolutionize your board onboarding process [Apple | Spotify | Our Web Page]

How to Say No and Feel Good About It with Stephanie Wagner Aug 06, 2024

Show notes

Have you ever found yourself saying "yes" to a task or opportunity, only to regret it later? You're not alone! In this episode, Stephanie Wagner, a board-certified health and wellness coach from Healthy Minds Innovations, discusses how to say no and feel good about it.

Stephanie shares her expertise on setting boundaries, prioritizing self-care, and communicating assertively without guilt or anxiety. Learn practical strategies for managing digital distractions, breaking free from negative thought loops, and using mindfulness and meditation to enhance self-awareness and well-being.

This episode answers the following questions:

What are the negative effects of saying yes too often?
How can I learn to say no without feeling guilty?
What are some effective strategies to help me say "yes" less often?
How can mindfulness and meditation help with decision-making?
How do I manage digital distractions?

Links mentioned in this episode:

Healthy Minds Program App (Apple Store | Google Play Store)
Stephanie Wagner's Webinar on YouTube

Looking for more? Check out these amazing episodes:

Episode 322: 5 Ways You Can Find Joy at Work with Steve Fredlund [Episode Title on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website with show notes]
Episode 273: Practicing Courage with Jim Detert. [Episode Title on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website with show notes]

Leadership Transitions for Nonprofit Leaders of Color with Nate Wong Jul 30, 2024

Show notes

Leadership transitions are challenging enough, and for leaders of color, there are unique hurdles and barriers that must be overcome. In this episode, we are joined by Nate Wong, a partner at The Bridgespan Group, to discuss the complexities and opportunities of leadership transitions for nonprofit leaders of color. Nate shares his own experiences as a leader of color and offers practical advice for navigating the glass cliff, addressing systemic inequities, and building supportive networks. Listen in to what nonprofit leaders should be asking from their funders to ensure successful transitions.

This episode answers the following questions:

What challenges do leaders of color face during leadership transitions?
What should we be asking of our funders to better support nonprofit leaders of color?
What strategies can leaders of color use to navigate the glass cliff?
What role do boards play in setting up new leaders for success?

Links mentioned in this episode:

Looking for more? Check out these amazing episodes:

Ep 334: Amplifying the Voices of BIPOC Leaders with Darren Isom Episode Title on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website with show notes
Ep 310: Navigating Nonprofit Leadership Transitions with Dhivya O'Connor Episode Title on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website with show notes

The Power of Inclusion: Leadership Insights with Andrés Tapia Jul 23, 2024

Show notes

What if you could leverage inclusion to not only improve your workplace culture but also boost your nonprofit's effectiveness? In today's episode, Andres Tapia, a Senior Client Partner at Korn Ferry and co-author of "The 5 Disciplines of Inclusive Leaders," shows us how.

Tapia dives deep into how leaders can cultivate inclusion to unlock the full potential of their teams and organizations. We explore practical steps for building a more inclusive environment, measuring success, and learning from diversity initiatives like those of the NFL.

This episode answers the following questions:

What are the five disciplines of inclusive leaders?
How can small nonprofits measure the success of their diversity and inclusion efforts?
What are some practical steps leaders can take to build a more inclusive environment?

Links mentioned in this episode:

Looking for more? Check out these amazing episodes:

Amplifying the Voices of BIPOC Leaders with Darren Isom Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website with show notes
6 Ways Your Nonprofit Can Be More Trans Inclusive with Andy Marra Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website with show notes

How to Use Remote Volunteers to Solve Your Nonprofit's Problems with Michelle Wiesner Jul 16, 2024

Show notes

Are you missing out on the hidden potential of remote volunteer programs? Michele Wiesner, Director of Capacity Building at Hire Heroes USA, shares how to unlock this game-changer. Michele discusses the journey of building an effective remote volunteer program, highlights success stories of remote volunteers making significant impacts, and provides practical advice for nonprofit leaders to start or improve their remote volunteer programs.

This episode answers the following questions:

What is a remote volunteer program?
Is a remote volunteer program essential for nonprofits today?
How can my small nonprofit with limited resources effectively implement a remote volunteer program?
How do I start or improve a remote volunteer program?
What challenges will my nonprofit face when starting a remote volunteer program?
How do I make remote volunteer opportunities engaging and meaningful?

Links mentioned in this episode:

Looking for more? Check out these amazing episodes:

Volunteer Fundraiser's Unleashed with Maura McDaniel (Episode Title on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website with show notes)
Make Volunteering Fun with Diane Zhang (Episode Title on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website with show notes)

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