Successful Nonprofits Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Making Work Easier with Huggy Rao Apr 30, 2024

Show notes

As a nonprofit leader, you navigate the complexities of managing time, resources, staff, and your board. Today's guest, Huggy Rao, wants you to create friction within your organization that makes the right things easier and the wrong things harder.

Huggy and Dolph dive into practical strategies for reducing 'bad friction' that wastes time and energy, while advocating for 'good friction' that fosters deliberation and educated decisions. This episode is a must-listen for nonprofit executives seeking actionable advice on enhancing organizational efficiency and culture.

Huggy Rao is co-author of the best-selling book "The Friction Project: How Smart Leaders Make the Right Things Easier and the Wrong Things Harder," and other best-selling books. And as a distinguished professor at Stanford Business School, Huggy has also authored "Scaling Up for Excellence" and "Market Rebels."

This episode answers the following questions:

What is 'bad friction' and how can it be identified and removed?
How does 'good friction' benefit an organization?
What are the impacts of time poverty and addition bias on organizational efficiency?
How can nonprofit leaders effectively manage both types of friction?
What simple steps can be taken to make work easier?

Links mentioned in this episode:

Looking for more? Check out these amazing episodes:

Ep 180: Creating a Strong Back Office with Sean Hale [Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website with show notes]
Ep 277: Make the Most of Your Time with Shanice Miller [Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website with show notes)

Planned Giving: Your Nonprofit's Guide to Big Impact with Tony Martignetti Apr 23, 2024

Show notes

My friend, colleague, and fellow podcaster Tony Martignetti was in the Atlanta area and stopped by to record this incredible episode about planned giving. Since my podcast studio is super-small, we recorded this week's episode at my dining room table. (And I'd bet many of the best conversations with your planned giving prospects might happen at their dining room table.)

Together, we explore planned giving's transformative power to help your organization achieve sustainable funding. Pull up a chair and get ready to learn why and how your organization should launch a planned giving program.

With years of experience and a passion for helping nonprofits build sustainable funding, Tony offers invaluable insights, practical advice, and inspirational stories that empower organizations to embrace planned giving.

This conversation goes beyond the basics, discussing innovative approaches, common misconceptions, and actionable strategies for making planned giving a cornerstone of your fundraising efforts. Whether you're new to planned giving or looking to enhance your current planned giving efforts, this episode is a must-listen for executive directors and development directors dedicated to making a lasting impact.

This episode answers the following questions:

Should my organization have a planned giving fundraising program? (Yes!)
How do I start a planned giving program?
When is a donor too old to be solicited for a planned gift in their will?
Should I ask my donors under 60 about planned giving?
How do I overcome my board or staff objections to starting a planned giving program?

Links mentioned in this episode:

Looking for more? Check out this amazing episode:

Ep 157: Generosity Post-Mortem: Legacy Giving with Lori Kranczer (Apple | Spotify | Our Home Page)

Beyond Money: Incentives That Work with Uri Gneezy Apr 16, 2024

Show notes

Whether you're grappling with salary negotiations, seeking to enhance donor engagement, or aiming to motivate your team more effectively, Uri's expert analysis provides actionable advice tailored for the unique challenges you face as nonprofit leaders.

In this episode, renowned behavioral economist Uri Gneezy and our podcast host Dolph Goldenburg explore the world of incentives and their profound implications for nonprofit leaders. We dive into Gneezy's groundbreaking book, "Mixed Signals – How Incentives Really Work" and uncover the often-overlooked complexities of incentive strategies within the nonprofit sector. From dismantling the overhead myth to harnessing the power of pro-social incentives and understanding the unintended consequences of well-meaning initiatives, this episode offers a treasure trove of insights.

This episode answers the following questions:

How do incentives impact nonprofit management?
What are the most effective incentives for fundraising and donor engagement?
What is the overhead myth, and how can my nonprofit navigate it?
How can I effectively use incentives to motivate staff and volunteers?
What is the best way to negotiate my salary?

Links mentioned in this episode:

Mixed Signals: How Incentives Really Work

Looking for more? Check out these amazing episodes:

Ep 302: Maximize Your Employee Engagement and Retention with Rob Woronoff (Apple | Spotify | Our Home Page)
Ep 307: Empower Your Team: Unleashing Leadership Potential with Luis Velasquez & Kristin Gleitsman (Apple | Spotify | Our Home Page)

Transforming Struggles into Strengths with Bobby Herrera Apr 09, 2024

Show notes

In this transformative conversation with Bobby Herrera, author of "The Gift of Struggle," Bobby shares his journey from growing up in a large family where struggle was a constant companion, to becoming a leader who views every challenge as an opportunity to grow.

Through personal anecdotes and profound insights, Bobby explores how struggles can be our most valuable teachers, guiding us towards empathy, leadership, and success. He helps us discover the profound impact of embracing struggle, not as a burden, but as a gift that shapes our character and destiny.

In this episode, Bobby also delves into his leadership philosophy, illustrating through his life's work and stories how one act of kindness can set off a ripple effect, transforming not just individual lives but entire communities. Whether you're a leader seeking to inspire your team, or a single contributor navigating the ups and downs of life, this episode is packed wisdom on turning adversity into advantage.

This episode answers the following questions:

How can personal struggles serve as a catalyst for leadership growth?
What role does empathy play in leadership?
How can leaders foster a culture of giving within their organizations?
How can I build resilience?
What should I do when a key employee leaves?

Links mentioned in this episode:

Looking for more? Check out these amazing episodes:

Bonus Break #34: Ten Toxic Trump Traits Every Leader and Manager Should Avoid (Apple Podcast | Spotify | Our Home Page)
Ep 169: The Ripple Effect with Natasha Wallace (Apple Podcast | Spotify | Our Home Page)

Thriving as a Nonprofit Leader: Expert Guidance from Russ Finkelstein Apr 02, 2024

Show notes

Russ Finkelstein is a seasoned career coach, social entrepreneur, and advisor to founding executive directors. Together we dive deep into the fears that hold leaders back, the importance of authenticity, and the courage required to lead impactful organizations. Whether you're a new executive director, a seasoned founder, or someone passionate about making a difference in the nonprofit sector, Russ's advice is both practical and profound, offering a roadmap to leadership that's not only effective but deeply fulfilling.

This conversation is a must-listen for anyone looking to inspire change, overcome challenges, and lead with authenticity.

This episode answers the following questions:

How can leaders overcome fear and embrace courage in their roles?
What does it mean to lead authentically in the nonprofit sector?
How can founders and executive directors set realistic and impactful goals?
What strategies can help nonprofit leaders navigate challenges and inspire change?

Links mentioned in this episode:

Russ' LinkedIn

Looking for more? Check out these other amazing episodes:

Coaching for Nonprofit Leaders with Deb Stallings (Our Home Page)
Navigating Nonprofit Leadership Transitions with Dhivya O'Connor (Apple | Spotify | Our Home Page)

Amplifying the Voices of BIPOC Leaders with Darren Isom Mar 26, 2024

Show notes

Today's guest, Darren Isom, doesn't love diversity just for the sake of diversity, but because honoring and celebrating diversity is how we all win. BIPOC leaders bring invaluable lived experiences that offer unique perspectives and insights to our world's and sector's problems. By amplifying these voices, we strengthen our teams, our nonprofits, our sector, and ultimately the world.

Darren joins us today to share what he has learned about amplifying and honoring diverse voices from his own personal experiences and work in justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

This episode answers the following questions:

What does winning look like?
How are BIPOC leaders navigating the world?
How can BIPOC leaders' own experiences inform others' leadership journeys?
How can your nonprofit make meaningful change?

Links mentioned in this episode:

Looking for more? Check out these other amazing episodes:

6 Ways Your Nonprofit Can Be More Trans-Inclusive with Andy Marra on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and our website with show notes
Gender Matters in Philanthropy with Jeannie Sager on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and our website with show notes

How to Make Your Brand and Logo Not Suck with Thom Mozloom and Jason Absher Mar 19, 2024

Show notes

It doesn't take much to build an effective brand. Yet many nonprofits struggle and end up investing a lot of time, energy, and money for little return. Today's guests, Thom and Jason, specialize in helping nonprofits fortify their brand. Together, we delve into practical steps you can take to make sure your brand resonates with your audience and that your logo is an effective reminder of your new, awesome brand.

This episode answers the following questions:

What is the purpose of a logo?
What are examples of great logos?
How can I make my logo great?
How can I consolidate my nonprofit's brands?

Links mentioned in this episode:

Looking for more? Check out these other amazing episodes:

Crafting Your Brand with Amanda Ross on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website with show notes
Content Marketing Gold with Rick Smith on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website with show notes

Dolph and Lexie's Mailbag Extravaganza: Staffing, Podcasting, & Partnerships Mar 12, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Dolph and Lexie dig into some of the most commonly asked questions they receive from listeners and clients. Listen in for expert advice on staffing, podcasting, and partnerships.

This episode answers the following questions:

Can a paid staff member join the Board?
How do I handle a staff member with a bad attitude?
What equipment do you recommend I purchase to start a podcast?
How can I build and maintain partnerships with other nonprofits?

Links mentioned in this episode:

Looking for more? Check out this other amazing episode:

Dolph and Lexie's Mailbag Extravaganza: Launching your Nonprofit, Navigating Career Transitions, & Engaging Your Board in Fundraising on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website with show notes

How Much is Your Time Worth? Mar 07, 2024

Show notes

Understanding the true worth of an hour can transform how you prioritize tasks, delegate responsibilities, and, ultimately, how you contribute to your organization's mission. In this bonus break, Dolph shares practical advice, stories from the field, and an online calculator designed to help you quantify the value of your time. Whether you're an executive director, a development professional, or play a vital role in operations, this episode will equip you with the tools to make more informed decisions about where to focus your efforts for maximum impact.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Value of Your Time Calculator

Fostering Inclusion at Your Nonprofit with Kia Croom Mar 05, 2024

Show notes

When the country shut down in March 2020, Kia Croom realized the shift to remote work also shifted justice, equity, and inclusion dynamics. Racial discrimination, racial trauma, and microaggressions didn't go away, they just changed a little. And now they were happening in her home.

Since then, Kia has been working to disrupt and challenge the norms that lead to lack of inclusion in the nonprofit sector. She joins us today to share why this is an essential conversation for your own nonprofit and steps leadership can take to build an inclusive organization.

This episode answers the following questions:

How did COVID and working remotely impact justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion dynamics?
How can I help my nonprofit be more inclusive?
What does an inclusive organization look like?

Links mentioned in this episode:

Looking for more? Check out these other amazing episodes:

Women in Nonprofits with Jess Cooper on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website with show notes
Become a Competitive (and Equitable) Employer with Kevin Dean Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website with show notes

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