The Nonprofit Lab: Recent Episodes
MatchNice
Welcome to The Nonprofit Lab, a podcast dedicated to the ongoing discovery of how we can all be a part of bigger social change through the lens of the nonprofit sector. Listen in for conversations with nonprofit leaders about their missions, impact, and opportunities for change.
Erik Tomalis, Chief Revenue Officer at Avid, shares how nonprofits can move from data overload to clear direction. We explore how Avid’s fundraising operating system unifies disconnected tools, surfaces real insights, and helps teams focus on what truly drives generosity, trust, clarity, and human connection.
Sarah Landman from Insightful shares why good development starts with good listening, tuning into donor news, life updates, and milestones to show up when it matters most. We dig into practical ways nonprofits can track what’s happening in their donors’ world and turn those touchpoints into lasting, trust-filled relationships.
ChangeCEO Sonia Nigam joins The Nonprofit Lab to unpack the hidden rails behind online giving. From compliance pitfalls and paper checks to donor-advised funds and API-first solutions, Sonia shares how Change is simplifying fundraising infrastructure and unlocking more dollars for nonprofits.
Donor-advised funds now holdover$255 billionin charitable assets, but most nonprofits struggle to access them. In this episode, Elon Packin, Head of Partnerships at Chariot explains how their DAFpay technology makes giving from donor-advised funds seamless, and why unlocking these dollars can transform fundraising. Learn more at givechariot.com.
Samantha Swaim of Swaim Strategies shares how to design fundraising events that move people: from storytelling that doubles giving, to match strategies that multiply impact, to follow-ups that turn donors into lifelong supporters.
Nonprofit finance doesn’t have to be confusing or scarcity-driven. Karen Houghton, CEO of Infinite Giving, shares how nonprofits of every size can move idle cash into growth, accept stock and crypto with confidence, and build reserves and endowments that open doors to major gifts. A practical roadmap for shifting from survival mode to sustainable impact.
Thinking about switching CRMs, moving off spreadsheets, or just getting more from the system you already use? Kevin Wood of NPact breaks down the realities of nonprofit data management, the hidden costs of poor systems, and how to make CRM transitions smoother. A must-listen for any nonprofit leader planning for growth.
What if the key to unlocking billions in medical debt relief was hiding in plain sight? Jared Walker, founder of Dollar For, joins The Nonprofit Lab to share how one viral TikTok exposed hospital charity care, and sparked a movement that’s erased over $90M in medical bills.
Fundraising isn’t just about sending messages, it’s about making people feel seen. Bart Lillie from Synergy joins to share how nonprofits can build real donor connection through intentional, multichannel engagement that centers trust, listening, and humanity.
Mallory Erickson shares how unlearning false beliefs, regulating our nervous systems, and having our own back can transform the way we fundraise. We explore burnout, scarcity mindset, and why emotional well-being is essential to sustainable impact. Mallory is the author and host of What the Fundraising and the creator of Practivated, an AI-powered conversation simulator helping fundraisers build confidence through practice.
Tasha Van Vlack, Founder of The Nonprofit Hive, turned a simple idea — weekly one-on-one chats — into a global community and network spanning 75 countries and 1,500+ nonprofit organizations. In this episode, we unpack how real connection between nonprofit and social impact leaders can combat burnout, break silos, and spark collaboration in a sector often siloed and stretched thin. Whether you’re leading a major nonprofit or flying solo, this conversation is a reminder: you deserve community too.
Nonprofits can, and should, lobby for systemic change In this powerful episode, consultant and author Pat Libby breaks down the myths, mechanics, and mindset shifts needed for nonprofits to embrace advocacy. From the 501(h) election to coalition-building and stakeholder voice, this is a call to action for organizations ready to create lasting change.
Visit www.patlibby.com to learn more.
Matt Fogarty, founder of Cherry Willow Apparel, shares how personal experiences led him to launch a mission-driven brand reshaping how we engage with homelessness. From wearable storytelling to a 700-mile ride across California, Matt explores narrative change, nonprofit collaboration, and the power of small acts of compassion.
Nonprofit strategist and author Leah Kral shares how innovation doesn’t have to be massive to be meaningful. From small experiments to sector-wide collaboration, Leah offers practical insights on how nonprofits can challenge the status quo, build a culture of creativity, and spark lasting change.
Visit www.leahkral.com to learn more.
Philanthropic expert Claire Axelrad, founder of Clairification, joins to explore the true meaning of philanthropy—love of humankind. We dive into strategic and tactical ways nonprofits can move beyond transactions to build trust, deepen donor relationships, and lead with humanity at the heart of every ask.
Lori Zoss Kraska, CEO of Growth Owl and author of The Boardroom Playbook, shares practical strategies for transforming nonprofit boards from passive participants into purpose-driven partners. Learn how to align motivations, build trust, and activate real boardroom engagement.
Unmesh Sheth, founder ofSoPact, shares his approach to impact measurement focused on listening to stakeholders, not just donors. He explains how nonprofits can move beyond activity counts to track real change using practical tools, theory of change, and continuous feedback—making data a driver of strategy, not just reporting.
What if one five-minute phone call could deepen a donor relationship, spark generosity, and build lasting trust?
In this episode, Kel Haney shares a powerful framework for mid-level donor engagement, rooted in empathy, authenticity, and action. Whether you’re a seasoned fundraiser or just picking up the phone for the first time, this conversation will shift how you think about donor relationships, one call at a time.
When Hannah Lowe’s son was diagnosed with a rare disease, she turned fear into fuel and founded the L-CMD Research Foundation and led a successful $2M peer-to-peer fundraising campaign from scratch. In this episode, she shares her journey, the unique challenges of leading rare disease research, and how personal storytelling and community-driven fundraising can accelerate impact against all odds.
Laura Andes, Chief Program Officer at Charity Navigator, joins us to explore how their new Beacon rating system is lighting the way for a more holistic, trust-centered evaluation of nonprofits. We dive into the evolution from focusing solely on financial metrics to a full 360-degree view through four key Beacons: Accountability & Finance, Leadership & Adaptability, Culture & Community, and Impact & Results. Laura also shares trends in donor behavior and how Charity Navigator is standing up for the sector during a pivotal moment with their Giving is American campaign—reminding us that generosity is woven into the fabric of our nation. This episode is a must-listen for nonprofits and donors alike as we work together to build trust and create greater impact across the U.S. and beyond.
Cloud, data, CRMs — we cut through the noise to bring strategic clarity to nonprofit technology.
Kelley Hecht (🔗), Strategic Executive Advisor at Amazon Web Services (AWS) for Nonprofits shares what it really means for nonprofits to modernize their tech stack. We unpack how cloud infrastructure supports mission delivery, why “working backwards” is a powerful tool for innovation, and how nonprofit leaders can shift from reactive tools to proactive strategy. Whether you’re wrestling with data, dreaming of better donor journeys, or just trying to understand what AWS can actually do for your organization — this conversation will meet you where you are.
👉 Learn more about and apply for the AWS Imagine Grant
📊 AWS Nonprofit Cloud Benchmarking and Assessment Tool
Philip Deng, co-founder and CEO of Grantable, shares how AI is transforming the way nonprofits approach grant writing. We dive into the role of critical thinking and judgment with AI, systemic inefficiencies of grant funding, the trust barriers nonprofits face, and the power dynamics shaping philanthropy today—especially amidst the federal funding freeze and USAID shutdown.
Omondi Peter returns to share the incredible growth of Global Youth Forum from expanding football tournaments to launching an innovative archery program that blends sports with social impact. He reflects on the power of persistence, the lessons learned in scaling a nonprofit, and how embracing new challenges—like building a sustainable business model—has fueled his mission. This conversation dives into leadership, resilience, and the importance of stepping into opportunities before you’re fully ready. Tune in for an inspiring look at grassroots change, sports for social good, and the mindset needed to turn vision into reality.
Griff Bohm, co-founder of Give Momentum, dives into the intersection of behavioral psychology, AI, and philanthropy to explore how nonprofits can raise more with less stress. We discuss the science behind giving, the power of making the right ask, and how AI can enhance—rather than replace—human connection in fundraising. Griff shares insights on donor engagement, the role of trust, and how nonprofits can leverage technology to create seamless, meaningful donor experiences.
Ryan Ruud, founder and CEO of Lake One, joins the conversation to explore how nonprofits can harness digital transformation to scale their impact. From his personal journey overcoming childhood cancer to his work helping organizations modernize their technology and marketing strategies, Ryan shares invaluable insights on breaking free from outdated systems, optimizing donor engagement, and leveraging AI-powered solutions—all while maintaining the heart of nonprofit work. If you’re ready to rethink how your organization approaches technology, this episode is a must-listen.
In this milestone Episode 50 collaboration, Marssie Versola from Impact Table takes us through her journey from early community service to becoming a transformative leader for women in the nonprofit sector. She shares candid insights on overcoming challenges, addressing burnout, and building genuine connections that empower mission-driven leaders to create lasting social impact. Tune in to be inspired and see how Marssie is working day in and day out to challenge the status quo and elevate women in impact.
Helena Wasserman—an experienced climate investor—shares how early-stage ventures can secure the resources, coaching, and connections they need to make a powerful impact on environmental challenges. She underscores the importance of private capital in the climate tech space and highlights how nonprofit leaders and social entrepreneurs alike can adopt a startup mindset to drive innovation, efficiency, and measurable outcomes. By revealing strategies for effective fundraising, building resilience, and establishing trust with stakeholders, Helena provides clear, actionable guidance for anyone looking to scale meaningful change and navigate uncertain policy landscapes. You will walk away with fresh ideas on leveraging collaboration, transparency, and business fundamentals to amplify their mission and effect real-world solutions for our planet.
If you’re someone who wants to start a nonprofit and maximize impact without the hurdles of forming a 501(c)(3), or simply learn about the power of fiscal sponsorship, then this episode is for you! Learn all about what fiscal sponsorships are, how they work, and why they might be a fit for you with Tivoni Devor, fiscal sponsor expert and author of Skip the c3: The Grassroots Guide to Fiscal Sponsorship.
Discover how intentional HR practices can transform the nonprofit sector into a space where mission-driven teams thrive. Dr. Tiffany Slater at HR TailorMade Services shares her empathetic approach to building trust, creating supportive cultures, and aligning HR policies with organizational values. From practical onboarding strategies to fostering wellness, this episode offers actionable insights for leaders looking to inspire and retain their teams.
Sheryl Cababa, Chief Strategy Officer at Optimistic Design, shares her expertise in equity-centered and human-centered design, focusing on transforming educational systems and elevating marginalized communities. Drawing from her experience with organizations like the Gates Foundation and Khan Academy, she discusses how design can address systemic inequities by involving those most affected in the problem-solving process. Sheryl highlights the importance of iterative collaboration, co-design, and prioritizing lived experience in creating impactful solutions. Through compelling examples, she emphasizes the role of design in redistributing power, breaking down silos, and fostering innovation to address complex challenges in education and beyond.
In this episode, Pat Taggart, founder and chief creator at The SkyBlue Creative, discusses the transformative power of unscripted and authentic storytelling through video in the nonprofit sector. He shares his passion for creating genuine content that deeply resonates with audiences, offering valuable insights on how nonprofits can leverage video production to amplify their missions and engage supporters. Emphasizing that perfection isn't necessary for effectiveness, the conversation highlights the importance of embracing authenticity in video storytelling to drive real impact and foster meaningful engagement.
We sit down with Jeremy Meyer, co-founder of Podcastathon, a global initiative uniting podcasters to raise awareness for nonprofits and charities. Jeremy shares his journey from digital entrepreneurship to social impact, where he now dedicates his time to empowering charitable organizations through podcasting. The conversation delves into the power of collaboration, the unique ability of podcasts to build deeper connections with audiences, and the potential to elevate nonprofit missions. Tune in to discover how Podcastathon is amplifying voices for a greater cause worldwide.
Join us for a deep dive into Café Momentum's mission to transform the lives of at-risk youth through culinary training, mentorship, and community support. Discover how this groundbreaking nonprofit is creating lasting change, one meal at a time.
James shares how Vehicle for Good is transforming nonprofit fundraising through vehicle sweepstakes, providing a unique and engaging way to raise funds for smaller organizations. The conversation delves into leadership, transparency, and how building trust and creativity can redefine donor relationships in the nonprofit sector.
Adam Martel, CEO of Givzey, delves into how AI is revolutionizing nonprofit fundraising with the world’s first fully autonomous fundraisers. Through Givzey's Version2 platform, nonprofits can now enhance donor engagement, streamline processes, and scale their impact using cutting-edge AI technology. This conversation explores how AI is enabling nonprofits to do more with fewer resources while fostering meaningful donor relationships in this new era of philanthropy. Discover how nonprofits can leverage these tools to thrive in the future of fundraising.
Are your nonprofit financials in order? Jason Kruger, the founder and president of Signature Analytics, shares his extensive experience in financial management, particularly in the nonprofit sector. Jason discusses the critical importance of having robust financial processes and controls in place to ensure organizational sustainability and success. He emphasizes how nonprofits can benefit from fractional financial services to improve their financial health, reduce the risk of fraud, and prepare for audits effectively. Through real-life examples, Jason illustrates how proper financial management can empower nonprofits to achieve their missions while maintaining accountability and trust with donors.
How can nonprofits effectively engage and inspire the next generation of donors, particularly Gen Z and Millennials, who are redefining the philanthropic landscape with their values and digital-first approach? In this episode, we explore the strategies nonprofits can use to connect with these younger generations, from embracing recurring giving programs to leveraging personalized communication. Joining us is Lisa Greer, a renowned fundraising coach, major donor, and author of Philanthropy Revolution and The Essential Fundraiser’s Handbook, who shares her insights on building authentic relationships and challenging the status quo in nonprofit fundraising.
Reflect on the forward-looking vision and potential impact of BeGiving on the philanthropy landscape. Tune in for an inside look of a John Del Bello's vision for the future of community-driven philanthropy and social impact.
In this episode we dive into the pressing issue of the nonprofit talent development crisis and the various paths nonprofit professionals can transition into the world of nonprofit consulting. Our guest is Julia Devine, co-founder of Relatable Nonprofit, an organization dedicated to empowering nonprofit professionals to transition into those successful consulting roles.
Listen in and learn from Randy Long, CEO at ThePixSquad, as he shares his unique perspective on what makes and breaks nonprofit fundraising events given his experience as a leading photographer supporting hundreds of nonprofit fundraising events and galas.
John Bromley is the founder and CEO of Charitable Giving, one of the world's largest democratized online Donor Advised Fund (DAF) platforms that has returned over $1B to nonprofits globally. Listen to learn about generational giving and how nonprofit leaders can best engage all generations of donors.
Shannon McCracken is the CEO and founder of The Nonprofit Alliance, a leading organization dedicated to advancing the nonprofit sector. With Shannon at the helm, the Nonprofit Alliance has become a driving force in shaping the discourse around nonprofit sustainability and effectiveness. Her extensive background in nonprofit management, fundraising, and donor relations has positioned her as a trailblazer in the industry.
We interview Jenny Mitchell, CEO - an executive coach and fundraising professional who helps nonprofits leaders change the world, one mission at a time; and author of Embracing Ambition: Empowering Women to Step Out, Be Seen, & Lead. Following suit, this episode is being hosted by none other than Madeline Hendry, MatchNice Co-founder and COO.
Howard Pearl is the innovative CEO of Charitable Adult Rides & Services (CARS), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has been transforming the philanthropic landscape in the U.S. and Canada since 2003. They may just be the biggest nonprofit that you've never heard of. They run the largest vehicle and real estate donation program in North America. They process over 100K vehicles a year and have raised over $500M for more than 3,500 nonprofits. Listen to learn more about their value proposition to donors, nonprofits, and partners.
Learn how Rebecca went from being a community champion, to founding her nonprofit Stable Moments, to replicating and scaling her organization across more than 40 locations across the United States.
What if you could raise money for a nonprofit by listening to Spotify, going for a walk, or even playing Fortnite? In today's episode, we delve into some really cutting-edge technology in the world of social impact with our guests Mario and Maurizio Hernandez, brothers and founders of Knobl.
On this episode we interview Carol Hamilton, Principal, Grace Social Sector Consulting, LLC.
Carol helps nonprofits become more strategic and innovative for greater mission impact. She provides organization effectiveness consulting, meeting design and facilitation, and training to organizations.
A strategic thinker, Carol works with teams and organizations to envision and frame their future strategic direction. As you’ll hear she’s very practical in her approach in the way she helps organizations think through who is key to creating their future, how to gather insights from these stakeholders, consider the big picture, imagine new possibilities, come to agreement on their future goals and create an initial action plan to get started.
Carol has more than 25 years of experience in the association and nonprofit sectors. Carol speaks and trains frequently on leadership, strategy and innovation topics. She graduated from Swarthmore College and has her Masters in Organization Development from American University.
It's great to be back! Our latest episode is out now and features Mark Miller, who has helped over 100 nonprofits rebrand their organization from the inside out.
Mark is a brand strategist, Co-Founder and President of Historic, producer of Future Nonprofit Podcast, and author of Culture Built My Brand. People create work culture, culture defines brands, and Mark helps redefine brands.
Listen to learn more about the strategic aspects of building a brand and how nonprofits can think about how they might align their culture and organizational culture to built the future that should be.
Quick update, where we've been, where we are, and where we're going with the podcast. Thanks for your listenership, we're looking forward to sharing more impactful content with you all soon!
In this interview we get to know and discuss how Trevor and Erin approach nonprofit consulting and the ways in which they meet their clients where they are to take them where they want to go. Listen for an:
🧠 An inside-glimpse into nonprofit consulting mindsets
🎯 Foundational strategies to achieve fundraising goals
💬 Questions to ask when working towards a big vision
📝 Realistic approaches to achieve ambitious results
🎙️ Conversations we need to have in the nonprofit sector
In this episode we interview Pamela Davis, CEO of Nonprofits Insurance Alliance and we discuss the technicalities of insurance while spending time discussing the heart of socially conscious leadership. Listen for:
1) A brief history of insurance in the nonprofit sector
2) Recent shifts in coverage availability for nonprofits
3) Policies that all grassroots nonprofits should consider
4) The importance of challenging status quo systems
5) Conscious leadership in a capitalist market economy
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Pamela Davis, CEO of a group of cooperative nonprofit insurers known as the Nonprofits Insurance Alliance (NIA). Pamela was featured in a PBS documentary and sequel, part of the Visionaries series, she received the first ever Award for Policy Innovation from The Goldman School of Public Policy, UC Berkeley. She was named one of the nation’s 15 BEST BOSSES by Fortune Small Business and Winning Workplaces, named by Business Insurance as one of the 80 “Women to Watch” and an “Elite Women” by Insurance Business America, and was twice listed as a Nonprofit Times Power & Influence Top 50. She holds a BA with highest honors in Economics from the University of California, Santa Cruz and a Master’s in Public Policy from the University of California, Berkeley.
Link to Nonprofits Insurance Alliance website: https://insurancefornonprofits.org/
On today’s episode we have the privilege of interviewing Nisha Anand, an Indian-American activist, mom of two teenagers, and a boundary-busting national leader for social and racial justice. Once a grassroots activist arrested in Burma for pro-democracy demonstrations, Nisha is known today as a leader in cultivating unlikely and unconventional partnerships to create change. As Dream.Org’s CEO, Nisha guides a team of storytellers, organizers, and policy experts working on some of society’s toughest problems to create a better future for all. In this episode we discuss:
✊🏽 Why political action and policy change is so important for all causes
🏗️ Ways that leaders can build common ground to advance their social missions
💚 How nonprofits can embody inclusivity for their causes inside and out
🙌 What it looks like to truly partner with the people and communities you serve
🏦 Ways nonprofits can challenge the development and fundraising status quo
Visit Dream.org's website: https://www.Dream.org/
Watch Nisha's TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZfKdlIRqYk
Our episode today is all about values and my guest is Brenda Boyle.Brenda is all about helping leaders and teams translate their values into specific, simple actions! She spent years in the non-profit and social impact sector. We discuss:
1) Why values are important for organizational culture
2) How to define simple, powerful, actionable values
3) What it means to truly live out values inside and out
4) When clear values can protect your team’s health
5) The ROI of defining values and the cost of not
Link to Fireaheart Coaching: https://www.fireheartcoaching.com/
We cover a wide variety of topics in this episode, but there’s one recurring theme: generosity is not a commodity. Tim Sarrantonio, a generosity experience designer and Director of Corporate Brand at NeonOne, a nonprofit CRM solution. Listen to this episode as we discuss: 💸 Personal stories painting the reality of fundraising 🤖 The role of AI and tech in digital giving strategies 💥 Why contextual friction can help with online donations 💌 Ways nonprofits can improve their email campaigns ⌛️ When to upgrade from spreadsheets to a CRM
Tim is an internationally renowned speaker on generosity, technology, and the trends in the social good sector. After helping various causes raise over $3 million, he then moved into providing support for thousands of nonprofits through his work at Neon One. He has spoken at AFPICON, NTC, TEDx, and holds a Certificate in Philanthropic Psychology from the Institute for Sustainable Philanthropy.
Link to The Nonprofit Email Report: https://neonone.com/resources/nonprofit-email-report/
What makes people give? It's a question that my next guest has obsessed over for more than a decade. Tim Kachuriak is the founder and Chief Innovation and Optimization Officer for NextAfter, a fundraising research lab consultancy and training institute that works with charities, nonprofits and NGOs to help them grow their resource capacity. Tim and his team at NextAfter and have conducted 5,000+ experiments spanning 600+ million donor interactions and first-hand research analyzing 1,000+ nonprofits across 12 countries to understand why people give. In this episode we discuss:
🎯 Proven frameworks to understand why people give to nonprofits
🧲 Clear and compelling value propositions to attract more donors
🤔 Counterintuitive fundraising insights to convert more donors online
💸 Creative solutions to increase donor retention and recurring giving
💚 The importance of humanity that can often get lost in fundraising
Link to NextAfter's website
Link to Online Fundraising Scorecard
In this episode we speak with Omondi Peter and cover a broad spectrum of lessons that nonprofits leaders and aspiring change makers can learn from based on stories for how anyone can:🌍 Translate local nonprofit efforts to global impact🏃🏽♂️ Organically evolve and scale your programming📱 Use social media to gain support across borders💚 Connect with authenticity and a growth mindset🎯 Turn vision into reality through belief and actionOmondi Peter is a Community Change Maker from Kenya, he is the Founder & CEO of Global Youth Forum, a Community Based Organization based in Kenya working to end youth unemployment in Africa by empowering youth with relevant skills to enable them create or secure jobs through the use of Sports as a vehicle for personal and professional growth and development.He is an alumnus of Young Africa Leadership Initiative, a program launched by President Barack Obama in 2010 to produce committed young leaders to transform Africa. He has served in a number of roles in various organizations from across the world namely the United Nations SDG Action Campaign. Peter holds a degree in Agricultural Sciences from the University of Nairobi and his vision is to build a Self-Sustaining Community Sports Centre in Kenya to help nurture talents of the less fortunate in his Community, prepare them for work and engage them to eradicate Poverty in their homes through sports.
In this episode we speak with Stephen Kump, CEO of Charityvest about how they're democratizing Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) and cover:
1) What Donor Advised Funds are and how they work
2) Why donors should consider creating a DAF account
3) How nonprofits can engage donors with DAFs
4) The ethics and misconceptions about DAFs
5) The future of collaborative giving through DAFs
Charityvest is a donor-advised fund technology company making purposeful generosity more accessible and frictionless for all. Stephen Kump is the CEO and worked for over ten years as a consultant to nonprofit organizations, philanthropists, corporate leaders, and private equity investors, most recently with Bain & Company. Stephen received his B.S. in both Management and Economics from Georgia Institute of Technology (my alma mater) and his MBA from Yale. Previously, he has worked at Booz Allen Hamilton, Calvin Edwards & Company, Bain & Company and was a Cavalry Officer with the U.S. Army.
To learn more about Charityvest check out their website at: https://www.charityvest.org/
In this episode we speak with Lori Kross Zaska, Founder and Chief Principal of Growth Owl, LLC to understand:
♟️ The playbook to win more corporate sponsorships
📈 What the corporate fundraising landscape looks like
🏢 How nonprofits can navigate corporate sponsorships
💚 Ways to effectively engage corporate decision makers
⭐️ How to personalize and differentiate your nonprofit's ask
Lori brings over 22 years expertise in revenue generation management, corporate sponsorship support, corporate cause marketing, fundraising, corporate social responsibility, non profit consulting, executive sales management, training, and marketing strategy roles earning her a reputation for establishing pathways quickly to exceeding revenue/fundraising goals, building high performance teams, developing relationships quickly, and outpacing expectations.
Lori is also the author of "The Boardroom Playbook: A Not So Ordinary Guide to Corporate Funding for Your Purpose Driven Organization" which we will dive into as part of this episode. She's held key leadership and corporate sponsorship positions within organizations like PBS, NPR (local station groups), and many other organizations.
My guest in this episode is Geng Wang CEO and Cofounder of Civic Champs, an innovative volunteer management platform that helps nonprofits triple volunteer and mentorship capacity and retention.Geng is a serial entrepreneur, and prior to Civic Champs he cofounded two other companies, Rent Jungle and Community Elf, both of which were acquired in 2014 and 2017 respectively. Geng has also worked as an engagement manager at McKinsey & Company and holds degrees from Michigan State University and Harvard Business School. In this episode we unpack the most important and innovative capabilities volunteering management platforms, we discuss ways to measure and address volunteer feedback, what makes an outstanding volunteer experience, why it’s important, strategic approaches for asking volunteers to donate (volunteers are 2x as likely to donate to your cause), the ROI of volunteer management platforms and overall considerations for how it fits into a nonprofit’s short and long term technology roadmap.
TLDR
What, how, and why impact impact measurement is important to improve outcomes for nonprofits, donors, staff, and the communities we serve.
GUEST
My guest today is Sheri Chaney Jones, co-founder, President and CEO of SureImpact, a case management and impact measurement software company. For more than 20 years, Sheri has applied performance management, evaluation, and organization behavior best practices to non-profit organizations and government agencies to improve outcomes and efficiencies.
An author, professor, and internationally recognized expert, Sheri believes in data, metrics, and accountability. Her foray into entrepreneurship began with Measurement Resources Company in 2010 which is now a national firm that increases the capacity of non-profit and government sector organizations through high-performance practices and data-driven insights.
In 2018, Sheri launched SureImpact to automate and simplify the process of collecting and sharing outcomes and impact data. Sheri is a thought leader on public sector evaluation and applied organizational research. She is the author of Impact & Excellence: Data-Driven Strategies for Aligning Mission, Culture, and Performance in Nonprofit and Government Organizations.
OVERVIEW
In this episode we go deep into what impact measurement in the nonprofit sector means, how and what to measure, why it’s important for program evaluation and fundraising and the common challenges with getting measurement started. We’ll talk about the importance of qualitative storytelling that gets to our hearts, and the facts and figures of quantitative measurement and how when paired together, both can can make donors want to give more and understand the impact of their donations, and your nonprofit staff better see and understand the impact of their work. We’ll go into how all of this impact data can help nonprofits be best positioned to win more grant opportunities, become better stewards for donors, focus on the why with staff, and ultimately increase the impact on the causes that nonprofits are tirelessly working towards.
My guest today is Lucia Kanter St. Amour is the VP for UN Women USA, attorney of 25 years, international negotiation superhero, and bestselling author of For the Forces of Good: The Superpower of Everyday Negotiation. As a special needs parent, executive director of a grassroots nonprofit organization, law professor, and recovering CEO, she has traveled broad and deep territories on behalf of people who have been left out of discourse, decision and design.
In this episode we go to a lot of places. We’ll learn about Lucia’s journey into the nonprofit sector as a founder, explore the inspiration and lessons learned in her grassroots nonprofit, successes and challenges of building impactful programming as a small nonprofit, similarities, differences, and connections in her leadership role and work as VP of UN Women in San Francisco, and discuss the skills and power of negotiation for women and how men can be better allies.
Listen for lessons from grassroots to global nonprofit leadership:
1. Ways to engage donors to support specific program needs
2. The importance of nonprofit board governance and diversity
3. Negotiation skills for women by women and how men can be allies
4. How nonprofit leaders can leverage negotiation skills in fundraising
You can learn more about Lucia and her work at: https://www.pactumfactum.com/
Allison Cousins is an educator and entrepreneur living in St. Louis, Missouri. She grew up in Huntsville, Alabama where she attended the University of Alabama competing in volleyball throughout her college career. Passionate about sports and education, she launched her early career into education and coaching. In 2018, through her work as a Physical Education Teacher and Athletic Director at Lafayette Preparatory Academy (educating youth Kindergarden through 8th Grade).
Recognizing a gap in the availability and access to sports and extracurriculars in her school, Allison dedicated to take action and launched St. Louis City League, a nonprofit on a mission to develop the next generation of youth through engagement in school sports. Founded in 2021, City League partners with middle schools in St. Louis City to reduce the barriers for schools to sustainably develop and implement school sport programs like basketball, volleyball, soccer, cross country. Schools are facing teacher shortages and funding cuts, while consistently being called upon to meet the increasing social, emotional and learning needs of students.
City League seeks to reduce the barriers for schools to provide high quality school sports and extracurricular activities for St. Louis' 9,000 middle school students. Allison is also the CEO of a St. Louis Tech Startup, Approach Dating; a new kind of dating app to find your person, in person. In this episode we cover a lot of awesome topics from the perspective of a leading edge grassroots nonprofit leader, including:
- The power of building traction and measuring impact to build trust with your community 2. How to communicate impact and vision in a case statement 3. The importance of networking with values and mission-aligned community members as a founder 4. Creating clarity on your target donors and segmenting based on passion and interest 5. Setting up a new donor management system 6. How to connect with your audiences effectively through you website 7. Lessons learned in board management as a new nonprofit 8. Social media strategies, how to start, be consistent, and build a following 9. Building a roadmap to sustainable funding and development 10. And the overlaps between startup tech and nonprofit from a founder who lives in both worlds.
Consider donating to the cause at www.stlcityleague.com
This episode provides a first-person roadmap through the seat of Aliza to the creation of a new nonprofit mission, a go-to-market strategy for nonprofits, sustainable fundraising approaches, and the approaches to overcoming challenges as a leader who’s “first to market” on an issue.
Aliza Shatzman is the President and Co-Founder of The Legal Accountability Project, a nonprofit aimed at ensuring that law clerks have positive clerkship experiences, while extending support and resources to those who do not. Aliza earned her BA from Williams College and her JD from Washington University School of Law. After law school, Aliza clerked in D.C. Superior Court during the 2019-2020 term.
In March 2022, Aliza submitted written testimony for a House Judiciary Subcommittee hearing about the lack of workplace protections in the federal judiciary, detailing her personal experience with gender discrimination, harassment, and retaliation by a former D.C. judge, order to advocate for the Judiciary Accountability Act, legislation that would extend Title VII protections to judiciary employees.
Aliza now writes and speaks regularly about judicial accountability. She has been published in numerous forums, including the Harvard Journal on Legislation, UCLA Journal of Gender & Law, Yale Law &; Policy Review, NYU Journal of Legislation &; Public Policy, Administrative; Law Review, Above the Law, Law360, Slate, Ms. Magazine, and more.
Check out this link to Aliza's House Judiciary Committee written testimony.
Today’s guest is making a reappearance on The Nonprofit Lab! Laura Otten, Ph.D., is the founder and Director of La Salle University’s Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership and a tenured member of La Salle’s faculty. She was the Executive Director of La Salle’s Nonprofit Center from 2001 through May 2021, and brings over 50 years of experience in the nonprofit sector.
As you’ll hear at the end, we actually weren't planning for our conversation to be an episode for The Nonprofit Lab. Laura is one of our key advisors for MatchNice, and I was recording this call to share with my co-founders, but as you’ll hear at the end of the episode I thought her feedback was too good not to share.
In this episode I run through a variety of status quo practices in the nonprofit sector we’ve uncovered in our journey of discovery so far and get Laura’s feedback on each; as we came to find, every single one of these status quo practices boils down to the categories of having a scarcity mindset vs abundance mindset across things like: fundraising, partnerships, mission delivery, technology adoption, and so much more.
Why shift from seeing a website as an investment instead of an expense? What about goals? What’s a good website strategy? How can you get your board to buy into digital success? How do you create an emotional connection with your audience? Is it easy to navigate? Easy to donate? How do you measure the success? We ask and answer these questions and more in our latest episode of “The Nonprofit Lab” with David Pisarek, founder of Wow Digital Inc, and passionate nonprofit website design guru.
Some key takeaways:
1) How to define clear goals and a strategy for your website
2) Tactics to pitch a website investment to your nonprofit board
3) Vision for a roadmap to elevate your nonprofit's digital presence
In this episode we talk about: why your website upgrade should be looked as an investment and not an expense, outcome metrics to consider for your website success, how to pitch an investment in your website to your board, content strategy and search engine optimization to attract the people you want to your website, and actions you can take right now to elevate your digital presence.
David Pisarek is a Toronto-based digital innovator who's spent 30-years helping Canadian non-profits, NGOs, charities, foundations and community-based organizations with websites, branding and design. He launched Wow Digital Inc., with the goal of providing effective websites, branding and design for Canadian non-profits, NGOs, charities, foundations, and community-based organizations.
David has a passion for all things technology, design, brand management, UI/UX, programming, photography, problem solving and communications. Having worked within many capacities across the tech world, David is experienced with both technical and business functions from hands-on through to leadership roles. He believes in lifelong learning, and as an expert in his field, he's continually training and mentoring others around him while developing imaginative ways to take processes to the next level.
Check out David's company at: https://wowdigital.com/
And his podcast the "Non-profit Digital Success Podcast" at: https://wowdigital.com/podcast/
Today I chat with Rhea Wong, simply put she helps nonprofits raise more money. Though she has deep experience with institutional, corporate and event fund-raising, she is passionate about major individual donors and helping organizations to establish individual giving programs. She has raised millions of dollars in private philanthropy and is passionate about building the next generation of fundraising leaders. She has become a leader in the New York nonprofit community and is a frequent educational commentator in the media. She has been recognized with the SmartCEO Brava Award in 2015 and NY Nonprofit Media’s 40 under 40 in 2017. Rhea runs her own nonprofit consultancy, Rhea Wong Consulting, is the author of a book called "Get That Money, Honey: The No-Bullsh*t Guide to Raising More Money For Your Nonprofit, is the host of "The Nonprofit Lowdown Podcast" that has over 200 episodes, and we're excited to share her insights with you. We uncover her journey as an Executive Director turned author, fundraising consultant, podcast host, and we start our conversation with how her experience as a standup comic relates to fundraising.
FinAbility is a survivor-founded nonprofit that financially empowers survivors of domestic abuse. Using her background in tech and finance, Stacy Sawin is building digital tools that make financial education and resources accessible to survivors through a trauma-informed lens. Survivor voices inform everything they do, and FinAbility is working towards a future in which everyone has the financial security to live free from abuse and thrive.
In this episode we talk about Stacy’s journey of discovering the needs of survivors, what it looks like to start a digital-first nonprofit, the importance of nonprofit partnerships for success, the challenges of partnerships when it comes to competitive funding, how overhead expenses and payroll are as important for donors to understand and support, and how nonprofits can communicate those needs to donors in an effective and meaningful way.
As a stalking survivor herself, Stacy spent over three years seeking legal protection from her harm doer, which exposed her to the challenges survivors of domestic abuse and stalking endure. This prompted Stacy to volunteer over 600 hours at women service organizations and to earn an MBA from London Business School, where she studied entrepreneurship and change management. Prior to business school, Stacy was a management consultant at Deloitte, where she worked with nonprofits and government agencies. Stacy founded FinAbility in October of 2020 and is committed to ensuring all survivors have access to the financial resources needed to live independently and thrive.
We speak with Vivienne Hsu, founder and CEO of LENDonate, a unique marketplace lending and donation sourcing platform where nonprofits and supporters leverage their collective power for the greater good. We talk about her history in the philanthropic space, how she came to launch LENDonate, how her unique marketplace lending solution works, her journey as a social entrepreneur, the importance of impact, we touch on Donor Advised Funds, and how she’s working to create a win-win ROI equation for investors and nonprofits.
About Vivienne Hsu
Vivienne Hsu, CFA is an entrepreneur, investment executive, and independent board member with over 20 years of financial services experience. As an expert in her field, she has appeared in numerous interviews on CNBC and Bloomberg TV and is frequently quoted in national publications, including The Wall Street Journal and Kiplinger. Most importantly, she is passionate about strategic philanthropy and sustainable investment. She is the founder and CEO of LENDonate, She also serves as independent trustee on the board of ASYMmetric ETFs.
Prior to being a social entrepreneur, Vivienne was Senior Vice President at U.S. Trust where she advised on complex financial matters. She served as a Vice President, Senior Portfolio Manager for Charles Schwab Investment Management where she oversaw its active equity strategies and was the lead portfolio manager for the Schwab Hedged Equity Fund. Under her leadership, the firm launched three new funds which garnered close to $500 million at launch. Prior to that, she was Vice President and Portfolio Manager at American Century Investments where she co-managed mutual funds that totaled more than $10 billion.
Rounding out her experience was investment risk consultant at MSCI Barra, and pension actuarial work on retirement plans. She received an MBA from the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley, where she also received an undergraduate degree in applied mathematics. Vivienne is co-chair on the board of Los Altos Mountain View Community Foundation; and a member of the board of How Women Lead and Aeris Insights. In 2011-12, she volunteered full time as development director at Women’s Initiative for Self Employment which helped low income women start and sustain their own businesses.
Quick disclaimer
If you’re watching this in video you’ll see a picture of me because we forgot to record in gallery mode and use our professional mic.
On this episode we interview Dominic Kalms, Founder and CEO of B Generous, a first of it's kind “Donate Now, Pay Later” solution for donors and nonprofits. We speak about how B Generous is changing the donation landscape, the biggest challenges and lessons learned along his entrepreneurial journey, discuss win-win equations for nonprofits and donors, the competitive landscape of philanthropic tech, social impact measurement, with plenty of philanthropic and entrepreneurial insights along the way. Give it a listen!
About Dominic Kalms
Dominic Kalms is a multi-venture backed entrepreneur and philanthropist with an expertise in Financial Technology (FinTech), Nonprofits, Donor Advised Funds (DAFs), and digital fundraising. He has raised over $120M in venture and philanthropic capital during his career and has been featured in an array of media publications (e.g. NBC, Forbes, CBS, Entrepreneur, BBC, Yahoo etc.) where he discusses philanthropy and impact. He was most recently profiled on the front page of Entrepreneur.com, as well as in the Goldman Sachs Philanthropy web series, and he recently guest lectured a course on Philanthropy at MIT. His latest opinion piece on corporate giving can be found on Forbes.com.
Today, Dominic is Founder/CEO of a new venture backed FinTech company B Generous, which is revolutionizing how people donate to nonprofits through the advent of the first ever philanthropic credit product. B Generous is backed by some of the top VCs, Banks, & institutional investors in the US. Before his current company, Dominic was the Founder & CEO of GVNG which Forbes called "One of the most revolutionary platforms in the social impact space today." GVNG is a venture backed technology company that facilitates the creation of instant digital charitable giving accounts.
Let’s “Ask a Fundraiser” in Episode 7 of The Nonprofit Lab, now live! Featuring Anna Barber and Rashida Peterson who have both served and helped countless nonprofits of all shapes and sizes create and execute holistic fundraising strategies to help raise millions of dollars.
In this episode we ask Rashida and Anna what it takes to be a successful fundraiser, the foundational work every nonprofit needs done, how to navigate the funding landscape, the importance of black philanthropy, and Rashida and Anna’s work to help close the fundraising skills gap.
ABOUT ANNA & RASHIDA
Anna Barber is a 20-year fundraising veteran who specializes in individual major gift training and campaign planning. She is the Founder and Principal Strategist Barber & Associates, a boutique fundraising consulting firm. Barber & Associates continues to work with a myriad of clients structuring campaigns ranging from $500K to $80M, conducting fundraising trainings, and advising on leadership level individual giving strategies. The firm has primarily worked with institutions of higher education, museums, social justice organizations, and healthcare entities. Prior to starting the firm, Barber was the first Central Major Gifts Officer at the Smithsonian Institution, and a member of the National Museum of African American History and Culture’s (NMAAHC) fundraising team that surpassed its private philanthropic goal of $350M. In 2017, her work there was featured in The Chronicle of Philanthropy, where she secured $42M in leadership ($1M+) and major ($100K) gift support, highlighted by the closure of 22 individual one million-dollar gifts, 90% contributed by first- time donors to the Smithsonian. Leading into Grand Opening in 2016, she led the effort to host a $1M per plate fundraiser at the home of Pauletta and Denzel Washington and a mid-level fundraising event that generated $5M from $25K donors. Prior to the Smithsonian, Barber spent 10 years working as a frontline fundraiser in intercollegiate college +athletics. She served as the director of major gifts for Michigan State University Athletics, the assistant director of development at Miami University in Ohio and Management Associate at Arizona State University. Barber earned a Juris Doctorate (Intellectual Property) from Arizona State University and a Bachelor of Science (Political Science) from Howard University.
Rashida Petersen is the CEO and Founder of 1847 Philanthropic. The catalyst to establish 1847 Philanthropic emanates from Ms. Petersen’s strong desire to create lasting impact in Africa by bringing the essentials of fundraising to their nonprofit institutions. Ms. Petersen’s career has been built on expertise gained from leading major fundraising and development initiatives in Africa as well as expanding U.S. trade and investment in developing countries. Working within the development departments of international nonprofits, she has been responsible for annual funding goals of over $16 million dollars in institutional funding and over $1.3 million dollars cumulative in unrestricted sponsorship dollars. Her steadfast focus on causes with strong community involvement and local impact enabled her to work with some of the major civil rights leaders of our time, including Ambassador Andrew Young, at GoodWorks International, an international management-consulting firm and she served as the vice-president for programs and business development at OIC International, this organization carries the legacy of the late Reverend Leon H. Sullivan. Ms. Petersen holds an International Business degree from the University of Maryland. She currently serves on the advisory board of the University of Maryland’s Hinman CEOs Program; is a member of Bridge Institute’s Africa Policy Group; active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and a mentor for College Bound in Washington, D.C.
On this episode we speak with Briana (aka Bri) Franklin about her journey with The Prosp(a)rity Project, a nonprofit with a mission to improve the financial and economic mobility of college-educated black women. We chat about how Bri’s nonprofit supports and financially empowers black girls and women dealing with student loans, the importance of being clear on your mission and who you serve, attracting donors who align with your vision, donor transparency, framing nonprofit ROI, the seasonality of fundraising, an iterative approach to impact measurement, and more!
Co-Founder, President & CEO Briana "Bri" Franklin is a businesswoman, philanthropist and student debt expert/thought leader with a passion for socioeconomic and holistic empowerment of Black girls and women. Having taken on a financial burden of nearly $120K in student debt through her undergraduate studies at Dartmouth College, Bri developed an acute appreciation for the challenges many student debt holders experience, and in recognizing the extent to which other Black women are impacted by the $1.8T student debt crisis and lack of financial literacy, she formed The Prosp(a)rity Project as a solution for eradicating these systemic barriers.
Her work has been profiled in outlets such as Forbes, Buzzfeed, Authority Magazine and Thrive Global, attracted support from audiences worldwide and achieved numerous milestones.
Organic leadership is all about leading naturally right where you are. On this episode I talk to Alex Mays about her family history and how she’s grown up with nonprofits, and ended up helping to launch her own nonprofit, Lesson-Check-in. The conversation is also a unique perspective of the nonprofit space from a nonprofit leader who’s also an angel investor in the startup world. We talk about what it’s like starting a nonprofit after the pandemic started, and the biggest changes that are here to stay, and explore the question of how everyone can take action to make a difference in their communities.
Alex Mays is an angel investor and nonprofit leader from Atlanta, Georgia. Watching her father closely as he built one of the largest non-profits in Atlanta and fundraising over $1,000,000 annually, motivated her to team with a small group of peers to lead Lesson Check-In. Noting the impact made by the deployment of capital inspired her to begin angel investing as a means for empowering diverse teams and businesses that are ethically contributing to the advancement and enhancement of humanity. Alex will graduate this year with her international Juris Doctor from Australia and plans to use her passion for driving positive change, paired with her financial and legal skills to continue making an impact across the world.
In this episode we speak with Tiffany Yau, Founder & CEO of Fulphil, a nonprofit that empowers youth to build a social entrepreneurial mindset to make an impact and excel in their future careers. We discuss what it looks like to start a nonprofit from the perspective of our next generation of nonprofit leaders, how nonprofits are entrepreneurial, scrappy, and run like businesses, the effects of the pandemic on nonprofit programming, and what it takes to go from idea to execution in the nonprofit world.
About Tiffany Yau
As recognized in Forbes and her TED talk, Tiffany Yau and Fulphil has inspired over three thousand youths to start their own companies, helping them get into college and even provide for their families. She is a dedicated social entrepreneur and community builder who cares about empowering individuals to realize their potential to make an impact on the world. She is a dual-degree graduate of the University of Pennsylvania (B.A.,M.S. Sociology & Nonprofit Leadership) who has started nationally scaled companies in edtech and health tech.
Yau has also co-founded Project Shields, an emergency COVID-response initiative that has mass-produced over 150,000 face shields for front-line workers. Yau also has a background in venture capital through her work with Red & Blue Ventures as a fellow of Venture for America, an organization founded by 2020 Democratic Candidate Andrew Yang.
On this episode I speak with Ben Reiter, Executive Director of Beat The Streets National, a youth sports development nonprofit dedicated to enriching lives through the sport of wrestling. We cover his incredible journey through mixed martial arts and learn about how he’s always used his platform to advocate for others and become a leader in nonprofit sector, his mission, impact, success, the changes they've had to make in as a result of the pandemic, the importance of nonprofit partnerships, fundraising effectively, measuring impact, and so much more. Give it a listen :)
On this episode we ask the big landscape level questions with Dr. Laura Otten who brings over 50 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. What's going on, where'd we come from, where are we now, and where we need to go to in order to maximize social impact. We cover topics like the professionalization of the nonprofit sector, the importance of impact measurement, and the different levels of magnification when it comes to making an impact.
EPISODE BREAKDOWN
Start: (0:00:00)
Podcast intro: (0:00:04)
Intro to Dr. Laura Otten: (0:00:52)
Interview start: (0:03:07)
Why work in the nonprofit sector: (0:03:34)
Strength of the nonprofit sector: (0:04:50)
Professionalization of nonprofits: (0:06:48)
Nonprofits are businesses: (0:08:04)
Digital & marketing adoption: (0:10:05)
Influencer marketing: (0:12:08)
Impact evaluation: (0:14:51)
True benefits of impact evaluation: (0:18:02)
Impact measurement and ethics: (0:19:13)
Outcomes-aligned metrics: (0:20:53)
Status quo of impact measurement: (0:22:56)
Donor-centric fundraising: (0:25:36)
Donor subserviency and mergers: (0:29:35)
Levels of magnification by nonprofit size: (0:33:19)
New generation of donors: (0:39:10)
Treating symptoms vs root causes: (0:41:37)
Shifting of funds to hot issues: (0:45:12)
Ecosystem approach to solving global issues: (0:46:45)
From the ground up, not top down: (0:50:23)
What do you want your legacy to be: (0:54:08)
Episode 2 debrief: (0:56:40)
Closing and key quote: (1:15:36)
We share why we're starting this podcast and the story behind the spark for our social impact tech startup, MatchNice. Listen in for vulnerable stories of what it's like founding a startup and hear interviews with my co-founders who joined together on a mission to connect the nonprofit ecosystem and maximize social impact.