Nonprofits - Let's Cut to the Chase: Recent Episodes
Nonprofits - Let's Cut to the Chase
Nonprofits- Let’s Cut to the Chase is a micro-podcast series brought to you by the Greater Cincinnati Nonprofit News - your connection for nonprofit news and jobs.
In each episode you will join Jane Page-Steiner, Owner & Publisher of the Greater Cincinnati Nonprofit News as she talks with leaders and professionals about topics and issues of interest to the nonprofit community. Tune in as we “cut to the chase” and help you quickly gain knowledge and insights on important nonprofit issues.
Good data can help your nonprofit make educated and strategic decisions about what comes next for your organization. But with limited time and resources many nonprofits struggle with how to best to manage, analyze, and leverage their data. In this episode we are speaking with Will Lester, Vice President of Data Services from Ignite Philanthropy about the challenges and strategies related to nonprofit data management.
Will Lester leads Ignite’s Data Services division supporting the philanthropic and non-profit sector with an array of data services analytics to help manage, analyze, and leverage data to improve donor relationships and inform community funding decisions. Will comes to Ignite from his firm Blue Fox LLC which he founded in 2017 and served hundreds of arts and cultural, advocacy and social service organizations throughout North America. Will brings over 20 years of non-profit data management consulting experience to his role at Ignite and earned his graduate degree in Customer Analytics at Xavier University. He lives in Northern Kentucky with his family.
Contact for Will Lester
Vice President of Data Services – Ignite Philanthropy
wlester@ignitephilanthropy.com
(719) 505-5977
Today, many funders talk about the importance of investing in social change. Funders are more likely to grant monies to organizations that can demonstrate the impact of their work through data. In this episode we talk about the importance of data and how it can change how your organization operates with Amy Weber, Chief Impact Officer, from United Way of Greater Cincinnati.
Driven to improve our community through complex problem solving, foresight and innovation, Amy Weber has implemented positive change at United Way for ten years and currently serves as the Chief Impact Officer. She uses data to understand the current state of community challenges, inform and assess the organization’s impact, and drive continuous learning and improvement. Amy holds a bachelor’s degree in political science, a law degree, and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in strategic foresight.
A recent study by Fidelity Charitable reported that two out of three volunteers had reduced or halted their volunteer work at a nonprofit during COVID. Now that we are moving out of the pandemic many nonprofits are struggling with how to rebuild their volunteer programs. In this episode we are speaking with Diane Isler. Diane serves on the Save the Animals Foundation board and is spearheading the rebuilding of their volunteer program.
Diane T. Isler is a member of the board of director for the Save the Animals Foundation. (STAF.org) Diane is also the founder and CEO of illuminim a coach and consulting business. Diane has decades of experience creating award-winning results in both leading and consulting with dozens of organizations, including Procter and Gamble, Nielsen, Kao USA, Target, Walmart, CVS, Hershey’s, L’Oreal and more. Her passion is driving better decisions, through strategic planning and executive coaching. You may contact Diane at diane.isler@illuminim.com
Mergers are becoming more commonplace in the nonprofit sector. Mergers can be exciting but also scary for the staff. How should the leadership address and manage the expectations and concerns of the staff during a merger? In this episode, we speak with CEO of Easterseals Redwood, Pam Green, and CEO of Redwood, Sharon Fusco, about staffing challenges and opportunities during a merger.
PAM GREEN, CEO of Easterseals Redwood
Pam has served as the President and CEO of Easterseals Serving Greater Cincinnati since 2011 and headed the agency’s development and community engagement efforts for eight years prior to assuming the leadership role. She is now the CEO of the newly formed Easterseals Redwood.
During her time with the organization, Pam has grown the agency’s social enterprises to more than $4MM, launched a veterans employment program, and headed the movement to community-integrated services for people with disabilities.
SHARON FUSCO, CEO of Redwood
Sharon joined Redwood as CEO in December 2020. As an artist with a passion for strategy, Sharon is known for driving growth and innovation, and she led the agency through the pandemic, ensuring client and employee safety while addressing labor shortages, reduced revenues and increased costs.
Prior to Redwood, at the Council on Aging, Sharon implemented major initiatives, boosted infrastructure, and managed key business functions for the $100MM non-profit agency. She was instrumental in securing contracts and grants for new programs such as Care Transitions, Positive Choices and home52 Transportation.
Every nonprofit must grapple with how to create the best oversight and accountability for their organization. Strong accountability builds trust and confidence in your nonprofit. Creating effective accountability and ownership of oversight can be challenging and feel overwhelming. In this episode we speak with CPA, Judy Simpson, from Blue & Company about the challenges and strategies for creating accountability.
Judy Simpson is an Assurance and Accounting Manager at Blue & Co., a regional CPA firm ranked as the 56th largest CPA firm in the U.S by Accounting Today for 2021. Judy moved to the Greater Cincinnati area in the summer of 2021 and brings with her nearly 10 years of experience specializing in not-for-profit accounting. She has a passion for serving her clients and being the person that you can call upon when questions come up. In addition to client work, she has worked hands-on with several organizations serving on various boards and committees throughout her career, including currently serving as Board Treasurer for Kentucky’s state-wide nonprofit association - Kentucky Nonprofit Network, and more recently accepted a board position with CASA for Clermont Kids in Ohio. Her passion for the community spills outside of work – Judy is a proud graduate of BOLD through the Leadership Council, a member of Junior League of Cincinnati, and Impact 100.
Contact for Judy Simpson, jsimpson@blueandco.com or direct 513-834-6901 www.blueandco.com.
Like all industries today there is lots of movement in the nonprofit job market. Are you thinking of switching jobs? How do you decide if it is the right time to make a move to another nonprofit? Making the decision to stay or leave isn’t as easy – what should you consider before you making the leap? In this episode we speak with Dedra Perlmutter, Senior Career Coach and Human Resources Manager at JVS Careers.
If you are considering switching jobs or careers in the non-profit world, our website is a great resource for postings and news!
Dedra Perlmutter, CPCC, CPRW, SHRM-CP, PHR, is the Senior Career Coach and Human Resources Manager at JVS Careers. Dedra provides extensive knowledge to clients in the areas of job searching, interviewing, networking, personal branding, image and career strategies. With almost 20 years of HR experience, in a variety of industries, Dedra is well-versed in recruiting and employment, and brings with her “insider knowledge” of what employers are looking for in potential employees. By leading workshops and working with clients individually, Dedra is able to serve as a resource for those that are looking to make a career change or to enhance their current career path.
Dedra is known for her positive motivation and her upbeat approach to the job search process. She also has a sincere interest in getting to know her clients and helping discover their goals. Dedra holds a CCPC, Certified Professional Career Coach, PHR, Professional Human Resources Certification, a SHRM-CP, Society for Human Resources Management Certified Professional, as well as a CPRW, Certified Professional Résumé Writer.
To contact Dedra Perlmutter, call (513) 745-2904, or email dperlmutter@jvscareers.org.
Does your nonprofit have a marketing plan? Often nonprofits underestimate the value and benefits of a marketing strategy for their organization. In this episode we speak with Kelli Tarantino, President of Cincinnati Marketing Solutions, and Tamie Sullivan, Senior Marketing and Nonprofit Specialist from Cincinnati Marketing Solutions. We explore marketing tips, trends and mistakes nonprofits should avoid.
Kelli Tarantino, President/Small Business Marketing Expert, Fractional CMO/Editor, GC Nonprofit News. Kelli has over 30 years’ experience in marketing, sales and management in a wide variety of industries. She is passionate about and specializes in working with small business owners and nonprofit leaders who understand the value of marketing, but simply lack time, resources or expertise to develop and implement results driven marketing strategies and tactics on a consistent basis. Kelli is also the editor of Greater Cincinnati Nonprofit News, she takes great pride in serving the nonprofit community and understanding their unique marketing challenges. Kelli has lived in the Cincinnati area for over 25 years and support the community through networking and volunteer opportunities.
Tamie Sullivan, Sr. Marketing & Nonprofit Specialist
Tamie Sullivan is a strategic communications consultant with more than 30 years of nonprofit management and public relations experience. Throughout her career, she has developed a reputation for leveraging strategic partnerships, high-value cause marketing and public relations services to raise awareness for her clients and their causes. Her experienced project management goes beyond marketing/communications to include brand positioning, message development, public relations and development strategy, government and community relations, and collective impact.
Sullivan is founder of Girls with Pearls, Cincinnati, which became a program of Most Valuable Kids in 2018. She has held positions with a variety of nonprofit and government organizations. Tamie is a graduate of Leadership Cincinnati Class 30 and currently serves on several local boards.
Firing someone on your staff is one of the most difficult task for any employer. Terminating an employee can cause anxiety and raise legal issues. Does your nonprofit have effective termination protocols and practices in place?
In this episode we discuss strategies and practices that will help you effectively prepare and manage the termination of an employee. Our guests are Faith Whittaker a partner with DInsmore & Shohl and Erin Stars an Attorney with Pro Bono Partnership of Ohio.
A recent study found most organizations are heading towards or already have a hybrid workplace. COVID forced many nonprofits to quickly rethink and embrace remote work. How is this trend impacting your work place? Does your organization have in place the practices and policies to effectively manage your remote workers? In this episode we discuss remote work trends and practices and how they are impacting nonprofits.
Does your board and leadership recognize and manage the legal risks that can impact your organization? Nonprofits face unique legal challenges that can compromise their organization and mission. In this episode we speak with Erin Childs, Executive Director of Pro Bono Partnership of Ohio about legal pitfalls that can impact nonprofits — and how to avoid them.
Erin was hired as the Executive Director of Pro Bono Partnership of Ohio when it was founded in 2014. She is responsible for advancing the mission of PBPO and leading the staff and legal programs. Involved in all areas of the organization, Erin sets strategy, provides operations and financial oversight, recruits volunteer attorneys, promotes client outreach and education, and frequently lectures about nonprofit and tax-exempt organization law.
Sign up for our newsletter: gcnonprofitnews.com
We all know volunteers bring value and play an important role in the success of nonprofits. According to a recent study from Independent Sector – a volunteers’ time is worth an average of $24.14 an hour. That provides a measurement of value – but how do you define your volunteers impact? In this podcast we talk about why measuring your volunteers impact is important and how to know what you should be measuring and how. We speak with Aaron Grant, a senior project manager at People Working Cooperatively, his work includes managing their Volunteer Involvement Program. Aaron also serves as president of the Cincinnati Area Volunteer Administrators network (CAVA). To learn more about Aaron and how to contact him, go to the podcast page at www.jpsnonprofit.com. Do you have any questions or comments about the show? Email Jane Page-Steiner at jane2@jpsnonprofit.com
Nonprofits are always looking for ways to create a bigger impact – partnerships and collaborations can enable nonprofits to leverage their resources. But how do you create alliances that work for you and your organization? What do you need to know before you enter into a partnership with another nonprofit? In this episode we are speaking with Shannon Starkey-Taylor, CEO of the Learning Grove about nonprofit partnerships and collaborations. To learn more about Shannon and how to contact her, go to the podcast page at www.jpsnonprofit.com. Do you have any questions or comments about the show? Email Jane Page-Steiner at jane2@jpsnonprofit.com
Your benefit package matters more than ever in this crazy market for recruiting and retaining employees. Employees want access to benefit plans and many have the expectation that their employer will foot the whole bill. What are the health plan options for nonprofits – even those with just 2 employees? What will be the impact on your budget when implementing a healthcare plan? What are the trend in the healthcare market that are impacting nonprofits? Join us as we speak with Jennifer Homer, from Strategic Benefits about exploring benefits for your nonprofit. To learn more about Jennifer and how to contact her, go to the podcast page at www.jpsnonprofit.com. Do you have any questions or comments about the show? Email Jane Page-Steiner at jane2@jpsnonprofit.com
What do donors expect in return for their gift? Do millennium donors have different expectations than baby boomer donors? Instead of the traditional major gift ask why are conversations with donors shifting to encourage investing in organizational impact? Join us as we speak with Steve Rosfeld, VP of Development for the University of Cincinnati, to discuss the shifting expectations of donors. To learn more about Steve and how to contact him, go to the podcast page at www.jpsnonprofit.com. Do you have any questions or comments about the show? Email Jane Page-Steiner at jane2@jpsnonprofit.com
A recent study from that about 20% of nonprofit income is derived from grants. How do grants fit into your overall development plans? How do you evaluate what grants to pursue? When do you know a grant opportunity is the right fit for your organization? How are you navigating the changing expectations of foundations and grant makers in 2021? Join us as we speak with Susan Mospens, Grants Manager for People Working Cooperatively and member of the Greater Cincinnati Chapter of Grant Professionals Association about writing grants: our new reality. To learn more about Susan and how to contact her, go to the podcast page at www.jpsnonprofit.com. Do you have any questions or comments about the show? Email Jane Page-Steiner at jane2@jpsnonprofit.com
Effectively engaging your board in fundraising can often be challenging and frustrating. Are your board members able to share with donors their passion for your mission? Does your board have a deep understanding of your organization’s vision? Is your board president partnering with the staff leadership to educate and engage your board in fundraising efforts? Join us as we speak with Stephanie Byrd, the Regional CEO of the American Red Cross, the Central and Southern Ohio region about partnering with your leadership in fundraising. To learn more about Stephanie and how to contact her, go to the podcast page at www.jpsnonprofit.com. Do you have any questions or comments about the show? Email Jane Page-Steiner at jane2@jpsnonprofit.com
We have all heard the common advise from fundraising experts - people give because someone asked them. Yet, many minority populations report they are less likely to be asked. How can an organization expand their development program and be more inclusive in its fundraising practices? Join us as we speak with Adrienne Taylor and Dolores Dodson, representatives from the Cincinnati Chapter of American Fundraising Professionals, as we discuss fundraising with diverse communities: doing nothing is the worst. To learn more about Adrienne & Delores and how to contact them, go to the podcast page at www.jpsnonprofit.com. Do you have any questions or comments about the show? Email Jane Page-Steiner at jane2@jpsnonprofit.com
We all know it is important to thank your donors. Did you know more than 60 percent of all nonprofits fail to thank donors properly? Research shows that a personal thank you received within 48 hours increases the likelihood of first-time donors giving again. What can you do to truly make your donors feel appreciated and valued? Join us as we speak with Adam Baker, Stewardship Officer from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital to discuss the art of the thank you. To learn more about Adam and how to contact him, go to the podcast page at www.jpsnonprofit.com. Do you have any questions or comments about the show? Email Jane Page-Steiner at jane2@jpsnonprofit.com
Fundraising events provide critical revenue for nonprofits. As you plan and navigate your special events what financial reporting or regulations should you keep in mind? Are you providing activities at your special event that may be impacted by gaming regulations? What are the tax reporting requirements for items contributed for a fundraising event? Join us as we speak with our guests from VonLehman CPA & Advisory Firm Stephanie Allgeyer, Shareholder and Nonprofit/Audit department lead, CPA/CFE and Bryan Pautsch, Principal and Nonprofit Tax Expert, CPA/JD about navigating financial reporting and regulations when planning fundraising events. To learn more about Stephanie & Bryan and how to contact them, go to the podcast page at www.jpsnonprofit.com. Do you have any questions or comments about the show? Email Jane Page-Steiner at jane2@jpsnonprofit.com
Are you maximizing the giving from your donors? Does your nonprofit leverage its resources and ideas to ensure you receive the gifts you need to achieve your goals and vision? What information should you be sharing with your donors that will inspire them to support and invest in your organization? Join us as Jane Page-Steiner speaks with Scott Provancher, President/CEO of Ignite Philanthropy as they discuss why money follows vision. To learn more about Scott and how to contact him, go to the podcast page at www.jpsnonprofit.com. Do you have any questions or comments about the show? Email Jane Page-Steiner at jane2@jpsnonprofit.com