Nonprofit Wizards Podcast

Would you rather work for an organization that raises money or one that gives it away? If you’re Miriam Barnett, you’d choose the latter. For most of her career, Miriam has helped connect donors who care with causes that matter. She has seen the direct impact of philanthropic giving on program beneficiaries. She’s also seen how this value exchange can profoundly impact the life of the donor. Listen in to hear her thoughts on this most important part of an Executive Director’s job.

Which is easier? Running an organization that exists solely on a napkin? Or transitioning from an aspirational organization to an operational one? Scott Hazelrigg sits down to talk with us about the challenges of both, and the added challenge of “flipping the switch.” The bottom line? Be authentic, know your areas of strength and focus your efforts. Do that, and you’ll be your best self to every day...which is exactly what your organization needs.

How are you making the world a better place each and every day? For Kevin Glackin-Coley the way you do it is to be in the community promoting your mission each and every day. Talking with donors, working with government partners, and collaborating with other human service organizations all help his food bank accomplish its mission. Kevin’s secret to success? Know your role and be persistent. And optimistic.

Nonprofit executives hear it all the time: you need to keep your board focused on strategy, not tactics. Sounds great in theory, but how do you actually put it into practice? Jeff Yost, President & CEO of Nebraska Community Foundation joins us to share his tips.

Today Putter Bert, President and CEO of Kidsquest Children’s Museum stops by to chat. Nonprofit Executives often fall into the trap of thinking of themselves last. This short-sighted behavior can stress relationships with loved ones and coworkers, and can lead to resentment and burnout. Learn about Putter’s philosophy of caring for herself so she can care for others.

Becky Gould, Executive Director of Nebraska Appleseed  joins the podcast today. Fighting for justice and opportunity for all Nebraskans can be invigorating, it can also feel like pushing a massive boulder up a hill. If you don’t take time to rest, reflect, and reset, you suffer risking burnout--both individually and as an organization. Becky shares some of her tips for staying strong in the face of adverstiy. This episode has many practical takeaways and tactics anyone can implement today.

Today we are joined by John Chapo, President/CEO of Lincoln Children’s Zoo. Though he is one to deflect attention, John is somewhat of a local celebrity. As a mainstay of local radio and television, along with innumerable public appearances, he is the zoo to many Lincolnites. The notoriety is great...until it isn’t. John is still “the zoo guy” when he is at the emergency room with his son or out to dinner with his spouse. Being the zoo guy 24/7 means that people are always watching, for better and worse

Today we are joined by Lindy Hoyer, Executive Director of Omaha Children’s Museum. Since 2002, Lindy has overseen a $6.6 million capital expansion and an explosion in annual attendance. Lindy has had ample opportunity to work her “courage” muscle, particularly in the decisions she has had to make. Many decisions worked out well. A few didn’t. It takes courage to admit when you make a wrong turn. This courage is rewarded, however, because mistakes provide the greatest learning opportunities.

Today we are joined by Susanne Blue, Executive Director of Matt Talbott Kitchen and Outreach. Susanne was the first full-time employee at the Kitchen. As the organization grew in size and scope, Susanne had to grow her own capacity right along with it, particularly in the areas of of public relations, staff management, and fundraising. Through it all, she’s learned the value of positivity and an attitude of servant leadership

Today we are joined by Sunnee O’Rork, Executive Director of i.d.e.a. Museum. A year after a major rebranding effort, the i.d.e.a. Museum is enjoying a renaissance far beyond anyone’s expectations. The organization has surpassed its attendance projections three years ahead of schedule. Philanthropic support is up significantly. Recognition and enthusiasm are at all-time highs. Sunnee breaks it all down for us: how to know if you’re a candidate for a rebrand, where to start, and who can help. No fluff; just great advice!

Today we are joined by Topher Hansen, President and CEO of  CenterPointe. Topher believes a strong board begets a strong organization, and vice versa. However, the key determinants of board strength start long before the first meeting. Careful selection and a deliberate onboarding process are critically important as are a solid orientation. Rest assured, this episode doesn’t fixate on theory. Topher gets into the “nuts and bolts” of his identification, recruitment, and onboarding process. You’ll want to take notes for this one!

Today we are joined by Scott Young, Executive Director of the Food Bank of Lincoln. The Food Bank is a dynamic and growing organization, and Scott attributes much of the success to the culture among the staff and volunteers. Scott shares his guiding principles for curating culture, how to identify culture fits before hiring, and how to react when “bumps in the road” inevitably come up. He also gives some great advice to new and aspiring nonprofit executives.

What does the financial stability of your employees have to do with running a great organization? Plenty. According to a Federal Reserve survey, financial stress on the part of workers costs employers an average of $5,000 in lost productivity per employee, per year. Craig Willeke of Money Management Educators joins us to talk about ways you can help your team with resources and information.

Darren goes solo for this episode, and shares a few of his most memorable major gift conversations. Ever wish you could be a fly on the wall and hear how it goes when other nonprofit executives discuss major gifts? Well you’re in luck. You’ll hear funny and poignant stories, and hopefully pick up an idea or two you can use as your own.

For his new book author John M. Fulwider, Ph.D. interviewed Nonprofit Chief Executives and their Board Chairs. His finding? There is no single factor more important to an organization's success than the relationship between the top staff position and the chair of the board. The good news is that effective partnerships can be built, and John is kind enough to share the blueprint with us.

  As the leader of a nonprofit organization, you often find yourself in the public eye. Being mindful of the message you send is good for both you and the organization you represent. Are you living your personal brand? Ali Schwanke tells us about research she’s conducted on the topic and gives simple actions you can take to ensure people are left with the impression you intend.

  We have to spend our budgets wisely. Often times, though, we feel like “marketing” is that one area that’s hard to measure. We throw a bunch of dollars at it and hope it pays off. Today Ali Schwanke takes her turn in the hotseat to answer Darren’s questions about her area of expertise. Check out her practical tips for getting more from your marketing investment.

Nonprofits often have limited marketing budgets. Because of this, free media exposure can be a HUGE asset to your organization. But you can’t just wing it. Today Darren welcomes in guest Mark Feit to give listeners an “insider’s perspective.” Follow Mark’s advice and you’ll nail your next media appearance.

You’ve taken a prospective donor through all the stages of major gift cultivation. Now it’s time to make the ask. Beware! Make any of these 3 mistakes and all your hard work will be quickly undone. Darren and Ali reflect on personal experiences to tell you what these mistakes are and why you ABSOLUTELY CAN’T afford to make them.

You’ve heard the terms: “A Players” “Rock Stars” and “Producers”. You know you need the right people on the bus, sitting in the right seats. But what does “right people” mean anyway. And how do you know if someone is “right”? Darren and Ali discuss how to identify those who don’t fit and what you can do about it.