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Licensing Nonprofit’s Programs (Reduce your fundraising)

Nonprofits are increasingly exploring innovative revenue streams, and the Children’s Treehouse Foundation offers a compelling case study in leveraging specialized programs for financial sustainability. In this video featuring Gregor Debruhl, Executive Director of the Foundation, the conversation centers on the strategic licensing of their signature program, CLIMB, to hospitals and institutions. This model not only expands the program’s reach but also generates vital revenue for the nonprofit.

Gregor Debruhl outlines the significance of the CLIMB program, designed to support children and families navigating the emotional turmoil of a cancer diagnosis within the family. “CLIMB is a six-week art-based, evidence-based program designed to help children and their families build communication and develop positive coping strategies,” Debruhl explains.

This fast-paced discussion sheds light on the practical aspects of licensing nonprofit programs. Debruhl stresses the importance of aligning such initiatives with the organization’s mission and capabilities. “For me, it was really important to focus on philosophically why we want to do this. I wanted to escape fundraising… but that’s not really enough of a reason to jump into this,” Debruhl shares, referencing the need for a deeper strategic fit rather than purely financial motivations.

The licensing model presents both challenges and opportunities for nonprofits. On the technical side, establishing a successful licensing framework involves creating and managing infrastructure, marketing, developing pricing strategies, and negotiating contracts. Debruhl’s insights into navigating these complexities, coupled with his emphasis on the philosophical alignment of licensing initiatives, provides valuable lessons for other nonprofits considering similar paths.

This licensing approach necessitates a delicate balance between financial sustainability and maintaining program integrity. Debruhl outlines . . . . . . . . .

The Millennium Nonprofit Show! (Our 1,000th episode)

The millennium episode of The Nonprofit Show! Celebrating one thousand broadcasts with cohosts Jarrett Ransom and Julia Patrick reflecting on the journey of The Nonprofit Show. Jarrett begins with reflecting on the power of consistency in nonprofit success, highlighting the importance of sticking to plans despite challenges, while Julia shares a poignant lesson learned about passion not always guaranteeing success in the nonprofit sector, focusing on the significance of effective management and structure.

In this celebratory episode, Jarrett and Julia discuss finding opportunities by returning to basics, mapping out procedures, integrating new systems, and leveraging technology for effective nonprofit management. The cohosts look back and forward on challenging topics like mindset, self-care, and addressing social injustices within the sector, showcasing their commitment to growth and learning, plus touching on the vital role of nonprofits during crises like pandemics, emphasizing the sector’s frontline impact and the need for continuous education in nonprofit management.

This 1,000th broadcast of the show encapsulates a journey of growth, reflection, and dedication to advancing the nonprofit sector. The hosts, their staff, and the Partners who have supported The Nonprofit Show and the entire nonprofit sector, send their thanks.

Revving-Up A Unique Nonprofit (Car donation app for nonprofits)

Fundraising through vehicle and real estate donations. Howard Pearl, the CEO of careasy.org, an organization dedicated to charitable adult rides and services describes how they provide a turnkey solution for nonprofits of all sizes, ensuring they receive support tailored to their needs, serving both major organizations like the American Red Cross and smaller local charities with equal dedication.

Howard discusses the “On the Go” program, which offers transportation services for seniors and other communities with transportation barriers. This program addresses crucial needs within aging populations, emphasizing the significance of maintaining dignity and independence for individuals as they age.

Throughout the chat, with our host Jarrett Ransom, Howard emphasizes his organization’s commitment to supporting nonprofits and communities, sharing how their teams are setup for attracting donors, including leveraging marketing efforts and conducting wealth screenings to identify potential supporters.

Howard offers thoughtful words on the privilege of serving diverse nonprofits and communities, highlighting the NPO’s focus on promoting the missions of their partner organizations rather than their own brand. As Howard aptly put it, “It’s a privilege to do this job. You’re not helping one organization or one person. You’re helping so many of them.”

He encouraged listeners to explore careasy.org to learn more about their impactful work and how they can get involved in supporting various causes.

Nonprofit’s Questions (From DEI accusations to a board chair mutiny)

Questions from nonprofits about DEI accusations, donor tour etiquette, a potential Board Chairman mutiny and missing the mark on marketing. Julia Patrick and guest cohost LaShonda Williams engage in this fast-paced candid discussion.

The first question tackled a sensitive issue involving an accusation of racism within the workplace. LaShonda emphasizes the importance of active listening and fostering authentic conversations to address such allegations. She recommends seeking HR training or reaching out to board members for assistance, stressing the need for professional development to navigate cultural differences and interpretations.

They go on to address a query regarding hosting a high-profile donor at the organization’s cafeteria. LaShonda encourages embracing authenticity and meaningful experiences, suggesting that the donor might appreciate the opportunity to engage with the organization’s community in a different setting.

The conversation then shifts to improving board meeting effectiveness. LaShonda highlights the significance of annual retreats for board members to clarify roles and responsibilities, while also suggesting the inclusion of a parliamentarian to ensure smooth meeting operations.

Lastly, they discuss the challenge of aligning fundraising and marketing efforts. LaShonda proposes joint meetings to facilitate collaboration and mutual understanding between development and marketing teams, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and reaching donors effectively.

Each week these questions bring forth meaningful points to learn from in operating your nonprofit or charitable organization. Enjoy!!

Community-Centered Fundraising (Bringing the donor inside)

A look into the nuanced differences between donor-centric fundraising and community-centric fundraising, shedding light on the need for evolved donor engagement. Frank Velasquez, Jr., from 4daHood.com, begins with the historical approach to fundraising, which often prioritized donors’ desires and overlooked the respect owed to the clients or communities served. Sharing his personal experience, Frank points to the significance of language in fundraising practices. He discusses how terms like “at risk” or “in poverty” can unintentionally marginalize and disrespect clients, illustrating the need for a shift towards more respectful and uplifting language that honors the dignity of the individuals served, sharing, “When you start using descriptive language that ends up not honoring or uplifting, then that’s when it doesn’t respect the clients.”

Frank leads us to the essence of community-centric fundraising, where the focus is not solely on donors but on centering the entire community, including donors, as active participants in the mission. He details the importance of storytelling and fostering a sense of belonging to deepen connections and inspire transformative change.

Throughout the conversation, Frank stresses the importance of aligning internal language and messaging to ensure consistency across all organizational levels.

Throughout, Frank speaks to the impact of small changes, such as incorporating pronouns or adopting trust-based philanthropy, in attracting donors who align with the organization’s values. He encourages organizations to embrace evolving language and practices as a means of authentically representing their mission and fostering meaningful connections with donors and communities alike. Reflecting on the effect of language shifts, he adds , “That little simple change had this effect, and people outside the organization . . . . . . . . .

Nonprofit Budgeting Tips That Count

Nonprofit organizations are given ‘Hot Tips’ to improve their budgeting processes , emphasizing principles of inclusivity, evidence-based decision-making, and proactive planning, with our guest, Justine Townsend, Manager at Your Part Time Controller.

Justine begins with the critical importance of laying the groundwork for success before embarking on the budgeting process, ensuring that the budget remains usable and effective throughout its entire lifecycle. She directs us on the need for inclusivity by involving all relevant stakeholders in the budgeting discussions, including program managers and those responsible for smaller financial decisions. Justine humorously shares “A budget should be like a camel, created by committee,” highlighting the collaborative nature of the process and the importance of leveraging diverse perspectives to create a good financial plan.

She explores the significance of basing budgets on historical data, especially during uncertain times such as post-COVID recovery, suggesting using comparable years to inform budgeting decisions, which may yield a more accurate foundation for financial planning. Justine’s advice to “dig into historical data” reflects her resolve for evidence-based budgeting practices, which enhance the accuracy and reliability of any financial projections.

Documenting assumptions and pre-planning pivots emerge as crucial strategies advocated by Justine to navigate budgetary challenges more effectively. By transparently communicating assumptions and contingency plans, organizations can create a framework for adaptive decision-making. Justine’s shares, “When you plan your pivots, you create a permission structure where you’re allowed to not make budget,” which fosters a culture where deviations from the budget are viewed as “opportunities for problem-solving” rather than failures.

Justine spends time on the reasoning behind converting budgets to accrual-based financial statements . . . . . . . . .

Overcoming The ‘Burnout Barrier’ For Nonprofits

Advice on self-care and burnout with the idea, “It’s not selfish to put your mask on first because your asset is your mind, and without those natural elements like oxygen feeding your mind, you won’t be in a position to help the helpless.”, with a senior leadership consultant at 180 Management Group.

Anthony A. Dicks, Jr. recently discussed overcoming the burnout barrier in the nonprofit sector, sharing that experiencing burnout can actually be a sign of exceptional leadership and maximizing one’s capacity. He stated, “If you have reached your capacity, then that means you still have an opportunity to grow and do some more.” This perspective reframes burnout as a signal to reassess and adjust one’s approach rather than a failure.

With his energetic and insightful approach, Anthony shed light on the importance of recognizing burnout early and implementing strategies for self-care and sustainable performance.

In the conversation, Anthony emphasizes the need for a proactive approach to self-care rather than waiting until burnout becomes inevitable. He shares the mission of 180 Management Group, a consulting firm specializing in organizational transformation for nonprofits, focusing on operations, leadership, and strategic planning.

Anthony elaborates on the importance of developing rituals for rest, reset, and recovery across physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual dimensions. He introduces us to the concept of “right, read, run, rest, review, repeat” as a systematic approach to maintaining optimal performance and avoiding burnout. By scheduling regular periods for reflection and self-care, individuals can effectively manage their energy levels and sustain their impact in the long term.

Anthony also points out the significance of using data, such as . . . . . . . . .

Modern Resumes For Nonprofit’s Digital Age!

Peering into the intricacies of modern resumes in the 2024 digital age within the nonprofit sector, shedding light on resume crafting in today’s job market, with Dana Scurlock, the Director of Recruitment at Staffing Boutique.

Dana begins by emphasizing the importance of adapting resumes to the digital era, highlighting the shift from traditional paper-based formats to dynamic, content-rich digital resumes. As she puts it, “I think it’s great that everything’s digital now. What that lends itself to, though, is that we don’t have to confine ourselves to just one page.”

One key takeaway from Dana’s expertise is the significance of quality over quantity. She explains the importance of tailoring resumes to specific job opportunities rather than adopting a blanket approach. “I would rather send out five really high quality, well thought out, tailored resumes to the particular job you’re applying to,” Dana notes, “than if you’re able to crank out 20-25 in a week just to get 20-25 out.”

Furthermore, Dana provides a look into the role of platforms like LinkedIn in the recruitment process. While acknowledging the utility of LinkedIn profiles, she cautions against solely relying on them in place of traditional resumes. “I think where it can become tricky is when people are utilizing LinkedIn in place of an actual CV or resume,” Dana remarks, advocating for alignment between LinkedIn profiles and formal resumes.

Throughout the conversation, Dana details the importance of clear, concise formatting and the strategic incorporation of relevant experiences, skills, and accomplishments. Her emphasis on reverse chronological resumes and the inclusion of comprehensive job descriptions resonated deeply with our audience.

What Nonprofit’s Wanted To Know This Week!

Insightful responses to questions from nonprofits on various topics, focusing primarily on regional differences in fundraising approaches, performance bonuses for development team members, remote work policies, the significance of the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation, and academic choices for aspiring nonprofit professionals, with Guest host Muhi Khwaja, a trainer with Fundraising Academy and Co-founder of the American Muslim Community Foundation.

Muhi Khwaja begins with a question about considering regional and cultural differences when fundraising outside one’s city center. Drawing from personal experience, he highlighted variations in dress code and meeting styles across different regions, emphasizing the importance of adapting to the local setting while maintaining organizational standards, with advice to fundraisers to ask open-ended questions and seek guidance from local colleagues to navigate cultural nuances effectively.

A question is addressed about performance bonuses for development team members. Muhi discusses his experience at the Red Cross, where bonuses were tied to fundraising goals and regional targets. He also talks about additional incentives such as extra days off or work-from-home privileges, highlighting the importance of clear expectations and communication between employees and management to avoid misunderstandings.

On the topic of remote work policies, Muhi expresses his support for flexibility, advocating for a hybrid model that allows employees to work remotely while also facilitating in-person meetings and team gatherings. He stresses the value of having in place responsive and effective communication tools to maintain productivity in a remote environment.

Muhi describes the significance of the CFRE designation, noting its potential benefits in terms of career advancement and credibility in the nonprofit sector. While donors may not always inquire . . . . . . . . .

Nonprofit Storytelling With Fundraising

Nonprofit organizations continue to navigate the evolving landscape of fundraising and storytelling, and we found out how platforms like StoryRaise are poised to revolutionize the way they engage with donors and communities.

We just hosted Josh Kligman and Jeff Rum, the dynamic duo behind StoryRaise.com, and peeked into the exciting intersection of storytelling and fundraising. With over 20 years of combined experience in marketing and a shared passion for nonprofit work, they’re revolutionizing how organizations communicate their impact.

Josh Kligman, CEO of StoryRaise, introduced the platform as a solution tailored for nonprofits to craft compelling digital reports and campaigns. He emphasized the importance of storytelling and its ability to bridge the gap between donors and organizations, drawing from his extensive background in nonprofit marketing.

Jeff Rum, StoryRaise’s CMO, brought his wealth of experience from running his own agency to the table. His insights underscored the need for unity between marketing and fundraising efforts, stressing the significance of aligning storytelling with donor expectations, stating, “We’re really trying to help organizations save time and money… it’s got to be authentic to who the organization is… use [AI] as a tool rather than as a crutch.”

In this fast –paced chat they discuss nonprofit marketing, shining a light on their recent research findings. Jeff elaborates on the pivotal role of authenticity and transparency in donor engagement, revealing that donors are more likely to support organizations that regularly update them with impactful stories.

Josh echoed this sentiment, re-affirming the value of AI in streamlining storytelling processes for nonprofits. He introduced StoryRaise Campaigns, a cutting-edge tool designed to generate comprehensive . . . . . . . . .