Developing Courageous Nonprofit Leaders
In this inspirational discussion about leadership in the nonprofit sector, Anthony A. Dicks Jr., a senior leadership consultant at 180 Management Group, shares insights on developing courageous leaders. He defines courageous leadership as the ability to inspire others to aspire to do and be greater than themselves, emphasizing the importance of community, curiosity, competence, and confidence in achieving this goal.
As Anthony eloquently puts it, “The number one benefit of courageous leadership is that it’s contagious.” Indeed, he emphasizes that when one sees someone else leading with courage and doing so effectively, it has the power to bring out the same quality in others within the organization. This contagion effect, where courageous leadership becomes a shared trait, can have a transformative impact on the entire organization.
Anthony also touches on the challenges individuals face, such as feelings of inadequacy and imposter syndrome. He stresses that having diverse role models who have successfully overcome such challenges is crucial for inspiring future leaders. As he aptly states, “If I’ve seen you do it, then I know it can be done.” Recognizing and celebrating leaders from various backgrounds and experiences can help individuals, especially those from underrepresented groups, believe in their own potential.
Throughout the conversation, the impact of fear in leadership is discussed, especially in the context of recent global challenges. Anthony highlights how fear has been prevalent in these times, affecting decision-making and actions. However, he counters this by underlining the significance of cultivating courageous leadership. He suggests that by promoting and celebrating courageous leaders who are willing to take risks, organizations can foster a culture where . . . . . . . . .
The State Of Nonprofit’s Capital Campaigns: New Research!
Explore the impact of capital campaigns in the nonprofit sector, featuring insights on data-driven success, myth debunking, and the benefits of feasibility studies from CapitalCampaignPro.com and Steven Shattuck. Despite COVID-19 and economic challenges, learn how visionary leadership and strategic planning fuel fundraising success.
The discussion touches on the success of capital campaigns despite challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and economic uncertainty. Steven emphasizes that bold and visionary leadership played a significant role in the success of these campaigns during challenging times. Steven says “When it comes to capital campaigns, it’s worth remembering that bold leadership and vision can overcome external challenges. People needed help, and if you had a clear case for support with a sense of urgency, those are the people who won in the last three years.” –
They address the myth of capital campaign cannibalization, where organizations fear that launching a capital campaign will negatively impact their annual fund. The research showed that this fear is largely unfounded, with most organizations reporting that their annual funds either increased or remained stable during capital campaigns.
You’ll learn the importance of feasibility studies in capital campaigns. Steven shares how these studies not only help organizations determine their campaign‘s viability but also strengthen donor relationships, with organizations that conducted feasibility studies reporting stronger major donor relationships.
The Nonprofit Leader’s Perspective
In this Power Week conversation with Rita L. Soronen, CEO and President of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, she shares her insights into nonprofit leadership, board engagement, and the foundation’s impactful work in the field of adoption. As the foundation celebrates its 25th year, it continues to make strides in its mission to find permanent homes for children in foster care.
Rita begins with discussing her 22-year tenure with the foundation and how it allows her to elevate her passion for child welfare and advocacy. She also highlights the importance of board recruitment, emphasizing the need for board members who are not only professionally skilled but also personally passionate about the organization’s mission. She offers, “We want to make sure on our board that we have folks who have either adopted, were adopted, have fostered, have some connection, if not directly to themselves, through extended family.”
Continuing, and discussing board engagement, Rita details how the foundation has managed to engage more than 80% of its board members actively, attributing this success to a focus on committee work and regular check-ins. She also shares strategies for promoting self-care among staff, emphasizing the importance of creating a supportive and inclusive work environment. She says, “We try and encourage that as much as possible…cancel whatever’s on your calendar and make sure that we’re flexible enough to acknowledge that weeks are tough.”
When asked about the foundation’s impact on adoption, Soronen mentions the Wendy’s Wonderful Kids program, which is embedded in 17 states and aims to be present in all 50 states by 2028. She acknowledges the . . . . . . . . .
Testing Your Nonprofit’s Marketing Plan!
Focusing on the significance of ongoing testing and measurement in nonprofit marketing, Jill Crumbacher, the Senior VP of Marketing and Development at the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, shares how they boost fundraising and brand awareness in this Nonprofit Power Week episode!
Jill begins, stating “We have to test our marketing because there are two key components to raising money. We have to have a lot of market fundraising efforts, which the marketing team supports all of those through all of their channels… But also, to fundraise, you have to have brand awareness, somebody’s got to know who you are, and that is 100% a marketing function.”. She continues, highlighting that revenue is just one part of the equation. She details how their organization has a marketing team and a fundraising team, totaling around 22 employees, and these two teams work closely together. One key aspect of their testing involves evaluating the effectiveness of different creative elements in marketing campaigns, such as fonts, colors, and messaging. They use surveys to measure if audiences remember their organization’s name after exposure to various marketing materials.
Jill also emphasizes the importance of consistency in branding across different channels and the need to adapt creative elements for different mediums, such as direct mail, email, and digital advertising. She suggests conducting tests whenever entering a new channel and retesting every 18 months to two years to stay updated with changing trends.
Additionally, Jill shares examples on how nonprofits can leverage their corporate partners for research opportunities, as many of them have access to resources that can aid in testing and . . . . . . . . .
Realities Of Founder’s Syndrome
The President and CEO of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, shares insights into the organization’s origin story, founder syndrome, and the vital work they do in the field of adoption.
Rita Soronen begins by emphasizing the significance of National Adoption Awareness Month and highlights the importance of focusing on foster care adoption, understanding its complexities, and encouraging communities to support children and families involved in the foster care system.
One of the key takeaways from Rita’s insights is the deep connection between the foundation’s namesake, Dave Thomas, and the cause of adoption. Dave Thomas, known for founding Wendy’s, was himself adopted as an infant and experienced the challenges of growing up without a stable family environment. His commitment to giving back to the community and his personal connection to adoption led to the creation of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.
In Rita’s words, “Dave Thomas . . . . it’s our namesake Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, but underneath that is the legacy of this incredible person who started the incredible Wendy’s brand.”
Rita also discusses the evolution of the foundation’s mission and its shift from raising awareness to implementing evidence-based programs. She highlights the ongoing complexities in the field of child welfare, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the need for adaptable strategies and continuous growth.
Rita continues, touching upon the topic of succession planning, stressing the importance of preparing for leadership transitions both internally and externally. She describes how the foundation is actively developing its leadership team to ensure a seamless transition when the time comes.
In Rita’s words, “It is . . . . . . . . .
Trauma And Work In Nonprofits
The Senior VP and General Counsel at the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, Melinda Haggerty, Esq. shares her personal journey and how her background as an adopted individual who grew up in the foster care system informs her perspective and commitment to the foundation’s cause. This Nonprofit Power Week episode highlights the significance of recognizing one’s own boundaries, the value of self-care, and the importance of diverse perspectives from individuals with lived experiences in the nonprofit sector. Melinda’s openness and authenticity in sharing her story serve as a powerful example of how personal experiences can inform and inspire meaningful work in the nonprofit world.
During the conversation, Melinda discusses her upbringing, being the oldest of five children with parents struggling with mental health and addiction issues. She highlights the disparities in how the system responds to her and her 12-year-old sister, who ends up in the juvenile justice system. This early experience leads her to a deep understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable children.
She emphasizes the importance of permanency for youth in the child welfare system and how her own adoption at the age of 18 provides her with stability and support.
The co-hosts ask about her role as General Counsel at the Dave Thomas Foundation, where she manages legal and policy aspects. She also discusses the challenges of disclosing her personal experience, setting boundaries, and balancing her lived experience with her professional role. She explained, “I never want to make a decision because of my lived experience because I would be missing the lived experience of everyone else in the child welfare . . . . . . . . .
Changing Attitudes With Research! Power Week Episode One
How nonprofits use research effectively to drive positive change in attitudes and behaviors. Julianne Nichols, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, shares an inside look on how their foundation’s approach can serve as a compelling example. The emphasis is on the importance of continuous, strategic, and multi-channel efforts to change attitudes and drive action. Julianne emphasizes the long-term commitment needed to shift public perceptions about foster care adoption and the critical role of storytelling in this process.
Julianne begins by emphasizing the importance of research in shaping public perceptions and attitudes towards foster care adoption. She cites several examples, such as their Adoption and Foster Care Attitude Survey, which reveals that 30% of the public believe that teenagers in foster care can fend for themselves without the support of a permanent family. This finding drives the organization to leverage storytelling through public service announcements and other channels to humanize the issue and challenge misconceptions.
An important quote from Julianne highlights the power of storytelling: “What we have really found is that a storytelling approach is among the most powerful tools in your toolbox.” She explains how sharing personal stories of adopted children and adoptive parents changes minds and inspires action.
Additionally, she discusses how research informs the development of programs like Wendy’s Wonderful Kids, which demonstrates through rigorous evaluation that children referred to the program are up to three times more likely to be adopted, leading to the scaling of this initiative.
This lively fast-paced conversation also touches on the cost and time associated with research, highlighting that it varies . . . . . . . . .
Nonprofit’s Questions (From CEO tenure to donor portfolios)
This weeks advice about nonprofits; Donor portfolio management, Major gift officer strategies, CEO involvement in fundraising, Nonprofit CEO tenure advice, Professional development in fundraising, with guest cohost LaShonda Williams from Fundraising Academy. The first question comes from a board committee in Detroit, regarding the short tenure of CEOs in their resumes. LaShonda advises not to worry about this trend and suggests that shorter CEO tenures are often due to the nature of the job, which involves making substantial changes in a short time. Instead, she emphasizes the value of diverse experiences CEOs can bring and recommends checking references during the vetting process, adding that employee fit and happiness are crucial, and how it’s essential to adapt to the changing times for the benefit of the NPO.
The second question asks about the ideal number of donors in a donor portfolio. LaShonda advises considering factors like the organization’s size, available time, and resources. She recommends creating a priority list based on gift history, interest, and capacity. In an ideal scenario, a smaller portfolio of around 60 donors is ideal, but in reality, 80 to 100 donors might be more practical.
Julia asks about major gift officers and their portfolio sizes. LaShonda adds-in that the size of the portfolio depends on the organization’s size and resources. She emphasizes the importance of manageability and quality over quantity in donor relationships.
The conversation then turns to the CEO’s role in securing major donations. LaShonda suggests involving other team members in donor visits and introducing them into the circle of potential donors. She highlights the importance of support staff in . . . . . . . . .
Funding At A Glance! Master Class
In this Master Class on nonprofit fundraising, Jarrett Ransom, the CEO of the Rayvan Group, discusses the importance of understanding fundraising data and using it strategically to achieve nonprofit goals.
Jarrett emphasizes the significance of passion and commitment in the nonprofit sector and highlights the need for diverse thought and actions, as she discusses the challenges nonprofits face, especially at year-end when they’re uncertain about meeting their goals.
Jarrett works with organizations and individuals to help them navigate their fundraising challenges. She begins with the idea of understanding where an organization stands at any given point in time and how data can help guide their efforts.
Jarrett mentions the importance of analyzing data points related to revenue goals, donor databases, year-over-year data, and the impact of historical events like the pandemic and presidential campaigns on fundraising efforts and then touches on the concept of major gifts, emphasizing the need for organizations to define their major gift levels and adapt them as needed.
The discussion then turns to the relevance of direct mail in the digital age, with Jarrett highlighting the value of direct mail campaigns, particularly for donor retention and acquisition.
The discussion wraps up with words about the use of a dashboard and data analysis in nonprofit fundraising, emphasizing the need for organizations to set clear goals and strategies based on data. Jarrett shares a physical document that can be used as a dashboard for tracking key fundraising metrics
Strategies That Fire Up Nonprofit Boards!
Strategies for motivating nonprofit board members with Christal Cherry, the President of TheBoardPro.com, highlighting practical strategies for energizing nonprofit boards, fostering a positive board culture, and improving board engagement in fundraising efforts.
Christol starts by explaining her motivation for founding TheBoardPro.com, emphasizing her desire to help nonprofit boards thrive. She stresses the importance of recruiting the right board members by conducting a thorough vetting process, like a job search, to ensure they understand their roles and responsibilities and align with the organization’s mission.
The conversation then jumps into building a positive board culture, as Christol advocates for creating an environment of open communication, respect, and camaraderie among board members. She recommends setting a clear culture statement that outlines the expected behaviors and values.
The lively chat also touches on the topic of staff members attending board meetings. Christol emphasizes that traditional hierarchies are being questioned, and some organizations are now open to staff participation in board meetings, especially when staff members have valuable insights or achievements to share.
Regarding fundraising, Christol shares her approach, emphasizing that board members should make a personal donation to demonstrate commitment and then providing them with a toolkit to equip them for fundraising efforts. She encourages board members to tell compelling stories about the organization rather than feeling like they are begging for money.
Lastly, Christol discusses the importance of recognizing board members who bring in funds or donations through their efforts, even if they don’t make a personal financial contribution.
Learn more at TheBoardPro.com
Nonprofit Recruiting Tips: CEO’s And Exec. Directors
An important conversation on the intricate process of recruiting nonprofit CEOs and executive directors with Katie Warnock, CEO of Staffing Boutique,. Her insights emphasize the importance of careful planning, setting realistic expectations, and how the role of professional interims at nonprofits can ensure a smooth leadership transition. Katie shares all these insights on recruiting tips, beginning with, as she aptly put it, “Allow for time, but be proactive.”
She begins by highlighting the significance of thoroughly assessing the nonprofit’s needs before starting the search. This involves evaluating the organization’s current state, its successes and shortcomings, and where it envisions itself in the future.
Katie stresses the importance of forming a search committee, particularly for organizations lacking HR departments. She suggests appointing a search chair who can handle the administrative work involved in the hiring process effectively. Additionally, she discusses the necessity of creating a realistic and accurate job description that outlines the CEO’s responsibilities and expectations.
The conversation also touches on the value of professional interim CEOs in the transition period. Katie points out that having an interim CEO can help manage the organization during the search process and provide a fresh perspective. She mentions that interims can play a significant role in handling the emotional aspects of staff and board members during transitions.
When it came to the overall current job market, Katie updates us and notes that there’s an unusual quietness in the sector, even after a strong year for philanthropy. Watch as she describes it’s sense of uncertainty, with many organizations and professionals waiting to see what changes might come.
Book Projects For Nonprofits!
The benefits of creating a book related to your nonprofit’s mission and achievements, In this nonprofit Thought Leader episode, Anne McAuley Lopez begins with, “Everybody has a story. Every business has a story. Yours just needs to be told.” She highlights the various storylines that nonprofits can explore, including their origin stories, impact milestones, and personal stories of founders and beneficiaries.
Anne also discusses the process of working with a ghostwriter and the importance of maintaining the organization’s authentic voice. She assures, “It’s not that it’s simple; it’s still a book and it’s still a project. But you could take pieces of chapters from your book and put them on your blog,” encouraging nonprofits to repurpose existing content like blogs and interviews for various marketing purposes.
Throughout the episode, Anne’s expertise in content creation shines through, offering several innovative insights for nonprofit leaders considering the idea of writing a book to boost their organization’s impact and elevate their funding success. Learn more about Agency Content Writer.