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There’s always something that can throw your organization’s budget off track. Some crises are worse than others – the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, for example, brought completely unforeseen challenges – but even if internal or external factors don’t rise to that level, you can count on some type of shift. Today’s episode covers how to prepare for budget shifts so you are ready when they come. Listen in to hear Mary Aquino and Melissa Rancour from Blackbaud University talk about how to identify potential causes of budget changes, understanding the legal process for budget shifts, and anticipating and handling fundraising impacts.   Topics Discussed in This Episode: How COVID-19 impacted budgets and how organizations responded Causes of budget variance The legal obligations that organizations have for using donations Education about restricted and endowment funds Documenting the budget process Questions to ask yourself to get your policy documented   Resources: Mary Aquino Melissa Rancour Webinar: Keep Calm & Carry On: Handling Unplanned Budget Changes Article: Budget Changes? Keep Calm and Carry On with These Tips! Article: Annual Planning in an Ever-Changing World   Quotes:  “When the economy’s up, most of the time donations tend to go up with it. But when the economy’s down, then donations normally decrease too.” “Sometimes people don’t realize there’s a domino effect that kind of goes on with these shifts.” “Word of mouth is not a budget update process.”

Relationships are everything. While networking may be a buzzword, intentionally building a community and making deep and meaningful connections can have vast positive professional impacts. But how do you get started? Today’s guest has answers. Susan McPherson, founder and CEO of McPherson Strategies and author of the new book The Lost Art of Connecting, joins the podcast to talk about how she became such a prolific networker, the differences between networking and connecting, and the steps to take to build a network of meaningful connections.   Topics Discussed in This Episode: How Susan became such a prolific networker The differences between networking and meaningful connections The key to building a successful network of connections Following the gather-ask-do method of building meaningful business connections Work that people need to do themselves before they can build deep connections How building deep connections can help an organization or company grow Where to learn more   Resources: Susan McPherson The Lost Art of Connecting   Quotes:  “For introverts and shy people, meaningfully connecting is actually a little more tolerable and palatable and doable.” “If we lead with how we can be helpful to others, the help will come back.” “Every single one of us has secret sauces.”

For decades now, it’s been important to understand some of the differences in philanthropic giving between men and women. And with the increasing financial power that women have in households, it’s critical that social good organizations understand how decision-making about household giving is changing. In today’s episode, you’ll learn more about that process as you listen to Jeannie Sager and Jaquie Ackerman of the Women’s Philanthropy Institute, part of the Lilly School of Philanthropy at Indiana University, talk about this year’s Women Give report. They explain what they were hoping to understand from the research, how it compares to previous years, and how the conversations couples have about philanthropy can affect their giving.   Topics Discussed in This Episode: The history of research from the Women’s Philanthropy Institute The focus of the Women Give 2021 report What the Women’s Philanthropy Institute was hoping to understand from the research The changing roles of women’s influence in household financial decisions The categories of giving decisions in a household Results of their survey How current joint and sole decision-making stacks up next to those decision-making choices 15 years ago How couples talking about giving affects their giving What was surprising in this year’s report   Resources: Jeannie Sager Jaquie Ackerman Women Give 2021: How Households Make Giving Decisions Women’s Philanthropy Institute   Quotes:  “Joint giving is still the norm.” “Most households seem satisfied with the way they make giving decisions.” “Having robust conversations about giving results in robust giving.”

This episode was originally published in September 2019.  As a charitable organization, how can you leverage the popularity of live streaming to fundraise? How do you find a live streamer to pair up with? And how can you build and have a successful relationship with live streamers? Today’s episode features Alyssa Sweetman, the Charity Program Manager at Twitch. Tune in to hear her talk to Roz Lemieux, director of Blackbaud Labs, about how nonprofits and other social good organizations can work with live streamers, also known as content creators, to raise money on live streaming platforms. Topics Discussed in this Episode: What is Twitch? Who is a content creator? How to get started with partnering with a live streamer, or content creator The kind of support or assets organizations should plan to provide content creators to build relationships and aid them in fundraising What makes for a good impact statement? How live streamers make nonprofit content engaging for viewers The most interesting fundraising live stream event Ally has seen The different ways content creators raise money on Twitch Resources: Twitch Alyssa Sweetman Article: How to Harness the Fundraising Power of Twitch

Today’s guest has a mission, and that mission is to teach the people who are doing good how to get noticed by using their words. Erica Barnhart is the CEO of Claxton Marketing, and she joins the podcast today to discuss what people in the social good community need to be saying in order to get noticed in a good way. Listen in to hear Erica discuss why a social good organization needs an elevator pitch, the biggest mistakes that she sees, and how nouns and verbs need to be used in a mission statement. You’ll also learn how to craft an effective elevator pitch for your organization.   Topics Discussed in This Episode: Erica’s background and professional focus What an elevator pitch is and why social good organizations need one The biggest mistakes Erica sees in elevator pitches How deep you get into the mission before you get to the how The size correlation Improving your mission statement How to use nouns and verbs in the mission statement Where the elevator pitch starts Resources for listeners   Resources: Erica Barnhart Pitchfalls: Why Bad Pitches Happen to Good People SSIR Article: Great Mission. Bad Statement. Why the social sector should worry more about words.   Quotes:  “Think of it like an invitation. When the door opens, what’s the invitation?” “There is very much an emotional piece for those in the social good space. We care about what we’re doing. Deeply.” “There’s always two stories being told even if it’s one or two sentences. What you think the story is, what’s coming out of your mouth, and the story that’s heard and received.”

In today’s episode, you’ll hear from Joanne Pasternack, president & chief impact officer at Oliver+Rose and creator of Athletes’ Voices, about her work with athletes who want to engage in philanthropy. Listen in to hear about Joanne’s how Joanne is helping athletes and examples of athlete stories that Joanne is particularly proud of.   Topics Discussed in This Episode: How Joanne helps athletes engage with the causes they care about What Athletes’ Voices does Examples of athletes’ philanthropic actions that Joanne is really proud of How people can find out more about Athletes’ Voices   Resources: Joanne Paternack Athletes’ Voices Athletes’ Voices webinars   Quotes:  “We are based on the philosophy that athletes could and should and can speak up on any issue that’s of interest to them.” “In truth, there’s nobody better you could hire than somebody who’s been through everything and has worked over the barriers that have been in their way.” “You might have kicked the own goal. But, like, what are you going to do next? What’s the next chapter?”

We already relied on technology to communicate before the pandemic, but over the past year we’ve become even more dependent on video and digital communications to live and work. So, how can you make use of the tech you need to navigate the world without succumbing to burnout? Today’s episode features mindfulness expert Meico Marquette Whitlock in an excerpt from the sgENGAGE Rethinking Change webinar series. Listen in to hear Meico explains how distractions impact us and how to make space for mindfulness and intentionality to avoid burnout.   Topics Discussed in This Episode: How distractions impact our lives Spending mental energy bridging the technology gap The effects of trying to do multiple things at once How the time you’re spending online has changed Why slowing down helps Mindfully engaging with devices Reclaiming our lives   Resources: Meico Marquette Whitlock The Mindful Techie 7 Steps for Mastering the Art of Work/Life Balance in a Digital World Starter Kit Webinar: Why Technology is Ruining Your Love Life (And What You Can Do About It) Rethinking Change webinar series Working in a Changing World eBook   Quotes:  “It’s not lost on me that it’s not your first or your last perhaps of conversations mediated by video like what we’re having today.” “The science tells us that it is physically impossible to do multiple things simultaneously.” “One of the first things that slowing down allows us to do is it allows us to get clear about our aim or our intention.”

The last year has taught us that change is the only constant - however, that makes it difficult to stick to a traditional 3-year or 5-year strategic plan. So, how can social good organizations plan in a way that allows for change? Here to talk about why adaptive strategy is the new strategic plan is Steve Strang, senior consultant and practice director at Spectrum Nonprofit Services. Listen in to hear what Steve has to say about what an adaptive strategy is, what it looks like when organizations implement an adaptive strategy, and how to get started.   Topics Discussed in This Episode: What adaptive strategy is Why organizations decide to make the shift from the traditional strategic plan to adaptive strategy Benefits of shifting to an adaptive strategy How adopting adaptive strategy can better engage board members The two steps for implementing adaptive strategy What adaptive strategy looks like in action How to influence stakeholders to buy in to implementing adaptive strategy Steps for getting your organization started on the adaptive strategy journey   Resources: Steve Strang How to Implement Adaptive Strategy in Nonprofits Annual Planning in an Ever-Changing World 2021 Planning & Goals Workbook and Calendar   Quotes:  “As tough as the last year has been, being adaptive helps your organization get through crisis moments like this.” “The important piece to not only this but moving into any strategic process is buy-in from all your stakeholders, especially internal stakeholders.” “Your budget is really a document that shows how you actualize your strategic plan.”

Database administrators (also commonly called database managers, DBAs or DBMs) are often operating behind the scenes, outside of the spotlight. However, DBAs are critical team members and it’s important they promote their value within their organizations. That’s what today’s host and guests are here to discuss. Listen in as guest host Ashley Sweeney, Technical Solutions Engineer for Blackbaud talks to Sunshine Watson, Donor Database Manager for Valleywise Health Foundation, and Carlene Johnson, Database Administrator for BC High, about how they shine as DBAs and make sure their value is recognized. They also discuss the importance of networking and continuing education.   Topics Discussed in This Episode: How Sunshine and Carlene shine as DBAs Helping others understand what you do and how you help them Making sure you have a seat at the table Tips for showing your value to leadership Making the case for professional development to your manager The value of networking and user groups   Resources: Sunshine Watson Carlene Johnson Confessions of a Nonprofit Database Administrator Confessions of a Nonprofit Database Administrator, Part II   Quotes:  “Just being able to be a fly on the wall sometimes helps me so I can do my job better.” –Sunshine Watson “When I’m paying attention and listening, I can hear the pain points.” –Carlene Johnson “Because of networking, I was much more easily able to land a position that had the kinds of things I was looking to work on.” –Carlene Johnson

Everyone knows about Giving Tuesday, but it’s not the only giving day out there. At this point, a lot of organizations are running their own giving days that have become a part of their regular giving and fundraising programs. Today’s guests, Kelly Cortes of St. Joseph’s College, New York, and Jeffrey Starrett, of Pine Crest School, join the podcast today to talk about how their organizations gave implemented these giving days and what lessons they’ve learned from their giving days.   Topics Discussed in This Episode: Why Kelly’s org decided to have a giving day Why Pine Crest School began doing giving days How Jeffrey dealt with resistance to the giving day plan Lessons that Kelly has learned from her first few giving days How the giving days are approached at Jeffrey’s school What was different about giving days in 2020 Feedback about shifting to text and email from phone calls Feedback about the use of giving days   Resources: Kelly Cortes Jeffrey Starrett 5 Tips for Successful Online Giving Days Giving Day Toolkit   Quotes:  “We try to raise about a third of our money in one day now.” –Jeffrey Starrett “This year, our office, and we’re an office of nine, we did all the texting.” –Jeffrey Starrett “If we have 90-year-old donors that we have to stay in touch with, we do still do a direct mail campaign and we can keep that piece of it there for them so they can still give in a traditional envelope on giving day.” –Kelly Cortes

Sometimes, change is hard – especially when it seems that there isn’t enough money or other resources to accomplish your organization’s mission. However, by adopting the right mindset, social change leaders can begin to attract more support. That’s where today’s guest comes in. Nell Edgington is the president of Social Velocity, a management consulting firm for nonprofit organizations, and the author of Reinventing Social Change: Embrace Abundance to Create a Healthier and More Equitable World. She joins the podcast today to discuss moving from a scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset and what that looks like for social good organizations. Listen in to hear what Nell has to say about why there’s a scarcity mindset in social good organizations, what to do to move to an abundance mindset, and how social change leaders can bring others along into their abundance mindset.   Topics Discussed in This Episode: Why the way we do social change is broken Why a scarcity mindset is happening How the way leaders are thinking contributes to the broken system The steps to adopt an abundance mindset How “yet” can help social change leaders think differently How leaders can get others to join them on the journey to an abundance mindset Examples of moving past scarcity thinking Advice for social change leaders looking for a better path   Resources: Nell Edgington Reinventing Social Change: Embrace Abundance to Create a Healthier and More Equitable World   Quotes:  “A scarcity mindset is essentially believing that there’s not enough.” “That scarcity mindset is itself that’s holding these nonprofit leaders back.” “A broken system isn’t going to change itself.”

Over the past year, a lot of experts have joined the show to talk about the different ways that social good organizations can respond in the age of COVID-19 to continue their missions and impact. Now that we are almost a year in, what have we learned and how can we retain the new donors we’ve had give to our organizations? Today, Melissa Bank Stepno, Director of Analytics & Business Consulting Services at Blackbaud, joins the podcast to talk about some lessons we’ve learned from organizations that have been successful with engaging new donors during the pandemic. Listen in to hear Melissa speak with Steve MacLaughlin about why retention matters so much right now, how to successfully leverage personas, what organizations are doing differently from a data and analytic standpoint, and how to cut through the noise and better communicate with donors.   Topics Discussed in This Episode: What Melissa has seen and learned about fundraising over the past few months Which sample sets are being looked at and compared Donor engagement factors What Melissa has seen organizations do from a data and analytic standpoint that’s different from before COVID-19 How to take advantage of new analytics How applying the use of more analytics is a way of leveling up How organizations can cut through the noise and communicate with donors Choosing messages that resonate with particular groups     Resources: Melissa Bank Stepno Supporters in Sight Part 4: A Look at Direct Marketing Personas The sgENGAGE Podcast Episode 144: Leveraging Personas for Fundraising During COVID-19 Turning Data Into Dollars   Quotes:  “In some ways, 2020 gave us acquisition by happenstance.” “Those of us who do appreciate the arts want to make sure that when the world returns to whatever our new normal looks like, those organizations that we supported in the past are still there.” “I do think I’ve seen a lot of organizations who didn’t have good data and analytics practices realize how critical it is this past year.”

Interpersonal and communications skills are essential skills that are vitally important for achieving success in the workplace. But what are the most important interpersonal skills for the way that most of us are working now? And what are the best practices for communication, especially virtual communication? Today’s episode answers those questions. Today, you’ll hear from Anne Converse Willkomm, Assistant Dean of the Graduate College at Drexel University, talks about interpersonal skills for today’s changing workplace. Listen in to learn about the five most important interpersonal skills, how they’re related to each other, and how you can build strong communication with colleagues and others.   Topics Discussed in This Episode: The five most essential interpersonal skills to focus on building: Adaptability, Empathy, Creativity, Collaboration, and Brainstorming What adaptability really means and how to be more adapatable How adaptability can be associated with negative changes What empathy is and why it’s needed in the workplace Using empathy to encourage others to speak Creativity as an offshoot of adaptability The relationship between collaboration and brainstorming Best practices for virtual brainstorming sessions Why you should avoid the word “no” Important elements of personal and professional communication Best practices for communicating virtually   Resources: Anne Converse Willkomm Drexel University Professional Services Blog Working in a Changing World eBook Rethinking Change webinar series   Quotes:  “To be successful in today’s workplace, social professionals like yourselves really need to develop and enhance your interpersonal skills.” “When we’re open-minded, we can see things more clearly from another perspective – which is really empathy – which often means we can turn something negative into an opportunity.” “Without empathy, people’s voices are not heard. Resentment can build, dysfunction can set in, and then there’s a loss of productivity.”

There’s no question that online communities are more important than they’ve ever been in the past. These communities can offer real action and tangible support to all types of people who live anywhere in the world. Today’s guests, Lesley Pinder, Head of Supporter Experience for the British Red Cross and Lucy Caldicott, Founder of ChangeOut, discuss their Facebook group, Fundraising Chat, as an example of community development, the sector supporting each other, and lessons learned. Listen in to learn how they set up the group, how they navigated the rules of the group, and how they’ve continued to grow the community.   Topics Discussed in This Episode: How the Fundraising Chat Facebook group began Setting up the ground rules for the group Policing the rules in the group The limits of an online community like Fundraising Chat Cultivating a more international feel in an online community The power of Fundraising Chat in connecting people and sharing learnings   Resources: Lesley Pinder Lucy Caldicott Fundraising Chat bbcon   Quotes:  “The people that we seeded the group with, which wasn’t – in hindsight, we can pretend we were being really strategic – but were people that we knew were already really active on social media and already had really good networks.” – Lesley Pinder “We’re accidental community managers – Lesley Pinder “When you’ve got something like George Floyd’s murder and everyone’s talking about that in every other space, it felt completely negligent to not do something in Fundraising Chat.” –Lucy Caldicott

Employees are a business’s most valuable asset, which is why more companies are starting to implement employee relief programs to provide a crucial safety net in times of disaster and hardship. Holly Welch Stubbing, CEO of E4E Relief, joins the podcast today to discuss the results of E4E Relief’s employee impact survey and why employee relief programs are good for business. Listen in to hear Holly discuss how employee relief funds differ from other charitable efforts, the possible negative consequences for companies that don’t consider the impacts of employee stress, and how companies can start an employee relief program.   Topics Discussed in This Episode: What E4E relief does E4E Relief’s Employee Impact Survey How employee relief funds are different from other charitable efforts Tips for companies that want to start an employee relief fund Negative consequences for companies that don’t consider employee stress The future of employee relief funds and employee wellness   Resources: Holly Welch Stubbing E4E Relief Impact Survey   Quotes:  “It is not ideal to wait until a disaster strikes.” “When you’re launching something short-term and long-term, you want to know what your financial implications of that are.” “I think we’re still trying to get our arms around what the impact is going to be of COVID.”

While lapsed donors are inevitable, there are strategies you can use to both reacquire them and prevent attrition in the first place. In today’s episode, Stu Manewith, Director of Thought Leadership and Advocacy for Omatic Software and Bailey Benzlé, Director Of Pre-Sales & Sales Enablement for Omatic Software, discuss leveraging data quality and strategic communication to increase the win-back rate. Listen in to hear them talk about how to identify those donors most likely to re-engage and the steps to take to create a successful win-back strategy.   Topics Discussed in This Episode: Lapsed donor definitions and industry standards The donors who are prized candidates for giving again How to calculate donor attrition Information that you need to pull about donors How to leverage the data you already have Affinity scoring Choosing a sample population that reflects the outcome you’re looking for Wealth rating scores Preventing lapsed donors Looking at more than just a donor’s giving history Creating a deeper profile understanding that allows a more meaningful relationship Data centralization Putting individual data point knowledge together to tell a story   Resources: Stu Manewith Bailey Benzlé Whitepaper: Re-engaging Lapsed Donors Cloud Integration Solutions - What's the Deal? Understanding the Reasons for Nonprofit Donor Churn 6 Tactics for Increasing Donor Retention   Quotes: “I guess we have to understand that lapsed donors are going to happen. They come and they go.” –Stu Manewith “Look internally and ask yourselves which bucket here you fit in.” –Bailey Benzle “When resources are limited - time, money, etc. - make sure that you are first targeting the donors that are most likely to re-engage.” –Stu Manewith

Do you know how to not only interpret your organization’s financials, but also how to present them to others as a compelling story that offers transparency and increases donations and impact. In today’s episode, you’ll hear from Stephanie Skryzowski, founder and CEO of 100 Degrees Consulting, about how to use and communicate your organization’s financials. Listen in to hear what Stephanie has to say about why sharing numbers is important, who needs to know your numbers, and what the best ways are to present your numbers to different audiences.   Topics Discussed in This Episode: Stephanie’s role as a CFO Why it’s important to use and share numbers Benefits of financial transparency How sharing numbers improves relationships with donors How to share financials with your board How to share numbers with your staff Sharing with donors and the public Ensuring that you have a strong financial foundation Checklist for budgeting best practices What reports tell your organization’s story on a monthly basis Five financial reports to review every single month How your data can be visualized Checking performance vs. plan   Resources: Stephanie Skryzowski bbcon 5 Ways Nonprofits Can Use Financials to Increase Transparency The Buyer's Guide to Fund Accounting Software   Quotes:  “As these organizations are sharing more information about themselves and about their financials, they got more money, which leads to greater impact.” “Before we start telling our financial story, we need to have the foundation of financial management really solid at our foundation.” “You want to make sure that we are coding all of our revenue, all of our expenses to admin, fundraising, or programs along the way, so that we can really easily pull this report.”

Feedback is a gift, but the thought of giving feedback can be scary. However, whether you are giving the gift of feedback to an employee, a manager, a teammate, a donor, a supporter, an advocate or a peer there is a process you can use to ensure your gift is better accepted. In today’s episode, Monica Mutter, Director of Leadership and Culture at Blackbaud, focuses on the steps you can take to give effective feedback. Listen in to hear why Monica calls feedback a gift and what steps you need to use to give feedback in a way that helps the person receiving it become better for the next similar situation that arises.   Topics Discussed in This Episode: Why Monica says feedback is a gift The cost of feedback The selection process for feedback The neuroscience of feedback Where people are left at the end of a feedback conversation Checking to see that the timing is right The steps for preparing to provide feedback The steps for delivering feedback Resetting expectations Having the person identify behavior changes they can make to incorporate the feedback   Resources: Monica Mutter bbcon 7 Steps for Giving Effective Feedback   Quotes:  “Feedback is a gift on so many levels.” “Because there is a cost to giving feedback, as we mentioned earlier, we want to make sure the gift is received.” “What’s most important is where we leave the person at the end of our conversation.”

Content is at the heart of how your constituents engage online. It’s how you inspire supporters to action and nurture their passion for your mission. But getting top-notch quality and performance from content isn’t always easy.  Nyleva Corley, principal user experience designer at Blackbaud, talks all about how to get the most from your content on today’s episode. Listen in to hear Nyleva speak about how content attracts viewers and drives traffic, the link between content and constituent opinion of your organization, and why a content strategy is critical for social good organizations.   Topics Discussed in This Episode: What content attracts viewers and drives traffic How much content is being processed daily The definition of content strategy Why working on a content strategy is critical The link between your content and how your constituents feel about you How to take inventory of all your content Performing a content audit The message hierarchy Performing a gap analysis Page description diagrams Storytelling techniques Tailoring your content to specific audiences Creating an editorial calendar Developing your content style guide   Resources: Nyleva Corley bbcon Guide to the Nonprofit Web Design Process What Is Content Governance and Why Does It Matter? How to Write Effective Web Copy (Part 1): Make It Readable How to Write Effective Web Copy (Part 2): Make It Stick   Quotes:  “If you could focus on the content that was most critical to your organization and expire or archive all of the other content, just think of the great content you could be producing.” “You want to start relationships with your constituents on your website.” “Content strategy is not something that you do one time, in a silo, all by yourself.”

End-of-year fundraising is always important, and this year it has added importance with organizations needing to make up potential COVID-19 related shortfalls. In today’s episode, Michael Johnston, founder of hjc, discusses some of the things that you should be thinking about when it comes to end-of-year giving and busts some common end-of-year fundraising myths.   Topics Discussed in This Episode: Why this year is the most important year for end-of-year fundraising What’s great about December donors What you can find in the End-of-Year Fundraising Toolkit How to make a holiday persona Mapping out the holiday journey The myth that holiday giving is only from October to December How end-of-year fundraising spans the wide spectrum of society Bringing different fundraising channels together Last-minute giving   Resources: Michael Johnston End-of-Year Fundraising Toolkit Last Minute Tips for Year-End Giving   Quotes:  “You might want to make a holiday persona or two.” “Don’t be afraid to make direct references, but still respect all religions and secular celebrations.” “People hold off on their giving until the last minute.”