The right board involvement can demystify fundraising, turning what might seem like a daunting task into a more manageable and impactful team effort. From this lively session, expect to learn a lot about the sometimes complicated, yet critical, role of engaging nonprofit boards in fundraising, with cohosts Julia Patrick and Tony Beall. This discussion revolves around the vital understanding that fundraising is a "team sport," as Tony aptly puts it. Together, they focus on the theme that board members play a significant role in an organization's ability to secure and sustain funds, but often, there's confusion about what fundraising truly is—and what it’s not.

Julia strikes the early tone by sharing her personal reflections on her decades-long involvement in community fundraising and board service, describing how much she could have done differently with the right knowledge. She says, "I looked at the different decades of my life and what I could have done better, and what I did well.", reflecting the importance of continuous learning for board members to become more effective in their roles.

Tony builds on this as they go on, explaining that while many board members feel a fear of fundraising, they can still significantly contribute by playing roles that don’t involve the daunting task of asking for money. He introduces four key roles board members can adopt: the Prospector, the Cultivator, the Solicitor, and the Steward. "You can support your organization from the launching pad to landing," Tony says, which shows the flexibility in how board members can engage in the fundraising process.

Tony goes on to highlight the value of board members engaging as ‘Stewards’. “It just says a lot when a volunteer who has the highest level of accountability for the organization is taking the time to call you or send you a card," he says. . . . .showcasing the power of gratitude and personal connection in fostering donor loyalty.

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Learn from this inspiring journey how innovative technology is being used to address the systemic challenges within foster care, with Dr. Jennifer Jacobs, co-founder and CEO of Connect Our Kids. She shares how they’re working to provide tools to make a difference for the lives of over 400,000 children currently in the foster care system.

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An amazing series of connections. . . . . . . . Dr. Jacobs, whose background in nuclear engineering and counter-terrorism may seem unrelated to child welfare at first glance, was motivated to take action after reading about the foster care crisis. She discovered alarming parallels between the methods used to map terrorist networks and the processes that could be adapted to find families for foster children. “The foster care community does similar work with Post-it notes and Microsoft Excel,” Jacobs pointed out, highlighting the severe resource limitations faced by social workers.

Her organization's groundbreaking software helps social workers efficiently locate biological family members, strengthening critical kinship ties that can profoundly affect a child’s well-being. For example, Dr. Jacobs shares the heart-wrenching story of Kelly, a foster child who was repeatedly moved between homes. After being asked what would help her most, Kelly responded, "I want people in my life who aren't paid to be there." Using Connect Our Kids’ tools, Kelly was reunited with her biological family in just 20 minutes—a life-changing moment that allowed her to finally begin healing!!

The conversation between host Wendy Adams and Dr. Jacobs amplifies the crucial role of relationships in a child's development. Dr. Jacobs elaborates on the science behind this, commenting, “Relationships are key to the wiring of the brain,” which makes family and kinship connections indispensable for long-term emotional and mental health.

Watch this fascinating conversation and you’ll agree that while technology alone cannot solve the foster care crisis, it is an essential tool that, when paired with compassionate, skilled social workers, it can dramatically improve outcomes for children in need.

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The monumental role data plays in transforming the social sector, with Adam Luecking, CEO and co-founder of Clear Impact. This discussion showcases how the right tools and mindset can empower nonprofits to create measurable, lasting impact, making it an invaluable listen for organizations striving to unlock their full potential through data.

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Adam begins by outlining two key types of data that nonprofits need to focus on: population-level data, which relates to broader societal conditions, and program accountability data, which evaluates how well individual programs perform. He notes, “There’s really two types of data out there—population-level data, which is much bigger than any one program, and program-level data, which is focused on how much and how well you do something, but most importantly, whether anyone is better off from your services.”

He shares, with co-hosts Wendy Adams and Julia Patrick, that the shift toward data-driven work can create anxiety within organizations, especially smaller nonprofits that lack experience in performance reporting. Continuing, he advocates for a phased approach, encouraging organizations to start small and build their capacity over time. “Pick three to five measures and focus on whether people are better off. Start small, build your performance and data muscles, and improve as you go,” he says.

This look into working with data also touches on the importance of aligning data reporting with funder expectations. Adam points to the need for nonprofits to shift their mindset from seeing data collection as a burden to understanding it as a core part of their mission. His mantra, “Bring precision to your passion,” encapsulates the idea that combining clear data with passion-driven work leads to greater social outcomes.

You’ll change the way you look at your nonprofit’s data! Clear Impact has pivoted from providing professional services to offering specialized software that enables nonprofits, governments, and philanthropic organizations to measure and enhance their social impact. Check them out. . .ClearImpact.com

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The essential yet often overlooked concept of creating a true culture of philanthropy within nonprofit organizations, with Shannon L. Watts, Principal Consultant of Key Fundraising. Hosted by Julia Patrick and Wendy Adams, the conversation looks into the ways nonprofit teams can evolve from simply discussing philanthropy to fully embedding it into their core operations and mission.

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You’ll watch and understand why Shannon emphasizes the importance of integrating philanthropy into every level of an organization, as she makes it clear that building such a culture is not merely the responsibility of the development team. Instead, it involves every member of the nonprofit, from board members to program staff. As Shannon puts it, "A culture of philanthropy is where everyone shares responsibility for bringing resources into the nonprofit organization." This does not mean that everyone is responsible for soliciting donations, but rather that each individual understands the role philanthropy plays in fulfilling the organization's mission and actively supports it.

Drawing from her extensive experience as a consultant, Shannon highlights the unique challenges faced by grassroots organizations—those with budgets under $1 million, often with limited resources and staff. For these smaller entities, she notes, fostering a culture of philanthropy is not only possible but often more readily embraced. The smaller, cross-trained teams in grassroots nonprofits already operate with a collective mindset, which can naturally lend itself to philanthropic collaboration. Shannon’s expertise stems from nearly two decades of consulting work, as well as her recent academic achievement—a Master’s in Philanthropy and Development from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

Throughout the lively chat, the hosts explore the barriers to implementing such a culture, particularly resistance from staff who may not see philanthropy as part of their role. Shannon addresses this speed bump, explaining that it requires a clear commitment from leadership, particularly executive directors, to champion and sustain the philanthropic ethos. However, the rewards—such as improved staff harmony, enhanced donor relations, and increased fundraising—are profound, making the long-term effort worthwhile.

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Guest expert Angela Coaxum transforms the often-intimidating world of nonprofit financials into a vibrant, engaging conversation about storytelling. With her dynamic approach, Angela, a Regional Director at Your Part-Time Controller, demystifies the process of turning dry financial data into a compelling narrative that highlights the heart and soul of an organization’s mission.

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From the outset, Angela sets the stage for how nonprofits can weave their financials into the bigger picture. "Storytelling isn’t about spinning a yarn, but making sure we’re getting our message across—how we’re supporting the mission," she explains. By focusing on the mission and the impact of the organization, financial reports become more than just numbers; they evolve into the story of how every dollar helps change lives. It’s a shift in perspective that makes financials feel less like a chore and more like a crucial piece of the nonprofit’s larger mission.
Angela’s infectious enthusiasm continues as she discusses the importance of making financial data visually engaging. "When you use charts and infographics, it really brings things to light," she says, "and people will tune in when it’s eye-catching." By turning numbers into visual narratives, nonprofits can grab the attention of board members, funders, and community partners—sparking conversations and deeper engagement with their financials. Imagine data that dazzles, with colorful charts that tell the story of your impact in a glance!

Collaboration also plays a starring role in this episode. Angela highlights the need for teamwork between finance, development, and marketing to craft a financial story that’s not only accurate but emotionally resonant. She encourages nonprofits to ensure that their financial reports don’t just sit in silos, but instead become part of a collective storytelling effort that shows transparency, builds trust, and makes a lasting impact.
By the end of this fast-paced episode, hosted by Julia Patrick, you’ll feel inspired to dive into your own financials with renewed energy, knowing that each number tells a part of your nonprofit’s bigger story.

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“Your branding is more than a flashy logo and tagline. It’s about how your messaging connects with your community and builds trust over time.”, says Tony Beall, with cohost Julia Patrick.
Their discussion explores the holistic nature of nonprofit branding, emphasizing that a strong brand is about more than just a flashy logo or a catchy tagline—it’s about creating genuine, long-lasting trust with the community and potential investors.

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Tony makes it clear that nonprofit branding must resonate deeply with the communities being served. This connection is crucial for fundraisers, who are often the face of the organization, and are on the front lines engaging with donors, investors, and community members. The conversation shines a light on the understanding that brand credibility is built not only through visuals but through the entire organizational culture, ethics, and consistent, transparent storytelling.
The two also touch on the role of internal collaboration in branding. Tony advocates for including fundraisers and frontline workers in branding decisions, as their daily interactions with the community offer invaluable insight into the organization's image and impact. The pair also highlight milestone marketing—celebrating organizational achievements like anniversaries—as a powerful way to underscore trust and show longevity and success in service.
You’ll appreciate how and why branding in the nonprofit world must be multi-dimensional, touching every part of an organization’s operations and outreach. The goal is not just to be seen but to be trusted, and that requires thoughtful, ongoing effort across all communications and actions.

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In the speedy world of nonprofit-corporate partnerships, the game is changing—and those who want to thrive need to evolve with it. Host Julia Patrick sits down with Zach Leverenz, the visionary CEO of SEED SPOT, to uncover strategies that not only land corporate partnerships but make them sustainable, high-impact relationships that transform communities.

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Zach doesn’t hold back. He shares powerful insights into how nonprofits must move beyond the old model of simply asking for charitable donations. "More and more, what we've seen is that getting really targeted and intentional about how the nonprofit understands the incentives and value they can provide to a corporate partner...is something that's overlooked oftentimes by nonprofit leaders," he explains. It’s a subtle shift, but one that unlocks immense opportunities for nonprofit organizations willing to think big.

At SEED SPOT, Zach and his team master the art of forging partnerships that deliver mutual benefits. One standout example is their collaboration with Humana Foundation and Volunteers of America. Together, they tackle health equity in underserved communities—an initiative that perfectly aligns the mission of each partner. Zach describes, "This is a case where we’re not compromising at all. In fact, we're amplifying and accelerating the impact we can have through a more intentional look at how corporate sponsors think about their own goals."

The key to building these powerhouse partnerships? Communication and trust. Zach stresses that successful partnerships aren’t one-off transactions—they’re deeply relational, requiring ongoing dialogue and shared vision. “Good partnerships are relational, they're not transactional. We are all humans, and we communicate and trust and build relationships with each other,” he says, offering a behind-the-scenes look at what makes these relationships flourish.

If you're ready to take your nonprofit to the next level, watch this episode and learn how to rethink your approach corporate partnerships. Zach makes it clear: the future belongs to those who create win-win alliances where everyone is invested, engaged, and driving toward real, measurable change. This isn’t just about writing a check—it’s about rewriting the rulebook for impact.

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A comprehensive guide for nonprofits navigating the world of policy, advocacy, and grassroots efforts, illustrating how nonprofits can and should engage in the political sphere. Host Julia Patrick engages in a dynamic conversation with advocacy expert Amy Showalter, CEO of the Showalter Group, to demystify nonprofit involvement in public policy and advocacy. Amy's deep expertise shines as she clarifies myths and offers practical guidance for nonprofits looking to influence policy while remaining compliant with regulations.

One of the key myths addressed by Amy is the misconception that nonprofits are prohibited from engaging in advocacy or lobbying. She exhorts, “It’s a myth that nonprofits can’t engage in advocacy, or even use the word lobbying. They’re allowed to engage in those activities.” Amy explains that while there are financial limitations and specific guidelines, the IRS encourages nonprofits to make their voices heard in policy matters, particularly those that align with their mission.

She highlights the importance of nonprofits not just raising awareness but also focusing on achieving measurable results. “Awareness is not the metric. That’s a step in the influence process, but it’s not the result. The result is, are you changing hearts and minds of elected officials or the public,” she underscores, urging organizations to have clear objectives and success metrics in place.

The discussion also explores the potential advantages and challenges of forming coalitions with like-minded organizations. While such collectives can amplify a nonprofit’s influence, Amy points out that they can also introduce complexity regarding decision-making and credibility. She advises organizations to weigh these pros and cons carefully.

You’ll come away realizing grassroots advocacy is a powerful tool, especially for nonprofits, to effect change. Amy reinforces the value of nonprofits stepping into advocacy, not only for policy impact but for the benefit of their stakeholders and donors, who often support causes with strong advocacy components.

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