What does a community foundation actually do, and what makes its board effective? In this episode of I501(c)You, Michael sits down with Phillip Lanham, President & CEO of Gulf Coast Community Foundation, to break down the role community foundations play in inspiring philanthropy and creating measurable regional impact. Phillip shares his path from higher education fundraising to community foundation leadership, explains how boards are governed, and offers practical insight on working with donor-board members, building strong board chair relationships, and using a foundation’s convening power to strengthen nonprofits through grants, capacity building, and rapid-response funding when the community needs it most.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Phillip Lanham, President & CEO, Gulf Coast Community Foundation

(03:10) What compelled you to join a community foundation?

(04:30) The role of community foundations

(07:15) How is a community foundation governed?

(08:25) What makes for a good board member?

(09:45) Any opportunities when board members are also donors?

(10:40) Role of the board chair

(11:45) How do you structure your relationship with your board chair?

(13:25) How do other board members interact?

(15:45) How do community foundations work with nonprofits?

(20:10) The power to convene

(21:30) Structure of Gulf Coast Community Foundation

(23:15) Learning curves of being CEO

(24:55) Most rewarding aspect of being CEO

(26:40) Biggest surprises

(28:25) Advice to a future CEO

(30:00) Recapping with Read

Join us every other week as we release a new podcast with information about how you can be the best board member and provide great service to your organization.

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Visit us at: www.thecorleycompany.com/podcast

What does it really take to move from trusted insider to CEO while keeping your board focused on strategy instead of “sausage-making”? In this episode of the I 501(c)You podcast for nonprofit board members, Michael sits down with Charlie Imbergamo, CEO of the Nonprofit Leadership Center, to unpack his journey from faith-based education leader to head of a regional hub for nonprofit talent development. Charlie shares how he navigated a rigorous internal succession process, leads with a “people first, mission always” mindset, and keeps both his board and small staff aligned around the what of strategy instead of getting lost in the how. You’ll hear practical rhythms for board communication, how pre-reads transformed their meetings, why they only meet when decisions are needed, and how tools like Asana and virtual training help them serve 700+ nonprofits a year.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Charlie Imbergamo, CEO of Nonprofit Leadership Center

(05:45) Living what we teach

(08:40) Approaching transitioning from staff to CEO

(12:15) Charlie’s approach to strategy

(15:15) Keeping your organization focused on the ‘what’

(18:50) Creating an engaged board

(23:00) Approach to board meetings

(26:30) Communicating with staff

(30:00) What is the Nonprofit Leadership Center?

Join us every other week as we release a new podcast with information about how you can be the best board member and provide great service to your organization.

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Small nonprofits often feel outmatched in brand and communication work. This week’s conversation with Sam Stern shows why that gap is closing fast. Sam is the CEO of Magnify Good and the creator of Connection Works. He explains how AI can give small organizations the clarity, confidence, and steady output that used to require a full communications staff. We look at why brand is more than colors and logos, how AI can match your voice, and how stronger storytelling leads to stronger fundraising. For nonprofit leaders working with limited time and capacity, this episode offers a realistic view of what is possible and why now is the right moment to move forward.

Check Out Connection Works Here:

https://www.magnifygood.com/aifornonprofits/

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Sam Stern, Chief Executive Officer, MagnifyGood

(03:00) Opportunities for technology in nonprofits

(06:15) Getting introduced to AI

(09:00) Training the AI on your information

(11:05) What is a brand?

(12:30) How does the product work?

(16:00) Should board members be concerned about AI?

Join us every other week as we release a new podcast with information about how you can be the best board member and provide great service to your organization.

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Visit us at: www.thecorleycompany.com/podcast

This week on I 501(c) You, Michael sits down with Sandra Bograd, Of Counsel at Genova Burns, to unpack the often-misunderstood world of nonprofit and corporate board governance. Drawing from decades of experience in law, compliance, and ethics, Sandra breaks down what makes boards effective, how governance in nonprofits and for-profits overlap, and why board members must lean into their fiduciary roles, paid or not. If you've ever wondered what separates a high-impact board from a passive one, this episode is essential listening for nonprofit leaders, board members, and governance professionals.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Sandra Bograd, Esq., Of Counsel, Genova Burns, LLC

(08:00) How did you navigate stakeholder relationships?

(10:30) What is good governance?

(12:45) Ensuring good governance

(15:00) Getting the board on board

(18:40) Is governance different on for-profit and nonprofit boards?

(20:45) Role of the board chair

(23:05) Prepping for board meetings

(24:30) Benefits of strong board governance

(29:15) Risks of joining a board

(35:25) Thoughts when nonprofits are victims of fraud

(39:35) Board speaking with senior staff

Join us every other week as we release a new podcast with information about how you can be the best board member and provide great service to your organization.

Listen to the podcast on any of the following platforms:

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Visit us at: www.thecorleycompany.com/podcast

In this episode of I 501(c) You, host Michael Corley interviews Wendy Deming, CEO of the Bishop Parker Foundation and a widely respected governance expert. Wendy shares her 25+ year journey through the nonprofit world, the strategic importance of board governance, and why strong leadership and effective board dynamics are key to nonprofit success. She explains how governance directly influences donor trust, organizational sustainability, and even board recruitment. If you're a board member, nonprofit executive, or funder, Wendy’s insights are a masterclass in turning governance into a powerful asset.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Wendy Deming, CEO of The Bishop Parker Foundation

(06:55) Governance is the bedrock for a solid foundation

(08:15) How can Governance be a strategic asset?

(10:45) Indications that boards need to improve governance

(13:20) What traits make a good nonprofit leader?

(17:30) As a funder, what do you look at before you fund an organization

(23:45) Biggest surprise as the CEO

(26:20) Recapping with Read

Join us every other week as we release a new podcast with information about how you can be the best board member and provide great service to your organization.

Listen to the podcast on any of the following platforms:

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Visit us at: www.thecorleycompany.com/podcast

In this episode of I 501(c)You, Nelle Miller shares what it really takes to lead a nonprofit from the inside out. From her deep experience as a board member to taking on tough interim CEO roles, and now leading All Faiths Food Bank, Nelle walks us through the messy, meaningful, and mission-driven work of nonprofit leadership. She talks governance, the importance of boundaries between boards and staff, and how staying connected to purpose fuels her every day. It’s a rich, honest look at what it means to lead with humility, clarity, and conviction in the nonprofit world.

www.allfaithsfoodbank.org

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Nelle Miller, President & CEO of All Faiths Food Bank

(03:00) Compare and contrast leading for-profit and nonprofit organizations

(06:00) The work of the board

(07:00) Evolution of the All Faiths Food Bank board

(09:15) What experiences as a board member made you a better CEO?

(11:20) Your role as an Interim CEO

(13:30) How do you communicate with the board?

(15:30) How do you stay motivated?

(18:50) How did growing up influence your career?

(20:50) Recapping with Read

Join us every other week as we release a new podcast with information about how you can be the best board member and provide great service to your organization.

Listen to the podcast on any of the following platforms:

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Visit us at: www.thecorleycompany.com/podcast

What does it take to grow a business with purpose and serve effectively on nonprofit boards? In this episode, Michael welcomes Joey Brannon, founder of Axiom Strategic Consulting, for a rich conversation on strategy, execution, and board leadership. Joey shares how his firm helps business owners scale with intention, the rhythms that drive transformation, and why execution, not ideas, creates real value. He also dives into nonprofit board service, offering sharp insights on how to contribute meaningfully, ask the right questions before joining a board, and support both mission and management. Whether you're a nonprofit leader or a business owner looking to give back, this episode is packed with actionable wisdom.

Visit Axiom’s website: https://www.axiomstrategic.com/

Grow with Purpose Podcast Link: https://www.axiomstrategic.com/podcast

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Joey Brannon, Founder, Axiom Strategic Consulting

(03:30) Joey’s approach with clients and developing a discipline of execution

(08:30) Compare and contrast working with for-profit and nonprofit organizations

(13:30) How should board members operate?

(19:50) Advice for those thinking about joining a board

(23:30) Selecting a nonprofit to be on their board

(30:00) Recapping with Read

In this episode of the I 501(c) You podcast, host Michael interviews Randy Scheid, a returning guest and author of the new book Giving Reimagined: Leveraging Technology to Transform the Way We Give. Randy dives into how AI, blockchain, and emerging tech can revolutionize the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors. From using Bitcoin to aid vulnerable communities to rethinking outdated grant processes, this conversation offers a bold vision for how the sector can shift from being tech-averse to tech-first.

Randy’s Linkedin

Find the Book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/2chuaT8

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Randy Scheid, Author, Founder of RGS Partners Consulting

(01:30) Why right the book?

(03:00) Why is this topic important to our sector?

(04:30) What do we need to understand as we read your book?

(07:30) How blockchain can be used for nonprofits

(10:15) Biggest barrier holding the sector back

(14:30) Ethics in AI

(17:00) How to start using AI

(20:45) Recapping with Read

Join us every week as we release a new podcast with information about how you can be the best board member and provide great service to your organization.

Listen to the podcast on any of the following platforms:

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Apple Podcasts

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Amazon

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Visit us at: www.thecorleycompany.com/podcast