Black women, the fastest growing segment of business owners, are the least likely to receive investments from venture capitalists. They account for less than 1 percent of the $424.7 billion raised in tech V.C. funding since 2009, according to the 2018 Project Diane study conducted by DigitalUndivided, an organization that empowers women entrepreneurs of color.To address these disparities, and to provide a one-stop-shop for people looking to buy from Black women, my guest Nikki Porcher founded Buy From A Black Woman, a 501(c)3 that is committed to building the largest community of Black Women Business Owners across the country and around the globe. Through educational programs, an online directory, and financial support and meaningful partnerships, Buy From A Black Woman continues to grow as a trusted resource that helps Black Women in business.  In this episode, we discuss why she created her nonprofit Buy From A Black Woman, how she built it from scratch to secure partnerships with H&M and Goldman Sachs, and how she cultivates a community of passionate supporters and donors.Connect with Nikki on LinkedInVisit Nikki Porcher's websiteBuy from a Black Woman InstagramVisit Buy from a Black Woman's websiteTune in on A Black Woman's podcastTake my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

Are you tired of pouring resources into events only to see attendees come and go without making a lasting impact? In this episode of Nonprofit Nation, fundraising master trainer Chad Barger, ACFRE, shows us the secrets to converting event attendees into loyal donors.The data shows that events are unparalleled in their ability to engage attendees. A study by Meeting Professionals International (MPI) found that 84% of event attendees believe that face-to-face interactions are crucial for building stronger, more meaningful relationships. Drawing from years of experience, Chad reveals the strategic approach to building long-term connections with event attendees, ultimately transforming them into passionate supporters of your cause.About Chad Barger, ACFREChad Barger helps nonprofit professionals fundraise more efficiently and effectively.  He is the founder of the firm Productive Fundraising, which focuses on bringing actionable, research-based fundraising tactics to small and mid-sized non-profits. He is a top-rated conference speaker and webinar presenter as well as a master trainer of boards that “don’t want to fundraise.” Chad is also a strategic advisor and coach to many non-profit fundraisers, executive directors and board members.  He takes pride in being a qualified curator of top-notch fundraising news and research through his weekly fundraiserchad e-blasts and popular free monthly webinar series.  Learn more at productivefundraising.com.Connect with Chad on LinkedInFollow Chad on FacebookFollow Chad on InstagramVisit the Productive Fundraising websiteTake my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

In the philanthropic landscape, the influence of corporate matching programs cannot be overstated. With approximately 81% of Americans making charitable donations and 26 million individuals employed by companies offering match programs, there is significant potential for fundraisers to tap into this resource. Want to reach younger donors? The average age of an American employee is 38, and 70% say they want to work for a company that has purpose. These potential donors not only represent strength in numbers but also possess the ability to nearly double their contributions through company match programs.Establishing relationships with local companies becomes crucial for fundraisers, as it opens avenues for ongoing support, volunteer engagement, and a wider network of community backers. The key lies in fostering meaningful connections with these donors, encouraging continuous support aligned with their passions, and increasing their involvement with the nonprofit. This podcast episode aims to explore five essential engagement tactics for nonprofits looking to build lasting relationships with current and potential donors who have access to corporate match programs.My guest is Matt Nash. Based in North Carolina, Matt Nash previously served as the senior vice president of marketing and donor experience for Fidelity Charitable. He’s now executive director of The Blackbaud Giving Fund, the charitable arm of Blackbaud, the cloud computing provider that serves nonprofits, foundations, schools and other social change organizations. The Blackbaud Giving Fund has safely disbursed over $1.6 billion from generous donors to over 195,000 nonprofits around the globe and offers resources to nonprofits to support their fundraising goals.Connect with Matt Nash on LinkedInFollow Blackbaud:LinkedInFacebookInstagramTake my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

Social media can be a boon for nonprofits - or a bane. With attention spans and engagement rates plummeting, and new platforms popping up, how can nonprofits keep up?  My guest today is the founder of Sunflower Communications, Nina Staer Nathan. In this insightful episode, we unravel the essential components of crafting an effective social media strategy. From understanding your target audience to leveraging the power of different platforms, Nina provides actionable tips and strategic insights to elevate your online presence and connect meaningfully with your audience.Tune in as we break down the common pitfalls to avoid and share practical advice on adapting to the ever-evolving landscape of social media. Nina draws from their wealth of experience to highlight the importance of consistency, authenticity, and adaptability in building a robust social media strategy. Whether you're just starting or looking to revamp your approach, this episode equips you with the knowledge and tools to navigate the dynamic world of social media successfully.About Nina Staer NathanNina is from Toronto, but splits her time between there and Antigua, Guatemala. She holds a degree in Philosophy and Psychology from York University, as well as a certificate in Digital Marketing Management from the University of Toronto, and a Post-Graduate in Project Management & International Development from Humber College.She has experience working in marketing, communications, fundraising, and teaching in Canada, South Korea and Guatemala. After working in the social impact sector for a few years, she realized there was a need for nonprofits and social enterprises to fundraise and communicate in a modern and engaging way, so she started Sunflower with the hopes of helping clients tell their story, amplify their impact and reach their goals. Connect with Nina on LinkedInFollow Nina on InstagramVisit the Sunflower Communications websiteTake my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

Most nonprofits struggle to generate income, which hinders impact. It’s common to constantly live in frantic fundraising mode. It impacts your team, your mission, and even your family. How can nonprofits - like yours - find more donations with the network of supporters you already have so you can leave your unique mark on the world? My guest this week is James Thorne. James is a passionate creator dedicated to empowering individuals, families, and communities through entrepreneurial opportunities. In a career that has spanned a range of industries—from hospitality to ministry, from filmmaking to marketing and business coaching—James has managed teams, led departments, and built several businesses from the ground up. His greatest ambition is to love others like Jesus Christ and to leave behind a legacy of lives changed through financial and spiritual freedom. James is currently the Owner and Chief People Officer for Quirk, the Founder and CEO of Vehicle for Good, and the Owner of Bow Tie Media. He lives in the heart of Fort Worth with his wife and kids.You can get 50% off of James’ book Lasting Donor Locator:  Proven Frameworks for Finding the Right Donors to Engage with Your Nonprofitwhen you go to the Quirk website and use the code NonprofitNation.Connect with James on LinkedInTake my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

Cause marketing involves partnering with a for-profit business to promote your cause and raise funds. This type of marketing can be a win-win for both parties, as the business benefits from increased brand awareness and positive PR, while your organization benefits from increased exposure and donations. And as more consumers look to support companies that align with their values, cause marketing is becoming increasingly popular for nonprofits to raise funds and awareness.In this episode, I sit down with cause marketing guru Joe Waters to talk about current trends in cause marketing partnerships, how to secure more meaningful and lucrative partnerships, and how to use artificial intelligence to create case studies. About Joe WatersJoe Waters helps nonprofits and businesses build win-win partnerships that raise money and change the world. He’s been writing his popular partnership blog, Selfish Giving, since 2005. He’s also written two books, one on cause marketing, the other on corporate partnerships. Avid gardener, posts photos in his newsletter or on Pinterest.com/joewatersConnect with Joe on LinkedInTake my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

New and small nonprofits are doing powerful work in communities, often with little to no budgets. Getting your first donations can be challenging when you feel like you have little visibility or support.That’s where peer-to-peer fundraising comes in.My guest this week is Tiffany Allen. Tiffany is the CEO of Boss on a Budget, a small firm that teaches communities to form strong nonprofits and obtain funding. Her passion is working with Black-led nonprofits and other new nonprofits, teaching them to use their skills and talents to get funding. In this episode, we discuss:How brand new nonprofits can go from zero donors to raising the funds to make change and create impact; How to raise startup funds for your nonprofit; How to design a own peer-to-peer campaign;How to pick technology to use as a small nonprofit;How to motivate volunteers to help raise more money.About Tiffany AllenSince 2016, Tiffany has worked with startup nonprofit founders teaching them how to start nonprofit organizations from the ground up. She is a social worker by trade and over the past 15 years has worked with national foundations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations to improve their services while listening to the voice of those impacted by their work.  Tiffany has helped thousands launch or fundraise for their nonprofits.Tiffany speaks to funders and donors on the importance of community-based investing with smaller, grassroots organizations that don’t have a strong infrastructure, but have powerful missions and impact. Tiffany’s goal is to lift up the voice of the nonprofit founders who often go unseen but are making change in their communities every single day, often with little support and no money.Connect with Tiffany on LinkedInVisit the Boss on a Budget websiteFind Tiffany teaching weekly on her Youtube channelTune in on Tiffany's podcast The Nonprofit ActivatorOther Resources:Blog: 21 Ways to Make $30,000 for Your New Nonprofit (with no grants)New membership society (Activate Your Purpose and Profit)Nonprofit Startup ChecklistTake my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

We know that nonprofits do amazing work. Every single day, they deliver life-changing programs, research, and more to impact communities, regions, and the world. Philanthropy supercharges nonprofits to go forward — but it’s often about more than money. It’s about trust. It’s about storytelling. It’s about big relationships. It’s about doing the right thing. It’s about meaningful conversations. The concept of servant-leadership inspires all this and more - and that is the focus of a new book on philanthropy, The Nonprofiteer’s Field Guide: 30 Practical Ways to Boost Philanthropy Through Servant-leadership. My guest today is the author of this book and long-time nonprofit professional, Evan Wildstein.In this episode, Evan and I discuss: What a “nonprofiteer” is and who falls in this categoryThe concept of “servant-leadership” and why nonprofits should embrace itHow servant-leadership is different from other forms of leadership, and how nonprofits can incorporate it in their own fundraising work Trends in the sector and how to adaptAbout Evan WildsteinEvan Wildstein is nonprofiteer with over twenty years of experience in fundraising, strategy, and operations. In addition to his work in social impact, Wildstein has coached organizations on board development and talent growth, commissioned operas, and produced learning initiatives. He writes regularly for several nonprofit publications and is the author of the recently published book, The Nonprofiteer’s Field Guide: 30 Practical Ways to Boost Philanthropy Through Servant-leadership. Connect with Evan on LinkedInEvanWildstein.com Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

Volunteer recruitment is the #1 challenge volunteer managers report facing.In this episode, I speak with Geng Wang, CEO and Founder of Civic Champs, a volunteer management and engagement platform. We discuss: How volunteering has changed since the pandemicThe latest volunteer recruitment trendsTips to recruit and retain the best volunteers How to leverage social media for recruiting volunteersAbout Geng WangGeng Wang is the CEO of Civic Champs, a volunteer management and engagement platform.As CEO, Geng leads our team of passionate change leaders to deliver software for nonprofit organizations that empowers them and their volunteers to more easily serve their communities. Prior to Civic Champs, Geng co-founded and sold two companies, RentJungle.com (an apartment search engine), and Community Elf (a social media management firm).  Geng is also a former McKinsey & Company consultant and is a graduate of Michigan State University and Harvard Business School.Connect with Geng Wang on LinkedInTake my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

Fundraising does not have to feel like throwing spaghetti against the wall and hoping for the best.My guest this week is going to help us finally take the guesswork out of finding, cultivating & activating new donors — in proven and actionable ways.In this episode, we discuss:How to Attract New Funders And Donors to Fuel Your GrowthHow to fund growth How to Mobilize your board to be *real* ambassadors and meaningful thought partners to you and your team How to attract (instead of chasing!) increased revenue by deepening your thought leadership and expanding your networkAbout Brooke Richie-BabbageBrooke Richie-Babbage has spent the past 23 years working as a nonprofit leader and social entrepreneur.  She is the host of the Nonprofit Mastermind Podcast, and the founder and CEO of Bending Arc, a social impact strategy & digital content agency that partners with non-profit leaders and philanthropic institutions around the country to support the launch and sustainable growth of high-impact nonprofits.Connect with Richie on LinkedInVisit Richie's websiteTune in on The Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastEmail Brooke at: brooke@brookerichiebabbage.comTake my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

In the last few years, bilingual social media content has emerged as a tool used to increase diversity and rights for minority groups. On Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, and other social platforms, organizations such as Tide Pods by Unilever have released bilingual images that support diverse communities. More recently, nonprofits have started to use bilingual social media content as a marketing tool and support communities by creating awareness and encouraging the involvement of people to take positive action. This is important because it gives back to communities that have been left out by mainstream culture for many years.My guest today is Maria Ochoa, Founder and CEO at Emprender Creative, an agency helping organizations realize their vision by providing bilingual marketing services with content that is culturally targeted, impactful, and relevant to the Latinx community. Maria has over 20 years of experience working with diverse populations in California and Illinois — advocating for individuals and groups. Her work in social media and content creation has allowed her to continue to serve and advocate for the most vulnerable members in our communities. In this episode, Maria and I discuss: How bilingual social media content helps promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in nonprofits How to use bilingual content in fundraising appeals and campaignsHow to start creating bilingual contentThe benefits of sharing bilingual content Which social media channels nonprofits should use to promote this contentAbout Maria OchoaMaria Ochoa is the founder of Emprender Creative, a bilingual social media agency dedicated to helping organizations bring their visions to life. With a focus on culturally targeted and impactful marketing services.  Her goal is to help nonprofits engage effectively with the Latinx community. Maria holds a B.A. in Sociology from Aquinas College and a Master’s in Leadership Studies from North Central College. With over two decades of experience, Maria has advocated for diverse populations across the United States and Latin America. Through social media and Meet Maria Ochoa, the passionate founder behind Emprender Creative, a bilingual social media agency on a mission to bring organizations' visions to vibrant life. Maria's focus is all about crafting culturally targeted and impactful marketing services, with a special emphasis on helping nonprofits engage effectively with the Latinx community.Connect with Maria on LinkedInFollow Maria on InstagramOther links:https://www.emprendercreative.com/https://www.emprendercreative.com/post/how-bilingual-social-media-content-helps-promote-diversity-equality-and-inclusion-in-nonprofits Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

Livestreams are the new telethons, and they’re raising millions for charities. The rise of video game streaming in the last several years has opened up a new avenue for philanthropy. Streamers and charity organizations routinely partner up to solicit donations from the gamer’s thousands of loyal viewers. Instead of calling in like participants did for telethons, viewers funnel donations through a digital pipeline that makes the fundraising process instantaneous. Twitch streamers raised $40+ million in 2018, $55 million in 2019, and $83 million in 2020 (Forbes). And if you're looking for younger donors, note that 70% of Twitch's users are between 18 and 34 years old. My guest today is Shane Bailey, Head of Gaming & Streaming for Australian charity Cure Cancer spearheading Game On Cancer®, an initiative that partners with gaming brands, developers, publishers, creators and communities to help fund life-saving cancer research. In less than four years, Game On Cancer® has raised more than $1M AUD and isn’t slowing down.  In this episode, we discuss:  The rise of gaming and streaming fundraisers and how can they raise donations for your nonprofitHow to partner with gamers and livestreamersHow nonprofits can determine if they are ready to run a gaming fundraiserWays to get started in this space, even if you are a small nonprofitAbout Shane BaileyShane has worked in the Australian games industry, across a variety of different roles and disciplines, for the past 14 years. His work has included brand management, communications, retail, esports, events, trade marketing, community engagement and partnerships. Today, Shane is the Head of Gaming & Streaming for Australian charity Cure Cancer spearheading Game On Cancer®, an initiative that partners with gaming brands, developers, publishers, creators and communities to help fund life-saving cancer research. In less than four years, Game On Cancer® has raised more than $1M AUD and isn’t slowing down.Connect with Shane on LinkedInOther links:https://linktr.ee/shanebaileyauhttps://gameoncancer.com.au/Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

Your major gifts strategy may be leaving millions on the table. And it’s probably holding you back from the impact you know your organization could make.You have - or you are developing - relationships with ultra-high-net-worth individuals, but they’re not stepping up to the level you need. But in truth, the person who needs to step up is you.Asking for a lot of money from a rich person face-to-face can be intimidating. Especially when you have worked so hard to build these relationships.My guest this week is Julie Ordoñez, founder of Courage Lab and Nonprofit Courage Lab Podcast, and a major gifts coach to thousands of nonprofits. Julie knows that wealthy donors aren’t mind readers, and they don’t write million-dollar checks on a whim. They’re people like you and me. And they need a leader to show them what it takes to make their mark and leave a legacy.In this episode, Julie and I discuss: Keys to a culture of generosityWhat should fundraisers & development teams be focused on right now when it comes to individual givingCourage in nonprofit leadership Why character development is crucial to make our missions and visions a realityHow to ask more from the donors you have rather than constantly chase brand new donorsAbout Julie OrdoñezJulie Ordoñez is a major gifts strategist and coach on a mission to equip leaders with the courage to ask for more and raise multi-billions to solve the world’s most pressing issues.With 14 years of experience in major gifts, Julie was top 1% performer at United Way of Greater Los Angeles among 90 FTEs, and at LIFT as well as New Story raise $2.5M in her first 12 months in the role in 2022. She has coached and trained over 200 nonprofit executives and major gifts teams since 2018.She’s the founder of CourageLab, a 6-week major gifts training for leaders to get the courage and strategy to ask for more and raise major gifts and the host of the top-rated podcast Nonprofit CourageLab which hit #3 on the US nonprofit charts in Sept 2022.Connect with Julie on LinkedInFollow Julie on Instagram julieordonez.comTake my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

Social Media for Social Good Academy is open for enrollment - click here for more information! How is technology shaping your fundraising strategy this year? What challenges are fundraisers facing in 2024 - and where are the opportunities?  From leveraging data analytics to optimizing online donation processes, this episode explores some of the emerging tech-driven approaches that can elevate fundraising efforts.Join me for an episode diving into the dynamic intersection of technology and fundraising in 2024. My guest is Melaina Chromy, PR & Communications Manager at Qgiv. Before coming to Qgiv, she worked as a director of annual giving and used her digital marketing savvy to lead several successful giving days. When she's not coordinating brand awareness campaigns, she can be found binge-watching Parks and Rec and taking photos of everyone else's pets.We talk about the recent data released on fundraising effectiveness, and shed light on the trends and insights that fundraisers need to navigate the evolving landscape.Connect with Melaina on LinkedInGet your free "This Is My Fundraising Shirt" t-shirt! Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

My guest today is Sterrin Bird, Senior Director, Nonprofit Industry Advisor, Salesforce. Sterrin is a nationally recognized leader in the nonprofit community, with nearly three decades spent working with some of the most prestigious organizations in the country, including UCSF Medicine, Duke Medicine, American Red Cross, United Way and the March of Dimes. She was a Chief Development Officer for 30 years In addition she founded her own consulting practice in 2010. Sterrin partners with organizations to ensure they can access the affordable creative support and counsel necessary to scale their operations — and their impact. She’s conducted more than two-dozen capital campaigns throughout the United States with combined fundraising goals in excess of $5.5 billion. In 2020, she joined Salesforce as a Nonprofit Industry Expert.In this episode, Sterrin and I discuss: Why AI is not going to replace us (most of us!)Trends in the AI space that nonprofits need to knowHow nonprofits can use this technology to save time and do better workPitfalls and challenges in using this new technology for good The future of tech in the sector and how nonprofits can get ready for the next waveHow we can use predictive and generative AIDoes cybersecurity seem like a terrifying topic? Well have no fear. This episode is sponsored by RoundTable Technology - the Nonprofit IT Partner. For the eighth year in a row, they are offering a free webinar to teach you and your staff exactly the steps to make your IT more secure in the New Year.RoundTable Technology is a managed IT and cybersecurity services organization focusing almost exclusively on the nonprofit sector, with over 200 nonprofit clients. So make it your New Year’s resolution to get your entire staff FREE cybersecurity awareness training.Head over to NonprofitIT.com/best-ever to save your seat now. Here’s to a wonderful 2024!Connect with Sterrin on LinkedInOther resources:Building a Data Management StrategyDonor-Centric Fundraising GuideNonprofit Trends ReportTake my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

Social Media for Social Good Academy is open for enrollment - click here for more information! What type of content is most likely to inspire long-term support from your followers? How are nonprofit organizations handling the constant rise of social platforms and features? Are they jumping on the AI bandwagon? And which social platforms are they most (and least) confident will deliver a positive ROI?Join me and the Hootsuite Social Impact Team to discuss the Social Media Trends in Nonprofits report to get answers to all these questions, plus firsthand insights, industry inspo, and all the guidance you need to be a social media innovator for the year ahead.Get your copy of the report here: https://www.hootsuite.com/research/nonprofit-social-media-trends-reportMy guests are Eva Taylor, Director of Social Impact and Laura Zubick, Social Impact Manager at Hootsuite. Eva Taylor has over 15 years of experience creating and executing strategic programs and campaigns that connect brands and nonprofit organizations with their customers, communities and other key stakeholders. In her role as Director, Social Impact at Hootsuite, a global social media management platform, Eva creates initiatives that empower employees to give back to the communities where they live and work, including creating the award-winning Hootsuite for Good program. Alongside this, Eva leads the HootGiving Program for Nonprofits and oversees strategic partnerships, philanthropy and disaster relief. As the former Director of Global Social Marketing at Hootsuite, Eva works closely with nonprofit organizations of all sizes to harness the power of social media to innovate, adapt and leverage new ways of delivering impact worldwide.Laura Zubick is a marketing, corporate social responsibility, and DEI professional, who is passionate about bringing stakeholders forward in a purpose-driven way. She has developed and implemented several strategic initiatives, including the award-winning Pay Up for Progress campaign to achieve pay parity. In her current role of Social Impact Manager at Hootsuite, a global social media management platform, Laura leads the organization’s employee purpose program, Hootsuite For Good, and contributes to the growth of the HootGiving Program for Nonprofits.In this episode, we discuss:  The key insights and trends in the Nonprofit Social Media Trends 2024 reportHow nonprofits can strategically allocate their time and resources on social mediaHow to leverage entertainment on social media to boost the bottom lineWhy ROI is taking center stage and how to focus on it for maximum resultsGenerative AI and how to maintain authenticity in content creationTake my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

Nonprofits are often stuck in the status quo of fundraising, inching along towards their revenue goals and slashing programs and budgets along the way. What if we changed the question to: “What if we had no choice but to double our revenue over the next three years with half the resources, half the human effort, half the budget? How would we do it? Go.”This is the question that my guest aims to answer. Matt Scott is CEO of CauseMic and the author of The High Growth Nonprofit: Proven Steps to Quickly Double Your Revenue and Drive Impact. During Matt’s seven years at Team Rubicon, he took the organization from $275,000 in annual revenue to $51 million. In this episode, Matt and I discuss: Why reframing your organization’s growth mindset is the first step in doubling your nonprofit’s revenue in three years or less.How nonprofits can make a better case to donorsThe power of a one-page strategic planWays to convince your board to embrace and implement bold ideas and thinkingDoes cybersecurity seem like a terrifying topic? Well have no fear. This episode is sponsored by RoundTable Technology - the Nonprofit IT Partner. For the eighth year in a row, they are offering a free webinar to teach you and your staff exactly the steps to make your IT more secure in the New Year.RoundTable Technology is a managed IT and cybersecurity services organization focusing almost exclusively on the nonprofit sector, with over 200 nonprofit clients. So make it your New Year’s resolution to get your entire staff FREE cybersecurity awareness training.Head over to NonprofitIT.com/best-ever to save your seat now. Here’s to a wonderful 2024!About Matt ScottBesides being an early riser, Matt Scott is the CEO and Co-founder of CauseMic, a Portland-based consultancy helping nonprofits leverage the best-in-class for-profit methods to grow their organization. Before CauseMic, he was in your shoes as a fundraising leader on the inside of numerous young and fast nonprofits—one of which he helped take from $275,000 to $51 million in seven years. He’s a builder and a doer with a vision for scaling his company while balancing profitability with employee profit-sharing and respect.Connect with Matt on LinkedInCheck out Cause Mic Crew on YoutubeTake my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

Have you heard of human-centered design? It is built on the idea that people who experience a challenge are best suited to solve it. More recently, human-centered design has been adapted to solve problems that have nothing to do with technology. For example, school districts often use variations of the approach to redesign schools, engaging students, parents, and teachers as the “expert users” who know what’s needed for an optimal learning environment. Social entrepreneurs use it to design ways to alleviate poverty.My guest today is Vichi Jagannathan, Co-founder & Executive Director of the Rural Opportunity Institute. Rural Opportunity Institute (ROI), one of eight organizations in New Profit’s first Health Equity Cohort, supports youth, organizations, and communities in rural North Carolina to help them interrupt the cycle of generational trauma and design innovative solutions for healing and resilience. ROI builds new tools and is open-source, freely sharing what works. ROI works to turn wisdom and the newest science into common practice.In this episode, Vichi shares the path that led her to start the organization and how, when properly resourced, a rural community can become a hotbed of innovative practice.We discuss: How to apply Design Thinking and Systems Thinking in rural communitiesHow to center equity and inclusion in organizational leadershipHow to center communities in social changeDoes cybersecurity seem like a terrifying topic? Well have no fear. This episode is sponsored by RoundTable Technology - the Nonprofit IT Partner. For the eighth year in a row, they are offering a free webinar to teach you and your staff exactly the steps to make your IT more secure in the New Year.RoundTable Technology is a managed IT and cybersecurity services organization focusing almost exclusively on the nonprofit sector, with over 200 nonprofit clients. So make it your New Year’s resolution to get your entire staff FREE cybersecurity awareness training.Head over to NonprofitIT.com/best-ever to save your seat now. Here’s to a wonderful 2024!About Vichi Jagannathan: Entrepreneur, strategist and social change leader who applies innovative ideas in unlikely settings to catalyze impact and community transformation. Vichi began her career as a high school science teacher in Northampton County, NC through Teach For America. She then spent two years on the West Coast leading the expansion of Microsoft’s TEALS computer science education program into California. In 2016, Vichi participated in the Innovation Next accelerator, where she received coaching from IDEO in human-centered design to develop a mobile sex education app called Real Talk, which has been downloaded over 10,000 times in over 100 countries. She also interned with SelfHelp Credit Union in Durham, NC where she created the strategy for Self Help’s branch expansion into Eastern North Carolina. In 2017, Vichi co-founded Rural Opportunity Institute (ROI). ROI builds the capacity of rural communities to support people’s healing from generational trauma to achieve health, safety, connection, and self-determination.Connect with Vichi on LinkedInResources:ruralopportunity.orgvichi@ruralopportunity.org@ruralopportunity on InstagramTake my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

AI is certainly a hot topic right now, and the focus is primarily on using the tools to save time and increase productivity. However, ethics and privacy concerns apply to any and all uses of AI. In this episode, my guest is Kim Snyder, VP of Data Strategy at RoundTable Technology. She leads us in a discussion of the specifics of ethics and privacy as they relate to generative AI. We will cover essential safety practices for nonprofits using or considering generative AI, which includes the crucial step of developing an AI policy. Kim walks us through her AI Acceptable Use Policy template and how even small nonprofits can get started.Does cybersecurity seem like a terrifying topic? Well have no fear. This episode is sponsored by RoundTable Technology - the Nonprofit IT Partner. For the eighth year in a row, they are offering a free webinar to teach you and your staff exactly the steps to make your IT more secure in the New Year. RoundTable Technology is a managed IT and cybersecurity services organization focusing almost exclusively on the nonprofit sector, with over 200 nonprofit clients. So make it your New Year’s resolution to get your entire staff FREE cybersecurity awareness training.Head over to NonprofitIT.com/best-ever to save your seat now. Here’s to a wonderful 2024!About Kim Snyder: RoundTable Technology is dedicated to creating a roadmap for companies to succeed through technology. Kim fits right in with over 20 years of experience with data systems, business analysis and change management, not to mention accolades as an Agile Coach, a certified PMP (Project Management Professional) and a ACP (Agile Certified Professional). Kim has recently completed the CIPP/US certification as an Information Privacy Professional.Kim is definitely a people person. Her true passion lies in empowering nonprofit professionals to navigate the complex and ever-changing landscape of data and technology in the workplace. With a keen focus on data governance, privacy, compliance, and security, Kim has recently ventured into introducing the nonprofit sector to the transformative potential of artificial intelligence.Connect with Kim Snyder on LinkedInResources:Dr. Fei Fei Li - Author of The Worlds I See: Curiosity, Exploration, and Discovery at the Dawn of AI and Co-Director of Stanford University’s Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI)Dr. Joy Buolamwini - Author of Unmasking AI: My Mission to Protect What is Human in a World of Machines and Founder and Artist-in-Chief at the Algorithmic Justice LeagueEthan Mollick - Author of One Useful Thing on SubstackTake my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

In this episode, Julia Campbell sits down with Wendy Mercurio, the Content and Education Specialist at Qgiv, to discuss the top fundraising trends to watch for in 2024. They cover five exciting emerging trends, including AI in fundraising, recurring donors and giving flexibility, peer-to-peer fundraising, unconventional donors, and digital wallets for easy payments. Wendy shares insights and practical tips on how nonprofits can leverage these trends to create more impact and improve their fundraising efforts.Key Takeaways:AI in fundraising can make the lives of fundraisers easier by automating tasks like thank-you emails and donor notifications.Recurring donors and giving flexibility are essential for meeting donors where they are financially and increasing donor retention.Peer-to-peer fundraising is an effective acquisition tool that can attract new donors and increase brand awareness.Unconventional donors, such as local celebrities and Gen Z, can have a significant impact on fundraising efforts and should not be overlooked.Digital wallets offer convenience and ease of use for donors, and nonprofits should accept digital wallet payments to meet donor preferences and increase conversion rates.Awesome Quotes:"AI in fundraising is super exciting. We can implement simple tools to make the lives of fundraisers a little bit easier." - Wendy Mercurio"Recurring giving is an amazing way to meet donors where they are financially and increase donor retention." - Wendy Mercurio"Peer-to-peer fundraising can expand our organization's outreach and attract new donors." - Wendy Mercurio"Unconventional donors, like local celebrities and Gen Z, can increase brand awareness and have a significant impact on fundraising efforts." - Wendy Mercurio"Digital wallets for nonprofits are quickly becoming a necessity to meet donor preferences and increase conversion rates." - Wendy MercurioAre you heading into 2024 with fundraising tools that make your job easier? Today's sponsor Qgiv can help! Over 20,000 fundraisers trust Qgiv to help them raise more money and improve their fundraising events. Visit www.jcsocialmarketing.com/qgiv to get a custom walkthrough of the platform and a free "This Is My Fundraising Shirt" t-shirt.Learn more from QGiv: https://go.qgiv.com/research-study-subscription  Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts