Transformational growth and change are topics du jour in the nonprofit sector, and especially in the context of a much-needed shift underway towards trust-based philanthropy: a movement to create authenticity in the relationships between donors and nonprofits, to address the power imbalances inherent in them, and to build mutual partnerships between them. Due in large part to the donors with extraordinary wealth who have signed The Giving Pledge, and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott in particular, it seems that so much of the focus is on the “holy grail” of giving in particular — the mega gift, the transformational gift, the gift that will deliver us and everyone we serve from the struggle.
Celebrating 100 Episodes! Lessons from our Adventures in Podcasting.
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In this celebratory episode, the Fundraising Leadership team come together in honor of their 100th Episode. It’s fun, insightful, and from the heart.
Special thanks to all of our listeners for making this happen.
If you haven’t already, please subscribe at iTunes, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music Podcasts, or Spotify.
If you are enjoying the show, you can help us continue to bring thoughtful content with a monthly or annual contribution. This supports our production costs and keeps the show ad-free. Make a contribution today.
Our theme music is “Curiosity” by Polysorbate Eighty. Composed and produced by Patrick Mather and James Celentano. Performed by Kristen Bussandri. Copyright 2009 Polysorbate Eighty and Kristen Bussandri.
Episode 93: The Secret to Successful Grant Writing with Amanda Day and Kimberly Hays de Muga
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In this episode, Janice Cunning and Margaret Katz Cann talk with Amanda Day and Kimberly Hays de Muga from the Fundraising Hayday podcast. They share some secrets to successful grant writing. Amanda and Kimberly offer real-life examples of grant myths and how to navigate through them.
You can read their post on the Fundraising Leadership blog here.
Amanda and Kimberly challenge listeners to utilize a calendar to track and organize grant deadlines.
Be sure to listen to the episode of the Fundraising Hayday podcast where Margaret is a guest.
Our free resource this week is an offer to schedule a free strategy session with Margaret. Email her at margaret@fundraisingleadership.org.
If you haven’t already, please subscribe at iTunes, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music Podcasts, or Spotify.
If you are enjoying the show, you can help us continue to bring thoughtful content with a monthly or annual contribution. This supports our production costs and keeps the show ad-free. Make a contribution today.
Our theme music is “Curiosity” by Polysorbate Eighty. Composed and produced by Patrick Mather and James Celentano. Performed by Kristen Bussandri. Copyright 2009 Polysorbate Eighty and Kristen Bussandri.
Mythbusting: The Secret to Successful Grant Writing
Myth: a traditional story from early history explaining nature typically involving supernatural beings or events.
One myth you have probably heard is about the ancient Greek myth of Zeus hurling thunderbolts from on high at Mount Olympus because he was unhappy. And when you hear thunder crashing, it’s just Zeus and his thunderbolts.
Grant seeking can feel as mysterious and magical as Zeus—like funders are sitting on high, randomly awarding grants to those who are lucky enough to be in their path. Many grantmaking organizations still operate without transparency in their review and awards processes—an old-fashioned approach that is now changing, thankfully.
Without access to the inner workings of foundation and other granting agencies, decades of speculation from nonprofit leaders, board members, staffers, and the general public led to some false assumptions about grants. In other words, myths begat more myths.
There are a few significant myths we’d like to “bust” for you today. Understanding what is true about grants will improve your skills as a grant seeker or leader of a resource development team. Here are five of the most common myths about grants with the reality and a reality check behind each. [Read more…]
Episode 90: How Good Fundraisers Are Born
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If you are enjoying the show, you can help us continue to bring thoughtful content with a monthly or annual contribution. This supports our production costs and keeps the show ad-free. Make a contribution today.
In this episode, Margaret Katz Cann and Michelle Maloy Dillon talk with Amy Mauser of Team Kat & Mouse. Amy recalls how she got her start in fundraising — by accepting a challenge to compete in high school for a tiara and title raising money for the American Heart Association. She’s spent decades as a frontline fundraiser and fundraising consultant, and offers her take on how good fundraisers are “born,” and how as fundraising leaders, we can help them from getting lost along the way.
Amy challenges listeners: are you paying enough attention to your pipeline?
You can read Amy’s post on the Fundraising Leadership Blog, where she tells the whole story of competing for that tiara.
If you haven’t already, please subscribe at iTunes, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music Podcasts, or Spotify.
Our free resource this week is Fundraising Leadership Essential Leadership Guide for Nonprofit Professionals, which you can access here.
Our theme music is “Curiosity” by Polysorbate Eighty. Composed and produced by Patrick Mather and James Celentano. Performed by Kristen Bussandri. Copyright 2009 Polysorbate Eighty and Kristen Bussandri.
When it’s Time to Go – Firing Crummy Board Members
We’ve come a long way. Surviving the challenges of 2020 was difficult. Many nonprofits folded or were drastically injured. Some boards were frozen and lackluster in responding to the crisis we all endured. Poor performance in times of adversity will have long-lasting effects that may take years to repair, so firing crummy nonprofit board members can become necessary.
Episode 86 – Navigating Power Dynamics
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In this episode, Margaret and David speak with Anne Murphy about navigating power dynamics in fundraising. Anne is the Senior Director of the Division of Business and Engineering at Oregon State University Foundation and the founder of Fundraise Without Fear.
Anne walks us through several different scenarios where these power differentials were in play, including with donors, with beneficiaries of our good work, and with organizations.
Anne encourages listeners and leaders to find the sweet spot between being within their organization’s story and finding personal authenticity, which requires creating trust and safety within a team.
She also writes about this topic in her blog post.
Contact us if you want some help bringing some more authenticity, trust, and candor to your your team.
If you haven’t already, please subscribe at iTunes, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music Podcasts, or Spotify.
Your support helps keep the podcast Ad-Free! Please consider making a contribution here.
Our theme music is “Curiosity” by Polysorbate Eighty. Composed and produced by Patrick Mather and James Celentano. Performed by Kristen Bussandri. Copyright 2009 Polysorbate Eighty and Kristen Bussandri.
Fundraisers Have Power, Too
I’m sitting in an exquisitely appointed waiting room in midtown Manhattan prior to an enormous solicitation when my phone starts blowing up. My dean’s flight to JFK is delayed. She will not be making it to midtown for said enormous solicitation. But cool, I think to my clueless 27-year-old self, I can totally do this solo. I can build all the rapport, I can say all the talking points, I can listen twice as closely. It will be just like when my dean is here!
When I am ushered into the Devil-Wears-Prada-looking office, the donor is eyeing me suspiciously. There’s a huge ashtray on her desk – the size of a serving platter. Of all the intimidating things in this scene, the ashtray got to me. It said that rules and norms for mere mortals/fundraisers don’t apply to her.
She took a dramatic drag off her cigarette, continued to eye me, and then exhaled as I stood there like a dork, watching her.
“Had I known it would just be YOU, I wouldn’t have taken this meeting,” she said. [Read more…]
How to be an Effective Nonprofit Board Member
Recently Stephen Halasnik and David Langiulli spoke on the Nonprofit MBA Podcast about what it takes to be an effective board member and what happens when a board functions with high levels of trust and candor.
It is no secret that open communication helps an organization run more effectively, but what does this look like in practice? With strategic planning and proper board culture, nonprofits run more effectively, enabling the organization to achieve its mission.
Episode 82: Three Essential Fundraising Skills with Margaret and David
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In this episode, David Langiulli and Margaret Katz Cann offer three essential fundraising skills that will help you be a better fundraiser. These include advanced listening, how we see donors, and how to be agile and nimble.
You can read David and Margaret’’s post on the Fundraising Leadership Blog
Our resource this week to deepen your learning is Coaching Essentials
If you haven’t already, please subscribe at iTunes, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music Podcasts, or Spotify.
Our theme music is “Curiosity” by Polysorbate Eighty. Composed and produced by Patrick Mather and James Celentano. Performed by Kristen Bussandri. Copyright 2009 Polysorbate Eighty and Kristen Bussandri.