"Funding the Future NOW" Podcast

To be an effective development professional, all you need are three skills. And it is not about being a good talker or promoter. Mark and Shiela's first gift of $10,000 has now grown to annual gifts totaling $400,000! It occurred due to using these three skills. They are: deep listening, being a philanthropic advisor and engaging in the long game.

Ask most donors what they want to fund, and "isolated older adults with no family" rarely makes the list. Ja'Lah Willingham, Executive Director of Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly in Cincinnati, Ohio, response to the question: "How do we make this not invisible?"The organization is volunteer-based, built around a single mission: relieving the loneliness and isolation of older adults — with a specific focus on those who have little to no family support. What follows is a conversation about making an invisible problem visible, turning first-time volunteers into lifelong advocates, and measuring the things that resist measurement.

The podcast episode features Dr. Randy Dirks interviewing Renee Daniel Flagler and Stephen Powell from the National CARES Mentoring Movement. The conversation covers topics such as the organization's background, programs, impact, healing-centered work, engaging volunteers, corporate partnerships, fundraising, recruiting and engagement strategies, strategic leadership, storytelling, and personal and professional insights.TakeawaysRecruiting and engaging volunteersStrategic leadership and storytelling in the nonprofit worldChapters00:00 Introduction and Background05:23 Engaging Volunteers10:34 Recruiting and Engagement Strategies24:47 Strategic Leadership and Storytelling

The conversation delves into the challenges of maintaining mission commitment, communicating the value of aspirational investments, and leading people who believe in the mission more than the paycheck. It also explores the role of the headmaster in fundraising and provides insights and reflections on leadership and development in the nonprofit sector.TakeawaysMission Drift vs. Mission CommitmentBuilding Relationships in FundraisingLeadership and Mission AlignmentChapters00:00 Fast Five: Insights and Reflections

The conversation covers the unique challenges of funding a nonprofit with a non-monetized content model, the transition of Our Daily Bread Ministry, the differences between fundraising in higher education and ministry, and the complexities of measuring spiritual transformation and return on investment. It also delves into personal insights and reflections on leadership and development.TakeawaysNon-monetized content funding challengesMulti-channel communication for engagementChapters00:00 The Nonprofit Funding Model08:18 Donor Case for Funding Non-Monetized Content13:25 Digital Engagement and Multi-Channel Communication22:05 Measuring Spiritual Transformation and Return on Investment28:26 Personal Insights and Reflections

The conversation covers the topics of building and sustaining donor confidence, merging nonprofit organizations, and leadership development and advice. The first chapter explores the challenges of building and sustaining donor confidence in nonprofit work, especially in remote and under-resourced areas. The second chapter delves into the process of merging nonprofit organizations and the underestimated aspects of bringing two cultures together. The final chapter discusses leadership development, advice, and the importance of preparing the next generation of leaders in the nonprofit sector.TakeawaysDonor ConfidenceMerging OrganizationsChapters00:00 Building and Sustaining Donor Confidence09:27 Merging Nonprofit Organizations20:00 Leadership Development and Advice

The conversation covers the importance of prioritizing resources in nonprofit organizations and the significance of building trust and relationships with stakeholders. It delves into the decision-making process for resource allocation and the impact of these decisions on the organization's mission and goals. Additionally, it explores the role of nonprofit leaders in fostering trust and collaboration with various stakeholders to ensure the success and sustainability of the organization.TakeawaysPrioritizing resources in a nonprofit organization is crucialBuilding trust and relationships with stakeholders is essential for nonprofit leadersChapters00:00 Prioritizing Resources in Nonprofit Organizations18:00 Building Trust and Relationships with Stakeholders

Drayton Cosby, founder and CEO of Foundation for Intelligent Media and Design, discusses the impact of Bible-based video games on discipleship and engagement. He shares insights on donor engagement, stewardship, and the unique challenges of measuring impact in the interactive media space.TakeawaysBible-based video games as a tool for discipleshipChallenges of donor engagement in the interactive media spaceChapters00:00 Mission of IMD and How to Connect with Drayton Cosby

The conversation covers topics related to nonprofit leadership, fundraising, community engagement, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Darrell Anderson, the executive president of Ares Senior Network, shares insights on building cross-functional teams, strategic planning, and the importance of community in personal and professional growth. The conversation also delves into the significance of donor relationships, long-term community investments, and the operationalization of DEI within organizations.TakeawaysNonprofit leaders can shift board culture by building individual rapport with board members, understanding their strengths, and fostering strong relationships.Fundraising strategies should focus on building strong donor relationships, demonstrating impact, and showing gratitude to donors.Operationalizing DEI involves centering diversity, equity, and inclusion in organizational systems, hiring processes, and leadership teams, and reflecting the community being served.Community plays a vital role in personal and professional growth, providing support, encouragement, and opportunities for learning and development.Chapters00:00 Fast Five: Insights and Reflections

The podcast episode features Dion Green, CEO of the Fudge Foundation, who shares his personal story of tragedy and resilience. The conversation delves into the impact of personal stories on fundraising, the importance of strategic partnerships and community trust, and the challenges of building credibility in communities. Dion's insights provide valuable lessons in leadership, personal growth, and community engagement.TakeawaysLeadership through personal tragedyBuilding credibility in communitiesThe impact of personal stories on fundraisingStrategic partnerships and community trustLessons from failure and personal growthChapters00:00 Building Credibility in Communities

The conversation covers the DAMN Plan as a business approach, the need for a mindset shift in the nonprofit sector, the internal barrier to fundraising momentum, and the process of building authentic donor relationships in underrepresented communities. The conversation with Kim Nagle delves into the importance of constant planning and the role of cash flow in avoiding crisis. Kim shares personal advice and reflections, and discusses her resources for connecting with nonprofits.TakeawaysBelief is a key internal barrier to fundraising momentumNonprofit organizations need to shift their mindset towards profitabilityBuilding authentic donor relationships in underrepresented communities requires trust and integrity Constant planning is keyCash flow is crucial for avoiding crisisChapters00:00 The DAMN Plan: A Business Approach09:10 The Internal Barrier to Fundraising Momentum15:51 Building Authentic Donor Relationships23:00 The Importance of Constant Planning29:04 Personal Advice and Reflections37:52 Connecting with Kim Nagle

The conversation delves into the critical issue of communication failure in the nonprofit sector, particularly the impact it has on donor retention. It emphasizes the importance of storytelling and the need for healthy communication patterns to retain donors. Additionally, it explores the challenges of retaining donors after their first gift, the significance of clear mission statements, and the application of entertainment industry principles to nonprofit communication. The discussion also includes insights, reflections, and the role of Roundtree Agency in supporting nonprofit growth and communication.TakeawaysStorytelling is keyCommunication failure leads to donor lossChapters00:00 The Communication Failure12:31 The Mission Clarity Problem20:13 The Hollywood Principle25:28 Insights and Reflections32:19 Roundtree Agency and Nonprofit Communication

Monica Piper, the executive director of Warrior Freedom Service Dogs, shares her experiences and insights on leading a nonprofit organization that pairs service dogs with veterans. She discusses the challenges, successes, and leadership lessons learned from her journey in the nonprofit sector.TakeawaysLeadership Lessons from Personal ExperienceThe Impact of Service Dogs on VeteransChapters00:00 Introduction to the Podcast06:01 Scaling Impact and Leadership Lessons12:07 The Transformative Impact of Service Dogs20:43 The Warrior Freedom Model and Service Dog Pairing Process27:07 Personal Insights and Leadership Advice

The conversation covers topics related to legacy giving, donor engagement, and the work of Kids Food Basket. It delves into the organization's journey, scaling, advocacy, donor engagement strategies, legacy giving, engaging financial advisors, personal insights, and an overview of Kids Food Basket's work.TakeawaysLegacy givingDonor engagementChapters00:00 Introduction to Kids Food Basket05:12 Donor Engagement and Legacy Giving12:39 Legacy Giving and Long-Term Planning18:22 Engaging Financial Advisors24:12 Organization Overview and Conclusion