The Nonprofit Reframe
by Brittny Wilson and Nia Wassink
Nonprofits and their staff are undervalued, under-appreciated, and un-relenting. Brittny and Nia stand shoulder-to-shoulder with these amazing, incredible staff and talk about the realities of the sector that nobody wants to talk about. This is NOT another nonprofit best practices podcast. Topics covered include dysfunctional boards, gala mishaps, the issues with philanthropy and so much more!
Episodes
-
Because We Can't Stay Quiet
🎙️ The Nonprofit Reframe – Special Episode: Because We Can’t Stay Quiet 🧨 Why This Episode Now? It’s been two years since their last episode, but Brittny and Nia return for a one-time special because the nonprofit sector is in crisis — and staying quiet is not an option. From funding freezes to...
-
It’s the End of the Road: Some Reflections from the Podcast as We Say Farewell
This is it, folks, our very last episode. At least for now. Never say never, and all of that. But we wanted to leave you with some reflections from the 150 episodes we’ve done of this show. We’ve made some great memories and laughed and raged and we hope you’ve enjoyed what we’ve created here…
more -
Volunteers and Burnout: Why Volunteer Appreciation Needs Improvement (Plus an Important Announcement!)
Volunteers are such an important part of nonprofit organizations, but we don’t always treat them the way we should and it leads to big time burnout. Volunteers give their time because they believe in a cause and want to support it, but so often they get taken advantage of and it needs to stop. In...
-
Fundraising and Inflation: What the Giving USA Data Tells Us About Philanthropy in 2022
It’s that time again - Nia’s favorite episode of the year on data from Giving USA! It’s interesting to review this 2022 report and see the correlations that are happening in our immediate nonprofit worlds, but also the disparities. So much has changed and the future of giving looks kind of bleak,...
-
Event Programs Matter: How to Keep Your Nonprofit Event on Track
It’s planning time for fall event season and we’ve seen some big “don'ts” when it comes to event programs. Chaos often ensues when the appropriate planning hasn’t been done beforehand and all the stakeholders are not on the same page. Trust us. In today’s episode, we’re sharing our tips on how to...
-
For-Profit and Nonprofit Careers: We Are Not the Same
Lately, we’ve worked with a lot of people who have retired or left their careers in the for-profit sector and entered the nonprofit sector, and we’re kind of pissed about it. The implication is that nonprofit jobs are somehow lesser or easier to handle. Spoiler alert: nonprofits aren’t a cake…
more -
Understanding Endowment Campaigns and If Your Organization is Ready
You hear about endowments a lot in our field, usually associated with universities. But what about endowments from a fundraiser’s perspective? What are they? How do they work? What’s the point of them? In today’s episode, that’s exactly what we’re talking about. Shout out to the listener who...
-
The Revolution Will Not Be Funded: Power and Control in Funding Movements
We’ve just finished our first ever Patreon book club pick, The Revolution Will Not Be Funded: Beyond the Non-Profit Industrial Complex and we have so many thoughts. Not all of them are good. In fact, they are downright infuriating in terms of the power imbalance in nonprofit funding. In today’s...
-
How To Discuss (and Disrupt) Donor-Advised Funds
Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) are charitable giving tools with a lot of complexity and ambiguity. So how can nonprofit staff engage donors in discussions about using them more effectively (or dismantling them all together)? We talk about a guide Nia and her colleague Maegan wrote for nonprofits to...
-
The Survey Results Are In: Americans Don’t Know Much about Nonprofits
We live in the nonprofit world, day in and day out, so naturally, we know quite a bit about how it operates. But how much does the average American know? Not so much, it turns out. In today’s episode, we’re talking about the results of a survey put out by Indiana University’s Lilly Family School…
more -
Power and Complicity: Bystanders and The Need To Be Braver
The nonprofit world is not exempt from the every day realities of racism, tax schemes, and even sexual assault. However, considering the mission and values of these organizations… you’d hope that behavior would at least be called out and appropriately dealt with when it appears within a…
more -
Why Religious Human Services Programming Is Problematic
Religious organizations that provide human services programming can be incredibly problematic and Nia is fired up about it. Without oversight, these organizations can require religious participation in order for people to receive their services, among other issues. Talk about messed up. In…
more -
Utilization of ChatGPT (and AI in general) in Nonprofits
It’s truly amazing to think how far technology has come. We now live in an era where an AI tool exists that will write a pretty dang good podcast introduction, essay, or fundraising plan. Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? Well, it is … and it isn’t. In today’s episode, we’re talking about...
-
The Demise of AmazonSmile: Continuing to Leave No Real Impact on Nonprofits
Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore. The proverbial house has fallen on AmazonSmile, and it is dead as a doornail. Uproar and opinions of all kinds are circulating in regard to this news. We, on the other hand, could not be more relieved. In today’s episode, we’re explaining how AmazonSmile worked,...
-
Why You (and Your Staff) Need a Sabbatical with Hayden Dansky
Working in a nonprofit is meaningful and rewarding work for most of us. But let’s be real – it’s also a fast-track to burnout and overwork as we try to create a world that is better for everyone. Enter the sabbatical: a solution backed by research that can help staff and directors recover…
more -
DEI Training for Effective Change—Not to Check a Box
DEI training for nonprofits spiked in 2020 after the murder of George Floyd. But how many organizations have actually kept up with internal DEI work? A one-time seminar to check a box and give a pat on the back isn’t going to cut it. DEI training that actually makes an impact and creates a…
more -
Socks, Shoes and Glasses: Our Best (and Worst) Examples of Buy One, Give One Corporate Philanthropy
You’re familiar with the model that we’re talking about today. You buy something, and with your purchase, something—whether an item or money—is donated to a person or organization. Buy one, give one. But what if those on the receiving end aren’t actually getting anything they need? In today’s...
-
New Year, No Burnout: How to Set Boundaries and Avoid the Nonprofit Grind Cycle
Your year-end fundraising is over and last year's goals are in the rearview mirror. Time to rest, take some time off, and celebrate right?! (Yeah, we’re laughing right along with you.) Nonprofit staff are notorious for not resting, not creating boundaries, and as a result, burning themselves out....
-
Fundraisers: Do No Harm
We’ve talked a lot about fundraising, and this episode is no different (tis’ the season). Today, we’re focusing on the most important rule of fundraising: Do no harm. On the surface, it might seem unbelievable to think that you can harm your mission through fundraising efforts (all organizations...
-
Talking to Donors and Why We Don’t
Donors are critical to your organization, but it’s about more than just a transaction or future donation. Fostering genuine relationships with your donors is crucial—not only for the growth and success of your organization, but also for community building. In today’s episode, we’re talking about...
-
Interims and Succession Planning for Leadership Roles
All organizations will experience a time when an ED/CEO, Development Director, or another higher level role, makes plans to leave. Sometimes you have notice—a year, if you’re really lucky—and sometimes, you don’t. This can feel like a time that is hectic and scary, but if you have plans in place,...
-
Committees: What Are They Even For?
Committees are a really hot topic in the nonprofit world. You can create a committee for almost anything and comprise it of staff, board members, and/or volunteers. But, how do you create a committee that’s actually useful—both to the organization and those involved? In today’s episode, we’re...
-
Year-End Giving Round 2
We’re back! After a year-long hiatus, the Nonprofit Reframe podcast is back with more nonprofit content, stories, and laughs. It’s that time of the year that nonprofits know and love and dread and hate: year-end giving. There’s a lot to juggle when it comes to sending year-end appeals to your...
-
Trailer: We Are Coming Back - October 24, 2022
Our first episode back from hiatus is coming out on October 24! If you want to catch up with us, become a member at our all new Patreon site for behind the scenes content and the Lost Episode. Photo Cred: All Digital Photo and Video
-
Minisode: Podcast Announcement
Brittny and Nia share a special announcement about the podcast in this minisode!
-
Social Media
How great to have a "free" resource in social media to amplify your voice. Right? Brittny and Nia dive into the reality of using social media and the toll it takes. Resources Empower: Social Media Stats for Nonprofits - 2021 (all the stats cited came from here)
-
Donor Fragility
The fear of ruffling feathers, angering donors, and losing funding is very real for many fundraisers. How do you address systemic oppression within these systems when you also are worried about the bottom line? Resources A Conversation on Race and Power with Edgar Villanueva Changing the Paradigm...
-
University Fundraising and Endowments
University fundraising accounts for a ton of the fundraising jobs across the country, especially the high paying ones. What do two non-advancement fundraisers have to say about that? And their outsized endowments? Resources US News and World Report: Universities with the Biggest Endowments…
more -
Pandemic Hiring
Trying to hire in the current climate is TOUGH STUFF. Our same old tactics for hiring in the nonprofit sector just won't work. Grab some tips and tricks from Brittny and Nia on pandemic hiring. Resources Nonprofit Hiring Slows in August as Delta Variant Spreads, from the Chronicle on Philanthropy...
-
Listener Stories Round 3
Toxic Board Chairs and societal musings are included in this round of listener emails, along with a meandering joke submitted by a listener. Enjoy!
-
Board Series - Removal
Somehow, a toxic board member slipped through your vetting process. As a staff member, what can be done? As a Board member, what must you do?
-
Board Series - Retention
You've gotten a cohort of awesome Board members on your organization's board. Now, how do you keep them until the end of their term and maybe, JUST MAYBE, even get them to renew for a second term? Brittny and Nia will certainly explore what NOT to do.
-
Board Series - Onboarding
You've found the new board members, you've vetted them, you've voted them onto the Board. Now what? Hand them a big ol binder of info that will be obsolete within a day? No! Develop an execute an onboarding process that really makes sense and prepares board members to actively participate and...
-
Board Series - Vetting
You've identified some great candidates for your board. Now, how do you make sure it's a good fit? How do the candidates determine it's the right Board for them? Hint: It doesn't happen in a single Board vote.
-
Board Series - Recruitment
Part 1 of the 4 part series on Boards, covering recruitment. Should Boards always be recruiting or have one annual cycle? What about avoiding the desperation-warm-body cycle? What should recruitment transparency look like? Resources When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing by Dan Pink
-
Giving USA
Brittny and Nia do a deep dive into the philanthropic data from 2020. Did we really shift dollars in the significant ways we thought? Did corporate giving rebound? Did that one foundation decline your application because all foundations stopped giving? They cover this and more! All of the data...
-
Crisis Fundraising
Natural disasters, pandemics, financial crises, and PR crises all can result in some creative fundraising. How do you harness that moment to effectively properly your organization forward or save it? Brittny and Nia share their stories from the frontline of fundraising! Check out Brittny's new...
-
The Good Philanthropists
Brittny and Nia spend plenty of time calling out crappy philanthropists (looking at you, MacKenzie Scott's ex-husband). What about the good ones? Brittny and Nia each profile a philanthropist they admire.
-
Donor Power
The Country watched as a donor's sway and influence resulted in Nikole Hannah-Jones leaving UNC for a position at Howard. What can this example tell us about donor power in 2021? Brittny and Nia talk about donor power and leverage - whether used for good or evil. Resources NPR: 'UNC Journalism...
-
ACE Act
Some Senators wants to regulate DAFs and create new structures. Who doesn't want to...? Resources ACE Act Bill Tracking Chronicle on Philanthropy: "Coalitions of Foundations and Donors Line Up to Oppose New Senate Measure to Speed Up Giving" Market Watch: "New bill would giving donor-advised…
more -
Amazon + Bezos
Nia and Brittny dive into the world of Amazon and Jeff Bezos for a look at the company and their philanthropy. Resources Land of the Giants Podcast - Season 1 covers Amazon Giving Thought Podcast - Jeff Bezos, Big Philanthropy and Climate Change AP: Bezos and Bloomberg Among Top 50 US Charity...
-
Minisode: Donor Privacy
The Americans for Prosperity Foundation v Bonta (Attorney General for California) decision came down today, Thursday, July 1. Nia gives a quick overview of the decision. Resources: Prior episode on the SCOTUS case Full decision text
-
A Year After the Statement
Last June, nonprofits across the country released statements, committing to do better, stepping into racial justice spaces that were unknown to many of them, condemning the murder of George Floyd. So what's happened since?
-
Listener Stories Round 2
How many boards is too many? What happens when a fundraiser is left out to dry? And more questions from listeners! Want to submit questions or stories for future listener episodes? Email us at [email protected]. Podcasts We Listen To My Favorite Murder My Dad Wrote A Porno Financial...
-
Hybrid Events
Hybrid events are no joke (unless they're a comedy event. Then they definitely are). You have to consider engaging two audiences, technology and so much more. Brittny and Nia cover some crucial questions for organizations to think through.
-
The Big Transition
For those shifting back to in-person office work for the first time in a year, it's a big transition. Changes to commutes, balancing personal life and work life, adjusting to office culture. How can nonprofits create a real "magnet" instead of "mandate" for their teams?
-
Cryptocurrencies and Nonprofits
Nonprofits need to get on the crypto train if they want to stay current with the next generation of donors. Brittny and Nia discuss harnessing the power of cryptocurrency!
-
Nonprofit Commercials2
Get ready for the big comparison episode. Are the 80s/90s commercial organizations still around? If so, are they still using commercials? Same messaging? New images? Commercial Links ChildFund International (2021) St. Jude (2017) World Vision Kars4Kids (2014) ASPCA Rock the Vote (2020)
-
Nonprofit Commercials
Brittny and Nia dive in to some 80s and 90s nonprofit commercials. The hair is big, the promises are big, the missions are big. Links to Commercials on YouTube: Sally Struthers and the Christian Children's Fund (1987) St. Jude with Marlo Thomas (1990s) World Vision (1990s) Kars4Kids Sarah…
more -
Donor Privacy and SCOTUS
Completing schedule B as part of the annual 990 tax filing for most nonprofits is just another task to check off your annual list. You compile your list of major donors who get included and it gets sent to the IRS and any other states who require the filing. Does this violate the donor's...
About this show
Nonprofits and their staff are undervalued, under-appreciated, and un-relenting. Brittny and Nia stand shoulder-to-shoulder with these amazing, incredible staff and talk about the realities of the sector that nobody wants to talk about.
This is NOT another nonprofit best practices podcast. Topics covered include dysfunctional boards, gala mishaps, the issues with philanthropy and so much more!
Hosted by
Brittny Wilson and Nia Wassink
Categories