Nonprofit Vision With Gregory Nielsen artwork

Nonprofit Vision With Gregory Nielsen

150 episodes - English - Latest episode: 10 days ago - ★★★★★ - 42 ratings

Nonprofit Vision with Gregory Nielsen presents informative and entertaining conversations spotlighting critical issues in nonprofit leadership and the visionaries who are addressing them.
www.nielsenconsults.com

Non-Profit Business
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Episodes

Episode 50: Steve Zimmerman: Nonprofit Sustainability to Survivability During COVID-19

April 03, 2020 11:00 - 27 minutes - 10.8 MB

As nonprofit professionals work to serve as many as possible while protecting and caring for employees, the mindset for many has shifted from sustainability to survivability.  Steve Zimmerman, nationally recognized consultant, author, and speaker, joins Greg to discuss a framework for action -- 5 steps for nonprofit leaders and organizations to take to survive the current COVID-19 crisis.  

Episode 49: Board Leadership in Challenging Times

March 26, 2020 11:00 - 25 minutes - 9.85 MB

Board leadership is vital in challenging times, and there are tangible actions Boards can and should take.  On this episode Greg discusses these steps in depth, including risk management, financial assessment, business continuity and communication planning, and tips for fostering Board involvement.

Episode 48: Skye Mercer: Developing an Effective Work-From-Home Program

March 18, 2020 11:00 - 26 minutes - 10.1 MB

With the outbreak of the coronavirus, many nonprofits are promoting remote work to minimize person-to-person contact while maintaining mission operations.  HR Consultant Skye Mercer joins Greg to discuss proven steps to quickly and effectively set up a work-from-home program.  Listen to the end of the podcast for a special free offer for nonprofit leaders from Skye and Greg.   

Episode 47: Mazarine Treyz: Empowered Fundraisers, Sustainable Fundraising

March 11, 2020 11:00 - 27 minutes - 10.9 MB

A thriving nonprofit requires sustainable sources of revenue and an energized and empowered fundraising team.  Mazarine Treyz, best selling author of “The Wild Woman’s Guide to Fundraising,” joins Greg to discuss the role of innovation in developing sustainable fundraising and tips to empower yourself and others as a leader and fundraiser.    

Episode 46: Tony Zipple: From Collaboration to Merger

February 26, 2020 12:00 - 31 minutes - 12.3 MB

Collaboration and merger are buzzwords nonprofit leaders hear frequently in leading their organizations.  However, when your organization is considering a more formal relationship with another, how do you set yourself up for success?  Dr. Tony Zipple joins Greg for a discussion on nonprofit collaboration and merger, including steps in the process and pitfalls to avoid.  

Episode 45: Stephen King: Nonprofit Accounting Done Right

February 19, 2020 12:00 - 25 minutes - 9.79 MB

Effectively managing accounting functions is critical to effective governance and maintaining the public trust.  Stephen King, President and CEO of GrowthForce, joins Greg to discuss tips for nonprofit accounting done right, outsourced accounting, and strategies to prevent fraud.   

Episode 44: Heather Yandow: 5 Questions When Choosing a Consultant

February 12, 2020 12:00 - 27 minutes - 10.7 MB

Challenges arise for every nonprofit organization, and when they do, you may benefit from the expertise and assistance of a consultant.  From facilitating a strategic planning process to inspiring a stagnant Board, consultants can play a valuable role.  Heather Yandow, Consultant and Founder of Nonprofit.ist joins Greg to discuss 5 questions that can help prepare nonprofit leaders for fruitful conversations with potential consultant partners.  

Episode 43: Jonathan Starr and Juliet Buder: Brilliance Knows No Borders

January 29, 2020 12:00 - 31 minutes - 12.2 MB

It has been over two decades since the Republic of Somalia collapsed, out of which came the Republic of Somaliland. Generations have grown up knowing only a war-torn society. There is a desperate need to rebuild infrastructure, extend educational opportunities and develop the leaders of tomorrow.  Jonathan Starr, Founder and CEO of The Abaarso Nework, and Chief Development Officer Juliet Buder join Greg to discuss the successes and challenges of leading an organization operating in another c...

Episode 42: Bethany Snyder: Building Blocks of Effective Nonprofit Advocacy

January 24, 2020 12:00 - 28 minutes - 11 MB

Highly effective nonprofits understand that engaging in advocacy is vital in fulfilling their mission and translating their vision into reality.  Bethany Snyder, an experienced advocacy strategist, joins Greg to discuss tips for developing effective grassroots and grasstops programs to demonstrate your people power and leverage the expertise of your supporters.  

Episode 41: Patrick Jinks: Coaching for Leadership Success

January 15, 2020 12:00 - 28 minutes - 10.9 MB

Coaching represents an integral tool in the development of nonprofit leaders.  Patrick Jinks coaches and trains leaders in both the social and corporate sectors, with a unique approach focused on clarity, simplicity, and alignment.  Patrick joins Greg to discuss the benefits of coaching, steps in the process, and tips for selecting the best coach for you.  

Episode 40: Patrick Schmitt and Jenny Xia: Accessible and Effective Planned Giving

December 11, 2019 12:00 - 26 minutes - 10.5 MB

Patrick Schmitt and Jenny Xia, co-founders of FreeWill, were recently named one of Town & Country's Top 50 Philanthropists of 2019.  They join Greg to discuss strategies for enhancing the accessibility and effectiveness of your nonprofit's planned giving program, including information about FreeWill -- a product they founded that has helped raise over $914 million in bequests, qualified charitable distributions, and stock gifts.  

Episode 39: Arlene Cogen: Give to Live

December 04, 2019 12:00 - 29 minutes - 11.5 MB

Multi-generational philanthropy can pass down values, life lessons, and stories that inspire donors to give.  Arlene Cogen, author of the Amazon #1 Bestseller, "Give to Live: Make a Charitable Gift You Never Imagined," shares the the importance of and how to engage your donors and their professional advisors in attaining their philanthropic goals.

Episode 38: Gene Takagi: Fiscal Sponsorship

November 20, 2019 12:00 - 27 minutes - 10.7 MB

A fiscal sponsor is a nonprofit organization that provides fiduciary oversight, financial management, and other administrative services to help build the capacity of charitable projects.  Gene Takagi joins Greg to discuss the pros and cons of fiscal sponsorship as well as key questions to ask in determining if this is right for your project or nonprofit.   

Episode 37: Grace Alfiero: Crosswalks for Collaboration

November 13, 2019 12:00 - 26 minutes - 10.3 MB

Collaboration is both a core value and an essential skill for the nonprofit community.  However, developing effective collaboration between and among teams can be challenging.  Grace Alfiero joins Greg to discuss "Crosswalks for Collaboration" -- including tips for developing a safe space for collaboration that allows the creativity and insights of the individual to enhance the performance of the team.  

Episode 36: Sarah Gomel: Is an Associate Board Right for My Nonprofit?

October 30, 2019 11:00 - 26 minutes - 10.2 MB

Many nonprofit organizations seek to engage additional leaders through the creation of an Associate Board, sometimes also called a Junior Board.  If your nonprofit is considering this approach, what are some of the key factors to consider to set yourself up for success?  Sarah Gomel joins Greg to discuss strategies to ensure that your Associate Board represents a positive experience both for the organization and the leaders serving.  

Episode 35: Insurance Tips to Promote Wellness for your Nonprofit Mission

October 23, 2019 11:00 - 27 minutes - 10.6 MB

Developing effective partnerships for insurance coverage and benefits is an integral component of nonprofit excellence.  From mitigating risk to promoting the health and wellness of team members, it is more important than ever to build a relationship with those who can help.  Ben Byrne, Owner of Byrne Insurance Group, joins Greg to discuss tips and strategies for navigating an often challenging insurance landscape for nonprofits.    

Episode 34: Whitney Bishop: Meetings That Matter

October 16, 2019 11:00 - 32 minutes - 12.6 MB

From Board meetings to Staff Meetings, we all strive to create effective meetings -- meetings that matter.  Change agent Whitney Bishop joins Greg to discuss tips for elevating your meetings through purpose, people, and commitment to action.  

Episode 33: Kalley Dunn - Tips and Strategies for Fundraising Auction Success

October 09, 2019 11:00 - 32 minutes - 12.5 MB

Do you know the "magic number" of auction items for your event?  How about the 3 pockets of money attendees bring to your fundraiser?  Learn about these as well as other trends and strategies to set your nonprofit fundraising auction up for success as Kalley Dunn of AmFund joins Greg on this podcast episode.  

Episode 32: Nathan Chappell: Predicting Generosity and Elevating Philanthropy Through Machine Learning

September 25, 2019 11:00 - 28 minutes - 11 MB

Developing deep relationships with donors remains a critical factor in nonprofit fundraising success.  Now, with the help of machine-learning and AI, your organization can better understand the motivations of your supporters and more effectively predict their likelihood to give.  Nathan Chappell joins Greg to discuss using machine learning to predict generosity and elevate philanthropy.  

Episode 31: Christina Carr: Engaging NextGen Board Leaders

September 18, 2019 11:00 - 26 minutes - 10.2 MB

Highly effective Board teams are composed of a diverse group of talented and passionate leaders.  Christina Carr joins Greg to discuss the importance of age diversity on nonprofit Boards and strategies to engage nextgen Board leaders.  

Episode 30: Gary Romano: HR Trends and Hot Topics for Nonprofits

September 11, 2019 11:00 - 29 minutes - 11.5 MB

Nonprofit organizations face a particularly challenging labor market, at a time when it is critical to attract and retain talent.  Gary Romano joins Greg to discuss HR trends and hot topics for nonprofits.  

Episode 29: Jennifer Harris: From Fed Up to Well Fed – Conversation Around Fundraiser Turnover

August 28, 2019 11:00 - 35 minutes - 13.9 MB

Recent articles discuss the high turnover rate of nonprofit fundraising professionals, some even referring to it as a "fundraising exodus."  Jennifer Harris joins Greg to discuss this challenge and ways in which leaders can empower their teams to co-create a more positive, shared culture where individuals feel valued and connected to the mission.   

Episode 28: Jen Bokoff: Elevating Philanthopy's Unheard Voices

August 21, 2019 11:00 - 36 minutes - 14.2 MB

While the perspectives and contributions of thought leaders with established platforms are valuable, we must continue to elevate the unheard voices in philanthropy and nonprofit leadership in order to deepen critical conversations and move the sector forward.  Jen Bokoff, Director of Stakeholder Engagement at Candid, joins Greg to discuss her recent article and efforts aimed at lifting up philanthropy's unheard voices.  

Episode 27: Scarlett Hawkins: Building Your Narrative With Audacity

August 14, 2019 11:00 - 32 minutes - 12.6 MB

Your nonprofit has a mission that is vital to the community you serve, and you can't afford to be the best kept secret in town!  Scarlett Hawkins, a Senior Consultant in International Development, joins Greg to discuss not just the importance of narrative, but how to add a dash of audacity to build a compelling communication strategy that is embraced by the entire organization.  

Episode 26: Chari Smith: Evaluation Into Action

August 07, 2019 11:00 - 30 minutes - 11.8 MB

Highly effective nonprofits leverage the tools of program evaluation to build a culture of continuous improvement.  This allows nonprofit and Board leaders to make better strategic decisions.  Chari Smith joins Greg to discuss the steps necessary to translate evaluation into action for your nonprofit. 

Episode 25: Janeal Ford: The Path to Grant Readiness

July 31, 2019 11:00 - 27 minutes - 10.5 MB

Many nonprofit leaders face uncertainty on their journey to mission impact.   In this episode, Janeal Ford joins Greg to discuss the importance of a clear, concise case for support, tips for choosing and working successfully with a grant writer, and guidance on identifying funders with a passion for your mission.

Episode 24: Barr Foundation: Walking a Mile in Grantee Shoes

July 10, 2019 11:00 - 33 minutes - 13 MB

Following an intentional process of listening to and learning from their grantee partners, the Barr Foundation implemented a series of changes to enhance the relationship between the Foundation and grantees.  Kerri Hurley and Yvonne Belanger join Greg to discuss the importance of a strong relationship between philanthropy and nonprofits, and the efforts of the Barr Foundation to incorporate continuous feedback from their nonprofit partners to effect meaningful change.  

Episode 23: Deepa Iyer: Your Role in a Social Change Ecosystem

June 26, 2019 11:00 - 31 minutes - 12.1 MB

Within each nonprofit organization or movement, individuals play a variety of critical roles in pursuit of equity, inclusion, and justice.  Deepa Iyer is a South Asian American activist, writer, and lawyer.  Her areas of expertise include the post 9/11 America experiences of South Asian, Muslim, Arab and Sikh immigrants, national security and immigration policies, and racial equity and solidarity practices.  Currently, Deepa is a Senior Fellow at the new Race Forward.  Deepa joins Greg to di...

Episode 22: Rusty Stahl: Fund the People

June 21, 2019 11:00 - 39 minutes - 15.5 MB

Nonprofit professionals address complex community challenges each day in an effort to create communities in which everyone can thrive and have their needs met.  However, the profession currently faces a significant deficit of investment in the development of these critical leaders.  As funding challenges grow, leadership investment frequently suffers.  In this episode, Rusty Stahl -- President and CEO of Fund the People -- joins Greg to discuss the importance of leadership investment, tips t...

Episode 21: Amy Waninger: Network Beyond Bias

June 03, 2019 11:00 - 35 minutes - 13.7 MB

Nonprofit leaders and organizations face continuing challenges in efforts to diversify their boards, better serve their communities, and build sustainable staffing pipelines.  Amy Waninger, CEO of Lead at Any Level, works with organizations that want to build diverse leadership bench strength for a sustainable competitive advantage.  She is the author of multiple books including Network Beyond Bias: Making Diversity a Competitive Advantage for Your Career.  Amy joins Greg to discuss steps no...

Episode 20: Skye Mercer: Creating a Promote From Within Culture

May 16, 2019 11:00 - 33 minutes - 13 MB

Nonprofits operate in a dynamic environment where change is rapid and the need for talent and passion is great.  Skye Mercer is a human resources professional who is passionate about helping organizations create positive, productive work environments.  Skye joins Greg to discuss trends in nonprofit HR and strategies to create a promote from within culture.    

Episode 19: Melissa Russom: Building a Compelling Brand Strategy

May 09, 2019 10:50 - 36 minutes - 14.4 MB

What does your brand represent to the community?  Looking to define or evolve your brand strategy?  Melissa Russom is a questioner, storysharer and strategic thinker obsessed with clarifying messaging for maximum (and purposeful) impact.  Melissa shares tools for better understanding your organization's brand, strategies to clarify your messaging, and tips to activate social media ambassadors.   

Episode 18: Dennis Miller: Moppin' Floors to CEO, An Inspirational Leadership Journey

April 30, 2019 20:57 - 33 minutes - 13.1 MB

Dennis C. Miller is a nationally recognized strategic leadership coach and executive search consultant with more than 35 years of experience working with nonprofit board leadership and chief executives across the country. Dennis shares with Greg his inspirational journey from hopelessness and failure to happiness and success, a story of overcoming obstacles to achieve success. 

Episode 17: Jaime Campbell: Budgeting to Translate Vision to Reality

April 24, 2019 11:00 - 36 minutes - 34 MB

Jaime Campbell is the Co-Founder and CFO of Tier One Services, providing outsourced accounting and CFO services for organizations.  Jaime and Greg discuss tips to make the budgeting process collaborative, enjoyable, and ultimately successful in advancing the bold and compelling vision of your nonprofit organization.   

Episode 16: Jarrett Ransom: Developing a Compelling and Achievable Fundraising Plan

April 19, 2019 11:00 - 30 minutes - 28.3 MB

Jarrett Ransom, the self-described "Nonprofit Nerd," is the President and CEO of the Rayvan Group.   From start-ups to multi-million dollar charitable organizations, Jarrett has helped create sustainable fundraising strategies for over 20 years.  Jarrett and Greg discuss tips and leading practices for organizations of all sizes to create a compelling and achievable fundraising plan.   

Episode 15: Christine Robertson: Talking Donor Data

April 03, 2019 11:00 - 27 minutes - 25.3 MB

Christine Robertson is a Vice President for Wist Data Solutions, helping nonprofits harness data to further their mission.  Christine and Greg discuss leading practices in managing donor data and tips when selecting or transitioning to a donor management system.   

Episode 14: Kyle Kramer: Benefits of Mindfulness and Meditation for Nonprofit Leaders

March 27, 2019 11:00 - 38 minutes - 14.9 MB

Kyle Kramer is the Executive Director of the Passionist Earth and Spirit Center.  Kyle and Greg discuss mindfulness, meditation, and the many ways in which they can positively impact the health and performance of nonprofit leaders.   

Episode 13: Rebecca Dupras: Addressing Toxic Workplace Culture

March 21, 2019 11:00 - 35 minutes - 13.9 MB

Rebecca Dupras is an attorney and former Vice President of Development for a large philanthropic foundation.  Rebecca and Greg discuss the impact of a toxic workplace culture on an individual, organization, and the public trust.  Rebecca shares thoughts and considerations for staff members who find themselves in a similar situation. 

Episode 12: Chuck Brown: Donor Advised Funds and "Zombie Philanthropy"

March 13, 2019 11:00 - 32 minutes - 30.4 MB

As a former Development Officer for Silicon Valley Community Foundation. Chuck Brown possesses unique insight into Donor Advised Funds, which he shared in an article entitled "Zombie Philanthropy: What I Learned About Donor-Advised Funds as a Foundation Insider."  Greg and Chuck discuss the growth of Donor Advised Funds, critiques, and potential ways to reform this charitable giving vehicle to more equitably serve communities.  

Episode 11: Vu Le: Addressing Funder Fragility and Overcoming Obstacles to Critical Capacity

March 07, 2019 12:00 - 33 minutes - 31.2 MB

 Vu Le is a talented writer, speaker, and the Executive Director of Rainier Valley Corps, a nonprofit in Seattle that promotes social justice by developing leaders of color, strengthening organizations led by communities of color, and fostering collaboration between diverse communities.  Vu is also the author of the wildly popular blog nonprofitaf.com.  In this episode, Vu and Greg discuss issues of equity in the nonprofit sector, funder fragility, and the importance of trust as a critical i...

Episode 10: Sarah Olivieri - Strategic Planning for Impact

February 27, 2019 12:00 - 36 minutes - 33.8 MB

Sarah Olivieri is the founder of PivotGround, where she leads her team of digital experts to help human-service nonprofits increase capacity, deliver better programming, attract more funding, and make the world a better place.  In this episode, Sarah and Greg discuss strategic planning for nonprofits, including leading practices, key trends, and potential pitfalls to avoid.  

Episode 9: Barry Wadsworth - Effective Governance in Education

February 21, 2019 15:06 - 44 minutes - 41.6 MB

Barry Wadsworth is an educational leader who has served for over 25 years as a teacher, coach, administrator and consultant.  He has comprehensive management experience in schools and districts designing and supporting programs for students from infant/toddler – university levels.  Barry and Greg discuss equity in education and effective Board governance models and practices in education.   

Episode 8: Drew Reynolds: Data-Driven Decision Making For Nonprofits

February 05, 2019 17:00 - 28 minutes - 26.2 MB

Drew Reynolds, PhD, is the CEO of Common Good Data Consulting. He advises nonprofit organizations to use data-driven decision-making to secure funding and improve community wellbeing.  Greg and Drew discuss practical ways in which nonprofit leaders can create a positive culture that values data as a critical tool in decision-making.  *Note: apologies for audio issues at the end of the episode.  Cold weather and internet connections don't always mix well!  

Episode 7: Steven Shattuck: Donor Retention and Engagement

January 29, 2019 00:55 - 36 minutes - 14.1 MB

Steven Shattuck is Chief Engagement Officer at Bloomerang.  A prolific writer and speaker, he curates Bloomerang’s sector-leading educational content, and hosts a weekly webinar series which features the top thought-leaders in the nonprofit sector.  Steven and Greg discuss tools and strategies for building lasting relationships with donors.  

Episode 6: Will Myers: Engaging Volunteers and the Profession of Nonprofit Leadership

January 23, 2019 21:25 - 34 minutes - 13.6 MB

Will Myers is the CEO of CASA of the River Region.  Listen as Will and Greg discuss the profession of nonprofit leadership, the importance of professional development, and tools for engaging committed volunteers

Episode 5: Clare Wallace: Developing an Authentic Leadership Style as a New Executive

December 22, 2018 03:47 - 41 minutes - 38.2 MB

Clare Wallace recently made the transition from Development Director to first-time Executive Director. Learn about Clare’s leadership journey, lessons learned as a new Executive, and thoughts on developing an authentic leadership style.

Episode 4: Positive Psychology for Nonprofit Leaders

December 11, 2018 20:26 - 33 minutes - 31.3 MB

Tony Zipple is an experienced nonprofit CEO, consultant, and executive coach. Learn from Tony about positive psychology as an approach to enhancing the happiness and effectiveness of individuals and teams.

Episode 2: Judy Kasey Houlette: Friend For Life Connecting Survivors and Patients

December 10, 2018 03:17 - 39 minutes - 36.4 MB

Learn about the fascinating leadership journey of Judy Kasey Houlette. Judy has served as Executive Director of Friend for Life Cancer Support Network since November 2000. Under her leadership, the number of persons served annually by Friend for Life has quadrupled; volunteer numbers and staff hours have tripled. The organization was awarded the Innovative Nonprofit Award by the Kentucky Nonprofit Network in 2009 and the American Cancer Society’s C.A.R.E. Award in 2012.

Episode 3: Paul Robinson: Building Team Culture

December 10, 2018 03:17 - 45 minutes - 42.5 MB

Paul Robinson is the President and CEO of Home of the Innocents. He possesses a unique and diverse background as a mission-driven leader of a large nonprofit organization and as a former entrepreneurial business owner. Paul talks with Gregory about his views on building team culture within a nonprofit organization.

Episode 1: Introduction

December 10, 2018 03:17 - 4 minutes - 4.13 MB

The very first episode of Nonprofit Vision With Gregory Nielsen.