The Prosperous Nonprofit

Are you looking for ways to build an inclusive culture in your nonprofit? Organizational culture can be a challenge for many nonprofit leaders. One of the main reasons is that every organization has blind spots. It can be difficult to see what your organization is missing, especially when you’re on the inside all day every day. 

In this episode, I sit down with Yanira Castro to chat about how she uses strategies to help nonprofits build an inclusive culture. She discusses how she uses respectful storytelling and ways to use language that is inclusive and nonexclusionary. Yanira also dives into how to use core values to set the tone and transform your culture. She also gives some great examples of what not to do when you’re building a culture of inclusivity.  

About Yanira:

Yanira M. Castro (she/her/ella) is a speaker and communications professional with more than 20 years of experience in telling inspiring stories to audiences ranging from national television shows to leading digital channels. 

Yanira founded Humanity Communications Collective in 2017 to inspire people with stories of joy and justice. The team, made up of amazingly talented women and people of color, is highly focused on digital engagement and storytelling, by reminding people to embrace technology, business, and life in a way that focuses on people’s humanity. Humanity Communications Collective has also shared important and groundbreaking client stories on CBS This Morning, ABC News, 60 Minutes, Essence, Now This!, O, The Oprah Magazine, and many others.

Episode Summary:

In this episode, you’ll learn strategies for building an inclusive and understanding organizational culture for your nonprofit, including:

• Using respectful storytelling (8:40)

• Ensuring your language is inclusive and nonexclusionary (11:30)

• Filling in the gaps between the nonprofit team and the community they’re serving (13:50)

• Transforming the culture of your organization (17:10)

• Assessing your organization’s blind spots (19:20)

• Using core values to set the tone for your culture (23:50)

• Finding job candidates that fit your culture (27:50)

• Intentionally embodying core values every day (30:05)

• What not to do when creating an inclusive and understanding culture (33:15)

Teasers:

“There's more power in telling a story that is centered in somebody's lived experience in a way that showcases them as a hero of their own narrative and not the nonprofit being the hero.”

“Feedback can be tough, but we need to hear the tough things in order for us to really change, especially if we're looking at changing people's hearts and minds.”

“Values that we hold really build our culture in a way that people really enjoy.”

Resources:

• Check out the Humanity Communications Collective website: https://humanitycom.com/donate/
• Connect with Yanira on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yanira-castro/ 
• Follow the Humanity Communications Collective on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanity-communications-collective/ 
  
• FREE Finance Routine Checklist: https://100degreesconsulting.com/routine 
• Keep up to date with the podcast: @100degreesconsulting
• Follow Stephanie on Instagram: @stephanie.skry/ 
• Connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieskryzowski/ 
• Visit the podcast page: https://100degreesconsulting.com/inclusive-culture 
  

Want more of the podcast?

New episodes are released weekly! Find them all plus show notes and exclusive bonus content at 100degreesconsulting.com/podcast.

Leave us a review! Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Let me know what you loved most about this episode!

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Have you started the process of budgeting for 2024 yet? It’s already October, so if you haven’t started yet, you’re behind. This podcast episode will help you get caught up so you can go into 2024 prepared and ready to make a big impact on the communities you serve.

This episode covers six tips for improving your nonprofit’s 2024 budgeting process. We dive into what mistakes many organizations make during this process, and more importantly, how to avoid them. Plus, strategies for boosting your team’s morale during this often difficult time. Hint: it’s not giving them free rein to make their department’s budget and then slashing it in half. 

There is a better, more effective, and more collaborative way to budget that also accounts for sustainability, like having a cash reserve. You can learn how to be more proactive and strategic about budgeting for 2024 so you and your team can hit the ground running in January. Lead your team into the new fiscal year stronger than ever and ready to make an even bigger impact. 

Episode Summary:

In this episode, you’ll learn how to get caught up to speed on your 2024 budgeting so that you can go into the new fiscal year ready to hit the ground running and make a larger impact, like…

• The first thing to think about when creating your budget (2:50)

• Why you need to involve others in the budgeting process (5:00)

• How to plan for sustainability (10:05)

• Using a variety of sources to create your budget (14:30)

• Creating a plan for revenue (16:30)

• Why your nonprofit needs to invest in financial management (22:40)

Teasers:

“We want to be thinking strategically about allocating the resources that we have to achieve our biggest goals.”

“Think from a 30,000-foot view instead of just taking this year's profit and loss statement or income statement and tweaking it a little bit.”

“One big mistake I see a lot of nonprofits making is that we are building a break-even budget every single year. We're budgeting for as much revenue as we have expenses and vice versa.”

“We want to make sure we have time to really be strategic and not just plunk some numbers into Excel based on what we did last year and hope for the best.”

Resources:

• Keep up to date with the podcast: @100degreesconsulting
• Follow Stephanie on Instagram: @stephanie.skry/ 
• Connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieskryzowski/ 
• Visit the podcast page: https://100degreesconsulting.com/budgeting-for-2024 
• FREE Cash Forecast Template: https://100degreesconsulting.com/cash 

Want more of the podcast?

New episodes are released weekly! Find them all plus show notes and exclusive bonus content at 100degreesconsulting.com/podcast.

Leave us a review! Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Let me know what you loved most about this episode!

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Are you leveraging technology to create better outcomes for your nonprofit? Do you immediately get a feeling of overwhelm or dread when you hear the term “leveraging technology?” It’s understandable if you do, technology can be complicated to say the least. However, it can also be a game changer when it comes to freeing up extra time.

In today’s episode, I chat with Heather Johnson about her experience of helping nonprofits leverage technology. We dive into how the nonprofit space has evolved over the last two decades, especially regarding technology and awareness. Heather also tells us her first-hand experiences of how organizations are having a much greater impact on their communities when they have a solid financial foundation and good technology systems in place. 

She also shares how nonprofits are experiencing high ROIs when they incorporate more efficient processes into their backend business operations. Plus, you’ll learn more about how to use one of your greatest assets, your team, when identifying and improving inefficiencies within your organization. 

About Heather:

Heather Johnson has spent two decades working with technology for nonprofits. With experience working with nonprofits at every step of their journey to revolutionize their organizations, she has come to learn what good looks like and where technology can be the nonprofit's friend or their worst enemy.

Read the podcast transcript here.

Episode Summary:

In this episode, you’ll learn how leveraging technology can create better outcomes for your nonprofit like: 

• How the nonprofit space has grown and evolved over the past 20 years (5:20)

• The ROI of having good technology in place (7:30)

• Identifying opportunities for improved efficiencies (12:00)

• How a solid financial foundation leads to more revenue (17:10)

• Using your team’s perspective to help identify and fix inefficiencies in your organization (22:00)

Teasers:

“We've seen the business of nonprofits explode over the last 20 years, and I really believe that it's just going to continue to grow as folks become more and more focused on social good.”

“Let the machines work so the people can think.”

“You cannot have the impact that you want to have if your backend (system) is broken.”

“Any platform is only as good as its level of adoption.”

Resources:

• Connect with Heather on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-johnson-a170b3157/ 
• Follow Blackbaud on Instagram: @blackbaud
• Keep up to date with Blackbaud on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blackbaud/ 
• For more information on Blackbaud, visit their website at: www.blackbaud.com 
• Download the free Finance Routine Checklist: https://100degreesconsulting.com/routine/
• Keep up to date with the podcast: @100degreesconsulting
• Follow Stephanie on Instagram: @stephanie.skry/ 
• Connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieskryzowski/ 
• Visit the podcast page: https://100degreesconsulting.com/leveraging-technology 

Want more of the podcast?

New episodes are released weekly! Find them all plus show notes and exclusive bonus content at 100degreesconsulting.com/podcast.

Leave us a review! Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Let me know what you loved most about this episode!

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Do you ever feel alone as a nonprofit leader? Maybe you feel like you don't have anyone to talk to within your organization about the challenges you're facing. Finding peer connections can sometimes feel impossible for nonprofit leaders. In today's episode, I chat with Ellen Kehl about how she’s helping to foster connections within the nonprofit leadership community to help leaders overcome the many obstacles they’re experiencing. 

We talk about the different challenges nonprofit leaders are facing in the post-COVID world like staffing issues, a remote workforce, different funding priorities, and why it’s so important for them to find a sense of peer connection with their fellow nonprofit leaders. We also discuss different strategies thriving nonprofits are using to stay ahead of these challenges. 

Ellen shares some of her favorite resources that support nonprofit leaders, especially those that create peer connections. Plus, we chat about common characteristics of thriving nonprofits and how leaders can start applying strategies like being more tolerant of risk in their organizations. This episode is full of practical tips you can start implementing today. 

About Ellen:

Ellen Kehl is the Associate Director with The Nonprofit Partnership. Ellen has her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh and her Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Gannon University. She began with The Nonprofit Partnership as a student intern in January of 2015 and secured full-time employment after receiving her MPA in June of 2016.

Ellen enjoys acting as the bridge between The Nonprofit Partnership and its member organizations. She's responsible for the organization’s brand management, member relations, programming, partnerships, and more.

Episode Summary:

In today’s episode, you’ll learn

• The mission of The Nonprofit Partnership (5:00)

• The needs and challenges nonprofit organizations are facing right now (7:15)

• Why a sense of connection is so important for nonprofit leaders (9:55)

• Strategies nonprofits are using to keep up with constant changes (13:40)

• Resources to support nonprofit leaders (15:55)

• Characteristics of thriving nonprofits (22:20)

• Why risk tolerance is an important part of being a nonprofit leader (29:30)

Teasers:

“I like to think we're the Google for nonprofits.”

“I think about my time in the nonprofit sector and I felt like I was all by myself. I didn't have anybody. I didn't have any peers that I could go to.”

“The way that these groups are keeping up is through different things, like embracing technology.”

“I think just being a human and being a good human, those have been the best qualities.”

Resources:

• Connect with Ellen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellenkehl/  
• Keep up with The Nonprofit Partnership on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-nonprofit-partnership  
• Visit The Nonprofit Partnership on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nonprofitpartnership/  
• Follow The Nonprofit Partnership on Instagram: @npp_erie
  
• Download the free Finance Routine Checklist: https://100degreesconsulting.com/routine/
• Keep up to date with the podcast: @100degreesconsulting
• Follow Stephanie on Instagram: @stephanie.skry/ 
• Connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieskryzowski/ 
• Visit the podcast page: https://100degreesconsulting.com/peer-connections 

Want more of the podcast?

New episodes are released weekly! Find them all plus show notes and exclusive bonus content at https://100degreesconsulting.com/podcast.

Leave us a review! Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Let me know what you loved most about this episode!

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How are you integrating core values into your nonprofit’s everyday work? Are you utilizing these values as a decision tool and a means for navigating your organization through changes? How do all of your employees, from those on the front lines to the leadership team embody core values every day? 

In this episode, special guest Chad Zibelman talks about how he and his organization integrate core values into their everyday work. He discusses how to use these values to help your organization grow by leveraging your professional network, building a flexible organization, and strategically looking at “failure.” Chad also gives us practical tips for building relationships with donors all while advocating for your organization’s mission, and turning to these values to know when to say no. On top of all of that, Chad also tells us how he lands the ever-sought-after corporate partnerships. 

About Chad:

Chad Zibelman is the CEO of The Sonder Project, an international 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to empower impoverished communities through high-impact, sustainable development. Chad grew up in the Philadelphia area and graduated from Temple University with a degree in Education. He then joined the Peace Corps and taught in a rural school in the African country of Namibia. Upon completion of his service, Chad returned to the US and began an 8-year career with the non-profit organization buildOn. 

buildOn constructs schools in developing countries and Chad worked his way up to become Trek Director, responsible for a program that brought over 1,000 volunteers/year abroad to immerse in communities and help build schools. The founders of The Sonder Project came to know Chad when they participated in a buildOn Trek to Burkina Faso in 2015, and three years later, they asked him to lead the organization. Chad resides with his wife, two daughters, and their pet rabbit in Sonoma County, CA.

Read the podcast transcript here.

Episode Summary:

In today's episode, you’ll learn strategies for meaningfully integrating your organization’s core values into your everyday work including:

• Leveraging your professional network to help your organization grow (9:05)

• Strategies to implement for a more flexible organization (10:45)

• A different way to look at “failure” (14:10)

• Building relationships with donors and supporters (16:30)

• Advocating for your organization’s vision (20:15)

• Exemplifying your core values in your everyday work (22:30)

• Utilizing your core values as a decision-making tool (24:20)

• Landing corporate partnerships (27:25)

• Incorporating core values into your interview process (36:00)

Teasers:

“We really try to live by our values. One of our values is to listen to others, and that includes our beneficiaries, includes partners on the ground, includes our donors, but we take that seriously.”

“I think it's important for individuals working, whether it's a small organization or a big organization, to not be afraid of the vision that you set and to make sure you are a constant advocate for that vision.”

“It was a really collaborative experience with all of our board members and our staff to understand what drives us.”

“Creating an environment where people are not afraid to speak their minds and share in a safe space only allows the whole organization to be more prosperous.”

Huge thank you to our sponsor, Grants Works!

With billions of dollars in federal grant funding available, now is the time to learn about how to apply for and manage federal grants from Patrice Davis, an expert who simplifies federal grants. Her Federal Grants Simplified Bootcamp is a six-week hybrid training that gives you the freedom to access on-demand training on your schedule and to attend live weekly Q&A sessions with Patrice. Plus, GrantsWorks is an ACFRE approved continuing education provider. Use code DEGREES for 10% off your registration.

Resources:

Connect with Chad on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/czibelman/

The Sonder Project: thesonderproject.org 

Grantsworks: www.grantsworksacademy.com/federal-grants-simplified 

Keep up to date with the podcast: @100degreesconsulting

Follow Stephanie on Instagram: @stephanie.skry/ 

Connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieskryzowski/ 

Visit the podcast page: 100degreesconsulting.com/integrating-core-values

Want more of the podcast?

New episodes are released weekly! Find them all plus show notes and exclusive bonus content at 100degreesconsulting.com/podcast.

Leave us a review! Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Let me know what you loved most about this episode!

Subscribe to the show so you don’t miss a thing!

Is organizational culture top of mind for your nonprofit? If it isn’t, it really should be. Special guest, Alissa Novoselick, explains exactly why in today’s podcast episode. She brings us her unique perspective as a modern CFO who prioritizes building a strong organizational culture because she sees just how much it impacts the nonprofit’s bottom line. 

Alissa discusses how she created a finance department that plays a big role in building her organization's culture, instead of being seen as the “nay-sayers” with a bad rap, (something many of us in the nonprofit finance world are very familiar with). She gives listeners practical tips and strategies that nonprofit leaders can start implementing to build a strong culture and create an organization that people actually want to be a part of. 

 We also dive into what works well in a CEO-CFO relationship and how to better understand other members of the leadership team. Plus, different nonprofit trends impacting modern CFOs and how data and technology play a part in this role. 

About Alissa:

With fifteen years of experience as a nonprofit executive, consultant, and educator, Alissa loves working with organizations and small businesses to develop healthy strategies and practices that give back tenfold. While her skills focus on finance and operations, what sets her apart are the educational values and governance principles woven into every aspect of her work.

Over the course of her career, she’s been called to serve multiple organizations and small businesses. And when a mass of leaders came to her in 2019 to ask for some support, she saw there was a need for genuine, trustworthy, and loyal collaboration from someone who can marry industry knowledge with an understanding of the day-to-day. Her practice in coaching and mentorship, technical assistance, and financial strategy among peer executive directors and small business owners blossomed. This all led her to Greater Impact — because, without a financial backbone, the most important programs, interventions, and products don’t get to the communities that need and deserve them the most.

Episode Summary:

In this episode, you’ll learn strategies for building a strong organizational culture including:

• Creating a participatory finance department (8:45)

• Intentionally building a culture that people want to be a part of (12:00)

• Practical strategies to build a strong organizational culture (13:45)

• Factoring in culture initiatives in your budget (16:30)

• What works well in a CEO-CFO relationship (20:40)

• Understanding other members of the leadership team on a deeper level (25:20)

• Nonprofit trends impacting modern CFOs (29:50)

• The role of technology and data in the role of a nonprofit CFO (38:55)

Teasers:

“But what I’ve found is just, there’s so much value in the co-creation of financial documents, instruments, things of that sort… to create a financially savvy culture, but also to move forward some bigger strategic initiatives.”

“We are all stewards of this mission and this organization, no matter where we sit in the org chart.” 

“If you’ve got constant turnover in your organization, you are going to see that is going to impact your bottom line.”

“Culture is created through relationships, and if you are a leader of an organization in any capacity, you have the power to influence your team.”

Huge thank you to our sponsor!

This series is sponsored by Blackbaud, the essential software provider for the organizations and people who change the world. Blackbaud has been working with finance professionals at nonprofit and social good organizations for almost 40 years with its Blackbaud Financial Edge, NXT Fund, accounting software expertise, and services. You can streamline your financial operations, strengthen your accountability, and make data-driven decisions to increase your impact. To learn more, visit https://www.blackbaud.com/

Resources:

• Greater Impact’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/greaterimpactllc 
• Greater Impact’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/greater-impactllc/  
• Follow Empowerment Plan on Instagram: @empowermentplan 
• Empowerment Plan’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/empowermentplan/  
• Connect with Alissa on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alissa-novoselick-mba-a1800b25/  
• Blackbaud Nonprofit Accounting Software: https://www.blackbaud.com/   
• Keep up to date with the podcast: @100degreesconsulting
• Follow Stephanie on Instagram: @stephanie.skry/ 
• Connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieskryzowski/ 
• Visit the podcast page: 100degreesconsulting.com/organizational-culture

Want more of the podcast?

New episodes are released weekly! Find them all plus show notes and exclusive bonus content at 100degreesconsulting.com/podcast.

Leave us a review! Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Let me know what you loved most about this episode!

Subscribe to the show so you don’t miss a thing!

Are you on the nonprofit cash flow rollercoaster? Managing cash flow is one of the trickiest things for nonprofit leaders because so much of it is out of our control. And while it can feel dizzying to be on the constant up and down of cash coming in and going out, there are ways to manage. 

In this episode, we dive into different strategies your organization can use to help better manage your cash flow like leveraging your strategic plan, keeping up to date with your bookkeeping, and putting better financial controls into place. We also discuss how you can diversify your revenue streams to help fill in the gaps during your cash flow “off seasons.”

While managing cash flow is a common struggle for organizations, there are resources out there to help. We explore different tools nonprofits can use to help them better plan and manage their finances, including a free cash flow forecast template. 

Read the podcast transcript here.

Episode Summary

In today's episode, you’ll learn practical tips and strategies for managing your nonprofit’s cash flow, including: 

• Cash flow challenges (1:05)

• Why you should include cash flow management in your strategic plan (6:30)

• How to manage when your nonprofit is on a revenue rollercoaster (7:50)

• Why good bookkeeping is vital to your organization (12:10)

• Resources to help forecast cash flow (14:45)

• Strategies for diversifying your revenue (16:40)

• Strengthening financial controls (18:20)

Teasers

“Our revenue is solid, so why in the world does it feel so, so hard to make payroll?”

“There's a lot that's within our control, a lot beyond our control, but it all impacts our cash flow.”

“Often expenses just get out of control really quickly and so it takes some intention and some planning to make sure we're reigning them in.”

“You don't have to stare at a blank Excel sheet and freak out.”

Huge thank you to our sponsor, Grants Works!

With billions of dollars in federal grant funding available, now is the time to learn about how to apply for and manage federal grants from Patrice Davis, an expert who simplifies federal grants. Her Federal Grants Simplified Bootcamp is a six-week hybrid training that gives you the freedom to access on-demand training on your schedule and to attend live weekly Q&A sessions with Patrice. Plus, GrantsWorks is an ACFRE approved continuing education provider. Use code DEGREES for 10% off your registration.

Resources

Cash Flow Forecast Template: 100degreesconsulting.com/cash 

Grantsworks: www.grantsworksacademy.com/federal-grants-simplified 

Keep up to date with the podcast: @100degreesconsulting

Follow Stephanie on Instagram: @stephanie.skry/ 

Connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieskryzowski/ 

Visit the podcast page: 100degreesconsulting.com/nonprofit-cash-flow  

Want more of the podcast?

New episodes are released weekly! Find them all plus show notes and exclusive bonus content at 100degreesconsulting.com/podcast.

Leave us a review! Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Let me know what you loved most about this episode!

Subscribe to the show so you don’t miss a thing!

Are you looking for strategies to strengthen your donor relationships? Or how to overcome some of the many challenges nonprofits are facing today? In today’s episode, we chat with Dr. Mark Scott from the Oishei Foundation, an organization dedicated to strengthening and supporting nonprofits. We dive into how his organization provides support for nonprofits and discuss new demands and challenges nonprofits are facing around staffing shortages, competition with the corporate sector, and the struggle to find good help. Plus, Dr. Scott gives us some strategies to help overcome these obstacles.

He also talks about how nonprofits can be more realistic with their overhead costs when submitting grant proposals to funders and how to build better relationships with them. He gives great strategies for strengthening these donor relationships like taking small relationship-building actions over time and how this can help your organization succeed and better serve your community. This episode is full of practical tips nonprofit leaders can take action on today.

About Dr. Mark Scott:

Mark joined the Foundation in January 2022 to lead Oishei’s philanthropic support practice that is designed to strengthen and support the WNY nonprofit ecosystem. He works closely with Foundation staff to enhance the capacity and work of grantee organizations and community partners. He oversees the Foundation’s initiatives in leadership development, network building, and convening, most notably the Karen Lee Spaulding Oishei Fellowship for Leaders of Color, Community Conversations for Leaders of Color, and the Oishei Leader program.

Mark holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership and Policy, an MBA from Niagara University, and a BS in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management from Cheyney University in Cheyney, Pennsylvania, the nation’s oldest Historically Black College & University (HBCU).

Episode Summary:

In this episode, you will learn strategies for strengthening donor relationships and overcoming obstacles in the nonprofit sector, like:

• Providing support for nonprofit organizations (8:20)

• Building capacity in your communities (12:05)

• New demands nonprofits are currently facing (15:00)

• Overcoming challenges of not being able to find good employees (18:35)

• Being realistic with overhead costs in grant proposals (22:45)

• Making the funding process easier (29:05)

• Tips for nonprofits to build better donor relationships (34:45)

Teasers:

“But what we are finding is that because nonprofits stepped up and they had become so heavily dependent on government resources during the COVID pandemic period, they have kind of lost their way.”

“Nonprofits really need unrestricted support.”

“People are doing nonprofit work and not being paid a living wage. So it's like helping to fight poverty, but being in poverty themselves because they're not making a living wage.”

“When we play with the ask, we perpetuate this vicious cycle of undercutting the work.”

“If you build that relationship over a period of time, and you don't always have to ask, the funder will see it.”

Huge thank you to our sponsor!

This series is sponsored by Blackbaud, the essential software provider for the organizations and people who change the world. Blackbaud has been working with finance professionals at nonprofit and social good organizations for almost 40 years with its Blackbaud Financial Edge, NXT Fund, accounting software expertise, and services. You can streamline your financial operations, strengthen your accountability, and make data-driven decisions to increase your impact. To learn more, visit https://www.blackbaud.com/   

Resources:

• The OiShei Foundation https://oishei.org/ 
• Connect with Dr. Mark Scott on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/dr-mark-j-scott-6a8a058 
• Blackbaud Nonprofit Accounting Software: https://www.blackbaud.com/   
• Keep up to date with the podcast: @100degreesconsulting
• Follow Stephanie on Instagram: @stephanie.skry/ 
• Connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieskryzowski/ 
• Visit the podcast page: 100degreesconsulting.com/donor-relationships 

Want more of the podcast?

New episodes are released weekly! Find them all plus show notes and exclusive bonus content at 100degreesconsulting.com/podcast.

Leave us a review! Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Let me know what you loved most about this episode!

Subscribe to the show so you don’t miss a thing!

Are you maximizing your nonprofit’s impact? What if I told you the key to doing just that was data? Sounds complicated, right? Well, it’s not as complex as it seems. Our special guest, Triana Urraca, breaks down the strategies she’s used to help countless nonprofits maximize their organization’s impact using data. 

She dives into the different types of data she uses and how she implements data collection systems. Triana also shares with us how most of the data she uses is often what organizations already have on hand. Plus, she discusses just how important it is for nonprofits to continuously analyze their systems so that they can make informed decisions that drive further impact for the communities they serve.

We also talk about how organizations can shift the way they think about data and look at it as a way to improve our nonprofit and make impactful decisions. Triana even gives examples of how organizations with data-driven cultures get more funding. This episode is a game-changer!  

About Triana

As CEO of Data Systems Simplified, Triana utilizes almost 15 years of experience working for nonprofits in data and evaluation roles to coach nonprofit clients in creating sustainable data systems and putting a strategy in place to maximize and demonstrate their impact. Triana also serves as the Consultant Director of Evaluation at Read Alliance, a literacy nonprofit in NY and PA. In a previous position, she led the data management of a professional development program for hundreds of K-12 educators across 30 states. 

In her work, Triana has designed automated dashboards that visualize data in real-time for over 10,000 survey responses. She has produced data results and analysis for six-figure grants from organizations such as Carnegie Corporation of New York and the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation. Triana holds a B.A. in Psychology, an M.P.A. in Nonprofit Management, and a Certificate in Data Visualization, all from New York University. In addition, she completed the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Strategic Data Project Institute for Leadership in Analytics and is a Certified Tableau Desktop Specialist.

Read the podcast transcript here. 

Episode Summary

In today's episode, you’ll learn the importance of using data to maximize your nonprofit’s impact including: 

• Data beyond finances (8:45)

• Strategically using existing data (12:05)

• Using your current systems and processes more effectively (15:55)

• The three Cs of data (18:00)

• Basing organizational decisions on data-driven results (21:05)

• Changing the way we think about data (25:10)

• Why organizations need to continuously update their data collection systems (30:00)

• Who can implement data systems in their organization (34:00)

• How a data-driven culture leads to more funding (36:05)

Teasers

“I think a lot of times there's a pressure to just measure everything under the sun.”

“You're probably not using whatever you have, even if it's a spreadsheet, you're probably not using what you have as effectively as you could be.”

“What makes you think that a new, you're actually gonna use a new system if you don't use the one that you already have?”

“Every organization needs to be looking at their data in this very strategic way.” 

“You don't have to have like a full-time data analyst on the team. This can be somebody that's involved in programs with a portion of their time dedicated to data. Anyone can learn this, understand the strategy, and work to analyze the data to help the organization.”

Huge thank you to our sponsor, Grants Works!

With billions of dollars in federal grant funding available, now is the time to learn about how to apply for and manage federal grants from Patrice Davis, an expert who simplifies federal grants. Her Federal Grants Simplified Bootcamp is a six-week hybrid training that gives you the freedom to access on-demand training on your schedule and to attend live weekly Q&A sessions with Patrice. Plus, GrantsWorks is an ACFRE approved continuing education provider. Use code DEGREES for 10% off your registration.

Resources

• Data Systems Simplified: https://www.datasystemssimplified.com/meeting 
• Connect with Triana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trianau/  
• Grantsworks: www.grantsworksacademy.com/federal-grants-simplified 
• Keep up to date with the podcast: @100degreesconsulting
• Follow Stephanie on Instagram: @stephanie.skry/ 
• Connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieskryzowski/ 
• Visit the podcast page: 100degreesconsulting.com/impact-with-data  

Want more of the podcast?

New episodes are released weekly! Find them all plus show notes and exclusive bonus content at 100degreesconsulting.com/podcast.

Leave us a review! Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Let me know what you loved most about this episode!

Subscribe to the show so you don’t miss a thing!

Nonprofit leaders, how are you setting up your new leaders for success? What strategies do you have in place to ensure they come into the organization strong? And arguably more importantly, how are you ensuring your new leaders keep a good momentum without burning out?  

In today’s episode, we have two very special guests, Ivan Gilreath and Deena Terry. Ivan and Deena work together as the CEO and CFO of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Scottsdale. They give us their “secrets” for a successful CEO-CFO working relationship and how their dynamic works day in and day out in the organization. They also discuss nonprofit trends and why it’s important to run a nonprofit like a business. 

Plus, Ivan tells us exactly how he set Deena up for success when she came on as the CFO after what felt like a revolving door of CFOs before his time as CEO at the organization. Now, Ivan and Deena have been working together as a team for over two years, so their dynamic is still going strong, and their nonprofit is reaping the benefits of it. 

About Ivan and Deena

Ivan, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale (BGCS) CEO, has two decades of corporate executive experience including success in strategic planning, growth, and community engagement. He served for 10 years as President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of The Midlands. Prior to that, he spent five years as President of ING’s Employee Benefits Division and 20 years in Mutual of Omaha’s Group Insurance Division. 

Deena, the BGCS CFO, has worked in partnership with Ivan for two years. She has a wealth of nonprofit experience, and has spent her entire career in a number of different nonprofit organizations. Between the two of them, they have seen it all.

Read the podcast transcript here.

Episode Summary

In today's episode, you’ll learn the importance of a good working CEO-CFO relationship and how to set your new leaders up for success. 

• Changes in the nonprofit sector (9:00)

• How nonprofit funding has changed (13:20)

• Consequences of not having diversified funding (18:40)

• Using technology to further fundraising (20:05)

• Making data-informed decisions (21:45)

• The dynamics of a CEO-CFO working relationship (23:05)

• Setting your CFO for success (26:50)

• Nonprofit leadership trends (30:35)

• Why it’s important to run a nonprofit like a business (34:05)

Teasers

“We've become programmatically, even a better organization because during the pandemic we had to figure out different ways to deliver our programming than what we used to do before the pandemic.”

“Just because we're called nonprofits doesn't mean that we should have $0 left over at the end of the year. We should not be spending every single dollar that comes in the door.”

“You really can't do any aspect of this job correctly without good data.” 

“It's so important when organizations are thinking about bringing a CFO on or bringing another leader on to really ask themselves, ‘Okay, do we have the capacity to set them up for success.’”

“Nonprofits are held to the same standards as for profits today.”

“Being a good businessman also makes you a good steward because you're not just taking that money for granted and throwing it at whatever you're thinking about.”

Huge thank you to our sponsor!

This series is sponsored by Blackbaud, the essential software provider for the organizations and people who change the world. Blackbaud has been working with finance professionals at nonprofit and social good organizations for almost 40 years with its Blackbaud Financial Edge, NXT Fund, accounting software expertise, and services. You can streamline your financial operations, strengthen your accountability, and make data-driven decisions to increase your impact. To learn more, visit https://www.blackbaud.com/   

Resources:

• Boys and Girls Club of Greater Scottsdale: https://bgcs.org/donate/ 
• Connect with Ivan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivan-gilreath-58b1176/
• Blackbaud Nonprofit Accounting Software: https://www.blackbaud.com/   
• Keep up to date with the podcast: @100degreesconsulting
• Follow Stephanie on Instagram: @stephanie.skry/
• Connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieskryzowski/
• Visit the podcast page: 100degreesconsulting.com/new-leader-success 

Want more of the podcast?

New episodes are released weekly! Find them all plus show notes and exclusive bonus content at 100degreesconsulting.com/podcast.

Leave us a review! Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Let me know what you loved most about this episode!

Subscribe to the show so you don’t miss a thing!

What processes does your nonprofit have in place to mitigate risks, ensure compliance, most importantly safeguard your precious assets? In this podcast episode, Stephanie discusses what internal controls are and why it’s important to have them in place… to safeguard your precious assets. 

She has seen all too many times the consequences organizations face when they do not have these procedures in place. And no, it’s not just because an auditor “dinged” the organization for not having these policies. Unfortunately, she’s seen much worse. The good news?! You don’t have to be one of those horror stories, because you’re going to tune into this podcast and learn all the things about internal controls, like…

…the four most important types of internal controls: financial, fraud protection, cybersecurity, and conflicts of interest. Plus, strategies to implement these policies in your nonprofit and how to communicate procedures with your board members and staff. Hint: It’s not creating the policy, filing it into a drawer, and never looking at it again. (And if you’ve done this in the past, there is zero judgment. However, there is a better way!)

Read the podcast transcript here. 

Episode Summary:

In today's episode, you’ll learn strategies for safeguarding your assets by using internal controls, including: 

• What internal controls are (1:05)

• Financial management and controls (3:55)

• Fraud prevention and protection (6:45)

• Cybersecurity and data protection (10:30)

• Conflicts of interest (12:45)

• Sharing internal control policies with your team (16:00)

• Resources for training your board (18:50)

Teasers:

“We have a responsibility as nonprofit organizations to safeguard our assets and to safeguard the money that has been entrusted to us by our donors, by our funders, and we need to have the appropriate controls and rules in place to make sure that everything is safe.”

“Making sure that you've got two people in every step of that process is really helpful for having a solid internal control.”

“If this [cybersecurity] is not in your budget for next year, I would do some research and put it in your budget.”

“It's always this continuous improvement process.”

Huge thank you to our sponsor, GrantsWorks!

With billions of dollars in federal grant funding available, now is the time to learn about how to apply for and manage federal grants from Patrice Davis, an expert who simplifies federal grants. Her Federal Grants Simplified Bootcamp is a six week hybrid training that gives you the freedom to access on-demand training on your schedule and to attend live weekly Q&A sessions with Patrice. Plus, GrantsWorks is an ACFRE approved continuing education provider. Use code DEGREES for 10% off your registration.

Resources

• Grantsworks: www.grantsworksacademy.com/federal-grants-simplified 
• Master Your Nonprofit Numbers: 100degreesconsulting.com/nonprofitnumbers  
• Keep up to date with the podcast: @100degreesconsulting
• Follow Stephanie on Instagram: @stephanie.skry/ 
• Connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieskryzowski/ 
• Visit the podcast page:  http://100degreesconsulting.com/internal-controls 

Want more of the podcast?

New episodes are released weekly! Find them all plus show notes and exclusive bonus content at 100degreesconsulting.com/podcast.

Leave us a review! Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Let me know what you loved most about this episode!

Subscribe to the show so you don’t miss a thing!

Is your nonprofit struggling with building a diverse leadership team? Are you facing difficulty when it comes to attracting and retaining top talent? Are you finding it hard to compete with the corporate sector? These are all common challenges within the nonprofit sector, but you’re in luck! 

Our guest today, Jailan Adly is an expert on nonprofit leadership talent search. She’s helped countless organizations build successful diverse leadership teams by finding top talent for nonprofits. On today’s episode, she dives into the challenges many nonprofits face in their talent search, how to set both candidates and organizations up for success, and strategies for building a safe environment. She also discusses why she thinks CFOs are one of the most challenging roles to fill and what nuances come with attracting a nonprofit CFO. 

Plus, Jailan gives practical tips for job seekers in the nonprofit sector and how both job seekers and organizations can leverage technology. And most importantly, she discusses how a diverse and proximate leadership team can make huge strides in decolonizing the nonprofit world. 

About Jailan

Jailan Adly is a seasoned social impact executive and strategist with experience navigating organizations through pivotal transitions and periods of growth. Jailan leads GoodCitizen’s East Coast hub and supports the organization’s business development and strategic initiatives. Jailan joined GoodCitizen to help social sector organizations find extraordinary leaders to move the needle forward on complex challenges.

She holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from George Washington University and has spent her entire career forging mutually beneficial partnerships between diverse stakeholders from the private, public, and social sectors to build the capacity of impact-driven initiatives, individuals, and organizations. Through her work with PYXERA Global and Taproot Foundation, she supported numerous corporate social responsibility programs for Fortune 500 companies including IBM, Novartis, SAP, MetLife, John Deere, and Medtronic in more than 20 countries. She has created and led global fluency workshops to prepare business professionals to provide high-caliber consulting services to enterprises, entrepreneurs, and NGOs in emerging and frontier markets.

Read the podcast transcript here. 

Episode Summary

On today’s episode, you’ll learn how to attract and retain top nonprofit talent by setting candidates and the current leadership team up for success including:  

• Challenges nonprofits are facing with talent search in the post-covid world (3:55)

• Setting up candidates and organizations up for success (6:00)

• Things to consider when attracting and retaining top talent (9:45)

• Strategies for providing a safe and successful environment for new leaders (14:00)

• The nuances of a nonprofit CFO role (18:30)

• Why it’s important to assess the skills and leadership styles of the executive team in the search process (23:10)

• How tech plays a role in the search for nonprofit leaders (27:00)

• Advice for job seekers in the nonprofit sector (29:45)

• Strategically using ChatGPT (34:45)

• How proximate leadership helps decolonize the nonprofit world (39:40)

Teasers

“I think there's a tendency to kind of fast forward to, ‘Well if we just hire diverse candidates, we'll be okay.” But if the organizations don't actually do the work, oftentimes they're setting candidates of color up for failure.”

“I think there's a conversation and a discussion that needs to be had sector-wide, right? Where the folks who are arguably dealing with the most stress, 'cause they're on the ground doing the work, are yet nowhere near as paid as those deciding who gets the funding because of where the money is held in.”

“The advice I would give candidates in the non-profit sector and, and frankly, in any sector is: get really clear on not just the issue areas you want to work in, but the function area that you want to work in as well.”

“A prosperous nonprofit is one that has its eye on the ultimate outcome of the impact.”

Huge thank you to our sponsor!

This series is sponsored by Blackbaud, the essential software provider for the organizations and people who change the world. Blackbaud has been working with finance professionals at nonprofit and social good organizations for almost 40 years with its Blackbaud Financial Edge, NXT Fund, accounting software expertise, and services. You can streamline your financial operations, strengthen your accountability, and make data-driven decisions to increase your impact. To learn more, visit https://www.blackbaud.com/   

Resources

Connect with Jailan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jailanadly/

Check out Good Citizen’s website: https://www.goodcitizen.com/

Blackbaud Nonprofit Accounting Software: https://www.blackbaud.com/   

Keep up to date with the podcast: @100degreesconsulting

Follow Stephanie on Instagram: @stephanie.skry/ 

Connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieskryzowski/ 

Visit the podcast page: 100degreesconsulting.com/diverse-leadership-team  

Want more of the podcast?

New episodes are released weekly! Find them all plus show notes and exclusive bonus content at 100degreesconsulting.com/podcast.

Leave us a review! Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Let me know what you loved most about this episode!

Subscribe to the show so you don’t miss a thing!

Nonprofit leaders, are you seeing a trend of trust-based philanthropy in your organization? Have you seen an uptick in unrestricted funds? Maybe you’re searching for innovative ideas to use this funding. If so, you’re in the right place! In today's episode, I chat with Kelsey Vatsaas, a nonprofit industry expert who is the managing principal of the national nonprofit industry at CLA, a top 10 professional services firm.

Kelsey dives into getting unrestricted funds from the employee retention tax credit, how you can qualify for the credit, and strategies for pursuing these tax credits. She also discusses questions to ask your accounting firm and how to spot red flags of predatory firms. 

Plus, we talk about nonprofit trends like the uptick in trust-based philanthropy across organizations and how organizations are using these funds in an innovative and unique way. Kelsey tells us about some challenges she’s seen with unrestricted funds, how to overcome them, and gives recommendations for nonprofits that receive federal grants. 

About Kelsey Vatsaas

Kelsey is the managing principal of the national nonprofit industry at CLA, a top 10 professional services firm. Over her career at CLA, Kelsey has been a nonprofit auditor, strategic consultant, and consulting CFO. In her current role, Kelsey works to bring the firm’s national resources, teams, and experiences to over 10,000 nonprofits for whom CLA provides a variety of services.

Read the podcast transcript here. 

Episode Summary

In today's episode, you’ll learn strategies for evaluating your accounting firm, understanding employee retention tax credits and government funding, plus innovative ways to use trust-based philanthropy funds.

• Getting unrestricted funds through employee retention tax credits (6:00)

• How to qualify for retention tax credits (10:50)

• Avoiding predatory accounting firms (11:45)

• Red flags to avoid (17:15)

• Steps you can take to pursue employee retention credits (21:00)

• Trends in nonprofit funding (27:00)

• What trust-based philanthropy is (29:30)

• Innovative ways organizations are using unrestricted funds (30:15)

• Challenges with trust-based philanthropy (34:15)

• Recommendations for nonprofits receiving federal funding (38:20)

Teasers

“I've got a client I'm working with right now who's got seven employees and that organization is eligible for retention tax credits. They are going to get $300,000 worth of credits, which is actual money in the bank.” 

“Let's make sure an organization's a good organization, but then let's trust their leadership to do what they need to with that money. I love that.”

“You're seeing that organizations when presented with this large, unrestricted gift are choosing to invest it back into the organization, back into their people.”

“If you are thinking about getting into the world of federal grants and there's a lot of money available and it can be really transformational for your organization. Just make sure you have the right systems in place first so that you're not having to go back and try and redo work and recreate things, after you already have this money.”

Huge thank you to our sponsor, Grants  Works!

With billions of dollars in federal grant funding available, now is the time to learn about how to apply for and manage federal grants from Patrice Davis, an expert who simplifies federal grants. Her Federal Grants Simplified Bootcamp is a six week hybrid training that gives you the freedom to access on-demand training on your schedule and to attend live weekly Q&A sessions with Patrice. Plus, GrantsWorks is an ACFRE approved continuing education provider. Use code DEGREES for 10% off your registration.

Resources

Connect with Kelsey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kvatsaas/ 

Check out CLA’s website: https://blogs.claconnect.com/nonprofitinnovation/

Grantsworks: www.grantsworksacademy.com/federal-grants-simplified 

Keep up to date with the podcast: @100degreesconsulting

Follow Stephanie on Instagram: @stephanie.skry/ 

Connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieskryzowski/ 

Visit the podcast page:  100degreesconsulting.com/trust-based-philanthropy 

Want more of the podcast?

New episodes are released weekly! Find them all plus show notes and exclusive bonus content at 100degreesconsulting.com/podcast.

Leave us a review! Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Let me know what you loved most about this episode!

Subscribe to the show so you don’t miss a thing

Institutional Fundraising and Empowering Your Nonprofit with Ash Rogers

Is your nonprofit achieving its institutional fundraising goals? What about empowering team members through its leadership structure? Did you know these things can actually go hand in hand? We are so excited for today’s episode with Ash Rogers, where she dives into institutional fundraising and decolonized leadership structure and talks about tons of practical tips and strategies. 

She tells us how she helped to transform her organization’s leadership structure into a decolonized model, how this benefits and empowers team members, as well as challenges many organizations need to overcome. Ash discusses just how this decolonized structure has helped empower her organization across several areas, including fundraising. 

We dive into institutional fundraising and the impact it has on nonprofits. Ash gives us strategies for attracting these large donors, as well as how to push back, handle disagreements with funders, and even say no to bad money. She also speaks to the importance of long-term strategic planning and how she and her co-CEO work together to achieve the organization’s goals. 

About Ash

Ash Rogers is Co-Chief Executive Officer of Lwala Community Alliance. Lwala matches community-led change with university-backed research and evaluation to advance quality health for all. Ash has overseen a 14-fold increase in annual revenue, exponential reach of the model, increased diversity in board membership, and publication of many peer-reviewed studies. 

Prior to Lwala, Ash was the Director of Operations at Segal Family Foundation, overseeing a $12m portfolio of 180 grantees. Ash is a Global Health Corps alum and has worked with organizations including Komo Learning Centres and HELP International. Ash serves as a board member of the Community Health Impact Coalition, Orkeeswa School and Komo Learning Centres. The through line of Ash's work is shifting power and money so that local leaders go from local impact to system-level change. Ash holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Washington and a BA in Political Science from Brigham Young University.

Episode Summary

On today’s episode, you’ll learn how you can boost your organization’s institutional fundraising and empower your leadership team including:

• How Ash helped restructure Lwala’s leadership structure(7:00)

• What a decolonized leadership model looks like (8:30)

• Benefits and challenges of a decolonized leadership structure (11:30)

• Developing a fundraising strategy as a co-CEO (13:55)

• One of the best tactical ways to find funders (17:10)

• Strategies for attracting large donors (20:00)

• How to handle disagreements with funders (21:50)

• Saying no to bad money (26:00)

• Overcoming challenges of transformational giving (28:10)

• Long-term strategic planning for fundraising (31:30)

Teasers

“Everything's a co-decision. That sounds real tough. I feel like the best analogy is a marriage where you have some separate responsibilities.”

“I think funders also are people who often deeply care about this work and have their own technical knowledge and experience and they want to engage in real conversations.”

“I think it's really important to be able to engage with people, to tell them when you disagree, to have debates with them about real ideas. I think people can feel the authenticity of that.”

“You need to have your own kind of boundaries and parameters about the money that you'll take.”

“It doesn't have to be expensive and detailed and cumbersome to be able to put together this big vision that then you can share that can help advance your fundraising and your revenue generation, conversations, and activities.”

Huge thank you to our sponsor!

This series is sponsored by Blackbaud, the essential software provider for the organizations and people who change the world. Blackbaud has been working with finance professionals at nonprofit and social good organizations for almost 40 years with its Blackbaud Financial Edge, NXT Fund, accounting software expertise, and services. You can streamline your financial operations, strengthen your accountability, and make data-driven decisions to increase your impact. To learn more, visit https://www.blackbaud.com/   

Resources

Connect with Ash on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asrogers/ 

Check out Lwala’s website: https://lwala.org/

Blackbaud Nonprofit Accounting Software: https://www.blackbaud.com/   

Keep up to date with the podcast: @100degreesconsulting

Follow Stephanie on Instagram: @stephanie.skry/ 

Connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieskryzowski/ 

Visit the podcast page: https://100degreesconsulting.com/institutional-fundraising 

Want more of the podcast?

New episodes are released weekly! Find them all plus show notes and exclusive bonus content at 100degreesconsulting.com/podcast.

Leave us a review! Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Let me know what you loved most about this episode!

Subscribe to the show so you don’t miss a thing

Is your nonprofit financially healthy? If you’re thinking, “Well, what exactly does financially healthy even mean?” Then, you’re in the right place! On today’s podcast episode, Stephanie covers everything you need to know about your organization’s financial health, sustainability, and how to make improvements so you can continue to have a lasting impact on the communities you serve. 

She breaks down the seven financial metrics your nonprofit should be tracking, common pain points in organizations, and strategies for overcoming financial obstacles and increasing sustainability. Plus, a super simple way to find things your organization is paying for, but no longer using, helping you cut down on costs. 

Stephanie also dives into the number one thing most strategic plans are missing, and why it can be detrimental to a nonprofit’s sustainability. As well as the critical role building and fostering relationships plays in an organization’s financial health. She has helped countless nonprofits understand where they are in terms of financial health and how to elevate the way they are managing their finances. Now she’s sharing her wealth of knowledge (pun intended) with you!

Episode Summary:

On today’s episode, you’ll learn how you can boost your nonprofit’s financial health including:

• The best way to figure out if your nonprofit is sustainable (2:55)

• How to calculate your metrics (5:10)

• Why your budget shouldn’t always be “break-even” (8:30)

• Where you can find templates and tools you need to enhance the way you're managing your organization's money (15:00)

• Seven things you can do to turn your organization into a financially healthy one (16:00)

• The number one thing most strategic plans are missing (17:10)

• A major pain point in most organizations (22:15)

• How relationships play a key role in the financial health of your organization (26:45)

• Recap of the financial metrics you need to be measuring (30:50

Teasers:

“For better or for worse, we as nonprofit organizations are rated on the way that we are spending our money.”

“Just understanding your asset composition is an important place to start on your balance sheet.”

“We need to know exactly where we are right now so we can make good strategic decisions as to what to change.”

“I can almost guarantee that you are gonna find some unused subscription, something you're paying for that you didn't really need anymore.”

Resources:

FREE Financial Health Calculator: https://100degreesconsulting.com/health  

Keep up to date with the podcast: @100degreesconsulting

Follow Stephanie on Instagram: @stephanie.skry/ 

Connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieskryzowski/ 

Visit the podcast page: http://100degreesconsulting.com/nonprofit-financial-health 

Process Improvement: Why Change Isn’t Always a Bad Thing

Nonprofit leaders, when is the last time you did a process improvement audit for your organization? Does just the thought of it make you cringe or give you all the thoughts of overwhelm? If so, fear not! Today, you’re in luck because we have a special guest, Margaret Chapman, who is an expert in implementing strategic and meaningful changes in nonprofit backend processes. She’s going to break down some strategies for us and give us a wealth of information starting with strategic planning. 

Margaret shares with us strategies for making your strategic plan a tactical document your organization will actually use, instead of putting it together once every three years, shoving it in a closet, and never looking at it again. If this is your organization, there is no judgment here! It happens a lot more often than you think. That’s why we are so excited to dive into process improvement for backend systems with Margaret! 

About Margaret

Margaret Chapman, MBA, MA, CNAP has spent the last 20 years of her career helping organizations with their finance, operations, fundraising and overall programmatic strategy. From national candidates and multi-billion dollar nonprofits to small start-ups, she leverages what’s unique about each group to ensure they are able to leap to the next phase in their growth.

Specifically, Margaret focuses on using strategic planning methods in building robust back office systems that fit the needs of the organization. Rethinking staffing, accounting, and operational structures are her specialty.

Throughout her career, Margaret has worked to make financial analysis, processes, and all things money approachable for all audiences. Dealing with numbers is often anxiety-producing but Margaret translates finance-speak into easily understandable concepts and practices that every organization can efficiently implement and feel confident in sharing.

Episode Summary

On today’s episode, you’ll learn how you can improve your organization’s strategic planning and backend processes including:

• Common challenges nonprofits are seeing right now (12:55)

• What components your strategic plan needs to have to be a successful, tactical document (16:00)

• One of the most common missing pieces of a nonprofit strategic plan (18:00)

• One strategy for getting the bigger picture of what is going on in the organization (22:50)

• Proven strategies for managing change in an organization (27:00)

• What happens when you empower your team members (30:00)

• Creating a culture of improvement (36:05)
  

Teasers

“I think strategic planning is a lot more about what you're not doing oftentimes than what you are doing.”

“I'm not sure that we could get any more inefficient than that, having someone physically drive checks across the city for a signature. But that's the way that they had always done it.”

“Change is hard, even if it's a change that we know will probably improve our lives and our ability to do our work.”

“It's really engaging the people who are having to do it every day and saying, what are your ideas for how to do this better?”

“This is how we've always done it is not always a bad thing. I think the key is to continuously review and continuously think about is there a way that we could iterate and make this better, or is this process working really well?”

Resources

Follow Margaret on Instagram: @jamstrategies

Keep up with Margaret on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JaMStrategies 

Connect with Margaret on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-chapman-mba/ 

Check out Margaret’s website: https://jamstrategies.com/ 

FREE Cash Forecast Spreadsheet: https://100degreesconsulting.com/cash 

Keep up to date with the podcast: @100degreesconsulting

Follow Stephanie on Instagram: @stephanie.skry

Connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieskryzowski/ 

Visit the podcast page: https://100degreesconsulting.com/process-improvement

Participatory Budgeting: How to Create Your Best Budget Yet

Nonprofit leaders, are you looking for a better way to budget this year? A process that actually builds morale instead of squashing it? Sounds too good to be true, right? It doesn’t have to be! In this episode, Stephanie discusses the participatory, or collaborative, budgeting process. She does a deep dive into what exactly participatory budgeting is, and equally, if not more importantly, what it is NOT. Hint: it is NOT a free-for-all.  

Participatory budgeting is an innovative way for nonprofits to include their team in a process that has often been part of a power dynamic in organizations. This approach helps leaders to dismantle this power structure present in the organization where one party holds all the money and the power. It’s also an excellent way to boost morale and buy-in as well as encourage accountability and transparency.

While collaborative budgeting is an excellent strategy for nonprofits to implement, that’s not to say it doesn’t come with its challenges. Stephanie has worked with countless nonprofits throughout this process and has seen her fair share of the challenges they face. With her expertise and guidance, she has helped these nonprofits overcome these obstacles. Now, she’s sharing these proven strategies with you! 

EPISODE SUMMARY

On today’s episode, you’ll learn strategies to help you create a more collaborative budgeting process including: 

• What participatory budgeting is (5:00)

• What participatory budgeting is NOT (7:05)

• What to do before putting a single number on a spreadsheet (9:00)

• How to include team members in the budgeting process (11:45)

• How to avoid getting back 15 different spreadsheets that all look differently (13:00)

• How to keep morale high during this process (15:15)

• Challenges with participatory budgeting (18:45)

• Creating a line item wish list (21:30)

• Tips for making participatory budgeting successful (23:00)

TEASERS

“Nobody knows those line items in those departmental budgets better than the people who are actually running those programs.”

“What is most important here is transparency.”

“What we need to take away from this is that not every single thing that people suggest and people want is going to happen.”

“We are actively working to dismantle the innate power structure present in the organization where one party holds all the money and the power.”

“We want to have more meaningful dialogue organization-wide on the direction that the organization is going.”

RESOURCES

FREE Cash Forecast Spreadsheet: https://100degreesconsulting.com/cash 

Keep up to date with the podcast: https://www.instagram.com/100degreesconsulting/ 

Follow Stephanie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephanie.skry/ 

Connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieskryzowski/ 

Visit the podcast page:  https://100degreesconsulting.com/participatory-budgeting

Using Storytelling to Speak to Your Donors and Hit Your Fundraising Goals

Are you looking for ways to hit your fundraising goals and nail your donor communication? You’re in luck! In this special bonus episode, Jess Campbell lays it all out, step-by-step.

Jess Campbell is the founder of Out in the Boons, a small shop helping nonprofits discover donors in their email list. She has been a nonprofit fundraiser for 18 years and has raised over $17M+ working from New York to California in organizations big and small. She is also the founder of The Raise More Together Summit which to date has educated more than 3,000 nonprofit leaders and fundraisers. 

Before starting Out in the Boons, Jess was the Director of Development for LIFT-LA, a national organization that empowers families to break the cycle of poverty. 

Jess has an undergraduate degree from The University of Colorado-Boulder (go Buffs!) in Communication and a Masters degree in Nonprofit Management from The New School in NYC. She currently lives in Southern California with her husband, 6 year-old daughter and their rescue pup, Billy. Come find her on Instagram @outintheboons_. 

EPISODE SUMMARY

On today’s episode, you’ll learn how to leverage email to hit your fundraising goals, including: 

• How you can use storytelling in your fundraising efforts in an authentic, genuine, sensitive, and ethical way (10:00)

• Why you should tell your story over and over again (14:00)

• What should fundraisers be thinking about right now to prep for year end goals (16:00)

• Where you can get solid fundraising information and expertise from real nonprofits doing the work (21:50)

• Why Giving Tuesday should not be the only thing on your mind going into Q4 (30:10)

• How to free up your time and energy to meet one on one with donors (32:50)

• How to use storytelling with financials and translating numbers into impact (38:00)

“I've literally had donors after several meetings or getting to know them, be like, ‘We're considering a million dollar gift.’”

“The other thing I think nonprofits really miss is that you can tell the same version of the story over and over again… you could tell that story every hour of every day and your readers will never, ever, ever get bored.”

“As a fundraiser, I’ve found that the most impactful stories I tell are the ones that infuse the numbers.”

RESOURCES

Keep up to date with the podcast on Instagram: @100degreesconsulting

Connect with Stephanie on Instagram: @stephanie.skry 

Visit the podcast page: http://100degreesconsulting.com/creating-winning-fundraising-email-campaigns 

Where to find Jess online:

Instagram: @outintheboons_

Website: www.outintheboons.me

Raise More Summit: www.raisemoretogether.co 

Grab your tickets for the Raise More Summit for only $27!

You’ll hear from nonprofit experts on topics like:

• Messaging, branding, and marketing

• Combining storytelling and financials to make an impact 

• How to raise $500,000 by December 31st

• Getting visible on LinkedIn

• AI and ChatGPT

• And so much more!

Unlock the secrets of sustainable growth in the fast-paced nonprofit sector in our groundbreaking podcast episode featuring Diane Leonard, a veteran in Agile, Scrum, and grant management.

• Discover how implementing Agile methodologies and Scrum principles can drastically increase your organization's efficiency and adaptability, transforming your daily operations.

• Learn about the Grant Life Cycle, a streamlined process that simplifies the daunting grant management tasks and sets your organization up for continuous funding success.

• Dive deep into strategies for building a supportive community, overcoming resistance to change, and promoting an environment of well-being, essential for any thriving nonprofit organization.

Keep up to date with the podcast: https://www.instagram.com/100degreesconsulting/

Connect with Stephanie: https://www.instagram.com/stephanie.skry/

Visit the podcast page: https://100degreesconsulting.com/using-the-agile-framework-in-nonprofits/ 

Unlock the secret to a thriving nonprofit organization in our latest podcast episode, where we dive into the profound impact of team retreats!

• Discover how retreats can fuel both personal and professional growth within your team.

• Learn from our experience on how to balance relaxation, engagement, and learning during a retreat.

• Unearth the transformative power a retreat can have on your organization's connection to its mission.
  Keep up to date with the podcast: https://www.instagram.com/100degreesconsulting/

Keep up to date with the podcast: https://www.instagram.com/100degreesconsulting/

Connect with Stephanie: https://www.instagram.com/stephanie.skry/

Visit the podcast page: https://100degreesconsulting.com/behind-the-scenes-of-our-annual-team-retreat/