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Nonprofit Jenni
The Nonprofit Jenni Show is the podcast for nonprofit professionals, board members, and community leaders. Every week, Jenni invites nonprofit leaders to share their stories and advice for facing common management, marketing, and development challenges. Go forth and do good with the Nonprofit Jenni Show!
273. Convert Animal Adopters to Donors + Silent Auction Planning & Hosting Tips
This week, Little Green Light talks about how using your donor management system to create appeal reports can help improve your next fundraising appeal. Then we take a Rewind back to a Nonprofit in the News segment covering an article about the advice experienced women leaders want to pass down to women who are new to nonprofit leadership. We also discuss a research study about social giving trends. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Find Little Green Light’s Free Resources: www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Jenni’s Charity Auction Guide (and other resources): nonprofitjenni.com/coursesandmore — Jenni’s Gifts That Give Back catalog: nonprofitjenni.com/giftsthatgiveback — Community Resource Center’s Instagram post about their “ALL IN” event: instagram.com/reel/C_gDGUNvtuh/ — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2024 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
01:08:4718/11/2024
272. Three Ways Appeal Data Reports Can Upgrade Your Next Appeal + Seasoned Women Leaders Offer “Newbies” Advice + Social Giving Trends
This week, Little Green Light talks about how using your donor management system to create appeal reports can help improve your next fundraising appeal. Then we take a Rewind back to a Nonprofit in the News segment covering an article about the advice experienced women leaders want to pass down to women who are new to nonprofit leadership. We also discuss a research study about social giving trends. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Find Little Green Light’s Free Resources: www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Women’s Nonprofit Leadership Article: ssir.org/articles/entry/the_first_100_days_for_female_leaders — Social Giving Study: onecause.com/ebook/the-2022-giving-experience-study — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2024 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
34:3511/11/2024
271. How to Decide Who to Solicit During Your Next Appeal + Reasonable Employee Accommodations + Gifts That Give Back
This week, Little Green Light has advice for deciding who to solicit during your fundraising appeals. Then my sister comes back on the show to talk about some Gifts That Give Back and tips for advocating for reasonable accommodations for employees who have disabilities and other different needs. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Get Jenni’s Giving Tuesday Planning Toolkit: nonprofitjenni.com/coursesandmore — Download this year’s Gifts That Give Back catalog: nonprofitjenni.com/giftsthatgiveback — Find Little Green Light’s Free Resources: www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2024 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
01:20:0504/11/2024
270. Five Non-Traditional Giving Tuesday Strategies + More Tips to Perfect Your Appeal With Your CRM
This week we continue our mini-series with Little Green Light about how your donor management system can help you prepare an incredible appeal. Then Jenni’s sister Michelle joins us to talk about the global fundraising day we all love to hate: Giving Tuesday! We hope these five non-traditional campaign ideas re-inspire you. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Find Little Green Light’s Free Resources: www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Jenni’s 6-Week Giving Tuesday Planning Guide: nonprofitjenni.com/coursesandmore — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2024 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
01:14:3528/10/2024
269. Use Your Donor Management System to Manage Appeals + Give Your Community Outreach a Boost
This week we start a new mini-series with Little Green Light about the flipside of fundraising appeals – the role your donor management system plays during the appeals process.Then we take a Rewind back to a conversation with expert Brittaney Jenkins about how your nonprofit can conduct effective community outreach efforts. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Find Little Green Light’s Free Resources: www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Brittaney Jenkins’ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brittaneyrjenkins — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2024 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
32:0521/10/2024
268. Last-Minute Year-End Appeal Planning + How to Create Your Cyber Security Plan (I promise, you NEED to listen to this cyber security advice!)
This week is the last episode of our mini-series with Little Green Light about how to develop a last-minute year-end fundraising appeal! Then I share seven cyber security tips your nonprofit ABSOLUTELY needs to implement quickly. Fortunately, all of my tips can be implemented with low-cost and even many free options! In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Find Little Green Light’s Free Resources: www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Preventing Charity Fraud website: preventcharityfraud.org.uk — The National Cyber Security Centre’s Small Charity Guide: ncsc.gov.uk/files/Charity-Guide-v3.pdf — The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center: ic3.gov — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2024 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
41:2614/10/2024
267. Four Ways to Prep for Year-End Appeals + How (and Why) to Conduct Market Research to Grow Your Nonprofit
This week, we continue our mini-series with Little Green Light about how your nonprofit can maximize the success of your year-end fundraising appeal with a list of 4 ways your team can prepare for year-end apples. Then my sister Michelle is coming back to the show to talk about why market research is so important for nonprofits, and 3 ways for your nonprofit to conduct market research on a small or even a non-existent budget. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Find Little Green Light’s Free Resources: www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Article about market research: blog.candid.org/post/market-research-for-nonprofits-made-easy-tips-to-maximize-impact — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2024 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
48:1407/10/2024
266. Partner with Businesses for Year-End Appeals + Why (and How) to Put Your Participants First + How to Reduce Staff Turnover
This week, we continue our mini-series with Little Green Light about how your nonprofit can maximize the success of your year-end fundraising appeal with 5 tips to collaborate with local businesses during your year-end appeal. Then we’ll take a Rewind back to a Nonprofits in the news segment where we talk about why (and how) your nonprofit should put its participants front and center. We also chat about another article with advice for retaining great employees. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Find Little Green Light’s Free Resources: www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Article about prioritizing participants: ssir.org/articles/entry/putting_participants_at_the_center_of_managing_and_leading_nonprofits — Article about improving staff retention: thenonprofittimes.com/hr/staff-retention-a-major-problem-for-npos — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2024 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
21:1630/09/2024
265. Five Questions to Plan Your Year-End Appeal + Overcome Racial Equity Fatigue
This week, we continue our mini-series with Little Green Light about how your nonprofit can maximize the success of your year-end fundraising appeal with 5 key questions your nonprofit should answer while you plan your appeal. Then we’ll take a Rewind back to a Nonprofits in the news segment full of advice for new women leaders and a breakdown of a report about social giving trends.. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Find Little Green Light’s Free Resources: www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Article about women leaders: ssir.org/articles/entry/overcoming_racial_equity_fatigue — Report about social giving: onecause.com/ebook/the-2022-giving-experience-study — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2024 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
19:2123/09/2024
264. How Data Can Improve Year-End Giving Appeals + Boost Your Emotional Wellbeing at Work
This week, we’re starting a new mini-series with Little Green Light about how your nonprofit can maximize the success of your year-end fundraising appeal. We start off by talking about how you can use data to refine your fundraising strategy. Then we start a brand new segment called “Beyond the Mission” where we focus on improving the work lives of INDIVIDUAL nonprofiteers instead of just talking about how nonprofits can improve on an ORGANIZATIONAL level. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Find Little Green Light’s Free Resources: www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2024 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
45:0016/09/2024
263. Engage Sponsors Year-Round + Employee Talent Development + Training New Volunteers
This week, we’re wrapping up our mini-series with Little Green Light about how your nonprofit obtain and retain event sponsors for your fundraising events. Then Jenni’s sister Michelle will come back to talk about two Nonprofits in the News stories. The first covers best practices for creating talent development opportunities for your employees, and the second is all about how to effectively train new volunteers. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Find Little Green Light’s Free Resources: www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Employee talent development: bridgespan.org/insights/nonprofit-leadership/talent-development-for-ngos — Volunteer training: classy.org/blog/train-volunteers-for-a-better-nonprofit-event — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2024 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
56:1109/09/2024
262. How to Properly Thank Event Sponsors + “Good” and “Bad” AI Tools for Nonprofits
This week, we’re continuing our mini-series with Little Green Light about how your nonprofit obtain and retain event sponsors for your fundraising events. Then we chat with Karen Boyd from the San Diego Policy and Innovation Center about how nonprofits can engage with AI tools, and set boundaries for using tools that were created using DEI best practices. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Find Little Green Light’s Free Resources: www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Karen’s website: drkarenboyd.com — San Diego Policy and Innovation Center: sdrpic.org — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2024 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
45:1202/09/2024
261. Prepping to Approach Sponsors + Using “Impact Data” to Maximize Fundraising Success
This week, we’re continuing our mini-series with Little Green Light about how your nonprofit obtain and retain event sponsors for your fundraising events. Then we chat with Lauren Vanderpool from Social Impact Solutions about “impact data,” which is the type of data your major donors and foundations want to see before deciding whether to invest in your organization. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Find Little Green Light’s Free Resources: www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Lauren’s fundraising quiz: fundraisingquiz.org — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2024 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
38:5726/08/2024
260. Approaching Prospective Event Sponsors + Eliminating Pay Inequities
This week, we’re starting a brand new mini-series with Little Green Light about how your nonprofit obtain and retain event sponsors for your fundraising events. Then we chat with Sally Loftis, founder of Lofits Partners and pay equity expert, about how nonprofits can help lead changes in pay inequities through pay transparency – even if you feel like you don’t have the HR budget to really move the needle yet. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Find Little Green Light’s Free Resources: www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Sally Loftis’ book on Pay Equity: tinyurl.com/nonprofitpayequity — Sally Loftis’ Pay Equity Collective: loftispartners.com/collective — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2024 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
55:5719/08/2024
259. Launch Tips for Your Membership Program + Grassroots Engagement and Advocacy Advice
This week, we are wrapping up our mini-series with Little Green Light about how your nonprofit can develop an engaging membership program to add another revenue stream for your organization with tips for how to actually launch your new program. Then we chat with Vedha Vaddaraju, the co-founder of Letters of Gold, about how you can activate folks in your community at the grassroots level to get them involved in important causes. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Find Little Green Light’s Free Resources: www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Letters of Gold: lettersofgold.org — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2024 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
44:3112/08/2024
258. Retaining Nonprofit “Members” + Storytelling That’s Inclusive of ALL Backgrounds and Cultures
This week, we continue our new mini-series with Little Green Light about how your nonprofit can develop an engaging membership program to add another revenue stream for your organization. Specifically, this week we talk about how to retain your members year after yeat. Then we chat with Nikki Stewart, Executive Director of Old North Illuminated, about how to tell stories from history where folks from all backgrounds and cultures can see themselves reflected. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Find Little Green Light’s Free Resources: www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Old North Illuminated’s “Illuminating the Unseen” video series: www.oldnorth.com/itu/ — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2024 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
48:1205/08/2024
257. Nonprofit “Membership” Benefits Contin + Leaders Who Have Lived Experience257. Nonprofit “Membership” Benefits Contin + Leaders Who Have Lived Experience
This week, we continue our new mini-series with Little Green Light about how your nonprofit can develop an engaging membership program to add another revenue stream for your organization. Then we chat with Erin McAleer, CEO of Project Bread, about how her organization prioritizes empowering folks with lived experience to become influential leaders at her nonprofit. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Find Little Green Light’s Free Resources: www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Project Bread’s Food Assistance Directory: projectbread.org/get-help — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2024 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
40:2429/07/2024
256. Nonprofit “Membership” Benefits + Volunteer Recruitment and Engagement Advice
This week, we continue our new mini-series with Little Green Light about how your nonprofit can develop an engaging membership program to add another revenue stream for your organization. In this first segment, we’ll start by talking about the details of how you can build a membership program and the benefits you can offer supporters. Next, we take a Rewind back to a conversation about volunteer recruitment and engagement. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Find Little Green Light’s Free Resources: www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Impactrics: impactrics.com — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2024 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
42:2822/07/2024
255. Types of Nonprofit Membership Programs + Equity-Driven Leadership Development + Improve Grant Writing With AI
This week, we start a brand new mini-series with Little Green Light about how your nonprofit can develop an engaging membership program to add another revenue stream for your organization. In this first segment, we’ll start by talking about the different types of membership programs your nonprofit may decide to launch. Next, we have a new Nonprofits in the News segment with a report about the most effective methods for developing equity-driven leadership training programs so you can build more diverse leadership pipelines. We also chat about an article that outlines three practical ways you can use AI to improve your grant writing process. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Find Little Green Light’s Free Resources: www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Equity-driven leadership report: https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/2022-12/Catalyzing%20Leadership%20for%20Equity.pdf — Grant writing with AI article: https://thenonprofittimes.com/npt_articles/practical-ways-to-use-ai-for-grants/ — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2024 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
58:5315/07/2024
254. Six Elements of Inspiring Nonprofit Newsletters + Conflict Resolution Strategies
This week, we’re wrapping up our mini-series with Little Green Light about donor retention with advice about how to keep donors engaged in your mission with inspiring email newsletters. Next, we have a Rewind of an interview with Christopher Arnold about how your nonprofit leaders can successfully manage conflicts, and even proactively develop a conflict resolution strategy to get ahead of future conflicts that are inevitably bound to happen. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Find Little Green Light’s Free Resources: www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Christopher Arnold’s website: caredeeply.com — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2024 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
32:5008/07/2024
253. Donor Thank-You Letters + 5 Giving Trends Every Fundraiser Should Keep an Eye On
This week, we continue our new mini-series with Little Green Light about how your nonprofit can improve its donor retention efforts, this time specifically focusing on how to write gift acknowledgment letters that help maximize your nonprofit’s opportunities to receive future gifts. Next, we have a new Nonprofits in the News segment with a report on five recent giving trends that fundraisers need to know about. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Find Little Green Light’s Free Resources: www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Giving trends article: urban.org/urban-wire/five-charitable-giving-trends-watch — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2024 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
43:5501/07/2024
252. How Often to Ask Donors for Gifts + Advocate for Issues Impacting Your Community
This week, we continue our new mini-series with Little Green Light about how your nonprofit can improve its donor retention efforts, this time specifically focusing on how often you can ask donors for additional gifts. Then we take a Rewind back to a conversation Jenni had with Bethany Snyder to talk about how and why nonprofits should get involved in advocacy at the local, state, and even national levels. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Find Little Green Light’s Free Resources: www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Bethany’s website: snyderstrategies.me — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2024 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
28:0324/06/2024
251. Three Steps for Donor Retention + LGBTQ Nonprofit Employee Experiences
This week, we start a new mini-series with Little Green Light about how your nonprofit can improve its donor retention efforts to develop a more consistent and sustainable fundraising strategy. Then we host another segment of Nonprofits in the News, this time to talk about news stories and research articles about the career experiences of LGBTQ+ nonprofit employees, as well as employees from other historically marginalized communities. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Find Little Green Light’s Free Resources: www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Article about LGBTQ+ nonprofit employees: tinyurl.com/lgbtqnonprofit — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2024 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
39:3517/06/2024
250. Set Sensible Fundraising Goals + Build a Scalable Development Plan
This week, we finish up our mini-series about how nonprofits can streamline fundraising processes with Virginia Davidson from Little Green Light to talk about how to set realistic-yet-bold fundraising goals. Then we take a Rewind back to a conversation with Paul F. Morris, the founder of Foundry Fundraising, about how your nonprofit can create a scalable development plan. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Find Little Green Light’s Free Resources: www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Foundry Fundraising: foundryfundraising.com — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2024 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
44:5410/06/2024
249. CRM Appeals Features + IRS Glitch for 990s + Candid/Guidestar Transparency Seals
This week, we continue our mini-series about how nonprofits can streamline fundraising processes with Virginia Davidson from Little Green Light. Then we talk about some Nonprofits in the News stories, including an update about a major IRS glitch that could negatively impact your nonprofit’s fundraising efforts, as well as information about why Candid/Guidestar transparency seals are so important and how to get them. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Find Little Green Light’s Free Resources: www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Michelle’s LinkedIn: — IRS glitch: nonprofitoregon.org/nao-working-to-fix-irs-glitch-in-2022-form-990-displays/ — Candid/Guidestar transparency seals: guidestar.org/UpdateNonprofitProfile/profile-best-practices/ — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2024 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
39:5903/06/2024
248. Email Fundraisers + Time-Saving Strategies With Project Management
This week, we continue our mini-series about how nonprofits can streamline fundraising processes with Virginia Davidson from Little Green Light. Then we take a Rewind back to a conversation with project management expert Stacye Brim about how your nonprofit can use project management strategies to save time with your everyday work. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Find Little Green Light’s Free Resources: www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — STB Consulting: stbconsultingllc.com — Stacye’s article on project management software: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/project-management-tools-vs-task-difference-stacye/ — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2024 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
32:3627/05/2024
247. Streamline Fundraising Appeals + Capital Campaign Planning
This week, we start a new mini-series about how nonprofits can streamline fundraising processes with Virginia Davidson from Little Green Light. Then we take a Rewind back to two interviews I had with Brooke Bernard from the Belcourt Theatre and Teri Sloan from the Nashville Food Project about how they planned and executed capital campaigns at their organizations. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Find Little Green Light’s Free Resources: www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2024 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
01:07:1220/05/2024
246. Time-Saving Fundraising Tips + 4-Day Work Weeks + Intro Meetings With Funders
This week, Virginia Davidson from Little Green Light talks about how fundraisers can balance their time when juggling the need to generate and evaluate fundraising reports, as well as the need to actually get out there and fundraise. Then my sister comes back on the show for our Nonprofits in the News segment to chat about a case study of how a nonprofit successfully implemented a four-day work week and actually improved their effectiveness, plus advice from a foundation program officer about what to do before, during, and after introductory meetings with prospective funders. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Find Little Green Light’s Free Resources: www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Michelle’s LinkedIn profile: linkedin.com/in/michelle-gustafson — Article about the 4-day work week: https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/articles/four-day-work-week-one-nonprofits-positive-experience — Article about intro meetings with funders: https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/articles/how-have-successful-introductory-meeting-funder — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2024 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
54:2613/05/2024
245. Quick Fundraising Reports + Donor-Advised Funds + Gift Policies + Employee Commitment
This week, Virginia Davidson from Little Green Light comes back on the show to share advice about how nonprofits can use their donor management systems to create really quick, easy reports that can save you a ton of time as you decide on next steps to pursue with your fundraising strategy. Then my sister comes back on the show to play Nonprofit Scattergories and discuss donor-advised funds, gift acceptance policies, and factors impacting how committed your employees feel to your nonprofit. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Find Little Green Light’s Free Resources: www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Michelle’s LinkedIn profile: linkedin.com/in/michelle-gustafson — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2024 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
41:3806/05/2024
244. Smart Fields for Fundraising Reports + 10 Time-Saving Tools for Nonprofits
This week, Virginia Davidson from Little Green Light comes back on the show to share advice about streamlining your fundraising report generation processes using Smart Fields in your donor database. Then we take a Rewind back to a conversation with tech expert Michael Getzy, who shares 10 automation tools that make it easy for your nonprofit to save time with everyday work tasks. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Find Little Green Light’s Free Resources: www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Michael’s website and free Nonprofit Tech Audit: knit.tech/nonprofits — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2024 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
38:3929/04/2024
243. Fundraising Metrics + State of the Nonprofit Sector Reports (CO and TX)
This week, Virginia Davidson from Little Green Light comes back on the show to share advice about the fundraising metrics your nonprofit should track. Next, my sister and I talk about the latest “State of the Nonprofit Sector” reports that have come out from Colorado and Texas, and what these reports can tell us about the state of the sector on a national level. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Find Little Green Light’s Free Resources: www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Connect with Michelle: linkedin.com/in/michelle-gustafson — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2024 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
51:3122/04/2024
242. Internal Fundraising Reports + Inspire Your Board to Fundraise + Nonprofit Scattergories
This week, we start a new mini-series with Little Green Light about how to use internal fundraising reports to improve your fundraising strategy throughout the year. Next, we take a Rewind back to a conversation with Elizabeth Abel about how to inspire your board members to fundraise. Finally, my sister and I try out a new game called Nonprofit Scattergories. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Find Little Green Light’s Free Resources: www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Connect with Elizabeth Abel: linkedin.com/in/elizabethabel — Connect with Michelle: linkedin.com/in/michelle-gustafson — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2024 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
01:02:5715/04/2024
241. Email Fundraising Appeals + Public Statements on Controversial Issues + Inclusive Board Meetings + Planning Board Retreats
This week, Little Green Light shares seven tips for writing better email appeals for your next fundraising campaign. Next, Jenni’s sister – Michelle – comes back on the show to talk about considerations to make before your nonprofit issues a public statement about a controversial issue and advice for hosting inclusive board meetings. Finally, we take a Rewind back to a conversation with Gregory Nielsen about how to plan an effective board retreat. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Find Little Green Light’s Free Resources: www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Connect with Michelle: linkedin.com/in/michelle-gustafson — Check out Gregory’s website: nielsenconsults.com — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2024 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
01:05:0909/04/2024
240. Overcome Writers’ Block in Fundraising + Make Your Donate Webpage More Effective
This week, Little Green Light shares four tips for getting over writers’ block when you’re trying to write your next appeal letter. Then we take a Rewind back to a conversation with website expert Stu Swineford about how to increase donations made through your nonprofit’s website. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Find Little Green Light’s Free Resources: www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Check out Stu’s website: relishstudio.com — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2024 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
31:4401/04/2024
239. Converting Lapsed Donors Into Volunteers + Volunteer Management Advice
This week, Little Green Light shares three tips for reengaging your lapsed donors by inviting them to become volunteers. Then we take a Rewind back to a conversation with Kathy Edersheim from Impactrics about how you can engage and retain volunteers at your nonprofit. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Find Little Green Light’s Free Resources: www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Check out Impactric’s website: impactrics.com — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2024 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
30:0225/03/2024
238. More Lapsed Donor Advice + Skilled Volunteer Opportunities
This week, Little Green Light shares four tips for reengaging your lapsed donors. Then we take a Rewind back to a conversation with Abby Lehman from Photo Start about how to engage lapsed, existing, and future supporters through skilled volunteer opportuniteis. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Find Little Green Light’s Free Resources: www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Check out Photo Start’s website: photostart.org — Try out Catchafire: catchafire.org — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2024 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
30:1618/03/2024
237. Reengage Lapsed Donors + Use Donor Data More Effectively
This week, Little Green Light shares advice for reengaging your lapsed donors. Then we take a Rewind back to a conversation with Randy Gorod about how to make better use of your donor data to segment your different donor groups and get ahead of those lapsed relationships more easily. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Find Little Green Light’s Free Resources: www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Check out Randy Gorod’s website: pisgahconsulting.com — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2024 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
28:5811/03/2024
236. Strengthen Donor Relationships + Fundraising Through a Crisis
This week, Little Green Light shares four ways you can strengthen donor relationships using your donor management system. Then we chat with Erin Davison, the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Louisiana, about how her nonprofit was able to continue fundraising through three back-to-back crises that could have destroyed her organization. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Find Little Green Light’s Free Resources: www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Check out BBBSSLA: bbbsswla.org — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2024 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
48:4204/03/2024
235. Increase New Donor Retention + Prove Your Nonprofit’s Impact + Create a Theory of Change
This week, Little Green Light shares research-proven best practices for improving donor retention rates when your nonprofit receives gifts from first-time donors. Next, we chat with Lauren Buitta, founder and CEO of Girl Security, about how nonprofits can demonstrate measurable impact to stakeholders (including funders), even if your program’s ultimate goal will only be achieved in the long-term, or if your nonprofit is just starting out. Finally, we take a Rewind back to an interview with Paul Collier, founder of CoEffect, about how your nonprofit can develop its theory of change. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Download Little Green Light’s Guide to Acknowledging Gifts: www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Check out Girl Security: girlsecurity.org — Check out CoEffect: coeffect.co — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2024 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
01:05:5819/02/2024
234. A Simple Valentine’s Day Donor Love Strategy + 4 Tax Credits and Incentives for Nonprofits
This week, Little Green Light outlines a simple strategy you can use on Valentine’s Day (or even year-round!) to make sure your donors feel the love. They share insider information about how a nonprofit called GrubStreet has successfully incorporated thank you calls into their donor acknowledgment and engagement strategy. Then we chat with Randy Crabtree, a co-founder and partner of Tri-Merit Specialty Tax Professionals, about four tax credits and incentives your nonprofit may be able to take advantage of. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Download Little Green Light’s Guide to Acknowledging Gifts: www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Check out Tri-Merit’s website: tri-merit.com — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2024 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
52:2112/02/2024
233. Showing Donor Love for Valentine’s Day + Easy Sustainability Tips
This week, Little Green Light has 5 ideas for your nonprofit to show your donors some extra love on Valentine’s Day. Then we chat with Pam Gregory, the CEO of The Princeton-Blairstown Center, about how every nonprofit (regardless of size) can improve their environmental sustainability efforts. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Get Jenni’s 2024 Digital Marketing Content Calendar for free: nonprofitjenni.com/2024-survey — Download Little Green Light’s Guide to Acknowledging Gifts: www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Check out The Princeton-Blairstown website: princetonblairstown.org — Connect with Pam Gregory on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/pam-gregory-abb55b7 — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2024 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
37:4505/02/2024
232. Fundraising Procedures + Corporate Sponsorships
This week, Little Green Light offers tips for documenting your nonprofit’s fundraising procedures to help build and improve your fundraising processes. Then we take a Rewind back to an interview with Kim Patterson about how your nonprofit can develop and maintain long-term corporate sponsor relationships. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Get Jenni’s 2024 Digital Marketing Content Calendar for free: nonprofitjenni.com/2024-survey — Little Green Light’s free fundraising library: www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2024 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
34:3029/01/2024
231. Milestone Years + Executing (and Pivoting) Your Strategic Plan
This week, Little Green Light offers tips for celebrating a milestone year, like your nonprofit’s anniversary. Then Stacye Brim comes back on the show to talk about how to successfully execute a strategic plan at the organizational, department, and individual levels… Plus what to do when unexpected challenges impact your original plans. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Get Jenni’s 2024 Digital Marketing Content Calendar for free: nonprofitjenni.com/2024-survey — Little Green Light’s free fundraising library: www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Stacye Brim’s website: stbconsultingllc.com — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2024 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
32:0522/01/2024
230. Donor Database Tips + How to Make a 2024 Marketing Calendar + 6 Essential Social Media Posts for Nonprofits
This week, Little Green Light offers tips for getting your donor database in shape for the new year. We walk through the five basic steps of creating a digital marketing content calendar. Finally, Jenni’s sister, Michelle, joins us to talk about the six essential types of social media posts every nonprofit should include in their content calendar. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Little Green Light’s free fundraising library: www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Jenni’s 2024 Digital Marketing Content Calendar Template: nonprofitjenni.com/coursesandmore/marketing-communications-calendar — Michelle’s LinkedIn profile: linkedin.com/in/michelle-gustafson — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2024 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
49:4815/01/2024
229. Refresh Your Theory of Change + 5 Book Recommendations for 2024 + Level Up Your 2024 Fundraising Strategy
This week, we take a Rewind back to an interview with Paul Collier about how to develop an effective Theory of Change that speaks to all stakeholder groups. We share five book recommendations from The Acacia Company to help you learn more about how you can create and implement a DEI strategy at your nonprofit. Finally, we kick off a new mini series with Little Green Light to talk about how you can level up your fundraising efforts in 2024. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Paul Collier’s website: coeffect.co — The Acacia Company’s free DEI strategy assessment: theacaciacompany.com — Little Green Light’s free fundraising library: www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2024 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
26:1701/01/2024
228. Accountability for Your DEI Plan + Retain Donors After Giving Tuesday
This week, we’re continuing our series with The Acacia Company to help your nonprofit strengthen its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts in 2024, with a focus on developing systems of accountability. We’re also wrapping up our mini-series with Little Green Light about how to retain your donors after Giving Tuesday. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — The Acacia Company’s free DEI strategy assessment: theacaciacompany.com — Little Green Light’s free fundraising resources (including their ebook “How to Retain Donors After Your Giving Day”): www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2023 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
15:0225/12/2023
227. Gifts That Give Back + Early Days of DEI Work + Retain Donors After Giving
This week, we’re continuing our annual Gifts That Give Back season by chatting with the Executive Director of the Mwebaza Foundation. We also continue our series with The Acacia Company to help your nonprofit strengthen its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts in 2024, with a focus on the early days of your DEI implementation. Finally, we continue our mini-series with Little Green Light about how to retain your donors after Giving Tuesday. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — The Mwebaza Foundation’s tribute gifts store: mwebaza-foundation-inc.square.site — The Acacia Company’s free DEI strategy assessment: theacaciacompany.com — Little Green Light’s free fundraising resources (including their ebook “How to Retain Donors After Your Giving Day”): www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2023 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
26:2818/12/2023
226. Gifts That Give Back + Create a DEI Strategy + Retain Donors After Giving Tuesday
This week, we’re continuing our annual Gifts That Give Back season by chatting with the team from Made by DWC. We also continue our series with The Acacia Company to help your nonprofit strengthen its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts in 2024, with a focus on developing a DEI plan. Finally, we continue our mini-series with Little Green Light about how to retain your donors after Giving Tuesday. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Made by DWC: madebydwc.org/collections/home-gift-collection — The Acacia Company’s free DEI strategy assessment: theacaciacompany.com — Little Green Light’s free fundraising resources (including their ebook “How to Retain Donors After Your Giving Day”): www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2023 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
39:4411/12/2023
225. Gifts That Give Back + Buy-In for DEI Work + Retain Donors After Giving Tuesday
This week, we’re kicking off our annual Gifts That Give Back season by chatting with Gretchen Witt, co-founder and executive director of Cookies for Kids Cancer. We also continue our series with The Acacia Company to help your nonprofit strengthen its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts in 2024, with a focus on getting buy-in for your DEI plan. We also start a new mini-series with Little Green Light about how to retain your donors after Giving Tuesday. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — Cookies for Kids Cancer: cookiesforkidscancer.org — The Acacia Company’s free DEI strategy assessment: theacaciacompany.com — Little Green Light’s free fundraising resources (including their ebook “How to Retain Donors After Your Giving Day”): www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2023 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
36:3304/12/2023
224. Microaggressions and Harmful Interactions + Year End Appeals (Contin)
This week, we continue our new series with The Acacia Company to help your nonprofit strengthen its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts in 2024, with a focus on reducing harmful interactions at your nonprofit. We also continue our mini-series about how to plan a year-end fundraising appeal, with a focus on evaluation of campaign success. In this episode, we mention a few resources you may want to check out! — The Acacia Company’s free DEI strategy assessment: theacaciacompany.com — Little Green Light’s free fundraising resources (including their ebook “6 Steps to a Successful Appeal”): www.littlegreenlight.com/jenni — Get my once-per-week email newsletter: nonprofitjenni.com/subscribe Produced by Ben Hill Sound Music by Emily Summers ©2023 Nonprofit Jenni. All Rights Reserved.
09:4320/11/2023