Julia Patrick exemplifies that it’s never too late in your career to make an impact on the world around you. After a career in media covering social, political, and cultural issues in Arizona, Julia pivoted and dedicated her life to helping the nonprofit sector through the American Nonprofit Academy. As the CEO and Founder, as well as being the co-host of The Nonprofit Show, Julia allows nonprofit professionals to engage in discussions on problem-solving, innovation, and change within the sector. Sherry and Julia discuss how growing up in Arizona influenced her passion for nonprofit work. Julia dives deep into how board members can set up their organization for future success by empowering the next generation of leaders.   What You Will Discover:  ✔️ Your processes are key to attracting and retaining younger talent. What’s going to happen to your organization after you leave it? If there is not a structure in place, your ideal candidates may not be comfortable stepping in to lead. ✔️ Be strategic with your approach to board recruitment, seeking individuals with diverse backgrounds, skills, and perspectives. Your board member’s tool kits are vital to sustaining success within the community you serve! ✔️ Next-gen board members are focused on impact and finding solutions, rather than simply giving money. Foster an environment that promotes this thinking! —————————————— Julia C. Patrick is the CEO and Founder of the American Nonprofit Academy and serves as the co-host of The Nonprofit Show, the only daily live program dedicated to the nonprofit sector. This platform allows nonprofit professionals to engage in discussions on problem-solving, innovation, and change within the sector. Julia is the author of Building Board Champions: Activating Impactful Nonprofit Board Members. In addition to her roles in media and nonprofit education, Julia has an extensive background in media management and production as the CEO and President of Patrick Media Group, based in Phoenix, Arizona. With over 34 years of experience, she has significantly impacted the media landscape in Arizona and beyond. She studied Economics at Claremont McKenna College, further grounding her expertise in strategic planning and economic analysis, which she applies to her entrepreneurial and philanthropic endeavors. Julia’s leadership continues to inspire and shape the nonprofit community, especially through her innovative approach to nonprofit education and philanthropic leadership. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-c-patrick-b74b3b28/ Website: https://americannonprofitacademy.com/ Book: https://a.co/d/jljTUk9 —————————————— Welcome to the Business Behind Fundraising podcast, where you’ll discover how to raise the kind of money your big vision requires without adding more events, appeals, or grant applications. Learn how to stop blocking overall revenue growth and start attracting investment-level donors with Sherry Quam Taylor. Sherry Quam Taylor’s unique approach and success combine her background of scaling businesses with her decade-long experience advising nonprofit leadership teams. With out-of-the-box principles and a myth-busting methodology, proven results, and an ability to see solutions to revenue problems that others overlook, her clients regularly add 7-figures of revenue to their bottom line. If you need a true partner to show you how to fully finance your entire mission, both programs, AND overhead, year after year… You’re in the right place!   #nonprofits #podcast

On the final episode of this year’s Fall Funder Series, Sherry Quam Taylor speaks with Aba Taylor of the Brookline Community Foundation. Located in the immediate suburbs of Boston, BCF partners with nearly 50 organizations, seeking to improve the financial equity and economic growth of vulnerable populations in their area. As Executive Director, Aba not only cultivates relationships with organizations seeking their assistance, but also fundraises on her own, helping secure the money from private donors that will then flow to community partners that align with BCF’s values. The importance of relationship building continues to be a theme throughout this series, but Aba dives deeper into the unique challenge of positioning a foundation within their communities nonprofit environment. Foundations have to seek funding on their own, so they are also doing the groundwork that nonprofit organizations. Because of this, foundations often understand the work that goes into securing funds, and they want to help those that they see making the greatest impact from that work, regardless of their size or reputation.   What You Will Discover ✔️ Funders come in all shapes and sizes. Take the time to figure out what kind of organizations a foundation generally funds. Rather than shooting in the dark with someone you hope may notice you, find a foundation that works with organizations similar to your own. ✔️ Funders have a unique challenge on their hands: they sometimes are competing for the same resources as the organizations they intend to fund. Understanding your fundraising environment can help leverage these relationships to their greatest extent. ✔️ “Lead by listening.” Whether you’re an established organization or one just getting off the ground, funders will hear about you if there is motivation and action behind your cause. —————————————— Aba Taylor has spent the last two decades engaged in social justice as an educator, facilitator, organizer, consultant, and nonprofit executive. From working internationally at the United Nations to conducting civil rights trainings all over the United States, to leading high impact social justice organizations and efforts, Aba has committed herself to supporting the capacity and leadership of nonprofit, educational and philanthropic organizations dedicated to social transformation. Prior to joining BCF, Aba held multiple senior leadership roles at the Interaction Institute for Social Change (IISC). Prior to that Aba was the Executive Director of the Network for Social Justice, and before that the Deputy Executive Director of the Astraea Foundation for Justice. Aba has sat on numerous boards and is currently the Board President of the Neighborhood Schools Inc. where her daughter attends school. Aba holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia University and a Master of Arts degree in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from the School of International Training. She is a Rockwood Leadership Institute alumnus and a certified trainer with Quabbin Mediation. Passionate about arts, culture, and creative expression Aba is a closeted writer and a very out sci-fi nerd. For Aba, liberatory parenting as well as spiritual and healing practices are her North Star. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abataylor/ Website: https://www.brooklinecommunity.org —————————————— Welcome to the Business Behind Fundraising podcast, where you’ll discover how to raise the kind of money your big vision requires without adding more events, appeals, or grant applications. Learn how to stop blocking overall revenue growth and start attracting investment-level donors with Sherry Quam Taylor. Sherry Quam Taylor’s unique approach and success combine her background of scaling businesses with her decade-long experience advising nonprofit leadership teams. With out-of-the-box principles and a myth-busting methodology, proven results, and an ability to see solutions to revenue problems that others overlook, her clients regularly add 7-figures of revenue to their bottom line. If you need a true partner to show you how to fully finance your entire mission, both programs, AND overhead, year after year… You’re in the right place!   #nonprofits #podcast

In the next edition of the Fall Funder Series, John Tracey of the Simons Foundation joins the show. As the Program Director managing the Science Sandbox, an incubatory portfolio focused on funding science communication practitioners, John helps organizations emphasize the importance of science in our everyday lives, helping build trust in modern practices and expanding access into new communities. Sherry and John dive into how organizations can get their foot in the door with larger funding operations. Spoiler alert: it’s not as hard or scary as you may think! Similar to working with the common donor, building an organic, mutualistic relationship can open the door to a world of opportunities.   What You Will Discover:  ✔️ Don’t be afraid to reach out. Ever heard the phrase “it doesn’t hurt to ask?” Take that mentality into your search for funding. Funders are looking for motivated organizations who are proud of the work their mission is accomplishing. ✔️ The power is in the programs. Having programs that are both well-organized and proven successful is key when attracting larger funders. ✔️ Things aren’t always going to be running exactly as planned. Transparency and honesty in conversations about challenges and reallocation of funds can lead to better outcomes and stronger relationships.  —————————————— John Tracey joined the Simons Foundation in 2014 as part of a team to improve public engagement with science. As program director, Tracey works with the vice president of Science, Society & Culture to develop and execute funding strategy. He leads the division’s external communications and storytelling, including content development for the website, external media strategy, visual storytelling and more. Prior to joining the foundation, he worked at the American Association for Cancer Research, specifically on the Stand Up to Cancer initiative, where he managed grantee statistics and statistics reporting, and edited and produced website content. He holds a bachelor’s in English literature from the College of New Jersey. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-tracey-476b88213/ Website: https://www.simonsfoundation.org/ —————————————— Welcome to the Business Behind Fundraising podcast, where you’ll discover how to raise the kind of money your big vision requires without adding more events, appeals, or grant applications. Learn how to stop blocking overall revenue growth and start attracting investment-level donors with Sherry Quam Taylor. Sherry Quam Taylor’s unique approach and success combine her background of scaling businesses with her decade-long experience advising nonprofit leadership teams. With out-of-the-box principles and a myth-busting methodology, proven results, and an ability to see solutions to revenue problems that others overlook, her clients regularly add 7-figures of revenue to their bottom line. If you need a true partner to show you how to fully finance your entire mission, both programs, AND overhead, year after year… You’re in the right place!   #nonprofits #podcast

Welcome to the Fall Funder Series, where Sherry Quam Taylor demystifies common misconceptions about how organizations can secure general operating revenue. First up is Shireen Zaman of the BUILD program at the Ford Foundation. As a Program Officer, Shireen works directly with organizations in identifying their greatest fundraising needs and preparing a funding strategy that best supports those efforts.  Shireen gets real about what she looks for when choosing organizations to support. It's important to remember that there are real people behind these funding efforts who are eager to connect with motivated, resilient organizations. Sometimes, all it takes is a quick introductory email or message to access a grove of new funding opportunities.   What You Will Discover:  ✔️ Funders are human. Take the time to organically build a relationship with a funder by utilizing all of their available resources, attending webinars, or simply having a conversation. ✔️ Think about ALL of your overhead. Organizations may include the funding they need in the present, but will that be enough to sustain your mission in a way that attracts larger funders? ✔️ The most impactful relationships take time and consistency to build. Don’t be discouraged if your efforts don’t immediately produce results. —————————————— Shireen Zaman is a program officer on the BUILD team, working to advance the foundation’s efforts to support and develop stronger, sustainable, and more effective social justice organizations and networks across the globe. Shireen has more than two decades of experience in the philanthropic and nonprofit sector, spearheading organizational transformation, resource development, and program management at a variety of organizations. Prior to joining the Ford Foundation, she was the director of the RISE Together Fund, a donor collaborative at the Proteus Fund. At RTF, she worked to identify, invest in and build the capacity of grassroots organizations from Black/African, Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim and South Asian communities in the US. She was a founding member and served on the advisory council of the Emergent Fund, a pooled fund dedicated to supporting US grassroots organizing and power building in communities of color, including Black, Indigenous communities. Prior to her work in philanthropy, Shireen was the executive director of the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, where she led the strategic expansion of a Michigan-founded think tank into the Washington, DC policy space. She was also the director of the Middle East and North Africa program at Vital Voices Global Partnership where she partnered with women leaders across the region to support their work in the areas of human rights, health and political leadership. Shireen was recognized as a White House Champion of Change for her work as an Asian-American woman leader. She holds a BA in human development from Boston College and an MA from the School of International Service at American University. She studied Arabic at the American University in Cairo and is currently completing a coaching certification program through Coaching for Healing, Justice and Liberation. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shireenzaman/ Website: https://www.fordfoundation.org/ —————————————— Welcome to the Business Behind Fundraising podcast, where you’ll discover how to raise the kind of money your big vision requires without adding more events, appeals, or grant applications. Learn how to stop blocking overall revenue growth and start attracting investment-level donors with Sherry Quam Taylor. Sherry Quam Taylor’s unique approach and success combine her background of scaling businesses with her decade-long experience advising nonprofit leadership teams. With out-of-the-box principles and a myth-busting methodology, proven results, and an ability to see solutions to revenue problems that others overlook, her clients regularly add 7-figures of revenue to their bottom line. If you need a true partner to show you how to fully finance your entire mission, both programs, AND overhead, year after year… You’re in the right place!   #nonprofits #podcast

Eve Turow-Paul didn’t set out to start a nonprofit, but once she identified a crucial need in her community, the pieces quickly fell into place. As the founder and Executive Director of Food for Climate League, she’s helping change the narrative of sustainable food systems by addressing the emotional underpinnings that drive people’s food choices. The women-led team is influencing culinary workers to reduce emissions, embrace plant-based options, and increasing biodiversity.  Sherry and Eve discuss starting a nonprofit with little planning behind it, growing your organization through powerful storytelling, and how a case study with Google changed the trajectory of her work forever. Click here to learn more about Eve’s case study with Google.   What You Will Discover:  ✔️ Factors such as anxiety, stress, and loneliness can influence people’s food choices and lead to chronic health issues in communities down the line ✔️ Having a clear, concise, and well-thought out plan is key when building quality relationships with mission-aligned donors  ✔️ Tools Eve has used to help engage donors and track progress —————————————— Eve Turow-Paul a leading expert on Millennial and Gen Z global food culture, and founder and Executive Director of Food for Climate League. Her latest book is Hungry: Avocado Toast, Instagram Influencers and Our Search for Connection and Meaning (BenBella, 2020). By blending qualitative and quantitative methods, Turow-Paul explores the ‘why’ behind today’s biggest food and lifestyle trends. Through her writing, research, and nonprofit leadership, she connects the dots between climate, food culture, and human needs. Turow-Paul views food culture as a key lever for improving mental, physical, and environmental health around the world. Eve’s writing on food trends and human behavior has appeared in a number of publications including Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, Plate, Forbes, The Village Voice, on The Atlantic, FoodTank, Refinery29, Huffington Post and more. She was prominently featured in the documentary film WASTED! The Story of Food Waste, which premiered at Tribeca Film Festival. In 2019, with seed funding from the Food program at Google, Turow-Paul founded Food for Climate League, an all-female non-profit research collaborative working to make climate-smart food choices the norm by leveraging narrative and behavioral design.  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eveturowpaul/ Website: https://www.foodforclimateleague.org/ —————————————— Welcome to the Business Behind Fundraising podcast, where you’ll discover how to raise the kind of money your big vision requires without adding more events, appeals, or grant applications. Learn how to stop blocking overall revenue growth and start attracting investment-level donors with Sherry Quam Taylor. Sherry Quam Taylor’s unique approach and success combine her background of scaling businesses with her decade-long experience advising nonprofit leadership teams. With out-of-the-box principles and a myth-busting methodology, proven results, and an ability to see solutions to revenue problems that others overlook, her clients regularly add 7-figures of revenue to their bottom line. If you need a true partner to show you how to fully finance your entire mission, both programs, AND overhead, year after year… You’re in the right place!   #nonprofits #podcast

As the principal of teenyBIG, Emily Taylor helps nonprofits at an inflection point make big decisions that affect their community so they can move from indecision to intentional, next-level growth. She empowers bold leaders to gather the information they need to make big decisions with buy-in so they can move from a holding pattern and into next-level growth. Emily discusses the need for nonprofits to reset and make strategic decisions in the post-COVID world, the challenges of strategic planning, and the importance of taking a step back before diving into the process.   What You Will Discover:  ✔️ Listening to the community and staying connected to the humanity behind the work of nonprofits is essential for making informed and impactful decisions. ✔️ Balancing vision and analysis is crucial in making strategic decisions. Organizations should consider both the big picture  ✔️ Strategic planning is not always the right solution for every organization. It is important to customize the approach and create a useful tool that aligns with the organization's goals and needs. —————————————— Emily Taylor works with nonprofit leaders whose organizations are at an inflection point - they’re ready to catapult their mission into their next stage of growth. Leaders who seek Emily’s expertise know they need to shift their decision-making from intuitive to intentional but are unsure of how to start that process.  She first grounds the organization in ‘who they are’ to help them prioritize the challenges that lie ahead. To achieve this, Emily applies her individualized strategic listening methodology with an organization's community, allowing teams to 'see their value' and align their decision-making as an organization, not just the CEO. She helps them prioritize their big decisions and builds a foundation for organizational decision-making. As a result of this process, Emily's clients are able to paint a solid picture of their organization, one that is viewed similarly internally and externally, preparing them for their next stage of growth.  Her clients are empowered to move forward by shifting their decision-making from intuitive to intentional. Emily attributes her success to her unique ability to balance left and right brain thinking - to make sense of people’s emotions and motivations and apply them to strategic thinking, including all the perspectives that make us human. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-taylor-teenybig/ Website: https://www.teenybig.com/ —————————————— Welcome to the Business Behind Fundraising podcast, where you’ll discover how to raise the kind of money your big vision requires without adding more events, appeals, or grant applications. Learn how to stop blocking overall revenue growth and start attracting investment-level donors with Sherry Quam Taylor. Sherry Quam Taylor’s unique approach and success combine her background of scaling businesses with her decade-long experience advising nonprofit leadership teams. With out-of-the-box principles and a myth-busting methodology, proven results, and an ability to see solutions to revenue problems that others overlook, her clients regularly add 7-figures of revenue to their bottom line. If you need a true partner to show you how to fully finance your entire mission, both programs, AND overhead, year after year… You’re in the right place!   #nonprofits #podcast

Veronika Trufanova always had a passion for environmental sustainability, making her the perfect fit for her role as Director of Development at the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, a historic linear park system in Boston that introduced one the first example of green infrastructure in the nation. Nika now works to sustain the parks impact on the city while growing awareness for its rich history, a huge task in a city with over 650,000 residents.  Nika discusses how Sherry’s fresh perspective has revamped her team’s strategic plan while generating morale throughout her organization. The two share about the power of curiosity in young fundraisers, and how that energy can translate to your relationships with donors.   What You Will Discover:  ✔️ A well-thought-out, purpose driven strategic plan can unlock the spark your organization needs to take on that big capital campaign ✔️ It’s important to take a step back from the everyday grind and celebrate wins, even the smallest victories, to boost morale in your staff and donors ✔️ The most important trait a young fundraiser can have is a curiosity for understanding their organization’s mission ✔️ By truly understanding the needs of your organization, you can create a personal and generous atmosphere that allows your donors to really feel like they’re making an impact —————————————— Veronika (Nika) directs the Conservancy’s fundraising program, including individual, corporate, foundation and government grants, the annual giving program, and other special fundraising initiatives. Nika previously worked at the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, where she led the Institutional Giving program for over six years, raising unrestricted, project-based and campaign support from corporations, foundations and government granting agencies. She also held several roles on the development team at the Harvard Art Museums, encompassing database management, development operations and donor and member events. Nika holds a bachelor’s degree in Art History from Haverford College. She is an avid tea drinker and an unabashed Italophile. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronika-trufanova-5770bb8/ Website: https://www.emeraldnecklace.org/ —————————————— Welcome to the Business Behind Fundraising podcast, where you’ll discover how to raise the kind of money your big vision requires without adding more events, appeals, or grant applications. Learn how to stop blocking overall revenue growth and start attracting investment-level donors with Sherry Quam Taylor. Sherry Quam Taylor’s unique approach and success combine her background of scaling businesses with her decade-long experience advising nonprofit leadership teams. With out-of-the-box principles and a myth-busting methodology, proven results, and an ability to see solutions to revenue problems that others overlook, her clients regularly add 7-figures of revenue to their bottom line. If you need a true partner to show you how to fully finance your entire mission, both programs, AND overhead, year after year… You’re in the right place!   #nonprofits #podcast

Suzy Myers Jackson didn’t expect to have a career in fundraising, but when the opportunity to lead an organization that aligned with her passion for theatre presented itself, she hit the ground running. After 17 years at Opening Act New York, Suzy became the Executive Director of SparkYouth NYC. Now, she’s bringing a refreshing style of tried and true fundraising opportunities to expand opportunities for young people in New York City.   What You Will Discover:  ✔️ We all learn from experience, but establishing a process to evaluate and adapt to those experiences can make all the difference for your organization ✔️ Skills you have developed prior to becoming a fundraiser will always come in handy, like theatre! ✔️ Prioritizing relationship building leading up to the event makes a tremendous impact on how successful the event is for your organization ✔️ Relationships held by members of your Board of Directors can bring new energy to your events and lead to future connections —————————————— Suzy Myers Jackson is the Executive Director of SparkYouthNYC, an organization that ignites growth in community-based, youth-centered organizations through a three-pronged model of financial investment (trust-based, multi-year, unrestricted support), capacity building (SparkYouth's unique Cofactor Lab), and peer support (Executive Director Leadership Collective). Suzy became Executive Director at SparkYouth following 5 years of service on SparkYouth's Board of Directors and 6 years as a SparkYouth grantee. Suzy’s nonprofit background spans nearly 20 years and encompasses a diverse range of expertise, including: fundraising, board development, nonprofit management, strategic planning, leadership coaching, and program development. Suzy was the longtime Executive Director of Opening Act, where she grew the organization’s reach from 3 to 57 of NYC’s most high-need public schools and increased revenue by 80 fold. Under her leadership the organization became a leader in Social Emotional Learning outcomes. Suzy has also been a consultant for such organizations and corporations as Harlem Educational Activities Fund, HBO, the Center for Anti-Violence Education, Youth INC, Brandworkers, STEM From Dance, and INCLUDEnyc. She has developed multiple campaigns and professional development workshops that have been implemented by organizations to raise funds, deepen relationships with key stakeholders, and build a thriving organizational culture. Suzy received her BFA from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. She currently lives in Brooklyn with her partner and young sons.   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzy-myers-jackson-6157419/ Website: https://sparkyouthnyc.org/ —————————————— Welcome to the Business Behind Fundraising podcast, where you’ll discover how to raise the kind of money your big vision requires without adding more events, appeals, or grant applications. Learn how to stop blocking overall revenue growth and start attracting investment-level donors with Sherry Quam Taylor. Sherry Quam Taylor’s unique approach and success combine her background of scaling businesses with her decade-long experience advising nonprofit leadership teams. With out-of-the-box principles and a myth-busting methodology, proven results, and an ability to see solutions to revenue problems that others overlook, her clients regularly add 7-figures of revenue to their bottom line. If you need a true partner to show you how to fully finance your entire mission, both programs, AND overhead, year after year… You’re in the right place!   #nonprofits #podcast

Melissa Hilton uses her diverse background to get the most out of the relationships she holds with her donors. As the Vice President of fundraising efforts for Erie Family Health, a $100M+ FQHC, you have to think outside of the box to not only maintain relationships with donors, but help them understand the most important needs of your organization, and the funds it requires to achieve that. Sherry and Melissa discuss FQHC's, the balancing act of managing your annual fund with a capital campaign, and dive into the details of how your relationships  truly impact your fundraising efforts.   What You Will Discover:  ✔️ Fundraising is an opportunity to build relationships and communicate the great work of an organization. ✔️ Outside help, such as consultants and coaches, can provide fresh perspectives and valuable tools for fundraising success. ✔️ Tools like the conversation prompt and the case for support can simplify and enhance fundraising conversations. ✔️ Balancing the annual fund and a capital campaign requires strategic planning and understanding donor preferences. —————————————— Melissa Hilton joined Erie Family Health Centers (Erie) in 2012 and currently leads its fundraising efforts as Vice President, Development and Executive Director, Erie Family Health Foundation. In this capacity, she is responsible for developing and executing strategies to expand governmental and philanthropic support to advance Erie’s mission. A skilled relationship-builder, Ms. Hilton oversees a team of 10 and leads initiatives to deepen philanthropic partnerships to help sustain Erie’s capacity to bring affordable, holistic and exceptional healthcare to more than 88,000 patients—and growing. Earlier in her Erie career, Ms. Hilton also oversaw the Marketing team and grew this function to encompass internal and external communications, advertising and digital marketing, branding and graphic design, and community engagement. Prior to joining Erie, Ms. Hilton served in roles of increasing responsibility over 16 years at The Field Museum. Most recently, she was Vice President, Board Relations and Senior Director, Institutional Advancement, where she worked in partnership with the Museum President to manage the work of The Field’s 85-member board of trustees and directed planned giving. Her professional experience also includes working as a public finance investment banker, as a legislative assistant and press secretary for a member of Congress, and as press assistant at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Ms. Hilton received a bachelor of arts degree in English from Yale University where she graduated summa cum laude and a master of business administration from the Yale School of Management. Ms. Hilton is a member of the Advisory Council for GirlForward and serves as a member of the Yale Alumni Fund (YAF) Board of Directors and Co-Chair of YAF Agents for her undergraduate class.   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-hilton-4632463/ Website: https://www.eriefamilyhealth.org/ —————————————— Welcome to the Business Behind Fundraising podcast, where you’ll discover how to raise the kind of money your big vision requires without adding more events, appeals, or grant applications. Learn how to stop blocking overall revenue growth and start attracting investment-level donors with Sherry Quam Taylor. Sherry Quam Taylor’s unique approach and success combine her background of scaling businesses with her decade-long experience advising nonprofit leadership teams. With out-of-the-box principles and a myth-busting methodology, proven results, and an ability to see solutions to revenue problems that others overlook, her clients regularly add 7-figures of revenue to their bottom line. If you need a true partner to show you how to fully finance your entire mission, both programs, AND overhead, year after year… You’re in the right place!   #nonprofits #podcast

With over 40 years of experience, Mary Hiland knows what it takes to truly grow your nonprofit. In the ever evolving landscape, relationships have always been the utmost importance, and that includes the relationship with your board of directors. Mary wants to reshape the way we approach these relationships to get the most for your organization. Mary shares how her journey in the nonprofit sector inspired a passion for supporting executives in their leadership role with their boards. They discuss the responsibility of boards in fundraising, the decision-making process for executive directors, and the transition from a working board to a governing board. Tune in to 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘉𝘦𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘍𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘗𝘰𝘥𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘵 — Questions you've always wanted to know about your Board of Directors with Mary Hiland   What You Will Discover:  ✔️ Fundraising is a board responsibility. Your board members should be willing to make a financial contribution to the organization.   ✔️ Keep your board in the loop. Providing the right amount of information to board members is crucial. Establish guidelines and have conversations with board members to determine their information needs and preferences.   ✔️ Set clear financial goals. Executive directors have some discretion in deviating from the approved budget, but it is important to have clear spending policies to improve communication with your board.    ✔️ Get creative with your approach.  Customize communication to meet the needs of individual board members while also setting boundaries and compromises.  —————————————— Mary Hiland, Ph.D. is a nonprofit governance expert and leadership development consultant dedicated to helping nonprofit leaders cultivate great boards and lead effectively. Mary has over forty years’ experience in the nonprofit sector – both as an executive and as a board member. She has been consulting and coaching nonprofit leaders for 20 years. Mary is a speaker, researcher, and a business professor at her local community college. She is author of the #1 international best-seller: Love Your Board! The Executive Directors’ Guide to Discovering the Sources of Nonprofit Board Troubles and What to Do About Them (2021) And Mary is a contributing author to four other nonprofit leadership books. Mary is the founder and host of the Inspired Nonprofit Leadership podcast: https://www.hilandconsulting.org/podcast-episodes/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryhiland/ Website: https://www.hilandconsulting.org/ —————————————— Welcome to the Business Behind Fundraising podcast, where you’ll discover how to raise the kind of money your big vision requires without adding more events, appeals, or grant applications. Learn how to stop blocking overall revenue growth and start attracting investment-level donors with Sherry Quam Taylor. Sherry Quam Taylor’s unique approach and success combine her background of scaling businesses with her decade-long experience advising nonprofit leadership teams. With out-of-the-box principles and a myth-busting methodology, proven results, and an ability to see solutions to revenue problems that others overlook, her clients regularly add 7-figures of revenue to their bottom line. If you need a true partner to show you how to fully finance your entire mission, both programs, AND overhead, year after year… You’re in the right place! #nonprofits #podcast #

Maiya Holliday builds websites that make it easier for good people to do great work. And no, these aren’t just your corporate, run-of-the-mill, cookie cutter websites. These sites are built with accessibility at the forefront, making it easier for everyone to succeed and allowing businesses to reach new customers. Through her background in international development and nonprofit work, Maiya noticed many organizations lacked functioning websites and a sustainable web presence. As society became more dependent on the internet, many organizations were falling behind, unable to keep up with current trends and spread their mission with the masses. Maiya took matters into her own hands, teaching herself how to code and develop websites. Eventually, she founded Mangrove, a purpose driven digital design agency. Mangrove finds success in helping conscious companies tell their story in a meaningful way, while also making websites accessible for all to experience. Tune in to 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘉𝘦𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘍𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘗𝘰𝘥𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘵 — Creating Accessible, Mission Driven Websites with Maiya Holliday at Mangrove   What You Will Discover:  ✔️ Accessibility does not mean sacrifice. It’s possible to create beautiful, high-performing websites that are accessible for all. For example, think of someone who is blind. Can your website cater to that person? Mangrove designs with everyone in mind, whether they are disabled or not, to create a more accessible web and empower customers around the globe. ✔️ Don’t go the cheap route. Like it or not, the world depends on the internet. If you haven’t taken the time to improve your website, you are likely missing out on a large amount of potential customers or donors. Take the time and invest in a website that will not only tell your organization’s story, but makes the customers the hero of the journey, creating a satisfying and memorable experience.  ✔️ B Corps are changing the world. B Corp is a third party certification created by the nonprofit B Lab to identify companies that have met high levels of performance, accountability, and transparency in the areas of our environment, community, employees and customers. Mangrove became a certified B Corp in 2016, and they continue to push their standards of excellence to create a lasting impact in the web design industry. ✔️ Don’t be afraid of growth. Mangrove started small in 2009, but it has evolved into an international corporation thanks to Maiya being comfortable with change. Things can happen fast these days, but if you take the time to set goals and evaluate your processes, substantial growth can happen in the blink of an eye, allowing your mission to spread to potential customers or donors around the globe.  ——————————————  Maiya Holliday, CEO and Founder of Mangrove Web Development, is a creative leader and collaborator who crafts digital solutions to augment the impact of changemakers. She is a self-taught coder with over a decade of hands-on experience. Maiya aligns folks toward actionable goals that help articulate and communicate their organization’s purpose and impact on the web with people, planet, purpose and equity at the core. She has led over 200 website projects for changemakers and purpose-driven organizations. Maiya led Mangrove to become a Certified B Corp in 2016, and she has since championed the cause of socially and environmentally conscious businesses deepening their impact. She values working alongside a diverse team of talented people who are passionate about what they do. A Bay Area native, Maiya now lives in the mountains of Truckee, California with her husband Shaun and little humans Terner and Miles. You might also find her in Oakland or Australia, where she tends to show up on a regular basis. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maiyaholliday/ Website: mangrove-web.com/ ——————————————  Welcome to the Business Behind Fundraising podcast, where you’ll discover how to raise the kind of money your big vision requires without adding more events, appeals, or grant applications. Learn how to stop blocking overall revenue growth and start attracting investment-level donors with Sherry Quam Taylor.  Sherry Quam Taylor’s unique approach and success combine her background of scaling businesses with her decade-long experience advising nonprofit leadership teams. With out-of-the-box principles and a myth-busting methodology, proven results, and an ability to see solutions to revenue problems that others overlook, her clients regularly add 7-figures of revenue to their bottom line.  If you need a true partner to show you how to fully finance your entire mission, both programs, AND overhead, year after year… You’re in the right place!

When Arlene Siller reached a career crossroads, she knew she had a choice: continue trudging through a field that was no longer aligning with her personal values, or take a leap of faith and apply her skills in a completely new industry. She chose the latter and never looked back, entering the world of grant writing for nonprofits.  Arlene’s research background proved valuable as a grant writer. She had experience securing funds, but now she could help the causes she was passionate about raise the money they needed to fund their mission and strategic vision. She hit the ground running, raising over $35 million in four years for a multi-state organization. In 2019, Arlene expanded her impact by founding Ascend Nonprofit and Business Solutions LLC, helping women and minority owned nonprofits around the country secure essential funding through grants. Ascend NBS offers so much more than just grant writing services. The group also works with leaders to improve their organizations strategic vision and workflow, allowing the grant writing process to blossom to new heights. Now, Arlene wants to help you secure the funding your organization needs to take that next step in your overall growth. Tune in to 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘉𝘦𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘍𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘗𝘰𝘥𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘵 —    What You Will Discover:  ✔️We all have transferable skills. Arlene did not start in the nonprofit sector, but her experience researching, writing, and advocating for her work proved vital to her success as a grant writer. No matter where you are coming from or where you are going, take time to identify traits that make you successful in your current position. Those talents will certainly translate to whatever field you find yourself in.  ✔️Don’t settle for less-than-ideal clients. If your clients are not as eager to work with you as you are to work with them, there is a strong chance the partnership will not work out. Use these moments as learning opportunities, both for yourself and for the client. A customer may not realize they could be doing more to hold their end of the bargain, and the results from a symbiotic relationship can greatly increase your revenue growth. ✔️ Create and evolve your processes. Everybody needs a plan, and when times get tough, that plan can be crucial to the success or demise of your vision. When Arlene founded Ascend in 2019, she factored in resources and plans to prepare for when times get tough. These processes helped her coast through the 2020 pandemic, with a little tweaking here and there. When other businesses crumbled, hers ascended, all because her strategic plan gave her buffer room for tough times. ✔️ Diversify your revenue streams. Get creative in where you look for grants, and if you feel like you’re hitting a wall, don’t be afraid to partner with and learn from other organizations seeking the same funding. We are all trying to improve our world, and sometimes teamwork is the key to doing that. This can apply to our personal ventures as well. When Arlene wanted to connect with clients who could not afford the full scope of her services, she created online courses that taught the same skills while not requiring a total financial commitment. She quickly began reaping the rewards. ——————————————  Dr. Arlene Siller is an accomplished grant writing expert with a passion for democratizing grant funding. Her company, Ascend Nonprofit & Business Solutions (NBS) LLC, helps fundraising organizations improve their grant writing skills and secure funding for their missions. With over 29 years of experience in securing multimillion-dollar grants, she has built a reputation as an expert in her field. In 2020 she expanded her business, creating Grant Yourself Success® (GYS), the training arm of Ascend NBS. GYS offers comprehensive, affordable online courses covering every aspect of grant writing. Dr. Siller is a grant trainer for grantmakers, helping them offer capacity-building services for their grantees. Arlene is also a business coach for the SBA's T.H.R.I.V.E. program. Her business model has been featured in podcasts, blogs, and articles.   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arlene-siller-ascendnbs/ Website: https://ascendnbs.com/ ——————————————  Welcome to the Business Behind Fundraising podcast, where you’ll discover how to raise the kind of money your big vision requires without adding more events, appeals, or grant applications. Learn how to stop blocking overall revenue growth and start attracting investment-level donors with Sherry Quam Taylor.  Sherry Quam Taylor’s unique approach and success combine her background of scaling businesses with her decade-long experience advising nonprofit leadership teams. With out-of-the-box principles and a myth-busting methodology, proven results, and an ability to see solutions to revenue problems that others overlook, her clients regularly add 7-figures of revenue to their bottom line.  If you need a true partner to show you how to fully finance your entire mission, both programs, AND overhead, year after year… You’re in the right place!

Bofta Yimam has quite the story. After an award winning career in television journalism, where she was always on the move, Bofta felt called to shift gears and apply her skills in a new field. That’s when she created StoryLede, a minority owned, female led marketing agency with the expertise to help businesses and individuals reach their strategic vision.  Bofta found that too many people were “burying the lede,” or not focusing on the human elements that made their story unique. How could a donor or customer trust you if they didn’t know who you were or what set you apart? With StoryLede’s services, your story becomes essential to your brand, and you are given the tools to communicate that message to the masses consistently and effectively.  Today, Bofta and her team work with clients around the globe, communicating their organization’s messages through the age-old art of storytelling. The results have been impactful, with some clients tripling their revenue as a result of their newfound brand visibility. Now, Bofta wants to help you overcome any fears you might have and get your vision in front of customers or donors who want to listen. Tune in to 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘉𝘦𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘍𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘗𝘰𝘥𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘵 —    What You Will Discover:  ✔️ Don’t let fear hold you back from telling your story. Whether you’re speaking at an event or just posting on LinkedIn, sharing your message can feel scary. What if people don’t listen, or what if they don’t like what you have to say? Worry no more, because if a donor or customer is willing to pay, they’re also willing to hear your organization’s vision. With Bofta’s team of experienced copywriters, the once difficult task of curating your message becomes quick, easy, and fun.  ✔️ Leverage your personal brand. Behind every great marketing campaign is a story that customers or donors can relate to, and what better place to start telling that story than to our own audience. Be it through social media, email, or word of mouth, connect with your donors or customers and allow a personal, curated touchpoint to blossom into a long-term partnership. ✔️ Take time to plan ahead. For some people, writing is a task that can feel mundane or boring, and many wait until the last minute to craft the messages they want to convey to their clients. Start by thinking about the entire quarter ahead. What is the theme you want your audience to learn over that period of time? By planning ahead, you make sure your message is: clear and consistent across the board, being told to the appropriate audience, and giving you more time to focus on the nitty gritty of the business when the customers start calling. ✔️ Your audience will find you. You just have to make that possible. If you’re not communicating your message through various channels, how will customers know you’re there? By following a clear and consistent marketing plan, the likelihood of a new customer hearing your organization’s story increases exponentially. Eventually, things that once felt impossible become possible because you have a story to tell, and there are plenty of people out there who want to hear it.  ——————————————  Bofta Yimam is an Entrepreneur, Emmy® & Edward R. Murrow Award-Winning Journalist, International Speaker and the Founder of StoryLede®. Bofta is the first Ethiopian-American newscaster to receive an Emmy award and a sought-after speaker who has spoken to distinguished audiences in London, Africa, and across the U.S. After working as a TV Anchor/Reporter, Bofta took her passion for storytelling and empowerment to help business owners become dynamic marketing magnets. She is certified as a Women-Owned Business (WBENC) and Minority Business Enterprise (NMSDC).  Bofta is also part of a select group of speakers who have earned the professional speaker designation by the National Speakers Association (NSA).   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/boftayimam/ Website: https://boftayimam.com/ ——————————————  Welcome to the Business Behind Fundraising podcast, where you’ll discover how to raise the kind of money your big vision requires without adding more events, appeals, or grant applications. Learn how to stop blocking overall revenue growth and start attracting investment-level donors with Sherry Quam Taylor.  Sherry Quam Taylor’s unique approach and success combine her background of scaling businesses with her decade-long experience advising nonprofit leadership teams. With out-of-the-box principles and a myth-busting methodology, proven results, and an ability to see solutions to revenue problems that others overlook, her clients regularly add 7-figures of revenue to their bottom line.  If you need a true partner to show you how to fully finance your entire mission, both programs, AND overhead, year after year… You’re in the right place!  

Erin McPartlin’s organization was doing important work, but conveying their purpose proved more difficult than she anticipated. They were experiencing an identity crisis, and donors just weren’t getting the message. Rather than racing forward, Erin slowed down, rebranded, and got to work on creating an effective and malleable strategic plan. Breaking out of their routine allowed Erin and the newly renamed “Tutoring Chicago” to establish infrastructure that supported the growth of her organization. Her methods, procedures, and goals were clearly defined, and donors responded in a big way. Tutoring Chicago’s message was clearly defined, and they were ready to scale and properly improve the trajectory of students in their city.  After decades of successfully leading Tutoring Chicago, today Erin consults other executive directors and leaders on how they, too, can change their trajectories and ensure their organizations have strong growth plans, leaders, and boards. Tune in to 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘉𝘦𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘍𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘗𝘰𝘥𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘵 — How to use your Strategic Plan to Really Influence Growth with Erin McPartlin What You Will Discover:  ✔️ Leading doesn’t have to be lonely. Let’s face it: most executive directors do not grow up thinking they would lead a nonprofit. Their passion for improving their community led them to the work. Connecting with other leaders and leaving room to improve your strategies is essential to sustaining that passion, and it can help you navigate your organization through whatever challenges come its way.  ✔️ Be malleable. The world of nonprofits is constantly changing. After establishing procedures, create a plan to evaluate these procedures over time.“When you and I made this plan together, I really felt we needed to be flexible. We needed these strategic imperatives that guided us with our values, guided us with our identity. We knew who we were, we knew where we were going, we knew what we stood for. And then a few years later, COVID, right? And, man, that strategic plan worked. It took us through, we know who we were.” ✔️ Keep your message simple. Don’t make your donors waste energy figuring out what your organization is trying to do. When Erin and her organization, previously named Cabrini-Green Tutoring Organization, rebranded to “Tutoring Chicago,” donors responded instantly. Their purpose was defined, and now, they could spend more time on the details when connecting with donors. ✔️ Get everyone involved. A nonprofit thrives when each member brings their own unique skill set to the table. By championing your organization, you allow it to access partnerships and opportunities that can take your strategic plan to the next level. Develop your relationships with your board of directors; they’re connections and expertise can be key in growing and sustaining your organization.  ——————————————  With over 20 years of nonprofit management and leadership experience, Erin McPartlin is a strategic, visionary executive with a multifaceted leadership portfolio in nonprofit management and operations. Her expertise in program design, board and staff development, and fundraising financial management offers other executive directors, boards and leaders the experience and insights into the skills and mindset needed for strategic scale, impact, and sustainability - as well as a keen understanding of the clarity, leadership, organizational design, and infrastructure necessary to support this success. LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/erin-mcpartlin/ Website: erinmcpartlinconsulting.com ——————————————  Welcome to the Business Behind Fundraising podcast, where you’ll discover how to raise the kind of money your big vision requires without adding more events, appeals, or grant applications. Learn how to stop blocking overall revenue growth and start attracting investment-level donors with Sherry Quam Taylor.  Sherry Quam Taylor’s unique approach and success combine her background of scaling businesses with her decade-long experience advising nonprofit leadership teams. With out-of-the-box principles and a myth-busting methodology, proven results, and an ability to see solutions to revenue problems that others overlook, her clients regularly add 7-figures of revenue to their bottom line.  If you need a true partner to show you how to fully finance your entire mission, both programs, AND overhead, year after year… You’re in the right place!

Green City Market Executive Director Mandy Moody inherited an established nonprofit that’s growth was plateauing. Their work was essential in her community, but few outside of the nonprofit truly understood what that work was. How could she get their message to the world despite having so many responsibilities on her plate? The first step was figuring out what that message was. Then she had to communicate it to donors. With these goals in place, Green City Market quickly grew from $800k in annual revenue into a $1.6 million nonprofit. Now, they have both the resources and public knowledge to serve their community in the most effective way possible. Tune in to 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘉𝘦𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘍𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘗𝘰𝘥𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘵 — Case Study with Mandy Moody: How this Development Director turned Executive Director has doubled her revenue    What You Will Discover:  ✔️ Take the time to identify, plan, and execute the bigger picture. It’s easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day tasks. The workload at a growing nonprofit can seem like an impossible mountain to climb. Strategizing how to practically scale your mission can be more beneficial in the long run than sending that one email. “...Before we were working together I was doing 100% of the HR, 100% of the accounting, 100% of all of these things that I know a lot of your listeners who are [running] young non-profits or they're just small right and they're looking to scale. As executive directors we can find ourselves grinding on everyone else’s stuff, right? [With this work underway,] “we now talk all the time internally about how Sherry helped us put the rock before the sand.” ✔️ Donors thrive on the confidence you portray. You’ve taken the time to understand the direction you are going. You’ve prepared for all the tough questions. Now put it to work! The confidence you portray when explaining the work your nonprofit accomplishes is the quickest way to get a major donor on your team.  ✔️ Not every meeting has to end with an ask. Fundraising requires meaningful and symbiotic partnerships. Enjoy building that relationship with a donor, but don’t view it as purely transactional. While the time for an ask may not be right in the moment, the positive experience encourages the donor to stay in touch in the future. ✔️ You don’t have to do it alone.  How can we build a successful team around us while focusing on our own responsibilities? Bring the team with you. Invite a new staff member to a meeting. Let them learn from experience. Having a seat at the table gives your team confidence that they can do it as well.  —————————————— Mandy Moody is a purpose-driven, people-focused leader. She turns ideas into action, providing the leadership necessary to achieve an organization's vision and mission. As a results-driven professional, she balances visionary strategic thinking with innovative execution to drive record-breaking growth.Decisive and highly-organized, she is adept at bringing order to chaos while exuding a calmness that inspires confidence. Contrary to the nonprofit industry trend of high staff turnover, she creates stability and builds teams that are committed to the long-term strategies that ensure an organization's ability to exceed its greatest expectations. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandyhmoody/ Website: https://www.greencitymarket.org/ —————————————— All nonprofit leaders want to know how to secure the overall funding they need to accomplish their big vision. Sherry Quam Taylor's clients regularly add 7-figures of general operating revenue to their bottom line with her out-of-the-box principles, a myth-busting methodology, and an ability to see solutions to revenue problems that others overlook. Want to learn The BIG FUNDRAISING SECRET? Download the method I teach  today [WHITE PAPER] to learn How Traditional Nonprofit Fundraising blocks your overall growth and keeps you from reaching your revenue goals every year. https://mailchi.mp/a533c0ab59cf/2021-whitepaper Subscribe to my YouTube for weekly updates. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbjEu276-YQ0TeurphD62pA/ Tune in to The Business Behind Fundraising podcast on any of your favorite podcast apps!

Rapid growth entails rapid changes. It also means recalibrating your nonprofit’s vision to fit with the current times. Brooke Richie-Babbage joins us to share her expertise in creating an efficient and honest strategic plan in five steps, making your donors a part of the outcome, finding your North Star, and setting up a finance engine that can fully fund your vision. Tune in to The Business Behind Fundraising — Setting Your Organization’s Strategic Vision with Brooke Richie-Babbage.  What You Will Discover:  ✔️ Organic response to growth can only get you so far. Brooke suggests being intentional by writing a strategic plan, as it allows you to maximize limited resources. ✔️ A “North Star” is the anchor to all your nonprofit’s decisions.  It’s the agreed set of priorities where all opportunities are filled. Organizations that had this have weathered the two-year pandemic well.  ✔️ Do a strategic plan every three years. You can do this without outside help. It should contain: A one-pager Internal operations plan Finance plan Your North Star Your goals ✔️ Bring major donors into the vision. They want to know how it’ll change the community.  ✔️ Be honest with your budget. How much do you really need? Your vision and budget should tell the same story. Your donors aren’t mind readers. They want to contribute in the best way possible. ---------------------- Brooke Richie-Babbage is an organizational design and social impact strategy advisor and consultant, the host of the Nonprofit Mastermind Podcast, and the founder and CEO of Bending Arc, a digital consultancy through which she supports mission-driven leaders across the country in launching and scaling high-impact nonprofits and social enterprises.  Brooke has spent the past 22 years working as a nonprofit leader, social entrepreneur, and lawyer at social change organizations throughout the country. She has founded and led multiple successful organizations and initiatives, including the Resilience Advocacy Project (RAP), where she served as Executive Director for ten years. Prior to the founding of RAP, Brooke worked as an attorney and policy director at the National Center for Law and Economic Justice, as a health policy advocate at the Children’s Defense Fund- NY, a history and law professor at Tufts University and Brooklyn Law School, and a welfare policy consultant for the Center for Law and Social Policy. She has been a featured speaker and visiting lecturer at numerous law schools, including Harvard, Columbia, NYU, and Fordham, on social entrepreneurship and nonprofit leadership. She served as Chair of the Social Welfare Committee of the NYC Bar Association and as an appointed member of both the Governor’s statewide Child Care Policy Working Group and Mayor Bloomberg’s Adolescent Fatherhood Advisory Council. She has also served as a board member and officer for several non-profit organizations.  Brooke received both her JD and MPP from Harvard and her BA from Yale. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two sons Website: www.brookerichiebabbage.com  LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bjrichiebabbage/ Instagram: @bjrichiebabbage  ---------------------- FREE How-to Guide: Unleash the Game-Changing Power of Planned Giving at Your Nonprofit https://plannedgivingaccelerator.com/free-how-to-guide/ Subscribe to my YouTube for weekly updates. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbjEu276-YQ0TeurphD62pA/ Download White Paper The Big Fundraising Secret (How Traditional Nonprofit Fundraising blocks your overall growth and keeps you from fully funding your organization every year) https://mailchi.mp/a533c0ab59cf/2021-whitepaper Or, subscribe to The Business Behind Fundraising podcast on any of your favorite podcast apps!

How many books have you already read? Articles you've saved for reference? People you've consulted? Workshops you've already attended? When it feels like the faucet's left dry and your fundraising efforts are still not working for your organization, it's time to seek a better way to address areas needing improvement and get help.  For STEM From Dance Executive Director Yamilée Toussaint Beach, she knew it was time to come to us when she decided it wasn't worth wasting months of her career and life trying to figure out how to reach donors on her own. She needed the right mindset in showing up for every meeting and the playbook to access unrestricted revenue that is not tied to foundations and projects.  As a leader who takes action with the knowledge given to her, Yamilée's organization grew from just under $1 million and scaled fast. Her new strategic plan calls for her to grow from $2 million to become a $10 million organization. Coaching her team and her board equips them to reach these targets so they can confidently achieve them.  Tune in to 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘉𝘦𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘍𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘗𝘰𝘥𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘵 — Case Study with Yamilée Toussaint Beach: How She's Using Her 5X Revenue Goals To Attract Major Donors.  What You Will Discover:  ✔️ Nonprofit CEOs who understand that allocating resources to grow and develop themselves and their people are the ones that attract more investments in their business. Yamilée attributes thoughtfully investing in coaching & consultancy to spurring her org's growth from local and national to international, growing funding, and broadening donor base.   ✔️ Make that shift from transactional to relational fundraising.  In fundraising and life — the goal is, first, to be human. When you meet these potential donors face to face or send them emails, the key is never to come across as a transactional and inauthentic person. You can be casual and sincere instead of being seen as chasing after them. When the real person shows up, money will flow easily into your mission. 🙌 ✔️ Navigating conversations and preparing for meetings requires a shift in mindset.  Working with Yamilée Toussaint Beach for a year allowed her to overcome the belief that, as an introvert, she couldn't become exceptional with fundraising. "I used to go in and feel like I had that one opportunity to make the ask. Now I can enter into meetings more confidently, knowing the trajectory, what to say, and having tools in hand that ease the donor into the ask. I don't feel like I'm chasing anymore or must ask for money. Now it feels more natural, and the conversation leads somewhere I've planned. I have less hesitation in asking because I feel more confident in discussions with donors. I simply approach donor communication in a completely different way." ✔️ Let's admit it. Loneliness follows the leader at the top.  You first had the vision of creating change in the world and trying to work it daily, even with insufficient funds. Find someone who can hold your hand in the process and gently help you get out of your head as you go out and bring more people to support your mission. —————————————— Yamilée Toussaint Beach is the Founder & CEO of STEM From Dance. She personally experienced the extraordinary benefits of a STEM education and dance. After studying mechanical engineering and being an avid dancer for over 25 years, she switched gears to teach high school algebra in an underserved community in Brooklyn through Teach For America. She started STEM From Dance in 2012 with the hope that a program that infuses dance in STEM would help to increase the number of underrepresented minority girls across the nation who pursue a future in STEM. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from MIT and a Master of Science in Teaching from Pace University. She is also a recipient of Teach For America's Social Innovation Award, AnitaB.org's Educational Innovation Award, Brooklyn Magazine's 50 Most Fascinating People, and an AAAS/IF THEN® Ambassador. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yamilee-toussaint-beach/ Website: https://stemfromdance.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yamileebeach/?hl=en —————————————— All nonprofit leaders want to know how to secure the overall funding they need to accomplish their big vision. Sherry Quam Taylor's clients regularly  add 7-figures of general operating revenue to their bottom line  with her out-of-the-box principles, a myth-busting methodology,  and an ability to see solutions to revenue problems that others overlook. Want to learn The BIG FUNDRAISING SECRET? Download the method I teach  today [WHITE PAPER] to learn How Traditional Nonprofit Fundraising blocks your overall growth and keeps you from reaching your revenue goals every year. https://mailchi.mp/a533c0ab59cf/2021-whitepaper FREE How-to Guide: Unleash the Game-Changing Power of Planned Giving at Your Nonprofit https://plannedgivingaccelerator.com/free-how-to-guide/ Subscribe to my YouTube for weekly updates. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbjEu276-YQ0TeurphD62pA/ Tune in to The Business Behind Fundraising podcast on any of your favorite podcast apps!

What’s in our head determines how we use our voice. Today we are graced by world-renowned voice expert, Tracy Goodwin, as she shares her prowess in how you can utilize your voice to attract more major donors and unrestricted revenue. She teaches us the importance of expression vs. words and the impact of mindset on the outcomes of your nonprofit conversations. Tune in to The Business Behind Fundraising — How to Raise More Funds Using Your Voice with Tracy Goodwin.  What You Will Discover:  ✔️ The way you use your voice can leave thousands of dollars on the table. You need to set your authentic self free for revenue and connection to follow. ✔️ Putting on a “professional” mask doesn’t work. Tracy works with clients to unpack the root of their inauthentic voice to avoid the stereotypical sales-y way of talking. ✔️ Introverts don’t need to change. The key is finding your best vocal energy. Where are you at your best? Turn every conversation into one with a person you know, like, and trust. ✔️ People are seeking more connection. The mask will only work against you. Speak from the right place. It’s the expression that matters. Emotional connection encourages people to buy more. ✔️ Show up vocally like never before. Even if it means talking about numbers. There are listeners who are interested in science and data. Give them this experience. -------------------------- Tracy Goodwin is an award-winning speaker and internationally renowned voice expert who has helped successful executives and teams increase their impact and influence by unlocking their greatest hidden asset: their voice. Her research-based Psychology of the Voice has become the secret weapon for leaders to shorten their sales cycle, increase revenue, build instant trust, and manage teams and operations more efficiently. She identifies how your listeners process you to a subconscious level to align what you perceive you are doing versus what they are receiving and ensure you are revealing the best version of yourself. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracyagoodwin/ Website: captivatetheroom.com Instagram: @captivatetheroom  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CaptivateTheRoom Tune in to Tracy’s podcast Captivate The Room on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/captivate-the-room/id1091333779 -------------------------- FREE How-to Guide: Unleash the Game-Changing Power of Planned Giving at Your Nonprofit https://plannedgivingaccelerator.com/free-how-to-guide/ Subscribe to my YouTube for weekly updates: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbjEu276-YQ0TeurphD62pA/ Download White Paper: The Big Fundraising Secret (How Traditional Nonprofit Fundraising blocks your overall growth and keeps you from fully funding your organization every year) https://mailchi.mp/a533c0ab59cf/2021-whitepaper Or, subscribe to The Business Behind Fundraising podcast on any of your favorite podcast apps!

Everyone knows that the way to fundraising growth is by putting relationship-building with donors first. After accepting a role as a fundraising director without prior experience, Tre Moore reached out to me, followed my advice, and has reached  his organization’s revenue goals every year since. Freeing your organization from the spin cycle is possible if you know what to stop doing to align your hours with dollars. Tune in to The Business Behind Fundraising — Case Study with Tre Moore.  What You Will Discover:  ✔️ People won’t give their best gifts through transactions. The individuals you’re serving and your donors are human beings. Remind them what you’re advocating for and encourage them to make an impact with you. ✔️ Use the P-E-O model. This stands for “participant, engagement, and owner”. It’s a system Tre uses that allows his donors to grow at unique levels. ✔️ Play the long game. It takes time to cultivate relationships with donors and get to know them on a deeper level. Prioritize your time on the relational activities that bring more revenue down the road ✔️ Aim for sustainable growth. Hire people who can free your time and focus on the tasks that are keeping you from high-ROI revenue generation.  ✔️ Invest in a mentor or expert. Knowledge brings self-confidence. The energy you carry attracts the donors you need when you’re confident in your skillset  ✔️ Give ownership of what you do to your donors. This encourages them to share the organization’s cause among their network because they are excited about it. Tre Moore is the Executive Director for India Rural Evangelical Fellowship (IREF), a faith-based nonprofit working to break the cycle of poverty in South India. With a background in church ministry, Tre wasn’t sure he could transition to a career in fundraising and development. For Tre, fundraising success came quickly after working with Sherry. Within the first year of coaching, the nonprofit's charitable revenue nearly doubled from $700K to over $1.2M.  Through years of coaching with Quam Taylor, IREF has found growth and sustainability. At the core of this growth is a desire to build deep relationships with partners while also creating intentional donor experiences. You can connect with Tre on Linkedin here. Subscribe to my YouTube for weekly updates. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbjEu276-YQ0TeurphD62pA/ Download White Paper The Big Fundraising Secret (How Traditional Nonprofit Fundraising blocks your overall growth and keeps you from fully funding your organization every year) https://mailchi.mp/a533c0ab59cf/2021-whitepaper Or, subscribe to The Business Behind Fundraising podcast on any of your favorite podcast apps!

With a small staff, the pressure and exhaustion were mounting on Amy Fass to keep up with her nonprofit’s multi-million growth. As the Executive Director of Shoes That Fit, she needed a thought partner to dig down issues with and craft a program that allows her to scale, support more kids, and invite unrestricted revenue. Working with Sherry was a life-changing decision. Tune in to The Business Behind Fundraising — Case Study with Amy Fass: How to Manage Your Nonprofit's Extreme Growth (And Keep Growing Year After Year).  What You Will Discover:  ✔️ Changing her operations was key to meeting expectations. The pandemic urged Amy to switch things up, but there was still not enough gas in the engine to keep the nonprofit running sustainably. ✔️ Restricted gifts can exhaust your staff. Amy sought help from Sherry, taking time to step back and give people a bigger picture of her nonprofit’s goals, moving into relational fundraising. ✔️ Treat your donors as both friends and business partners. Showing the numbers and making them part of the nonprofit’s story got Amy’s most loyal donors’ gifts from $100 to $10,000. It’s key to tell them stories that align with their interests. ✔️ This shift frees up time for larger growth opportunities. “I feel like I can breathe for the first time in years,” Amy says. Not rushing relationships has also strengthened her board’s confidence in spreading the word. ✔️ Learning comes with surprises. Diving into the data and utilizing the donor deck got her into more targeted asks and prepared for the next step in leading donors to their best gifts. ------------------------ Amy Fass was named the Executive Director of Shoes That Fit in February 2014. She joined the organization’s staff in 2013 as the interim Development Director, having consulted with the organization on strategic planning and development since 2008. She has worked in nonprofit management and development for over 20 years. Her development career began at Pomona College, where she served as Director of Foundation and Corporate Relations; she then worked for the University of California, Berkeley, securing major gifts. After the birth of her daughter in 1999, she began consulting non-profits on development and strategic planning; her clients included the Claremont School of Theology, the American Academy of Religion (Atlanta), Shoes that Fit, House of Ruth, Inc., and AMOCA (American Museum of Ceramic Art). She currently chairs the Board of Mt. San Antonio Gardens (retirement community) and the City of Claremont’s Architectural Commission and formerly chaired the boards of House of Ruth and Claremont Heritage. Amy earned her B.A. at Stanford University and holds a Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary. Get in touch with Amy Fass. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-fass-95005419/ Nonprofit Website: https://www.shoesthatfit.org/ Get her book The Business of Non Profit-Ing: My Why, the Journey and Perspective on Non Profiting on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Business-Non-Profit-Ing-Perspective-Profiting/dp/1734897414 ------------------------ FREE How-to Guide: Unleash the Game-Changing Power of Planned Giving at Your Nonprofit https://plannedgivingaccelerator.com/free-how-to-guide/ Subscribe to my YouTube for weekly updates. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbjEu276-YQ0TeurphD62pA/ Download White Paper The Big Fundraising Secret (How Traditional Nonprofit Fundraising blocks your overall growth and keeps you from fully funding your organization every year) https://mailchi.mp/a533c0ab59cf/2021-whitepaper Or, subscribe to The Business Behind Fundraising podcast on any of your favorite podcast apps!

Stewardship is simple if you just treat people with respect. When donors are deeply connected to your organization’s goals and vision, their support doesn’t end in death. Tony Martignetti discusses the importance of tackling planned giving or “gifts by will”, how it benefits your organization long term, and fostering donor relationships. Tune in to The Business Behind Fundraising — Where To Start With Planned Giving with Tony Martignetti.  What You Will Discover:  ✔️ The biggest lesson learned in a decades-long career. Focusing on “gifts by will” yields a more successful and much easier planned giving launch. This type of gift is written in a person’s will. ✔️ Seventy-two percent of people who gift-by-will increase their other types of giving to that organization. Planned giving doesn’t hurt any of your other fundraising events.  ✔️ Organizational criteria for a planned giving program. This includes: Five years of history More than one staff member Has individual donors ✔️ Keep donor relationships warm. Start a recognition society for planned donors. Track birthdays and send greetings via phone or handwritten letter. Set up insider donor communications and a VIP section during events. ---------------------------------- Tony Martignetti has been starting and growing Planned Giving programs since 1997. This is his 25th Anniversary year! He’s been consulting in Planned Giving since 2003. Now he leads Planned Giving Accelerator, a membership community to launch 1,000+ new Planned Giving programs in the U.S. It’s at PlannedGivingAccelerator.com.  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonymartignetti/ FREE How-to Guide: Unleash the Game-Changing Power of Planned Giving at Your Nonprofit https://plannedgivingaccelerator.com/free-how-to-guide/ ---------------------------------- Subscribe to my YouTube for weekly updates. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbjEu276-YQ0TeurphD62pA/ Download White Paper The Big Fundraising Secret (How Traditional Nonprofit Fundraising blocks your overall growth and keeps you from fully funding your organization every year) https://mailchi.mp/a533c0ab59cf/2021-whitepaper Or, subscribe to The Business Behind Fundraising podcast on any of your favorite podcast apps!

Everything is sales. Whether you’re selling a product or a vision for the future, you want people to connect and feel its urgency and importance. Putting a focus on forming lasting donor relationships took Emily Norton’s organization, the Charles River Watershed Association, to new heights. Listen as she walks us through her experience working with me, building her confidence, and thinking big. Tune in to The Business Behind Fundraising — Case Study with Emily Norton: Why She is Confident Growing Her Budget By 40% (When It’s Only Ever Grown By 10%).  What You Will Discover:  ✔️ Think big. The starvation mindset holds nonprofits back from growing. Put into practice the activities that allow expansion. Changing their strategic plan helped Emily Norton grow her budget by 40% this year. ✔️ Do things with confidence. The more honest you are about your organization’s financial need, the more donors want to support you.. They want to be on the same winning team. ✔️ ‘The ask’ is only one step in the donor’s journey. Sometimes, calling a donor to say thank you or provide a resource can help cultivate a stronger relationship. It’s how all the small steps fit together for maximum relationship building. ✔️ Slow down. Connect your goals to their interests. You may have donors who aren’t giving their best gift because they don’t have a clear picture of what you do or what your organization needs.   Emily Norton has served as Executive Director of the Charles River Watershed Association since August 2018. She previously served as Massachusetts Chapter Director for the Sierra Club, where she focused on advocating for stronger renewable energy policies at the state and local levels.  Prior to that, she spent ten years as a research and communications consultant to groups such as Conservation Law Foundation, Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, Environmental Defense Fund, and the US EPA ENERGY STAR Program. Emily also spent several years working in politics as a fundraiser for the Democratic Leadership Council in Washington, D.C., and as Finance Director for a Congressional campaign on Cape Cod.   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-norton-541173/   Subscribe to my YouTube for weekly updates. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbjEu276-YQ0TeurphD62pA/   Download White Paper The Big Fundraising Secret (How Traditional Nonprofit Fundraising blocks your overall growth and keeps you from fully funding your organization every year) https://mailchi.mp/a533c0ab59cf/2021-whitepaper   Or, subscribe to The Business Behind Fundraising podcast on any of your favorite podcast apps!

Do you know exactly what to say to inspire your donors? Nonprofits have solid, metric-based missions, but putting those activities into words that the average person can understand can be tricky. Hiring a short-term writer may help. Or even giving the task to the development team. But this won’t work in the long run. So what can you do to attain clarity on communications? Tune in to The Business Behind Fundraising — How to Get Your Fundraising Team off the Communications Spin Cycle with Erin Straza.  What You Will Discover:  ✔️ How a case for support acts as a filter every time you write. It must answer: The problem you want to solve How your organization will solve it What happens when it’s solved ✔️ How to talk about your programs and models. Do your donors know exactly what you do or the problem you solve? ✔️ Why donor segmentation matters. Write profiles for three to five segments. Identify your audience and target your messaging towards them. This helps foster a strong, consistent relationship with your donors. ✔️ Have a branding guide. Choose fonts, color palettes, photos, and layouts that align with your goals. Prepare relevant sentences you can sprinkle in your messaging. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Erin Straza’s professional work has lived within the nonprofit sector. She works with nonprofits across the country, helping them make their mission irresistible to donors with communications strategies that resolve mission-critical blind spots. In addition to advising and training nonprofit teams, she also has corporate clients for whom she provides creative messaging support and strategy for brand development and promotional campaigns. Website: https://erinstraza.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe to my YouTube for weekly updates. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbjEu276-YQ0TeurphD62pA/ Download White Paper The Big Fundraising Secret (How Traditional Nonprofit Fundraising blocks your overall growth and keeps you from fully funding your organization every year) https://mailchi.mp/a533c0ab59cf/2021-whitepaper Or, subscribe to The Business Behind Fundraising podcast on any of your favorite podcast apps!

One of the biggest factors contributing to the Great Resignation is professional development being the first thing to get cut from the budget. Because of this, our fundraisers aren’t equipped to handle investment-level conversations and lead donors to major gifts.  So what should be done? Investing in your staff is the top priority. Tune in to The Business Behind Fundraising — When Professional Development is the First Thing to Get Cut From the Budget with Sherry Quam Taylor.  What You Will Discover:  ✔️You have control over donors’ gifts. If you feel your donors only want to fund projects, that’s a problem, but it can be fixed. What it actually means is they aren’t confident with your numbers and conversations. ✔️ Don’t default to transactional sponsorships. Raising too much restricted revenue isn’t a win and doesn’t allow for growth. This is why staff training is important so your team can get to major gifts. ✔️ Investing in your team is a game-changer. They should know how to handle investment-level conversations and lead donors to unrestricted gifts. This is when you’ll see your revenue grow 2x, 3x, or even 10x. ✔️ Major donors need more. The story, the problem, and the solution are important. But if your team can satisfy them with a deep understanding of your true financial need, everything shifts for the better. Subscribe to my YouTube for weekly updates. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbjEu276-YQ0TeurphD62pA/ Download White Paper The Big Fundraising Secret (How Traditional Nonprofit Fundraising blocks your overall growth and keeps you from fully funding your organization every year) https://mailchi.mp/a533c0ab59cf/2021-whitepaper Or, subscribe to The Business Behind Fundraising podcast on any of your favorite podcast apps!

I love talking about time allocation. Your organization may be spending too much time on the wrong solutions.  Even if you think you know so much, you still need someone to tell you, “Have you tried this? Have you thought of it this way?” For me, my coach helps me see what it looks like to actually have the money to accomplish a client’s strategic plan. So what have I learned from looking through an objective lens? Tune in to The Business Behind Fundraising — Why Your Fundraisers Don’t Have Time For Major Gifts with Sherry Quam Taylor.  What You Will Discover:  ✔️ Split roles for efficiency. What will bring you confidence? Divide different tasks and delegate them to the right people. The more you invest in your people, the more money that comes back to you.  ✔️ Hire the right people. Ask the right questions. Find someone who can: Raise the RIGHT kind of money Align hours with dollars Build your reserve Secure unrestricted gifts ✔️ Don’t combine fundraising and marketing communications. These are two completely different roles with different skill sets that require different pay structures… and two very different parts of the donor pyramid. Create a financing plan and see. Often, you CAN actually afford to hire two people. ✔️ Objectivity shows the path to the money. Time allocation can be a pain. But there ARE solutions. Be open to looking at it from different angles. Invest and do things differently to get different results.  Subscribe to my YouTube for weekly updates. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbjEu276-YQ0TeurphD62pA/ Download the Ultimate Checklist Does your team create a fundraising plan or financing plan? Only one will fully fund your nonprofit https://mailchi.mp/456ca47c3b12/financingplan Or, subscribe to The Business Behind Fundraising podcast on any of your favorite podcast apps!

Let me guess. Right now, you’re looking for your next developmental director. It’s pretty crazy. And I admit, it’s the most difficult hire for an organization. The worst-case scenario would be ending up with the wrong person on the bus. And we don’t want that, right? But today, let’s make it a little bit easier as I share the things you need to watch out for in your next fundraiser so your organization can hit revenue goals! Tune in to The Business Behind Fundraising — What You Need to Know Before You Hire Your Next Fundraiser with Sherry Quam Taylor.  What You Will Discover:  ✔️ Rethink the qualifications. Once you look deeper into your current challenges and your true need, you’ll determine what your future director should be able to do and what skills they should have. ✔️ Knowing the path to get fully financed is a must. Your future developmental director should know how to plan your year around your organization’s cash flow and be able to secure unrestricted funds for full flexibility. We don’t want to depend on grants and events all the time. ✔️ Look for a proven track record. COVID-19 has taken a toll on nonprofits. See if your potential hire has experience in securing 50-75% of revenue from top donors. ✔️ Fix root problems to ensure success. Your director can’t work their best if the groundwork isn’t established, such as your donor fully knowing your need, what you do, and the problem you’re solving. Get rid of what’s blocking revenue generation. Subscribe to my YouTube for weekly updates. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbjEu276-YQ0TeurphD62pA/ Download the Ultimate Checklist Does your team create a fundraising plan or financing plan? Only one will fully fund your nonprofit https://mailchi.mp/456ca47c3b12/financingplan Or, subscribe to The Business Behind Fundraising podcast on any of your favorite podcast apps!

Welcome to Season 3 of The Business Behind Fundraising! For this season, we’ll be going in-depth on a few of the factors impacting the Great Resignation that I want you to reflect on. Today’s episode will be all about why you should invest more money into overhead, especially your fundraising staff.  Spoiler: No new grant appeal, board member, or celebrity shout-out is going to fix your insufficient overhead cash. It’s all about solid groundwork and being honest with our needs and numbers. Tune in to The Business Behind Fundraising — Why You Should Invest More MONEY into Overhead (Fundraising Staff) with Sherry Quam Taylor.  What You Will Discover:  ✔️Spend enough money to generate the dollars you need. Are you raising the same money every year? More fundraising activities won’t fix this. What you need is more gas in the engine. Sometimes even a different engine! ✔️ Start with the math. It’s only until you’ve been honest with yourself and created a true needs-based budget that you will be able to craft an accurate financing plan for your fundraising team to reach or exceed. ✔️ Spending mistakes to avoid. Ever feel like you can’t afford to hire fundraising staff? Too often, you’re spending too much on programs, and that’s keeping you from investing enough in staff and overhead.  ✔️ Answering the tough questions yields growth. Consider these: What is the true financing plan? How can you raise or exceed a truly balanced budget? How can you design a funding model that supports your true need? What should your team be doing? Does your team have the right skillset? ✔️Never cut corners. Organizations that lean into risk tend to make consistent revenue leaps. Be brave when spending money to RAISE more money.  Subscribe to my YouTube for weekly updates: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbjEu276-YQ0TeurphD62pA/ Download: The Big Fundraising Secret (How Traditional Nonprofit Fundraising Blocks Your Overall Growth and Keeps You from Fully Funding Your Organization Every Year): https://mailchi.mp/a533c0ab59cf/2021-whitepaper Or, subscribe to The Business Behind Fundraising podcast on any of your favorite podcast apps!

According to Greg Warner’s MarketSmart 2020 Major Gift Benchmark study, 81% of donors take 6-24 months for prospect identification. Building a pipeline is frustrating for most fundraisers. It requires time and consistent effort to find donors. However, your patience is definitely worth it if you’re looking to scale by the millions. Tune in to The Business Behind Fundraising — How Consistent Pipeline Work Can Add Millions to Your Bottom Line with Sherry Quam Taylor.  What You Will Discover:  ✔️Get to know your donor. Too often, fundraisers are frustrated by unreplied emails or the feeling of chasing donors. You won’t have to do as much of this if you slow down the process early on. Is your donor aligned with your values and vision? Do they want that donor experience from you? It's crucial to have the right people in your pipeline. ✔️ Consistency is key. There is no quick fix to building your pipeline. You have to consistently meet people, qualify them and have investment-level conversations that attract donors who want to give unrestricted revenue. ✔️ Fundraising is more than just asking for money. It's connecting and educating others. Does the donor care about the problem you're trying to solve? Is the relationship a win/win for both parties? ✔️ Delegate tasks to your board. Encourage them to design metrics that move you forward to a positive revenue trajectory. It’s their duty to consistently arrange introductions and create opportunities for you to meet mission-aligned donors and connectors. Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube for weekly updates. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbjEu276-YQ0TeurphD62pA/ Or, subscribe to The Business Behind Fundraising podcast on any of your favorite podcast apps!

The real question right now is . . . Who ISN’T hiring?  This means I’ve sat in tons of interviews for high-level development professionals who’ll be leading organizations to substantial revenue growth. And I’m noticing a few trends and very interesting answers to interview questions that I’m sharing with you today. It all boils down to time allocation. In this episode, I’ll be discussing why you should align your time with your organization’s strategic plans and how it beats everything else. Tune in to The Business Behind Fundraising — Why Time Allocation Beats Your Fundraising Plan Any Day Of The Week with Sherry Quam Taylor.  What You Will Discover:  ✔️ Time allocation beats tactics. Cleaning up databases, writing appeals, and organizing events are fine to mention in interviews. But if you want to scale by millions, your team leaders should deeply understand the business behind fundraising and be capable of doing CEO-to-CEO conversations. ✔️ Time is your organization’s most valuable asset. Every hour your team spends fundraising must be focused on higher results. Why? Because you want the large, unrestricted gifts that give the organization ultimate flexibility to invest back in growth and infrastructure. ✔️See what you need to stop doing and start doing. I’m talking about the activities that are taking way too many hours and resources. They may have worked in the past but aren’t yielding the large, unrestricted revenue you need. This is what’s blocking major donors from giving greater amounts.  ✔️Plan your yearly revenue based on available hours. This is the common denominator among my most successful clients. It can feel like a daunting task, but this will keep you moving forward and raising millions more. Your fundraising plans must be aligned with how much time your organization can afford to spend. Are you ready to scale by millions? Start planning in a high-ROI framework. Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube for weekly updates. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbjEu276-YQ0TeurphD62pA/ Or, subscribe to The Business Behind Fundraising podcast on any of your favorite podcast apps!

An amazing client of mine that I’ve been coaching for years has told me that it only takes him 30 hours a week to reach his seven-figure revenue goal. I repeat, 30 hours! You might think I’m kidding, but it is indeed possible. So just like him, how can you hit your target number in less time? Prioritizing the right things and slowing down. Tune in to The Business Behind Fundraising — Successful Nonprofits Slow Down with Sherry Quam Taylor.  What You Will Discover:  ✔️ Figure out the things you need to stop doing. There’s nothing wrong with grants, events, and government contracts. But these aren’t the things that will help you scale by millions. Choose wisely how to prioritize your time. ✔️ Identify your true financial need. Also called a “stretch goal”, make sure that this aligns with your strategic plan so you can get that unrestricted revenue. ✔️Build a team of strategic fundraisers. Are they good decision-makers? Can they get donors their best gift? Can they align their hours with dollars? Can they build relationships with donors without rushing? ✔️Move beyond mission-based stories. Pivot towards numbers-based conversations that people avoid. Heartfelt tales and tearjerkers won’t get you to your goals. ✔️Provide mission-aligned experiences to your top 30-50 donors. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all work. What’s your donor’s reason for giving and are you serving this? ✔️Equip your team with the skills to ask donors for their best gift. They should know how to lead a four-figure donor to five figures with a stellar track record to prove it. ✔️ You don’t need to work fast to get big results.  The most successful nonprofits don’t even have to work overtime. I want to make sure that you are not spending so much time on activities that yield small-dollar results. Every gift is important, but your hours are too!  Be sure to subscribe on YouTube for weekly updates. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbjEu276-YQ0TeurphD62pA/ Or, subscribe to The Business Behind Fundraising podcast on any of your favorite podcast apps!

Objectivity has been a huge part of growing my business. I’d think things are all going great. But when I invested in a business coach, they offered new ideas and views that made me go, “Oh, I never thought of it that way.” We can’t always see the answer. That’s why, in this episode, I’ll be talking about three areas where objectivity is most needed for nonprofit leaders too.  Tune in to The Business Behind Fundraising — Why Objectivity Is the Key to Successful Nonprofits with Sherry Quam Taylor.  What You Will Discover:  ✔️Leaders and executives still need it. The top can be a lonely position. We all need someone to hold up a mirror and show us the solution. It may be right in front of us. Or it could be a different path. When you’re doing too many things, it’s easy to get caught up in the programs and nuances of daily tasks.  ✔️ The fundraising team also needs it. I share my experience of consulting one on how to approach a celebrity donor to give their best gift. Spoiler alert: No magic was involved. It was simple and practical. ✔️ Your board needs objectivity. “I’ve said that to the board ten times, but you make it sound like it’s fresh and new.” Sometimes, an organization just needs a new voice coming in and having ideas fall on the board’s ears differently. Seeing other organizations’ fundraising strategies from a new angle is critical. Be sure to subscribe on YouTube for weekly updates. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbjEu276-YQ0TeurphD62pA/ Or, subscribe to The Business Behind Fundraising podcast on any of your favorite podcast apps!

There are so many things that impact your team’s ability to reach and exceed their revenue goals every year. And these have very little to do with traditional fundraising. One of them is your ability to take risks. Imagine attracting major donors who are on the lookout for visionary missions and plans that incorporate risk. Tune in to The Business Behind Fundraising —  Embracing Risk Within Your Strategic Planning Process with Sherry Quam Taylor.   What You Will Discover:  ✔️Major donors thrive in risk. Our default mindset always goes to, “Would they really fund us if we dream even bigger?” In reality, that’s exactly what so many donors want. I’ll be sharing a client experience that taught me this lesson. ✔️ Major donors want to challenge you. They’re entrepreneurs and business owners. That’s why they are MORE than willing to invest… if you have what it takes to paint your grand vision and make it come to life. ✔️ Budget for what's in your strategic plan and vision. There are things that aren’t in your budget that should be there. And those are what’s keeping you from scaling your revenue every year! ✔️ Don’t let risk keep you from an abundance mindset. Don’t be afraid to explore investments that could lead you to success. I always take my clients down a deep dive into their budgets to see what’s holding them back. ✔️ Abundance leads to continuous growth. Don’t wait for the millions to come to start thinking about momentum. Start doing the things that attract and keep donors. Build a team that truly knows how to do this. ✔️ Now’s the time to do it.  I’ve seen what happens when organizations start taking risks. (Cause, honestly, aren’t they calculated risks?) Impressive revenue gains. So how can you overcome those uncomfortable feelings and realize that you – an amazing business person – can actually take bigger risks?   Be sure to subscribe on YouTube for weekly updates. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbjEu276-YQ0TeurphD62pA/ Or, subscribe to The Business Behind Fundraising podcast on any of your favorite podcast apps!

Welcome to the first episode of season 2. And we’re going in strong. Now that we’ve laid out the fundamentals in season 1, it’s time to discuss growth. I’m talking by MILLIONS – those nonprofit leaders who have navigated growth and scaled tremendously. We know 2020 was indeed hard for many nonprofit organizations. But we also know we can use this time as a catalyst for change. Let’s not look back. For 2022 and beyond, I want to encourage you to lean into an abundance mindset and the perks that come with this growth perspective. Tune in to The Business Behind Fundraising — Why I'm No Longer Talking About Nonprofit Scarcity with Sherry Quam Taylor.  What You Will Discover:    ✔️How abundance attracts investment-level donors. They are attracted to high ambitions. They LOVE big plans. They are drawn to you when you dream of growing by millions. They want to be part of that huge change. ✔️It attracts your tribe. I love working with nonprofit leaders who are killing it - running amazing businesses. This mindset attracts people (donors, volunteers, staff, clients) who want to level up. No more operating in the scarcity zone!   ✔️ Leaders want objectivity. Sometimes, it’s hard to see solutions when we’re too far in our plans and in our heads. Maybe a bit of reimagining could reveal what’s blocking your organization’s revenue so you can finally walk on a new path moving forward. ✔️ Be honest with your organization's skill sets. Your staff is the fuel to your engine – now that you’re scaling, constantly make sure you’ve got outstanding players on board and form your dream fundraising team   ✔️ Retain major donors. How do we ensure all those donors who showed up in 2020 and 2021 will give again? How do we use their funding to build a strong reserve? How do we make long-term decisions? The opportunity for unrestricted funding is there. It’s up to you to do what it takes to keep it! Be sure to subscribe on YouTube for weekly updates. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbjEu276-YQ0TeurphD62pA/ Or, subscribe to The Business Behind Fundraising podcast on any of your favorite podcast apps!

There are three groups that partner your nonprofit’s revenue generation. Your Executive Director/CEO Your Fundraising Staff And, your Board If one of those is not doing their job, reaching and exceeding your annual need is going to feel like you’re climbing a hill with a cannon ball strapped to your leg.  If you do fundraising the right way or go at it from a different perspective, you’ll actually realize that getting boards to play their role in fundraising doesn’t have to be so hard. Let me show you how it’s done. Tune in to learn more 🎬 watch the full episode of The Business Behind Fundraising — Demystifying Fundraising For Your Board Members with Sherry Quam Taylor.  What You Will Discover:  ✔️Train your board. The root of your board’s love-hate relationship with fundraising? Well, they’re experts in something else. Board members got their positions for a reason - they are experts in their respective fields. But they probably never learned how high-ROI fundraising works. ✔️ Lead by example. Take the first step in showing your board what strategic fundraising looks like. Initiate positive donor experiences. Free up their time for high-ROI activities. ✔️ Ditch the script. Your donors can sense when you’re being inauthentic. They can hear the nervousness. Challenge your board to just be their real selves. ✔️ The ask is just ONE step in the process. Fundraising is a journey. Each board member holds a supporting role in different portfolios and donor experiences all year round. If they deeply understand the process, they’ll be more comfortable playing their role. ✔️ Fundraising is more than just asking for money.  Educating. Networking. Connecting. This is what fundraising SHOULD be about. Embody these ideas so you can actually show up as the best version of yourselves. I hope to see you crafting the best, high-yielding fundraising strategy for your organization! Download Case Study (How My Client Added 7-Figures of Gen-Ops Revenue to His Bottom Line) https://mailchi.mp/32f117c7f07a/7figures. #nonprofit #fundraising #nonprofitceos

In these past two years in the midst of this pandemic, content has become king.   Believe me, I’ve been in so many webinars and podcasts that I’ve actually stopped counting.   And in nearly every one, there was a question that drove me crazy:   “What’s the most creative thing you’re seeing in fundraising right now?”   Well, I’m not saying there isn’t any amazing stuff that came out of the pandemic - with everything shifting online.   We need to quit the narrative of constantly pursuing the shiniest, most creative thing because this is what keeps most organizations on the endless spin cycle.   So, I want to talk about three different and crucial areas that are being compromised because of this.   Tune in to learn more 🎬 watch the full episode of The Business Behind Fundraising — Why We Don't Need More Creative Fundraising Ideas with Sherry Quam Taylor.    What You Will Discover:    ✔️A creative plan isn’t future-proof.  It isn’t your ticket to fully finance your organization in the long run. Taking time to actually look deeper into the more serious issues like cash flow and infrastructure funds are the urgent tasks that need to be dealt with at hand.   ✔️ Flashy solutions don’t always attract major donors. Channel your energies into investment-level conversations, one-on-one exclusive information, and stakeholder confirmations. Your efforts should be in attracting major donors who are mission aligned.   ✔️ Get out of the creative chase. The most impressive thing that my clients have done for their organizations is changing the status quo. No more wasting time on activities that hinder growth.   ✔️ Empower your staff to use their time wisely. Make sure to align your staff’s hours with dollars. Your team should understand the financing plan from A to Z so you can regularly close in those five- and six-figure gifts.   ✔️ Fix your scaling challenges by the root. These are the things keeping you from those unrestricted gifts. If you want money for gen ops, infrastructure, and systems, get rid of the roadblocks.   ✔️ I’m proud of you for fighting against the misconceptions of fundraising.  Are your eyes on the unrestricted prize this 2022? Did you make significant changes that have resulted in a healthier funded organization? Congratulations! You’re definitely on your way to bigger and better gifts and sustainable funding. Download Case Study (How My Client Added 7-Figures of Gen-Ops Revenue to His Bottom Line) https://mailchi.mp/32f117c7f07a/7figures.

Inevitably, when I’m working with fundraising teams and digging into their major gift processes, a familiar question pops up: “Are you soliciting major-level donors?” What I’m really asking is are you sitting down (one-on-one) and having a conversation and then asking. . . But too often fundraising teams answer “yes” . . . followed by their list of asks they make in seasonal appeals and events. But these aren’t the types of solicitations appropriate for major donors. They need something more. Tune in to learn more 🎬 watch the full episode of The Business Behind Fundraising — Why Your Staff Isn't Soliciting Major Donors with Sherry Quam Taylor.  What You Will Discover:  ✔️Learn how to do one-on-one solicitations. Providing a customized donor experience is key. When you intimately know your donor’s mission for giving this is actually quite easy. ✔️ Prepare your staff. To move into relational-based fundraising you must ask the right questions. “What skills are my staff missing?” “What activities can we remove from their schedule?” “Can we delegate some unrelated tasks to someone else?” “How can you align your staff’s hours with dollars?” ✔️ Don’t be afraid to ask. Your major donors aren’t mind-readers. My clients have received six-figure gifts - all because the donor never knew the extent of their need until they laid it to them straight. Never rely on your donor to guess! ✔️ Surprise solicitations are a no-no. It may be tempting to drop an email or just host another event. Take the time to serve your donor in a way so irresistible that they want to give their best gift to you every year. ✔️ Dedicate time and budget to your growth. My clients have asked for help, and now they’re experts at investment-level conversations. Their drive to equip their team has resulted in long-term growth and goal-busting numbers they’ve never even imagined! Download Case Study (How My Client Added 7-Figures of Gen-Ops Revenue to His Bottom Line) https://mailchi.mp/32f117c7f07a/7figures.

My mission has always been to help nonprofit leaders and fundraisers to get their donors giving their best gift every year.   This mindset shift is a gamechanger. And the best news is that you, as the fundraiser, have so much more control of the pacing, the timing, and the size of the gifts than you think. But, this is only possible if you intentionally shift your fundraising activities from a reactive state to a more proactive one. So how can you pivot your donor relationships to a deeper level?   How can you start serving and leading them differently? Tune in to learn more 🎬 watch the full episode of The Business Behind Fundraising — Why Nonprofits Must Lead Their Major Donors with Sherry Quam Taylor.  What You Will Discover:  ✔️Guide donors from a mission perspective. It’s crucial to educate them on how investing their best gift in your mission is a win-win situation. Clearly articulate your mission, and do your due diligence on finding out why they should give to you and the questions they may have before they’d give their best gift. ✔️ Physically lead your donors. It’s your responsibility to tell your donors the next step in the fundraising journey. Your major donors are busy and may not have time to think about what’s best for your organization. Always make the next engagement step easy for them. ✔️ Your organization is worthy of donors who want your partnership. My biggest piece of advice in leading donors is that you should take the time to decipher your donors’ true interest in your organization. Find out if they really DO want a relationship with you. Are they really mission-aligned? ✔️ Being yourself is the best thing you can be. You don’t have to be THAT salesperson. Play on your strengths and know your organization’s numbers and mission from top to bottom so you can engage in investment-level conversations comfortably and confidently. Download Case Study (How My Client Added 7-Figures of Gen-Ops Revenue to His Bottom Line) - https://mailchi.mp/32f117c7f07a/7figures.

If you’re a brand expert and are offended by today’s topic, hear me out.   Storytelling is definitely an important aspect of nonprofits. But you may be wondering - how do we take our donors on a journey to their best gift?   By going beyond traditional storytelling.   Maybe you’ve booked that meeting with that sought-after donor. It went great. You shared their mission, the photos, and the stories. There was a tear shed at some point but when the money came, it was smaller than you hoped.   So what went wrong? I’m here to unpack everything you need to know.   Tune in to learn more 🎬 watch the full episode of The Business Behind Fundraising — What’s Missing in Nonprofit Storytelling with Sherry Quam Taylor.    What You Will Discover:    ✔️Include donors in your story. Laying out the details isn’t enough. Let your donors see how they fit into your financial story. Let them feel that they’re a major character with a significant role to play in achieving your mission.   ✔️ Have a “percentages” conversation. Be prepared to bring out the big numbers! Kill all those assumptions running in your major donors’ heads. They may not know how important their gift is to your mission. ✔️ Break the corporate sponsorship myth. Don’t get stuck in transactional relationships with your donors. Inform them of how much their gifts are impacting lives.  Narrate a richer financial story. Receive the richest gifts.   ✔️ One-on-one solicitations become easier with the right tools. Do you and your team know how to present the financials? Can you use the budget to articulate how a donation can accomplish your mission? Have you taken the time to build a solid relationship with donors? If you answered yes to all, you’re on the right track.   ✔️ The financial story is the language of your donors. Stakeholder-level donors eat number crunching for breakfast. Embrace the hard conversations. They are the shiny arrows pointing you to what’s holding donors back from giving their best gifts.   ✔️ You can secure the big money your vision requires. Unrestricted revenue doesn’t have to be an unreachable star. Let me guide you in making your financial goals a reality. Download Case Study (How My Client Added 7-Figures of Gen-Ops Revenue to His Bottom Line) - https://mailchi.mp/32f117c7f07a/7figures.

“I don’t know any major donors. Where do I find them?” This is one of the most common questions I get so often. And I challenge you to take a step back and look at the situation in a different light. Today, I encourage you to stop chasing after major donors and start thinking of ways of how you can draw them in. Tune in to learn more 🎬 watch the full episode of The Business Behind Fundraising — How to Find Donors with Sherry Quam Taylor.  What You Will Discover:  ✔️ Recalibrate your thinking. Are your activities attracting investment-level donors? Are you speaking their language? Have you articulated your need? Consider these when you’re aiming to get larger amounts of unrestricted funding. ✔️ Don’t wait for the whale. Getting hung up on meeting that million-dollar donor shouldn’t be what’s holding you back. There are donors in your file right now who can give more. If you DO hear the chance to meet with a potential “whale” through your connections, jump on it. ✔️ Establish a peer-to-peer relationship with donors. Investment-level donors WANT the financial details. Give them the whole experience, take time to get to know them, and make them feel comfortable. They need to know you’re the one who’ll use their investment well. ✔️ Be a consistent mouthpiece for your mission. You don’t get to decide how much money a donor can give but you can share the need. Speak up and educate your network on the awesome things your organization has done and its financial need. ✔️ Your team should learn to pivot into your financial story. Ensure your team is prepared to engage in deep conversations about the organization’s goals. Major donors want to know that their gift is a worthy investment and your mission aligns with their principles. ✔️ If you don’t move methodically, you’ll never attract major donors. Too many people think speaking to or making ‘the ask’ to major donors is scary. Once you have the training and tools, it’s not.  Whatever your background may be, you can easily learn how to do this. Download Case Study (How My Client Added 7-Figures of Gen-Ops Revenue to His Bottom Line) https://mailchi.mp/32f117c7f07a/7figures. #nonprofit #ceos #donors #genops #revenue

Nonprofit CEOs - do you know why major donors aren’t giving to you? I’ve been excited to talk about this topic for a while now, and you may be curious about my answer. Oftentimes, I hear from nonprofit CEOs who say: “Our board members don’t know any major donors.” “Donors don’t give to organizations that don’t do direct service work.” “I don’t know anyone who could afford to give us the funds.” In my methodology, I want to make sure that we identify the right questions going through a donor’s mind. Because if we don’t put ourselves in their shoes, we could be unknowingly stopping them from giving their best gift. Tune in to learn more 🎬 watch the full episode of The Business Behind Fundraising — Why Major Donors Don’t Give To You. What You Will Discover:  ✔️ Convey your strategic plans. You’re in full control of the reins. Lead your donors to a deep understanding of the direction your organization is taking in the next few years. ✔️ Clearly explain your programs. Do your donors understand what your organization does? Really - too many donors don’t really grasp what you do and it’s keeping you from soliciting for unrestricted gifts. You are the only one who can prevent confusion by going in-depth with your programs to your donors. ✔️ Present your true financial need. Be ready to walk them through the numbers. You and your team’s confidence and knowledge during investment-level conversations has the greatest impact on whether or not you’ll reach or exceed your annual goals this year. ✔️ Help your donors envision the changes if they invest in you. How you talk about your programs should provide clarity to your donors. Kick the industry jargon and acronyms - everything should roll off the tip of your tongue, and think about what simplicity you need to lay on your programs. Download Case Study (How My Client Added 7-Figures of Gen-Ops Revenue to His Bottom Line) https://mailchi.mp/32f117c7f07a/7figures. #nonprofit #ceos #donors #genops #revenue 

In the book, The Road Less Stupid by Keith Cunningham, there is a wise nugget that goes: “We acted like it was a sin to miss a revenue opportunity. And that makes as much sense as needing to eat everything at the Sunday buffet.” That hit a bullseye in me because so often, I’d hear fundraising teams being handcuffed by events, appeals, and campaigns - saying yes to everything, even if it makes the littlest amount of money. I’m here to tell you that once you pick up my high ROI revenue generation model, you’ll see exactly what’s been keeping you from fully funding your mission year after year. Tune in to learn more 🎬 watch the full episode of The Business Behind Fundraising — A High ROI Revenue Generation Model with Sherry Quam Taylor.  What You Will Discover:  ✔️ There’s nothing wrong with asking for (outside) help. Wouldn’t we delegate a million fundraising tasks to someone else if we know it would save time and raise more money? All fundraisers must maximize their efforts and align all hours with dollars. ✔️ Use the Top 30 Donors concept. You can’t do it all, so start with a  financing plan that attracts, inspires, and caters to your top-level donors. This is a critical step that helps your team know who they should focus their time and energy on. ✔️ Cut the fluff. Are you having investment-level conversations with donors? Or are you just bombarding them with storytelling to win them over short-term? A vision-mission statement won’t make them stay for the long-run. What gets them on board for life is a clear picture of your financial need and strategic goals. ✔️ The most precious asset to the organization is time. I’ll be sharing the reasons your team is always chasing their tail and how getting rid of time-consuming low-revenue activities would make your team more efficient. ✔️ Create customized donor experiences with a high ROI model. It’s not enough to just give your donors a tiny glimpse of your organization. It’s all about setting up an immersive experience for each donor - make them feel that they’re an important part of the initiative. ✔️Fundraising is discipline. One of my clients smashes her yearly goals due to her passion and willingness to stick to the high ROI model. Being methodical and purposeful in event planning earned her a strong reserve and a loyal investment-level donor base. And you can do the same, too. Download White Paper: The Big Fundraising Secret (How Traditional Nonprofit Fundraising blocks your overall growth and keeps you from fully funding your organization every year) https://mailchi.mp/a533c0ab59cf/2021-whitepaper #nonprofit #fundraisingsecrets #roi #revenuegrowthmodel 

I was having conversations with two prospects, and I always ask: “How much more money do you need? How much would they want to grow?” Organization A - with confidence - aimed to grow by 5x. Organization B, after some hesitation, answered 5 to 7%. The latter surprised me. People usually come to me because they want growth by millions so they can invest fully in all three areas of their organization; programs, admin/overhead, and fundraising. So I asked, “What if you had 20% more? Or 50% more?” Organization B said, “Of course, we’d use it. But we can’t even fathom how to get there,” and proceeded to list the things keeping their plate full. I tell you - one organization will grow faster than the other. One sees that what they’re doing isn’t working and is planning for growth. The other needs help breaking out of the scarcity mindset that has plagued the nonprofit sector for too long.   This is where a financing plan comes into play. It makes a 2X, 5X, or even 10X growth plan doable.   Is your team creating a Financing Plan every year? Or just a Fundraising Plan? Only one will fully fund your entire mission.  Tune in to learn more 🎬 watch the full episode of The Business Behind Fundraising — Does Your Financing Plan Fully Finance Your Mission with Sherry Quam Taylor. What You Will Discover:  ✔️ Determine your target number. Your financing plan should clearly articulate your financial need and reflect your big vision. Write that number, state your growth initiatives, and don’t let your fear hinder you from fulfilling your mission. ✔️ Align your hours with dollars. Your fundraising team may be stuck on the spin cycle - doing the same events every year, getting little to no revenue. These activities (like events) may be sponsored, but your team is putting paid time into organizing them. Passing hours are like dollars floating away.   ✔️ Fundraising is education. Communication is the key to clarity. It’s our responsibility to be detailed in expressing who we are, what we need, and what our initiatives are about to our donors. ✔️ Use your financing plan like a compass. Is your fundraising team going on autopilot? If the destination becomes murky, setting up a financing plan shifts you into high-level fundraising activities.  ✔️ Inspiring investment-level donors to fund your initiative is actually quite practical. But it’s a heavy responsibility to carry alone. Your staff should step in and be able to perfectly communicate your true financial need and then ask for that need. ✔️Get on a path to steady revenue. Your financing plan helps pinpoint the things that sabotage time and block our full money-making potential. Since it represents the true need of our organization, it drives us in the right direction to steady revenue. No more landing in the red.

There’s a statistic that I share in every webinar and podcast I’m on. The Urban Institute Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy says that 91% of organizations never reach $5 million in annual revenue, with 77% failing to reach the $1 million mark. This stopped me dead in my tracks. I thought, “That is crazy! Why is this occurring?”  And that’s exactly what I’ve been working to solve for over a decade. For too long, the nonprofit industry has been held to unrealistic expectations and outdated metrics that keep organizations from growing. The most insidious? “Nonprofits should be able to do more on less.”  All those “truths” about overhead? When you have a true needs-based budget backed up by a ral financing model that assists you in cultivating relationships with investment-level donors, you find they don’t hold true at all.   Tune in to learn more 🎬 watch the full episode of The Business Behind Fundraising — The Nonprofit Overhead Myth.   What You Will Discover:  ✔️More nonprofits should invest more on overhead. I share how I helped an organization triple their revenue in 18 months by spending more money. Life-changing missions require a significant investment in resources, tools, and people.  ✔️Turn your team into high-revenue generators. Everyone has the same 8 hours in a typical workday. But is your team using it to the fullest? Every second and every decision must yield those investment-level gifts to fund your organization.  ✔️ Hold strategic activities that attract higher-level donors. Having all the money you need to finance your strategic plan starts with identifying what’s blocking your overall revenue growth. Attracting larger, unrestricted gifts from individuals starts with getting real about what your organization truly needs to achieve your vision.  ✔️ Know your numbers, your business, and what you need. There’s no reason to evade the topic of overhead costs if you are clear about what your organization needs. Be able to present the math. ✔️Have financial conversations by starting with a proper budget. Digging deeper to discover the proper course of action to reach your financial needs will help you secure those unrestricted funds. Strategic and intentional - that’s the name of the game. Download White Paper: The Big Fundraising Secret (How Traditional Nonprofit Fundraising blocks your overall growth and keeps you from fully funding your organization every year) https://mailchi.mp/a533c0ab59cf/2021-whitepaper #nonprofits #scaling #fundraising #money #boardofdirectors

“Do your donors actually know that you need more money?” “Of course, Sherry. We’re a nonprofit!” Well, not so fast. There are so many things that get in the way and keep donors from understanding your nonprofit’s true financial need. And, sadly, it’s often the things we do, say, and imply that block donors from giving their best gift to our missions. The good news? You can set up the systems and structure that attract and lead investment-level donors to give greater gifts every year. And in this episode, I’ll be teaching the fundamentals that reduce the number of questions a donor has in their mind and prevent them from giving larger gifts. Tune in to learn more 🎬 watch the full episode of The Business Behind Fundraising — Funding Your Nonprofit’s Strategic Plan with Sherry Quam Taylor.  What You Will Discover:  ✔️ Tell donors your TRUE financial need. Be honest with yourself first. Are you presenting a squeak-by budget or being upfront with what you want? One will lead to an investment-level ask and decision. ✔️ Spend equal time planning your income path AND expense projections. When you focus on both sides of the coin, you’ll be able to inspire and drive your team and board beyond your annual budget.   ✔️ If you dream of raising millions in a year, create a financing plan before you decide what fundraising activities you should do. Fully outline the month-to-month activities per donor segment that empower you to reach or exceed your annual target. ✔️ Events and appeals must play a specific role in your organization, but not the lead role. Are there time-intensive activities that you need to stop doing so you can start more strategic and relationship-based activities to make every second of your staff’s time count?   Download The Ultimate Checklist: Does your team create a fundraising plan or financing plan every year? Only one will fully fund your nonprofit https://mailchi.mp/456ca47c3b12/financingplan  #nonprofits #scaling #fundraising #money #boardofdirectors