Today's guest is Joan Garry, author of Guide to Nonprofit Leadership and host of the Nonprofits are Messy podcast. Molly MacCready (host of the Nonprofit Optimist podcast) and Joan discuss the importance of knowing what activities fuel you, how

NPO 046: Starting a Giving Day for your Small Nonprofit (Molly MacCready, CROSO)

Nov 22nd, 2021 48m 22s

In this episode of the Nonprofit Optimist, host Molly MacCready shares her experience with starting a Giving Day for her small nonprofit, CROSO. They started their giving day in 2019 and have successfully completed 3 annual giving days now and

NPO 045: Project Planning, Volunteer Engagement, & Networking (Kim Morris, River Keepers)

Nov 1st, 2021 30m 53s

My guest today is Kim Morris, the project coordinator for River Keepers, a nonprofit based in Fargo, North Dakota. River Keepers’ mission is to advocate for safe and sustainable use of the Red River of the North and they work with the communiti

NPO 044: Self-care, check-in, pandemic times (Molly MacCready, CROSO)

Oct 19th, 2021 27m 46s

In today's episode, host Molly MacCready sheds some light on her own experiences and thoughts regarding the past 18 months as well as discusses self-care. While a self-professed amateur at self-care, Molly does share some of the lessons she's r

NPO 043: Founding story, Recruiting Volunteers, Membership Model, and the Power of No (Tessa Vierk, Chicago Tool Library)

Oct 1st, 2021 49m 42s

In today's episode, Tessa Vierk (co-founder of the Chicago Tool Library) chats with Molly about their founding story, recruiting volunteers, creating their membership model, and the power of saying "not right now." The Chicago Tool Library’s go

NPO 042: Branding for Nonprofits with Stakeholder Input (Julia Gatten, AfricAid) - Part 2 of 2

Jan 15th, 2020 28m 10s

Part 2 of 2! Julia Gatten is the Communications Director for AfricAid and she shares some of the biggest lessons she's learned about how to tell your story to donors. In this conversation, we talk about branding, messaging, and logos. It was i

NPO 041: Blogs, Email, and Videos for Nonprofits (Julia Gatten, AfricAid) - Part 1 of 2

Aug 9th, 2019 43m 1s

Julia Gatten is the Communications Director for AfricAid and she shares some of the biggest lessons she's learned about how to tell your story to donors. In this conversation, we talk about how AfricAid puts together their weekly blogs through

NPO 040: Developing your Major Gifts Program (Sean MacCready and Stephenie Lazarus, Horizons for Youth)

Feb 28th, 2019 41m 21s

Sean MacCready and Stephenie Lazarus from Horizons for Youth share the lessons they have learned about partnering with donors, creating a major giving program, and participating in their first Giving Tuesday. You can check out the outline of to

NPO 039: Creating Space for Local Voices (Dr. Susan Blaustein, WomenStrong International)

Dec 18th, 2018 44m 30s

Dr. Susan Blaustein of WomenStrong International shares the lessons she's learned about community and international development through her work. You can check out the outline of topics discussed here: NPO 039. Nonprofit Optimist informatio

NPO 038: Announcement & Shout Outs

Dec 17th, 2018 4m 38s

Super quick episode sharing a fun announcement (picture here!) and a few shout outs. Website: www.nonprofitoptimist.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/nonprofitoptimist Instagram: www.instagram.com/nonprofitoptimist Become a Patron of the Nonpr

NPO 037: Utilizing Networks and Connections (Rose Hart, Appalachian Outreach Inc.)

Aug 23rd, 2018 38m 46s

Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/nonprofitoptimist For $2 or $4 per month, support the Nonprofit Optimist podcast! Today's Guest: Rose Hart As a lifelong resident of Marshall County, WV, was part of the first graduating class of John Ma

NPO 036: Maximizing Capacity- partnerships, interns, and professional development (Byron Sigcho-Lopez, Pilsen Alliance)

Aug 6th, 2018 33m 9s

My guest for today’s episode is Byron Sigcho, the executive director of Pilsen Alliance, here in Chicago. Pilsen Alliance is a social justice organization committed to developing grassroots leadership in Pilsen and neighboring working class, im

NPO 035: Free Online Resources (Molly MacCready, CROSO)

Jul 20th, 2018 13m 2s

Announcements: Molly will be at Podcast Movement conference next week! If you'll be there- email me: [email protected]. Come to our Nonprofit Meetup! Attend the panel where Molly and other nonprofit rockstars will be speaking! M

NPO 034: Growing your Funding Base (Stacy Horst, Erin's Hope for Friends)

Jun 1st, 2018 35m 46s

Today’s guest is Stacy Horst, one of the founders of Erin’s Hope for Friends. Erin’s Hope for Friends believes that extending opportunities to form friendships to kids with High Functioning Autism Spectrum and Asperger’s can change their lives.

NPO 033: Event Planning for Small Nonprofits (Carrie Collins-Fadell, Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona)

Apr 23rd, 2018 33m 53s

Carrie Collins-Fadell is the executive director of the Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona and is today's guest on the Nonprofit Optimist! Our conversation is dedicated to fundraising through events and Carrie has great ideas to share on this! Car

NPO 032: Seeing Patients as Master Teachers (Shay Beider, Integrative Touch for Kids)

Mar 19th, 2018 43m

My guest today is Shay Beider, the founder and executive director of Integrative Touch for Kids. Shay has been a pioneer in the field of integrative medicine for the past 17 years. Integrative Touch for Kids is a nonprofit organization whose pu

NPO 031: The Power of Trust, Accountability and Incentives (Helene Dudley, TCP Global)

Mar 8th, 2018 37m 22s

Helene Dudley is today's guest and she helped establish The Colombia Project in 2000, a zero-overhead, sustainable micro-loan program. This program evolved to include TCP Global in 2014 and now supports loan programs in 7 countries, including o

NPO 030: Taking Multiple Approaches and Sharing Lessons (Liz Ryan, Youth First Initiative)

Jan 30th, 2018 45m 21s

Liz Ryan, President and CEO of Youth First Initiative, is the guest on today's show. Youth First is a national advocacy campaign to end the incarceration of youth by closing youth prisons and investing in community-based alternatives to incarce

NPO 029: Email Communication and Maximizing Time (John Zimmerman, Casting for Hope)

Jan 4th, 2018 41m 46s

My guest today is John Zimmerman, co-founder of Casting for Hope and also serves as the board chair and CEO. Casting for Hope is a nonprofit that focuses on attending to the financial, emotional and spiritual needs of women living with ovarian

NPO 028: Planning an International Trip for your Nonprofit (Margy and Randy Roberts, CROSO)

Dec 27th, 2017 39m 14s

Margy Roberts has been a board member for CROSO (Child Restoration Outreach Support Organization) for the past 6 years. She and her husband Randy have been involved in CROSO as volunteers and donors since CROSO began in 2007. Last month, Margy,

NPO 027: Getting Started, Fundraising and Collaboration (Carin Willis, Bridge for Pelvic Pain)

Dec 7th, 2017 44m 26s

Carin Willis is the guest for today's episode and serves as the founder and executive director of Bridge for Pelvic Pain. Based in Colorado Spring, the Bridge for Pelvic Pains's mission is to connect the global community of chronic pelvic, sexu

NPO 026: Mentors, Managing Time and Networking (Megan Stith, United Way of Central Kentucky)

Oct 30th, 2017 42m 38s

Today's guest is Megan Stith, President and CEO of United Way of Central Kentucky. We discuss the importance and values of mentors, recommendations for how to manage time (including some scheduling apps) and how to build strong partnerships wit

NPO 025: Creating your Support Network (Jen Cole, Clean Fairfax)

Oct 23rd, 2017 48m 20s

Today's Guest: Jennifer Cole has been the Executive Director for Clean Fairfax Council since January 2009. The mission of Clean Fairfax is to encourage environmental stewardship and urban sustainability in Fairfax County, Virginia through educa

NPO 024: Connecting Your Nonprofit to Funding (Beth Rosenberg, Tech Kids Unlimited)

Oct 12th, 2017 33m 30s

Beth Rosenberg founded Tech Kids Unlimited, a not-for-profit technology-based educational organization for kids ages 7 to 19 with special needs. In our conversation, she discusses how she initially connected with donors and how she keeps findin

NPO 023: Feelings and Social Media (Jaz Limos, Saints of Steel)

Sep 21st, 2017 42m 25s

Today's guest is Jaz Limos is the Founder and CEO of Saints of Steel. San Francisco native, Jaz, spent her career in Silicon Valley teaching leaders how to strategically grow their performance and build successful B2B teams. Seeing the rise of