Podcast
Nonprofit Optimist
Hosted by Molly MacCready · EN
The Nonprofit Optimist podcast showcases positive change agents and talks through lessons that their small nonprofits have learned. With interviews of executive directors, founders, board members and staff leaders, we share practical advice based on real experiences working in the non-profit sector. Since most nonprofit professionals wear many hats, this is a great opportunity to learn how to grow your small nonprofit without needing to re-invent the wheel!
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
NPO 047: Redefining How We Measure Success (Joan Garry, Nonprofit Leadership Lab)
Dec 2, 202100:46:08Tap to summarizeToday'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 to define success and impact beyond the typical metrics, and some ways to learn and grow as a nonprofit following this unexpected pandemic time. Joan shares from her experiences of working with small nonprofit leaders within the Nonprofit Leadership Lab, along with her own years as a nonprofit leader, board member, and donor. See our website for more show notes: www.nonprofitoptimist.com/blog/npo-047-joan-garry
Transcribe →NPO 046: Starting a Giving Day for your Small Nonprofit (Molly MacCready, CROSO)
Nov 22, 202100:48:22Tap to summarizeIn 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 are preparing for their 4th in April 2022. In this episode, Molly explains what a giving day is and all the logistics about how to set one up for your nonprofit, including setting the date, identifying the goals and incentives to motivate people’s involvement, and a thorough explanation of the communications plan her organization followed. To see the notes from today's episode, visit: www.nonprofitoptimist.com/blog/npo-046-giving-day To learn more about CROSO, the featured nonprofit, visit: www.CROSO.org/
Transcribe →NPO 045: Project Planning, Volunteer Engagement, & Networking (Kim Morris, River Keepers)
Nov 1, 202100:30:53Tap to summarizeMy 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 communities in both Fargo and Moorhead, MN. In today’s episode, you’ll hear us talk about project planning and event planning, how the pandemic impacted their programming, how Kim's organization engages over 2,000 volunteers each year, and also the importance of networking and affinity groups. Nonprofit Optimist information: Website: www.nonprofitoptimist.com Email: nonprofitoptimist@gmail.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/nonprofitoptimist Instagram: www.instagram.com/nonprofitoptimist Suggest a new guest: https://www.nonprofitoptimist.com/futureguest Find River Keepers online: Website: https://www.riverkeepers.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RiverKeepersFM Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fmriverkeepers/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/RiverKeepersofFM Contact them: https://www.riverkeepers.org/contact/
Transcribe →NPO 044: Self-care, check-in, pandemic times (Molly MacCready, CROSO)
Oct 19, 202100:27:46Tap to summarizeIn 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 recently learned about how to create some balance within her schedule by leaning into untraditional work hours. Nonprofit Optimist information: Website: www.nonprofitoptimist.com Email: nonprofitoptimist@gmail.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/nonprofitoptimist Instagram: www.instagram.com/nonprofitoptimist Suggest a new guest: https://www.nonprofitoptimist.com/futureguest Find the CROSO (Child Restoration Outreach Support Organization) online: Website: https://www.CROSO.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CROSO.Uganda Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CROSO_Uganda
Transcribe →NPO 043: Founding story, Recruiting Volunteers, Membership Model, and the Power of No (Tessa Vierk, Chicago Tool Library)
Oct 1, 202100:49:42Tap to summarizeIn 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 goal is to provide equitable access to tools, equipment, and information to allow all Chicagoans to learn, share, and create. If you visit our website, you can see more notes and topics of today's conversation. Nonprofit Optimist information: Become a Patron of the Nonprofit Optimist: www.Patreon.com/nonprofitoptimist Website: www.nonprofitoptimist.com Email: nonprofitoptimist@gmail.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/nonprofitoptimist Instagram: www.instagram.com/nonprofitoptimist Suggest a new guest: https://www.nonprofitoptimist.com/futureguest Find the Chicago Tool Library online: Website: https://www.chicagotoollibrary.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chicagotoollibrary Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chicagotoollibrary/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GwFhYPzlLw Email them: team@chicagotoollibrary.org
Transcribe →NPO 042: Branding for Nonprofits with Stakeholder Input (Julia Gatten, AfricAid) - Part 2 of 2
Jan 15, 202000:28:10Tap to summarizePart 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 important to AfricAid to involve stakeholders in that process from both Tanzania and America, and it's great to hear their process. You can check out the outline of topics discussed here: NPO 042. Nonprofit Optimist information: Become a Patron of the Nonprofit Optimist: www.Patreon.com/nonprofitoptimist Website: www.nonprofitoptimist.com Email: nonprofitoptimist@gmail.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/nonprofitoptimist Instagram: www.instagram.com/nonprofitoptimist Suggest a new guest: https://www.nonprofitoptimist.com/futureguest AfricAid information: Website: https://africaid.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/africaid Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/africaid/ Blog: https://africaid.org/blog/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFGYeM1pqVG1hydExxFBnwQ
Transcribe →NPO 041: Blogs, Email, and Videos for Nonprofits (Julia Gatten, AfricAid) - Part 1 of 2
Aug 9, 201900:43:01Tap to summarizeJulia 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 contributions of staff in Tanzania and America, and how they engage a volunteer in a substantial role. We also discuss the role of email in their communication strategy, as well as videos. You can check out the outline of topics discussed here: NPO 041. Nonprofit Optimist information: Become a Patron of the Nonprofit Optimist: www.Patreon.com/nonprofitoptimist Website: www.nonprofitoptimist.com Email: nonprofitoptimist@gmail.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/nonprofitoptimist Instagram: www.instagram.com/nonprofitoptimist Suggest a new guest: https://www.nonprofitoptimist.com/futureguest AfricAid information: Website: https://africaid.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/africaid Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/africaid/ Blog: https://africaid.org/blog/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFGYeM1pqVG1hydExxFBnwQ Check back for part two of my interview with Julia where we'll talk about branding, messaging, and how to involve stakeholders in that process.
Transcribe →NPO 040: Developing your Major Gifts Program (Sean MacCready and Stephenie Lazarus, Horizons for Youth)
Feb 28, 201900:41:21Tap to summarizeSean 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 topics discussed here: NPO 040. Nonprofit Optimist information: Become a Patron of the Nonprofit Optimist: www.Patreon.com/nonprofitoptimist Website: www.nonprofitoptimist.com Email: nonprofitoptimist@gmail.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/nonprofitoptimist Instagram: www.instagram.com/nonprofitoptimist Suggest a new guest: https://www.nonprofitoptimist.com/futureguest Horizons for Youth information: Website: https://horizons-for-youth.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/horizonsforyouthchicago/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/horizons-for-youth/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/horizonsforyouth/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/horizonsfy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwQBb3ge9e0nURG2SrXECrA Additional Links from our Conversation: NextAfter: https://www.nextafter.com/
Transcribe →NPO 039: Creating Space for Local Voices (Dr. Susan Blaustein, WomenStrong International)
Dec 18, 201800:44:30Tap to summarizeDr. 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 information: Become a Patron of the Nonprofit Optimist: www.Patreon.com/nonprofitoptimist Website: www.nonprofitoptimist.com Email: nonprofitoptimist@gmail.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/nonprofitoptimist Instagram: www.instagram.com/nonprofitoptimist WomenStrong International information: Website: https://www.womenstrong.org/ Blog: https://www.womenstrong.org/stories Email: info@womenstrong.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/womenstrongintl Twitter: https://twitter.com/womenstrongintl
Transcribe →NPO 038: Announcement & Shout Outs
Dec 17, 201800:04:38Tap to summarizeSuper 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 Nonprofit Optimist: www.Patreon.com/nonprofitoptimist Back to regular interview-style episodes on Tuesday! Get excited!!!
Transcribe →