When Professional Development is the First Thing to Get Cut From the Budget
The Business Behind Fundraising
Release Date: 08/23/2022
Learning to Lead Investment-Level Conversations: A Case Study with Melissa at Illinois Stewardship Alliance
The Business Behind Fundraising
As the Director of Development at the Illinois Stewardship Alliance, Melissa Frueh helps center the voices of farmers and workers in the food system to champion impactful changes and create a system that works for and feeds everyone. This crucial community work requires consistent funding, and consistent funding requires belief in your cause from your donors. With a sales background in hand, Melissa has gotten seriously good at helping donors take the leap to greater investment opportunities. Sherry and Melissa discuss the skills that translate from sales to the nonprofit world, building...
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Next-Leveling a High-Performing Development Team: A Case Study with Drew Moran at Nourishing Hope
The Business Behind Fundraising
Drew Moran knows the importance of culture in an organization, and to understand that culture requires an understanding of your mission. Through 12 years of growth at Nourishing Hope, Drew has gotten hands on every aspect. Now, as the Chief Development Officer, his vast insight allows Nourishing Hope to operate as more than just a food pantry, providing additional mental health and social services that address the needs of the whole individual to offer a generous and friendly helping hand. Sherry and Drew discuss his journey to the Chief Development Officer role, his emphasis on developing a...
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The Slow & Steady Path to Large Gifts: A Case Study with Lauren M. Scott at Foundation for Fresh Produce
The Business Behind Fundraising
Lauren M. Scott is working on growing a healthier world to help change the trajectory of human health. Such a task might seem daunting, but the President of the Foundation for Fresh Produce has used her prior experience in crucial ways to help bridge the gap between sharing their big vision and providing tangible results. The process has not always moved at a rapid pace, but Lauren's patience is paying off in a big way for her organization. Sherry and Lauren discuss the importance of clear and effective communication - not just with your donors, but throughout the entire organization. There...
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Diversifying Your Human Service Org's Revenue: A Case Study with Carina Santa Maria at Shelter, Inc.
The Business Behind Fundraising
Carina Santa Maria is a first time ED making veteran moves at her organization. At Shelter Inc., Carina helps youth experiencing homelessness find emergency shelter, transitional housing, and clinical care, filling a crucial need for a vulnerable population within her community. Such a need requires great funding, and when Carina stepped into the role, things weren't where they needed to be. Fast forward to today - Shelter Inc. has seen their revenue grow nearly 5x thanks to changes in strategy implemented by Carina. Sherry and Carina discuss the growth and challenges faced by...
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Pressing Pause on Your Gala: A Case Study with Janelle Miller Moravek at Youth & Family Counseling
The Business Behind Fundraising
Janelle Miller Moravek describes herself as an "accidental" nonprofit employee, but when you see the thought and care she puts into her organization, the results are no accident at all! As the Executive Director at Youth & Family Counseling, Janelle works on providing and educating her community on affordable mental health care. She has done a bit of everything at the organization, and that experience has proven useful for understanding the needs of her team during a time of change and growth. Janelle and Sherry discuss the bold act of cutting her organization's gala out of the budget and...
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Cultivating & Captivating Next Gen Board Members with Julia Patrick of American Nonprofit Academy
The Business Behind Fundraising
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....
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Fall Funder Series: A Discussion with Aba Taylor Brookline Community Foundation
The Business Behind Fundraising
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...
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Fall Funder Series: A Discussion with John Tracey, Program Director of the Simons Foundation
The Business Behind Fundraising
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...
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Fall Funder Series: A Discussion with Shireen Zaman, Program Officer, BUILD // Ford Foundation
The Business Behind Fundraising
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...
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Case Study with Eve Turow-Paul of Food for Climate League: Creating Sustainability after extreme launch success
The Business Behind Fundraising
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...
info_outlineOne 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.
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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
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