IMPACTability: The Nonprofit Leaders' Podcast Soukup Strategic Solutions

In this episode of IMPACTability, host Josh Hirsch interviews Daniel Samuels, the Director of Philanthropy for the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, about sustaining donor relationships. They discuss the challenges and opportunities that arose during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a significant increase in donors for the food bank. Dan shares how they adapted their systems, operations, and staffing to engage and steward these new donors. They also talk about the importance of storytelling, personalization, and relationship-building in donor retention. The episode concludes with a segment of Coaches Corner, where Sheryl Soukup discusses balancing mission-driven work with the business aspects of running a nonprofit.

Guest Bio

For the past 5 years, Daniel Samuels has served as the Director of Philanthropy for Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. In his role, Dan has the opportunity to engage directly with individual and corporate donors and represent the organization through media and speaking engagements. For the 10 years before joining the Second Harvest team, Dan worked as a fundraising professional at two well-respected organizations in Central Florida, Devereux and Central Florida Hillel. Outside of his professional role, Dan served on the board of directors and is a past president for the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Central Florida Chapter. He has also been an instructor at the Edyth Bush Institute for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership at Rollins College. When not at work, Dan enjoys spending time with family and friends. He and his wife, Ashley, are animal lovers and have two dogs and two cats. Dan considers himself to be pretty handy and enjoys spending time working on their home.

Takeaways

The COVID-19 pandemic presented challenges and opportunities for nonprofits, including a significant increase in donors for the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.
Adapting systems, operations, and staffing is crucial to effectively engage and steward new donors.
Storytelling, personalization, and relationship-building are key strategies for donor retention.


Leave a review! Reviews are hugely important because they help new people discover this podcast. If you enjoyed listening to this episode, please leave a review.

Like this episode? Subscribe to our podcast on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcasting app.

Got a question that you’d like to ask a nonprofit professional? Email your questions to IMPACTcoaches@IMPACTability.net and listen to next episode to see if your question gets answered!

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

In this episode of IMPACTability, The Nonprofit Leaders Podcast, host Josh Hirsch interviews Jessica Cecere, former CEO of Nonprofits First, about nonprofit collaborations. They discuss the importance of partnerships and collaborations in the nonprofit sector, especially during times of crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic. They also explore the difference between formal and handshake partnerships and when each is appropriate. Jessica shares a case study of a collaboration between the Edna Runner After School Center and Families First, highlighting the benefits of immediate partnerships in times of need. They also discuss the value of networking with fellow nonprofits to find potential collaborations.
The conversation then shifts to the taboo topic of nonprofit mergers and when it may be necessary for two organizations to come together as one. Jessica emphasizes the importance of assessing board and staff commitment, organizational capacity, and the alignment of strategic plans before considering a merger. They also discuss the challenges and benefits of mergers and the need for professional guidance throughout the process.
The episode concludes with a segment of Coaches Corner, where Stanton Cadow, CFRE, discusses how to assess the feasibility of a capital campaign for a nonprofit, including the importance of board and staff commitment, crafting a compelling narrative, and seeking professional guidance.
Guest Bio
Jessica Cecere is the Chief Executive Officer of Nonprofits First, Inc. and has over 32 years of nonprofit leadership experience. Ms. Cecere has also been a small business shareholder, a consultant, and an active community volunteer. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Florida State University. She is a BoardSource Certified Governance trainer and a Certified True Colors Facilitator. In years past, Jessica was also a Certified Consumer Credit Counselor and a Certified Counselor for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Ms. Cecere is an expert in board governance, nonprofit management, leadership facilitation and personal finance and has appeared in numerous local and national publications. Cecere was a long time local television media source in the area of credit and personal finance, as well as, serving as a frequent guest host on Clear Channel Radio’s WJNO morning news.
Jessica Cecere has a long history of community involvement with many community service and nonprofit organizations. She is a graduate and active alumnus of Leadership Florida and Leadership Palm Beach County. Jessica also serves as a volunteer on numerous committees. Jessica has served on 12 plus nonprofit boards and advisory councils from 1992 – 2023. Jessica is currently serving as a Board member for the Better Business Bureau of Southeast Florida and the Caribbean and Leadership Palm Beach.
Jessica is a recipient of the 2022 Women in Leadership Award for the Executive Women of the Palm Beaches Foundation and a recipient of the 2022 Leadership Palm Beach County Presidents Award.
TakeawaysPartnerships and collaborations are crucial in the nonprofit sector, especially during times of crisis.Formal partnerships are necessary for long-term collaborations, while handshake partnerships can be suitable for short-term projects.Networking with fellow nonprofits is essential for finding potential collaborations and expanding your organization's reach.Nonprofit mergers should be considered when there is a financial or operational need, and when the missions of the organizations...

In this episode, the host discusses leadership with Dan Blakemore, the vice president of philanthropy at the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park. They explore the qualities of a good leader, the importance of adapting to change, and the commitment to learning. They also discuss how leaders can motivate their teams and embrace new technologies. The conversation concludes with a discussion on succession planning and measuring the social impact of nonprofit work.
Takeaways
A good leader is someone who lives the mission, encourages others, and leads by example.Leaders need qualities such as good relationship management, the ability to take direction, strategic thinking, and inclusivity.Leaders must be open to new ideas and adapt to changes in the nonprofit sector.Succession planning is important for ensuring the continuity of leadership within an organization.Measuring the social impact of nonprofit work involves setting smart objectives, distinguishing between outputs and outcomes, and being transparent with stakeholders.
Dan Blakemore, CFRE is Vice President of Philanthropy at the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Throughout his more than 15 years in non-profit fundraising, he has worked in museums, the performing arts and higher education. 
Dan is an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), where he serves as the U.S. Political Action Committee Vice Chair and a member of the Government Relations Committee. He is a board member and past President of AFP’s Northeast Ohio Chapter.  
Dan serves his community as a Diversity on Board Coach with Leadership Akron, as a Trustee of the African American Archives Auxiliary at Western Reserve Historical Society, and on the boards of Cuyahoga Arts & Culture and the National Park Friends Alliance. He is a proud graduate of both Howard University and New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.
He lives in Northeast Ohio with his wife and three young kids.
Chapters
00:33 Guest Introduction
01:32 Defining a Good Leader
03:09 Adapting to Change
04:03 Commitment to Learning
05:23 Staying Connected in a Pandemic
06:20 Motivating the Team
08:19 Embracing New Technologies
09:37 Succession Planning
16:09 Identifying Future Leaders
35:15 Coaches Corner: “how can we effectively measure the social impact of our nonprofit’s work?“
Leave a review! Reviews are hugely important because they help new people discover this podcast. If you enjoyed listening to this episode, please leave a review.
Like this episode? Subscribe to our podcast on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcasting app.
Got a question that you’d like to ask a nonprofit professional? Email your questions to IMPACTcoaches@IMPACTability.net and listen to next episode to see if your question gets answered!


This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

In this episode, host Josh Hirsch discusses the power of AI in nonprofits with guest Cherian Koshy. They explore Cherian's journey into AI and how it can be used to make nonprofits more efficient and effective. They also discuss the steps to getting started with AI and the future of AI integration in the nonprofit sector. They emphasize the importance of responsible use of AI and transparency in its implementation. In the Coaches Corner segment, Jacob Wenge shares insights on building a sustainable volunteer program.
Takeaways
AI has the power to make nonprofits more efficient and effective.Getting started with AI involves aligning values, defining goals, and exploring different tools.Responsible use of AI requires transparency and ethical considerations. AI Usage Policy: https://resources.workable.com/ai-tool-usage-policyBuilding a sustainable volunteer program involves defining goals, aligning expectations, and empowering volunteers.
Chapters
00:34 The Power of AI in Nonprofits
05:25 The Impact of AI on Jobs
07:50 Using AI for Efficiency and Effectiveness
08:18 Steps to Getting Started with AI
09:45 Building Trust and Aligning Values
10:37 The Future of AI Integration
13:29 Responsible Use of AI
14:55 Transparency and Disclosure
37:55 Coaches Corner: “What are the Best approaches on building a sustainable volunteer program?” 
Guest Bio
Cherian Koshy is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE), Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP), & AFP Master Trainer. He founded the NonprofitOS, a generative AI platform designed to help organizations maximize their impact, which was acquired by iWave. Before starting NonprofitOS, Cherian spent more than 25 years working in the nonprofit sector, working with thousands of donors and raising more than 100 million for various organizations and causes. He proudly serves as the Vice Chair of Professional Development on the AFP Global Board. He is a sought-after trainer and keynote speaker, and his thought leadership has been featured in several publications.
Like this episode? Subscribe to our podcast on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcasting app. 
Leave a review! Reviews are hugely important because they help new people discover this podcast. If you enjoyed listening to this episode, please leave a review.
Got a question that you’d like to ask a nonprofit professional? Email your questions to IMPACTcoaches@IMPACTability.net and listen to next episode to see if your question gets answered!


This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

In this episode, host Josh Hirsch interviews Meredith Rae Feder, Deputy Director for the Museum of Discovery and Science, about vision and action in nonprofit leadership. They discuss starting and completing capital campaigns, building a high-performing team, balancing long-term goals and short-term needs, building a professional network, and hiring team members with complementary skills.
Takeaways
Believing in the mission and having a passion for the work are critical for success in nonprofit management.Building a high-performing team is essential for completing successful campaigns and achieving organizational goals.Striking a balance between long-term goals and short-term needs requires setting aside time for strategic thinking and seeking input from trusted colleagues.Building a professional network and seeking out resources and mentorship opportunities are important for personal and professional growth in nonprofit leadership.
Chapters
05:06 Starting and Completing Capital Campaigns
07:16 Building a High-Performing Team
08:57 Hiring Team Members with Complementary Skills
20:00 Building a Professional Network
24:30 Coaches Corner: How can we engage corporate partners in a mutually beneficial way
Guest Bio
Meredith Ray Feder serves as the Deputy Director for the Museum of Discovery and Science. As a member of the executive team, Feder is responsible for setting departmental goals, generating $12M in earned revenue and philanthropic support annually. During her tenure at MODS, she has also overseen two capital campaigns. By connecting advancement and engagement elements to the mission of the institution, Feder and her team have been successful in enhancing the reputation, relationships and resources of the organization, emphasizing partnerships, outcomes and impact.
Feder is a leader in nonprofit management and brings over 20 years of strategic advancement, operational, marketing and communications experience to the Museum of Discovery and Science. Prior to joining the museum, she was senior director of advancement for Gulliver Schools, one of largest private schools in South Florida. In this role, Feder oversaw development, marketing, branding, publications, web content management, public and community relations, divisional operations, government and community relations, alumni relations, social media and strategic partnerships. 
She has also held positions with Pensacola Museum of Art, Northwest Florida Ballet, and Starlight Children’s Foundation. Feder graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in art history and studio arts from the University of West Florida, a certificate in fine and decorative art appraisal from New York University and a master’s in arts administration from Florida State University and is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) professional and a graduate of the Getty Leadership Institute program for museum professionals.
Her industry contributions have earned the Broward Chapter of Association of Fundraising Professionals the Ten Star designation for accomplishments toward the association’s strategic plan and have earned institutions various Hermes Creative Awards, Muse Awards, Audio Visual Arts Awards, Communicator Awards and National Medallion by the Institute for Museum and Library Services for excellence in the industry. In addition, Feder was recognized as the Outstanding Fundraising Professional of the Year by the Broward Chapter of AFP, as the Mother of the Year by Health Mothers Healthy Babies and a Distinguished Fellow by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Global.
She is a past president of the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Broward Chapter as well as the Greater Florida Caucus, a professional mentor in the...

In this episode, Dave Tinker discusses the importance of accessibility in fundraising. He shares his personal connection to the disability community and explains why making the world more inclusive is his passion. Dave provides practical tips for interacting with constituents with disabilities and highlights the curb cut effect in fundraising. He also discusses the importance of incorporating accessibility features on websites and social media platforms. Dave emphasizes the ethical and strategic importance of accessibility, and encourages organizations to stand out by prioritizing accessibility in their communications. He concludes by providing his contact information for further discussion.
Takeaways
Incorporating accessibility in fundraising is important to ensure inclusivity for all potential donors.Interacting with constituents with disabilities should be done in a way that is accessible and accommodating.Websites and donation pages should include accessibility features such as alt tags and high contrast colors.Direct mail should also consider accessibility through large fonts and clear layouts.Tracking data, on donors with accessibility needs, can help organizations better understand and serve this audience.Building websites and communications with accessibility in mind is both ethical and strategic.There are various tools and resources available to help organizations improve website accessibility.
Guest Bio
Dave is Vice President of Advancement at Achieva and a consultant with GoalBusters Consulting. In these roles he raises funds and helps nonprofits with their communications. He was also an adjunct professor of informatics at Muskingum University for over a decade. 
A certified Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Master Trainer, Dave received the Outstanding Fund Raising Executive Award from the AFP Western PA chapter in 2013. In October 2016, he was honored by AFP International as one of six in the inaugural class of Distinguished Fellows. Dave has published numerous articles in professional journals and has written fundraising curriculum for The Fund Raising School® at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University and the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities.
Dave is a past president of the AFP Western PA chapter and has served in many volunteer roles for AFP International and his own chapter. 
In addition to AFP, Dave has served as a member of the Ethics Committee for the Grant Professionals Association where is also an approved trainer. 
Dave received a Master of Public Affairs with a concentration in Nonprofit Management from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry and English and a Master of Information Strategy, Systems and Technology from Muskingum University. He is also a graduate of Leadership Works - Indianapolis, Class III and the National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities at the University of Delaware, Class 44.
Chapters
02:03 Dave's Passion for Accessibility in Fundraising
03:26 Incorporating Accessibility in Daily Interactions
04:53 The Curb Cut Effect in Fundraising
05:56 Interacting with Constituents with Disabilities
06:04 Technological Considerations for Website Donation Pages
07:36 Using Alt Tags on Social Media Platforms
08:32 The Future of Accessibility in Fundraising
10:45 Tips for Creating Accessible Websites and Donation Pages
12:56 Considerations for Direct Mail Accessibility
17:37 Tracking Data on Donors with Accessibility...