Mickey interviews Kayla Meyers, founder of Bridgepoint Evaluation, about how nonprofits can embrace evaluation as a strategic tool rather than something to fear. Kayla shares practical advice on creating an "evaluation culture" within an organization, using data to drive decision-making, and shifting from reactive to proactive evaluation practices. She emphasizes the importance of qualitative data alongside quantitative metrics, and outlines Bridgepoint's approach to coaching, fractional management, and consulting to help nonprofits get the most value from their evaluation efforts.

We welcome support of the Nonprofit SnapCast via Patreon. We welcome your questions and feedback via The Nonprofit SnapCast website. Learn more about Nonprofit Snapshot's consulting services.

The Our Fundraising Search team discusses how professionals can effectively navigate major career pivots, especially from the corporate world into the nonprofit sector. Key takeaways include:

• Don't let your job title define you - focus on transferring your core skills and problem-solving abilities to a new context.
• Be proactive in managing your professional identity and "begin as you mean to go" in a new role.
• Translate your background using the language of the nonprofit world, and leverage your existing network to help bridge the gap.
• Nonprofit hiring managers should look beyond linear resumes and assess a candidate's ability to adapt and contribute, rather than just their sector experience.
• Leaving a previous role professionally is crucial, as you may need those connections and references in the future.

The team also touches on the evolving perceptions around compensation in the nonprofit space, and Dave shares a cocktail recipe as a metaphor for a well-executed career pivot. Overall, the discussion provides practical advice for those looking to make a strategic career change.

We welcome support of the Nonprofit SnapCast via Patreon. We welcome your questions and feedback via The Nonprofit SnapCast website. Learn more about Nonprofit Snapshot's consulting services.

host Mickey Desai interviews Mark T. Holcombe, author of the book "Critical Moral Reasoning: An Applied Empirical Ethics Approach." They discuss the importance of moral reasoning skills for nonprofit organizations and leaders. Key topics include:

• The differences between legality and morality, and how morality is innate to humans rather than dependent on religion.
• How moral reasoning skills can help nonprofits navigate complex ethical dilemmas, such as the "tainted money" dilemma and the "non-compliant patient" scenario.
• The need for nonprofits to develop explicit codes of ethics, beyond just mission statements, to guide decision-making.
• The potential conflicts that can arise between different ethical frameworks (e.g. Kantian duty-based ethics vs. feminist ethics of care) within nonprofit organizations.

Holcombe emphasizes that moral reasoning is a learnable skill that nonprofits should prioritize developing, as it can help them make more thoughtful, principled decisions that align with their values and mission.

We welcome support of the Nonprofit SnapCast via Patreon. We welcome your questions and feedback via The Nonprofit SnapCast website. Learn more about Nonprofit Snapshot's consulting services.

Mickey Desai and guest Rita Sever discuss the importance of feedback in nonprofit organizations. They cover topics such as the science behind why people often react negatively to feedback, a formula (JOIN) for delivering feedback effectively, and strategies for normalizing feedback as a regular part of organizational culture. Rita shares her expertise on helping nonprofits have constructive feedback conversations that support their mission and staff success.

We welcome support of the Nonprofit SnapCast via Patreon. We welcome your questions and feedback via The Nonprofit SnapCast website. Learn more about Nonprofit Snapshot's consulting services.

In this episode, Sondra Dellaripa, a nonprofit executive with over 40 years of experience, shares her insights on the responsible use of AI in the nonprofit sector. She discusses the importance of developing clear AI policies, training staff, and maintaining transparency with the community. Sondra also covers strategies for integrating AI into fundraising, communications, and other nonprofit operations without compromising trust and integrity. The conversation explores practical steps nonprofits can take to harness the power of AI while upholding their mission and values.

We welcome support of the Nonprofit SnapCast via Patreon. We welcome your questions and feedback via The Nonprofit SnapCast website. Learn more about Nonprofit Snapshot's consulting services.

Mickey interviews Karen Boyd, an economist and AI expert, about the opportunities and challenges of using AI in the nonprofit sector. They discuss how nonprofits can identify low-risk, high-gain tasks for AI augmentation, the environmental impact of AI, and strategies for maintaining transparency and authenticity when using AI-generated content. Karen shares insights on customizing AI language models to better match an organization's voice, and they explore the potential impacts of AI on nonprofit jobs and workflows. This episode provides practical guidance for nonprofits looking to responsibly leverage AI to enhance their operations and mission-driven work.

We welcome support of the Nonprofit SnapCast via Patreon. We welcome your questions and feedback via The Nonprofit SnapCast website. Learn more about Nonprofit Snapshot's consulting services.

In this episode, host Mickey Desai speaks with Steve Dubb, the senior editor of economic justice for Nonprofit Quarterly. They discuss the concept of civil society, its historical origins, and the unique role that nonprofits play in fostering civic engagement and community-driven problem-solving.

Key topics covered include:

• Alexis de Tocqueville's observations on the vibrant civil society in early America compared to more statist systems in Europe
• The definition of civil society as the space between the family and the state where social meaning is contested and constructed
• How the weakening of labor unions and the rise of McCarthyism impacted the strength of civil society in the U.S.
• The ways nonprofits can serve as "third spaces" for community members to come together as equals and address local issues
• The challenges nonprofits face in balancing community responsiveness with the need to raise funds from wealthier donors
• The potential for cooperatives and other member-owned organizations to embody the spirit of civil society

We welcome support of the Nonprofit SnapCast via Patreon. We welcome your questions and feedback via The Nonprofit SnapCast website. Learn more about Nonprofit Snapshot's consulting services.

In this episode, host Mickey Desai speaks with Frances Roen, CEO and Lead Strategist of Fundraising Sol, about best practices for preparing and executing a successful nonprofit capital campaign. They discuss the importance of pre-planning, assessing organizational capacity and donor pipelines, aligning committees, and leveraging technology and data. Frances emphasizes the need for nonprofits to take a thoughtful, deliberate approach rather than rushing into a campaign, and highlights how Fundraising Sol guides small-to-medium sized nonprofits through the campaign process. This episode provides valuable insights for nonprofit leaders considering a capital campaign.

We welcome support of the Nonprofit SnapCast via Patreon. We welcome your questions and feedback via The Nonprofit SnapCast website. Learn more about Nonprofit Snapshot's consulting services.