Mission: Impact

In episode 95 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Emily Taylor discuss the challenges nonprofit CEOs face as they become victims of their own success.  how nonprofit leaders can become disconnected from their community as their organization grows how when an organization is overly associated with the CEO, this can result in a culture of dependence and bottleneck decision-making  Episode Highlights [11:15] Recognizing Organizational Dependence  how nonprofits become overly dependent on a charismatic CEO and how this can stifle organizational growth and sustainability.   [20:56] Strategic Reflection Before Planning  nonprofits should engage in reflective practices to understand their true challenges before embarking on strategic planning.   [23:03] Gaining Objective Insights  the benefit of having an outsider's perspective to identify common goals and values among staff that may be clouded by internal bias or jargon. [33:02] The Human Aspect of Leadership  leaders must view themselves as humans with limitations, which can foster a healthier organizational culture and enable growth beyond the capabilities of a single individual.   Guest Bio: Emily Taylor Emily Taylor works with nonprofit leaders who are ready to catapult their organizations into their next stage of growth by shifting their decision-making from intuitive to intentional. Leaders who seek Emily’s expertise are not only frustrated with the typical strategic planning process but don’t feel fully informed to make big, long-term decisions. Instead, she first grounds the organization in ‘who they are’ to help them prioritize the challenges that lie ahead. To achieve this, Emily applies her individualized strategic listening methodology with an organization's community, allowing teams to 'see their value' and align their decision-making as an organization, not just the CEO. She helps them find a planning process that fits their needs, not something that is out of the box, which is why most organizations get frustrated with strategic planning! Important Links and Resources: Emily Taylor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-taylor-teenybig/   Paper on pre-strategic planning: https://mailchi.mp/teenybig/you-shouldnt-jump-into-your-next-strategic-plan   Related Episodes: Episode 21: Investing in the next generation of nonprofit leaders with Andy Robinson Episode 60: Why bother doing strategic planning? Episode 70 Values Based nonprofit strategic planning Episode 90 Five steps to successful nonprofit strategic planning with Carol Hamilton   Be In Touch: ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn

In episode 94 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Rebecca Epstein discuss the article that Rebecca wrote with Mistinguette Smith published in the Nonprofit Quarterly in 2023. Paving a Better Way: What’s Driving Progressive Organizations Apart and How to Win by Coming Together. The conversation between Rebecca and Carol covers the intricacies and challenges of leadership and organizational dynamics within the nonprofit sector, particularly in the context of social justice work. Their discussion touches upon generational conflicts, power dynamics, organizational clarity, and strategies for effective leadership, especially in the recent crises we have all experienced over the past several years.   Episode highlights: Generational and Cultural Dynamics in Nonprofits [00:08:30] The recent increased conflict within organizations between leaders and staff, often on generational and racial lines. How these conflicts are similar and different to those of the past.  Addressing Internal Conflicts and Building Resilience [00:15:30] Conflicts within organizations, such as public call outs and accusations of racism as well as the push for structural changes.  Organizational Clarity and Strategy - [00:20:30] The importance of organizational clarity regarding power and decision-making, and how it should reflect an organization's values and strategies.  The Challenge of Aligning Strategy and Leadership - [00:25:30] The challenges organizations face in aligning their leadership style with their identity and mission as well as aligning expectations across segments of staff.  Addressing Trauma in Nonprofits - [00:35:30] Understanding and addressing trauma embedded in social justice work – the trauma that stems from the issue the organization is addressing, intergenerational trauma, personal and interpersonal trauma. How might trauma at all these levels be addressed responsibly?  Current Trends and Challenges   The dialogue offers nonprofit leaders a range of insights and considerations for fostering healthy, effective, and resilient organizations that can navigate the complexities of social change work.   Guest Bio: Becca Epstein is a coach and consultant to social justice organizations and their leaders with over 20 years of experience in community organizing, organizational development, and nonprofit leadership. Becca is a co-founder of The Management Center, a former Vice President at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and a convener of the “Paving a Better Way” working group. Her practice focuses on leaders, organizations, and movements confronting strategic challenges, seeking transformation, and advancing equity and justice. Becca holds an MPA in Nonprofit Management and Public Policy from NYU, a BA in Anthropology from Amherst College, and is a Certified Professional Coach. Important Links and Resources: Paving a Better Way: What’s Driving Progressive Organizations Apart and How to Win by Coming Together by Rebecca Epstein and Mistinguette Smith Building Resilient Organizations: Toward Joy and Durable Power in a Time of Crisis by Maurice Mitchell Learning From an Intergenerational Blowup Over Social Justice by Steve Kaagan & John Hagan  Rebecca Epstein: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-epstein-797aa75/ https://www.beccaepsteincoaching.com/ Internal Family Systems - No Bad Parts: https://bookshop.org/p/books/no-bad-parts-healing-trauma-and-restoring-wholeness-with-the-internal-family-systems-model-richard-schwartz/16396062?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-_mvBhDwARIsAA-Q0Q7ZNqD5nvZg5Rc0AW1G0doLAO72cWnAFeCHvmKdI5QkEjpu1QDdtWIaAtc-EALw_wcB Polarities - Polarity Partnerships: https://www.polaritypartnerships.com/   Related Episodes: These articles were also discussed on:  Episode 75: Co-creation with Carol Hamilton and Danielle Marshall  Nature of the employee-employer relationship/what is work: Episode 78: Renegotiating our relationship with work with Carol Hamilton Episode 85: Building equitable compensation frameworks with Mala Nagarajan   Be in Touch: ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn

In episode 93 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Pooya Pourak discuss the importance of transparent, impact-centric fundraising, the use of technology for efficiency, and the necessity of fair compensation for nonprofit employees. They delve into the nuances of donor engagement, exploring how to shift from a scarcity mindset to one of abundance and collaboration. They also discuss the potential of AI in the sector, while maintaining the human element that is essential to nonprofit work.   Episode Highlights: 09:40 - Donor Engagement and Trust: Pooya presents statistics on donor engagement and trust, highlighting the disconnect between nonprofits and donors, and the strategies to improve transparency and communication.   12:00 Language and Fundraising: The conversation shifts to the language used in fundraising and how it affects donor relationships. They discuss the importance of genuine, mission-aligned connections over transactional interactions.   14:00 Shifting Status Quo Assumptions: Carol and Pooya discuss how nonprofits can break free from counterproductive practices and adopt strategies that promote long-term sustainability and diversified fundraising sources.   16:30 Nonprofit Ecosystem Complexity: Pooya reflects on the complexity of the nonprofit ecosystem, including the roles of various stakeholders, from other nonprofits to donors, foundations, and policy.   22:00 Testing Hypotheses in Fundraising: Pooya details the testing of two hypotheses aimed at increasing generosity and online giving, including the influence of unrestricted donations and the effectiveness of matching gifts.   31:00 The Future of the Nonprofit Sector: Looking ahead, Pooya anticipates the growing role of AI in the sector and emphasizes the need to balance technological advances with maintaining the sector's human-centered approach.   34:00  Fair Compensation The interview concludes with Pooya advocating for fair compensation in the nonprofit sector and encouraging a shift from competition to collaboration to enhance collective impact.   Guest Bio: Pooya Pourak Pooya is co-founder and CEO of MatchNice, a social impact tech startup on a mission to connect the nonprofit ecosystem and maximize social impact. His team is working on a new kind of impact-centric fundraising platform to increase transparency, engagement and accountability in digital fundraising. Pooya brings 15+ years of experience leading digital transformation across business, government, and now the nonprofit sector. He is the Host and Producer of The Nonprofit Lab, a podcast dedicated to the journey of discovery in the nonprofit sector with an aim to uncover and shake up the status quo. Pooya runs his own consulting practice where he helps our government listen to the needs of diverse stakeholders and put their feedback into action to inform large-scale systems delivery. Pooya holds a Bachelor of Science from Georgia Institute of Technology in Industrial & Systems Engineering and is also a certified yoga instructor. Important Links and Resources: https://www.matchnice.org/   https://www.linkedin.com/in/pooyapourak/   Charity Vest https://www.charityvest.org/   Google for Nonprofits https://www.google.com/nonprofits/   Be in touch! ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn  

In episode 92 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Patton McDowell explore the multi-generational nonprofit workforce, discussing the unique hurdles and opportunities that come with each stage of a non-profit career—from emerging leaders grappling with gaining practical experience to mid-career professionals encountering a plateau, and up to executive directors feeling isolated at the top. They underscore the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and the benefits of strategic personal planning.    Show highlights: Generational Workforce Challenges Generational Workforce Challenges - [00:07:00] Discussion on the challenges faced by different generations in the nonprofit sector. Opportunity and Experience for Emerging Leaders - [00:08:05] Patton talks about the emerging leader generation facing the issue of opportunity and joy market entry difficulties Mid-Career Plateau - [00:19:25] Patton introduces the idea of a "mid-career plateau" and how to overcome it. Non-Traditional Career Paths - [00:22:00] Carol discusses lateral moves and specialization as alternatives to traditional progression. Executive Leadership Loneliness - [00:24:22] Patton discusses the isolation felt by those in executive leadership roles. Co-Executive Director Model - [00:29:00] Carol asks Patton about shared leadership roles and his views on them. Predictable Turnover - [00:33:00] Carol reflects on predictable turnover and proactive recruitment approaches. Organizational Exchanges - [00:39:10] Patton and Carol discuss the benefits of organizational exchanges and site visits. Personal Retreat for Leaders - [00:42:20] Patton recommends nonprofit leaders take personal retreats for strategic planning and Carol speaks on her own practice of personal strategic planning.   Guest Bio: Patton is the Founder of PMA Nonprofit Leadership, a coaching and consulting firm specializing in leadership development, fundraising, and strategic planning for nonprofits. He led fundraising efforts at two universities after starting his career at Special Olympics International. He's a Master Trainer for AFP Global, hosts the podcast Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, and authored a best-selling book of the same name. He holds a bachelor's degree from UNC Chapel Hill, an MBA from Queens University of Charlotte, and a Doctorate from the University of Southern California. Patton currently serves as an Executive in Residence at the Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy at Cornell University.   Important Links and Resources: Patton McDowell - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pattonmcdowell/ PMA Nonprofit https://www.pmanonprofit.com/ Charlie Gilkey - https://www.productiveflourishing.com/   Be in Touch! ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn

In episode 91 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and George Weiner discuss the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and the nonprofit sector. They delve into the significance of AI in the sector, emphasizing the need for strategic adoption and policy development. The conversation then shifts to the integration of AI into everyday tools They cover practical applications of AI and discuss crafting AI policies as well as the potential for AI to enhance nonprofit operations, particularly in grant writing and reporting.  Episode highlights: [00:06:00] AI Adoption and Policy in Nonprofits [00:08:00] Hype Cycle of AI: [00:11:00] - AI in Everyday Life: [00:13:00] - AI for Nonprofit Content Creation [00:15:00]  Crafting Nonprofit AI Policies and Guidelines [00:16:00] - Integrating AI in Nonprofits: [00:20:00] - Avoiding Overextension with AI: [00:24:00] - Practical AI Tools for Nonprofits: [00:27:00] Time Saving vs. Time Reallocation with AI [00:29:00]  AI in Grant Writing: Guest Bio: George Weiner is the Chief Whaler, WholeWhale.com. He co-founded CTOs For Good, PowerPoetry.org. He is a Dad, and a nonprofit geek. Important Links and Resources: WholeWhale.com George Weiner Cause Writer AI https://causewriter.ai/ The Smart Nonprofit by Beth Kanter and Allison Fine https://www.wiley.com/en-us/The+Smart+Nonprofit:+Staying+Human+Centered+in+An+Automated+World-p-9781119818120 Be in touch! ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn  

In episode 90 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton goes solo and talks about: What strategic planning is and is not the five steps to a comprehensive strategic planning process Keys to ensuring your plan gets put into action and stays relevant The five steps are 1. kick off, 2. discovery or listening tour, 3. explore, 4. decide, 5. plan & act Strategic planning: Strategic planning is a structured process for setting priorities for the medium term (3-5 years). It involves gathering insights from stakeholders, identifying themes, exploring futures, and making decisions to focus the organization’s future in service of its mission. What it is NOT It’s not about predicting or controlling the future. Just the document, it's about conversations that build alignment and shared understanding. It is not just a retreat Kick Off Setting yourself up for success Let everyone know what is happening and what is coming Pull together a team  Equity considerations Discover Go on a listening tour Interviews, focus groups, surveys – what will work for you. How are you making participation accessible? Explore Share the current state as well as hopes and aspirations Explore the wider landscape and ecosystem for trends imagine new futures for the organization Decide Prioritize and decide on the future directions and goals: Where will you put your energy? Revisit your mission and vision – are they aligned with where you are going? Plan & Act Define action steps, success indicators, and feedback mechanisms.   Keeping the Plan Fresh  Agree on a process for reviewing and updating the plan Important Links and Resources: Common Mistakes Organizations Make in Strategic planning: https://www.gracesocialsector.com/store/p13/strategic_plan_mistakes.html Be in touch ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn  

In episode 89 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Miguel Guadalupe discuss issues of generational engagement in leadership, highlighting the frequent oversight of Generation X and stressing the unique adaptability and valuable perspective that this generation brings to the table. Miguel emphasizes the necessity for Generation X to advocate for recognition in leadership roles, reflecting on a LinkedIn post that sparked a broader conversation about the career stagnation felt by many in his generation.  Episode highlights: Don’t Forget GenX: underrepresentation and unique contributions of Generation X in leadership and decision-making processes. Adapting to change: how Generation X's experience with the evolution of technology equips and other big changes over their career equips them with adaptability, a valuable skill set for leadership. Perpetual Utility player: Many of the Gen Xers who commented on Miguel’s LinkedIn post shared the feeling of  being overlooked in their professional lives. Visibility and Advocacy: Miguel suggests that Generation X should take a lesson from Millenials and Gen Z and take a more assertive stance in advocating for their visibility and leadership opportunities.   Guest Bio: Miguel Guadalupe is Vice President of Donor and Community Relations at The Bowery Residents' Committee, or BRC in NYC. BRC helps over 10,000 individuals a year suffering from homelessness, mental illness, and addiction with the dignity and compassion they deserve. Miguel manages donor engagement, fundraising, and event planning, as well on service as BRC liaison to local elected officials, community organizations and businesses wherever a BRC program is located. He is also Vice Chair of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, and helps to produce America's largest cultural celebration, in NYC, while helping to raise and distribute over $200K annually to students attending higher education.   Important Links and Resources: Miguel’s viral LinkedIn post: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7036817928465350656?updateEntityUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afs_feedUpdate%3A%28V2%2Curn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7036817928465350656%29   Miguel Guadalupe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miguelguadalupe/ The Bowery Residents' Committee https://www.brc.org/   Be in Touch:  ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn

In this enlightening episode, Carol interviews Lisa Hazirjian, a historian turned advocate, as they delve into Lisa’s unexpected journey from academia to the forefront of nonprofit advocacy. Through a candid recount of personal challenges and professional transitions, Lisa shares her story, motivations, and the lessons she’s learned along the way.   Some of the conversation’s highlights:   Motivation for Advocacy: Personal emotions during times of loss and the desire to effect change in public policy were Lisa’s primary motivators to engage in advocacy work.   Nonprofit Misconceptions: Lisa corrects the common misconception that nonprofits cannot engage in policy advocacy, stressing that they can and should, as they often hold valuable expertise that can inform policymaking.   Strategic Advocacy: Despite political power dynamics, Lisa argues that effective advocacy is less about which party is in power and more about the ability to influence decision-makers through strategic engagement and communication.   Building Relationships: The importance of building relationships before needing to make an ask is highlighted, with suggestions to conduct surveys and use supporters as effective messengers to lawmakers.   Volunteer Engagement: Discussion of a “ladder of engagement” approach to progressively involve volunteers in advocacy work, starting with simple actions and building up to higher responsibilities.   Training and Responsibility: Emphasizing the need to train volunteers not just for tasks but also for understanding the bigger picture, the narrative includes a personal story demonstrating this practice.   Small Wins and Community: Acknowledging small victories and the value of creating a sense of community among advocates is presented as crucial for maintaining motivation and momentum in long-term policy campaigns.   Guest Bio: Lisa Hazirjian, PhD, founded Win Together Consulting to help progressive change makers develop strategy, build power, engage supporters, and leverage strengths to achieve their goals. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy Studies, Graduate Certificate in Women’s Studies, and Ph.D. in U.S. History from Duke University, and is working toward a Nonprofit Leadership Certificate from the Harvard Kennedy School. You can reach Lisa at lisa@wintogetherconsulting.com. Important Links and Resources: ●      Win Together Consulting ●      https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisahazirjian/   Be in touch! ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn  

In episode 87 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and June Jimenez discuss: Making remote-work work for your organization Juggling the complex decisions facing nonprofit leaders regarding a potential return to physical offices Changing employee expectations We explore the experiences of organizations that are fully remote, emphasizing the heightened need for intentional connection, care, and frequent virtual interactions to maintain a sense of team and culture. Nonprofits are grappling with diverse approaches, from fully embracing remote work to dealing with financial considerations and strategic implications associated with maintaining physical office spaces. We unpack the myth of culture and innovation being dependent on co-location. We also explore the particular challenges of newer employees in understanding organizational culture when working remotely, and strategies for leaders to help integrate new staff in a virtual environment.    00:20:30: Decision-making driven by prior investments in physical office spaces 00:21:00 The myth of physical presence as a prerequisite for innovation and organizational culture 00:23:00:** Culture exists in both remote and co-located setups 00:24:30:** Younger employees challenges with integrating with organizational cultures 00:26:00:** Particular challenges for newer generations in navigating office culture remotely 00:28:30:** What leaders need to think about in terms of informal nature of information exchange in physical offices vs. remote settings. 00:29:30:** Strategies for helping new staff integrate,  00:33:30:** Training and development for managers successful adaptation to remote work   Guest Bio: June Jimenez  is an organizational development consultant to mission-focused organizations. June's work focuses on the people, systems, processes and technology needed to help organizations deliver their missions while experiencing tremendous change. June brings over 20 years of professional experience to each engagement gained through her work across the nonprofit, government and private sectors. June is a mother to a 10 year old rabble rouser, partner to a retired police and military professional and passionate about social justice. June received her Bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and received her Executive MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.   Important Links and Resources: June Jimenez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimenezjune/   Register for the Nonprofit Leadership Roundtable (12/14/23 at 1:00pm eastern): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/760734085127?aff=oddtdtcreator   Be in Touch: ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn  

In episode 86 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton joins with Danielle Marshall for another learning out loud episode where we do a deep dive into a topic. Today we focused on cultural competence or cultural humility and talked about ways for people to work on and enhance their cultural competence.  Danielle defines cultural competence as the ability to navigate interactions effectively across diverse cultures, emphasizing the importance of valuing differences and recognizing that no social identity is a monolith. While it is easy to think that finding the time to improve your cultural competence is too hard, Danielle offers a practical five-step approach: Assess your starting point,  Set your learning goals,  Creating a learning schedule,  Identify learning resources Continuously monitoring and adjusting the learning plan. Both discuss the significance of accountability partners and participating in both affinity and multicultural groups. They stress the need for ongoing self-monitoring and adaptability in the pursuit of cultural competency.   Highlights: - [00:07:16] Definition of Cultural Competence; Cultural Competence/Cultural Humility - [00:17:16 Five Actionable Steps for Nonprofit Leaders in Building Cultural Competence - [00:23:16] Cultural competence learning plan  - [00:33:16] Accountability partners and affinity groups  - [00:39:16] Continuous learning journey   Guest Bio: Danielle is an inclusive leader focused on strengthening collaboration among teams, leaders, and stakeholders to foster problem-solving, create solutions, and improve culture. She finds her inspiration in leading systemic change work that promotes equity and inclusion.  Danielle founded Culture Principles in response to a persistent need to operationalize Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion metrics, centering REDI goals and creating accountability systems. She supports clients through her Mapping Equity Framework focused on Unearthing Knowledge, Elevating Strategy, and Transforming Sustainability. She centers her work around organizational assessment, racial equity learning intensives, and the development of racial equity action plans. Understanding that each organization arrives at this work from different perspectives, she utilizes assessment in building a customized strategy for each unique partner. Previously Danielle served as a non-profit leader for 20+ years and today works on strategy development that enables nonprofits to achieve equitable mission-driven results. Danielle holds a Master's degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Louisiana Tech University and draws on her background as an I/O psychologist in applying a racial equity lens to organizational policies, practices, and programs. She is a Certified Diversity Professional (CDP)/ Executive Coach (ACC). During her playtime, you can find Danielle traveling, knitting, and kayaking in all 50 states. Important Links and Resources: Register for the Nonprofit Leadership Roundtable - Thursday, December 14th from 1-2 PM Eastern: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nonprofit-leadership-roundtable-tickets-760734085127?aff=oddtdtcreator Intercultural Development Inventory: https://www.idiinventory.com/ Learning Plan template: https://www.gracesocialsector.com/store/p12/Professional_Learning_Plan.html The Farewell: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Farewell_(2019_film) Sitting Pretty: https://bookshop.org/p/books/sitting-pretty-the-view-from-my-ordinary-resilient-disabled-body-rebekah-taussig/15391717?ean=9780062936790&gclid=CjwKCAiA9ourBhAVEiwA3L5RFoeTeGjbEOkDEOnqdXtTtl-IKnlhB3booxq0JCsSWUxy2DPPN_zNRxoCJnEQAvD_BwE Code Switch: https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510312/codeswitch https://www.culture-principles.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/danimarshall/  ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn  

In episode 85 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Mala Nagarajan discuss organizational development, compensation structures, and critical discussions within nonprofit organizations. They explore the limitations of market-based compensation, the concept of a thriving wage, and the importance of aligning organizational values with employee compensation. Mala emphasizes the need for transparent and comprehensive approaches to compensation, touching on various factors such as areas of responsibility, risk assessment, and the significance of understanding one's relationship with money. In addition they explore how to integrate compensating for the emotional labor required in a role. They discuss the complexities of legal considerations and highlight the need for organizations to reevaluate traditional practices to foster a more equitable and holistic work environment. Highlights: 02:27: Creating equitable compensation models for organizations 04:50: Principles underpinning the work  08:16: The importance of interdependence  13:08- Transparency in compensation  16:21 Emotional labor and compensation 26:00 - Recognizing individual strengths and aligning them with organizational roles beyond just financial incentives 32:00 - Biases and values embedded in market-based compensation structures 37:00 - Implementing a thriving wage, distinct from a living wage  45:00 - The "conditions for readiness" necessary for successful implementation  53:00 - Assessing risk tolerance  Guest Bio: Mala Nagarajan is a senior HR consultant who works with nonprofit organizations rooted in racial and social justice values. She is driven by a vision of strong organizations working collaboratively toward a common purpose and approaches her HR work with a values-aligned, people-centered, and movement-oriented lens. Mala is a consultant with RoadMap, a national network of consultants who work with social justice organizations. She helped organize RoadMap’s HR/RJ (racial justice) working group. Mala has developed an innovative Compensation Equity Process and Calculator™ that reverse-engineers supremacy out and re-engineers equity in. It’s an evolving approach accompanied with a custom tool that organizations can use to shift from a market-based to an anti-racist compensation model that centers those living at the intersections of multiple marginalized communities. Important Links and Resources:   Mala Nagarajan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/malanagarajan/ Vega Mala Consulting | www.vegamala.com  Marilyn Waring TED talk on what the GDP misses -- https://www.tedxchristchurch.com/marilyn-waring Polarities: https://www.polaritypartnerships.com/ The MIT Living Wage Calculator: https://livingwage.mit.edu/ Hidden Brain episodes on budgets: https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/money-2-0-why-we-bust-our-budgets/ Learn more about Mala’s compensation work here: Fund the People: Compensation Philosophy, NPQ-Compensation Equity: A Values-Based Framework & Implementation Guide, Top Tips to Stop Widening the Wealth Gap, Why Radical Human Resources is Critical for Movement Organizations, Equitable Compensation is a Risk Worth Taking, Brave Questions: Recalculating Pay Equity, Don't Put Metal in the Microwave and other Compensation Myths, Transforming the Workplace: HR Innovations, Pay Scale Equity Process and Calculator.     HR resources: RoadMap Consulting: Human Resources and Justice: Addressing Racism and Sexism in the Workplace. Washington Nonprofits: Workers in Nonprofits. The Management Center: Making Compensation More Equitable. ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn

In episode 84 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Heather Burright discuss: how strategic planning, implementation and staff and volunteer skills development all fit together.  We delve into the critical aspects of strategic planning and its effective implementation. I highlight the importance of aligning the implementation plan with the organization's regular processes and cycles, emphasizing the need for a shorter time frame for implementation, typically six months to a year. I also talk about the significance of continuous evaluation, tracking progress, and making necessary adjustments to ensure the successful execution of the plan. The conversation underscores the pivotal role of understanding and addressing the skills gap within the organization. Heather discusses how to identify the skill gaps that will undermine the success of your strategic plan and then the essential elements of creating a training program, focusing on relevance, meaningfulness, and a touch of fun to engage employees effectively. She emphasizes the importance of custom competency models and the value of building cross-functional relationships and trust within the organization to facilitate successful change management.   Episode outline: (00:07:07) Strategies for Successful Strategic Planning Implementation Planning (00:11:09) Integrating implementation into your regular practices (00:12:36) Why training is a key piece to strategic plan implementation (00:16:11) Maximizing Impact Through Whole Organization Involvement (00:24:29) Listening to People: Key to Change Management   Guest Bio: Leveraging 15 years of experience, Heather Burright, founder and CEO of Skill Masters Market, specializes in creating dynamic, people-centric solutions that drive business goals.  With her comes expertise in strategies for diversity, equity, and inclusion; instructional design; and change management.  She’s dedicated to identifying core competencies that are needed to see real results and to creating the learning strategies and solutions needed to develop those competencies.   Important Links and Resources: Heather Burright: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-burright/  Skills Masters Market: https://www.skillmastersmarket.com/ Learning for Good podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/learning-for-good-podcast-learning-and-development/id1621971310 Standards for Excellence Institute: https://standardsforexcellence.org/    Stay in touch: ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn  

In episode 83 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Alexander Lapa delve into the benefits of using a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system like Salesforce for nonprofits. These include improved data management and streamlined processes. Alexander shares his expertise in setting up and optimizing CRM tools for nonprofits. He explains why having a consultant to guide organizations through the complexities of finding the right tool to meet where they are in their stage of development is helpful. The conversation also explores challenges in fully utilizing a CRM system and the need for training and support to empower users as well executive sponsorship. Integration, AI, and organizational culture in nonprofit CRMs are also discussed.       Episode Outline:   (00:08:30) Benefits and Challenges of Using a CRM (00:13:36) Leveraging CRM for Effective Communication (00:18:28) Integration and AI in Nonprofit CRMs (00:23:40) Challenges with CRM Adoption   Guest Bio:   Alex is a Salesforce Architect & Advisor who helps nonprofits improve their social impact. He has 10 years of Salesforce and nonprofit experience and 20 years of CRM experience.   Aside from working on CRM projects, Alex is host of "Agents of Nonprofit". It's a weekly podcast that interviews guests about products and services which help nonprofits. It's often discusses the benefits of technology, and currently has nearly 70 published episodes.   Alex also shares his experience in a short daily email, helping junior Salesforce consultants level-up their knowledge, deal with challenging clients, and advocate for a digital nomadic lifestyle.     Episode Links:   https://dryadconsulting.com/welcome   https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexanderlapa   https://podcast.agentsofnonprofit.com/   ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn

In episode 82 of Mission: Impact, Danielle Marshall and Carol Hamilton have another ‘learning out loud’ conversation where we delve into the evolving landscape of nonprofit work, focusing on key themes:   🔥 Burnout and Beyond: We kickstart the discussion by addressing the prevalent issue of burnout, which has long haunted the sector. Discover how it has been exacerbated by recent events and how individuals and organizations are tackling it head-on.   🌟 Redefining Success: We dive deep into the changing definitions of success. It's no longer just about productivity and traditional measures. Learn how individuals are crafting new narratives and aligning their actions with their values.   💡 Deepening Impact: Explore the shift from relentless scaling to strategic deepening. We uncover innovative approaches to maximize impact, even with limited resources.   💼 Resource Reallocation: Get insights into how nonprofits are rethinking resource allocation. It's not just about budgets but also about investing time, human resources, and energy more intentionally.   🎯 Mission Focus: Discover the power of niche specialization. What are you doing to hone your focus to prevent mission drift and build confidence in your abilities? Do you have time built into your day or week for intentional and quiet reflection and strategic thinking?   🤝 Collaboration and Partnerships: We explore the art of collaboration and how nonprofits are building meaningful partnerships, passing tasks, and referrals, all while fostering trust and growth.   🌈 Well-Being and Productivity: Learn about the importance of individual and team well-being. How are you incorporating joy and playfulness into your life – inside and outside of work?   Timestamped Outline: (00:03:47) Reevaluating values and redefining success during the pandemic (00:07:37) Fostering Internal Cohesion for Organizational Success (00:10:09) Redefining success through thoughtful resource allocation (00:14:19) Narrowing focus for increased impact and success (00:22:33) Creative thought organization with mind mapping (00:36:59) Redefining emergencies and prioritizing strategic thinking   Guest Bio: Danielle is an inclusive leader focused on strengthening collaboration among teams, leaders, and stakeholders to foster problem-solving, create solutions, and improve culture. She finds her inspiration in leading systemic change work that promotes equity and inclusion.   Danielle founded Culture Principles in response to a persistent need to operationalize Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion metrics, centering REDI goals and creating accountability systems. She supports clients through her Mapping Equity Framework focused on Unearthing Knowledge, Elevating Strategy, and Transforming Sustainability. She centers her work around organizational assessment, racial equity learning intensives, and the development of racial equity action plans. Understanding that each organization arrives at this work from different perspectives, she utilizes assessment in building a customized strategy for each unique partner.   Previously Danielle served as a non-profit leader for 20+ years and today works on strategy development that enables nonprofits to achieve equitable mission-driven results. Danielle holds a Master's degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Louisiana Tech University and draws on her background as an I/O psychologist in applying a racial equity lens to organizational policies, practices, and programs. She is a Certified Diversity Professional (CDP)/ Executive Coach (ACC).   During her playtime, you can find Danielle traveling, knitting, and kayaking in all 50 states.   Episode Links:   ●      Reflection tools: o   Link to weekly review on Grace website o   Link to 6 month review on Grace website ●      https://www.culture-principles.com/ ●      https://www.linkedin.com/in/danimarshall/   ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn

In episode 81, Carol Hamilton and Mary Hiland discuss the challenges and strategies of nonprofit executive directors working with their boards. They explore the importance of leaving a legacy and sharing knowledge, and how it inspired Carol to start her podcast, Mission Impact. Mary's book, "Love Your Board," is also discussed, focusing on the primary sources of trouble for executive directors when working with their boards. The conversation delves into the dimensions of capacity, connection, and culture within a board. They highlight the significance of building trust in board relationships and challenging assumptions in board recruitment. Additionally, they emphasize the need for emotional connection and individual check-ins with board members.   Episode Outline: (00:08:52) Dimensions of Board Challenges (00:15:11) Building Trust in Board Relationships (00:21:39) Challenging Assumptions in Board Recruitment (00:27:55) Board Member Engagement   Guest bio: Mary Hiland Ph.D. is a nonprofit governance expert and leadership development consultant dedicated to helping nonprofit leaders lead effectively. Mary has over forty years’ experience in the nonprofit sector – both as an executive and as a board member. She has been consulting and coaching nonprofit leaders for 20 years. Mary is a speaker, published author, researcher, and a business professor at her local community college. She is author of the #1 international best-seller: Love Your Board! The Executive Directors’ Guide to Discovering the Sources of Nonprofit Board Troubles and What to Do About Them (2021) And Mary is a contributing author to four other nonprofit leadership books. Mary is the founder and host of the podcast: Inspired Nonprofit Leadership     Episode Links:   Hiland Consulting: https://www.hilandconsulting.org/   Inspired Nonprofit Leadership: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inspired-nonprofit-leadership/id1446218521   Talk with Mary: talkwithmary.com   Alliance for Nonprofit Management: https://allianceonlinecommunity.org/     ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn

In episode 80 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton goes solo to celebrate several of the nonprofits that support and enrich her life.   Nonprofit organizations play a crucial role in enriching our lives and communities in various ways. Carol discusses:   Several organizations that support her brother who is deaf, autistic and developmentally disabled and help her and her family advocate for him, helping him live as fulfilling a life as possible. Organizations that have been part of making her local river, the Anacostia, less polluted and more fun to kayak. Organizations that make biking in DC better.    Important Links:   The Arc of Montgomery County: https://thearcmontgomerycounty.org/   By Their Side: https://www.bytheirside.org/   The Sibling Leadership Network: https://siblingleadership.org/   The Anacostia Watershed Society: https://www.anacostiaws.org/   The Anacostia Riverkeeper: https://www.anacostiariverkeeper.org/   Washington Area Bicyclist Association: https://waba.org/   Be in touch:   ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn

In this podcast episode, Carol Hamilton and Susan Kahan discuss the importance of donor trust and nonprofit accountability. They challenge misconceptions about fundraising, such as the focus on overhead costs and the belief that it is a necessary evil. They argue for reframing negative attitudes towards fundraising in order to build confidence. The conversation also addresses the "overhead myth" in the nonprofit sector and emphasizes the need to invest in staff and create a healthy organizational culture. They discuss the challenges of asking for larger donations and stress the value of building relationships and learning from others in the field. They also highlight the importance of building a culture of philanthropy within nonprofit organizations and using donor feedback to improve programs. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the need for effective fundraising strategies and the importance of transparency and accountability.   (00:00:01) Donor Trust and Nonprofit Accountability (00:06:05) The Overhead Myth (00:12:19) Building Confidence in Fundraising (00:18:07) Building Relationships in Fundraising (00:24:13) Building a Culture of Philanthropy (00:30:47) The Challenges of Nonprofit Fundraising  

In episode 78 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton celebrates Mission: Impact’s 3rd anniversary and goes solo to talk about: The rise of the “dream job” How people are reconsidering the role of work and career in their lives The shadow side to pursuing your passion Important Links and Resources: Work Won't Love You Back by Sarah Jaffee The Good Enough Job by Simone Stolzoff The Sum of Us: How Racism Hurts Everyone by Heather McGhee Can't Even: How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation by Anne Helen Petersen ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn

In episode 77 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Devon Lawrence discuss How systems can benefit your fundraising work What you can do to make your donors feel appreciated The importance of small gestures in your fundraising strategy Guest Bio: Devon Lawrence is the Founder and Principal of Clark Lawrence Consulting, Inc. For 10+ years she has worked with non-profits of all sizes, both domestic and international, to advance their capabilities around development operations, fundraising events, project management and leadership. Her clients have praised her ability to be well attuned to the needs, opportunities, and challenges of non-profit organizations and her reliability as a source of guidance on fundraising and organizational development. Devon currently serves on the boards of the Bowery Residents' Committee (BRC) and Association of Nonprofit Specialists. She lives in New York City with her husband and two-year old son. Important Links and Resources: https://www.clarklawrenceconsulting.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/devon-lawrence-417750a/  ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn  

In episode 76 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Erin Allgood discuss How it’s not all on your shoulders to fix – even if it can feel that way sometimes. Why each organization does not have to tackle everything – deciding what is the part of the problem that you will work on and what are you really suited to focus on – and who else is working in your space whose work complements yours is so important How a theory of change can help you make decisions between the many options and directions you might go – and your many good ideas!   Guest Bio: Erin Allgood helps organizations and individuals who give a damn create real impact. As the founder of Allgood Strategies, Erin helps socially-conscious organizations with strategic planning, organizational development, and leadership coaching. Her services focus on catalyzing social change at the systems, organizational, and individual levels. Important Links and Resources: Listen to Erin’s Podcast! https://www.allgoodstrategies.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinallgood/  https://www.instagram.com/allgoodstrategies/?hl=en  ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn