The Nonprofit Mentor

Tom Iselin
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The Nonprofit Mentor

Welcome to The Nonprofit Mentor! . . . The show that provides straight talk and practical tools to help you become an outstanding nonprofit leader, run and exceptional organization, and raise a ton of money in the process. Looking for savvy fundraising tips and tactics? . . . check out Tom's other podcast called: The Fundraising Coach. Whether you’re an executive, staff member or board member, you’ll be learning the inside scoop from one of the nation's leading social entrepreneurs who’s been in your shoes and walked in the muddiest of trenches, not from some university professor who spouts theory and has never run a nonprofit. Join us! Because show after show, you’ll learn useful information that will help you grow professionally as you build a high-impact nonprofit. About Tom Iselin: Tom has built eight notable nonprofits. He's written six books, sits on six boards, and is considered a leading authority on building gold standard nonprofits. His been on CNN, Nightline, and feature in Newsweek for his impact on the industry. Tom runs First Things First, an organization that provides executive coaching, board retreats, strategic planning, and fundraising services, and is rated, “America’s best retreat facilitator.” Learn more at: www.tomiselin.com

  1. 8 JAN

    When Nonprofit Boards Meddle: The Dangers of Micromanagement

    If you're tired of your board meddling in the daily operations of your nonprofit . . . this podcast is for you!

    13 min

  2. 8 JAN

    Boardroom Ghosting: How Ignoring Staff Emails Drains Nonprofit Momentum

    Nonprofit boards play a critical role in guiding the organizations they serve, helping steer decisions, ensuring fiscal health, and offering strategic oversight. However, one glaring issue that’s often swept under the rug is the lack of prompt responses to communications from executive directors and staff. Emails and important requests from staff frequently go unanswered or receive delayed responses from board members. This behavior, while common, is not only disrespectful but also sends a clear and damaging message to the very people who keep the organization running day in and day out. Staff members work tirelessly, often way beyond regular business hours and sometimes on weekends and holidays, sacrificing personal time and energy for the cause. When their emails are met with silence, it signals that their time, effort, and contributions aren’t valued and appreciated. And worse yet, that they aren’t valued and appreciated. Board members are in positions of authority, and their actions—or lack thereof—can have lasting consequences on staff morale, organizational efficiency, and overall culture. It’s time to address this problem head-on. Nonprofit executives may not always feel empowered to confront this issue, but they shouldn’t have to. Rather, it’s the board’s responsibility to hold its members accountable for this type of behavior. Listen in and learn why board members should respond promptly to staff communications, and three steps they can take to ensure they do so . . .

    8 min

  3. 8 JAN

    Avoid Last-Minute Blues: Tips for Planning Ahead for Strategic Planning

    Plan Early for a Stress-Free, High-Impact Session Planning a strategic session for your nonprofit can be one of the most impactful moments of the year—a chance to reset, strategize, and inspire your team. But let’s be honest: waiting until the last minute to plan such an important event can lead to unnecessary stress, limited options, and a lackluster experience. On the flip side, planning early opens doors to creativity, thoughtful preparation, and the opportunity to create a transformative experience for everyone involved. This podcast explores  explore why planning early is not just a good idea but a game-changer. And if you’re ready to commit to early planning, I provide some actionable steps to set yourself up for success. So grab a latte and listen in . . .

    9 min

  4. 20/09/2024

    How to Host the Best Board Development Retreat Ever! Winning Checklist – 17 Keys to Success

    Have you ever sat through a board retreat and thought, “What a waste of time!” You’re squished in a windowless room, squirming in a chair that feels like granite, and longing for the next break. Worse yet, the facilitator is boring, the content is useless, board members are texting, and the food is stale! If you’re in the process of planning a retreat, don’t settle! It’s possible to put together an amazing day that’s engaging, meaningful, memorable, and fun. All it takes is a little planning and ingenuity. Listen in to the following checklist to make sure you have all the essential elements in place to ensure the retreat is a resounding success.

    16 min

  5. 20/09/2024

    From Coffee to Commitment: Mastering Donor Meetings with Preparation

    In the world of nonprofit fundraising, meeting with a donor for coffee (or any in-person meeting), whether they are a potential supporter or a current contributor, is one of the most crucial interactions you’ll have. This isn’t just a casual coffee chat; it’s a pivotal meeting that can define a donor’s impression of you, your organization, and may determine whether they make moderate gift, a significant one, or none at all. The stakes are high and coming prepared can greatly increase the likelihood you’ll leave with a smile and the outcome you desired. To learn more about how to raise money in face-to-face settings, listen in!

    14 min

  6. 20/09/2024

    Strategic Planning: What’s Better, A One-Year or Five-Year Plan?

    In today's rapidly changing world, clinging to the traditional five-year strategic plan is not just outdated—it's impractical. Organizations need to adapt quickly to survive, and a long-term plan often becomes a liability and burden rather than a guide and roadmap. Instead, a one-year strategic plan, monitored monthly and updated annually, proves to be a far more effective and cost-efficient approach to planning. To learn more, listen in!

    7 min

  7. 26/06/2024

    Tactics for Building a "Value Network" for your Nonprofit

    Tactics for Building a "Value Network" for your Nonprofit The nonprofit world is a quirky one. Many nonprofits are founded by passionate people with little or no nonprofit experience. Many board members have little or no nonprofit experi­ence, and many staff members have little or no nonprofit or business experience. The result is often a lot of wasted time and effort. Mistakes are made, resources are poorly allocated, and problems are ignored. People get involved and things get done, but no one is sure what should be done, how it should be done, or who should be responsible to do what. A nonprofit can avoid many of these common pitfalls by building a "value network.” A value network is nothing more than a network of people, organizations, and resources that can help a non­profit run more efficiently and effectively—and build capacity—by providing information, knowledge, skills, experience, influence, and money. This podcast will help your board and team build its value network and increase the organization's impact along the way.

    5 min

  8. 20/06/2024

    7 Tips to Hiring "The Best Strategic Planning Facilitator Near Me."

    Here's a list of 7 uncommon factors to look for! Strategic planning is the backbone of any successful nonprofit organization, providing a roadmap for future growth and impact. However, navigating the strategic planning process can be challenging, requiring skilled guidance to ensure clarity, collaboration, and actionable outcomes. When seeking to hire the best strategic planning facilitator for your nonprofit, there are several key factors to consider. Here are seven essential (but uncommon) considerations for CEOs and Board Chairs to keep in mind when searching “Near Me” for the best facilitator to lead their strategic planning sessions.

    6 min
See All (41)

About

Welcome to The Nonprofit Mentor! . . . The show that provides straight talk and practical tools to help you become an outstanding nonprofit leader, run and exceptional organization, and raise a ton of money in the process. Looking for savvy fundraising tips and tactics? . . . check out Tom's other podcast called: The Fundraising Coach. Whether you’re an executive, staff member or board member, you’ll be learning the inside scoop from one of the nation's leading social entrepreneurs who’s been in your shoes and walked in the muddiest of trenches, not from some university professor who spouts theory and has never run a nonprofit. Join us! Because show after show, you’ll learn useful information that will help you grow professionally as you build a high-impact nonprofit. About Tom Iselin: Tom has built eight notable nonprofits. He's written six books, sits on six boards, and is considered a leading authority on building gold standard nonprofits. His been on CNN, Nightline, and feature in Newsweek for his impact on the industry. Tom runs First Things First, an organization that provides executive coaching, board retreats, strategic planning, and fundraising services, and is rated, “America’s best retreat facilitator.” Learn more at: www.tomiselin.com

Information

  • Creator
    Tom Iselin
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    41
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2020 Tom Iselin. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Nonprofit Mentor

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