Today's guest is Joan Garry, author of Guide to Nonprofit Leadership and host of the Nonprofits are Messy podcast. Molly MacCready (host of the Nonprofit Optimist podcast) and Joan discuss the importance of knowing what activities fuel you, how to define success and impact beyond the typical metrics, and some ways to learn and grow as a nonprofit following this unexpected pandemic time. Joan shares from her experiences of working with small nonprofit leaders within the Nonprofit Leadership Lab, along with her own years as a nonprofit leader, board member, and donor.  See our website for more show notes: www.nonprofitoptimist.com/blog/npo-047-joan-garry

In this episode of the Nonprofit Optimist, host Molly MacCready shares her experience with starting a Giving Day for her small nonprofit, CROSO. They started their giving day in 2019 and have successfully completed 3 annual giving days now and are preparing for their 4th in April 2022. In this episode, Molly explains what a giving day is and all the logistics about how to set one up for your nonprofit, including setting the date, identifying the goals and incentives to motivate people’s involvement, and a thorough explanation of the communications plan her organization followed.   To see the notes from today's episode, visit: www.nonprofitoptimist.com/blog/npo-046-giving-day To learn more about CROSO, the featured nonprofit, visit: www.CROSO.org/ 

My guest today is Kim Morris, the project coordinator for River Keepers, a nonprofit based in Fargo, North Dakota. River Keepers’ mission is to advocate for safe and sustainable use of the Red River of the North and they work with the communities in both Fargo and Moorhead, MN. In today’s episode, you’ll hear us talk about project planning and event planning, how the pandemic impacted their programming, how Kim's organization engages over 2,000 volunteers each year, and also the importance of networking and affinity groups.   Nonprofit Optimist information: Website: www.nonprofitoptimist.com Email: [email protected] Facebook: www.facebook.com/nonprofitoptimist Instagram: www.instagram.com/nonprofitoptimist Suggest a new guest:   https://www.nonprofitoptimist.com/futureguest   Find River Keepers online: Website: https://www.riverkeepers.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RiverKeepersFM Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fmriverkeepers/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/RiverKeepersofFM Contact them: https://www.riverkeepers.org/contact/

In today's episode, host Molly MacCready sheds some light on her own experiences and thoughts regarding the past 18 months as well as discusses self-care. While a self-professed amateur at self-care, Molly does share some of the lessons she's recently learned about how to create some balance within her schedule by leaning into untraditional work hours.   Nonprofit Optimist information: Website: www.nonprofitoptimist.com Email: [email protected] Facebook: www.facebook.com/nonprofitoptimist Instagram: www.instagram.com/nonprofitoptimist Suggest a new guest:   https://www.nonprofitoptimist.com/futureguest   Find the CROSO (Child Restoration Outreach Support Organization) online: Website: https://www.CROSO.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CROSO.Uganda Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CROSO_Uganda

In today's episode, Tessa Vierk (co-founder of the Chicago Tool Library) chats with Molly about their founding story, recruiting volunteers, creating their membership model, and the power of saying "not right now." The Chicago Tool Library’s goal is to provide equitable access to tools, equipment, and information to allow all Chicagoans to learn, share, and create. If you visit our website, you can see more notes and topics of today's conversation.   Nonprofit Optimist information: Become a Patron of the Nonprofit Optimist: www.Patreon.com/nonprofitoptimist Website: www.nonprofitoptimist.com Email: [email protected] Facebook: www.facebook.com/nonprofitoptimist Instagram: www.instagram.com/nonprofitoptimist Suggest a new guest:   https://www.nonprofitoptimist.com/futureguest   Find the Chicago Tool Library online: Website: https://www.chicagotoollibrary.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chicagotoollibrary Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chicagotoollibrary/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GwFhYPzlLw Email them: [email protected]

Part 2 of 2! Julia Gatten is the Communications Director for AfricAid and she shares some of the biggest lessons she's learned about how to tell your story to donors. In this conversation, we talk about branding, messaging, and logos. It was important to AfricAid to involve stakeholders in that process from both Tanzania and America, and it's great to hear their process.  You can check out the outline of topics discussed here: NPO 042.   Nonprofit Optimist information: Become a Patron of the Nonprofit Optimist: www.Patreon.com/nonprofitoptimist Website: www.nonprofitoptimist.com Email: [email protected] Facebook: www.facebook.com/nonprofitoptimist Instagram: www.instagram.com/nonprofitoptimist Suggest a new guest:   https://www.nonprofitoptimist.com/futureguest   AfricAid information: Website: https://africaid.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/africaid Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/africaid/ Blog: https://africaid.org/blog/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFGYeM1pqVG1hydExxFBnwQ  

Julia Gatten is the Communications Director for AfricAid and she shares some of the biggest lessons she's learned about how to tell your story to donors. In this conversation, we talk about how AfricAid puts together their weekly blogs through contributions of staff in Tanzania and America, and how they engage a volunteer in a substantial role. We also discuss the role of email in their communication strategy, as well as videos. You can check out the outline of topics discussed here: NPO 041.   Nonprofit Optimist information: Become a Patron of the Nonprofit Optimist: www.Patreon.com/nonprofitoptimist Website: www.nonprofitoptimist.com Email: [email protected] Facebook: www.facebook.com/nonprofitoptimist Instagram: www.instagram.com/nonprofitoptimist Suggest a new guest:   https://www.nonprofitoptimist.com/futureguest   AfricAid information: Website: https://africaid.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/africaid Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/africaid/ Blog: https://africaid.org/blog/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFGYeM1pqVG1hydExxFBnwQ   Check back for part two of my interview with Julia where we'll talk about branding, messaging, and how to involve stakeholders in that process.

Sean MacCready and Stephenie Lazarus from Horizons for Youth share the lessons they have learned about partnering with donors, creating a major giving program, and participating in their first Giving Tuesday. You can check out the outline of topics discussed here: NPO 040.   Nonprofit Optimist information: Become a Patron of the Nonprofit Optimist: www.Patreon.com/nonprofitoptimist Website: www.nonprofitoptimist.com Email: [email protected] Facebook: www.facebook.com/nonprofitoptimist Instagram: www.instagram.com/nonprofitoptimist Suggest a new guest: https://www.nonprofitoptimist.com/futureguest   Horizons for Youth information: Website: https://horizons-for-youth.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/horizonsforyouthchicago/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/horizons-for-youth/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/horizonsforyouth/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/horizonsfy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwQBb3ge9e0nURG2SrXECrA   Additional Links from our Conversation: NextAfter: https://www.nextafter.com/

Dr. Susan Blaustein of WomenStrong International shares the lessons she's learned about community and international development through her work. You can check out the outline of topics discussed here: NPO 039.    Nonprofit Optimist information: Become a Patron of the Nonprofit Optimist: www.Patreon.com/nonprofitoptimist Website: www.nonprofitoptimist.com Email: [email protected] Facebook: www.facebook.com/nonprofitoptimist Instagram: www.instagram.com/nonprofitoptimist   WomenStrong International information: Website: https://www.womenstrong.org/ Blog: https://www.womenstrong.org/stories Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/womenstrongintl Twitter: https://twitter.com/womenstrongintl

Super quick episode sharing a fun announcement (picture here!) and a few shout outs.   Website: www.nonprofitoptimist.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/nonprofitoptimist Instagram: www.instagram.com/nonprofitoptimist   Become a Patron of the Nonprofit Optimist: www.Patreon.com/nonprofitoptimist   Back to regular interview-style episodes on Tuesday! Get excited!!!

Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/nonprofitoptimist For $2 or $4 per month, support the Nonprofit Optimist podcast! Today's Guest: Rose Hart         As a lifelong resident of Marshall County, WV, was part of the first graduating class of John Marshall High School in 1969. She spent 30 years of her career working for the United States Postal Service as a letter carrier, before co-founding Appalachian Outreach, Inc. in 2002. She now serves as the Executive Director of AOI. In 2012, Rose also completed her certification in Nonprofit Management through WVU.          In addition to her work with Appalachian Outreach, Inc., Rose is an active member in her local community and church. She's currently involved with the local Long Term Recovery Committee, Local Emergency Planning Committee and WV VOAD (West Virginia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster). She's also a member of St. Jude Parish in Glen Dale WV, where she is the RCIA director, Eucharistic Minister, and Lector, and she is a member of God’s Children of Love prayer group in Moundsville, WV. She completed the Diaconate / Pastoral Ministry program of the Diocese of Wheeling – Charleston in 1987 with a certificate in adult formation. Nonprofit Spotlight: Appalachian Outreach, Inc.       Guided by the Gospel of Jesus Christ and inspired by the Holy Spirit, the mission of Appalachian Outreach is to help relieve the burden of poverty and the loss of dignity suffered by the people of Appalachia who, through no fault of their own, struggle to meet the basic needs of daily life.       They continually look for contacts in counties where accessibility and opportunity are limited and other charitable agencies are lacking or struggle to meet local need. They also look for contacts locally that will support the mission of Appalachian Outreach, therefore building a network where the dignity of all is respected and the love of God is proclaimed through prayer, word, and deed. Lessons Learned: In our conversation, Rose shares her experience of leading Appalachian Outreach, Inc. and how it originally got started. Some of the key lessons she has learned through this work are outlined below:  When getting started: Realized applying for permits would be time and resource intensive. Instead, asked the mayors of each surrounding county if they could solicit their residents. Led to not only a "yes" in response to that question, but also some really positive public relations opportunities for the mayors and for leadership boards within the community. "We're too successful to stop now." Need to build relationships with local contacts. Created an advisory board of someone who knows each area well. In order to build trust, you have to go where people are. "Sit on the porches and listen." Partner with existing organizations! Funding from/through the Government NIPS - Neighborhood Investment Program Allows for donations to be made as a tax credit to the donor. Rose and her co-founder approached small county commissioners and talked to them about the good they were providing for the county. In return, the commissioners provided some compensation for transportation of the goods. Income generating opporunities: Run a store house where they sell building materials at a discounted rate and they only had to pay for transportation. Mountain Resource Sharing of Good Network Clothing donations to World Mission Clothing Find Appalachian Outreach, Inc. online: Website: http://www.appalachianoutreaching.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AppalachianOutreach/ Go Fund Me campaign: https://www.gofundme.com/transportation-for-appalachia