501Crossroads

Natalie and Marjorie took time for another Wine on One to talk about Natalie's trick for writing more handwritten thank you notes than anyone you know. Learn how she knocks people's socks off with her attitude of gratitude! Connect with Us!You can find 501Crossroads on Facebook.      Get LinkedIn with Natalie Jablonski      Get LinkedIn with Marjorie Moore  

That time Marjorie and Natalie got a bottle of wine...  In our first Wine on One episode where we tackle questions from our listeners... and ourselves, we talk about how we combat burnout in ourselves and with our staffs.  Marjorie has a two night rule that's definitely a keeper! Connect with Us!You can find 501Crossroads on Facebook.      Get LinkedIn with Natalie Jablonski      Get LinkedIn with Marjorie Moore  

The first 100 days of an executive director’s job can be crucial. Missteps made by the Executive, the board and the staff can reverberate through the organization and take years to correct. Today we are going to look at some tips to help EDs and Boards navigate those first 100 days.  Spoiler, it's not just the ED's job to make sure it goes well! ResourcesYour First 30 Days as a Nonprofit Executive Director from Joan Garry The Nonprofit ED’s First 100 Days from Nonprofit Quarterly Top 9 Priorities for Your First Month as a New Executive Director Getting a New Executive Director Off to the Right Start From BoardCafe   The Nonprofit Board’s Role in Onboarding and Supporting a New CEO from Bridgespan  Connect with Us!You can find 501Crossroads on Facebook.     Get LinkedIn with Natalie Jablonski     Get LinkedIn with Marjorie Moore  

Everyone knows that when you are nonprofit organization the magic behind the mission is fundraising.  Simply put, no money no mission.  And fundraising has a three-phase cycle – you are either starting a campaign, in a campaign, or ending a campaign.  Today we have Ellen Howe, Senior Consultant with The Rome Group.  She been involved in the nonprofit sector for 15 years as a consultant, development officer and program director. Ellen joins Marjorie and Natalie to talk about what a feasibility study is and helps you figure out if it's right for your organization.   Resources on Feasibilty Studies  The Rome Group Campaign Feasibility Studies: Taking the Time to Find Out whether the Time Is Right by Tony Poderis   Capital Campaigns: The Benefits of a Feasibility StudyWhat is a Fundraising Feasibility Study and Is It Worth It? by P. Burke Keegan  Contact us! You can find 501Crossroads on Facebook.    Get LinkedIn with Natalie Jablonski    Get LinkedIn with Marjorie Moore  

In the spirit of baseball season, we love to root for our favorite team.  Well today, we are rooting for everyone’s favorite team – our Nonprofit Organizations!  And here as our guest to help make sure all of our NPOs cover their bases is Jen Vacha, Principal at Brown Smith Wallace LLP in St. Louis, Missouri. Jen shares what should be in your nonprofit's Permanent Record and goes into detail about exactly how to recognize your donor's gifts so that they don't run into any problems with the IRS.  Connect with Jen Vacha on Facebook and LinkedIn Brown Smith Wallace LLP Circumvent the Storm Event Information  IRS Form 4506-A- Request a Copy of a 990 IRS Document on Substantiation and Disclosure Requirements for Charitable Contributions Record Retention Checklist Contact us! Find 501Crossroads on Facebook Get LinkedIn with Natalie Jablonski   Get LinkedIn with Marjorie Moore

Those who have gone through our programs and schools and have served on our boards can be a nonprofit's greatest resource. However, so often nonprofits just let them fade away.   Jan Misuraca, retired Executive Director of the Parkway Alumni Association, came to talk to Marjorie and Natalie about all the ways that you can engage alumni and former board members to create greater success for your programs.   Here's some resources if you're interested in getting an alumni association or board alumni group started at your organization: Q&A: How to Engage Younger Alumni  Alumni Channel Blog: How to Start/Create an Alumni Association  Alumni Channel: 14 (New & Updated) Best Practices to Grow Your Alumni Association  The Hidden Treasure of Former Board Members  How Does Your Nonprofit Retain Termed-Out Board Members?  You can connect with Jan by calling her at 314-780-7472.  Find her on LinkedIn and Facebook.  Contact us! Find 501Crossroads on Facebook Get LinkedIn with Natalie Jablonski   Get LinkedIn with Marjorie Moore

Although some experts note that charity run/walk events began back in the 1960s, they really took off in the fitness-focused 1980s and have continued to grow since then.  So today we welcome our guest, Amanda Kernan, who is currently a Community Manager for the Lakeshore Division of the American Cancer Society, where she has served for the past five years in various roles, with nonprofit walking events as her specialty.  Amanda looks at prepping for a walk as "Not Just a To Do List" and will share her tips and tricks throughout the episode. Be sure to listen to the end for her sure fire insider tip at event volunteer engagement.  Check out Amanda's next event: Wine Witches & A Walk   Here's a link to the other articles we referenced in this show:  Do Charity Run/Walks Still Matter? How to Organize a 5K  5 Quick Tips for Hosting a Successful Charity Run/Walk  How to Organize a Walkathon How Many Charity Walk Volunteers Do You Need?  Contact us! Find 501Crossroads on Facebook Get LinkedIn with Natalie Jablonski   Get LinkedIn with Marjorie Moore   Listen to this episode on... Apple Podcasts Stitcher Overcast TuneIn YouTube

It's the person you count on to lead your organization and build trust in the community. The role of the Executive Director is pivotal to the well being of any nonprofit organization. Cheryl Compton, an Executive Director with over 40 years of experience in the field, is here to share her experiences in the hot seat.   To contact Cheryl at her organization, Call for Help, call her at 618-397-0968 ext. 123 or email her at ccompton@callforhelpinc.org.  Here are some of the things we talked about in this episode.  The Role of an Executive Director of a Nonprofit Organization by David Ingram  How to Become a Great Executive Director by Joan Garry  Leading a Nonprofit Organization: Tips and Tools for Executive Directors and Team Leaders  We All Do It: Mistakes in Nonprofit Life By Melanie Lockwood Herman  Find 501Crossroads on Facebook Get LinkedIn with Natalie Jablonski   Get LinkedIn with Marjorie Moore

Galas are a main stay of any development plan, but we’ve all been to one... or 10 thrown badly. Today, we're looking at the logistics of throwing the perfect party that each one of your guests will rave about for years to come.   And, sometimes we don’t have to go very far to find our experts, this week, Jason Frazier, Development Director of MindsEye (Marjorie's organization) joined us to give his tips about how to throw a great party.  And he knows his stuff. Prior to his years as an event and development specialist, Jason was an event promoter.   You can connect with Jason on MindsEye's Facebook or Twitter, or on his LinkedIn. Want to read the articles we referenced? Wild Apricot Event Check List Event Creative: 5 Things to Consider when Choosing an Event Venue Vogue: Met Gala Party-Planning Secrets—From Invitations to Icebreakers How to Turn It Up a Notch When Planning Your Fundraising Gala By Julie Buckley Find 501Crossroads on Facebook Get LinkedIn with Natalie Jablonski   Get LinkedIn with Marjorie Moore   Listen to this episode on... Apple Podcasts Stitcher Overcast TuneIn YouTube

Multiple Choice Question: When in the donor cycle is the time to recognize and think about recognizing your donors?  a. When Prospecting and Researching b. When Cultivating c. During Solicitation d. While Stewarding e. All of the above If you answered e, you're absolutely right! JoAnn Foppe from Foppe Visual Communications stopped by to talk about why it is so important to think about and consider donor and recognition from the very start. She shares inspiration on some of the best recognition she's ever seen and creative ideas to make your donors love your organization even more.   You can find Foppe Communications at http://www.foppevisual.com/, on Facebook, and can call them at 618-654-8600. Some of the great articles we read on this topic were: Smaller Charities Need Creativity and Care When Recognizing Donors from the Chronicle of Philanthropy Donor Recognition: Thinking Like a Donor from AFP  15 Creative Ways to Thank Donors from Classy.org You can find 501Crossroads on Facebook at www.facebook.com/501crossroads.    Get LinkedIn with Natalie Jablonski at https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliejablonski   Get LinkedIn with Marjorie Moore at https://www.linkedin.com/in/marjorie-moore-6596901

In the wake of the horrific shootings at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Marjorie and Natalie take a look at the role of nonprofits when tragedy strikes, whether made by man or mother nature.   We talk about what happens to nonprofits who are first responders or on the front lines of things and those tangentially involved. You'll even hear about those not involved but still part of a grieving public can craft the right messages to express their grief and stand with the community.    You'll hear about who's doing it right and who is doing it wrong and what happens when communities begin to side step nonprofits to give collected funds directly to victims.   We read a lot for this one!  How to Do Disaster Relief Right from Nonprofit Quarterly Guidelines for Giving in a Disaster from the CIDI Senator: Red Cross Misled Congress, Refused To ‘Level With the People’ on Haiti Money $7 Million in Donations to Go Directly to Orlando Kin and Survivors   Three Tips for Managing your Nonprofit's Social Media During a Public Tragedy How to Communicate in the Midst of Tragedy: 9-Step Checklist     Connect with Us! Natalie on LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliejablonski Marjorie on LinkedIn- http://www.linkedin.com/in/marjorie-moore   501Crossroads on Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/501crossroads 501Crossroads on Twitter- http://www.twitter.com/501crossroads   Listen to this episode on... Apple Podcasts Stitcher Overcast TuneIn YouTube

Wendy Dyer has SIZZLE and has enjoyed helping hundreds of nonprofits over the last 22 years find theirs. She has helped pump millions of dollars into the economy – expanding programs and building schools, health centers and cultural places - bringing opportunity to thousands of people. A frequent presenter and trainer, Wendy encourages agencies to find their “sizzle” and embrace her mantra, “People are giving money away, anyway, might as well be to you.”.   On today's show, Wendy talks about the art and science of using emotions in fundraising appeals and how the movement of effective altruism might be changing the game.   Peter Singer TED TalkGiveWell's List of Top CharitiesFeel Good School of PhilanthropyThe Most Good You Can Do Catch up with Wendy at http://www.wendydyer.com/.  You can find 501Crossroads on Facebook at www.facebook.com/501crossroads.   Get LinkedIn with Natalie Jablonski at https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliejablonski   Get LinkedIn with Marjorie Moore at https://www.linkedin.com/in/marjorie-moore-6596901 

Nonprofits are always being told to segment their lists, spend less, raise more.  Have you ever wondered how?   Katie Mahoney, an Integrated Marketing Consultant and owner of the Mahoney Group, is on the show today- our first Skype interviewee- to talk about how to select your targets out of your database to send less mail and email and raise more dollars.   You can reach out to Katie to learn more on LinkedIn and on the Mahoney Group website.  Some of the articles we talked about were 10 Ways to Segment Your Donors to Improve Fundraising Effectiveness Know Your Target Audience: 10 Questions to Ask  Create Personas to Bridge the Gap with Target AudiencesYou can find 501Crossroads on Facebook at www.facebook.com/501crossroads.   Get LinkedIn with Natalie Jablonski at https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliejablonski  Get LinkedIn with Marjorie Moore at https://www.linkedin.com/in/marjorie-moore-6596901 

Planning a golf tournament... STOP!  Tom Sipula, a golf pro from the St. Clair CountryClub, chats with Natalie about the ins and outs of golf.  They're not just talking pars and strokes and clubs, you'll hear about etiquette for golfers and volunteers and most importantly, how to raise lots of money at your tournament to support your cause.   You can connect with Tom at tsipula@stclaircc.com and the St. Clair Country Club.  Check out some of the articles we reference at: http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/dos-and-donts-for-golf-spectators.html http://www.the-best-golf-tips.com/Golf-Terms.html http://www.premieregolfsolutions.com/tournament-tools-worksheets/on-course-events-activities/ You can find 501Crossroads on Facebook at www.facebook.com/501crossroads.  Get LinkedIn with Natalie Jablonski at https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliejablonski Get LinkedIn with Marjorie Moore at https://www.linkedin.com/in/marjorie-moore-6596901  Listen to this episode on... Apple Podcasts Stitcher Overcast TuneIn YouTube

At the time your organization has the potential, you as a fundraiser can be the most vulnerable.   Marjorie and Natalie wade through the feelings and fears to get to the fun of fundraising! Girl Scout Fundraising is Very Unhealthy Amanda Palmer's Art of Asking Ted Talk Ivan Joseph's Skill of Self Confidence Ted Talk Two Phrases to Use When Asking for Money You can find 501Crossroads on Facebook at www.facebook.com/501crossroads.  Get LinkedIn with Natalie Jablonski at https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliejablonski Get LinkedIn with Marjorie Moore at https://www.linkedin.com/in/marjorie-moore-6596901