The Nonprofit Show

The Chief Investment Officer at Christian Brothers Services, [https://cbservices.org/] Steve Sliwinski, offers a highly approachable yet technically sound guide to nonprofit investment strategy. With decades of financial experience and dual designations as CFA and CAIA, Steve breaks down how organizations—regardless of size—can begin managing and growing their financial assets responsibly. From policy benchmarking and committee structure to modern investment tools and trends like IP transfers and crypto, Steve’s insights will help demystify what can often be an intimidating subject. This episode is a must-watch for boards, CFOs, and executive leaders seeking clarity on how to begin—or refine—their investment approach. The discussion begins with a history of Christian Brothers Services, which evolved from a cooperative model among Catholic schools into a nationwide provider of retirement, insurance, and investment services for thousands of institutions. This story serves as an example of scalable collaboration and strategic vision, offering NPO’s a compelling model for shared resource management. Steve explains that waiting for a major windfall to begin investing is outdated thinking. “It’s certainly not out of reach to create a well-diversified portfolio with under $100,000,” he shares, emphasizing that even small recurring contributions—like payroll-deducted retirement savings—can grow into substantial assets over time. The message: nonprofits don’t need to be large to think long-term. Much of the conversation centers around the role of the investment committee. Steve offers a fresh take, stating that technical expertise isn’t always necessary. What matters most is “a long-term orientation and strategic mindset.” Ideal committee size? Three to seven individuals with high-level focus, not necessarily financial professionals. The conversation, with host Julia Patrick, continues into policy development and investment alignment with mission. Steve discusses how ESG (environmental, social, governance) or values-based screening—once costly—is now affordable and feasible even for small organizations. He encourages nonprofits to create an investment policy document in partnership with a consultant or a platform like Vanguard or Fidelity to ensure thoughtful, repeatable decision-making. He stresses the importance of sticking with the strategy through market fluctuations: “Set the policy at the beginning, know why it exists, and abide by it—especially in difficult times.” Find us Live daily on YouTube! [https://bit.ly/3A0Dqlw] Find us Live daily on LinkedIn! [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/the-nonprofit-show/] Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_Show [https://twitter.com/Nonprofit_Show] Our national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits! 12:30pm ET 11:30am CT 10:30am MT 9:30am PT Send us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.com Visit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show [https://americannonprofitacademy.com/thenonprofitshow/]

What happens when artificial intelligence collides with nonprofit hiring? Katie Warnock, CEO and Founder of Staffing Boutique [https://staffingboutique.org/], brings over two decades of recruitment wisdom to unpack the evolving world of nonprofit staffing—where AI, automation, and applicant tracking systems are rapidly reshaping the game. From resume reviews to video interviews scored by machines, Katie walks us through what’s real, what’s useful, and what still absolutely needs a human touch. She describes AI as a powerful tool—but not a one-size-fits-all solution. She shares how AI can now instantly generate candidate pipelines, automate scheduling, and send emails with the ease of a few clicks. But for seasoned recruiters like Katie, there's hesitation: trust and nuance still matter. And for organizations hiring in the nonprofit space, personality and mission alignment can't be faked—no matter how good your chatbot is. This episode also explores the do’s and don’ts of keyword optimization, especially for nonprofit resumes. Katie gets specific about how grant writers, development staff, and even tech candidates should tailor their resumes for today’s smart hiring systems. Generic titles like “fundraiser” or “event planner”? Not enough. Think: gala, silent auction, CRM platform, institutional giving. But perhaps most eye-opening is Katie’s reflection on the new loop: AI-powered interviews are becoming so common that some candidates now use AI to answer questions during the interview—prompting some companies to head back to in-person hiring. “There has to be some sort of reversal,” Katie warns. “How do you even trust that a resume was written by the person who actually did the job?” This is a refreshingly candid, real-world conversation about modern hiring challenges in the nonprofit sector. You’ll walk away with smarter strategies, tech tools to explore (or avoid), and a renewed appreciation for the irreplaceable value of human connection.  00:00:00 Welcome and guest introduction  00:01:20 What Staffing Boutique does  00:03:50 AI enters nonprofit hiring  00:04:20 Understanding applicant tracking systems (ATS)  00:05:50 AI vs. human recruitment skills  00:07:00 Automating interviews and follow-ups  00:09:00 Why resume keywords matter  00:12:00 AI video interviews and ethics  00:14:45 Human touch vs. automation  00:17:30 LinkedIn Recruiter and candidate scoring  00:20:40 How AI tools can fake resumes  00:23:40 The case for returning to in-person hiring  00:27:00 Final thoughts and sector outlook  Find us Live daily on YouTube! [https://bit.ly/3A0Dqlw] Find us Live daily on LinkedIn! [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/the-nonprofit-show/] Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_Show [https://twitter.com/Nonprofit_Show] Our national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits! 12:30pm ET 11:30am CT 10:30am MT 9:30am PT Send us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.com Visit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show [https://americannonprofitacademy.com/thenonprofitshow/]

This fast episode plants more than a few seeds—it digs deep into the fertile soil of fundraising tech and AI, showing nonprofit leaders how to embrace new tools without fear or being overwhelmed. Co-host Julia Patrick opens with her signature energy: “It’s always a good day when I get to work with my cohost Tony Beall,” . . .and what follows is an energizing discussion around modernizing fundraising practices. The duo tackles AI not as a villain, but as a brilliant assistant. As Tony puts it: “AI is a tool, not a takeover.” From predictive analytics to donor segmentation, Tony outlines how AI empowers fundraisers to work smarter—not harder. He reminds us that AI “creates a tremendous opportunity for prospecting,” especially now that tools like ChatGPT are as common as Google searches. Julia reflects on how her organization embraced AI early on. “It has revolutionized the way we do business,” she says, underscoring (not literally!) how prompts, personas, and platform features help tailor messaging to diverse donor groups. Tony speaks to how “ChatGPT can help you refine messaging for different donor sets… it’s still your words, but it’s helping you shape the message.” He urges fundraisers to treat the tech as an editor—not a ghostwriter. They also dig into CRM evolution, with Julia commenting, “What we get today is not what we’ll have tomorrow.” Tony shares how CRM vendors are racing to integrate AI and support their users. The conversation rounds out with a focus on multi-generational training, acknowledging that not every team member shares the same comfort with digital tools. Tony adds that leaders must explain “why we’re doing this” so that staff can buy in, even if it feels uncomfortable at first. This episode isn’t just about tech—it’s about change, mindset, and purpose. #FundraisingTech #TheNonprofitShow Find us Live daily on YouTube! [https://bit.ly/3A0Dqlw] Find us Live daily on LinkedIn! [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/the-nonprofit-show/] Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_Show [https://twitter.com/Nonprofit_Show] Our national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits! 12:30pm ET 11:30am CT 10:30am MT 9:30am PT Send us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.com Visit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show [https://americannonprofitacademy.com/thenonprofitshow/]

Leadership meets lived experience as Eric Wilson, Director at Your Part-Time Controller (YPTC), [https://yptc.com/] unpacks the long-standing tension between nonprofit finance and programming. With warmth, wit, and real-world clarity, Eric takes us into the heart of the issue—how two departments with the same mission often work in silos, risking confusion, inefficiency, and financial misalignment. From discussing budget misunderstandings to the implications of restricted funds, this episode challenges nonprofit leaders to ask themselves: “Are we communicating with intention—or just reacting when problems arise?” Eric shares, “You don’t want people afraid to bring you a problem… I'd rather have a small problem early than a big problem later.” That mindset—proactive, people-first, and rooted in accountability—is the call to action for every executive, finance officer, and program manager tuning in. Together with host Julia Patrick, they explore: ·        Why many nonprofit staff don’t fully understand the true cost of programs ·        How miscommunication around restricted funding can sabotage outcomes ·        Why monthly check-ins between finance and programming are more than a best practice—they’re essential ·        How fear creates silence and silence breeds mistakes ·        What emotional intelligence and mutual education mean for modern nonprofit culture This learning session is a leadership masterclass in creating cross-departmental unity through intention, clarity, and relationship-building. Whether you're a new program manager, seasoned CFO, or executive director trying to align teams—you’ll walk away with practical tools and a fresh mindset!  00:00:00 Welcome and topic introduction  00:01:13 Eric Wilson’s role at YPTC and regional insight  00:02:40 Finance meets programming—at home and work  00:04:17 What does the finance team actually do?  00:06:10 Why communication breakdowns happen  00:08:25 True cost vs. perceived cost in programming  00:10:53 Budget expectations and common disconnects  00:13:18 Restricted funds and organizational risk  00:17:01 How often should teams check in?  00:19:22 Finance as educator and mutual learning  00:21:33 Prevention vs. crisis mode  00:23:04 Addressing fear and improving collaboration  00:26:01 Remote work and new communication habits  00:28:14 Final leadership insights and takeaways  #NonprofitLeadership #FinanceAndProgramming #TheNonprofitShow Find us Live daily on YouTube! [https://bit.ly/3A0Dqlw] Find us Live daily on LinkedIn! [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/the-nonprofit-show/] Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_Show [https://twitter.com/Nonprofit_Show] Our national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits! 12:30pm ET 11:30am CT 10:30am MT 9:30am PT Send us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.com Visit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show [https://americannonprofitacademy.com/thenonprofitshow/]

When a cyberattack hits your nonprofit, do you know what to do? Cybersecurity expert Michael Nouguier, Partner at Cybersecurity Services at Richey May [https://richeymay.com/cybersecurity-services/], walks us through the essential steps every nonprofit must take—before, during, and after a cyber event. As host Julia Patrick notes, it's not a matter of if, but when, and being unprepared is no longer an option. From clarifying what cyber insurance actually covers to practicing realistic incident response exercises, Michael offers a pragmatic and step-by-step guide tailored for nonprofit leaders. He points out, “Failure to plan is planning to fail,” and urges organizations to move beyond hope and into action. The conversation dissects misconceptions, such as thinking IT alone can handle a breach or believing cyber insurance is a comprehensive solution. Instead, Michael recommends building internal resilience with tabletop exercises that include the board, C-suite, legal, and communications staff. These scenario-based run-throughs help teams build muscle memory and prevent panic when disaster strikes. Third-party vendors—often a hidden weak spot—are addressed in detail. Michael reminds us, “You are the trusted data collector,” meaning nonprofits must ensure their vendors share the same security culture, including notification clauses and accountability. What if the worst happens? Michael stresses calm, communication, and preservation of evidence. “Don’t delete anything,” he cautions, as doing so can sabotage forensic investigations and potential fund recovery. He also reminds leaders to report incidents to local authorities and the FBI’s IC3.gov, reinforcing the legal and ethical responsibility to act swiftly and transparently. Perhaps one of the most human insights is around fostering a blame-free culture. Employees fearing punishment won’t report mistakes, making things worse. “Everyone—even me—has clicked a phishing link,” Michael admits, highlighting the importance of openness and psychological safety within teams. This is a call to action for NPO leaders to shift from avoidance to preparedness. Cyberattacks are not just technical disruptions—they can financially and operationally dismantle an organization. With the right mindset, strategy, and comms plan, your nonprofit can weather the storm! 00:00:00 Welcome and Episode Overview   00:02:00 The Evolution of Richie May's Cybersecurity Services   00:04:00 What Cyber Insurance Really Covers   00:08:00 Third-Party Vendor Risks and Due Diligence   00:12:00 Real-World Impact of Cyberattacks on Nonprofits   00:15:00 Why Response Planning Beats Hoping for the Best   00:17:00 Tabletop Exercises: Practicing Incident Response   00:20:00 Who to Call When a Breach Happens   00:23:00 First Response Steps: Breathe, Engage, Preserve Evidence   00:26:00 Creating a Culture Where Mistakes Are Reported   00:29:00 Episode Recap and Takeaway  #TheNonprofitShow #CyberResilience  Find us Live daily on YouTube! [https://bit.ly/3A0Dqlw] Find us Live daily on LinkedIn! [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/the-nonprofit-show/] Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_Show [https://twitter.com/Nonprofit_Show] Our national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits! 12:30pm ET 11:30am CT 10:30am MT 9:30am PT Send us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.com Visit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show [https://americannonprofitacademy.com/thenonprofitshow/]