Asking for Good: Fundraisers help you launch your Nonprofit Career

Scientific Principles to Guide Nonprofit Work

In this episode we’re joined by Todd Pooser, author of A Systems Approach to Public Administration and Social Equity and founder of The Virtual Commonwealth. Listen in to hear the scientific justification for the foundations of our work to create an equitable and sustainable society. Job seekers may use these frameworks as they evaluate the work and the approach of potential employers.  As we aim to solve intractable problems we need more than opinion, we have scientific models, derived from living systems, that can guide us. Todd uses General Systems Theory to answer this big question:  What’s the elegant solution that solves all of our inextricably entwined problems? To discover the solution we need to recognize our interdependence and interconnectedness. Then we have 2 sets of 3 rules to follow.  3 Rules of Systems-Based Ethics 1. Human Health and Environmental Health are One and the Same 2. There is No Such Thing As Them 3. It’s Bigger than Physical Things. We have non-material needs.  3 Rules of a Systems-Based Social Contract  1. Establish a Physical Steady State 2. Create central mandates while preserving the individual’s right to choose 3. Reconcile Price and Cost We use a discussion of Congestion Pricing as a policy that reconciles price and cost.  Noting that there is a 0% chance of political systems creating the ideal situation, Todd introduces The Virtual Commonwealth which is a model for collective action where individuals form investing and purchasing communities because throwing our financial weight behind our beliefs is as critical as our voting weight is to our democracy. About the Guest: Todd Pooser is the founder and CEO of the Virtual Commonwealth. Todd’s book, A Systems Approach to Public Administration and Social Equity, uses cross-disciplinary science to formulate “The Plan” – a series of social policies that if enacted, will enable humanity to live in the best possible world given the conditions of our existence. The Virtual Commonwealth is the commercial application of the concepts advanced in the book, which has been published by Emerald Publishing as part of a series on sustainability and social equity. As COO of an Ad Tech startup, Todd has raised $9M from both public companies and high net worth individuals.

Using a Champion Mindset to Avoid Burnout and Win the Long Game of Nonprofit Leadership

Dacia Moore, LPC, NBCC dives right into one of the biggest and all too common drawbacks of the nonprofit sector: BURNOUT. She draws from her training as a Licensed Professional Counselor, nonprofit executive search partner and personal experience with burnout to teach us how to manage our own emotional regulation and find long-term success in the nonprofit sector.  Nurture a Championship Mindset. This isn’t about winning a sports trophy. This is about resilience, optimism, and a burning desire to work with excellence. It sounds like, “I’m in this for the long haul, we’re doing a good job and getting better everyday.” Acknowledge what needs to be improved and give the most energy to what works well. Avoid perfectionism, it will kill you.  Sweeping your own doorstep, an idea she learned from Mother Theresa. Do what you can and what’s in front of you. In a nonprofit leadership context this means not doing other people’s job instead delegate and trust your staff. Then support the staff. Nonprofit leaders need to provide direction and vision and then move over to let staff execute. Remember that your piece, whatever it is matters. You matter and we can think about a tiny bolt to illustrate this. There was a bolt that got loose and an airplane door flew off midflight. Leaders need to focus on their part. Be the bolt, don’t try to be the bolt, the plane, the FAA… And as you are working, remember that we all play to mixed reviews. In any group, you will have 40% with you, 40% not with you and 20% on the fence. Recognize the negativity bias, spend the bulk of your energy on those who are on the fence and those who are with you.  As a job seeker, try to determine if the organization has healthy boundaries. Ask about the last person who was in this role, how long did they stay? What are the key traits of the next person who fills this role? How does the person that is interviewing you maintain healthy boundaries? Consider the interview process, was it designed to allow conversation or were you as a candidate just grilled by staff?  Dacia leaves us with two big ideas:  If Oprah and Michelle Obama can do it, so can you. Think of those who you admire. They’re all human. If they can figure out how to achieve excellence and have balance, then you can too.  Protect your mental and physical health; they are too important not to take care of them. The nonprofit sector needs leaders who can sustain their energy and keep coming back to do this challenging work. Resources:  DaciaMoore.com [https://www.daciamoore.com/]   From Stuck to Unstoppable: 5 Strategies for Getting Your Second Wind [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FJ2Y6FLJ?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_RG5NJ2AM8JWWJF9H7BKK&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_RG5NJ2AM8JWWJF9H7BKK&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_RG5NJ2AM8JWWJF9H7BKK&bestFormat=true&csmig=1] ABOUT THE GUEST: For eight years, Dacia L. Moore served as the Executive Director of a non-profit organization, driving its significant growth and success as a vibrant community resource. Her extensive background in fundraising, philanthropy, behavioral health, and non-profit management helped diversify the participants served and staff employed. Throughout her career, she has established a strong track record of enhancing organizational processes, motivating teams, and exceeding established targets. She now shares this expertise through workshops, keynotes, professional coaching, and counseling. She also contributes as a Senior Recruiter with Moran & Company, assisting non-profits in finding their next great leaders. As a Published Author, Radio Host, and Former Adjunct Professor, she helps organizations and leaders improve mental resilience.

Are you one good story from your dream job?

Max Kringen from TellWell Story Co. shows listeners how to use story in their job interview process to stand out from a sea of candidates and make authentic connection.  As Simon Sinek suggests, start with why. Your why is your differentiator. The how is probably similar to other applicants and the organization will want you to buy into their how.  For job seekers to set themselves apart:  * have stories that align with the point you’re making. People remember how they feel more than they will remember stats.  * Use narrative transportation to help make connection. This sounds like, “do you remember when…” And when asked the inevitable…Tell me about yourself.  * Get real. Start by sharing something not included in your resume or application materials. Be authentic. It could include the first time you realized this mission or organization was important. It may be the heartbeat of your professional life or the moral conviction that drives your work.  The interview process allows many opportunities to build trust. Use the Trust Framework to develop a strong rapport with the hiring team: 1. Introduce: where curiosity is sparked, each party thinks, “there may be something here for me” 2. Educate: build reliability; articulate your skills and experience that align with the job at hand 3. Engage: call to action; ask the interviewer for the opportunity to address any beige or red flags they see in your candidacy;  4. Remind: this one is simple but often overlooked, remind people that you love them, if you’re grateful for the opportunity to interview, share it with the hiring team Looking beyond the job search, we hear from Max where the nonprofit industry is headed.  With attention spans getting shorter and shorter, it’s not about getting louder and louder: Cut the jargon because clarity is kindness.  Do NOT copy and paste out of AI. **Genuine human connection is going to win.** The nonprofit sector needs to approach communication with our boards, supporters, beneficiaries and the public at-large aiming to create community and connection. We can apply this same approach in the interview process, lead with authenticity with the goal of making connection. TellWell Story Co. is a creative studio that helps nonprofits tell more human stories that build trust through film design and web experiences. ABOUT OUR GUEST Max Kringen is the Founder and Chief Storyteller at Tellwell Story Co., a creative studio based in Fargo, North Dakota, that partners with mission-driven organizations to craft human-first stories that don’t just inspire—they drive action. With a decade of experience helping nonprofits, higher education institutions, and community-based businesses share their stories, Max has become a trusted guide for organizations seeking authentic connection in a noisy world.

Problem, Lever, Gaps, 10x Impact - Job Search Like a Consultant

Sarah Pomeranz is an expert in career transition. In this episode she shares tools she and her team at Consultants for Impact use to assist consultants in their transitions to social impact careers. Looking to have an outsized impact? Tune in to learn essential steps to defining your career path along with the frameworks and tests to get you there.  * Forget passion, follow these steps instead: Identify the PROBLEM, find the LEVER, fill in your knowledge and skills GAPS, create 10x IMPACT * Explore the Career Theory of Change Framework to roadmap your search * Discover low-effort, high-reward Cheap Tests—from social media following to short-term consulting projects—to test if a role or organization is the right fit before you jump in head first * Gain new personal insights by using the Weighted Factor Model: Get the formula for moving beyond a simple pros and cons list to objectively compare complex career paths or job offers by weighting your unique priorities like financial stability versus autonomy Plus, Sarah offers advice on how to translate consulting skills like project management and executive communication to the impact space, how to think about salary trade-offs for mission-aligned work, and her 10 Quit Business Days policy to avoid making desperate career moves. If you want to move on from where you are and make an outsized positive impact on society, this episode is for you. Resources:  Weighted Factor Model [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1AFbVwH710w_i_6-iFk3O6ZwMNyoSjjxDF8FEzvpXC1E/edit?gid=808352066#gid=808352066]  Exit Interview films [https://www.consultantsforimpact.org/exit-interviews] Career Theory of Change [https://docs.google.com/document/d/107NoRo5RCh1K-la5f5spBsk8kA9po_JctDOkJLOlXTM/edit?usp=sharing] Meet the Member profiles [https://www.consultantsforimpact.org/meet-the-members] Giving Green [https://www.givinggreen.earth/top-climate-nonprofits]  ABOUT THE GUEST Sarah Pomeranz is the founder and CEO of Consultants for Impact. Since launching the organization, she has built a global network of 1,200+ consultants and facilitated over 80 career transitions to high-impact roles at organizations including the Clinton Health Access Initiative, Anthropic, Mercy for Animals, the World Bank, and the US and UK governments. Through 800+ personalized career advising sessions, Sarah helps strategy consultants channel their skills toward solving pressing global challenges. Before founding Consultants for Impact, Sarah was a top-performing strategy consultant at Accenture, where she advised clients including the World Economic Forum, Goodwill International, and Feed the Children.

What are the success factors at this organization?

Are you a job seeker trying to land your dream role or a hiring manager struggling to find the perfect fit? In this episode, we're joined by Rachel Platt of PLATTinum Consulting who shares interview process insights  from both sides of the table. Rachel reminds us that it is rare to find the perfect candidate. She reveals why hiring managers often prioritize soft skills over hard skills, explaining that it's much easier to teach someone a new software program than to change their mindset or motivation. So, how do you stand out? Rachel explains that candidates who demonstrate a strong alignment with an organization's specific success factors and values are the ones who get the offer. We also tackle the push and pull between the urgent need to fill a role and the desire to make a good, long-lasting hire. Rachel offers invaluable advice for both companies and job seekers on how to avoid a bad cultural fit, boiling it down to a powerful quote from Maya Angelou: "When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time." Finally, we discuss how to use AI to supercharge your interview preparation, from in-depth organization research to identifying potential questions based on a specific job description. Rachel emphasizes that every candidate should be ready with compelling examples of their adaptability, how they handle ambiguity, and their collaboration skills. Tune in to discover the secrets to a successful hiring journey!