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In this episode, I’m thrilled to share my conversation with Farra Trompeter, Co-Director and Worker - Owner at Big Duck. Not only is Farra just delightful to talk to, every time I talk to her it’s like a masterclass in strategic brand building. She - and her colleagues at Big Duck - have been the go-to for nonprofit brand building for as long as I can remember. I used to devour their resources when I was an ED, because they helped me come to see my organization’s brand as more than just its logo and website. And that’s what we’re talking about today. We discuss how an effective brand - one that actually serves as a driver of growth and funding and impact - is so much more than your visual aesthetics. It’s about how you define and articulate your organization's identity, your impact strategy, and your daily practices. Farra dissects the elements of an effective brand and offers both practical advice for organizations of all budget sizes to enhance their branding efforts and excellent examples of what an effective brand strategy looks like in practice. Enjoy. What Listeners Will Learn: The difference between brand, brand strategy, and branding, and their impact on nonprofits.The nuts and bolts of developing a strong brand identity and strategy that resonates with your target audience.Practical steps small nonprofits can take to improve their branding with limited resources. Key Takeaways: Branding is more than visuals; it's about crafting your organization's identity and perception.A strong brand strategy aligns with the organization's goals and communicates its core values effectively.Consistency in branding helps build recognition and trust among your audience.Small nonprofits can benefit significantly from focusing on clear, strategic branding.Regular brand evaluations can ensure alignment with organizational objectives and audience expectations. Step-by-Step Process: Elevator Pitch Exercise: Engage your team in describing the organization to gauge consistency and clarity in branding.Materials Review: Assess current branding materials (print, digital) for consistency in color, imagery, and messaging.Strategic Review: Revisit the organization's strategy and see how branding can support its goals. Resources Mentioned: Big Duck: A strategic communications firm specializing in nonprofits. They offer services in branding, communications, and fundraising/outreach campaigns. Visit Big DuckBrandraising by Sarah Durham, Big Duck's founder: A book offering insights into nonprofit branding. Find the Book

In this week’s quick strategy episode, I dive into a pivotal mindset shift that revolutionized my approach to leading and coaching: the concept of 'WHO not HOW.' This idea isn't just a strategy; it's a growth catalyst, steering you away from mundane tasks and towards high-impact activities like visioning, strategy, and relationship-building. What You'll Learn: The importance of focusing on 'WHO' instead of 'HOW' in organizational leadership.Strategies for delegating tasks effectively to facilitate growth and reduce overwhelm.How identifying the right people for tasks can lead to more efficient and impactful work. Key Takeaways: 'WHO not HOW' is a powerful strategy for leaders feeling overwhelmed by tasks.Delegating work to the right people is crucial for effective leadership and organizational growth.Identifying the right people for tasks can lead to significant improvements in efficiency and impact.Embracing this mindset shift can lead to more strategic and high-leverage work, such as visioning and planning. Resources Mentioned: Jack Graham's Podcast Episode: A previous episode featuring discussions on smart growth and meaningful impact.

In this episode, I explore the concept of the flywheel concept, a game-changer for any organization aiming for sustainable growth and impact. Developed by Jim Collins in his book “Good to Great,” this concept is about building systems that gain momentum over time, propelling your organization forward with each turn. I share my journey of understanding and implementing this powerful tool, offering concrete examples and actionable insights. Whether you’re struggling with donor retention, seeking more impactful results, or simply looking for a sustainable growth model, this episode is your guide to harnessing the true potential of the flywheel in your organization. What Listeners Will Learn: The foundational principles of the flywheel concept and its significance in driving sustainable growth.Steps to construct and implement a flywheel in your organization, turning effort into enduring impact.Strategies for reducing friction and amplifying efficiency in your processes to maintain momentum and achieve your goals.Key Takeaways: Understanding the Flywheel: Learn what a flywheel is and how it can stabilize and enhance your organization’s output, ensuring sustainability even amidst fluctuating inputs.Building Momentum: Discover the importance of consistency and the compound effect of efforts in driving your flywheel, making your system increasingly efficient.Action to Result Cycle: Recognize the cyclical nature of actions and results in a flywheel and how each segment feeds into the next, creating a self-propelling cycle of impact.Analyzing and Refining Processes: Understand the criticality of identifying and smoothing out friction points in your processes to ensure your flywheel spins without resistance.Testing and Implementing the Flywheel: Learn the process of testing, refining, and implementing your flywheel to maximize impact and ensure sustainable growth.Step-by-Step Process: Identify Your Goal: Determine the central objective around which your flywheel revolves, such as donations, program participation, or communication.Assess Current Systems: Analyze your existing processes to ensure they align with your central goal and identify any steps that may cause friction.Streamline Processes: Refine your processes by eliminating non-critical steps and addressing areas of friction, ensuring a smooth, circular motion for your flywheel.Close the Loop: Ensure that the outcomes of your processes contribute to the start of a new cycle, creating a self-sustaining loop.Test and Refine: Implement your flywheel, monitor its performance, and make adjustments as necessary to optimize efficiency and impactResources Mentioned: Jim Collins’ Book “Good to Great”: This seminal work introduces the flywheel concept, showcasing its role in achieving sustainable growth and impact. Find It HereFund Your Strategic Vision: Get step-by-step help turning your strategic vision into actual funding. Sign Up HereNewsletter Graphics: Visual aids to complement the podcast content, illustrating the difference between traditional processes and the flywheel approach. Subscribe Here

In today's episode, I’m talking with two of my favorite people: Becky Endicott and Jon McCoy, co-founders of We Are For Good. They pull back the curtain on one of their collective superpowers: A strategy they’ve used to grow their community to tens of thousands of nonprofit leaders and practitioners, and one of the simplest and most powerful ways to amplify your organization’s impact. Content syndication. Content syndication is the process of turning a single piece of content into a ripple effect of engagement, growth, and community building. If you're leading a small or growing nonprofit and wondering how to make your voice louder and your footprint bigger, this conversation is a gold mine of strategies, inspiration, and real-life examples. We walk through how syndication works, and how, when paired with strategic storytelling and genuine engagement, you can use it to turn your mission into a movement! What you’ll learn: The nuts and bolts of content syndication, and how it applies to the nonprofit sectorInnovative ways to repurpose content across different platforms without overwhelming your audience or team.The pivotal role of authenticity and human connection in content creation and community engagement.Key Takeaways: Understanding Syndication: Discover how syndication is not just about spreading content but strategically placing and tailoring it to spark engagement and growth.Impact Arc Framework: Learn how the Impact Arc Framework can guide your content strategy, ensuring every piece aligns with your mission and resonates with your audience.The Power of Stoking: Uncover the magic of 'stoking'—engaging with your content actively to fuel discussions, deepen relationships, and build a community of advocates.Strategic Storytelling: Embrace storytelling as your superpower, crafting narratives that connect emotionally, highlight real transformations, and stop your audience mid-scroll.Voice Authenticity: Realize the importance of maintaining a consistent, authentic voice that reflects your mission's soul and resonates deeply with your community.Step-by-Step Process: Identify Core Content: Pinpoint your organization's most impactful stories, messages, or educational materials.Adapt for Platforms: Tailor this content for various platforms, considering the format, audience preferences, and engagement styles unique to each.Engage and Respond: Don't just post and forget. Engage with your audience, respond to comments, and stoke conversations to build a loyal community.Monitor and Iterate: Keep an eye on how different pieces perform across platforms. Use these insights to refine your approach and content.Resources Mentioned: Impact Arc Framework: A strategic guide for content creation and distribution, ensuring every piece aligns with your nonprofit's goals and values.Otter.ai: An AI-powered transcription tool mentioned by Jon McCoy, useful for extracting key points from speeches or meetings and turning them into engaging content.Syndication Strategies from 'We Are For Good': Explore their podcast and resources to dive deeper into effective syndication practices.Connect With Brooke LinkedInInstagramYouTube

What do I do with new donors so I don't lose them? The answer is: Learn as much about your new donors as possible so that you can communicate with them better and more intimately. In today’s episode, I’m going to give you an easy, low-hanging fruit strategy for gathering information about your donors so that you can begin to segment and personalize your emails, donor appeals, and even events. What Listeners Will Learn: How to personalize communications for more impactful donor engagement.Effective techniques for segmenting your email list based on donor interests.Practical strategies for optimizing your email content and strategy.Key Takeaways: Personalization is key: Tailoring your communication to resonate with donors' specific interests increases engagement.Importance of segmentation: Categorizing donors based on their interactions and interests helps in sending targeted messages.Utilizing email analytics: Analyzing email open rates, click-through rates, and content engagement can guide your email strategy.Resource Optimization: Efficient use of email analytics maximizes impact without significant costs.Types of emails to send: Welcome series, newsletters, educational content, event invitations, and fundraising appeals tailored to donor interests.Step-by-Step Process: Choose an Email Service Provider: Ensure it supports link tracking, tagging, and segmentation (e.g., ConvertKit, Mailchimp).Incorporate Various Links in Emails: Include links to educational resources, multimedia content, event registrations, donation pages, and volunteer opportunities.Send Diverse Email Types: Use welcome series, newsletters, educational emails, event invitations, and fundraising appeals to engage donors.Analyze Engagement Data: Track open rates, click-through rates, and which links are most engaged with to understand donor preferences.Conduct A/B Testing: Send two versions of the same email with one element changed to test what works best.Resources Mentioned: FYSV Online Course by Rhea Wong: An online course offering insights on donor surveys and communication. Details HereConnect With Brooke LinkedInInstagramYouTube

Today I’m doing a special rerun of one of my most downloaded and shared episodes, as a tribute to my sister, Darcy Richie.  This tribute show is airing on January 30th and Darcy would have been 42 years old today.  I think honoring her work - of which she was so proud - is just one way that I can celebrate her today.  This episode is a celebration of three things that Darcy was so very good at:  >> Managing people in ways that helped them step into the best version of themselves, in whatever role they were in;  >> Listening and hearing both what people were saying and what they meant to convey; and  >> Building organizational teams that allowed people not just to work across difference, but to transcend it, so that their work together was greater than the sum of their individual parts.  If you’ve heard this episode already, I recommend listening again. If you haven’t, you’re in for a treat. It’s a fantastic conversation between me and my thoughtful and talented sister.    Enjoy. 

Whether you're an aspiring changemaker or an established leader in the social sector, the essential rules of strategic and sustainable growth don’t change - that’s what we’ll be exploring today. In this episode, I have the pleasure of chatting with Jack Graham, a UK-born, Brooklyn-based queer social change strategist and writer. Jack's journey from founding Year Here, a fellowship for aspiring social entrepreneurs, to consulting for nonprofit clients in the U.S., is both inspiring and educational. In this episode, Jack shares his experiences, offering valuable insights into the world of social entrepreneurship. We break down the essential rules of growth and delve into the practicalities and philosophies of both starting and sustaining social impact ventures. What You Will Learn: In-depth Understanding: The power of deeply understanding social issues cannot be overstated. This knowledge is crucial in developing effective solutions.Balancing Impact and Sustainability: Successful social enterprises strike a balance between creating social impact and ensuring financial sustainability.Learning Through Experience: Real-world experiences offer richer learning opportunities compared to theoretical knowledge.Simplifying Business Models: A complex business model isn't always better. Simplification can lead to more focused and effective outcomes.Collective Action: The future of social change lies in collective efforts and movements rather than isolated ventures.Your Start-Up Roadmap: A Step-by-Step Process Frontline Placement: Start by gaining real-world experience with the problem or issue that you’re working on. Gain both a frontline and a systemic understanding of the problem.Consulting & Service: Integrate your personal insights and expertise into what you’re learning about the problem.Lab Test: Develop and test solutions fueled by insights from your frontline experience.Incubate: Secure network and funding support for the development of long-term solutions based on what you’ve learnedYour Start-Up Toolkit: Resources Mentioned Year Here: A fellowship program for social entrepreneurs. Learn more here.Giving Tuesday: A global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities. More info here.Quotes from Jack Graham: "Social change happens with people not to them, for them, or at them. It's about being a friend and a partner to people living through tough realities.""There's no growth or learning without the prospect of real failure. Learning in the real world is so much richer than in a lecture hall.""The solution part will flow much easier the more you invest in really deeply understanding your problem.""Social enterprise and social entrepreneurship are explicitly modeled on commercial entrepreneurship, but we don't even copy and paste that well."Connect With Jack: LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/jackdgraham Instagram @jackdgraham Twitter @jackdgraham Connect with Brooke: LinkedInInstagramYouTube

Now that you’ve had your board retreat, and set your goals to grow your board or expand your gala, it’s time to think about implementation. So now the challenge is this: How exactly do you keep your board motivated in the new year? In this episode, I’m going to talk about the purpose, power, and anatomy of a good board agreement, and about how it will help you be intentional about shaping your work with your board. What You’ll Learn: The importance of clarity and personalized commitments in enhancing board engagement.How to craft effective board agreements that align with your nonprofit's goals and values.Strategies for maintaining and updating board agreements to reflect organizational growth.Key Takeaways: Board Engagement is Key: Consistent engagement is often hindered by a lack of clarity.The Power of Board Agreements: A personalized document that sets clear expectations for each board member.Personalization Fosters Accountability: Board agreements allow members to commit based on their capacity, enhancing accountability.Organizational Structure: These agreements form the backbone of governance and set the tone for the organization.Clarity Equals Empowerment: Clear roles and expectations empower board members to contribute effectively.Step-by-Step Process: Annual Signing: Have board members fill out and sign the agreement every year.Personalized Check-ins: Conduct annual or midyear meetings to discuss individual roles and commitments.Regular Review: Ensure the agreement stays current with the organization's evolving needs.Resources Mentioned: Creating High-Impact Nonprofit BoardsMaintaining Board EngagementTemplate Vault Board Engagement Planning BundleEach of these resources provides in-depth insights and strategies for strengthening your nonprofit's leadership and governance. Connect With Brooke LinkedInInstagramYouTube

While some people may think that predictions about the state of the world are somewhere between hubris and a distraction, I don’t agree at all. I think that when offered thoughtfully and rooted in real insight, the information can give us more arrows in our impact quill.  There are people who know a lot about what they do — they have concrete, meaningful insight into what is happening in their corner of the world, and we are only made stronger and more powerful in our own purpose when they graciously leverage that expertise and insight with information about what to look out for, what to prepare for, where to expend energy, and what we can afford to ignore. These 8 sector leaders leverage their expertise and insights to share their predictions for the shape of social impact work in 2024...  So grab a notebook and a pen - these predictions are juicy!

Do you want to learn how to share your insights, stories, and impact in a way that connects with the right people and brings new supporters into your world consistently and effortlessly? In this inspiring and brass-tacks episode, I talk with Tania Bhattacharyya, founder of Lumos Marketing, about the power of thought leadership as a driver of organizational growth and impact. Lumos Marketing is a thought leadership consultancy for social impact leaders ready to stand out as they stand up for their mission. Tania offers personal brand messaging strategy for LinkedIn along with coaching to dismantle imposter thoughts. She also hosts the podcast The Campfire Circle, which explores replacing the ‘boardroom table’ as the ultimate leadership space with a campfire circle: a place to share our stories, build inclusive community, and spark visionary ideas. Tania is a deeply knowledgeable leader in the world of personal brand messaging and has been reshaping how we understand both the WHY and the HOW of thought leadership. In our conversation, we break down the essentials of effective thought leadership and map out exactly how leaders can leverage their passion, experience, and credibility to cultivate a vibrant community and drive impactful change. What You’ll Learn: How to use personal stories and experiences to inspire change and build an influential platform.Why starting thought leadership efforts early in an organization’s journey can fuel sustainable growth.Strategies for leveraging LinkedIn for nonprofit growth and networking.Practical tips for initiating and sustaining impactful thought leadership in your ecosystem.Why consistency in messaging and engagement is more important than frequency in building a strong online presence.Your Thought Leadership Roadmap: A Step-By-Step Approach Identify your vision and why for thought leadership.Research and understand your audience – where they gather and what resonates with them.Focus on one main idea or story to gain recognition and slowly expand your narrative.Utilize LinkedIn to connect with potential supporters, volunteers, and board members.Engage consistently with your audience through storytelling and meaningful content.Your Thought Leadership Toolkit: Resources Mentioned Lumos Marketing: Tania’s consultancy specializing in personal brand messaging and coaching for social impact leaders. Visit WebsiteThe Campfire Circle Podcast: Hosted by Tania, this podcast explores leadership and community building. Listen HereLinkedIn: A platform for professional networking and thought leadership. Visit LinkedInAtomic Habits: A book by James Clear about making small changes for significant impacts. Find the BookBenevon Model: A fundraising approach integrating storytelling techniques. Learn MoreQuotes from Tania: "We define thought leadership as a consistent practice of using our passion, lived experience, and credibility as fuel to build trust and community as we imagine and shape the future together for the better.""Storytelling is the only evidence-based approach to breaking down stigma. You can't argue with someone's lived experience.""Your nonprofit's work, as amazing as it is, does not speak for itself. You have to speak up for your work and it's a disservice to your work if you're not showing up and sharing about it.""The real goal of thought leadership is our ability to take a relationship on LinkedIn offline and nurture them into who

Just as every organization I work with has a mission and theory of change - a belief about how best to bring about the change in the world that they want to see - so does this show!  I organize this show around a set of core pillars that I believe are critical to your organization having the kind of impact that will change our world. And so I wanted to pull back the curtain on what those are, and share what you can expect from this show as we head into 2024 and where your organization will improve by tuning in. In this episode, I’ll share our 3 Nonprofit Mastermind Podcast pillars, reveal a little bit about our upcoming episodes, point you in the direction of some past episodes to help you dive into our three key areas of focus, and share some of the things I’m excited about and working on behind the scenes to help you grow your organization and impact this year. You’ll Learn Strategies for Organizational Growth: Understand the importance of strategic planning in expanding your nonprofit's impact.The Art & Science of Leverage: Learn how to maximize your efforts for greater impact with minimal resources.Sustainability in Nonprofit Leadership: Discover ways to sustain both your organization and personal well-being for long-term success.Podcasts Mentioned How to design an organization that you're proud of, From Ground UpHow To Say No (The Secret Is Saying Yes)Strategy Quick Hit: How To Get Your Time Back: 3 Lists To More LeverageLessons From The Field: What’s Working in Small Shop Nonprofit Leadership & Growth in 2023- LeveragePlan Your Entire Year of Board Engagement in Less Than A DayHow to attract new funders and donors to fuel your growthConnect With Brooke LinkedInInstagramYouTube

Hello and welcome to 2024! I'm still wrapping my head around how fast time flies. As we step into this new year, fresh from our reflective period, I'm excited to dive into leveraging this new year energy. In today's episode, I'll walk you through a 3-part framework to help you and your team focus on what truly matters, avoiding the chaos that often comes by March. This isn’t about adding more to your plate; it's about organizing and moving forward with intention. We'll explore how to use a simple paper-based tool to align our actions with our goals. From understanding our starting point to pinpointing our desired end state and identifying high-leverage actions, this framework is designed to keep us grounded and focused amidst the whirlwind of new challenges and opportunities. Let's embark on this journey to ensure our 2024 is not just busy, but impactful and fulfilling. 3 Bullet Points: Learn how to effectively leverage your current resources and identify gaps for growth in 2024.Discover the importance of setting clear, impactful goals and how to maintain focus on them throughout the year.Understand the significance of high-leverage actions to maximize your efforts and achieve outsized returns.Five Key Takeaways: Baseline Assessment: Start by understanding where you are, including your strengths (SWOT analysis) and resources.Goal Clarity: Clearly define where you want to end up, focusing on impact and organizational goals.High-Leverage Actions: Prioritize actions that offer the greatest returns, aligning them with your goals.Focus and Intentionality: Maintain clarity and avoid overwhelm by continuously aligning actions with goals.Leveraging Tools and Networks: Utilize platforms like LinkedIn and community engagement for expansive growth.Step-by-Step Process: Baseline Assessment:Conduct or reflect on your SWOT analysis.List your current resources (money, people, skills).Identify and record key gaps and challenges.Setting Goals:Define your end state for success.Record impact and organizational goals, like fundraising targets.Identifying High-Leverage Actions:Choose strategies that yield the best returns.Prioritize actions like partnerships and community engagement.Resources Mentioned: SWOT Analysis Tools: Tools for conducting SWOT analyses, helping you understand your current position.LinkedIn: A networking platform to expand your professional network and reach.Podcast Episodes (September 27, 2022 & January 10, 2023): In-depth discussions on leveraging actions for growth.Connect With Brooke LinkedInInstagramYouTube