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IMPACTability: The Nonprofit Leaders' Podcast

IMPACTability: The Nonprofit Leaders' Podcast

By: Soukup Strategic Solutions
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About this listen

 IMPACTability: The Nonprofit Leaders’ Podcast is a dynamic and insightful series dedicated to helping nonprofit professionals navigate the challenges of leadership, fundraising, and organizational growth. Season 1 was hosted by Joe Turner, followed by Josh Hirsch, MS, in Season 2. Now in Season 3, Sheryl Soukup, President of Soukup Strategic Solutions, takes the helm, bringing her extensive nonprofit experience and deep industry insights to each episode. Sheryl engages with experts from across the sector to provide valuable perspectives and practical solutions for nonprofit professionals. From leadership and strategic planning to fundraising, operations, and more, IMPACTability delivers knowledge and inspiration to help nonprofits grow and make a lasting impact. Whether you’re looking to enhance your skills, discover fresh ideas, or tackle challenges with confidence, this podcast is your trusted resource for nonprofit excellence.Copyright 2025 IMPACTability, Powered by Soukup Strategic Solutions Economics Management Management & Leadership Marketing Marketing & Sales
Episodes
  • Building Sustainable Relationships with Donors and Funders

    Building Sustainable Relationships with Donors and Funders
    Nov 25 2024
    In this episode, host Josh Hirsch sits down with Jillian Vukusich, CAP, Executive Director of Lost Tree Foundation, for a candid and insightful conversation about what it really takes to build strong donor-funder relationships in the nonprofit world. From fostering trust and transparency to understanding the evolving needs of communities, Jillian offers a wealth of practical advice and heartfelt reflections. Together, they explore why small and mid-sized donors are just as crucial as major gifts, how open communication can transform partnerships, and the true value of listening to and engaging all donors. Whether you're a seasoned fundraiser or just starting your journey, this episode is packed with actionable tips and thought-provoking ideas to help you create meaningful connections that maximize impact. Takeaways
    • Building strong relationships through trust, honesty, and transparency is essential in fundraising and grant-making.
    • Understanding community needs and fostering open communication lead to more effective partnerships and impactful grant-making.
    • Small to mid-sized donors play a vital role in nonprofit stability and deserve engagement alongside major donors.
    • Knowing the decision-making structure in foundations helps nonprofits tailor their approach and maximize opportunities.
    • Maintaining relationships with all donors builds trust and can lead to significant, long-term funding opportunities.

    Chapters 00:00 Introduction to IMPACTability Podcast 01:32 Understanding the Donor-Funder Relationship 04:22 The Role of Fundraising and Grant Making 08:37 Building Resilient Relationships with Grantees 10:58 The Importance of Transparency in Grant Making 13:27 Navigating Decision-Making in Foundations 22:18 Aligning Community Needs with Donor Intentions 25:39 The Value of Small to Mid-Sized Donors 27:33 Final Thoughts on Fundraising and Relationships Guest Bio Jillian joined Lost Tree Foundation as Executive Director in 2015. Lost Tree Foundation’s annual grants program provides nearly $4 million for capital projects each year in the areas of health, homelessness, hunger and education. Jillian previously served in leadership roles at the Community Foundation Martin St. Lucie and the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties. Jillian is an alumnus of the Hull Fellows Program through Philanthropy Southeast and has served in a variety of capacities for organizations such as the Council on Foundations, Exponent Philanthropy and Florida Philanthropic Network. She holds degrees from American University and University of South Florida as well as the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® designation from The American College. Leave a review! Reviews are hugely important because they help new people discover this podcast. If you enjoyed listening to this episode, please leave a review. Like this episode? Subscribe to our podcast on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcasting app. Got a question that you’d like to ask a nonprofit professional? Email your questions to
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    29 mins
  • From Fundraiser to Leader: An Executive Director’s Journey

    From Fundraiser to Leader: An Executive Director’s Journey
    Nov 12 2024
    In this episode, host Josh Hirsch speaks with Dolly Farrell, Executive Director of the Charitable Foundation of the Islands. Dolly shares her journey from a frontline fundraiser in higher education to leading a community foundation focused on collaborative philanthropy. They explore the importance of personal connections in fundraising, the impact of COVID-19 on nonprofit operations, and the role of cultural competency in program development. Dolly highlights how nonprofits can support one another, especially in times of crisis, and offers insights into innovative ways to amplify their impact. Takeaways
    • Early Start, Mentorship, and Personal Connections: Dolly’s journey began at a young age, with mentorship shaping her path and personal connections enhancing fundraising success.
    • Stewardship and Collaboration: Fundraisers act as stewards of donor contributions, and nonprofits thrive by collaborating to amplify their impact, especially during crises.
    • Adapting to Challenges with Innovation: COVID-19 prompted nonprofits to reassess strategies and develop innovative solutions to meet emerging needs.
    • Cultural Competency in Program Development: Cultural awareness plays a vital role in creating programs that effectively serve diverse communities.
    • Community Foundations and Networking: Community foundations drive rapid crisis response, and building strong professional networks is essential for long-term success.

    Chapters 00:00 Introduction to IMPACTability Podcast 02:53 Dolly Farrell's Nonprofit Journey 08:59 Transitioning from Higher Education to Community Impact 13:52 Collaborative Philanthropy Post-COVID 22:45 Coaches Corner: Cultural Competency in Nonprofits 28:22 Navigating Challenges in Nonprofit Leadership 35:50 The Role of Community Foundations 40:30 Building Collaborative Networks for Nonprofits 46:30 Empowering Local Businesses and Nonprofits Guest Bio Dolly Farrell is a nonprofit executive with over twenty years’ experience serving three universities and charitable organizations providing affordable housing, at-risk youth interventions, leadership development programs and environmental protection. Raised on the Jersey Shore, Dolly lived in North Carolina for ten years before moving to Southwest Florida in 2013. She joined the Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) on October 3rd, 2022, as the organization’s first Executive Director, after nine years at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) Foundation. Dolly earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Loyola University of MD in 1998 and a Master of Public Administration from Appalachian State University in 2006. Dolly’s husband Liam was raised on Fort Myers Beach after his parents moved to SWFL 41 years ago. Dolly and Liam were married in Fort Myers on New Years Eve 2005 and spent every winter holiday in Fort Myers thereafter. Each trip included a drive over the Sanibel Causeway for vacation. While celebrating their anniversary at Tween Waters in 2012, Dolly and Liam decided to make the move permanently and relocated to Fort Myers with their two daughters in 2013. Liam has served in various capacities in Lee County Schools since 2013, currently serving his alma mater as Assistant Principal at Cypress Lake High School. Rory (15 years of age) attends Cypress Lake High School as a sophomore; Neeve (13) attends Cypress Lake Middle School and is in 8th grade. Both girls run track, cross country, and play competitive soccer – keeping their parents very busy almost every weekend. Leave a review!Reviews are hugely...
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    45 mins
  • Digital Marketing for Nonprofits: Key KPIs and First-Party Data

    Digital Marketing for Nonprofits: Key KPIs and First-Party Data
    Oct 29 2024
    In this episode, host Josh Hirsch speaks with digital marketing expert Jay Key about how digital marketing has evolved in the nonprofit sector. Together, they discuss why measurability is vital in today’s campaigns, how to effectively budget for digital marketing efforts, and the role of platforms like LinkedIn for reaching targeted audiences. Jay shares insights on the importance of learning from failures, understanding conversion pixels, and building a robust digital presence. This engaging conversation highlights the ongoing need for nonprofits to embrace continuous learning in the ever-changing digital marketing landscape. Takeaways
    • Measurability has transformed nonprofit marketing, making clear goal-setting essential for effective campaigns.
    • LinkedIn and audience targeting offer nonprofits powerful tools for reaching the right people.
    • Learning from failures and adapting to digital trends fosters growth and keeps marketing relevant.
    • First-party data and conversion pixels are crucial for tracking success in a cookie-less world.
    • Budgeting should align with objectives to maximize campaign impact.

    Chapters 00:00 Introduction to IMPACTability Podcast 01:57 The Evolution of Digital Marketing 03:18 Measurability in Marketing Campaigns 10:00 Budgeting for Nonprofit Marketing 15:12 Leveraging LinkedIn for Nonprofits 18:03 Learning from Failures in Marketing 29:24 Understanding Conversion Pixels 35:36 Building a Digital Presence 39:58 The Importance of Continuous Learning Guest Bio Jay Key has two decades of marketing experience, primarily in the digital media and ad tech industry, as both a seller of marketing solutions at News Corp, Sizmek, and Viant (Time, Inc.); and a client-side marketer at Keurig Dr Pepper and Susan G. Komen. He has worked for some of the most progressive ad tech firms and for (or with) some of the biggest brands in the consumer packaged goods, retail, auto, and non-profit verticals, and inclusive of programmatic, social, search, video, emerging platforms, and in-housing. His 2020 book, Shopper Marketing and Digital Media: Simplifying Your Digital Media Plans with the Six Pillars Approach, earned Best New Digital Marketing Books (Book Authority), Top 29 Digital Marketing Books to Read in 2020 (News Books USA), and Ten Insightful Books for Shopper Marketers (Totinomo.com). Leave a review! Reviews are hugely important because they help new people discover this podcast. If you enjoyed listening to this episode, please leave a review. Like this episode? Subscribe to our podcast on Apple,  Spotify, or your favorite podcasting app. Got a question that you’d like to ask a nonprofit professional? Email your questions to IMPACTcoaches@IMPACTability.net and listen to next episode to see if your question gets answered!

    This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

    Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
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    42 mins

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