About this podcast
Welcome to The Nonprofit Mentor! . . . The show that provides straight talk and practical tools to help you become an outstanding nonprofit leader, run and exceptional organization, and raise a ton of money in the process.
Looking for savvy fundraising tips and tactics? . . . check out Tom's other podcast called: The Fundraising Coach.
Whether you're an executive, staff member or board member, you'll be learning the inside scoop from one of the nation's leading social entrepreneurs who's been in your shoes and walked in the muddiest of trenches, not from some university professor who spouts theory and has never run a nonprofit.
Join us! Because show after show, you'll learn useful information that will help you grow professionally as you build a high-impact nonprofit.
About Tom Iselin: Tom has built eight notable nonprofits. He's written six books, sits on six boards, and is considered a leading authority on building gold standard nonprofits. His been on CNN, Nightline, and feature in Newsweek for his impact on the industry.
Tom runs First Things First, an organization that provides executive coaching, board retreats, strategic planning, and fundraising services, and is rated, "America's best retreat facilitator." Learn more at: www.tomiselin.com
Episodes
The newest 20 of 70 episodes
- Your Board Doesn't Have a Governance Problem -- It has a Courage Problem! · 25 minOver the years, I've heard countless nonprofit leaders say some version of the same thing: "Our board has a governance problem." Sometimes they're right. A board may have…
- Why "Any Questions" is Killing Your Board Discussions · 7 minWhy "Any Questions?" Is Killing Your Board Discussions I've facilitated hundreds of board retreats over the past 20 years, and I've noticed something fascinating. The moment a…
- You Essential Marketing Quiver - Here! · 17 minMany nonprofits believe their mission alone should inspire support. Unfortunately, donors are not mind readers. They cannot automatically feel your impact, understand your…
- A Strategic Planning Doc Should be a Decision-Making Tool, Not a Coffee Table Book · 11 minI've seen some beautiful strategic plans over the years. Thick paper. Gorgeous photography. Inspirational quotes. Color-coded priorities. One organization even handed me a plan…
- How Great Fundraisers Prepare for Donor Meetings · 14 minMany fundraisers think successful donor meetings are primarily about charisma. Wrong. Charisma helps. Confidence helps. Storytelling helps. But more than anything else…
- Every Board Has an Elephant. Most Just Feed It. · 10 minElephants Have Excellent Appetites Boards feed elephants in all kinds of ways. They postpone difficult conversations. They soften uncomfortable language. They create committees…
- 5-Step Formula for Setting Up a Donor Meeting · 11 minFor many nonprofit leaders and fundraisers, making the initial donor call feels about as comfortable as parallel parking a boat. Even highly confident professionals suddenly…
- The Biggest Lie in Strategic Planning · 8 minBoard members say it all the time. "We're just not ready to make that decision." It sounds thoughtful. Responsible. Even wise. After all, no one wants to rush an important…
- Your Board Isn't Working: Why a Board Retreat Might Be the Best Investment Your Nonprofit Makes This Year · 9 minYour Board Isn't Working: Why a Board Retreat Might Be the Best Investment Your Nonprofit Makes This Year Most nonprofit leaders know the scene. You're sitting in a board…
- Building a Donor Pipeline BEFORE You need It! · 15 minBuilding a Donor Pipeline BEFORE You need It! Here's a truth most development directors don't want to admit out loud: Your donor base is quietly shrinking. Not because you're…
- Board Retreat Blunders and Mistakes that Sabotage Retreats · 15 minBoard Retreat Blunders and Mistakes that Sabotage Retreats Board retreats are supposed to be powerful. They're supposed to create clarity, alignment, momentum, unity, and…
- Part 3 of 3: Ask Better, Raise More Money -- Fundraising Ask Tactics and Strategies · 15 minPart 3 of 3: Ask Better, Raise More Money -- Fundraising Ask Tactics and Strategies Most fundraisers spend far too much time worrying about the "perfect ask," as if somewhere out…
- Part 2 of 3: Ask Better, Raise More Money -- Fundraising Ask Tactics and Strategies · 17 minPart 2 of 3: Ask Better, Raise More Money -- Fundraising Ask Tactics and Strategies Most fundraisers spend far too much time worrying about the "perfect ask," as if somewhere out…
- Part 1 of 3: Ask Better, Raise More Money -- Fundraising Ask Tactics and Strategies · 16 minPart 1 of 3: Ask Better, Raise More Money -- Fundraising Ask Tactics and Strategies Most fundraisers spend far too much time worrying about the "perfect ask," as if somewhere out…
- Unresponsive Donors: A Smarter Way to Respond · 10 minIf you've spent any time in fundraising, you know this moment well. You send the email, make the call and follow up—politely, professionally, thoughtfully. And then… nothing…
- The Year-End (Holiday) Fundraising Secrets Nobody Uses · 10 minThe "Notify First" Trick There's one move that can turn your ho-hum year-end appeal into a home run: notify first! Before you send a single email or stuff a single envelope…
- Board Members: Help Raise Money (Without Asking For It!) · 7 minFear not! To raise money, you and your fellow board members don't have to cold call strangers (or worse, friends), or suffer through awkward donor coffees where you feel like the…
- 10 Strategic Fundraising Principles - Every Fundraiser Should Know · 9 minFundraising—it's part charm offensive, part emotional trapeze act, part caffeine-fueled chaos. Some days you feel like a philanthropic superhero, and other days you're crying…
- Don't Pitch—Connect: 10 Smart Moves for First Donor Meetings · 8 minYour first face-to-face meeting with a donor isn't a sales pitch or interview. And it's definitely not the time to comb through the details for your 30-page strategic plan. It's…
- Lighthearted Field Guide to Fundraising Disasters · 7 minHere's a crash course in what "not" to do when fundraising, what donors secretly loathe, and a short list of how to ask for money without breaking into hives. Listen in and learn…
