The Nonprofit Optimist podcast showcases positive change agents and talks through lessons that their small nonprofits have learned. With interviews of executive directors, founders, board members and staff leaders, we share practical advice based on real experiences working in the non-profit sector. Since most nonprofit professionals wear many hats, this is a great opportunity to learn how to grow your small nonprofit without needing to re-invent the wheel!
…
continue reading
A scuba podcast exploring the world of diving. We discuss our own dives, do gear reviews, hear from professional divers, dive buddies, local experts, dive shops, and more. Whether new to scuba or a seasoned diver, there's something for everyone!
…
continue reading
Today's guest is Joan Garry, author of Guide to Nonprofit Leadership and host of the Nonprofits are Messy podcast. Molly MacCready (host of the Nonprofit Optimist podcast) and Joan discuss the importance of knowing what activities fuel you, how to define success and impact beyond the typical metrics, and some ways to learn and grow as a nonprofit f…
…
continue reading
In this episode of the Nonprofit Optimist, host Molly MacCready shares her experience with starting a Giving Day for her small nonprofit, CROSO. They started their giving day in 2019 and have successfully completed 3 annual giving days now and are preparing for their 4th in April 2022. In this episode, Molly explains what a giving day is and all th…
…
continue reading
My guest today is Kim Morris, the project coordinator for River Keepers, a nonprofit based in Fargo, North Dakota. River Keepers’ mission is to advocate for safe and sustainable use of the Red River of the North and they work with the communities in both Fargo and Moorhead, MN. In today’s episode, you’ll hear us talk about project planning and even…
…
continue reading
In today's episode, host Molly MacCready sheds some light on her own experiences and thoughts regarding the past 18 months as well as discusses self-care. While a self-professed amateur at self-care, Molly does share some of the lessons she's recently learned about how to create some balance within her schedule by leaning into untraditional work ho…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
NPO 043: Founding story, Recruiting Volunteers, Membership Model, and the Power of No (Tessa Vierk, Chicago Tool Library)
49:42
In today's episode, Tessa Vierk (co-founder of the Chicago Tool Library) chats with Molly about their founding story, recruiting volunteers, creating their membership model, and the power of saying "not right now." The Chicago Tool Library’s goal is to provide equitable access to tools, equipment, and information to allow all Chicagoans to learn, s…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
NPO 042: Branding for Nonprofits with Stakeholder Input (Julia Gatten, AfricAid) - Part 2 of 2
28:10
Part 2 of 2! Julia Gatten is the Communications Director for AfricAid and she shares some of the biggest lessons she's learned about how to tell your story to donors. In this conversation, we talk about branding, messaging, and logos. It was important to AfricAid to involve stakeholders in that process from both Tanzania and America, and it's great…
…
continue reading
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube Email: 2shallowdivers@gmail.com Links: Learn Scuba Chicago Some Ocean Themed Nursery Items: Book Recommendations:Di Molly and Sean MacCready
…
continue reading
Julia Gatten is the Communications Director for AfricAid and she shares some of the biggest lessons she's learned about how to tell your story to donors. In this conversation, we talk about how AfricAid puts together their weekly blogs through contributions of staff in Tanzania and America, and how they engage a volunteer in a substantial role. We …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
NPO 040: Developing your Major Gifts Program (Sean MacCready and Stephenie Lazarus, Horizons for Youth)
41:21
Sean MacCready and Stephenie Lazarus from Horizons for Youth share the lessons they have learned about partnering with donors, creating a major giving program, and participating in their first Giving Tuesday. You can check out the outline of topics discussed here: NPO 040. Nonprofit Optimist information: Become a Patron of the Nonprofit Optimist: w…
…
continue reading
Dr. Susan Blaustein of WomenStrong International shares the lessons she's learned about community and international development through her work. You can check out the outline of topics discussed here: NPO 039. Nonprofit Optimist information: Become a Patron of the Nonprofit Optimist: www.Patreon.com/nonprofitoptimist Website: www.nonprofitoptimist…
…
continue reading
Super quick episode sharing a fun announcement (picture here!) and a few shout outs. Website: www.nonprofitoptimist.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/nonprofitoptimist Instagram: www.instagram.com/nonprofitoptimist Become a Patron of the Nonprofit Optimist: www.Patreon.com/nonprofitoptimist Back to regular interview-style episodes on Tuesday! Get exci…
…
continue reading
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube Email: 2shallowdivers@gmail.com Links: Scuba Shack - Maui Makena Coast Dive Charters - Maui Benja Iglesis Photography Use AirBnB for your trip to Hawaii or wherever you go nextDi Molly and Sean MacCready
…
continue reading
Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/nonprofitoptimist For $2 or $4 per month, support the Nonprofit Optimist podcast! Today's Guest: Rose Hart As a lifelong resident of Marshall County, WV, was part of the first graduating class of John Marshall High School in 1969. She spent 30 years of her career working for the United States Postal Service as a let…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
NPO 036: Maximizing Capacity- partnerships, interns, and professional development (Byron Sigcho-Lopez, Pilsen Alliance)
33:09
My guest for today’s episode is Byron Sigcho, the executive director of Pilsen Alliance, here in Chicago. Pilsen Alliance is a social justice organization committed to developing grassroots leadership in Pilsen and neighboring working class, immigrant communities in Chicago’s Lower West Side. They work for quality public education, affordable housi…
…
continue reading
Announcements: Molly will be at Podcast Movement conference next week! If you'll be there- email me: nonprofitoptimist@gmail.com. Come to our Nonprofit Meetup! Attend the panel where Molly and other nonprofit rockstars will be speaking! Molly's husband (Sean MacCready) has a great podcast you should check out-- The Philanthropy Podcast. Review the …
…
continue reading
A dive report from our eight dives during our honeymoon in Bora Bora. These were our first dives outside of our scuba certification process and they quickly blew our mind. Manta rays, eagle rays, black tip sharks, lemon sharks, and so much more awaited us in our four days of diving. We discuss our dive shop experience, the dive sites we visited, ou…
…
continue reading
Today’s guest is Stacy Horst, one of the founders of Erin’s Hope for Friends. Erin’s Hope for Friends believes that extending opportunities to form friendships to kids with High Functioning Autism Spectrum and Asperger’s can change their lives. In our conversation, Stacy shares how they formed their ideas for E’s Club and the different ways they’ve…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
NPO 033: Event Planning for Small Nonprofits (Carrie Collins-Fadell, Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona)
33:53
Carrie Collins-Fadell is the executive director of the Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona and is today's guest on the Nonprofit Optimist! Our conversation is dedicated to fundraising through events and Carrie has great ideas to share on this! Carrie has been able to plan and execute several large events for their organization and this year, they offe…
…
continue reading
A quick announcement of an upcoming trip we have. We'll be heading to Nosy Be, Madagascar to get in some diving later this year. While we'll surely be back with a dive report once our trip is done, for now we're asking for your recommendations. Have you dived Nosy Be or other spots in Madagascar? If so, feel welcome to let us know by tagging us in …
…
continue reading
Some background on who we are and our scuba story. We discuss our earliest memories related to diving and what took us so long to get certified and get in the water! We also discuss our certification process and answer some questions about favorite dive experiences. Make sure you subscribe to our podcast for updates about the latest episodes and co…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
A scuba podcast for beginners and experienced divers - Welcome to 2 Shallow Divers - Episode 1
5:14
An introduction to our scuba podcast which we hope will be enjoyable and useful to both beginning and experienced divers. Your hosts Molly and Sean MacCready share with you what to expect from our podcast and how to follow and connect with us on social media or via email including: Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube Email: 2shallowdivers@gmail.com…
…
continue reading
My guest today is Shay Beider, the founder and executive director of Integrative Touch for Kids. Shay has been a pioneer in the field of integrative medicine for the past 17 years. Integrative Touch for Kids is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to enhance well being, minimize suffering and facilitate healing for children with chronic, acute…
…
continue reading
Helene Dudley is today's guest and she helped establish The Colombia Project in 2000, a zero-overhead, sustainable micro-loan program. This program evolved to include TCP Global in 2014 and now supports loan programs in 7 countries, including one with former Florida foster care youth in Miami. Helene served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Colombia an…
…
continue reading
Liz Ryan, President and CEO of Youth First Initiative, is the guest on today's show. Youth First is a national advocacy campaign to end the incarceration of youth by closing youth prisons and investing in community-based alternatives to incarceration and programs for youth. In this podcast episode, Liz tells host (Molly MacCready) how they measure …
…
continue reading
My guest today is John Zimmerman, co-founder of Casting for Hope and also serves as the board chair and CEO. Casting for Hope is a nonprofit that focuses on attending to the financial, emotional and spiritual needs of women living with ovarian and gynecological cancers in western North Carolina. In our conversation, John and I discuss the systems h…
…
continue reading
Margy Roberts has been a board member for CROSO (Child Restoration Outreach Support Organization) for the past 6 years. She and her husband Randy have been involved in CROSO as volunteers and donors since CROSO began in 2007. Last month, Margy, Randy and Molly MacCready (host of this podcast and executive director of CROSO) traveled to Uganda to vi…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
NPO 027: Getting Started, Fundraising and Collaboration (Carin Willis, Bridge for Pelvic Pain)
44:26
Carin Willis is the guest for today's episode and serves as the founder and executive director of Bridge for Pelvic Pain. Based in Colorado Spring, the Bridge for Pelvic Pains's mission is to connect the global community of chronic pelvic, sexual and genital pain patients to resources, education and hope through an integrative approach. In our conv…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
NPO 026: Mentors, Managing Time and Networking (Megan Stith, United Way of Central Kentucky)
42:38
Today's guest is Megan Stith, President and CEO of United Way of Central Kentucky. We discuss the importance and values of mentors, recommendations for how to manage time (including some scheduling apps) and how to build strong partnerships with businesses and corporations through networking. This episode has lots of tangible suggestions for how to…
…
continue reading