Transforming Nonprofits

In this episode, guest Derek Drockelman unpacks a shift that's reshaping the way nonprofits think about data. Where applications once sat at the center, holding and guarding information, data platforms are now emerging as the true hub—enabling organizations to break down data silos and put data to work. We discuss how treating data as a core asset can deepen constituent relationships, surface powerful insights, and drive meaningful growth.  If you’re ready to unlock the potential of your data, this episode offers an accessible starting point.

AI agents are making waves in the tech world, with companies like Microsoft and Salesforce leading the charge. But what exactly are AI agents, and how can your organization leverage them effectively? Join Ryan Ozimek and Rubin Singh in this insightful episode as they explain the fundamentals of AI agents and their potential applications in nonprofit, foundation, and association spaces. From enhancing customer service experiences to streamlining operations, you'll learn how these tools are poised to transform the way organizations function. You'll also gain practical advice on what to consider when exploring AI agents for your organization and how to approach their implementation with confidence. Whether you’re a seasoned Chief Information Officer or exploring tech solutions for the first time, this episode provides a clear, jargon-free overview to help you stay ahead of the curve.

This episode brings an expert in change management, Heather Ritchie, to talk about skills. But, skills are more than a set of things you've learned. Skills are what your team, and your organization, need to work together and thrive.  Heather is an expert with a long career of curiosity about teams: how do we work together as humans? What are the ways to manage human change for nonprofit teams to make IT projects more successful? And how can a team of people who care about their nonprofit and its mission strategize the skills they need to acquire or improve to increase their organization's ability to achieve mission?  Can you execute a change management strategy without learning your teams’ skills, interests, and where they can grow into the new tech space you are creating? And do you have the trust on your team to do a skills matrix exercise in good faith? Heather discusses ways to create safety for your staff to be candid, honest, and vulnerable and build the team they want. Do you need a skilled facilitator? Do you structure the skills mapping exercise one-on-one or as a group project? In this conversation, Kyle learns Heather's approach to change management and skill mapping.  Heather is a consultant with Build Consulting and has over two decades of experience in the field. She has led change management efforts in nonprofit, academic and corporate sectors, serving in a variety of roles from senior leadership to educator, coach and consultant. Heather brings a passion for connecting social purpose with the strategy, tools and technology to make the world a better place – on budget, on time, and for measurable impact. Our podcast is designed for audiences with varied experiences with technology. In this conversation with Heather Ritchie learn the role of skills in change management and strategies to motivate your teams to develop the skills they - and your nonprofit - need.

This time on Transforming Nonprofits, Kyle catches up with Taj Carson to geek out on data. What does data mean for information strategy, technology, and the nonprofits of tomorrow? The topic of data is only becoming more and more important, but for so many nonprofits it can be an elusive topic. How are nonprofits making meaningful strides in data? Data has always been important – from monitoring and evaluation to getting an annual report right. With the increasing availability of AI, data is more important than ever. In this conversation, we learn Taj’s approach to data for nonprofits, her thoughts on the impact of technology and how she thinks good data helps nonprofits choose technology in the future. Taj Carson is the CEO and Founder of Inciter. Inciter maps data, integrates data systems, and automates data processes. The outcome? Beautifully designed, accurate reports. Effortlessly. Inciter is essentially a Managed Services Provider (MSP) for your data, supporting nonprofits across the many systems they use, regardless of what those systems are. Our Fireside Chats are designed for audiences with varied experiences with technology. In this Fireside Chat with Taj Carson on nonprofit data and strategy, learn data basics, how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the value of your data to your own nonprofit and to your community and the sector, and how to harness your data to make strategic decisions.

This episode features Watt Hamlett and Ryan Ozimek. With Kyle Haines, they all were invited to attend the inaugural Microsoft Global Leaders Summit. Kyle has known Watt and Ryan for a long time, so they seemed like a logical pair to bring their perspective around what was learned at the conference from Microsoft and its vision for Artificial Intelligence. They also got to hear from the nonprofit sector and learn how nonprofits are engaging and using AI in their work. Probably most exciting, Trevor Noah was the guest speaker, and they learned that he is not only an amazing comedian and satirist, but an amazing philanthropist and knows his way around technology.

Johan joins Transforming Nonprofits without the benefit of knowing the topic in advance. I ambush him with a wide ranging, and often controversial, topic: AI. This episode is all about AI and how it is impacting our working and personal lives now, particularly if you work at a nonprofit and you are trying to figure out where to invest in AI tools, and where to wait for the technology to develop further. Kyle Haines and guest Johan Hamerstrom discuss fear of missing out, where to be cautious, and where to test-drive AI before taking the plunge. They discuss Microsoft’s Copilot at length as an AI application that everyone using Microsoft products will eventually see integrate across the Microsoft Office. Johan is CEO of Community IT Innovators, an MSP providing outsourced IT support exclusively to nonprofits. Community IT and Build Consulting have a long history of partnership and have worked with many of the same clients over the years. Kyle and Johan also go way back. Sometimes those conversations between colleagues and friends of longstanding are the best kind to listen in on, and this discussion explores questions and cautions that these experts have about this “wild west” phase of AI we are living through now as the technology sorts itself into products and services. They also touch on the ways different generations interact with knowledge, and the way our algorithms can make echo chambers out of the media we consume. Our Fireside Chats are designed for audiences with varied experiences with technology. In this Fireside Chat with Johan Hammerstrom on AI, learn more about leading nonprofits by understanding new technologies as they emerge, and how those new tools can fit your use case.

In this episode, Kyle Haines from Build Consulting catches up with Katie McFadden from Common Voyage and Ryan Ozimek from Picnet/Soapbox Engage after the Dreamforce conference from Salesforce, to learn their impressions and what they will be looking for in the next few years from Salesforce for nonprofits. This conversation centers on integrating Salesforce into the way nonprofits work, and integrating Salesforce into the activities that are driving their nonprofit impact. Our Fireside Chats are designed for audiences with varied experiences with technology. In this Fireside Chat with Katie McFadden and Ryan Ozimek on Dreamforce, learn more about what nonprofits can expect from Salesforce, and how Salesforce integrated with your organization can be transformative.

TBD

Some of the best conversations are inspired by sitting around the fire and thinking of possibilities and visions – large and small. Guest Karen Graham has a long academic and practitioner career working with technology and nonprofits and asking the question “What is learning?” Listen to her conversation with Kyle to understand more about learning nonprofits.  How you can work to define learning for your organization? How do you ensure your technology projects embrace learning as you implement and evaluate your nonprofit tech? How can your organization utilize learning as a differentiator, and what does that do to create tech successes? In this fireside chat Karen and Kyle discuss software selection and learning platforms, but their conversation is not limited to education platforms alone. Is your organization fully involving your stakeholders in design and decision making? What do your clients, grantees, and staff have to teach you? Where are you missing the expertise in your own network, and how can you build cultures and technology tools that help everyone contribute to what your nonprofit is learning? Our Fireside Chats are designed for audiences with varied experiences with technology. In this Fireside Chat with Karen Graham learn more about learning itself – how we learn, where learning occurs, and why being a learning organization is essential to nonprofits as they embrace technology.

Conversation and advice from Build Consulting's David Deal and Community IT Innovators' CEO Johan Hammerstrom. Learn how to grow leadership potential and manage IT without being pigeonholed into leadership OR tech - our nonprofit community needs leaders who can do both. Between them, Johan and David have decades of experience both in being executive leaders and in interacting with IT leaders at nonprofit clients, from large to small, with a variety of IT needs. In this webinar on leadership in IT at nonprofits, David and Johan took questions and shared practical advice and tips for developing leadership skills around IT management, whether or not you are “the IT person.” Part 1 includes a discussion and advice on how to grow your career as a leader if you start out in IT, including resources from the experts, which we share in the transcript. Part 2 covers how to align your IT strategy and your organizational strategy as a nonprofit leader. Johan and David also touch on how to nurture three essential leadership traits in the second part of this podcast. As with all our webinars, this presentation is appropriate for an audience of varied IT experience. Build and Community IT are passionately vendor-agnostic. This conversation delves into the career paths and resources to become a leader in IT and create tech opportunities for your nonprofit.

Conversation and advice from Build Consulting's David Deal and Community IT Innovators' CEO Johan Hammerstrom. Learn how to grow leadership potential and manage IT without being pigeonholed into leadership OR tech - our nonprofit community needs leaders who can do both. Between them, Johan and David have decades of experience both in being executive leaders and in interacting with IT leaders at nonprofit clients, from large to small, with a variety of IT needs. In this webinar on leadership in IT at nonprofits, David and Johan took questions and shared practical advice and tips for developing leadership skills around IT management, whether or not you are “the IT person.” Part 1 includes a discussion and advice on how to grow your career as a leader if you start out in IT, including resources from the experts, which we share in the transcript. Part 2 covers how to align your IT strategy and your organizational strategy as a nonprofit leader. Johan and David also touch on how to nurture three essential leadership traits in the second part of this podcast. As with all our webinars, this presentation is appropriate for an audience of varied IT experience. Build and Community IT are passionately vendor-agnostic. This conversation delves into the career paths and resources to become a leader in IT and create tech opportunities for your nonprofit.

Some of the best conversations are inspired by sitting around the fire and thinking of possibilities and visions – large and small. Guest Justin Melnik has a rich experience working with major brands like QVC. He also is a professor at Temple University where he teaches branding and marketing strategy. For any nonprofit that’s thinking about doing a brand refresh, has recently completed one, or is thinking about how to invest in branding, read on for a deep discussion on what branding has to do for nonprofits.

A powerful, practical framework for change Investing in new technology systems only to find that your colleagues have not adopted them? Making changes to your systems or processes only to find that people revert to their old ways? Hearing about “change management” but feel unclear on what it is or how to perform it? Nonprofit Technology Change Management Most technology projects have non-technological goals: raise more money, reach more supporters, serve more program participants, or become more efficient. To reach those goals, not only must the technology improve, but the habits and behaviors of system users must change – sometimes significantly. In this video, we share a framework on how to manage the challenges of aligning organizational change with technology projects. Learn how to examine the impacts of a technology change and identify the steps required for an organization to manage the change. Peter Gross and Johan Hammerstrom also answer questions from the audience on specific change management issues such as communication, the role of leadership, and how to address siloed departments with organization-wide technology change. Download the free framework here: https://buildconsulting.com/learning/resource-change-management-template-free/

What are the Six Steps to Becoming a Data Management Ninja? This episode discusses the skills, many of which are non-technical, that any nonprofit staff member can use to improve their role in data management and help their organization tell their stories better. The Six Steps to Becoming a Data Management Ninja Learn the nonprofit landscape Understand the relationships Learn your technology Become a data quality nerd Become a great communicator Become a super sleuth In ways both large and small, every person working at a non-profit shares some data management responsibility whether you’re in development, programs, finance, HR, IT, the executive office or any other department, you’ve got to manage data effectively. Managing data could be entering data and keeping it up to date or running imports, exports or reports but it could also mean just conducting the kind of operations that create the environment for good data management. From building an organization’s culture to hiring the right people, designing and managing a program or a campaign or simply properly executing a process that leads to a good outcome. So, like it or not, we are all data managers and we all have skills that we need to develop to go along with that. The better the data we have, the better we can tell the story of our nonprofit's mission and work - to donors, board members, the public at large, volunteers, clients, and employees.

A powerful, practical framework for change Investing in new technology systems only to find that your colleagues have not adopted them? Making changes to your systems or processes only to find that people revert to their old ways? Hearing about “change management” but feel unclear on what it is or how to perform it? Nonprofit Technology Change Management Most technology projects have non-technological goals: raise more money, reach more supporters, serve more program participants, or become more efficient. To reach those goals, not only must the technology improve, but the habits and behaviors of system users must change – sometimes significantly. In this podcast presentation, former founding Partner Peter Gross defines nonprofit change maangement and walks through a brief case study. He then answered audience questions from nonprofit practitioners. This presentation was originally hosted by Data Analysts for Good. Download the Build Consulting Change Management template.

Organizations often have years of donor data that doesn’t inform action. Information about donors and prospects contained in CRM for nonprofits—when properly managed and analyzed—can have a dramatic impact! Luckily, there are techniques to transform data into information—improving donor data to drive outcomes. In this episode, we share a story of how one nonprofit organization improved their donor data. This story is organized into three parts: Clearing for Action Decreasing the “noise” in the database Getting to know the constituents Learning about best practices and engagement/giving trends Developing a plan and building consensus Taking Action Reducing friction in the subscription and donation processes Improving handling of potentially fraudulent transactions Pushing the right Call to Action Improving donor data analysis and segmentation Increasing integration and process automation Applying greater discipline in constituent data management Assessing the Outcomes Increased revenue Increased “sustainer” monthly giving; smoothed out cash flow Increased donor and organizational happiness This story includes key lessons that can be leveraged by any nonprofit to increase organizational knowledge of its constituents while turning that information into outcomes. You’ll learn a variety of helpful strategies and tactics to create better donor data. You can apply these lessons to improve your own donor data and create your own success story!

Being an expert in user experience doesn’t mean that you’re an expert designer or programmer. User experience is about how constituents experience your nonprofit organization. Learn five user experience “hacks” that come before technology—and how to create a “user-centric” experience of your organization. In pt 2 of this webinar hosted by Community IT Innovators' Johan Hammerstrom, Kyle Haines, Co-Founding Partner of Build Consulting, answers registrant and attendee questions to dig a little deeper into the concepts and how they can transform your thinking about your tech projects. The Five Hacks Agree that user experience is important Focus on staff experience Evaluate your physical environment Map your constituent journeys Collect and act on feedback

Being an expert in user experience doesn’t mean that you’re an expert designer or programmer. User experience is about how constituents experience your nonprofit organization. Learn five user experience “hacks” that come before technology—and how to create a “user-centric” experience of your organization. In pt 1 of this webinar hosted by Community IT Innovators' Johan Hammerstrom, Kyle Haines, Co-Founding Partner of Build Consulting, walks us through a novel process for thinking about delivering nonprofit technology projects. In pt 2 Johan and Kyle answer registrant and attendee questions to dig a little deeper into the concepts and how they can transform your thinking about your tech projects. The Five Hacks Agree that user experience is important Focus on staff experience Evaluate your physical environment Map your constituent journeys Collect and act on feedback

In part 2, moderated by former Partner Peter Mirus, three of Build’s experts lead a discussion about the challenges facing modern development/fundraising operations. We answer questions from the audience about development operations and technology challenges, and share insights and experience from our combined decades of experience in nonprofit strategy and constituent relationship management (CRM). The Questions I’m starting an individual giving program from the ground up. What should be my major focus points?  What are the potential pitfalls in selecting a new CRM system for my organization?  Our CRM seemed perfect during the sales pitch in but reality, there are a lot of workarounds that are taking up a lot of my time.  What’s the role of leadership and supporting good constituent relationship management practices?

In this episode, moderated by former Partner Peter Mirus, three of Build’s experts lead a discussion about the challenges facing modern development/fundraising operations. We answer questions from the audience about development operations and technology challenges, and share insights and experience from our combined decades of experience in nonprofit strategy and constituent relationship management (CRM). The Questions We shared our thoughts in answer to the following questions: What have been the major fundraising development, technology trends and evolutions over the past three to four years?  It seems that Salesforce has dominated the market. Do you think, Microsoft or any other company has a chance to be competitive?  What should non-profit fundraising and development look for in the future evolution of CRM technology? What are the kinds of improvements or enhancements that we should expect to see maybe over the next year or two or even longer than that?  Do you think there are more advancements that can be made with data visualization or have those peaks been reached?