Bright Nonprofit

Get the AI Readiness Memo: https://open.substack.com/pub/brightnonprofit/p/the-work-you-can-no-longer-see Substack: https://brightnonprofit.substack.com/ iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bright-nonprofit/id734475785 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6BtfqVBnNtA9eh5NK5wnQ6?si=c7fc98ed955e4742 Website: https://brightnonprofit.org   "AI readiness" is often framed as a technology milestone — something to purchase, install, or train around. But in this episode, the focus shifts to a more uncomfortable question: can your governance structure remain accountable as organizational capacity increases? For executive directors, board members, and operations leaders, this conversation reframes readiness as a structural issue. It explores how data trust, process clarity, systems coherence, and governance boundaries determine whether AI increases effectiveness or simply accelerates fragility. The core tension is not about tools. It is about whether oversight can keep pace with velocity. This episode is particularly relevant for leaders responsible for outcomes, compliance, and long-term resilience. It clarifies what "good enough" readiness looks like and why waiting to prepare carries quiet but compounding risk. If you want to hear the full explanation delivered directly, you can watch the original video here: YouTube video: https://youtu.be/tuA4pYY7Ipg Note: This podcast episode is an AI-generated conversation created by Bright Nonprofit. The source material is a real YouTube video featuring a real person, Steve Vick, speaking in his own words on the Bright Nonprofit YouTube channel. The AI format is used to reflect on and discuss that original video content. No new ideas, arguments, or claims are introduced beyond what appears in the original video.

Nonprofits are being urged to adopt AI quickly, often with the same playbook used for past technology shifts: select tools, train staff, and adapt over time. This episode explores why that approach breaks down under AI—and why the risks aren't about staff readiness or technical skill. The conversation examines how AI alters decision-making, accountability, and oversight inside nonprofit organizations. Rather than behaving like traditional software, AI reshapes who makes judgments, how consistency is maintained, and where responsibility ultimately sits. When these changes go unaddressed, governance legitimacy, operational coherence, and mission alignment quietly erode. This episode is for executive directors, board members, and nonprofit leaders responsible for outcomes who are sensing that AI adoption feels different—but haven't yet had a clear framework for understanding why. It focuses on governance as the starting point, not tools or training. > If you want to hear the full explanation delivered directly, you can watch the original video here: YouTube video: https://youtu.be/0ka9hVA3jP8 Note: This podcast episode is an AI-generated conversation created by Bright Nonprofit. The source material is a real YouTube video featuring a real person, Steve Vick, speaking in his own words on the Bright Nonprofit YouTube channel. The AI format is used to reflect on and discuss that original video content. No new ideas, arguments, or claims are introduced beyond what appears in the original video.

Nonprofits are feeling intense pressure to "do something" about AI - often before there's clarity about what that action is meant to accomplish or protect. In this episode, we examine where that urgency comes from, why it feels so pervasive inside nonprofits, and how speed is often mistaken for readiness. We unpack how AI accelerates decision pressure before accountability, governance, and responsibility are fully oriented — and why that sequencing problem creates unnecessary risk. Rather than framing caution as resistance or delay, this conversation reframes restraint as judgment. For nonprofits operating under real constraints, learning often has to happen before implementation, not after. When urgency gets ahead of clarity, the result isn't innovation — it's quiet erosion through staff burden, hidden work, and fragile trust. This episode is not about tools or adoption tactics. It's about pacing, stewardship, and why orientation comes before action when accountability actually matters. Watch the original video: https://youtu.be/FTDGzSB5Kjk   Note: This podcast episode is an AI-generated conversation created by Bright Nonprofit. The source material is a real YouTube video featuring a real person, Steve Vick, speaking in his own words on the Bright Nonprofit YouTube channel. The AI format is used to reflect on and discuss that original video content. No new ideas, arguments, or claims are introduced beyond what appears in the original video

Nonprofit leaders are being told they need to start using AI. That it will save time, increase efficiency, and reduce workload. At the same time, many leaders feel confused, anxious, and unsure where to begin. This episode explores why that contradiction exists and why urgency is showing up before clarity. The conversation unpacks a core idea: AI is not a technology problem first. It is a thinking and governance problem. Before choosing tools or taking action, nonprofits need orientation around how AI-driven change affects systems, decisions, accountability, and responsibility. Rather than pushing adoption or resisting change, this episode focuses on what it means to respond with judgment. It examines why orientation needs to come before action, how pressure can distort decision-making, and why clarity is a leadership responsibility in moments of structural change. This episode is for executive directors, operations and development leaders, board members, and anyone responsible for outcomes in a nonprofit organization. It is also for those who want to understand how AI is reshaping the nonprofit landscape without chasing trends or shortcuts. If you want to hear the full explanation delivered directly, you can watch the original video here: YouTube video: https://youtu.be/UVodIx_fEAo Bright Nonprofit exists to help nonprofit leaders think clearly, understand tradeoffs, and act with confidence when the time is right. Note: This podcast episode is an AI-generated conversation created by Bright Nonprofit. The source material is a real YouTube video featuring a real person, Steve Vick, speaking in his own words on the Bright Nonprofit YouTube channel. The AI format is used to reflect on and discuss that original video content. No new ideas, arguments, or claims are introduced beyond what appears in the original video.

Keep track of your nonprofits funds can be tricky. Tracking grants, donations, program expenses and other revenue means organizing your dollars into trackable categories. Have you ever wondered if there was a system that made this all easier? What is the "right" way to track grants? Should I track each fundraiser separately? If so, how? In this podcast, I talk with Chyla Graham from CNRG Accounting Advisory. If you want to learn how to track grants, donations and program revenue then this is the podcast to listen to. Chyla talks about hands-on booking keeping practices that you can start using today. Resources Check out Chyla's website at: cnrgaccountingadvisory.com

Are you scared of video? No, really... if I told you to make a video for your Facebook page, would you panic? In this podcast, I talk with Katie Prentiss Onsager from SmallForces.org. They offer professional video services and impact tracking for people and organizations making a difference in their communities at no cost to them. She walks us through - How to find your story How to tell your story How to use and promote your video Katie typically produces documentary-style videos that amplify the voices of people working to solve creative problems. These videos are great for gala events, social media platforms and donor meetings. If you want to tell a better story using video then this podcast is a great listen. Resources Website: SmallForces.org

Everything is "video, video, video". Really - 80% of all internet consumption is video. So, if you are not using video you are behind the game. The problem is video can be a technical and creative hurdle. And hiring an expert can be a financial hurdle. That is where my guest, Harry McAlister, from AmpleEarth.com comes in. Harry helps nonprofits connect with video producers for an affordable price. Here is how it works. There are 63,000 video producers on the internet, and millions more freelancers. If you want the perfect video, you have to find the perfect team, right? The problem is each producer has their own prices, styles, speed, quality and value for money. So how do you find the best people when there's so many to choose from? Expert video-makers often have the spare time, money and energy to work on low budget projects – but only if it's a cause they feel inspired to help. This means people making positive change in the world can expect a higher quality final video. Simply put: the greater your impact, the greater your video. How does this work? Just listen to this podcast for more information. Resources Everything you need is at: AmpleEarth.com Also mentioned in this podcast: StartSomeGood.com

In this episode I talk with Adam Capes from GetAway2Give about how he helps nonprofit raise $10,000's with auctions. Adam Capes is the Co-Founder and President of Getaway2Give, a company changing the way non-profits raise money and people think about vacations. Their mission is to be the best in the country at helping charities and schools raise money, and they've helped raise over $10M so far. Adam began his journey to being a Social Entrepreneur as co-founder and president of a luxury residence fund called Equity Estates. This fund was one of many playing in the crowded destination club space and one of the few that survived the economic downturn. Adam helped raise $60M for this unique equity-based fund where members own the homes they vacation in. At one prestigious gala in Aspen, Colorado, Adam had an "Aha" moment and decided to start Getaway2Give to help change the worlds of fundraising and vacations. Adam says, "At Getaway2Give, we're incredibly passionate about two things – helping charities raise significant money and the lasting importance and memories made from meaningful vacation experiences." Resource Just for NP Ally Listeners: getaway2give.net/Nonprofit Main Website: www.getaway2give.net

In this episode, we talk about how to obtain emergency funding for your existing programs. I talk with Caroline Bressan from Open Road Alliance. They are a private philanthropic initiative that serves the social sector by keeping impact on track in an unpredictable world. Open Road Alliance provides short- and long-term solutions to unexpected challenges that arise during project implementation, so that impact and finite resources can be maximized across the social sector. To meet immediate needs, we offer fast, flexible funding to nonprofits and social enterprises facing discrete, unexpected roadblocks during project implementation. We fund via two portfolios, Charitable Grants and Loans. Open Road Loans are below market-rate and disbursed via our loan fund, Open Road Ventures. Open Road sees every grant and loan it makes as an investment for social impact. Our funding model is based on speed and financial leverage. In addition to our investment portfolio, Open Road promotes the long-term, sector-wide adoption of better risk management practices. In collaboration with peers, we conduct research, develop tools, and generate data on approaches to financial and non-financial risk management. By disseminating learnings and advocating for the adoption of best practices, Open Road is working to make risk management as commonplace in philanthropy as monitoring and evaluation; ultimately, preserving finite resources and social impact in our sector. RESOURCES Website: openroadalliance.org LinkedIn: linkedin.com/open-road-alliance Risk Management Resources: openroadalliance.org/advocacy

My guest on this podcast is Jesse Lane with Pure Charity. Jesse talks with us about nonprofit "innovation" and how it can be used to spark new ideas and build sustainable programs that grow through changing times. Pure Charity works with thousands of nonprofit organizations who are working on challenging global and local problems. They exist to help these world-changers fulfill their mission. They focus on two areas, technology & strategy. Their software provides the technological support to save nonprofits time and money, fundraise faster, and focus more time on what matters most. Their team of experts provides constant support, helpful resources, and strategic consulting to empower nonprofit leaders. Jesse also talks with about the "State of Good" report that Pure Charity published. It is an in-depth report focusing on how nonprofits view their own place within the nonprofit sector.

In this episode, I talk with Michael Rivera from Jee Foods. Michael is part of a group of high school students who started a nonprofit to help the hungry in their area. The program is an initiative to discover new models for alleviating hunger throughout the world. JEE Foods is a Non-Profit Organization which has partnered with local grocers and companies like Kroger and Shared Harvest to collect food that would otherwise be wasted.  We reprocess and redistribute these donations in the form of economically priced meals.  We also provide employees and volunteers with training and certification.  These unique aspects of JEE Foods help us reach our goal of Breaking the Cycle of Poverty and Starving Out Hunger.     JEE Foods was started through a first-year program called Global Classroom Steam Challenge organized by Samsung. The team from Ross High School was assigned a partner team from KSA of KAIST in Busan, South Korea. The group was prompted to develop solutions for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 1 and 2: No Poverty, and Zero Hunger. The group, through collaborative efforts, decided that the main issues surrounding poverty and hunger are Jobs, Education, and Economy, hence our name JEE Foods.     About Michael Michael Rivera is the Chief Executive Officer for JEE Foods. He is a Junior at Butler Tech Ross High School and is active in his community. After high school, Michael plans on majoring in business and minoring in pharmaceutical sciences.   Resources Website: www.jeefoods.com Facebook: facebook.com/jeefoods Twitter: twitter.com/JeeFoods    

In this episode, I talk with Kate Hayes from Echoing Green. We talk about the importance of creating diversity on your board as well as how to help your board work better as a team. According to a survey by BoardSource, a research and support organization for nonprofit boards, 25 percent of boards are all white, and only 20% of board members are people of color. Yet, most nonprofit leaders and board chairs desire to have boards that are more diverse--not only racially, but in terms of gender, socioeconomic status, age, experience, and so on. In order to reconcile this desire with reality, creating intentional plans for diversifying nonprofit boards is essential. Further, we know that boards - and teams - that are more diverse actually perform better. About Kate Kate oversees programming for a dynamic group of emerging business leaders who are dedicated to realizing their full potential as agents of social change. Prior to joining Echoing Green, she worked as Director of Evaluation and Program Impact in the national office of Minds Matter, where she developed new systems and methods for evaluating organizational success. While at Minds Matter, she led several new initiatives for engaging alumni, scaling the organization, and training 1,700 skills-based volunteers across the United States. Kate currently sits on the Executive Committee at the Northfield Mount Hermon School, where she also serves as Chair of the Young Alumni Committee. She holds a degree in Behavioral Neuroscience from Northeastern University. RESOURCES Website: https://www.echoinggreen.org/ Email: kate@echoinggreen.org

In this episode I speak with Rosenna Bakari from Talking Trees. It is a nonprofit she started back in 2010 and just recently devoted full-time hours to help the organization become sustainable. We talk about her journey starting the nonprofit, where she is now and her plans to grow her organization. We also, talk about her new book and how that new book is helping raise awareness about Talking Trees. Here is more info on Rosenna: Rosenna Bakari is a scholar, motivational speaker, and social advocate. She earned her Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Northern Colorado in 2000. She earned her Master's degree in Counseling from the State University of New York and her undergraduate degree in psychology from Cornell University. Dr. Bakari is the founder and executive director of Talking Trees, an empowerment organization for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. She is also launching a new "We2" movement to bring survivor and listeners together to break the silence of sexual abuse. In addition to her organization work, she hosts a monthly open mic to share her transformational poetry and offer a platform for community members to share their passion and pain. Resources Her new book - Too Much Love is Not Enough Website - rosennabakari.com Website - talkingtreessurvivors.com Facebook - www.facebook.com/1roguescholar Twitter - twitter.com/RosennaBakari YouTube - www.youtube.com/channel  

The reason most people hate fundraising is because they hate asking people for money. But this assumes that "asking" is all we do when we fundraising. And this is where the problem lies. It's not so much that we hate asking for money... it is that we think that asking for money is what funding raising is about. And this is just not true. In fact, if you want to be a really good fundraiser, then "asking" for money should only be 10% of what you do. Hmmm... gotcha you thinking yet? Successful fundraising requires strategy, timing, planning, data and relationship building. Here is how our guest, Laurie Wolf, lays it out. Fundraising is: 30% internal work and research 30% relationship building 10% asking for money 30% recognition This podcast goes into detail on how to be successful at fundraising without having to always be asking for money. ABOUT LAURIE Laurie Wolf, MNPL, CFRE is the President and CEO of The Foraker Group. She has worked in the nonprofit sector for 30 years and with Foraker for 17 years. She has been instrumental in creating many of Foraker's services and philosophy. Laurie holds a BA in English from Scripps College and an Executive Master's degree in Not-for-Profit Leadership from Seattle University. She has been a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) since 2003. She has served on a variety of boards and worked as a volunteer in arts, environmental and human services organizations. Resources Gift Chart Download Example Gift Chart for $25K Website: forakergroup.org Awesome Article: Where's the Magic Wand for Fundraising

Getting found in Google doesn't happen by accident. Your website doesn't magically appear in the search engines for the right search terms. Well... that isn't totally accurate. It sorta does. But it may not rank well and the search results may not be accurate or consistent. But there is a way to get your website ranked for the correct terms and that is by using SEO (search engine optimization). SEO has become a sophisticated field that is separate from your typical web design practices. In this episode, I talk with Kris Reid from Ardor SEO. Kris talks about what it takes to get your website indexed in the search engines and how to rank higher than your competition. Kris began doing SEO work after he developed an online game called Mob Warrior. Like many people with new products, he needed to get it found in Google. This is when he started researching and practising SEO. And ultimately lead him to found Ardor SEO. If you want to learn a bit about the inner workings of search engines and get some tips on how to rank your website better, then this is a great listen. RESOURCES Website: https://ardorseo.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ardorseocom/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ardorfactory

In this podcast, I talk with Jenna Benn Shersher. She shares with us her story on overcoming a rare form of cancer and how it inspired her to start a nonprofit. Jenna is the Founder and Executive Director of Twist Out Cancer, a non-profit organization she founded after surviving Grey Zone Lymphoma in 2011. Jenna saw firsthand how young adults with cancer have a unique set of needs that are not being addressed or talked about. She found that one way of fulfilling this need is through creative arts, which could be used as a mechanism for coping and healing. Twist Out Cancer was founded on the principle that when you share, the world opens up. Since Twist Out Cancer was founded in 2011, over 100,000 people worldwide have been touched by its programs and events. Over 700 people attended the fifth annual Brushes With Cancer Gala and Exhibition in Chicago on September 9, 2017. Other upcoming events are planned in Philadelphia, Montreal, and Tel Aviv. Brushes With Cancer is a unique celebration of survivorship and hope that pairs those touched by cancer (previvors, survivors and caregivers) with talented artists working in a variety of mediums. Those touched by cancer share their 'twist on cancer' – their stories, feelings and experiences – with the artist, which serves as the inspiration for a unique piece of artwork created in their honor. The program culminates with a celebratory annual event and fundraiser in which the pairs connect in person and the artwork is revealed for the first time. RESOURCES Website: http://twistoutcancer.org/

Have you wondered what is the best way to get information in front of your followers and supporters? Most people think social media is the end-all/be-all of communication. But I want to assure you - it is not. In this podcast, I talk with Kathryn Calhoun from kathryncalhouncoaching.com. Kathryn discusses some of the myths about social media, what it should be used for and how to maximize its effective reach. But most importantly, Kathyrn shares with us some of her best tips on using your mailing list to reach your audience. I, personally, have been very frustrated lately with the number of nonprofits I follow, who rely on Facebook to communicate with their followers. Here is the issue: Facebook is not a website and should not replace your website. Facebook has limited reach with barely 5% of your followers ever seeing a post. Facebook displays post chronologically forcing people to scroll through your timeline to find information. Facebook does not - let me repeat - DOES NOT show all your posts.  Facebook is losing popularity. Not many millennials are using Facebook on a daily basis. So please, STOP using Facebook to communicate important events and information with your followers. Sure, put a post about your upcoming spring Gala on there, but be sure you announce it in your mailing list and have a page on your website about it. OK, enough of me ranting about Facebook. Let's talk about the solution. Grow, nurture and use your mailing list. Listing to this awesome podcast to learn how. RESOURCES  Free Gift: http://kathryncalhouncoaching.com/gift

  Risk Doesn't Have To Be a Four-Letter Word. Risks can be unsettling. It is easier to focus on what's urgent while ignoring what's necessary and important. But if you can create ways to make it easier to see and address threats and opportunities, you can: Increase clarity Reduce costs Simplify tasks Streamline processes Develop new initiatives, and; Increase sustainability and resilience Knowing your risks can help you increase your awareness of the threats and opportunities faced by your organization. You can identify unnecessary costs and find fixes to unlock additional resources.   Does any of that sound familiar? "Too much of our knowledge is stuck in the minds of our key personnel. If we lose any of them, we're sunk." "If we're honest, we move from crisis to crisis and can't get ahead of the curve." "We want to grow, but we need a repeatable model that doesn't require constant supervision." "We are on the cusp of great things, but we need to make sure we look and act professional to the outside world. More than that, we actually need to be professional." Then listen to this podcast and learn how knowing your risks can give you your best insight. About Ted Before founding Risk Alternatives LLC, Ted was a Distinguished Visiting Professor from Practice at Georgetown University Law Center. At Georgetown, his research focused on dispute resolution, complex litigation, preventive law, legal training, risk management, governance, and compliance. Prior to fulltime teaching, Ted served for more than 20 years in the Washington DC office of the international law firm of Jones Day. At Jones Day, Ted represented clients in successful high-profile lawsuits and investigations and worked closely with parties with divergent interests to craft workable settlements involving businesses, consumers, and government agencies. While at Jones Day, Ted taught at Georgetown for many years as an adjunct professor.   Ted's website is at, https://risk-alternatives.com

In this episode I talk witth Dr. Froswa' Booker-Drew about building socail capital and developing asset based based community relationships. Let's start with some definitions. Social Capital is a network of relationships among people who live and work in a particular society, enabling that society to function effectively. Asset Based Community Development is a methodology for the sustainable development of communities based on their strengths and potentials. In a nutshell, we talk about how to use existing networks within a comminuty that enables that society to function effectively and thus help communities develop based on their strengths and potentials. Here's more about our guest. Dr. Froswa' Booker-Drew has an extensive background in nonprofit management, partnership development, training and education. She is currently serving as a catalyst, partnership broker, and capacity builder of an international NGO partners' around the U.S.  This entails facilitating the emergence and strengthening of community-led initiatives to improve and sustain the well-being of children and their families.  She also assists a number of organizations as a consultant, board member, trainer or adviser.  She is the co-host of the web talk show, Social Issues Time.  Froswa' earned her PhD in Leadership and Change from Antioch University with a focus on relational leadership and social capital. Resources Froswa's website: froswasrules.com Froswa's latest book: Rules of Engagement: Making Connections Last

Podcast show notes written by Alexandra Black-Paulick. Thank you Alex! Can nonprofits make money? You'd be surprised at how many people adamantly believe that under no circumstances can nonprofits earn revenue. The reality is that the term "nonprofit" has nothing to do with whether an organization can make a profit and everything to do with what they do with that profit. In the instance of a nonprofit, they cannot distribute profits to shareholders like a for-profit company. Instead, the revenue stays within the organization to be used to achieve the nonprofit's mission. In truth, there are a lot of different rules and regulations around income. The most important one is whether the income is "related" or "unrelated" to their mission.  NOLO dives deeper into the potential tax implications on that here. But diving into the tax code isn't what today's episode is about. In today's show, I connect with Alexandra Black-Paulick from Positive Impact Media and co-creator of Nonprofits for the Future on ways that nonprofits are generating revenue. We not only break down some of the ways you can discover opportunities in your organization but we also go through two separate case studies. Between grants gaining competition and donors starting to disappear after the economic crash of 2008, nonprofits across the nation started funneling their efforts into earned income solutions that aligned with their mission. Below, you'll find a brief synopsis of the two case studies we talk about in the episode as well as tips to help you discover opportunities in your organization. Our goal with this episode is to help you come up with ideas that align with your mission and opportunities that are viable to implement in your organization. Enjoy! Resources Mentioned in the Show FREE DOWNLOAD: Three Case Studies on Increasing Nonprofit Funding Nonprofits for the Future: Roadmap to New Funding Sources NPA 076: Do You Believe these Nonprofit Myths? Let's Bust Them! Method for Discovering Opportunities in Your Organization On the episode, Alexandra highlights the strategy that she walks organizations through in her upcoming course. It's really important to use your mission as a metric throughout this process so you develop a related income stream and don't pull resources away from your main goals. Start with an organizational asset list to find things of value in your organization. This could include everything from curriculum to technology to communities advocating on your behalf. Then you need to look at different needs in the communities you serve or groups near to your cause. Case Study One: Denver Food Rescue + Fresh Food Connect  The Denver Food Rescue realized that they had a valuable technology asset with their software running Fresh Food Connect. Additionally, they realized other hubs or organizations running a similar food program would benefit from it. This led them to license the app. They charge a nominal annual fee, which then covers all the required maintenance costs. In the episode, we dive in deeper to how you can use a similar thought pattern to make sure the endeavors you're doing add to your mission. Some of the suggestions both Alex and I recommend to expand could fall into mission creep, which we talk about ways to avoid. Case Study Two: Bikes Together Bikes Together needed a way to sustain their incredibly generous bike giveaway programs, which has given away over 6,000 bikes to date. They also had a complete bicycle workshop and ample volunteers ready and willing to work on bikes. This led them to start refurbishing bikes to sell. Tune in to hear how we talk about another really innovative way they built in value to create memberships, and how members love it! How to Move Your Mission Forward with Earned Income Solutions If you want a structured approach and a step by step roadmap to develop earned income solutions for your organization, then check out Alex's new course: Roadmap to New Funding Sources. This four-week course walks you through everything from exploring different business models, discovering opportunities within your organization, how to vet ideas, and mission-driven marketing strategies to take it to market. To ensure that every organization going through the class comes away with tangible ideas to implement, she and her co-creator are hosting office hours twice a week. You can check out all the details here. Hurry though - this course closes on January 30th. Enter the Giveaway! If you listened until the end of the episode, you know that we're giving away one FREE course for Nonprofits for the Future: Roadmap to New Funding Sources.  To enter, you need to comment on the show notes. To really make this powerful, we'd love to hear what you think about earned income for nonprofits, different takeaways you want to apply to your organization, or potential earned income solutions you want to implement. Comment by January 28th to enter. After the giveaway, we can move to a different CTA at the bottom.  Download the Slides from Today's Presentation H-2 Do you want to have the slides from today's presentation? They succinctly go through the two different case studies from mission to asset breakdown to opportunity to earned income solution. You can snag that presentation here.