What are some of the myths of nonprofit leadership, and what are leadership postures that make for effective leadership? This week, we are joined by Michele Reiner of Storied Awareness to talk about nonprofit leadership with a focus on awareness, vulnerability, and courage. We discuss the myths of nonprofit leaders, why nonprofit leaders are leaving the field and what helps leaders be more effective so they can thrive in their roles. We also talk about the importance of support through coaching and building the relationship between the Executive Director and Board Chair. We start the interview with Alanis Morissette and close out by reliving the memories of The Cure and U2.
Writing federal grant proposals can be tough - especially when it comes to writing goals, defining outcomes, and showing how you will demonstrate your impact. In this episode, Drew dives into tips and strategies for how to talk about data collection in your federal grant proposals. He talks about performance measures, building a plan for data collection, identifying useful data collection tools, and how to align your data collection procedures across your proposal with a performance measures table. Use tips from this episode to help separate yourself from the field and win that next six- or seven-figure federal grant.
Every day, millions of people in our communities face an impossible situation. They’re stuck in a gap—unable to afford health insurance but also not qualifying for federal assistance. It’s a harsh reality, leaving many with nowhere to turn when they need care the most. In Cabarrus County, North Carolina, the Community Free Clinic is stepping up to fill that gap. Led by Laura Lyerly, the clinic provides not only vital healthcare services but also a data-driven approach to understanding and meeting client needs. In today’s episode, Laura shares how her team supports those who fall through the cracks, tracks their impact with data, and builds meaningful partnerships to amplify their work. Skip Ahead: (00:37) What is a typical patient at the Community Free Clinic and how do the barriers they face reflect larger systemic issues in healthcare. (03:35) What are the less visible challenges—beyond cost—that prevent people from seeking care. (10:14) How does the Community Free Clinic use data to understand the health care needs of their community. (13:24) How does the clinic evaluate its success. (19:28) What successes has Laura found in building partnerships that create a continuum of care across all healthcare services. (21:50) What policy changes would Laura like to see to better support their patients.
In a quiet Irish town in 1985, coal merchant Bill Furlong faces a life-altering choice: maintain the status quo or risk everything to do what’s right. This is the heart of Claire Keegan’s Small Things Like These, a novella that feels like it was written for anyone who’s ever faced an ethical dilemma in their work or life. In this holiday episode, you’ll hear the quiet but powerful lessons this story holds for nonprofit leaders like you. Whether you’re fighting for funding, advocating for change, or simply trying to show up every day for your community, you’ve likely felt the tension between doing what’s easy and doing what’s necessary. Skip Ahead: (02:01) What a coal merchant in 1980s Ireland has to teach us about courage, compassion, and standing up to injustice (04:19) How do the quiet, often overlooked moments in nonprofit and public sector work mirror acts of bravery in Small Things Like These (06:28) What ripple effects could your smallest, most courageous actions have in the year ahead Resources Mentioned: Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
Housing has become a silent crisis that's reshaping lives across America, with each rising rent bill and rejected application chipping away at people's sense of stability and hope. In this episode, I'm sitting down with Jeffrey Smythe, executive director of the Atlanta Regional Collaborative for Health Improvement (ARCHI), to explore a different approach to rental assistance. Jeff explains his innovative technology solution that's changing how people access housing support, the critical connection between housing and health, and how nonprofits can build strong partnerships to tackle this challenge. Getting housing right is fundamental to improving health outcomes and supporting community well-being. You’ll Hear: (02:35) How housing instability traps families in cycles of poverty and hardship (05:30) What is unique about housing instability in the Atlanta metro area (08:39) What is ARCHI and how it supports rent, mortgage, and utility relief (13:05) What was the process like for creating ARCHI, and what did it take to build the necessary partnerships across organizations to share data (16:59) How ARCHI tracks whether someone has been served after a referral is made (18:36) What led 18 members to say ‘yes’ to joining ARCHI (21:43) How housing instability and homelessness are connected to negative health outcomes (25:20) Some examples in Atlanta where the conversation around housing is integrated into the client-provider relationship, using terms like a “prescription” for housing assistance Connect with Jeff Smythe and learn more about ARCHI.
What if the key to improving educational outcomes was already in front of us, hidden in the data schools collect every day? Attendance records, test scores, and family surveys offer insight into equity gaps, systemic barriers, and opportunities for intervention—but too often, this data isn’t used effectively. In this episode, we’ll discuss how nonprofit professionals can collaborate with schools to analyze and apply data in ways that close gaps in access and achievement. You’ll learn how to identify disparities, interpret data within the community context, and use it to inform programs that directly support students and families. This episode highlights ways nonprofits can use data to advocate for resources, measure impact, and drive equitable education initiatives. You’ll hear: (02:30) How achievement data like standardized test scores and graduation rates can help organizations identify trends and support curriculum improvements. (08:57) The importance of using behavior data such as suspensions and discipline referrals to understand and address classroom disruptions and bullying patterns. (15:19) How attendance data—like chronic absenteeism rates and daily attendance records—can be used to develop targeted intervention plans and support student engagement. (20:11) Where to find publicly available school data and how organizations can use it to demonstrate their impact effectively.
Finding accurate, localized demographic data can be a daunting task, especially when working on grant proposals, community assessments, or strategic plans. Publicly available data often falls short—either it’s outdated, too broad, or not specific enough to capture the unique characteristics of a particular community. Fortunately, the Social Explorer is a user-friendly platform that transforms complex U.S. Census data into accessible maps, visualizations, and reports for nonprofits, researchers, and community organizations. In this episode, we’ll explore how to use the Social Explorer to quickly and effectively access the data you need. You’ll hear: (00:47) What is the Social Explorer and what types of census data does it use (03:30) A demonstration on how to access the Social Explorer. (08:26) How to look at community demographics, such as race/ethnicity at the census-tract level (12:34) How to track changes over time, like the percentage of foreign-born residents. (15:15) Three elements that make for a good map Resources Mentioned Visit the Social Explorer Read the blog post - Standards for Collecting Race and Ethnicity Data Are Changing. Are You Prepared? Download the free Data & Evaluation Made Simple Toolkit
Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Common Good Data! As we take a break this week to relax and enjoy time with family and friends, we’re excited to share one of our favorite interviews from 2024. In this episode, we speak with Sil Ganzó, founder of Our Bridge for Kids in Charlotte, North Carolina, an organization that supports immigrant and refugee families through culturally responsive educational programs. You'll hear Sil talk about the importance of community-centered practices such as organizing focus groups in the languages of the participants, and how the program fosters cultural pride and identity in students. Read the original show notes HERE.
How do you measure the strength of the connections in a community—the trust, relationships, and bonds that hold people together. Social capital plays a powerful role in impacting everything from economic mobility to civic participation. But how do we actually quantify these unseen networks? The Social Capital Atlas can answer that question, mapping out data across U.S. counties and zip codes to show where social capital is strong and where it is lacking. Using sources like Facebook connections, census data, and voting records, the Atlas paints a picture of how connected communities really are. It explores three distinct forms of social capital: economic connectedness, or how people from different income backgrounds interact; cohesiveness, reflecting trust and the strength of local relationships; and civic engagement, which looks at volunteerism and community participation. In this episode, Drew walks you through how to use this tool effectively. You’ll hear: (03:19) What social capital actually refers to, including bonding vs. bridging social capital (07:29) Why should nonprofits care about social capital (09:33) What is the Social Capital Atlas and what exactly does it measure (12:08) How to navigate the Social Capital Atlas Download the Data & Evaluation Made Simple Toolkit
Young people are facing an epidemic of loneliness. Despite being the most connected generation, students still feel isolated, disconnected, and uncertain. This lack of connection impacts many areas of their lives—from school attendance and graduation rates to risky behaviors that prevent them from reaching their full potential. For 35 years, Right Moves for Youth has been tackling this issue head-on. Through weekly group meetings led by staff, school resource officers, and sometimes community volunteers, Right Moves provides teens with the opportunity to connect, build relationships, and gain the support they need to overcome life’s challenges. Ryan Grammatico, from Right Moves for Youth, joins us to talk about how the organization is helping students not only achieve academic success but also become better employees, better citizens, and more prepared for the future ahead. You’ll Hear: (05:28) The challenges that youth in schools in Charlotte are facing right now (08:03) What young people are sharing about their experiences with rising mental health challenges and feelings of disconnection (14:06) What makes Right Moves for Youth so different from other after-school programs or youth mentoring programs (22:26) How they demonstrate the impact of their work through measurable results (33:23) A success story of a young girl who, after participating in the program, now works at the organization Connect with Ryan and learn more about Right Moves for Youth. Download the Data & Evaluation Made Simple Toolkit. Read the full show notes HERE.
As Election Day approaches, the importance of voting is at the forefront of many conversations. However, a healthy democracy relies not just on ballots cast, but on active, connected, and informed communities—what we refer to as civic health. Today, we’re taking a closer look at the concept of civic health and how data—from voting rates to social trust—can reveal a lot about the strengths and challenges our communities face. We’ll also discuss how nonprofits can help promote civic health without stepping into partisan territory. You’ll hear: (0:59) What civic health is and the challenges it faces (03:57) National trends in civic engagement (09:07) State-level insights from Georgia and North Carolina (12:51) Five ways nonprofits can strengthen civic health
Every nonprofit has a story to tell, but how they tell it can make all the difference. In an attempt to build a social presence, they may present complex issues too simply or stage moments for quick soundbites. This is where powerful, story-driven video can create a better narrative. Matt Pearl, founder of Pearl Impact Media, has years of experience in journalism. He now helps nonprofits amplify their impact through compelling video storytelling. While storytelling can be complex, Matt shares his simple approach that emphasizes clarity, authenticity, and empathy. You’ll Hear: (04:15) Three key components that make a video story truly compelling (11:08) The challenges nonprofits face when trying to embrace video (14:29) An example of a successful nonprofit video campaign (18:45) Matt’s advice for nonprofits who are just starting to explore video production (22:51) What emerging trends in video production and digital storytelling nonprofits should pay attention to (26:46) How to weave both data and personal storytelling into video content Connect with Matt and learn more about Pearl Impact Media.
If you work with youth, especially in mental health and substance use, the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) is an invaluable resource. This survey collects data from students in grades 9–12, revealing key health behaviors and experiences that significantly impact adolescent health. When you understand these trends, you’ll get a clearer picture of what young people are facing, which makes it easier to create programs that address their specific needs. In this episode, you’ll be guided through a virtual walkthrough of the YRBS website to show you how to navigate the site effectively so you can easily find the data you need most. You’ll hear: (02:36) What is the YRBS and why is it so important (06:21) What new data from the 2023 release that professionals in the helping professions space should be aware of (13:09) How to access the reports and explore the YRBSS online Resources mentioned: Check out the YRBSS Download the Evaluation Made Simple Toolkit
The rise in mental health challenges among youth has reached alarming levels. Recent statistics show that 11% of North Carolina children aged 3 to 17 have been diagnosed with depression or anxiety. This marks a significant increase from previous years. The situation is worsened by the pandemic's aftermath and escalating community violence. Both factors have intensified feelings of isolation and insecurity among adolescents. We’re joined by Ebony Rao, Senior Health Program Manager for the ReCAST II program at Mecklenburg County Public Health. We discuss how the program is approaching these issues and helping communities build their mental health capacity. You’ll Hear: (03:15) What strategies can be implemented to address and prevent community violence (09:22) How rising youth mental health challenges are being addressed post-pandemic (16:30) Why capacity building through initiatives like ReCAST is essential in the workforce, and how ReCAST approaches this issue (35:09) How ReCAST tracks the progress and success of its mental health and violence prevention initiatives through data and community feedback Connect with Ebony Rao and learn more about ReCAST II. Get tickets to This is My Brave: "The Show" CharMeck 2024
Organizations find themselves asking similar questions when it comes to conducting a needs assessment: Where can I find reliable data? How do I know if it’s relevant to my community? Is the information up to date? These are important concerns. Accessing meaningful data can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to make it applicable to the specific work you’re doing. Today, we address these questions by giving you an overview of one key data source: the Kids Count Data Book, which provides state and county-level indicators on child and family well-being. This resource is particularly valuable for organizations focusing on children, youth, and human services. We’ll walk through how this data can inform needs assessments and decision-making for programs and policies. And stay tuned—this is just the start. Upcoming conversations will highlight additional data sources to support our assessments and the impact of our work. You’ll hear: (01:56) What the Kids Count Data Book is and why it’s relevant for nonprofits focusing on child and family services. (03:52) What key trends and indicators in child well-being are highlighted in the 2024 Kids Count Report. (12:19) How to navigate the website and access the data at both the state and county levels. (17:30) What an example of using this data effectively at the state level looks like, featuring the Georgia Family Connection Partnership. Watch the video version of the episode for the visual aids.
Collective impact—a framework where organizations across sectors come together with a shared vision—can play a big role in addressing complex issues like economic mobility. This is especially important in cities like Charlotte, where decades of structural barriers have limited upward mobility for many residents. Collective impact brings together nonprofits, businesses, and government agencies to work toward common goals, using data to measure progress and drive decisions. Today’s guest, Khalil Salim, Ph.D., Director of Research and Evaluation at United Way of Greater Charlotte, shares his expertise on how this collaborative approach is being used to address Charlotte’s challenges, and his thoughts on Raj Chetty’s latest research. You’ll Hear: (03:09) What is the United Neighborhoods program and how does it use collective impact (06:01) What makes collective impact different from other collaborative approaches (11:00) How to measure and document success from a shared goal (17:53) The challenges of doing collective impact work (20:45) How to balance broader indicators with community-defined success metrics Connect with Khalil Salim and learn more about his work with the United Neighborhoods program.
When it comes to conducting a needs assessment, one of the most important things you can do is listen to the community you’re trying to help. Integrating community voice into your assessment creates programs and services that genuinely reflect what people need and want. Community members have firsthand knowledge about the challenges they face and the resources they lack, which can really shape your understanding of the local landscape. This episode kicks off a series that will give you strategies, tools, and resources needed to create stronger, more thorough assessments. We’ll discuss where to find secondary data that can shed light on your community’s current landscape and how to collect your own data through surveys, focus groups, and interviews. You’ll hear: (01:33) What is a needs assessment? (05:00) How to avoid assumptions and ensure community voice is central to your assessment (07:18) Four key benefits of conducting a needs assessment for nonprofits (11:32) Three steps to conducting an effective needs assessment
Behavioral health issues are closely linked to larger social and environmental factors. That’s why communities need to come together and find sustainable solutions. For those in human services, mental health, or prevention work, it’s easy to focus solely on delivering programs and services. However, advancing your mission often involves looking beyond these to embrace advocacy, systems change, and environmental strategies. Joining us is Kristin Kidd, co-coordinator of the SAMHSA-funded Southeast Prevention Technology Transfer Center and director of the North Carolina Behavioral Health Equity Initiative. Kristin has a wealth of experience working with organizations that use community organizing to promote behavioral health equity. We discuss how nonprofits can leverage advocacy and systems change to advance their missions, even within the constraints of nonprofit guidelines. You’ll Hear: (03:17) How community organizing can bring positive changes to behavioral health. (07:52) How Kristin has gotten grantees out of the nonprofit industrial complex mindset. (12:32) What it looks like to have community organizing in the behavioral health space. (16:50) How coalitions and grantees are collecting data from the community to push for policy changes. (23:04) How to go about advocacy in a non-partisan way. (26:44) If Kristin forsees more organizations taking environmental approaches toward behavioral health challenges. Connect with Kristin and learn more about the Southeast PTTC and NCBHEI.
Building a strong data culture in nonprofits and public sector organizations can bring big advantages. When leaders focus on using data, they save time, raise more money, and make better choices for their organizations. Even though it might seem tough to invest in data with limited budgets, the long-term benefits make it worthwhile. By using data to guide their actions, organizations improve how they work and make a bigger impact on the people they serve. In this episode, Drew shares exactly how creating a culture of data can lead to these positive changes. You’ll also hear real examples of organizations using data to make smarter choices, improve their programs, and build long-term success. You’ll hear: (02:45) How investing in data capacity saves time and allows your organization to focus on its mission. (04:00) The real reason many organizations remain stuck in manual and time-consuming reporting. (05:10) How better data leads to securing that next six-figure grant for your nonprofit. (07:05) The challenge three out of four nonprofit leaders face when evaluating and reporting impact. (09:30) Why data is essential for making better strategic decisions and empowering leaders to think long-term.
A strong and effective board can make a big difference for organizations, especially those that are looking to grow, get to the next level, be more strategic, and ultimately increase their impact. With decades of experience revitalizing alumni boards and developing leadership in nonprofits, our guest, Deb Macfarlan Enright, shares her strategies for engaging board members and cultivating effective leadership that drives meaningful impact. We explore how nonprofits can transform their leadership approach by leveraging the passion and expertise of their members to build stronger communities. Whether you’re an executive director, a board member, or a nonprofit leader, this episode will share how to create a dynamic, engaged, and impactful board culture. You’ll Hear: (01:45) Three strategies for recruiting excellent board members (06:28) How to attract board members with specific skills like legal, HR, or networking (21:19) What a new board member needs to learn to be effective in their first 90 days (27:11) What approach to take to ensure accountability among board members (29:47) How to measure board members’ contributions beyond attendance