Next in Nonprofits

Allison Wagstrom is the Senior Loan Officer for Propel Nonprofits, whose mission "fuels the impact and effectiveness of nonprofits with guidance, expertise, and capital."

Allison joins host Steve Boland to talk about the risks nonprofits face in 2025, and steps and tools they can use to manage that risk. Allison encourages charities to think in terms of revenue mix, program costs, infrastructure, and capital. She and Steve talk about examples in such areas of the emotional labor of program costs (because that is really people in most cases), the new risks in 2025 where government funding is no longer as secure as it used to be, and how a cashflow projection may not ameliorate all fears but provides a way to examine fears on paper. Allison discusses the role of the board in these times, and both of them caution that 2025 is still a year to consider building cash reserves, because 2026 and 2027 may have even more risk on the horizon. Sunsetting, mergers, and acquisitions may be on the table in order to preserve mission impact. Propel Nonprofits manages a Resource Library for charities to use in learning about their own options.

Jon Bergdoll is the Interim Director of Data and Research Partnerships, at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at the Indiana University Indianapolis.

Jon joins host Steve Boland to talk about The Next Generation of Philanthropy, a 2025 study from the Lilly Family School to understand Generation Z (Gen Z) philanthropic giving. Jon was part of the study team, and helps provide context for the study, which includes comparative data to other generational cohorts. Jon shares insights on key findings such as the depth of giving for Gen Zers who do give to religious institutions, using authentic video to reach new audiences, slowly building trust with the concept of institutional nonprofits v. informal giving, and much more!

Get more details on our podcast page.

Cicley Gay is the Chairwoman of the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation. Their mission "imagines a world where Black people across the diaspora thrive, experience joy, and are not defined by their struggles."

Cicley joins host Steve Boland to talk about the current world of the Black Lives Matter movement, and the impact of challenges to equity from both our government and in some cases philanthropy. The environment has slid backward from the promises many made after the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis (as well as promises after other acts of violence before and since). Cicley shares the work of initiatives such as Black Play Matters to move forward with love when times are challenging.

The conversation covers the challenges to this work in 2025, but also the the call to lift up Joy. Joy and play have always been tools of survival and resistance. "We don't measure freedom by the absence of harm but by the presence of our unwavering belief that thriving is possible." Cicley advises to "leave no power on the table" in pursuing this work.

Get more details on on our podcast page.

Hannah Hegeman is the Vice President of Event Strategy and Development for Do Good Events "a woman-owned, award-winning Event Planning company headquartered in Minneapolis. We love being a part of bringing a lot of good into the world through events; after all, that was the inspiration for our name!"

Hannah joins host Steve Boland to talk about events to support nonprofit missions and fundraising in 2025 and beyond. She discusses important considerations such as beginning with one clear goal - such as fundraising, awareness, or stewardship; to focus on quality over quantity - the right people in the room matter more than packed attendance; the place for breakfast/lunch events in 2025 and beyond that are often underutilized, less expensive, and have less competition. Hannah urges organizations to consider a 3-5 years minimum commitment to starting a new fundraising event - it takes time to build momentum. So much more in the episode!

Do Good Events is hosting an opportunity for nonprofits called RAISE+ARRANGE on January 15, 2026. Listeners can use the code Next15 for $15 off the registration.

Lou Kotsinis is the CEO and Co-Founder of BCS Impact, a digital marketing agency that "helps non-profits, foundations and educational institutions make their mark on the world." Lou chats with host KD Bauer about concepts that nonprofits should consider when it comes to their organization's website. Describing a website as a "living, breathing organism," Lou explains why a clear understanding of your website's audience is the first step in telling your organization's unique story. Ensuring your site works correctly is just the start-- compelling photos, impact numbers, and new content builds an optimized, engaging user experience (and yes, it definitely leads to MORE donations). 

Listen now by clicking the player above, download the file for later here, or subscribe to the podcast on your phone for automatic updates. Get more details on how to subscribe on our podcast page.

Browse BCS Impact's Blog for more digital marketing strategies, or sign 
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Chris Melody Fields Figueredo is the executive director of the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, "a nationwide movement-building infrastructure organization that leverages ballot measures across the United States to strengthen democracy; center people of color, queer, low-income, immigrant, Indigenous, and other marginalized communities; advance racial equity; build and transform power; and galvanize a new progressive base."

Chris joins host Steve Boland to talk about how nonprofits may consider using ballot initiatives to move their missions forward. Chris discusses tools at both state and local levels, how organizing campaigns can think about longer time-frames, and how "anything beautiful is created in coalition." Chris talks about the extended benefits of campaigns outside the ballot deadline, talking to funders about supporting the work, and more. Additional information and tools are available at the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center website.

Todd Baylis is the Chief Customer Officer of Bloomerang, a data management system designed to "manage your entire constituent ecosystem, including donors, volunteers, sponsors, grant givers, and more. Your result: higher fundraising revenue and less donor attrition. "

Todd joins host Steve Boland to talk about encouraging your audiences (supporters, first-time donors, recurring donors...) to share more information with your charity to improve your connections and outcomes. Todd talks about how much information to ask for at the outset, a willingness to come back to audiences and request more information over time, communications preferences, and much more. Todd emphasizes the maxim that "if it's not in the database, it didn't happen" - meaning an emphasis on recording interactions with community (phone calls, personal meetings, handwritten notes) in a data tool allows a better connection over time.

Greg Harrell-Edge is the founder of Proimpact Project, which is "Supporting nonprofit leaders with content and a community to scale impact."

Greg talks to host Steve Boland about the need for early response, and more frequent responses, when nonprofits and social good missions are attacked. Keeping the tone authentic about your work and the real impact of your work, helps shift the conversation away from demonizing the whole sector. Greg mentions his influence in emphasis on impact from Dan Pallotta's TED talk. Greg further suggests tying fundraising support messages when appropriate, with speedy reactions helping to close funding gaps which may be caused, in part, but these attacks. Greg also cites the variable calls to action and results in campaigns such as Kony 2012.

Kat Rohn is the Executive Director of Outfront Minnesota, as well as Outfront Minnesota Community Services!

Kat joins host Steve Boland to talk about advocacy in the nonprofit sector with a focus on the differences between 501 (c) 3 organizations (purely public charities with tax deductible contributions) and 501 (c) 4 nonprofits (social welfare organization where gifts are not tax deductible). All nonprofits can be engaged in some kinds of advocacy, and the conversation references some help on understanding this from the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits.

Kat talks about Outfront Minnesota's experience managing both types of legal entities. The two organizations share staff and other resources (accounting services for example) but have separate incorporations and records. Maintaining two entities is more work, but provides some additional options to advocate for political change against having just the 501 (c) 3 organization. Kat also addresses the donor experience (spoiler: Most donors don't itemize, so tax deductions are not a decision factor for many).

James Dismond, CEO of Mirasol Health chats with host KD Bauer about a 2-year rebranding journey the organization recently undertook. James shares insights in how the organization collaborated across teams, stakeholders, and community to identify where audiences' perceptions and experiences misaligned with elements of the 40-year old brand. From surveys to focus groups, James shares how his team worked to develop a new brand (values, mission, vision, imagery) that elevates the legacy and history of the organization, while at the same time connecting with a deep level with its staff, and leading to an increase in patients and clearer understanding of services. While sometimes happens (especially when 2 marketing nerds enter the same podcast), some terminology is thrown around. Below is a list of terms (and samples) that might be relevant to organizations considering a brand refresh. 

• SWOT Analysis of your Current Brand (James recommends keeping this on a wall during the process!) 
• Brand Recall / Recognition
• Brand Analysis
• Brand Guide (Sample: Mirasol's OFFICIAL New Brand Guide!) 

Listen now by clicking the player above, download the file for later here, or subscribe to the podcast on your phone for automatic updates. Get more details on how to subscribe on our podcast page.