The challenge we face:
The COVID-19 pandemic flipped many workplaces upside-down and uncertainty has become a normal part of our fundraising world. There has been no shortage of professional development suggesting how we need to continue our work during this time, but what I felt was missing were discussions about how to lead in the current climate and in future occasions of uncertainty and stress. How can we reassure our internal team while keeping people motivated, how do we account for changes in expectations while not diminishing the need to raise funds, and how do we learn from this crisis to be better prepared for the next one.
As successful nonprofits see record fundraising numbers, how can their leadership choose the messaging to share with donors to continue to inspire belief in their mission and what can other nonprofits learn from that, how do you retain top talent when jumping off points are everywhere, and how do you find the stories to share that capture the impact of your efforts when you might be removed from the direct service work of your organization?
Lou Nanni discusses leadership during the time of COVID-19, how to motivate a team during times of great uncertainty and times of great success, the importance of adaptability, what are the greatest pressures on leaders today, how to hire people who will be “other focused”, and how to find and tell the great stories that connect people to your mission.
In this episode we discuss:
How you can help your colleagues and friends in the field today:
Learn more about this episode’s guest: Lou Nanni
Louis M. Nanni is the vice president for University Relations at the University of Notre Dame. In this role he oversees the University's efforts in development, advisory councils, special events and the Notre Dame Alumni Association.
Prior to joining Notre Dame in 1999, Mr. Nanni had served for eight years as executive director of the Center for the Homeless in South Bend, Ind., establishing the center as a national model in addressing the complex issues involved in homelessness. As a leading authority on those issues, he addressed Congress during its debate of welfare reform measures and led training sessions for thousands of community service workers across North America, all the while continuing to form close personal relationships with the center's guests.
Mr. Nanni graduated from Notre Dame in 1984 with a bachelor's degree in government and the Program of Liberal Studies. For two years following graduation he served as a lay missioner working in a Santiago, Chile, shantytown as part of the Holy Cross Associates program sponsored by Notre Dame's founding religious order, the Congregation of Holy Cross. He then entered Notre Dame's pioneering international peace studies program, earning a master's degree in 1988.
Mr. Nanni became director of the world mission office of the Catholic Diocese of Orlando, Fla., in 1988 and worked extensively in the Dominican Republic on issues of pastoral support and economic development. He was elected to Notre Dame's Board of Trustees as a three-year, young alumni member in 1990.
Mr. Nanni and his wife, Carmen, a 1993 Notre Dame graduate, were presented one of three national exemplar awards by Notre Dame as part of a special University observance in May 1997. He previously served on the advisory council for Notre Dame's Institute for Church Life and in 1994 received the Notre Dame Alumni Association's Dr. Thomas Dooley Award for Humanitarian Service.
The Nannis have five children, Isabela, Louis, Katia, Gabriel, and Sofia.
Links:
Conference Preview - The Nonprofit Technology Conference - An Interview with Amy Sample Ward, NTEN - MiniEpisode 2
Entrepreneurs, Philanthropy, and Founders' Pledges; A new "pre-exit" philanthropy - An Interview with Dee Dee Mendoza, Dartmouth College - Episode 39
The Philanthropy Podcast - Episode 038 - A Long Overdue Episode, An Apology, And A Big Announcement
Philanthropy in a #MeToo World - An Interview with Sarah Beaulieu, Founder of The Uncomfortable Conversations - Episode 37
Effective Altruism - An Interview with Eric Freidman, Author of Reinventing Philanthropy - Episode 36
The Joy of Fundraising - My Own Take on Why I Love Our Work - Episode 35
How New Tax Legislation Impacts Philanthropy - An Analysis of The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act - Episode 34
Modern Fundraising Phonathons - An Interview with Brian Gawor, Vice President of Research at Ruffalo Noel Levitz - Episode 33
The Global Philanthropy Forum Conference "No Bystanders" - A Preview with Founder & CEO Jane Wales - Mini Episode 1
Social Payments & Social Giving - An Interview with Dale Nirvani Pfeifer, Founder & CEO of Goodworld - Episode 32
A Great Big Thank You for Listening! Our 2017 Summary and 2018 Preview - Episode 31
Social Enterprises & Nonprofits - An Interview with Darius Jones, Vice President & General Manager of Garfield Produce - Episode 30
Social Media Guidelines And Respecting Dignity Of Partners - An Interview with Beathe Ogard, President of SAIH - Episode 29
Social Enterprises & NonProfit Partnerships - An Interview With Brenda Palms Barber, CEO of Beelove - Episode 28
The Importance of Donor Retention and How We Can Improve Our Efforts - Episode 27
Research Based Fundraising Resources - Episode 026
A New Job! A Personal Update on My Life And The Philanthropy Podcast - Episode 25
Planning Your Online Giving Day - An Interview With Tiffany Khan, Director of Sun Devil Giving at ASU Foundation - Episode 24
Succeeding at Online Advertising - An Interview with Jeff Cosgrove, Director of Nonprofits at Conversant - Episode 23
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