Engaging Ideas: The Nonprofit Community of Mission-Driven Innovators
Join Tony Kopetchny, the host of Engaging Ideas, to hear from the nonprofit community and mission-driven innovators discussing various topics to inspire and encourage you to think big, be bold, and challenge the status quo! We cover topics such as; leading through change, data values, and the journey through digital transformation with guest speakers from organizations such as NRDC, UN Foundation, Black Futures Lab, Share Our Strength, Brookings, and Annie E Casey Foundation. Join the conversation every other Monday!
Episodes
39 episodes
Tony and Sultana Navigate the Ethics of Communication in the Nonprofit Industry
In this episode, Tony and Sultana Ali delve into the art of rhetoric and communications, exploring the power of words and the impact they have on our organizations and as individuals. Join them as they navigate through a range of fascinating...
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54:12
Tony and Kevin explore cause affinity and what we can learn from the world of sports marketing
In this episode, Tony engages with Kevin Smith, exploring the connection between the nonprofit sector, the sports world, and the power of affinity. Together, they navigate the strategic approaches Kevin uses in sports marketing that nonprofi...
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49:29
Tony and Willeke van Rijn discuss the future and global perspectives of fundraising
In this thought-provoking episode, Tony and Willeke delve into the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing in the social impact sector. They explore the need to move away from competitive mindsets and embrace cooperation to achieve...
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42:44
Tony talks with Lindsey Nadeau about the Importance of DEI in Inclusive Fundraising
In today's episode, we delve into the crucial topic of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in fundraising. We explore how organizations can create more inclusive fundraising practices that not only benefit donors but also support communit...
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1:08:51
Tony and Rachel discuss how to reframe failures and innovation in grant-making
In this episode, we explore the importance of shifting our perspective on failure and how it can lead to more innovative and effective grant-making. We dive into the challenges faced by the nonprofit sector in capturing and reporting qualitative d...
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57:23
Tony talks with the University at Buffalo Advancement team about digital transformation
In this episode of Engaging Ideas, we dive into the world of roadmapping and digital strategy. Our expert guests, Kathleen Heckman and Geoff Barttlet from University at Buffalo share their reflections on how they created an effective roadmap that ...
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58:31
Tony and Kerry discuss how organizations can build equity into their everyday practices
In this episode, Tony and Kerry discuss the importance of making changes to your organization's infrastructure and internal communications to enact change that creates an equitable space for your staff and constituents. No matter how small the cha...
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55:36
Tony and Jenna discuss data values and the leadership gap in creating change
Tony and Jenna walk through the 5-point manifesto of The Data Values campaign that calls for change in how we design, collect, fund, manage, and use data. The 5 primary points are: 1) Support people to shape how they are represented in data. 2) In...
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44:13
Tony and Katherine demystify Search Engine Optimization for nonprofits
When it comes to Search Engine Optimization (SEO), there is more to it than selecting the right keywords or phrases and applying them to different areas of your content. Join Tony and Katherine as they take a deep dive into what it takes to utiliz...
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1:00:37
Tony and Mitch discuss non-profit procurement, RFPs, and finding safe places to ask hard questions
In this episode, Tony gets together with Pond Co-Founder and CEO, Mitch Stein. From investment banking to the mission-driven workforce, Mitch has created an organization that flips the marketplace model upside down to create an engaging and suppor...
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56:10
Tony and Ann talk about trust as an organizational goal and its context in the non-profit sector
In this episode, we explore the idea of trust as an organizational goal, and how it can be applied in the context of the non-profit sector. We discuss the importance of trust in building strong relationships and effective teams, and how it can be ...
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47:58
Tony and Sharon talk about #NationalComingOutDay and the importance of supporting LGBTQ+ youth
In this special episode, we talk to the founder of LGBTQ SAVES, a support group for LGBTQ+ youth, Sharon Herrera (aka everyone's FairyGAY Mother). We discuss the challenges and struggles that come with being LGBTQ+, and how this group provides a s...
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36:55
Tony and Fred talk about getting started on your organization's podcast and why it can be an asset
Tony speaks with Fred Dews the producer and host of the award-winning Brookings Cafeteria Podcast, which spanned 8.5 years and 432 episodes. In this episode, Fred shares his experiences and advice for starting a podcast along with insights for bui...
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39:51
Tony and Eric talk about Digital Asset Management in cultural institutions
In this episode, we dig deep into why digital collections and digital libraries are important for communities and how expensive they can be to distribute.
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47:44
Tony and Chris talk about digital poverty and what that means for underserved communities
Most of us are aware of the financial poverty many Americans have to deal with. But not many of us are aware of another form of inequity that plagues the masses. Chris Worman, Co-Founder, Chief Partnership and Strategy Officer for Connect Humanity...
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57:51
Tony and Danielle talk about Personality Brand and bringing authenticity back into our organizations
Can you increase awareness, influence and engagement by adding authenticity into your messaging and brand? What does it really mean to have an authentic voice and how do you balance having a brand personality without getting too personal? In this ...
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36:27
Tony and Nardos talk about The power of story, gathering data, and the Black Census
In this episode Tony Koptechny talks with Nardos Alemayehu, Communications Team Manager at The Black Future Labs, to discuss the origins and effects of racial silos within the marketing world. Based on her involvement in Black activism and experie...
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33:45
Tony and Beeta talk about leadership and learning in the mission-driven sector
From CEOs to budgeting to philanthropy and funding; Tony and Beeta cover the gambit when it comes to nonprofits. Listen in and find out what Dr. Jahedi has to say about her research for her dissertation on CEOs and how they learn to make strategic...
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52:15
Tony and Joel talk about The Delta Project, anti-recidivism, and data ethics
In this episode, Tony talks with Joel Van Kuiken about the creation and impact of the organization, “The Delta Project”, data ethics, and what it’s like to start a local non-profit and maintain it through the pandemic.“HOW DO I BECOME SOMETHING I ...
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52:23
Tony and Meena talk about equitable data practices for social impact
The social media space can be filled with prejudice, bias, and discrimination making it difficult for nonprofits to use it to reach audiences. Meena Das, founder of NamasteData shares how to take an equity-first approach to social media and in the...
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55:05
Tony talks with Andrew about the business of think tanks and reaching audiences beyond the Beltway
Organizations of all sizes have struggled to find an engaging replacement for in person events since the pandemic. Andrew Kolb of the German Marshall Fund discusses how his organization adapted digital and online communications to conduct virtual ...
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57:26
Tony and Conor share how to nurture your organization’s mission and values within your team
Many organizations are founded based on a “North Star”- a guiding principle of the mission and values that pilot operations. As organizations grow and change, it can be difficult to maintain this sense of purpose, while still encouraging innovatio...
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47:27
Tony talks with Melanie about initiating digital change in an organization
Establishing a technology-forward mindset in a mission-driven organization always has its challenges. Melanie Starkey, past Senior Vice President of Digital at the Urban Land Institute, shares how she’s sparked excitement for digital transformatio...
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47:15
Tony and Sueann talk about 5 overlooked factors in Global Marketing & PR Campaigns
Trust plays a huge role in how your audience interprets your content but is often hard to earn and even harder to replicate. Sueann and Tony discuss the relevance of analog communications methods such as newspapers and radio, and how to use due di...
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51:01
