Show Details

Host: Renee McGivern

Many of us are involved, as staff, board members or volunteers in new or emerging non-profits. Whether working with the homeless, the environment, children or others in need, every new staff and board faces myriad issues that can be both bewildering and overwhelming. Enter Renee McGivern, host of NONPROFIT SPARK. Renee and her guests walk through a new area of nonprofit work in clear, concise and fun themed shows. From Best Practices, developing and keeping a volunteer force, fundraising, effective governance, you can breathe easy now. Renee and NONPROFIT SPARK have arrived!

Previous Episodes

Biography

Nonprofit Spark with Renee McGivern

Through her company Spark Plug Consulting, Renee McGivern works with leaders of organizations who want to develop lasting relationships with members, clients and donors. She does this by authentically and effectively sharing who the leaders are, what they know and what their organizations do through a value-added blend of training and communications.

McGivern confidently taps into her 20-plus years of experience to provide solutions that are creative, pragmatic, delightful and quick.

McGivern’s experience includes:
• Association and nonprofit management for more than 20 years.
• Writing, editing and designing countless newsletters and brochures
• Managing communication projects like website redesigns
• Designing dozens of measurably-successful one and two-day training programs.
• Coaching trainers to be effective.
• Managing seminars and conferences for a dozen to 5,000 people.
• Conducting fundraising campaigns that raised $32 million from individuals.
• Building strong relationships with editors and reporters; writing editorials, letters to the editor and press releases.

As the host of Nonprofit Spark, McGivern taps into her experience gained from past nonprofit roles as development, communication and executive directors. She also has been a community volunteer and board member throughout most of her life.

The mission of her company and radio show is to inspire learning, communication and action so life works for people and organizations.

Renee Recommends

Red Apple Auctions helps auction committees design any fundraising auction to be more profitable. President Sherry Truhlar offers procurement tips, volunteer ideas, and a FREE Auction Item Guide, which lists the top 100 items that sold for over value in benefit galas last year.

Previous Episodes

• Nonprofit Spark - Six ways to make your case statement great - 05/13/13 May 13, 2013
• Nonprofit Spark - Using dashboards for nonprofit evaluation - Replay - 05/06/13 May 6, 2013
• Nonprofit Spark - Basic nonprofit budget tips - 04/29/13 April 29, 2013
• Nonprofit Spark - Texas innovation: Making a 90-second pitch for community foundation grants - 04/22/13 April 22, 2013
• Nonprofit Spark - Initiating a professional volunteer management program - 04/15/13 April 14, 2013
• Nonprofit Spark - How Strategic planning works and benefits your non-profit 04/08/13 April 8, 2013
• Nonprofit Spark - Common pitfalls of hiring and managing nonprofit staff - 04/01/13 April 1, 2013
• Nonprofit Spark - How Girls on the Run nonprofit thrives in Boise, Idaho - 03/25/13 March 25, 2013
• Nonprofit Spark - Jerold Panas on donor attrition and retention - 03/18/13 March 18, 2013
• Nonprofit Spark - Creative volunteering with bicycles - 03/11/13 March 11, 2013
• Nonprofit Spark - DC Ad Club's five-step rebranding process - 03/04/13 March 4, 2013
• Nonprofit Spark - Harnessing board energy and enthusiasm to cause non-profit growth - 02/25/13 February 25, 2013
• Nonprofit Spark - Easy listening about your nonprofit board's "Duty of Care." - 02/18/13 February 18, 2013
• Nonprofit Spark - Nonprofit startup best practices at Center for Disaster Philanthropy - 02/11/13 February 11, 2013
• Nonprofit Spark - Making social media work for your nonprofit - 02/04/13 February 4, 2013
• Nonprofit Spark - Preparing for nonprofit technology purchases - 01/28/13 January 28, 2013
• Nonprofit Spark - Five Steps to a Great Fundraising Auction - 01/21/13 January 21, 2013
• Nonprofit Spark - Creating pilot programs to jumpstart new nonprofits or new services - 01/14/13 January 14, 2013
• Nonprofit Spark - Media relations tips for nonprofit leaders - 01/07/13 January 7, 2013
• Nonprofit Spark - Best of Nonprofit Spark 2012: Writing a statement of need and understanding the funder's point of view December 31, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark - How newer nonprofits succeed (replay) - 12/24/12 December 24, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark - Powerful photographic storytelling II - 12/17/12 December 17, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark - Thoughtful non-profit succession planning - 12/10/12 December 10, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark - 2012 nonprofit sector report and ending foundation proposal budgets - 12/03/12 December 3, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark - Making a nonprofit web site redesign easier with content strategy - 11/26/12 November 26, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark - Avoiding the Special Events Bug - repeat 11/19/12 November 19, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark - Tapping into the power of pro bono services for non-profits - 11/12/12 November 12, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark - Choosing a board self-assessment tool - 11/05/12 November 5, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark - Building natural relationships with individual donors - 10/29/12 October 29, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark - Best Practices in Action: Non-profit Cape Fear Literacy Council on relationships and continuous improvement - 10/22/12 October 22, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark - Charitable solicitation news and Internet/online fundraising - 10/15/2012 October 15, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark - A Boston-based nonprofit takes on program evaluation - 10/08/12 October 7, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark - A knockout nonprofit annual report: storytelling at its best - 10/01/12 October 1, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark - Creating standards for using your computer hardware and software - 09/24/12 September 24, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark - Writing an effective statement of need for a grant proposal - 09/17/12 September 16, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark - Considerations for choosing fundraising software - 09/10/12 September 9, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark - Primer on managing your non-profit's cash flow - 09/03/12 September 2, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark - Success factors in nonprofit mergers - 082712 August 26, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark - Getting started with planned gifts: bequests, appreciated stock and annuities - 08/20/12 August 19, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark - Five marketing ideas that will immediately boost your silent auction results - 08/13/12 August 12, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark - Avoiding pitfalls of cause-related marketing-080612 August 5, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark - Criteria for a successful major campaign - 07/30/12 July 30, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark - Millennial Impact Report 2012 and boosting engagement - 07/23/12 July 23, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark - Funders: Stop asking non-profits for budgets! - 07/16/12 July 16, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark - "How to use your photos for storytelling - 07/09/12" July 9, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark - Training do's and don'ts for non-profit trainers - 07/02/12 July 2, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark - Advice from the wisest nonprofit fundraisers in North America - 06/25/12 June 25, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark - Transforming a nonprofit culture to embrace individual fundraising 06/18/12 June 18, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark - Making your board dramatically more effective- 06/11/12 June 11, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark – How newer nonprofits succeed - 06/04/12 June 4, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark – Avoiding the highly contagious special events bug - 05/28/12 May 28, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark – Nominating committee: The unsung hero of non-profit sustainability - 05/21/12 May 21, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark – Thriving in this economy: Fundraising tips from Kim Klein 051412 May 14, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark – Writing a grant proposal: The funder's point of view - 05/07/12 May 7, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark – Using dashboards for nonprofit evaluation - 04/30/12 April 30, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark – Delegating and letting someone go - 04/23/12 April 23, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark – A nonprofit reinvents itself: LiveWorkPlay takes on social change - 04/16/12 April 16, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark – Nonprofit Best Practices in Volunteer Communication - 04/09/12 April 9, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark – Embracing change in the non-profit sector - 04/02/12 April 2, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark – Technical assistance from Students Consulting for Nonprofit Organizations - 03/26/12 March 26, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark – Nonprofit crisis management best practices: Dealing with fraud - 03/19/12 March 19, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark – Primer on managing your non-profit's cash flow - 03/12/12 March 12, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark – Everyone Leads: Building Leadership from the Community Up - 03/05/12 March 5, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark – Non-profit website redesign, part 2 - 02/27/12 February 27, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark – Elements of a non-profit fund development plan - 02/20/12 February 20, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark – What's happening with the business of doing good? Social enterprise models - 02/13/12 February 13, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark – Traveling Guitar Foundation's start-up success story, and a presentation contest for non-profits - 02/06/12 February 6, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark – Non-profit website redesign, part 1 - 01/30/12 January 30, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark – The case for strategic volunteerism in your non-profit - 01/23/12 January 23, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark – Quit complaining: best practices for non-profit board learning - 01/16/12 January 16, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark – What accountants wish non-profit leaders knew about non-profit finances - 01/09/12 January 9, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark – Common sense non-profit board policies - 01/02/12 January 2, 2012
• Nonprofit Spark – Nonprofit Budgets and Financial Outsourcing - 12/26/11 December 26, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – Non-profit advocacy made simple - 12/19/11 December 19, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – Non-profit website content governance and user testing - 12/05/11 December 5, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark - Free non-profit help on Google Grants, SEO and social media advice - 11/28/11 November 28, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – Overcoming Nonprofit Board Dysfunction - 11/21/11 November 21, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – Helpful hints on working with a printer 111411 November 14, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – Tips for Clear Nonprofit Communication - 11/07/11 November 7, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – Exploring a moneymaking venture, or social enterprise, for your organization - 10/31/11 October 31, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – Handheld bidding devices for nonprofit auctions - 10/24/11 October 24, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – Succession planning and risk management 101 - 10/17/11 October 17, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – Earning Media Coverage for Your Organization - 10/10/11 October 10, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – Nonprofit Innovation and Community Engagement - 10/03/11 October 3, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – The Conservation Foundation: A Stakeholder-Driven Nonprofit - 09/26/11 September 26, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – Planned gifts and endowment primer 09/19/11 September 19, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – In depth with Nonprofit Sector Innovator Dan Pallotta - 09/05/11 September 5, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – Five Stages of Nonprofits and Capacity-Building Internships - 08/29/11 August 29, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – Leadership coaching to boost executive director happiness - 08/22/11 August 22, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – Powerful photographic storytelling - 08/15/11 August 15, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – Five Questions for an Executive Director Performance Review - 08/08/11 August 8, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – Developing individual donors and your fundraising skills - 07/25/11 July 25, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – Minnesota Government Shutdown, and Community Foundations – 07/18/11 July 18, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – Nonprofit Careers and Young Professionals - 07/11/11 July 11, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – Understanding a Nonprofit Balance Sheet (replay of 02/21/11 show) July 4, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – Nonprofits and the IRS: Unrelated Business Income Tax (UBIT) and more - 06/27/11 June 27, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – Cultural Sensitivity in Guatemala and a Nifty Service for Choosing Nonprofit Software - 07/20/11 June 20, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – Charting Impact, a Powerful Online Nonprofit Tool - 07/13/11 June 13, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – Clarity and openness, key qualities of start-up leaders - 06/06/11 June 6, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – Creative board and volunteer recruitment - 05/30/11 May 30, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – Boost efficiency and save thousands with cloud technology - 05/23/11 May 23, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – Engaging artists and the arts for communities - 05/16/11 May 16, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – Silent, live and online auction tips and best practices - 05/02/11 May 2, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – Engaging Miami volunteers: The Miami Dolphins Special Teams program - 04/25/11 April 25, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – Using media advocacy to cause sustainable change - 04/18/11 April 17, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – Taking the risk out of event planning - 04/11/11 April 11, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – Creating a movement to engage people's passion - 04/04/11 April 4, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – Best of Nonprofit Spark - 03/28/11 March 28, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – Elements of a great Web site - 03/21/11 March 21, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – Encouraging women's philanthropy - 03/14/11 March 14, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – Embracing Program Evaluation - 03/07/11 March 7, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – Raising Money in Tough Economic Times - 02/28/11 February 28, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – Understanding a Nonprofit Balance Sheet - 02/21/11 February 21, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – The Effective Nonprofit Board President - 02-14-11 February 14, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – Nonprofit Development vs. Fundraising - 02/07/11 February 7, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – Expanding Your impact through Replication - 01/31/11 January 31, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – The Executive Director's Many Roles - 01/24/11 January 24, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – Nonprofit Best Practices: A Guide to Excellence 1/17/11 January 17, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – Nonprofit blogs that help you work smarter 1/10/11 January 10, 2011
• Nonprofit Spark – Strategic Planning: Creating a Roadmap 1/03/11 January 3, 2011