Changing the name of a nonprofit is tough. There’s often an affinity to an organization’s name, and it’s not uncommon for an executive director to encounter at least some skepticism when proposing the switch.

Executive Director Emily Shields didn’t shy away from a name change, however. She helped lead the effort to update the name from Iowa Association of Community College Trustees to Community Colleges for Iowa.

How do you launch a nonprofit, find clients, community partners, and supporters? And how do you intentionally make decisions early on so the organization can scale later?

Executive Director Noelle Nelson leads the new Avenue Scholars Des Moines organization, an expansion of an Omaha-based nonprofit that guides students through specific career exploration.

Dental Connections provides critical dental services to low-income individuals in the Des Moines area, as well as school-based dental services to students who might otherwise fall through the cracks. In the podcast, we talk about the nonprofit’s marketing efforts, including launching and revamping a new signature fundraising event.

How do you consistently attract new donors, supporters, volunteers, and connectors? 

Mosaic is a nonprofit that supports adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Their simple, four-step fundraising model has impacted their organization and created a cycle of new supporters of their services.

How do you reduce the stigma of mental health while raising awareness about your nonprofit’s services? One decided to launch a monthly podcast that shares personal stories of emotional wellbeing.

Eat Greater Des Moines is best known for its food rescue program, but the nonprofit is working to do far more — such as change the food system to make it better for everyone.

In this interview with Executive Director Aubrey Alvarez, we discuss the importance of nonprofits reaching out and working with the media, and why she stoked a local controversy that’s playing out in the press.

The Make It OK campaign reaches more people every year thanks to partnerships from businesses, nonprofits, and governments.

Jami Haberl, executive director of the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative, shares how they leverage partnerships to amplify their nonprofit’s awareness campaign to reduce the stigma of mental illness.

Have you ever struggled to articulate what your nonprofit does in a clear and concise way?

That’s the challenge YSS was facing before they implemented a tagline that helped consolidate their message. More than just a nice sentence, their tagline has become the foundation of their marketing and communication efforts.  

As president and CEO of Des Moines University, Angela Franklin has led the medical school through one of the most significant changes in its history: Building a new campus west of its current location near downtown Des Moines. Franklin discusses the Purple and Proud Campaign, what presenting such a large vision to the board was like, and how she handled naysayers.

Ever wondered how sobering your nonprofit's gala speach should be? 

When Richard Schoeberl, the US team Lead for Hope for Justice, speaks at an event, he doesn’t view at it as entertainment. He wants people to leave with a better grasp of a horrendous crime of human trafficking. 

Why would a nonprofit publish an annual report that doesn’t look or feel like one? Host Mackenzie Walters talks with Kate Hayden, who she knows from her journalism days, on an annual magazine that EMBARC published in November 2022 and a big announcement it contained inside.

Have you ever needed to combat "myths" about the people you serve? The creation of a data dashboard — a concept often used in businesses, and created for programming at Des Moines Area Religious Council — has proven priceless in shaping the narrative and providing real-time facts about food insecurity in the area.

How a mental health and disability nonprofit tripled donations after launching a year-long storytelling campaign. On the Nonprofit Storytellers Podcast, we interview Christina Smith from Community Support Advocates (CSA) about their marketing and fundraising approach.

If you lead a not-for-profit and are looking for ideas and wisdom from other nonprofit, association, or government agency leaders on sharing their story — you’ve come to the right place.

Have you noticed how colorful the Des Moines International Airport is? It’s part of a brand strategy.