How Habits Impact an Executive Director’s Fundraising and Philanthropy with Gregory Nielson

This episode, Gregory Nielsen explains the different habits board members should have, how to communicate with members of the board, and how to properly onboard new members. 

Gregory is an experienced nonprofit CEO, consultant, and public speaker on nonprofit leadership and governance.

Gregory joins us to discuss the different ways to communicate with board members, the expectations that need to be placed on board members, and the type of people you need on a board. 

He also talks about ways to teach board members what good governance looks like, the benefits of using consultants to send a message, and how to get board members to be engaged with their work.  

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• The similarities between law and grant writing. 
• How grant writers fit into organizations . 
• How grant writers should communicate with members of the board. 
• Ways to teach board members what good governance looks like. 
• Different healthy habits board members should have. 
• How to properly onboard new board members. 
• How executive directors should communicate with their board members. 
• The benefits of using consultants to send a message. 
• How to get board members to be engaged with their work. 
• The most important aspect of recruiting new board members.

About Gregory Nielsen

Gregory is an experienced nonprofit CEO and consultant committed to helping leaders and organizations excel. Gregory has earned the prestigious BoardSource Certificate in Nonprofit Board Consulting. He is also a frequent public speaker on nonprofit leadership and governance.

Gregory previously served as CEO of the Center of Nonprofit Excellence (CNPE), expanding the reach of the organization to serve more than 500 nonprofit organizations through consulting and professional development. During this time, Gregory also helped launch Destination:Excellence, a 6 month leadership development program for nonprofit executives and Circles of Excellence, a peer-to-peer learning program for nonprofit leaders. The growth and accomplishments of CNPE under his leadership were recognized locally and nationally, and the organization was honored with awards from the Better Business Bureau for Ethics and the Louisville Urban League for championing diversity.

Gregory joined CNPE with more than a decade of experience in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Prior to joining CNPE, he was the Executive Director for Green Hill Therapy, a nonprofit specializing in rehabilitative care for children with special needs and a Vice President with Bank of America.

Gregory is a military veteran, having previously served as an officer and attorney in the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Government and International Relations from the University of Notre Dame and a Juris Doctorate from Notre Dame Law School. 

In 2016, Gregory was named a “40 Under 40” honoree by Louisville Business First publication.

Quotables:

• “It’s important everybody has a role and understands what the role they play in the organization is, we can’t just exist in silos.”
• “What do we have the opportunity to do? What do we have the will to do? And what do we have the resources to do? When those three things come together that’s the sweet spot for an organization.”
• “Sometimes it’s the message, sometimes it’s the messenger.”

Connect with Gregory Nielsen:

• Website
• Email
• Podcast

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Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Holly Rustick: Maximizing Success in Grant Writing For Your Nonprofit
• Why the 10 Best Practices of a Nonprofit Board and Flawed
• 4 Steps Executive Directors of Nonprofits Can Lead with Confidence
• Mentorship Highlight: Navigating Grant Rejections: Yvonne’s Insights on Turning Setbacks into Opportunities

Support for this podcast episode of Grant Writing & Funding is brought to you by our friends at Bloomerang.

Bloomerang offers donor management, online fundraising, and volunteer management software that helps small to medium nonprofits, like First Tee of Greater Akron. To hear the full story visit bloomerang.com/grantwritingpodcast/.