Episode Details

Yes, meaningful conversations are a must if you want effective solutions for your nonprofit strategies.

I know. It’s easier for many nonprofit leaders to just ask, “Can you just make me a fundraising content calendar within the hour?”

But what if that fundraiser isn’t really what your nonprofit needs to grow?

I know it can feel taxing to try and fit in a conversation about why you even want the fundraiser in the first place (because we always have one) or what the real outcome you want that fundraiser to have for your nonprofit (er, money?). But the immediate answers aren’t always the right ones.

In this week’s episode, Nonprofit Strategist Julie Platts guides me through how she goes deep with nonprofit clients to ask some of these specific questions. After all, she is a nonprofit strategist for a reason.

What you hear might surprise you. But chances are, it will also inspire you to slow down for a few shakes so you can speed up with efficiency with your strategies. There are a lot of ‘a-ha!’ moments in this episode. Believe me.

Plus, since Julie is also a consultant, she also shares with me some consultancy wisdom. We go deep on this too! I love how she talks about how she organizes her time and selects ideal clients.

Need I say more? Just listen. Believe me, you’ll thank me ;)

What we discuss:

• How to have those meaningful conversations with nonprofit leaders
• What questions to ask nonprofits when prepping for strategic planning
• Why services usually need to change during these deep dives
• Why it’s okay that these services change ;)
• How to select ideal clients by using a ‘warm’ technique
• Other amazing stuff that you just need to tune-in and listen to!

About Julie Platts

Julie Platts is an “accidental entrepreneur” serving social impact leaders across the US. As a Nonprofit Strategy Consultant, Julie uses her 15 years of nonprofit leadership and research experience to help leaders make informed, supported decisions and amplify impact. She specializes in communications, income generation, program development, and relationship building.

Julie is known for creating safe spaces for teams to develop authentic and trusting relationships so they can move forward with agile and adaptive strategies. Bringing heart, humor, wisdom, and expertise to each strategy session and coaching call, Julie helps leaders walk away with clarity, confidence, and renewed invigoration for their work.

Julie is on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee for The Lucy Project, a start-up nonprofit that spends its days working with some of the smartest kids in Miami who just so happen to have reading-based learning differences like dyslexia. Julie has her Master’s degree in Women, Violence, and Conflict from the University of York in the UK where she researched Amnesty International’s “Rape. Weapon of War.” campaign. She has her Bachelor’s degree from UNCC where she collaborated on research for Habitat for Humanity’s multi-family housing initiatives. Julie has her certification in Nonprofit Management from the Florida Association of Nonprofits and Nova Southeastern University.

Julie lives in Delray Beach, FL, and is often found frolicking through South Florida’s wetlands and woodlands with her husband and their 3-year old and 18-month-old children.

My Freelancing Journey (so far) – Julie Platts

I didn’t mean to start a freelance business. It was an accident. An accident that has turned into a beautiful adventure. It started as a thought, a fun hobby after my daughter turned one. And then it grew legs of its own. I’ve been sprinting to keep up with it ever since.

By my daughter’s first birthday, I had already been away from the nonprofit sector in a leadership capacity for three years. I left to revel in new motherhood when my son was born. I have always been a compulsi