The PM Podcast

Carlton Ford is an innovative changemaker, nonprofit sector leader, and fundraiser for the arts. A native of southside Chicago, he found his calling for music early and pursued a successful career as an operatic baritone, performing at the Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, and beyond before taking his talent and vision to nonprofit leadership. Today he serves as Chief Effective Philanthropy Officer at The Taproot Foundation, which drives social change by connecting social good organizations with skilled volunteers. In this conversation, we hear about the trajectory of his career as an artist and leader, the gift, and the inheritance. We begin with his earliest memories of finding his way to music.

Chris Carnie is the Founder of Factary, Europe's leading prospect research agency, an instructor in fundraising at the University of Barcelona, Director of Fundacio Terra, and the author of three books on fundraising and philanthropy, including his latest, How Philanthropy Is Changing Europe. In this episode, we speak with Chris about his personal and professional journey which started in Scotland and eventually led him to Spain, the generosity he has witnessed along the way, and how nonprofits can be the leaders of change in the years ahead.

Sherry Quam Taylor teaches nonprofit leaders how to pivot from small-dollar donations to securing larger, investment-level donations so they can finally fund their missions. The leaders she works with are experts in their field, but when it comes to individual donor fundraising, they’ve simply never been trained on how to do it, so it feels uncomfortable and frustrating. She helps them learn the exact steps to launch a mid- and major level gift program that feels comfortable, involves less dread, and fully funds their mission for the long-haul.

Robert Egger is a visionary in the nonprofit sector. He pioneered the "community kitchen" movement with DC Central Kitchen, turning donated food into both meals and opportunities through a revolutionary job training program. His initiatives, including founding board membership at World Central Kitchen with Chef José Andrés, have produced over 350 million meals and propelled thousands toward self-sufficiency. His book "Begging for Change," now celebrating its 20th anniversary, made the case for a new model for the nonprofit sector, one he continues to advocate for today.

After leading development efforts in secondary and higher education, healthcare, the arts, human services, and faith based organizations, Linda Wise McNay founded Our Fundraising Search, where she and her colleagues guide clients with strategies in campaigns, governance, and recruiting top fundraising talent. She is the author of several books including Fundraising for Churches, Fundraising for Schools, Fundraising for Museums, the recently released Fundraising for All: What Every Nonprofit Leader Should Know.