Behavioral health issues are closely linked to larger social and environmental factors.

That’s why communities need to come together and find sustainable solutions.

For those in human services, mental health, or prevention work, it’s easy to focus solely on delivering programs and services.

However, advancing your mission often involves looking beyond these to embrace advocacy, systems change, and environmental strategies.

Joining us is Kristin Kidd, co-coordinator of the SAMHSA-funded Southeast Prevention Technology Transfer Center and director of the North Carolina Behavioral Health Equity Initiative.

Kristin has a wealth of experience working with organizations that use community organizing to promote behavioral health equity.

We discuss how nonprofits can leverage advocacy and systems change to advance their missions, even within the constraints of nonprofit guidelines.

You’ll Hear:

(03:17) How community organizing can bring positive changes to behavioral health.

(07:52) How Kristin has gotten grantees out of the nonprofit industrial complex mindset.

(12:32) What it looks like to have community organizing in the behavioral health space.

(16:50) How coalitions and grantees are collecting data from the community to push for policy changes.

(23:04) How to go about advocacy in a non-partisan way.

(26:44) If Kristin forsees more organizations taking environmental approaches toward behavioral health challenges.

Connect with Kristin and learn more about the Southeast PTTC and NCBHEI.

Building a strong data culture in nonprofits and public sector organizations can bring big advantages. When leaders focus on using data, they save time, raise more money, and make better choices for their organizations.

Even though it might seem tough to invest in data with limited budgets, the long-term benefits make it worthwhile. By using data to guide their actions, organizations improve how they work and make a bigger impact on the people they serve.

In this episode, Drew shares exactly how creating a culture of data can lead to these positive changes. You’ll also hear real examples of organizations using data to make smarter choices, improve their programs, and build long-term success.

You’ll hear:

(02:45) How investing in data capacity saves time and allows your organization to focus on its mission.

(04:00) The real reason many organizations remain stuck in manual and time-consuming reporting.

(05:10) How better data leads to securing that next six-figure grant for your nonprofit.

(07:05) The challenge three out of four nonprofit leaders face when evaluating and reporting impact.

(09:30) Why data is essential for making better strategic decisions and empowering leaders to think long-term.

A strong and effective board can make a big difference for organizations, especially those that are looking to grow, get to the next level, be more strategic, and ultimately increase their impact.

With decades of experience revitalizing alumni boards and developing leadership in nonprofits, our guest, Deb Macfarlan Enright, shares her strategies for engaging board members and cultivating effective leadership that drives meaningful impact.

We explore how nonprofits can transform their leadership approach by leveraging the passion and expertise of their members to build stronger communities.

Whether you’re an executive director, a board member, or a nonprofit leader, this episode will share how to create a dynamic, engaged, and impactful board culture.

You’ll Hear:

(01:45) Three strategies for recruiting excellent board members

(06:28) How to attract board members with specific skills like legal, HR, or networking

(21:19) What a new board member needs to learn to be effective in their first 90 days

(27:11) What approach to take to ensure accountability among board members

(29:47) How to measure board members’ contributions beyond attendance