Innovative Nonprofit Management: A Guide to Success

Janelle Duray

Conversation Date: May 21st, 2024 12pm CST

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Innovative Nonprofit Management: A Guide to Success

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Scaling Nonprofits with Janelle DeRay: Insights from the Million Dollar Nonprofit Podcast

Welcome to the Million Dollar Nonprofit Podcast! I’m Tom Kelly with Charity Auctions Today, and I’m thrilled to welcome Janelle DeRay, the President and CEO of Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG). With over 15 years of experience in education and nonprofit management, Janelle has transformed the lives of more than 1.6 million youth and currently serves 78,000 young people across 1,500 communities.

In this episode, Janelle shares her strategies for scaling nonprofit organizations, leveraging data for success, and creating lasting community impact.

The Path to Nonprofit Leadership

Janelle’s journey into nonprofit management and education began with a passion for supporting something larger than herself. From a young age, she recognized the importance of finding a career aligned with her passions, leading her naturally into nonprofit work. For Janelle, nonprofit work is mission-driven rather than dollar-driven. However, she emphasizes the importance of fair compensation for nonprofit employees to maintain sustainability and effectiveness.

Volunteering and Fair Compensation

Janelle highlights the importance of understanding when to transition from volunteer work to paid positions within a nonprofit. She advises new nonprofit leaders to surround themselves with experienced individuals who can provide guidance and help determine when it’s the right time to make that leap. Calculated decisions and budget planning are crucial in this process.

Funding and Administrative Costs

Janelle discusses the challenges small nonprofits face, particularly regarding funding and administrative costs. She notes a growing awareness in philanthropy that supports the need for administrative funding to ensure effective data management and reporting. Foundations are beginning to recognize the importance of funding overhead costs to allow nonprofits to build capacity and scale effectively.

Janelle’s Journey at JAG

Janelle’s journey at JAG began 14 years ago as an intern. She quickly fell in love with the mission and took on various roles, eventually becoming the Executive Vice President and, later, the President and CEO. Her leadership has been pivotal in navigating JAG through significant disruptions and continuing to expand its impact.

The Role of Interns

Interns play a vital role in nonprofit organizations, offering untapped resources and potential for long-term involvement. Janelle emphasizes the importance of utilizing interns to bring fresh perspectives and skills to the organization. She encourages smaller nonprofits to actively seek interns to help in various areas, from marketing to program development.

Strategic Planning and Resource Allocation

JAG is undergoing a robust strategic planning process to ensure maximum impact for the youth they serve. By engaging stakeholders, analyzing market needs, and balancing local and national perspectives, JAG prioritizes its resources effectively. This strategic approach allows them to remain competitive and focused on their mission.

Overcoming Challenges in Scaling

Capacity is a significant challenge for scaling nonprofits. Janelle stresses the importance of assessing how time is spent and delegating responsibilities to build capacity. Identifying the right people to take on new roles and focusing on strategic growth are essential steps in this process.

Data and Metrics

Data is integral to JAG’s operations, providing the backbone for demonstrating impact and securing funding. Janelle underscores the importance of data in measuring success and guiding decision-making processes within the organization.

Success Stories

One memorable success story involved a young man who achieved second place in a national competition. His pride and joy in this achievement exemplified the transformative impact of JAG’s programs. Such moments highlight the importance of celebrating individual wins and meeting young people where they are.

Advice for Nonprofit Leaders

Janelle’s advice for nonprofit leaders looking to scale includes working on personal growth, understanding biases, and fostering collaboration. Leaders must also be willing to step back and delegate responsibilities to focus on strategic priorities.

Conclusion

Janelle DeRay’s journey from intern to CEO of JAG offers valuable insights into scaling nonprofit organizations, the importance of data, and the need for strategic planning. Her emphasis on collaboration, fair compensation, and leveraging interns provides a comprehensive guide for nonprofit leaders aiming to increase their impact.

To learn more about JAG and support their mission, visit their website at jag.org and follow them on social media at @JagNational. Whether through donations, volunteering, or spreading the word, your support can make a difference in empowering the nation’s young people.

Janelle Duray

Author, Founder

Janelle Duray has over fifteen years of experience in education, workforce development consulting, and nonprofit management. In October 2023, she became the second President & CEO of Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG), a national nonprofit that has served 1.6 million youth and currently supports over 75,000 young people in 1,500 communities. Janelle is dedicated to expanding JAG’s impact through innovative strategies and a commitment to service.

Since joining JAG in 2012, Janelle has held various roles, including Executive Vice President in 2020, where she led the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic, implementing key investments in technology, student engagement, and organizational development. Her leadership resulted in the adoption of JAG’s Youth Opportunity and Outcomes 2024 Strategic Goals, the most ambitious in the organization’s history.

Before her tenure at JAG, Janelle consulted for leading Fortune 500 companies and national nonprofits, such as ADM, HCA, United Way Worldwide, the AARP Foundation, and the National Urban League. She holds a Master of Arts in Public Administration from George Mason University and a Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

In her personal life, Janelle enjoys traveling, attending concerts, contemplating the cosmos, and playing the piano.

More Resources

Frequently

Asked Questions

What motivated Janelle DeRay to pursue a career in nonprofit management and education?

Janelle’s journey into nonprofit management began with a passion for supporting larger causes. From a young age, she sought a career aligned with her values and interests. For her, nonprofit work is driven by mission rather than financial gain, though she acknowledges the need for fair compensation to ensure sustainability and effectiveness.

What advice does Janelle DeRay offer to new nonprofit leaders regarding the transition from volunteer to paid positions?

Janelle advises new nonprofit leaders to carefully plan and make calculated decisions about transitioning from volunteer roles to paid positions. Surrounding oneself with experienced mentors and planning budgets are crucial steps in making this transition smoothly and effectively.

How does Janelle DeRay address the challenge of funding administrative costs in small nonprofits?

Janelle points out that there is a growing recognition in philanthropy of the need to fund administrative costs. Foundations are increasingly aware that supporting overhead is essential for effective data management and capacity building, which allows nonprofits to scale and operate more efficiently.

What role do interns play in nonprofit organizations according to Janelle DeRay, and how can smaller nonprofits benefit from them?

Interns are invaluable for bringing fresh perspectives and skills to nonprofit organizations. Janelle emphasizes that interns can contribute significantly to various functions such as marketing and program development. Smaller nonprofits should actively seek interns to leverage their potential and resources.

How does Janelle DeRay approach strategic planning and resource allocation at JAG?

Janelle’s approach involves robust strategic planning that engages stakeholders, analyzes market needs, and balances local and national perspectives. This helps prioritize resources effectively and ensures that JAG remains focused on its mission while adapting to evolving needs.

What are some key challenges in scaling nonprofit organizations, and how does Janelle DeRay address them?

Capacity is a major challenge when scaling nonprofits. Janelle stresses the importance of assessing how time is spent and delegating responsibilities to build capacity. Identifying the right people for new roles and focusing on strategic growth are essential for overcoming these challenges.

Why is data important to JAG, and how does it contribute to the organization’s success?

Data is crucial for JAG as it provides the foundation for measuring impact and guiding decision-making. Janelle highlights that data helps demonstrate success to stakeholders and secure funding, making it integral to the organization’s operations and effectiveness.

What advice does Janelle DeRay offer to nonprofit leaders who are looking to scale their organizations?

Janelle advises nonprofit leaders to focus on personal growth, understand and address biases, and foster collaboration. She emphasizes the importance of stepping back to delegate responsibilities and concentrate on strategic priorities to effectively scale the organization.