Peak 9860

09/22/2025

Are you passionate about animal welfare?
Are you ready to step-up to a nonprofit Executive Director role?

Alley Cat Advocates has launched their search for the next leader, and I hope you or someone you know may be the perfect fit for this important Louisville nonprofit.

Please share this post! You never know who in your network might be interested and ready.

https://www.nielsenconsults.com/latestnews/2025/9/22/-alley-cat-advocates-seeking-its-next-executive-director

09/10/2025

Interested in real, values-based community-focused partnerships for your small business or nonprofit?

Log in for tomorrow’s panel discussion on “𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐖𝐞”

Can’t make the live session? No worries, everyone who is registered will get the recording emailed to them. 

Learn more and register-> https://to.clmcgown.com/partners

09/10/2025

𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒖𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝚎̲𝚡̲𝚙̲𝚎̲𝚌̲𝚝̲𝚊̲𝚝̲𝚒̲𝚘̲𝚗̲𝚜̲? That is, simply providing value.

September is 𝑁𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑑𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑀𝑜𝑛𝑡ℎ — providing an important opportunity to serve your community.

Ready.gov offers a host of resources you can share to get the word out. Yes, some parts of the country get more attention when it comes to disasters, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 tragedy strikes every zip code.

Check out the free tips and tools FEMA has developed and share them…widely, freely, & frequently 👉 https://to.clmcgown.com/ready

09/08/2025

"𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥" is a strong word, and one that is overused by many...especially in the nonprofit sector.

Thursday (9/11), our founder, Chris McGown, is participating in a panel discussion exploring what deep, meaningful partnerships really are and how they can dramatically change the trajectory of community engagement.

Join the conversation for an information-packed, experience-based hour as we delve into, "𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐖𝐞: 𝐶𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑔𝑖𝑐 𝐴𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑆ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒."

This is the second session of a series on "Future-Proofing Your Nonprofit." You can register (for free) at the link below, and you'll even get access to the recording from the first session.

Learn more and register 👇
https://movingforwardsmallbusiness.com/future-proofing-your-nonprofit/

08/31/2025

We are only a few days away from Part 1 of our new 3-part series for “𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲-𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗼𝗻𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝘁.“

On Thursday, join us and a panel of nonprofit experts as we look at “𝐔𝐧𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥: 𝑨 𝑹𝒐𝒂𝒅𝒎𝒂𝒑 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑵𝒐𝒏𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒇𝒊𝒕 𝑬𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑨𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏.

We’ll move beyond the basics of social media and online giving to explore how embracing the right technology is a powerful tool for your organization — reducing administrative time and freeing you up to focus on your mission.

✔️How to move beyond surface-level digital tools to unlock a wider range of technological potential.
✔️The importance of choosing and committing to technologies that truly work for your organization.
✔️How to actively use technology to streamline operations and enhance donor engagement.

Join us at noon (et) this Thursday!

Learn more and register at 👇

https://movingforwardsmallbusiness.com/future-proofing-your-nonprofit/

08/31/2025

We are only a few days away from Part 1 of our new 3-part series for “𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲-𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗼𝗻𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝘁.“

On Thursday, join me and a panel of nonprofit experts as we look at “𝐔𝐧𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥: 𝑨 𝑹𝒐𝒂𝒅𝒎𝒂𝒑 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑵𝒐𝒏𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒇𝒊𝒕 𝑬𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑨𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏.

We’ll move beyond the basics of social media and online giving to explore how embracing the right technology is a powerful tool for your organization — reducing administrative time and freeing you up to focus on your mission.

✔️How to move beyond surface-level digital tools to unlock a wider range of technological potential.
✔️The importance of choosing and committing to technologies that truly work for your organization.
✔️How to actively use technology to streamline operations and enhance donor engagement.

Join us at noon (et) this Thursday!

Learn more and register at 👇
https://movingforwardsmallbusiness.com/future-proofing-your-nonprofit/

08/28/2025

𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: 𝑭𝒖𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆-𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑵𝒐𝒏𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒇𝒊𝒕

We're excited to announce a new 3-part virtual series designed to help nonprofits thrive in a changing landscape.

Featuring a panel of experts that includes Matthew Silverman, Sean Littman, and our own Chris McGown, expertly moderated by Jimmy Newson.

Beginning on September 4th, this three-part series covers digital transformation, innovation, and strategic partnerships. The series is 𝑛𝑜-𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢! The optional VIP Access pass offers an additional live nonprofit makeover session (Sept 25th) and several other unique benefits.

Get the VIP Access pass with you $100 donation to Bananas Foster Inc.

Learn more and register --> https://movingforwardsmallbusiness.com/future-proofing-your-nonprofit/

08/27/2025

One of our founders, Chris McGown, will join a panel of nonprofit experts--sharing ideas and insights on "Future-Proofing Your Nonprofit."

This is a three-part series conducted online, with a fourth part available exclusively through VIP access. The three main sessions are available at no-cost to you, and VIP access (with all the perks) is available with a $100 donation to our charity partner, Bananas Foster.

Learn more and register --> https://movingforwardsmallbusiness.com/future-proofing-your-nonprofit/

08/25/2025

We're a bit late sharing this, BUT, we wanted to give a shout out of praise and thanks for HSB for helps insprire and educate nonprofits!

I hope other local banks see this and are encouraged to do the same in their communities.

Great job, HSB! Wish we could have worked out to be there to support your initiative.

August 17th is National Nonprofit Day, the perfect time to announce the next session in our 2025 Seminar Series! We're partnering with The EdVenture Group to present "The Five Nonprofit Non-Negotiables" on September 18th, 5:00pm-6:30pm at HCSBank in Chester. It's free, but registration is required so call 304-387-1620 x2511 or email [email protected] to reserve your spot.
theEdVentureGroup.org
HCSbank.com/nonprofit-seminar

08/25/2025

🎓❤️ National Make-A-Will Month: 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫
What if your final act could be changing the world?

Charitable giving through your will—called a "charitable bequest"—is one of the most powerful ways to create lasting impact. And here's the best part -- it doesn't take millions of dollars to make a lasting difference for the mission you love!

𝑊𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑎 𝑠𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒 𝑔𝑖𝑓𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙, 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑐𝑎𝑛:
💚 Extend your values beyond your lifetime
💚 Support causes that shaped who you are and/or ones you love
💚 Create a meaningful legacy alongside family gifts
💚 Potentially reduce estate taxes (bonus!)
💚 Make a larger gift than you could during your lifetime

𝐴𝑛𝑦 501(𝑐)(3) 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑏𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑓𝑖𝑡 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑎 𝑔𝑖𝑓𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙. 𝑌𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑜𝑝𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠:
🏫 Your old school (scholarship fund, building improvements)
⛪ Your place of worship (ongoing programs, facility needs)
🐕 Animal shelters (the pets you couldn't save, but someone else can)
🌍 Environmental causes (the planet you're leaving behind)
🏥 Medical research (fighting diseases that touched your family)
📚 Libraries, museums, arts organizations
🍽️ Food banks and homeless shelters
🧬 Disease-specific foundations

𝐺𝑒𝑡 𝐶𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒:
🔹 Leave a percentage instead of a dollar amount (grows with your estate)
🔹Create a memorial fund in honor of someone you loved
🔹Support the hometown that raised you
🔹Fund a cause related to your profession or hobby
🔹Split a bequest among several smaller organizations

𝐸𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒-𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑇𝑖𝑝𝑠:
✅ Research organizations you already support
✅ Contact them—many have planned giving specialists who can help (you can still contact them if you want to remain anonymous). This will make sure you use the best wording to achieve your goals
✅ Consider visiting to see your potential impact firsthand
✅ Talk to family about your charitable intentions. This helps them understand why it is important to you and may extend that passion for generations.
✅ Work with an estate planning attorney to structure gifts tax-efficiently

𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒊𝒔𝒏'𝒕 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒃𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔—𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒃𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕...𝒆𝒙𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒑𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏.

08/22/2025

🐕🐱 National Make-A-Will Month: 𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐅𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲!

𝐴 𝑠𝑎𝑑 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐: Over 500,000 pets end up in shelters 𝚎̲𝚊̲𝚌̲𝚑̲ ̲𝚢̲𝚎̲𝚊̲𝚛̲ when their owners pass away unexpectedly.

𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑎𝑑 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑡ℎ: Without a will 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 beloved, furry (or scaley, or feathery, or...) family may add to that statistic! Pets can't advocate for themselves. Without a plan, even the most beloved dog, cat, lizard, hamster, bird, or mini Highland cow faces an uncertain future.

What happens without pet planning...
😢 Pets may be surrendered to overcrowded shelters
😢 Family members might feel obligated to take pets they can't properly care for
😢 Special diets, medications, or behavioral needs might be overlooked
😢 Beloved companions could be separated if you have multiple pets

You alone, through your will, can solve this...
✅ Name specific caregivers who already know and love your pets
✅ Set aside funds for ongoing care (vet bills, food, grooming)
✅ Include detailed care instructions (favorite foods, quirks, routines)
✅ Ensure pets stay together, if that's what's best for them
✅ Provide backup options if your first choice can't take them

𝐸𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒-𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑖𝑝: Talk to potential pet guardians beforehand! Make sure they're willing and able to take on this responsibility. Consider their housing situation, other pets, and lifestyle.

Your pets have been loyal to you their entire lives. Return that loyalty by ensuring they're cared for when you can't be there.

Have you made arrangements for your furry family? Have you set aside funds for that care and commitment?