By Shawn McKenna, NDANO Executive Director
One of the highlights of my role as NDANO’s executive director is helping make connections that showcase the incredible work of North Dakota’s nonprofits. Recently, I had the chance to do just that in a way that was a little out of the ordinary.
Jonathan Larsen has been a NDANO associate member for a few years. He works as an auctioneer, consultant and event planner. Many of you may remember him from our 2025 conference where he had a booth and was part of our fundraising panel. If not, you may remember his son, Elliot, who joined his dad at the event and pretty much stole the show. Jonathan also produces a side project called Riding with Jonathan, a YouTube interview series filmed in a 1969 VW bus. I helped line up a handful of interviews in Bismarck and even got to go along for a ride. In the coming months, he’ll be featuring a number of NDANO nonprofit members, so keep an eye on his channel: Riding with Jonathan.
Experiences like this are a good reminder that connections often happen in the most unexpected ways. Saying yes can open the door to opportunities you never imagined, whether that’s a conversation in a VW bus, a podcast interview, or a coffee shop chat that sparks a bigger idea. The important part is being open to those moments and stepping out of your comfort zone.
That’s exactly the spirit behind two of NDANO’s upcoming efforts. First, we’re excited to launch NDANO Know-How, our new YouTube series designed to share trainings, member highlights and resources that will help your nonprofit thrive. You can subscribe here: NDANO YouTube Channel.
Second, we are grateful for the chance to learn from the nonprofit gathering that took place in Williston a few months ago. Many NDANO members played key roles as presenters, and the event offered a great example of what happens when nonprofits come together to share knowledge and build relationships. Inspired by that experience, NDANO hopes to host similar events in communities across North Dakota. Our plan is to shape the Roadshow model in 2025 and then begin rolling them out more in 2026, with changes to fit local needs while keeping the focus on connection, learning and inspiration.
Here’s where you come in. Reach out to me. Let’s connect, share ideas and see what stories or topics might become the focus of a NDANO Know-How episode or even help shape a Roadshow stop. Who knows, the next big idea could come from a conversation we start today.
