The Nonprofit Show

Send us Fan MailData-driven nonprofit fundraising can strengthen donor retention, improve communications, and support better decisions—but the numbers can’t replace human judgment!  In this Fundraisers Friday conversation, Julia Patrick and Tony Beall explore how nonprofit teams can use donor data, CRM systems, and artificial intelligence without losing the relationships that inspire generosity.Fundraisers now have access to an enormous range of information: giving frequency, donor lifetime value, campaign results, email engagement, event attendance, volunteer history, budgets, and predictive analytics. The challenge is not simply collecting more data. It is deciding which information deserves attention and how it should influence fundraising strategy.Tony recommends beginning with the areas carrying the greatest opportunity or risk, even if that means studying only the top or bottom 10%. Rather than attempting to measure everything, teams can begin with donor retention, giving patterns, and communication performance.“Data can help guide us to a decision point, but it doesn’t make the decision for us,” Tony says.That distinction becomes especially important when nonprofits evaluate corporate gifts, partnerships, vendors, or AI platforms. A financially attractive opportunity may still conflict with the organization’s values, reputation, or mission. Gift-acceptance policies and AI-use policies can help leaders make consistent decisions before a difficult situation develops.Julia also raises an increasingly urgent operational concern: where does donor information go when it is entered into an AI system? Nonprofits may be working with sensitive financial, behavioral, and relationship data. Protecting that information is fundamental to maintaining donor trust.The duo also challenge organizations to consider whether their CRM is strengthening relationships—or becoming a substitute for them??  Julia asks, “If your database or your CRM went down tomorrow, do you still know your donors?”Key Takeaways:Prioritize donor retention, giving frequency, and communication response before expanding the dashboard.Treat data as decision support—not an automatic answer.Create gift-acceptance and AI-use policies as part of organizational risk management.Test fundraising messages against audience behavior rather than internal preference.Protect donor information when using AI, CRM, accounting, and HR platforms.Invest in software training and adoption—not merely software licenses.00:00:00 Is Fundraising Becoming a Data Job?00:01:32 How to Avoid Fundraising Data Overload00:03:04 Data Should Empower Fundraisers—not Define Them00:05:54 When Intuition Conflicts With the Numbers00:07:02 Data Cannot Make Ethical Decisions00:09:31 Bias, Vendor Selection, and Better Decision Rubrics00:10:36 Why Every Nonprofit Needs a Gift Policy00:12:50 Which Fundraising Metrics Should Come First?00:14:59 Measuring Marketing and Communication Performance00:17:48 AI Ethics and Protecting Sensitive Donor Data00:20:57 Predictive Analytics for Fundraising Decisions00:22:32 Would You Know Your Donors Without Your CRM?00:25:47 Investing in Fundraising Technology and Training#TheNonprofitShow #NonprofitFundraising #FundraisingStrategyFind us Live daily on YouTube!Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

7/17/26 • 29:32

Send us Fan MailAI strategy for nonprofit leaders is no longer a future-planning exercise. AI is already influencing fundraising decisions, staff workflows, donor research, website visibility, and how prospective supporters evaluate nonprofit organizations.Darren Richards, Founder and Director of Charity AI Partners, explains why the central AI issue is not choosing the newest tool. It is exercising sound leadership judgment.“The tools aren’t the problem,” Darren tells us. “The issue is where you do and don’t use it. Where are the red lines?”Darren introduces three ways nonprofits can apply AI: predict, iterate, and automate. Predictive AI can analyze donor data, identify supporters at risk of lapsing, and improve campaign segmentation. Generative AI can adapt a case for support for different funders and audiences. AI agents can assist with research, analysis, writing, and routine administrative work. But capability does not equal permission!Nonprofit leaders must establish clear guardrails around donor data, communications, staff responsibilities, approvals, and the activities that must remain human. Darren’s operating principle is direct: “Governance before gadgets.”This lively conversation also examines a major change in nonprofit visibility. Donors are increasingly asking AI systems which organizations are credible, efficient, local, or trustworthy. Those systems may answer without sending the donor to the nonprofit’s website!!That makes traditional SEO only part of the equation. Darren explains the growing importance of generative engine optimization and answer engine optimization, including clear question-and-answer content that helps AI systems interpret an organization accurately.The fundraising opportunity is significant. . . . . Darren shares an example of a children’s hospital that used AI to increase an appeal’s return from 2-to-1 to 6-to-1, raise the average gift by nearly one-third, and mail half as many people.The goal is not fundraising without people. It is removing repetitive work so fundraisers can invest more time in judgment, empathy, creativity, gratitude, and donor relationships.Key Takeaways:Establish an organization-wide AI strategy before expanding tool usage.Use predictive AI to strengthen donor segmentation, retention, and campaign efficiency.Protect donor relationships, trust-building, and sensitive conversations as human responsibilities.Review what major AI platforms currently say about your organization.Structure website content around the questions prospective donors actually ask.Treat clean data, consistent messaging, and governance as prerequisites for successful AI adoption.00:00:00 AI Is a Leadership Issue00:02:04 Darren Richards’ Fundraising and AI Journey00:03:41 Why Nonprofits Need AI Guardrails00:05:51 Predict, Iterate, and Automate00:08:18 What AI Should Never Do00:09:51 Protecting Authenticity and Human Connection00:11:39 How AI Is Changing Donor Search00:13:21 SEO, GEO, and Answer Engine Optimization00:17:26 Donor Trust in an AI-Directed World00:19:19 Why Governance Must Come Before Gadgets00:20:35 Will AI Eliminate Nonprofit Jobs?00:23:57 Using AI as a Thinking and Writing Partner00:26:01 Raising More Money With Better Data00:28:19 Free AI Fundraising Resources#TheNonprofitShow #NonprofitLeadership #NonprofitAIFind us Live daily on YouTube!Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

7/16/26 • 30:05

Send us Fan MailWhy do nonprofits lose momentum after creating an inspiring vision or strategic plan? Doug Paul, Founder and CEO of Impact Co., explains how nonprofit operational systems, leadership clarity, performance measures, and consistent workplace rhythms turn ambition into measurable results.After working with approximately 1,300 nonprofit organizations, Doug and his colleagues studied the organizations that were consistently succeeding. They identified eight connected areas that distinguished them: vision, strategy, development, metrics, culture, people, systems, and rhythms.The central lesson is direct: “Nonprofits don’t rise to the level of their vision. They fall to the level of their systems.”Doug explains why organizations can have memorable mission statements and well-designed strategic plans yet still miss deadlines, struggle with accountability, operate reactively, and fail to follow through. These are not always motivation problems. Often, they are evidence of systems that unintentionally produce last-minute scrambles and workplace frustration.The conversation also examines why business frameworks cannot simply be dropped into nonprofit organizations without adaptation. Systems designed primarily to create profit may not fully support organizations whose ultimate outcome is mission impact.Doug outlines how successful nonprofits create an attainable 3 to 5 year vision, distinguish strategy from goals, build a modern revenue playbook, track both lead and lag measures, align donors and stakeholders, and document repeatable processes. He also shares that organizations intentional about culture-building can experience a 43% increase in productivity!!Strong systems do not remove the human element. They help people succeed. As Doug explains, “I just don’t think heart and passion can bridge that gap.”This episode offers nonprofit executives, managers, fundraisers, and board members a clearer way to diagnose stalled momentum—and begin releasing the organizational brakes.Key Takeaways:Define an attainable three-to-five-year vision rather than relying only on a distant aspirational goal.Separate strategy from goals and connect strategy to a specific winning action plan.Track lead measures early enough to influence lagging organizational results.Treat workplace culture as a measurable leadership discipline, not an accidental outcome.Align staff, donors, board members, executives, and community stakeholders around one direction.Build documented processes and calendar rhythms that repeatedly produce mission outcomes.00:00:00 Why Nonprofits Lose Momentum00:00:46 Building Built for Impact Through Collaboration00:02:17 The Gap Between Mission, Operations, and Results00:04:20 When Constant Firefighting Becomes the System00:05:31 Why Business Frameworks May Fail Nonprofits00:07:15 Passion Cannot Replace Operational Capacity00:10:11 Lessons From 1,300 Nonprofit Organizations00:11:27 Eight Drivers of Nonprofit Success00:12:27 Lead Measures, Lag Measures, and Better Decisions00:13:27 Culture Building and the 43% Productivity Increase00:15:36 Aligning People, Processes, and Stakeholders00:17:31 Using Organizational Rhythms to Drive Impact00:18:44 Creating a Nonprofit Performance Flywheel00:20:17 Building an Organizational Operating System00:21:52 Why Leadership Clarity Is a Survival Skill00:24:17 Making Tough Decisions Without Leading Alone00:25:57 Moving From Command-and-Control to CollaborationFind us Live daily on YouTube!Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

7/15/26 • 29:48

Send us Fan MailAs DEI language changes across states, workplaces, and political environments, nonprofit leaders face a pressing operational question: Can the terminology change without weakening the mission? Staffing expert Katie Warnock examines what this means for recruitment, representation, board leadership, and organizational decision-making, and sharing what nonprofit hiring managers are encountering on the front lines of recruitment.Katie has spent 20 years placing professionals throughout the nonprofit and charter school sectors—from development assistants and grant writers to finance staff and interim executive directors. She explains why employers must translate their desire for representation into legitimate job qualifications, organizational systems, and leadership decisions.For example, an organization serving Spanish-speaking families may have a genuine need for a bilingual employee. The appropriate requirement is language proficiency—not a candidate’s ethnicity. As Katie explains, “I am identifying the best candidate, and I’m going to present always the best candidates.”The conversation also challenges organizations that pursue diversity only at entry-level positions while their boards and executive teams remain unchanged. Hiring one person from an underrepresented population cannot substitute for examining who holds authority throughout the organization.Katie, and host Julia Patrick, also discuss how nonprofits are adjusting public language while continuing to serve their communities. Regional differences matter. Words, programs, and communications that are accepted in one state may face resistance or scrutiny in another.Board leadership becomes especially important during these periods. Boards can provide strategic direction, reinforce mission, and help executives respond thoughtfully rather than react fearfully. Katie tells us, “A lot of the trickle-down effect of how an organization adjusts to what’s going on right now is a directive from the board.”The episode closes with encouraging signals for nonprofit leaders. Katie cites approximately $617 billion in charitable giving during 2025, with individuals representing a substantial share. She is also seeing renewed hiring in corporate social responsibility departments—positions that had largely disappeared from many companies several years earlier.Key Takeaways: * Define legitimate job capabilities rather than requesting candidates from a particular demographic.* Representation should extend beyond assistant-level roles into management, executive leadership, and boards.* Review public language without allowing communications caution to weaken mission delivery.* Expect regional differences in employment language, education policy, and organizational risk.* Boards should actively guide organizational responses during political and regulatory uncertainty.* Individual philanthropy and renewed corporate responsibility hiring may create new partnership and fundraising opportunities.00:00:00 DEI Language and the Nonprofit Workplace00:00:33 What Staffing Boutique Sees in Nonprofit Hiring00:02:14 The Growing Divide Between Private and Public Language00:03:40 Woman-Owned Businesses and DEI Programs00:06:24 How Workforce Representation Has Changed00:07:21 Hiring for Language, Culture, and Community Needs00:10:03 Representation Beyond Entry-Level Positions00:11:55 Why Demographics Should Not Appear in Job Requirements00:13:03 Has Changing the Language Changed the Mission?00:15:11 How Regional Politics Affect Nonprofit Communications00:17:30 Navigating Polarization Without Losing Authenticity00:21:27 Protecting the Nonprofit Sector’s Public Trust00:22:55 Why Board Leadership Matters During Uncertainty00:24:19 Philanthropy and Corporate Responsibility Green Shoots00:27:04 What Record Giving Could Mean for Nonprofits#NonprofitLeadership #NonprofitHiring #TheNonprofitShowFind us Live daily on YouTube!Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

7/14/26 • 29:31

Send us Fan MailHow can nonprofits overcome a scarcity mindset when financial pressure, staffing challenges, and uncertainty dominate the conversation? Jeffrey R. Wilcox of Third Sector Company explains how leaders can move their organizations from survival mode toward community equity, organizational possibility, and renewed hope.Scarcity is not simply the absence of money. It can become a preoccupation that narrows decision-making, weakens confidence, and causes nonprofit teams to overlook the assets already within reach.Jeffrey describes the difference between a financed nonprofit and a truly resourced nonprofit. A resourced organization draws strength from its relationships with employees, volunteers, institutions, donors, community members, and the people who depend on its services. These connections represent equity—and that equity can be leveraged when an organization faces disruption or financial peril.As Jeffrey warns, scarcity “paralyzes our nonprofit sector to become survivalists instead of a sector of possibilities.”This motivating discussion includes the example of a longstanding community festival placed at risk after losing city funding. Instead of concentrating exclusively on finding another major funder, its leaders invited the public to take ownership. Community stories, donated media exposure, and broader participation helped transform the festival from a city-funded event into a community-supported institution.Leadership language is another critical operating asset. Calling an organization a “hot mess” or repeatedly describing every challenge as a problem teaches others to see the organization through that same lens. Leaders can instead acknowledge difficult realities while directing attention toward possibilities, leverage, gratitude, and shared responsibility.This is not an argument for naive optimism. It is a leadership discipline grounded in honest assessment and intentional communication. As Jeffrey says, “The words you use will be part of the legacy that you leave.”This discussion offers a different way to evaluate your organizational resources—and a stronger vocabulary for guiding people through change.Key Takeaways:Scarcity becomes dangerous when it turns financial pressure into organizational paralysis.A resourced nonprofit holds equity in relationships, trust, community ownership, and institutional connections.Leaders should inventory assets beyond the bank account before concluding that options are limited.Repeated leadership language directly influences staff, volunteer, board, and community perceptions.Building broad public ownership may provide greater resilience than relying on one major funding source.Abundance leadership requires honest discussion, shared definitions, and continuous reinforcement.00:00:00 Scarcity Thinking in the Nonprofit Sector00:01:13 When Scarcity Becomes Organizational Paralysis00:03:44 How Individual Mindsets Shape Entire Organizations00:05:24 Replacing “Yes, But” With Possibility00:06:33 Recovering the Inspiration Behind the Mission00:09:01 What Makes a Nonprofit Truly Resourced00:09:46 Building Equity Through Community Relationships00:11:38 How Community Ownership Saved a Festival00:13:46 Finding Assets Beyond the Bank Account00:14:39 How Leadership Language Shapes Culture00:18:30 Gratitude, Equity, and Purposeful Vocabulary00:20:45 The Connection Between Scarcity, Hope, and Burnout00:22:34 Defining Abundance Inside Your Organization00:25:51 Interim Leadership Training and New BeginningsFind us Live daily on YouTube!Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

7/13/26 • 27:26

Send us Fan MailHow often should nonprofits ask for donations without exhausting their supporters? This Fundraisers Friday conversation offers a sharper way to evaluate donor communication frequency, campaign volume, stewardship, segmentation, and the messages being sent between solicitations!Julia C. Patrick and Tony Beall challenge a common assumption: frequent communication is not automatically the problem. Tony tells us, “It’s not really that you’re communicating too much. It’s just that what you’re communicating is redundant.”That distinction matters as nonprofit teams plan GivingTuesday, year-end fundraising, direct mail, email campaigns, social media, and Q4 donor outreach. Eight messages may feel excessive internally, but they may reach several carefully segmented audiences rather than landing repeatedly with the same people.The lively convo moves beyond campaign calendars into the operating systems that support stronger donor relationships. Tony recommends using volunteers as communication auditors, scheduling dedicated stewardship time, documenting meaningful touchpoints in the CRM, and reviewing the last 10 communications sent through each channel.One of the most useful ideas is to stop treating donor communication preferences as an all-or-nothing project. Instead of attempting to customize every interaction for every donor, begin with the top 10% of supporters. Learn whether they prefer email, text, phone calls, or direct mail, then expand the process as capacity allows.Tony also shares a simple phrase that can lower anxiety before a larger solicitation: “How would you feel if…?” Rather than immediately requesting a $20,000 commitment or increased gift, the fundraiser can explore the donor’s reaction and readiness. It opens a candid conversation without cornering the donor—or the fundraiser.This episode offers a disciplined way to examine whether their organization is communicating too much, too little, or simply without enough variety and relevance.Key Takeaways:Segment audiences before judging whether campaign frequency is excessive.Monitor unsubscribes, nonresponse, and message repetition—not volume alone.Schedule stewardship activities instead of hoping time appears for them.Record personal donor touchpoints in the CRM to protect institutional knowledge.Begin communication-preference tracking with the top 10% of donors.Audit the last 10 messages in every channel for balance, value, and repeated asks. 00:00:00 Asking Too Often—or Not Enough?00:03:23 Frequency Versus Donor Fatigue00:04:47 Why Audience Segmentation Changes the Answer00:05:45 The Warning Signs of Overcommunication00:06:17 Using Volunteers as Communication Auditors00:08:10 Stewardship Between Fundraising Campaigns00:10:39 Scheduling Time for Thank-You Notes00:12:33 Delivering Value Without Making an Ask00:16:13 Why Every Donor Touchpoint Belongs in the CRM00:18:03 Tracking Communication Preferences Without Overload00:20:37 “How Would You Feel If?”—A Better Donor Prompt00:23:46 Audit Your Last 10 Communications#TheNonprofitShow #NonprofitFundraising #DonorEngagementFind us Live daily on YouTube!Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

7/10/26 • 30:22

Send us Fan MailMid-level donor strategy for nonprofits is no longer just a fundraising “nice to have.” It is becoming one of the most important business tools for building stronger major donor pipelines, improving donor retention, and making better decisions from the data already sitting inside your CRM.In this episode, Kirsten Wantland, Principal Industry Strategist at Bloomerang, joins Julia Patrick for a lively conversation about the “magic” of mid and major donors—and why that magic depends on structure, ownership, visibility, and disciplined relationship management.Kirsten points to a critical trend: nonprofits may be raising more overall, but more major gift revenue is coming from fewer donors. That means the pipeline is narrowing. As she explains, “It’s not that generosity is decreasing… they’re just coming from less donors.” For nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, CEOs, and board members, that raises a big operational question: are you actively building the next layer of donors, or simply hoping they appear?This discussion moves beyond the old idea that donor portfolios are based only on personal relationships. Kirsten challenges nonprofits to look at donor characteristics, giving patterns, generosity indicators, recurring giving behavior, and relationship touches that actually move someone from mid-level to major giving.She also addresses one of the quiet problems inside many organizations: unclear donor ownership. When relationship knowledge lives in someone’s head—or in a side spreadsheet—it creates risk, confusion, and missed opportunities. “The problem comes down to visibility,” Kirsten says. Your CRM should help your team see who owns the relationship, what has happened, what should happen next, and where the donor may be headed.This is a business conversation about fundraising discipline: analyze your data, define your donor levels based on real giving patterns, revisit your plans often, and shift from quantity-based activity to higher-quality donor cultivation!Key Takeaways:Major gift revenue is increasingly concentrated among fewer donors, making mid-level donor pipeline strategy more urgent.Donor portfolio ownership should be based on giving behavior, motivation, and capacity—not only personal relationships.CRM visibility helps prevent relationship confusion, staff transition risk, and hidden donor management gaps.Nonprofits should define mid-level and major donor thresholds using their own data, sector benchmarks, and realistic growth goals.Fundraising plans should be reviewed regularly so teams can adjust campaigns before revenue gaps become emergencies.Higher ROI comes from more intentional donor cultivation, not simply increasing the number of mailers, touches, or asks. 00:00:00 Welcome to The Nonprofit Show 00:01:55 Kirsten Wantland’s Role at Bloomerang 00:04:11 Why Fundraiser Experience Matters in Technology 00:05:22 Why Mid and Major Donors Matter Now 00:07:23 The Donor Relationship Ownership Problem 00:09:03 Portfolio Management Beyond Personal Relationships 00:12:34 Taking Ego Out of Donor Ownership 00:14:45 How to Define Mid-Level and Major Donors 00:18:23 Fundraising as Data, Psychology, and Relationship Strategy 00:21:38 Tracking Campaign Milestones Before It Is Too Late 00:23:27 Understanding Donor Catalysts and Moves Management 00:25:48 Quality Versus Quantity in Fundraising Activity 00:28:00 Cultivating Smaller Donor Segments More Intentionally 00:29:31 Final Thoughts with Kirsten Wantland #TheNonprofitShow #NonprofitFundraising #MajorGiftsFind us Live daily on YouTube!Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

7/8/26 • 30:42

Send us Fan MailNonprofit strategic planning software is changing how leaders, boards, and fundraisers build plans that actually guide decisions. Sophia Shaw, co-founder of Plan Perfect, explains why the old “plan on a shelf” model no longer fits the business of nonprofits.Sophia brings deep sector experience as former CEO of the Chicago Botanic Garden, former leader of the nonprofit board governance program at Kellogg, and a nonprofit board chair. Her message is direct: strategic planning needs to live, move, and help organizations navigate change.In this conversation, Sophia explains how Plan Perfect helps nonprofits move from first surveys to finished plans while also connecting planning to enterprise risk management. Instead of building a document once and leaving it untouched, nonprofit leaders can use dashboards, AI-supported surveys, risk tools, tabletop exercises, and real-time updates to keep strategy connected to daily work.For fundraisers, this shift is especially important. Sophia says, “To have a strategic plan is to give your fundraisers the ability to know what they’re raising money for.” That one sentence carries real business value. If fundraisers cannot clearly describe priorities, goals, and impact, donor conversations become harder than they need to be.This lively discussion also addresses cost and timeline. Sophia compares traditional planning processes that may take nine months and cost $50,000 with a newer approach that can happen in two to three months for up to $4,800 before added consulting support. Another major theme is safe AI adoption. Sophia warns that nonprofits should not place donor, visitor, clinic, or constituent data into open AI systems without safeguards. The opportunity is powerful, but the responsibility is just as real.Key Takeaways:* Strategic plans should be updated regularly and used as management tools, not ceremonial documents.* Fundraisers need clear organizational priorities to support donor conversations and multi-year giving.* Three-year plans are becoming common, while six-month and one-year plans can help nonprofits respond faster.* Surveys can bring thousands of constituent voices into planning and reduce boardroom disconnect.* AI can help nonprofits leap forward, but sensitive data must remain protected.* Donors and foundations may begin asking harder questions about plans, goals, and execution. 00:00:00 Welcome to The Nonprofit Show 00:02:00 What Plan Perfect Does for Nonprofits 00:02:50 Sophia Shaw’s Journey Through Nonprofit Leadership 00:04:22 Why Traditional Strategic Planning Must End 00:05:49 How Boards Respond to New Planning Tools 00:08:54 Giving Nonprofit Leaders Their Own Voice 00:09:49 Rethinking Planning Timelines and Costs 00:10:45 What It Means to Be Future Ready 00:12:35 Why Fundraisers Need the Strategic Plan 00:14:56 Using Surveys to Hear More Constituent Voices 00:18:41 Safe AI Adoption for Nonprofits 00:21:35 Turning Strategy Into Daily Action 00:25:36 Why Donors Should Ask About the Plan #TheNonprofitShow #NonprofitStrategy #NonprofitPlanningFind us Live daily on YouTube!Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

7/7/26 • 29:17

Send us Fan MailHow can nonprofits build community support for after-school programs while creating measurable value for children, families, funders, and local leaders? JonPaul Reed, founder and executive director of Pure Momentum Group and founder of Athlete University, shares how the hours between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. can become a powerful platform for youth development and stronger communities.The school day may end before parents finish working, but JonPaul sees that gap as much more than a supervision problem. It is an opportunity to build work ethic, decision-making, teamwork, leadership, communication skills, and what he calls “monetizable skill sets.”“We’re either taking advantage of that window or we’re not,” he explains.JonPaul also examines how youth sports have become increasingly driven by money, exclusivity, and winning. For nonprofit leaders, his warning is clear: programs must remain grounded in access, developmental outcomes, and the needs of young people—not simply the ambitions of adults.The conversation moves from program philosophy into the business of running and growing a youth-serving nonprofit. JonPaul discusses building parent buy-in, choosing the right time for difficult conversations, maintaining organizational paperwork, meeting with commissioners, submitting proposals, developing municipal relationships, and presenting a program in language decision-makers understand.His experience also shows why passion alone is not enough. Nonprofits need a defined model, consistent follow-up, credible documentation, accessible leadership, and a message that community partners can quickly understand. As JonPaul advises, “Package your product and package it well, and also get the right person to speak for you.”For nonprofit executives, program directors, board members, coaches, and community leaders, this episode offers a candid look at how mission, culture, communication, and operational discipline work together to create sustainable youth programs.Key Takeaways:* Treat the 3-to-6 p.m. period as a youth-development and workforce-readiness opportunity—not merely a childcare gap.* Build parent participation through timely, honest communication and shared accountability.* Define developmental outcomes before allowing competition, revenue, or adult expectations to shape the program.* Establish tax-exempt status, documentation, proposals, and operating records before approaching major partners.* Translate personal passion into a clear model that public officials, businesses, and funders can understand.* Delegate communications and introductions when another team member can position the organization more effectively.00:00:00 Why the 3-to-6 PM Window Matters00:02:31 Building Access Through Pure Momentum Group00:05:49 The Daily Gap Between School and Home00:07:28 Turning a Youth Development Gap Into a Gateway00:08:14 Preparing Young People for a Competitive World00:11:29 Reclaiming the Developmental Purpose of Sports00:16:14 Building Accountability With Parents and Children00:19:05 Creating Culture and Organizational Buy-In00:20:42 How Youth Programs Gain Community Support00:22:10 Packaging a Mission for Partners and Funders00:23:28 Documentation, Legitimacy, and Funding Readiness00:28:23 Leading Through Criticism, Risk, and Resilience#AfterSchoolPrograms #NonprofitLeadership #TheNonprofitShowFind us Live daily on YouTube!Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

7/2/26 • 31:50

Send us Fan MailNonprofit leadership training through role play offers teams a different way to confront difficult decisions, build trust, and retain what they learn. Tim Sarrantonio, founder and chief designer of The Generosity Spectrum, introduces a collaborative educational gaming system created specifically for nonprofit professionals, boards, and the communities they serve.Rather than asking participants to sit through another lecture, the Generosity Roundtable places people inside realistic organizational situations. Players adopt generosity archetypes, explore competing priorities, and work toward consensus through guided storytelling.Tim says the goal is simple: “If it feels like work, we’re doing it wrong.”The episode examines a persistent operational challenge across the sector: professional development is often expensive, passive, or inaccessible. Tim notes that 97% of nonprofits operate with less than $5 million in annual revenue, leaving many organizations with limited training budgets and little time for traditional programs.The Generosity Roundtable is designed to begin with as few as three people and support groups of up to ten. A session can help teams explore issues such as stalled engagement, technology decisions, board dynamics, donor conversations, and organizational trust—in roughly 20 minutes.Tim also explains why active participation may produce stronger recall than lectures, books, and webinars. By rehearsing decisions in a protected setting, nonprofit professionals can test ideas, examine assumptions, and prepare for situations ranging from boardroom conflict to foundation presentations.As Tim explains, “We win by agreeing with each other.” That consensus-based structure encourages participants to listen, negotiate, and understand why colleagues approach the same issue differently.The conversation also explores the business model behind the project, including fiscal sponsorship, corporate underwriting, accessible pricing, and community-based distribution.Key Takeaways:Role play allows nonprofit teams to rehearse difficult decisions without risking real organizational consequences.The experience can begin with three participants and expand to groups of ten.Twenty-minute sessions are designed for time-constrained nonprofit professionals and boards.Consensus-based gameplay strengthens listening, trust, negotiation, and shared decision-making.Corporate partners can underwrite access without turning participants into marketing leads.A shared library of verified game sessions could spread ideas across organizations, regions, and conferences.00:00:00 A New Approach to Nonprofit Leadership Training00:02:17 Tim Sarrantonio’s Journey Into Nonprofit Education00:03:21 The Professional Development Problem00:05:06 Why Educational Gaming Belongs in the Sector00:07:02 Role Play Versus Traditional Board Games00:08:48 How the Generosity Archetypes Work00:10:14 Why Immersive Learning Improves Retention00:11:31 Building Consensus and Psychological Safety00:14:10 Creating Circles of Trust00:17:15 Sharing Knowledge Through a Library of Generosity00:20:23 Using Scenarios for Boards and Nonprofit Teams00:23:49 Funding Innovation Without Gatekeeping Access00:25:35 Rethinking Corporate Sponsorship00:28:14 The Vision for Every Nonprofit Table#NonprofitLeadership #NonprofitTraining #TheNonprofitShowFind us Live daily on YouTube!Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

7/1/26 • 31:19

Send us Fan MailHow many auction items should a nonprofit gala have? Jason A. Champion of Winspire shares a measurable nonprofit gala auction strategy for selecting stronger items, creating bidding urgency, and protecting fundraising revenue.The answer begins before guests enter the ballroom. Rather than assuming which trips, experiences, or packages donors will want, Jason recommends surveying ticket holders, sponsors, and supporters before the event. A simple five-question form can reveal interest in sporting events, beach destinations, city experiences, international travel, and dream locations.That early input gives nonprofits something invaluable: evidence that potential bidders have already raised their hands.Jason also challenges the belief that every donated item belongs in the auction. As he puts it, “Just because it was donated doesn’t mean you need to use it.” Quality, pricing range, audience fit, and presentation matter more than filling every table with merchandise.The episode provides several concrete nonprofit auction benchmarks. For a silent auction, Jason recommends approximately one item for every four to five attendees. A room of 350 to 400 guests, for example, may need roughly 40 carefully chosen items—not 150 choices that overwhelm bidders.For a live auction, he recommends one or two major tentpole experiences plus two or three supporting items, with no more than six total. He also advises offering opportunities across a wide financial range, from approximately $500 to $20,000, so the auction reflects the giving capacity represented in the room.Staffing is equally important. A trained benefit auctioneer can read the audience, communicate the mission, manage momentum, and relieve executive and development leaders who have been asking for money all year. “Hope is not a business plan,” Jason warns.Technology should simplify registration, mobile bidding, checkout, and payment processing. However, the live paddle raise should remain visible and immediate because public participation creates social proof, energy, and additional giving.Key TakeawaysSurvey donors before selecting auction experiences or packages.Plan roughly one silent-auction item for every four to five attendees.Limit the live auction to six focused, high-value opportunities.Build an auction portfolio spanning approximately $500 to $20,000.Use a professional benefit auctioneer to protect momentum and revenue.Modernize bidding and checkout while keeping the paddle raise visible.#NonprofitFundraising #NonprofitGala #TheNonprofitShow00:00:00 How Many Auction Items Does a Gala Need?00:02:34 How Winspire Supports Nonprofit Auctions00:05:07 Finding the Perfect Auction Item00:05:44 Survey Donors Before Selecting Packages00:08:23 Why Quality Beats Auction Quantity00:10:14 Designing Events for Different Donor Types00:12:53 Edit the Speeches and Protect the Program00:13:47 Why a Benefit Auctioneer Raises More00:18:57 The One-Item-for-Five-Guests Formula00:19:57 Why Live Auctions Should Stop at Six Items00:23:37 Modern Bidding Technology and Faster Checkout00:24:33 Why the Paddle Raise Should Stay Live00:26:31 Structuring the Auction Without Exhausting Guests00:28:26 Final Advice for Nonprofit LeadersFind us Live daily on YouTube!Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

6/30/26 • 31:06

Send us Fan MailNonprofit revenue growth requires more than another campaign, gala, or grant application. John Abrahamson, CFO and COO of Action Council, shares how nonprofits can connect earned revenue, contributed revenue, program priorities, financial literacy, and organizational culture within one stronger business strategy.Action Council provides infrastructure and fiscal sponsorship for approximately 30 smaller organizations delivering healthcare, education, and other community services in Monterey County. Drawing from this work—and his leadership experience with organizations including the National Geographic Society and Monterey Bay Aquarium—John challenges the siloed approach that often separates finance, fundraising, programming, and earned revenue.His recommendation is direct: examine every activity according to its required resources and measurable contribution to the mission.“You can actually have higher impact by doing fewer programs that have the most impact toward your stated mission,” John tells us.The conversation explores how mission creep develops, why finance leaders must understand what happens beyond the spreadsheet, and how financial literacy can reduce fear across departments. The discussion also introduces the “Bubba Gump Effect”—the idea that organizations may face greater danger by tying themselves to the shore and waiting for conditions to improve than by moving directly into change. Using Blue Ocean Strategy principles, John encourages nonprofit leaders to question inherited business models and explore revenue opportunities outside crowded, familiar territory.Another major lesson is the difference between plate cost and true cost. A fundraising gala may appear profitable until staff time, insurance, technology, facilities, operational disruption, and missed opportunities are included. As John asks, was the squeeze worth the juice?Ultimately, disciplined financial decisions depend on trust, communication, and consistent leadership. “It’s sometimes more compassionate to say no than it is to say yes and not be able to fully fulfill.” Key Takeaways:* Integrate earned and contributed revenue into one organizational strategy.* Compare each program’s resource requirements with its contribution to mission.* Include labor, overhead, disruption, and opportunity cost when evaluating events.* Build financial literacy before asking employees to accept difficult decisions.* Use periods of change to reconsider legacy processes and revenue models.* Earn organizational trust through consistent, visible leadership behavior.00:00:00 Creative Approaches to Nonprofit Revenue Growth00:01:31 How Fiscal Sponsorship Provides Business Infrastructure00:04:23 Why Earned and Contributed Revenue Belong Together00:05:26 Breaking Down Organizational Silos00:07:49 Doing Less to Produce Greater Mission Impact00:10:12 Mission Creep and the Changing Funding Landscape00:12:07 Moving Finance Beyond Rows and Columns00:14:01 Building Financial Literacy Across the Organization00:15:27 The Bubba Gump Effect: Facing the Storm00:18:54 Plate Cost Versus the True Cost of Programs00:20:15 Do Nonprofit Galas Really Produce a Return?00:22:33 Measuring Opportunity Cost and Mission Impact00:24:17 Why Strong Leaders Give Teams Permission to Say No00:25:41 Consistency, Culture, and Organizational TrustFind us Live daily on YouTube!Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

6/29/26 • 30:51

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when one of your best donors gives far more to another nonprofit? These major donor stewardship strategies can help your organization move beyond frustration, learn what influenced the gift, and build stronger opportunities for future investment.On this Fundraisers Friday conversation, Julia C. Patrick and Tony Beall confront a painful fundraising reality: a donor may care about your mission, possess considerable giving capacity, and still make their transformational or legacy gift somewhere else!The wrong response is indignation. The stronger business response is curiosity, gratitude, and an honest review of the donor relationship.Tony advises nonprofit leaders to look beyond their internal database and understand a donor’s broader philanthropic activity. “Invest some time in really understanding the full profile of your donor, not just the profile that exists within your organization.”That knowledge can reveal why another organization received the larger commitment. Perhaps there was a matching opportunity, a clearly defined project, a compelling future vision, or simply a direct invitation your nonprofit never extended.The conversation also addresses a common fundraising weakness: under-asking. Rather than surprising a donor with an oversized request, Tony recommends testing the opportunity through language such as, “How would you feel if I asked you to double your investment?” This creates room for an honest response while connecting the proposed gift to measurable community impact.Julia reinforces the importance of giving donors something meaningful to fund: “If we can get your investment, we can do this.” The discussion moves fundraising away from building organizational coffers and toward financing visible results.The co-hosts also examine legacy gifts, balancing immediate fundraising needs with long-term sustainability, and handling donors who expect board influence in exchange for financial support. Key Takeaways:Study donors’ broader philanthropic activity, not only their history with your organization.Celebrate gifts to peer nonprofits before asking what motivated the decision.Connect larger requests to specific programs, outcomes, and people served.Test donor readiness before presenting a formal major-gift request.Discuss legacy giving with donors across a wider range of ages.Use a written gift policy to prevent donations from becoming board-level pay-to-play arrangements.00:00:00 When Your Best Donor Gives Somewhere Else00:02:59 Looking Beyond Your Internal Donor Data00:04:05 Celebrate the Other Gift—and Learn From It00:06:38 Moving a Loyal Donor Toward a Major Gift00:08:00 Share the Strategic Plan and Future Vision00:09:42 How to Test a Larger Ask Without Making It00:12:27 When Another Nonprofit Receives the Legacy Gift00:15:05 Under-Asking and Missed Planned-Giving Opportunities00:17:20 Funding Today’s Crisis While Building Tomorrow00:18:50 The Five-Minute Call That Changed a Donor00:20:10 When a Donor Wants Influence Over the Board00:22:17 Why Every Nonprofit Needs a Gift Policy#NonprofitFundraising #MajorGifts #TheNonprofitShowFind us Live daily on YouTube!Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

6/26/26 • 27:58

Send us Fan MailHow AI saves time for nonprofits depends far less on the excitement surrounding the technology and far more on the quality of the organization’s data, workflows, and financial controls. Buu-Linh Tran, Senior Vice President of Financial Solutions at JMT Consulting, and Torbjorn Nilsen, Director of Business Solutions at DATABASICS, explain where AI can deliver measurable value—and where nonprofit leaders should proceed carefully.The conversation moves beyond broad promises about efficiency and into the daily work of nonprofit finance operations. Data entry, receipt review, expense coding, compliance checks, anomaly detection, and financial reporting are all areas where technology can reduce repetitive work and help employees focus on higher-value decisions.One example shows how AI can examine an itemized receipt, recognize an alcohol brand, and flag a potentially unallowable expense. It can also identify spending drift, unusual fund-code activity, or patterns that may be missed when transactions are reviewed individually.But automation is not the same as control.As Torbjorn cautions, “We can’t let the machine control. The control still has to be there.” AI should help nonprofit teams surface concerns and direct attention—not make unchecked financial decisions.Buu-Linh offers another important reality check: “Look at the basics first—look at tools that help you streamline your operations.” Poor data, inconsistent coding, and inefficient processes do not become reliable simply because AI has been added.The guests also discuss natural-language reporting, which could allow managers to ask direct questions such as, “How much have we spent on this conference?” or “Are supply costs higher than last year?” Instead of learning a complicated reporting system, users may receive the information they need in plain language.JMT Consulting has served nonprofit organizations since 1991 and currently supports more than 2,300 nonprofits. DATABASICS has worked with nonprofit organizations since the mid-1990s, helping manage time, expenses, grants, and workforce processes.Key Takeaways:Begin with the operational problem—not the desire to adopt AI.Clean, consistent data is essential for reliable AI-generated analysis.Data entry and high-volume receipt processing are strong automation opportunities.AI can flag anomalies, unallowable costs, spending drift, and questionable fund coding.Natural-language reporting can make financial information more accessible to non-finance managers.Human oversight, privacy controls, and cross-department collaboration remain essential.00:00:00 Where Does AI Genuinely Save Time?00:01:50 JMT Consulting and the Nonprofit Finance Landscape00:03:51 How DATABASICS Supports Time and Expense Management00:05:05 Using AI Without Losing Financial Control00:06:31 Data Privacy, Compliance, and Security Risks00:08:37 Fix the Basic Workflow Before Adding AI00:11:18 How AI Detects Expense Report Problems00:14:05 Why Poor Data Produces Poor AI Results00:16:15 Data Entry and Reporting Tasks AI Can Reduce00:20:03 Creating More Time for Strategy and Mission00:23:38 Turning Financial Reports Into Useful Insights00:27:40 Finding Spending Drift and Fund-Code Anomalies#NonprofitAI #NonprofitFinanceFind us Live daily on YouTube!Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

6/25/26 • 30:31

Send us Fan MailNonprofit prospect research beyond wealth screening requires more than locating wealthy people. It means finding funders with the capacity, mission alignment, and relationship connections that can lead to a credible fundraising conversation.Shahar Brukner, Co-Founder, President, and CRO of Impala Digital, explains why traditional nonprofit wealth screening often leaves development teams with plenty of data—but no clear path to a donor.Shahar organizes effective prospect research around three business priorities: capacity, alignment, and relationships. A prospective donor may possess enormous wealth, but that does not mean the person supports your cause, makes gifts at the level you need, or can be reached through someone they trust.As Shahar explains, “If someone has a relationship to my organization through the board or through a donor…they automatically become a prospect.”Impala has assembled public nonprofit and philanthropic data reaching back to 2014. Shahar says its platform includes information on approximately 16 million people and more than 213 million connections, serving over 10,000 nonprofits and nearly 2,000 foundations, grantmakers, and advisors.The conversation also examines how AI may make genuine relationships even more important.  Shahar offers: “If it gets very easy to communicate with someone…then the level of connection needs to go up.”This episode offers a sharper way to evaluate prospects, activate board networks, approach funders respectfully, and turn data into a disciplined relationship-building strategy.Key Takeaways:Evaluate prospects through capacity, mission alignment, and relationships—not estimated wealth alone.Replace “Who do you know?” with specific, researched introduction requests for board members.Prioritize connected prospects before chasing the largest foundations or wealthiest individuals.Treat an initial gift as the beginning of a longer cultivation and stewardship process.Record donor intelligence and relationship history accurately in the organization’s CRM.Expect AI-generated application volume to push some funders toward invitation-based or relationship-led grantmaking.00:00:00 Who Can Really Fund Your Nonprofit?00:01:43 Building a Data Platform for Philanthropy00:03:02 When a Three-Month Fundraising Plan Takes 18 Months00:05:14 Where Traditional Wealth Screening Falls Short00:06:43 Capacity, Alignment, and Relationships00:10:34 Why Board Connections Remain Underused00:11:17 Stop Asking Board Members “Who Do You Know?”00:12:40 Mapping the Nonprofit Sector’s Relationship Network00:16:10 Start With Connected Prospects, Not the Biggest Funders00:19:59 Donor Research, Privacy, and Transparency00:24:01 How AI Is Changing Grant Applications00:26:49 Turning Fundraising Data Into Smarter Decisions#NonprofitFundraising #ProspectResearch #DonorResearchFind us Live daily on YouTube!Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

6/24/26 • 30:34

Send us Fan MailWhat is the state of the nonprofit sector in 2026—and can organizations sustain rising demand while protecting their workforce, leadership pipeline, and financial strength? Dr. Akilah Watkins, President and CEO of Independent Sector, joins us for a far-reaching conversation about the business conditions shaping America’s 1.9 million charitable nonprofits.Nonprofits continue to hold one of the strongest positions of public trust among American institutions. Dr. Watkins reports that 57% of Americans express very high or favorable trust toward nonprofits. Yet that confidence exists alongside increasing pressure: weakened public safety nets, a more difficult government relationship, rising service demand, workforce exhaustion, and a major leadership transition.The workforce numbers require serious attention. Nearly 13.9 million Americans work for charitable nonprofits, and approximately two-thirds are women. Nationally, about 22% of full-time nonprofit employees do not earn enough to cover their bills. As Dr. Watkins explains, nonprofit organizations compete for human capital just like every other sector. Compensation, retirement security, leadership development, and workplace culture are not side issues. They determine whether organizations can retain institutional knowledge, attract future executives, and continue meeting community needs.“If we want leaders for the future, we have to invest in leadership today,” she says.The conversation also examines the nonprofit sector’s role in nonpartisan voter engagement. Research cited during the episode indicates that voter participation increases by approximately 10% when nonprofits are involved. With fewer than 40% of Americans actively volunteering, civic engagement is becoming an operational concern as well as a community concern.“The work that we do has been deeply invisible, but extremely felt personally by Americans,” Dr. Watkins explains.This is a sector-level business conversation for nonprofit executives, board members, fundraisers, advocates, and managers responsible for building organizations that can endure.Key Takeaways:Public trust is a major nonprofit asset, but organizations must connect that trust to stronger advocacy and clearer public storytelling.Workforce sustainability requires competitive compensation, retirement access, professional development, and realistic workload expectations.Approximately 22% of full-time nonprofit employees nationally cannot earn enough to cover their basic bills.Leadership succession must begin before senior executives retire and institutional knowledge leaves the organization.Managing as many as five workplace generations requires updated leadership and communication practices.Nonpartisan voter engagement can increase community participation while strengthening nonprofits’ civic role.00:00:00 Meet Dr. Akilah Watkins of Independent Sector00:02:09 Representing America’s 1.9 Million Charitable Nonprofits00:06:04 The State of the Nonprofit Sector in 202600:06:29 Why 57% of Americans Still Trust Nonprofits00:07:37 A Changing Relationship Between Nonprofits and Government00:09:24 The Exhausted 13.9 Million-Person Nonprofit Workforce00:11:49 Does the Sector Have Its Next Generation of Leaders?00:12:30 The Nonprofit Compensation Numbers Leaders Cannot Ignore00:14:02 Retirement Security and Six Workforce Policy Priorities00:15:01 Leadership Succession and the Five-Generation Workplace00:20:23 Voting, Volunteering and the Nonprofit Civic Role00:25:13 Independent Sector’s 2026 National Summit in Phoenix#TheNonprofitShow #NonprofitLeadership #NonprofitSectorFind us Live daily on YouTube!Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

6/23/26 • 30:17

Send us Fan MailHow nonprofits can improve AI visibility is quickly becoming a fundraising and revenue question—not merely a marketing concern. As donors increasingly use AI search tools and workplace-giving platforms to decide which organizations to support, nonprofits must ensure their mission, impact, financial credibility, and organizational information can be found and understood.Catherine LaCour, CEO and Executive Director of the Blackbaud Giving Fund, joins The Nonprofit Show to explain how donor discovery is changing and what nonprofit leaders should do now.The Blackbaud Giving Fund has distributed nearly $3 billion since 2020 to approximately 300,000 nonprofit organizations worldwide. That experience gives Catherine a broad view of how donors, companies, technology platforms, and nonprofits are connecting.“If AI cannot find clear and accurate information about the nonprofit organization, then the donor’s not going to find it either,” Catherine explains.Nonprofit AI search optimization begins with the fundamentals: clear language, current organizational information, credible impact reporting, and consistency across websites, social channels, workplace-giving profiles, and other digital platforms. Catherine recommends writing so that a middle-school student can quickly understand who the organization serves, what it does, and what results it produces.The conversation also explores AI strategies for nonprofit fundraising. AI can analyze donor behavior, assist with segmentation, strengthen personalization, draft stewardship communications, and reduce administrative work. But Catherine cautions organizations to treat AI like an intern: it can produce a useful first draft, but human review remains essential.Workplace giving represents another major opportunity. Approximately 27 million donors participate in workplace programs, contributing about $5 billion in 2023. Nonprofits that fail to claim, complete, and update their profiles may be missing donors who are already motivated to give.Catherine’s advice is direct: start simple, but start now. Test what AI says about your organization, correct information gaps, clean your donor data, and choose one internal task where AI can create immediate capacity.Key Takeaways:AI visibility should become an ongoing organizational process, similar to donor stewardship.Mission, impact, leadership, and program information must remain consistent across every digital channel.Success stories and impact reports help AI systems understand and prioritize an organization.Clean donor data is essential for accurate segmentation, personalization, and fundraising analysis.Completed workplace-giving profiles can unlock employee donations, matching gifts, and recurring payroll contributions.Use AI to reduce administrative work while preserving human oversight and donor relationships.00:00:00 Why AI Visibility Matters to Nonprofits 00:02:08 Nearly $3 Billion Distributed Through the Blackbaud Giving Fund 00:04:39 How AI Is Changing Donor Discovery 00:07:23 The First Steps to Better AI Search Visibility 00:10:12 Making AI Visibility an Ongoing Business Process 00:11:26 Using AI to Strengthen Fundraising Relationships 00:12:45 Why Clean Data Must Come First 00:13:39 AI as a Force Multiplier for Smaller Nonprofits 00:15:05 Treat AI Like an Intern 00:16:13 Unlocking Workplace and Corporate Giving 00:17:49 27 Million Workplace Donors and a $5 Billion Opportunity 00:18:37 Finding Better-Aligned Corporate Partners 00:19:16 Claiming and Strengthening Workplace-Giving Profiles 00:22:15 Where Nonprofits Should Begin 00:25:01 Ask AI the Hard Questions About Your Organization 00:26:30 The Content That Helps AI Prioritize Your Nonprofit 00:28:52 A Six-Step AI Guide for Reaching More Donors #NonprofitAI #NonprofitFundraising #TheNonprofitShowFind us Live daily on YouTube!Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

6/22/26 • 30:13

Send us Fan MailNonprofit CEO fundraising responsibility is not optional when fiscal health, donor relationships, and organizational sustainability are on the line. In this Fundraisers Friday episode, Julia C. Patrick and Tony Beall take on a tough leadership question: what happens when a nonprofit CEO won’t fundraise?This conversation goes straight to the business of nonprofits. Tony makes the case that even if a CEO is not making daily asks, every CEO carries responsibility for the organization’s financial health. As he puts it, “I can’t imagine there is a job description for a CEO where there isn’t some level of fiscal responsibility for the organization.”Julia and Tony explore how fundraising expectations should appear in CEO job descriptions, how boards should manage give-or-get commitments, and why fundraising cannot remain isolated inside the development department. A strong culture of philanthropy requires more than slogans. It requires transparent communication, shared ownership, and consistent reporting.Tony defines a healthy culture of philanthropy as one where “everyone in the organization understands their role in advancing the mission.” That shift changes the internal story from “development goes to lunches” to “relationship building is part of revenue strategy.”The episode also addresses board accountability, CEO coaching, donor management systems, dashboards, KPIs, and the need for monthly or quarterly fundraising reporting. If fundraising results are only reviewed at year-end, leaders lose the chance to pivot, repair gaps, or support staff and board members before the damage is done.Key Takeaways:Every nonprofit CEO should carry clear responsibility for fiscal health, even if they are not the primary solicitor.CEO job descriptions should include oversight, leadership, and support of the development function.Board give-or-get expectations need active tracking by the CEO and board chair—not vague annual reminders.A culture of philanthropy depends on mission communication, gratitude, relationship-building, and shared ownership.Fundraising dashboards should be reviewed monthly when possible, and at least quarterly.Donor management systems help clarify touchpoints, ownership, KPIs, and revenue attribution. 00:00:00 Welcome 00:02:37 Should CEO Job Descriptions Require Fundraising? 00:04:35 Linking CEO Oversight to Development Team Goals 00:06:39 Where Board Fundraising Responsibility Fits 00:08:10 Managing Board Give-or-Get Commitments 00:10:17 Defining a Real Culture of Philanthropy 00:13:59 Sharing Fundraising Plans Without Creating Fear 00:17:37 Can Reluctant CEOs Learn to Fundraise? 00:20:44 Reframing Fundraising Around Relationships 00:22:19 Tracking CEO Fundraising Through KPIs and Data 00:25:49 Why Monthly or Quarterly Reporting Matters 00:27:00 The Architecture of Fundraising and Shared Ownership #TheNonprofitShow #NonprofitFundraisingFind us Live daily on YouTube!Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

6/12/26 • 30:06

Send us Fan MailMindset as an operational skill for nonprofit leaders is becoming one of the most important conversations in nonprofit management. As burnout, decision fatigue, and constant change impact organizations across the sector, leaders are discovering that resilience, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness are not optional—they are essential business competencies.The Nonprofit Show sits down with Karli-Rose McIntyre, Training Content Manager at Your Part-Time Controller (YPTC), to explore why mindset should be viewed as organizational infrastructure rather than personal development.Karli-Rose shares what leaders are really asking for. While technical topics like accounting, compliance, grants, and technology remain important, many nonprofit executives are searching for guidance around decision-making, connection, resilience, and navigating uncertainty.The discussion examines how artificial intelligence is accelerating the shift from transactional work to relationship-driven leadership. As automation handles more routine tasks, nonprofit leaders must strengthen the uniquely human skills that technology cannot replace.As Karli-Rose shares. .  "I think when we start treating mindset as not just a nice-to-have item, but instead as infrastructure, then that's when those human skills, like creativity, like resilience, like connection, start to come out and play."The conversation also addresses nonprofit CEO burnout, organizational communication challenges between finance and development teams, emotional intelligence, and how leaders can create space for better decision-making amid constant demands.Karli-Rose closes with a powerful leadership reminder: "Replace the fear of the unknown with curiosity."For nonprofit executives, finance leaders, fundraisers, board members, and emerging professionals, this episode offers a fresh perspective on building stronger organizations from the inside out. Key Takeaways: • Approximately half of nonprofit CEOs report concern about burnout levels, making leadership sustainability a strategic issue. • Leaders increasingly seek support with decision-making, connection, and resilience—not just technical training. • AI is increasing the value of human-centered skills such as communication, emotional intelligence, and relationship-building. • Mindset influences every leadership action, from budgeting and policy creation to team management and organizational culture. • Strong collaboration between finance, fundraising, and operations requires empathy, storytelling, and shared understanding. • Creativity and resilience can be developed intentionally and may help counter burnout and decision fatigue.00:00:00 Welcome & Why Mindset Matters00:02:09 Karli-Rose's Unique Path from CPA to Leadership Development00:03:35 What 1,500 Monthly Webinar Registrants Are Asking For00:05:30 The Hidden Challenges Nonprofit Leaders Face00:08:10 AI, Leadership, and the Shift to Human Skills00:11:20 Why Mindset Is an Operational Issue00:14:11 Mindset as the Foundation of Decision-Making00:15:35 Bridging the Gap Between Finance and Fundraising00:20:01 Treating Mindset as Organizational Infrastructure00:22:14 Burnout, Creativity, and Leadership Resilience00:24:45 Practical Habits for Better Leadership Decisions00:29:17 Replacing Fear with Curiosity #TheNonprofitShow #NonprofitMindset #NonprofitManagementFind us Live daily on YouTube!Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

6/11/26 • 30:46

Send us Fan MailNonprofit donor behavior trends in 2026 are revealing something unexpected: generosity is alive and well! The challenge isn't donor willingness to give—it's whether nonprofits are making it easy, clear, and compelling for supporters to take action.We welcome Mary Crogan, Vice President of Brand Marketing at Bloomerang, to discuss findings from the newly released Giving Signals Report. Based on research conducted with more than 1,000 donors and 405 fundraisers, the report challenges many assumptions about today's fundraising environment.The data shows that donors remain highly motivated to support causes they care about. In fact, 97% give because they care about their communities, 96% want to make a difference, and 92% say giving is part of who they are.As Mary explains, "The fact is, donors are actually ready. They want to give. The question is whether the organizations are positioned to engage and receive that generosity."The conversation explores how nonprofits can bridge the gap between caring and giving through greater clarity, stronger impact communication, and a smoother donor experience.One of the most striking findings? Seventy percent of donors say a tipping prompt could cause them to reconsider giving altogether, while 79% say unexpected fees create hesitation. These are preventable barriers that may be costing organizations revenue every day.The discussion also highlights the growing influence of millennial donors. Seventy-five percent plan to increase their giving this year, while 80% intend to support at least one new nonprofit.Mary offers a simple but powerful challenge for nonprofit leaders:“Can someone who comes to your site answer these questions in less than 30 seconds: What does this organization do? Who do they serve? Where does the money go? And is it working?"If your organization wants to strengthen donor trust, improve fundraising results, and better understand how donor expectations are evolving, this conversation delivers important research and valuable perspective.Key Takeaways• 97% of donors care deeply about their communities and remain motivated to give.• 94% are more likely to donate when organizations clearly explain where funds go.• 70% of donors may reconsider giving when presented with tipping prompts.• 79% say unexpected fees negatively impact their willingness to complete a gift.• 75% of millennials plan to increase their giving this year and 80% will support a new nonprofit.• Transparent reporting, visible impact, and frictionless giving experiences are becoming major competitive advantages. 00:00:00 Introduction to the Giving Signals Report 00:02:00 What 1,000 Donors Revealed About Giving 00:04:00 Generosity Is Shifting, Not Declining 00:06:00 The Clarity Gap Between Caring and Giving 00:08:00 The 30-Second Website Audit Every Nonprofit Needs 00:11:40 How Fees and Tipping Prompts Hurt Donations 00:15:00 Creating a Frictionless Donor Experience 00:16:25 Why Millennial Donors Matter Right Now 00:20:30 Closing the Donor Trust and Clarity Gap 00:24:20 What's Next for Giving Signals Research #TheNonprofitShow #FundraisingStrategy #DonorEngagementFind us Live daily on YouTube!Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

6/11/26 • 29:21

Send us Fan MailNonprofit CEO succession planning is no longer a future issue—it’s a current business challenge. As leadership turnover accelerates across the sector, boards and executives must rethink how they identify, recruit, and support the next generation of nonprofit CEOs.Dana Scurlock, Managing Director at Staffing Boutique, joins Julia Patrick and Sherry Quam Taylor to discuss what organizations should be looking for when hiring a CEO and how leadership expectations are changing.With research indicating that approximately 75% of nonprofit leaders are expected to retire by 2036, organizations face a major transition that will impact fundraising, operations, culture, and long-term sustainability. Dana explores why successful CEOs must be more than administrators—they must be communicators, relationship builders, and visionary leaders who can represent the mission externally while helping position the organization for future growth.As Dana explains, "A CEO is a visionary, an orator, somebody that's out representing the organization elsewhere and helping the organization grow."The conversation also examines the growing need to separate operational leadership from external leadership responsibilities. Many organizations are exploring structures that pair a forward-facing CEO with strong operational leadership to improve effectiveness, fundraising capacity, and organizational resilience.Dana also offers guidance on one of the biggest board-level decisions nonprofits face: whether to promote from within or recruit externally. The answer depends on the organization's goals, culture, and future vision—but boards must first define where they want the organization to go."If you haven't defined it yet, where do we want to be? And if you don't have the answer to that, therein lies where the first leg of the work needs to come."Whether you're a board member, executive director, CEO, or nonprofit leadership candidate, this discussion offers valuable insight into preparing your organization for the next decade of change.Key Takeaways:Approximately 75% of nonprofit leaders are expected to retire by 2036, creating significant succession planning challenges.Effective nonprofit CEOs increasingly serve as visionaries, communicators, and public ambassadors for the mission.Boards should consider separating operational leadership and external leadership responsibilities as organizations grow.Professional fundraising expertise allows CEOs to focus on growth, partnerships, and strategic positioning.Internal and external CEO candidates both offer advantages; organizational goals should drive the decision.Leadership transitions should be accompanied by a clear narrative that explains the organization's future direction. 00:00:00 Introduction: The Future of Nonprofit Leadership 00:04:02 75% of Nonprofit Leaders Expected to Retire 00:05:18 What Makes a Great Nonprofit CEO Today? 00:08:57 Visionary Leadership vs Operational Leadership 00:11:25 Should Nonprofits Redefine the CEO Role? 00:13:45 Why More CEOs Need Strong Operations Partners 00:19:39 The CEO's Role in Fundraising and Growth 00:22:19 Why Professional Fundraisers Matter 00:24:24 Hiring a CEO: Internal Promotion or External Search? 00:26:53 Controlling the Narrative During Leadership Transitions 00:29:01 Defining the Organization's Future Before Hiring Find us Live daily on YouTube!Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

6/9/26 • 31:43

Send us Fan MailNonprofit interim leadership strategy is becoming essential as organizations face CEO retirements, founder exits, leadership fatigue, and urgent succession decisions. Joan Brown, COO of Third Sector Company, explains how interim leadership can help nonprofit boards move beyond crisis hiring and use transition as a business-strengthening opportunity.Joan frames the conversation around four powerful words: purposeful, methodical, profound, and transformational. Each word helps nonprofit leaders rethink what should happen between one leader leaving and the next leader stepping in.Rather than treating interim leadership as someone “keeping the lights on,” Joan describes it as a structured process that prepares the organization for long-term leadership success. As she says, “The purpose is to right set the organization for its next leader.”This episode is especially valuable for nonprofit boards, executive teams, funders, and managers who are navigating CEO succession planning, founder transitions, leadership burnout, or executive search readiness. Joan explains why many organizations need an intentional pause—especially after a long-term or legacy leader leaves. Without that space, the next leader may inherit unresolved culture issues, unclear priorities, board confusion, or outdated operating systems.A key business insight from the conversation: Third Sector Company’s average interim placement is about nine months, because meaningful transition work requires assessment, alignment, stakeholder participation, and organizational readiness.Joan also challenges nonprofits to think in 90-day planning increments, rather than relying only on three- to five-year strategic plans. This shorter planning rhythm can help organizations focus on immediate priorities while still preparing for the future.As Joan puts it, “Let me as an interim deal with the things that aren’t working so that when you invest in hiring a permanent person, it’s going to work for them.”For nonprofit professionals, this conversation is not just about interim executives. It is about governance, culture, operations, staff structure, board courage, and the discipline required to make leadership transitions count.Key Takeaways:Interim leadership should move the organization forward, not simply protect the status quo.A transparent assessment creates a shared reality for boards, staff, funders, and stakeholders.Average interim placements may take around nine months because succession readiness is deeper than hiring.Founder and legacy leader transitions often require space before a permanent successor can thrive.90-day planning cycles can help nonprofits respond faster while staying mission-aligned.Transformation may show up through governance, pay equity, culture, mission clarity, or stronger hiring readiness. 00:00:00 Welcome to The Nonprofit Show00:02:06 What Is the Third Sector?00:03:55 Interim Leadership Beyond the CEO Role00:06:05 Word One: Purposeful Leadership Transition00:09:02 Why Interim Placements Take Time00:10:37 Word Two: A Methodical Transition Roadmap00:13:53 Why Every Interim Engagement Needs Assessment00:16:45 Founder and Legacy Leader Transitions00:19:03 Word Three: Profound Processes That Change Organizations00:20:00 The Power of 90-Day Planning00:22:29 Why These Ideas Matter for All Leaders00:23:23 Word Four: Transformation Through Interim Leadership00:26:03 Preparing the Organization for the Next Permanent Leader00:28:01 Why Board Members Study Interim Leadership#TheNonprofitShow #InterimLeadership #NonprofitSuccessionFind us Live daily on YouTube!Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

6/8/26 • 31:26

Send us Fan MailNonprofit donor engagement strategies for 2026 are changing rapidly as donor expectations, technology, and economic realities reshape fundraising. Kimberly O'Donnell, Chief Fundraising Officer at Bonterra, shares fresh research and practical insights from Bonterra's 2026 Impact Report to help nonprofit leaders build stronger donor relationships and sustainable revenue growth.For decades, charitable giving and volunteerism have remained largely stagnant at approximately 2.5% of GDP. Bonterra's ambitious "3% by 2033" initiative aims to change that by helping organizations increase annual giving through smarter engagement, recurring donor programs, volunteer activation, and responsible use of artificial intelligence.Kimberly explains why recurring giving may be one of the most important opportunities available to nonprofits today. Rather than continuously replacing one-time donors, organizations can build predictable revenue streams by encouraging monthly and annual commitments from supporters who already care deeply about the mission.The conversation also explores a growing challenge facing the sector: donor dollars are increasing while donor participation continues to decline. According to Bonterra's research, 43% of respondents reported they cannot afford to give more in today's economic environment. That reality requires nonprofits to create new pathways for engagement through volunteerism, advocacy, micro-volunteering opportunities, and personalized communication."We have what we call dollars up, donors down."Kimberly also discusses how AI is moving beyond simple content creation and becoming a strategic tool for donor segmentation, campaign planning, data analysis, and supporter engagement. One organization highlighted in the report increased annual appeal revenue by 41% after integrating AI into its fundraising campaign strategy."When we treat them as individuals and not as segments, donors feel it."Whether you're a nonprofit executive, fundraiser, board member, or development professional, this episode offers valuable perspective on where fundraising is heading and how organizations can prepare for the next era of donor engagement. 00:00:00 Introduction: New Rules of Donor Engagement 00:02:24 Inside Bonterra's 2026 Impact Report 00:05:32 Why Giving Has Stalled at 2.5% of GDP 00:08:21 The Power of Recurring Donor Programs 00:12:53 Donors Are Down While Dollars Rise 00:14:13 Personalization and Rebuilding Donor Trust 00:16:04 Why AI Will Change How Donors Give 00:18:22 Using AI to Improve Fundraising Results 00:19:58 Volunteerism as a Growth Strategy 00:23:35 Building an Innovation Mindset in Nonprofits 00:25:09 How AI Increased Fundraising Revenue by 41% 00:28:34 Human-Centered AI for Nonprofit Growth #TheNonprofitShow #NonprofitFundraising #DonorEngagementFind us Live daily on YouTube!Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

6/4/26 • 31:50

Send us Fan MailWhen resources are limited, nonprofits often assume they need more funding. But what if scarcity is actually the catalyst for stronger partnerships? In this episode, Van Ton-Quinlivan, Founder and CEO of Futuro Health, shares how nonprofits, employers, educators, and community organizations can align around common goals to solve workforce challenges and create lasting social impact.If you're searching for nonprofit partnership strategies that create measurable impact, this conversation delivers a powerful framework for building coalitions, aligning stakeholders, and solving complex workforce challenges.Organizations can achieve more by working together rather than operating in isolation. As healthcare systems across the country face critical workforce shortages, Futuro Health has built a nationally recognized model that brings employers, educational institutions, and community organizations together to develop credentialed healthcare workers at scale.Throughout the discussion, Van explains why "workforce development is a team sport, not an individual sport" and how successful collaborations depend on every partner contributing what they do best. Rather than attempting to solve every problem internally, organizations can "braid" resources, expertise, funding, and relationships to create outcomes that no single organization could achieve alone.The conversation explores the demographic realities driving workforce shortages, including Van's memorable "12-7-4" framework that illustrates the shrinking ratio of working-age adults supporting an aging population. For nonprofit leaders, this serves as a powerful example of how to communicate complex challenges in a way that inspires action.Viewers will also learn how leaders can create urgency, build coalition support, establish common ground among diverse stakeholders, and guide organizations through change. Van shares lessons from leading major workforce initiatives, growing public investment, and helping Futuro Health achieve nearly 90% program completion rates while serving adult learners across multiple states.One of the most compelling insights comes when Van explains: "The role of a leader is really to figure out where the common grounds are when you're building cross-sector collaboration."Whether you're building community partnerships, launching workforce programs, leading organizational change, or seeking innovative ways to expand impact despite limited resources, this episode offers valuable leadership lessons for the business of nonprofits.  00:00:00 Introduction to Futuro Health 00:01:41 Solving the Healthcare Workforce Crisis 00:06:37 The 12-7-4 Demographic Reality 00:09:27 Why Scarcity Creates Better Partnerships 00:10:31 The Three-Legged Stool of Workforce Development 00:12:30 Braiding Resources Instead of Working Alone 00:15:25 Building Cross-Sector Collaboration 00:16:42 Creating Context for Organizational Change 00:18:59 Why Coalitions Accelerate Progress 00:20:24 Turning Long-Term Funding Into Innovation 00:23:56 What a Win-Win-Win Partnership Looks Like 00:26:27 Finding Common Ground to Solve Big Problems #TheNonprofitShow #NonprofitPartnerships #PartnershipStrategyFind us Live daily on YouTube!Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

6/3/26 • 30:22

Send us Fan MailNonprofit marketing strategy using neuroscience can help organizations create messages that earn attention, build trust, and move donors toward engagement. Sally Mildren, CEO and Chief Strategist of CommonWell Marketing, shares why effective nonprofit marketing starts with how the human brain filters, feels, trusts, and decides.For nonprofit leaders working with limited time, staff, and budgets, this conversation offers a sharper way to think about marketing performance. Sally explains that the brain is processing millions of bits of information every second, which means nonprofits have only a brief window to become relevant. As she puts it, “You have two to 8 seconds to make yourself relevant before the brain decides this isn’t for me.”That reality changes how organizations should approach email subject lines, social posts, fundraising appeals, web copy, and donor communications. Instead of starting with the organization’s name, logo, or internal priorities, Sally encourages nonprofits to lead with the audience’s need, emotion, and sense of recognition.The episode also challenges the common habit of trying to reach everyone with the same message. Sally makes the business case for segmentation, saying, “One-size-fits-all messaging cannot work in today’s attention economy.” For nonprofits, that means stronger donor engagement often comes from being brave enough to focus on the right audience, not the largest audience.Sally also digs into trust, consistency, recognition versus representation, and the danger of message overload. Nonprofits often try to say everything at once — every program, every giving option, every reason to care. But the brain can only absorb so much. A simpler message, repeated consistently across channels, can build familiarity, safety, and confidence.This is a master class for nonprofit executives, fundraisers, marketers, board members, and communicators who want their messaging to work harder without shouting louder. The lesson is clear: marketing is not just about visibility. It is about relevance, trust, clarity, and alignment with mission. 00:00:00 Welcome: The Neuroscience of Donor Giving and Marketing 00:01:39 Meet Sally Mildren of CommonWell Marketing 00:03:01 The 2-to-8 Second Rule for Nonprofit Messaging 00:05:28 Why Email Subject Lines Still Matter 00:06:37 Emotion Comes Before Logic in Donor Decisions 00:08:47 Why One-Size-Fits-All Messaging Fails 00:11:12 The Courage to Stop Marketing to Everyone 00:12:32 Trust, Safety, and the Donor Brain 00:16:56 Recognition vs. Representation in Marketing 00:19:27 Finding the Right Audience Instead of Chasing Everyone 00:21:44 Start With Mission Before Choosing the Message 00:25:49 Why Simpler Messages Drive Better Decisions #TheNonprofitShow #NonprofitMarketing #DonorEngagementFind us Live daily on YouTube!Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

6/1/26 • 31:23

Send us Fan MailNonprofit crisis fundraising strategy is not about making every donor message sound urgent—it is about knowing when urgency is real, how to communicate it honestly, and how to keep donor trust intact. In this Fundraisers Friday episode, Julia C. Patrick and Tony Beall take on one of the most familiar fundraising habits in the sector: the constant use of emergency-driven appeals.From “now more than ever” messaging to year-end giving campaigns, this conversation challenges nonprofit leaders to think carefully about the business impact of their fundraising language. Tony explains why repeated crisis appeals can create donor fatigue, especially when supporters receive multiple fear-based messages from several organizations at once. At some point, donors may begin to wonder whether they are investing in impact—or being asked to rescue an unstable organization.Tony offers a clear reminder for fundraising teams: “If everything is urgent, eventually really nothing feels urgent.” That idea becomes the core of this episode. Nonprofits must distinguish between a true community crisis, a temporary emergency program need, a fiscal funding gap, and a normal fundraising cycle. Each situation calls for different communication, different transparency, and a different donor invitation.The duo also explore the difference between disaster-related appeals, funding cuts, year-end campaigns, and mission-based messaging. For some organizations, fear-based messaging may be appropriate when it is grounded in fact and tied directly to the mission. For others, hope and impact may be the stronger path. Tony’s advice is direct: “When I was confused about my messaging or what direction I should be going… I always go back to the mission.”The goal is not to avoid urgency. The goal is to use it wisely, honestly, and in service of sustainable mission investment.  00:00:00 Don’t Hook Donors on Emergencies 00:02:17 Why Constant Crisis Messaging Creates Donor Fatigue 00:03:22 When Appeals Start Sounding Like a Cry for Help 00:05:26 Disaster Relief vs. Everyday Nonprofit Messaging 00:06:32 How to Define a True Fundraising Crisis 00:10:04 Fiscal Crisis, Funding Cuts, and Donor Transparency 00:13:17 Year-End Appeals Without Panic Messaging 00:16:16 Direct Mail, Donor Lists, and Realistic ROI 00:17:59 Fear, Hope, Impact, and Mission Alignment 00:22:16 Donor Perception and Message Segmentation 00:25:01 Mission Investment vs. Rescue Giving 00:26:48 If Everything Is Urgent, Nothing Feels Urgent #TheNonprofitShow #NonprofitFundraising #DonorEngagementFind us Live daily on YouTube!Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

5/29/26 • 29:16

Send us Fan MailCommunity wealth building for nonprofits takes center stage in this lively discussion, as Lauren Turner Hines of the André Cailloux Center shares how art, history, ownership, and earned revenue can become a powerful operating model. This is a deeply strategic conversation for nonprofit leaders thinking about sustainability, capital campaigns, cultural infrastructure, and the future of community-centered growth.Lauren Turner Hines, Founding ‘Envisionist’ and Executive Lead of the André Cailloux Center in New Orleans, takes us inside a 114-year-old former church on historic Bayou Road, the oldest thoroughfare in the city and a corridor with deep roots in Black commerce, freedom, and cultural leadership. Named for Captain André Cailloux, one of the first Black officers in the United States military, the Center is using storytelling as both mission and business strategy.The conversation moves quickly from history into operating reality. Lauren explains how the Center provides affordable space for Black-led performing arts organizations, hosts performances, convenings, workshops, and community events, and builds earned revenue through tours and programming. At the center of the model is a clear business question: how can a nonprofit’s physical space create direct value for the community around it?Lauren offers a sharp answer through the Cailloux Community Equity Fund, a developing model that would allow nearby residents to hold community shares in the building and benefit from quarterly revenue share. As she puts it, “Relationships are the asset.” She also shares her five-year vision: “I hope for a direct community wealth transfer in the multimillions and for art and culture to be the catalyst for that.”This conversation also explores nonprofit capital campaign strategy, founder succession, board leadership, technology systems, and how organizations can avoid letting knowledge, donor relationships, and institutional context live with one person.For nonprofit executives, fundraisers, board members, arts leaders, and community builders, this is a fresh look at sustainability that moves beyond survival and toward shared economic power! 00:00:00 Welcome to The Nonprofit Show 00:02:52 The History Behind the Andre Caillou Center 00:07:04 Using Story as a Nonprofit Mission Strategy 00:10:32 Creating Access for Black-Led Arts Organizations 00:12:49 Turning Space Into Earned Revenue 00:14:37 Navigating Today’s Funding Reality 00:16:27 Why Relationships Are the Asset 00:18:17 Community Wealth Building as a Nonprofit Model 00:20:14 The Caillou Community Equity Fund 00:22:03 A Five-Year Vision for Shared Ownership 00:24:29 Founder Syndrome and Succession Planning 00:28:37 Leadership, Legacy, and Long-Term Community Power #TheNonprofitShow #NonprofitFunding #CommunityWealthBuildingFind us Live daily on YouTube!Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

5/28/26 • 30:58

Send us Fan MailThis episode is for nonprofits searching for alternatives to traditional aid models and dependency-driven philanthropy. The conversation blends international development, nonprofit operations, sustainability, and social enterprise into a highly searchable leadership discussion.Sustainable nonprofit development in Africa requires more than donations—it requires long-term economic thinking, local leadership, and community ownership. In this Global Edition of The Nonprofit Show, Paul Smith, UK Director of MUSANA, shares how the organization is transforming rural communities in Uganda through healthcare, education, hospitality businesses, and locally driven enterprise systems designed to become financially sustainable.Rather than creating dependency on Western aid, MUSANA uses philanthropy as catalytic investment. Their model builds hospitals, schools, hotels, restaurants, and jobs that eventually generate enough local revenue to sustain operations and fund scholarships and outreach programs internally.Paul explains how MUSANA’s district-based strategy has already created nearly 900 full-time jobs while building systems that communities themselves support, value, and grow. The conversation also takes an honest look at the ethical challenges facing international nonprofits, including poverty marketing, child sponsorship culture, and “white savior” dynamics that can unintentionally reinforce harmful power structures.One of the most compelling moments comes when Paul says:“No global economy has ever been built off charity. It’s always enterprise, it’s always industry that builds an economy.”The episode also introduces a powerful nonprofit leadership concept:“Every single charity should have an out vision.”If your nonprofit works internationally—or simply wants to build stronger, more sustainable systems locally—this conversation offers fresh thinking on what long-term impact can truly look like.  00:00:00 Introduction To MUSANA’s Mission 00:02:32 Breaking Cycles Of Aid Dependency 00:05:17 Building Schools, Hospitals & Enterprises 00:07:19 How Local Revenue Funds Community Growth 00:10:30 Why Free Aid Can Create Dependency 00:11:49 Local Leadership Versus Western Control 00:14:20 The Ethics Of Poverty Tourism 00:17:48 Why MUSANA Rejects Child Sponsorship 00:19:49 When Western-Led Models Fail 00:22:20 Ego, Power & Nonprofit Leadership 00:25:23 Access, Opportunity & Economic Growth 00:27:03 Why Every Charity Needs An “Out Vision” #TheNonprofitShow #InternationalDevelopment #UgandaFind us Live daily on YouTube!Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

5/27/26 • 30:09

Send us Fan MailNonprofit infrastructure planning is often overlooked until growth creates operational stress, staff burnout, and organizational confusion. In this energizing discussion, Sharmon Lebby, founder and CEO of Blessed Designs Consulting, explains why nonprofit leaders must build systems, strategy, and internal alignment before major funding arrives.Many nonprofit organizations operate in survival mode—focused on securing the next grant, donation, or hire—without fully preparing for what sustainable growth actually requires. Sharmon challenges leaders to rethink budgeting, board development, volunteer management, and organizational planning from a long-term operational perspective.“You’re not planning for success,” Sharmon explains during the conversation, encouraging nonprofits to think beyond immediate fundraising goals and define what meaningful impact truly looks like.The discussion explores how operational breakdowns often begin internally through unclear systems, rushed onboarding, weak infrastructure, and reactive leadership. Sharmon introduces three core areas nonprofits should continuously strengthen: strategy, systems, and storytelling—including internal storytelling that shapes organizational culture and alignment.The episode also dives into:Why budgeting should function as a strategic compassCreating “dream budgets” before funding existsBuilding board alignment around values and skill gapsPlanning founder transitions and organizational successionShifting from scarcity thinking to intentional impact planningCollaborating with peer nonprofits instead of competing for every dollarOne of the most powerful moments comes when Sharmon reframes the nonprofit relationship with money itself: “Money’s not really what you want.”  00:00:00 Why More Money Can Create New Problems 00:02:22 The “Collapsing Table” Infrastructure Analogy 00:04:15 Burnout and Operational Cracks During Growth 00:06:00 Why Nonprofits Don’t Plan for Success 00:07:34 Building Systems Before Funding Arrives 00:09:31 Strategy, Systems, and Storytelling Framework 00:11:08 Budgeting as a Strategic Growth Tool 00:13:18 Building Boards Around Values and Skills 00:16:27 Why Nonprofits Are Built in Survival Mode 00:19:14 Redefining the Nonprofit Relationship With Money 00:21:29 Planning From the End Goal Backward 00:22:50 Collaboration Instead of Competition #TheNonprofitShow #NonprofitOperations #NonprofitManagementFind us Live daily on YouTube!Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

5/26/26 • 30:43

Send us Fan MailManaging difficult donors in nonprofits requires more than patience—it requires boundaries, documentation, leadership support, and a clear understanding of donor behavior. In this Fundraisers Friday episode, Julia C. Patrick and Tony Beall explore how nonprofit teams can identify challenging donor patterns before they disrupt the mission, staff, or fundraising strategy.Not every difficult donor is difficult in the same way. Some want control. Some want recognition. Some have disengaged because of a past disappointment. Others cross lines that should never be ignored. This conversation gives nonprofit professionals a thoughtful framework for recognizing those patterns and responding with confidence.Julia and Tony begin with “the controller”—the donor who wants influence over programs, decisions, or organizational direction. Often, this person has business experience, strong opinions, and a genuine desire to help, but their advice can quickly turn into pressure. Tony reminds nonprofit leaders that clear communication about capacity, barriers, and mission alignment is essential.They also discuss the high-maintenance donor, or the “diva/devo” personality, who expects frequent attention, personal recognition, and ongoing reassurance. Tony offers a helpful perspective: these donors may be easier to satisfy when nonprofits understand what they are really seeking—visibility, appreciation, and personal connection.Next comes the transactionalist, often connected to corporate giving, sponsorships, or community relations. This donor wants to know what they receive in return: logo placement, event perks, social media visibility, impressions, access, and recognition. For nonprofits, the lesson is simple: expectations must be set before the gift is made.The conversation then turns to lapsed and angry donors—supporters who have pulled away because something changed, something offended them, or something was never resolved. These situations require careful listening, CRM documentation, and a willingness to reengage with transparency.Finally, Julia and Tony address the line-crosser, the donor whose behavior becomes inappropriate, disrespectful, or harmful. This is where gift policies, conduct language, leadership reporting, and staff protection become non-negotiable.Tony captures the complexity perfectly: “There is no one-size-fits-all answer.” But he also offers the hard truth many fundraisers need to hear: “There’s power in goodbye.”This episode is a business-minded guide to protecting donor relationships without sacrificing mission, staff dignity, or organizational integrity.  00:00:00 Difficult Donors and the Summer Fundraising Season 00:02:08 Why Donor Personas Help Nonprofits Prepare 00:04:02 The Controller: When Donors Want Influence 00:07:48 The High-Maintenance Donor and Recognition Needs 00:10:50 Transactional Donors, Perks, and Visibility 00:13:49 Lapsed and Angry Donors: What Changed? 00:17:16 Politics, Civil Discourse, and Donor Disengagement 00:20:42 The Line-Crosser and Inappropriate Behavior 00:24:22 Policies, Documentation, and Leadership Reporting 00:26:29 When to Walk Away From a Donor 00:28:27 Bless and Release Without Damaging Philanthropy #TheNonprofitShow #NonprofitFundraising #DonorManagementFind us Live daily on YouTube!Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

5/22/26 • 31:03