Nonprofits Are Messy: Lessons in Leadership | Fundraising | Board Development | Communications

Published 2020-07-04

Ep 112: What Foundations Are Thinking Right Now (with Caryl M. Stern)

38 min

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So many nonprofits are struggling. Facing crises that are existential. I wanted to know what funders, especially foundations, are thinking at this time.

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So many nonprofits are struggling. Facing crises that are existential. I wanted to know what funders, especially foundations, are thinking at this time.

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Published 2020-06-20

Ep 111: Once Upon a Time There Was a Fundraiser Who… (with Dan Portnoy)

51 min

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Just for a moment, imagine what it would mean for your organization if you could double your online fundraising next year.

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Just for a moment, imagine what it would mean for your organization if you could double your online fundraising next year.

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Published 2020-06-06

Ep 110: How to Have Difficult Conversations – Part 2 (with Sheila Heen)

34 min

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Accepting criticism is an important leadership skill. But how might we exercise that skill when it feels off base, unfair, or poorly delivered?

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Accepting criticism is an important leadership skill. But how might we exercise that skill when it feels off base, unfair, or poorly delivered?

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Published 2020-05-23

Ep 109: How to Have Difficult Conversations – Part 1 (with Sheila Heen)

39 min

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How do you build the muscle to make sure difficult conversations go well? What might you not be aware of that could change everything?

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How do you build the muscle to make sure difficult conversations go well? What might you not be aware of that could change everything?

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Published 2020-05-09

Ep 108: A New CEO Job Starts in the Heat of a Pandemic (with Ellen LaPointe)

49 min

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Imagine you start a new CEO job at a wonderful nonprofit. And then a pandemic hits. Changes things just a bit, right? That's what happened to my guest.

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Imagine you start a new CEO job at a wonderful nonprofit. And then a pandemic hits. Changes things just a bit, right? That's what happened to my guest.

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Published 2020-04-25

Ep 107: The Top 20 Attributes of an Outstanding Board

40 min

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When you are looking to build an outstanding board think of it as a strategic casting call! Here are the top characteristics of an outstanding board and the ideal attributes of a board leader.

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When you are looking to build an outstanding board think of it as a strategic casting call! Here are the top characteristics of an outstanding board and the ideal attributes of a board leader.

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Published 2020-04-11

Ep 106: Introducing Your Nonprofit Life (with Laura Zielke)

28 min

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There is nothing like a good spinoff. Some of the best TV shows of all time found their origins in another show. And now there’s a spinoff of this podcast!

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There is nothing like a good spinoff. Some of the best TV shows of all time found their origins in another show. And now there’s a spinoff of this podcast!

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Published 2020-03-28

Ep 105: Leadership in the Time of COVID-19

34 min

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Everyone contends with pervasive anxiety in different ways. I have five pieces of advice from me to all of you leaders and helpers out there. Stay safe!

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Everyone contends with pervasive anxiety in different ways. I have five pieces of advice from me to all of you leaders and helpers out there. Stay safe!

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Published 2020-03-14

Ep 104: Creating a Nonprofit Communications Engine (with Sarah Durham)

48 min

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Your nonprofit can probably do a better job of communicating to build engagement and inspire action. Sarah Durham is THE expert on this.

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Your nonprofit can probably do a better job of communicating to build engagement and inspire action. Sarah Durham is THE expert on this.

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Published 2020-03-02

Ep 103: Stronger Together: The Power of Cohort Learning (with Darlene Nipper)

49 min

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The most valuable kind of leadership development happens in a cohort. And that’s what this episode is all about.

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The most valuable kind of leadership development happens in a cohort. And that’s what this episode is all about.

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Published 2020-02-15

Ep 102: Is Abuse of Power Epidemic in the Nonprofit Sector? (with Sarah Beaulieu and Kim Jones)

48 min

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I wrote an article in the Chronicle of Philanthropy on this topic and got a tremendous response. It seems abuse of power may be rampant.

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I wrote an article in the Chronicle of Philanthropy on this topic and got a tremendous response. It seems abuse of power may be rampant.

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Published 2020-02-01

Ep 101: Managing the Tension of Change (with Michael DePass)

49 min

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while change can lead to growth, sometimes leaders fail to manage the tensions that growth brings, and this can cripple an organization’s impact.

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while change can lead to growth, sometimes leaders fail to manage the tensions that growth brings, and this can cripple an organization’s impact.

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Published 2020-01-18

Ep 100: The Professional Interim Executive Director (with Margo Amgott)

46 min

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When your Executive Director is actually the “Interim Executive Director,” it means something went wrong… right? Well, maybe not.

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When your Executive Director is actually the “Interim Executive Director,” it means something went wrong… right? Well, maybe not.

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Published 2020-01-04

Ep 99: What Visionaries Do Best (with Paul Rice)

53 min

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What kind of person does it take to build a movement? What are the strategies that take something seemingly small and turn it into a global game changer?

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What kind of person does it take to build a movement? What are the strategies that take something seemingly small and turn it into a global game changer?

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Published 2019-12-07

Ep 98: Movements are Like Relay Races (with Frances Kunreuther)

45 min

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I’m thrilled to give voice to a passionate change agent who knows how to build a movement, Frances Kunreuther, Co-Director of the Building Movement Project.

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I’m thrilled to give voice to a passionate change agent who knows how to build a movement, Frances Kunreuther, Co-Director of the Building Movement Project.

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Published 2019-11-16

Ep 97: The Telltale Signs of Founder Syndrome (Part 2) with Rachael Gibson

32 min

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The founder of your organization is leaving and you’re coming in as the new leader. How do you follow a founder and be successful?

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The founder of your organization is leaving and you’re coming in as the new leader. How do you follow a founder and be successful?

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Published 2019-11-02

Ep 96: The Telltale Signs of Founder Syndrome (Part 1) with Rachael Gibson

37 min

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A fascinating discussion about the remarkable nature of founders, founder syndrome, and how do you get a founder to leave.

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A fascinating discussion about the remarkable nature of founders, founder syndrome, and how do you get a founder to leave.

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Published 2019-10-19

Ep 95: How Do We Ignite Our Volunteers? (with Tobi Johnson)

56 min

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Volunteerism is both noble and necessary in our polarized world. But how do you ignite them and keep them engaged over the long term?

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Volunteerism is both noble and necessary in our polarized world. But how do you ignite them and keep them engaged over the long term?

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Published 2019-10-05

Ep 94: Tales From the Trenches (with Darian Rodriguez Heyman)

47 min

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From messes to remarkable victories, boards who step up to those missing in action; from bad days to the days you save someone’s life… we all have tales.

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From messes to remarkable victories, boards who step up to those missing in action; from bad days to the days you save someone’s life… we all have tales.

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Published 2019-09-21

Ep 93: Why Even a Good Executive Director Needs a Coach

22 min

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Professional development for nonprofit leaders - luxury or necessity? In this podcast I talk about how maximizing impact requires an investment in support.

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Professional development for nonprofit leaders - luxury or necessity? In this podcast I talk about how maximizing impact requires an investment in support.

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Published 2019-09-14

Bonus Episode: Small But Mighty Nonprofits (with Laura Zielke)

34 min

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Most folks are utterly clueless about the size and scope of the nonprofit sector. In fact it’s not really thought of as a sector.

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Most folks are utterly clueless about the size and scope of the nonprofit sector. In fact it’s not really thought of as a sector.

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Published 2019-09-07

Ep 92: The Lonely Nonprofit Leader (with Glennda Testone)

41 min

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You’ve probably heard of “Imposter Syndrome”. But have you heard of “Loneliness Syndrome”?

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You’ve probably heard of “Imposter Syndrome”. But have you heard of “Loneliness Syndrome”?

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Published 2019-08-24

Ep 91: The Diversity Problem in Our Sector (with Diahann Billings-Burford)

54 min

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Nonprofits have a diversity problem. Big time. And I believe this is one of the most important issues facing the sector today.

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Nonprofits have a diversity problem. Big time. And I believe this is one of the most important issues facing the sector today.

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Published 2019-08-10

Ep 90: Why People Don’t Donate (and What You Can Do About It) (with Phil Buchanan)

47 min

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There are so many people who want to make a difference and your nonprofit is a vehicle for them to do just that. So why can it be so hard to get people (or foundations) to open their checkbooks?

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There are so many people who want to make a difference and your nonprofit is a vehicle for them to do just that. So why can it be so hard to get people (or foundations) to open their checkbooks?

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Published 2019-07-27

Ep 89: Nonprofit Partnerships, Mergers, and Acquisitions (with Wendy Foster)

48 min

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Find out how partnerships can succeed and when they might fail and learn the origin story of the successful partnership between Uber and Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

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Find out how partnerships can succeed and when they might fail and learn the origin story of the successful partnership between Uber and Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

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Published 2019-07-13

Ep 88: Everything You Wanted to Know About Planned Giving (with Judi O’Kelley)

49 min

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Planned giving can be a fantastic way for nonprofits to raise significant funds and can greatly benefit both the organization and the donor.

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Planned giving can be a fantastic way for nonprofits to raise significant funds and can greatly benefit both the organization and the donor.

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Published 2019-07-01

Bonus Episode: Nonprofit Workspaces (Joan Garry on the “Dear HBR” Podcast)

32 min

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Does standard work advice not apply to you because you’re at a nonprofit? In this episode of HBR's advice podcast, Dear HBR:, cohosts Alison Beard and Dan McGinn answer your questions with the help of Joan Garry.

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Does standard work advice not apply to you because you’re at a nonprofit? In this episode of HBR's advice podcast, Dear HBR:, cohosts Alison Beard and Dan McGinn answer your questions with the help of Joan Garry.

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Published 2019-06-15

Ep 87: True Confessions of a Five Star Board Chair (with Daryl Messinger)

55 min

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I have met many first rate board chairs and even had a few during my tenure as an Executive Director, but my guest today is the entire package.

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I have met many first rate board chairs and even had a few during my tenure as an Executive Director, but my guest today is the entire package.

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Published 2019-06-01

Ep 86: An Artful Approach to Social Media (with Robin Cembalest)

48 min

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Learn how Robin Cembalest has built an enormous social media following and take away lessons that any nonprofit can implement.

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Learn how Robin Cembalest has built an enormous social media following and take away lessons that any nonprofit can implement.

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Published 2019-05-18

Ep 85: Managing Rapid Growth – the Story of charity: water (with Lauren Letta)

44 min

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charity: water’s growth and impact has been nothing short of remarkable. Here’s the story of how they scaled their organization.

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charity: water’s growth and impact has been nothing short of remarkable. Here’s the story of how they scaled their organization.

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Published 2019-05-04

Ep 84: Passion, Conflict, Diversity, and Leadership (with Parisa Parsa)

56 min

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Are you read to develop the skills, and manage the conflict that accompanies passionate and diverse points of view? As a leader, this is critical!

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Are you read to develop the skills, and manage the conflict that accompanies passionate and diverse points of view? As a leader, this is critical!

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Published 2019-04-20

Ep 83: You’re Doing Meetings All Wrong (with Priya Parker)

48 min

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Learn from my guest Priya Parker how to create super effective meetings, resolve tough conflicts, and throw killer dinner parties.

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Learn from my guest Priya Parker how to create super effective meetings, resolve tough conflicts, and throw killer dinner parties.

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Published 2019-04-06

Ep 82: Helping the Helpers

22 min

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I get to work with thousands of amazing nonprofit leaders inside the Nonprofit Leadership Lab. Allow me to introduce a few of them to you.

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I get to work with thousands of amazing nonprofit leaders inside the Nonprofit Leadership Lab. Allow me to introduce a few of them to you.

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Published 2019-03-23

Ep 81: How to Grow a Movement and an “Army of the Engaged” (with Rashad Robinson)

52 min

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In a polarized world, power to effect change comes from building an “army of the engaged”. Here's how my guest, Rashad Robinson, did just that.

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In a polarized world, power to effect change comes from building an “army of the engaged”. Here's how my guest, Rashad Robinson, did just that.

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Published 2019-03-09

Ep 80: Why is Change So Hard? (with Lisa Lahey)

51 min

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Nonprofits want to change the world in ways large and small. And yet, when it comes to bringing change into our own orgs, it’s really hard!

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Nonprofits want to change the world in ways large and small. And yet, when it comes to bringing change into our own orgs, it’s really hard!

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Published 2019-02-23

Ep 79: How a Film Festival Impacts Community Building (with Evelyn Colbert)

51 min

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Learn more about the birth of a film festival and the superpower of this type of non profit in building community.

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Learn more about the birth of a film festival and the superpower of this type of non profit in building community.

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Published 2019-02-09

Ep 78: What Nonprofits Can Learn from Tech Start-ups (with Ann Mei)

49 min

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Organizations of all kinds know they must innovate or die out. But this word causes nonprofit leaders to break out in cold sweats. Why?

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Organizations of all kinds know they must innovate or die out. But this word causes nonprofit leaders to break out in cold sweats. Why?

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Published 2019-01-26

Ep 77: Navigating the Tension Between Development and Communications (with Steve Ralls)

42 min

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Learn more about common tensions between Development and Communications and whether merging them under one umbrella works or muddies the water.

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Learn more about common tensions between Development and Communications and whether merging them under one umbrella works or muddies the water.

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Published 2019-01-12

Ep 76: The 4 Obstacles to a Diverse Board

29 min

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I believe there are 4 primary obstacles to building a diverse board. In this episode, I explain what they are and I’ll tell you exactly how you can overcome them.

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I believe there are 4 primary obstacles to building a diverse board. In this episode, I explain what they are and I’ll tell you exactly how you can overcome them.

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Published 2018-12-29

Ep 75: What’s Your One Big 2019 Goal?

20 min

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Name a big goal you have for the coming year. That’s what I asked more than a dozen nonprofit leaders. Here’s what they told me.

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Name a big goal you have for the coming year. That’s what I asked more than a dozen nonprofit leaders. Here’s what they told me.

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Published 2018-12-15

Ep 74: Good People, Hidden Biases, and Navigating Your Blind Spots (with Anthony Greenwald)

45 min

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You’re a nonprofit person, so you probably want to change hearts and minds, but your blind spots may be getting in the way.

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You’re a nonprofit person, so you probably want to change hearts and minds, but your blind spots may be getting in the way.

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Published 2018-12-01

Ep 73: The Arc of a Successful Capital Campaign (with Eric Javier)

42 min

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You need to make a huge leap in your nonprofit. And so you require a significant amount of money in a certain period of time. You may need a capital campaign.

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You need to make a huge leap in your nonprofit. And so you require a significant amount of money in a certain period of time. You may need a capital campaign.

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Published 2018-11-17

Ep 72: Successful Year End Fundraising (with Gail Perry)

44 min

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We’ve reached prime-time giving season, and I have some good news. It’s absolutely not too late to exceed your goals, no matter where you currently are in your process.

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We’ve reached prime-time giving season, and I have some good news. It’s absolutely not too late to exceed your goals, no matter where you currently are in your process.

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Published 2018-11-03

Ep 71: A Smart Nonprofit Budgeting Process (with Hilda Polanco)

48 min

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Is your nonprofit budgeting process a royal pain or a living, breathing plan for your leaders to determine your organization’s priorities?

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Is your nonprofit budgeting process a royal pain or a living, breathing plan for your leaders to determine your organization’s priorities?

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Published 2018-10-20

Ep 70: Unicorns, Superheroes and Nonprofit Leaders (With Vu Le)

46 min

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It’s a bird, it’s a plane… no, it’s a nonprofit leader. The work you do matters more than you know and more than anyone will ever tell you.

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It’s a bird, it’s a plane… no, it’s a nonprofit leader. The work you do matters more than you know and more than anyone will ever tell you.

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Published 2018-10-06

Ep 69: New Power and the Building of Movements (with Henry Timms)

52 min

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Giving Tuesday, #MeToo, the Ice Bucket Challenge, the out-of-nowhere victories of Obama and Trump… They all have something important in common – they were movements forged by “New Power”.

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Giving Tuesday, #MeToo, the Ice Bucket Challenge, the out-of-nowhere victories of Obama and Trump… They all have something important in common – they were movements forged by “New Power”.

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Published 2018-09-22

Ep 68: No, You Can’t Do It All

23 min

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How do you take care of yourself and still be responsible to your organization and the people you serve?

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How do you take care of yourself and still be responsible to your organization and the people you serve?

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Published 2018-09-08

Ep 67: Busting the Overhead Myth (with Dan Pallotta)

39 min

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Donors won’t give to charities with “high overhead.” Right? But what structural problems does this cause? My guest, Dan Pallotta, busts the nonprofit overhead myth.

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Donors won’t give to charities with “high overhead.” Right? But what structural problems does this cause? My guest, Dan Pallotta, busts the nonprofit overhead myth.

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Published 2018-08-25

Ep 66: When it’s Time to Leave Your Org (with Kate Kendell)

47 min

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Why do Executive Directors sometimes overstay their roles? Inertia? Love of the job? A board that doesn’t want them to leave? How do you know when it’s time to go?

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Why do Executive Directors sometimes overstay their roles? Inertia? Love of the job? A board that doesn’t want them to leave? How do you know when it’s time to go?

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Published 2018-08-11

Ep 65: The Case of the Serial Nonprofit Founder (with Robin Steinberg)

50 min

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Nonprofit founders are superheroes. Robin Steinberg is certainly one. In fact, she keeps on creating new nonprofits! And she has a wealth of knowledge to share.

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Nonprofit founders are superheroes. Robin Steinberg is certainly one. In fact, she keeps on creating new nonprofits! And she has a wealth of knowledge to share.

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