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

When a major crisis hit – an employee had been mugged at gunpoint and a dog stolen – Emily Klehm stepped up big time as the leader of the South Suburban Humane Society. But she never could have guessed what would happen next.

Do you get anxious asking people for donations? How much salary should the leader of a nonprofit make? How do you feel about wealthy people? The answers to these questions all come down to your deeply rooted feelings about money. How can we recognize and understand these feelings so we can make them more productive?

Kayla Abramowitz is AMAZING. At 11 years old, she founded a nonprofit that helps sick kids feel a whole lot better. In this episode, Kayla and her CEO-mom share what they’ve learned over the last 4 years running their nonprofit, and provide some well-earned wisdom for every nonprofit founder out there.

Neuroscientists confirm that when somebody gives a donation, it lights up the same part of the brain as having sex or eating chocolate. So why does fundraising give so many adults the creeps? And how to you build a culture of philanthropy where everyone understands how they can effectively contribute?

Every person who joins a board comes with opinions and points of view. But what happens when your responsibility to your organization as a board member conflicts with your personal politics? Should you keep it to yourself?

At arts orgs, how should power be shared when, in addition to the Executive Director, there is also a creative director who is, perhaps, the most important leader of all? My guests explain how their very successful shared leadership model really works for them, and ultimately results in a beautiful symphony.

Based on lessons she learned working as a bartender while pursuing degrees in business and behavioral science, Dr. Helen Rothberg identifies leaders by a cocktail of choices they make; how to approach obstacles, managing conflict, facilitating groups and connections, adapting to current realities, and much more.

This podcast is about resolving to bounce back. It’s about living in a world of unease while keeping your passion and desire to improve it -- alive and well. In this episode, I share 15 things worth a shot in 2018. These non-resolutions have three things in common. They are doable, universal, and meaningful.

A strong leader builds an organizational culture of gratitude. It impacts your staff, board, volunteers, donors, and more. But how do you do it? And when?

How do we engage millennials and get them to support causes we care about, and that we hope they care about too? That's the topic of today's podcast...

Too often, nonprofits become distracted by the newest and shiniest programming. This can cause big opportunities to be missed. Lindsay Hoffman explains...

We're now in the critical year-end fundraising season. It's daunting. My guest, Seth Rosen, will help you sort it out and make the most of these 2 months…

With everything nonprofit leaders have to get done, imagine that you are the only staff person. What would that look like? I wanted to know...

Alex Blumberg, executive producer of 'This American Life' discusses with me the power of storytelling to activate people to engage and help your nonprofit.

In this episode, my guest Dan Osheyack and I will explore issues of awareness, action, and cause marketing at nonprofits.

I’d love for this podcast to be played for new board members – maybe at an orientation or perhaps at a board retreat when you are setting expectations.

Fundraising can be full of landmines. But is there a way to turn fundraising lemons into lemonade? Why yes, I do believe there is.

Multiple studies show the positive benefits of volunteering (for the volunteer). Today's guest took that to the limit and ultimately became the board chair!

Marketing, done right, is central to all aspects of a nonprofit organization, from raising money to attracting the best people to enabling programs...

What is the single best indicator of a thriving nonprofit? A strong partnership between the board and staff leaders. So I spoke with both and asked them...

How does one of the foremost experts in building online communities end up working to help thousands of children in Africa get a daily education?

In this episode fundraising expert Gail Perry argues that pushing your board members to fundraise is a big mistake. She suggests a better approach...

Small nonprofits need as much (or more) help than larger ones but usually don't have the same resources available. This episode focuses on their issues...

It takes a village to run a nonprofit. Today’s guest tells us a thing or two about the success that comes with collaboration – and the potential hazards.

For business and nonprofit leaders, an executive coach can make all the difference. Here's my interview with the #2 executive coach in the world...

Once in awhile you read a book that really sticks with you and changes the way you think. For me, one of those was "Give and Take" by Adam Grant.

Some argue that when I call nonprofits “messy,” I’m doing them a disservice. Am I? My guest Tim Harford believes that we should all embrace the mess. But how?

Don Tebbe, an expert at planning successful leadership transitions, joined me to give us all some great advice on how to navigate the waters of change.

Nonprofits are needed now more than ever. Strong leadership is needed more than ever. And we have to start doing a better job of listening to each other...

What if a prospective board member looks great “on paper” but doesn’t pan out as the five-star board member you’d expected? Is it their fault? Yours?

Two brothers start a business selling t-shirts with just $78 in the bank. They live out of a van and eat PB and J for 5 years. They are selling optimism..

Most nonprofits see 30% of their revenue come in the door in December. Have you planted sufficient seeds? Will you hit your numbers? Are you ready?

In this episode you will learn about how sports teams -- and corporations in general -- have so much more to give than just money.

If you are funded by a foundation or want to be, you'll want to listen to this episode where I interview foundation program officer Molly de Aguiar...

Why do so many people find it terrifying to ask for money, even for organizations they care deeply about? It's critical. Here's how to go about asking...

Working at a nonprofit can feel like an express train to Burnout-land. How do we avoid that stay mindful and healthy while doing such passionate work?

Harvard did a study that determined that volunteering helps people live longer and healthier lives with 38% fewer nights spent in the hospital.

How do you write and give a great speech that excites and inspires your audience about your organization? Elaine Bennett tells you how to do just that.

It seems like everyone views strategic planning with a sort of dread. But when you do it right, it's game changing. With special guest Liana Downey.

Perhaps the question I am most commonly asked is this: How do I make the switch from corporate to nonprofit? Bill Abrams knows a lot about this subject...

Perhaps the question I am most commonly asked is this: How do I make the switch from corporate to nonprofit? Bill Abrams knows a lot about this subject...

I spoke with guest Lisa Maska about how marketing has changed in the digital age and why direct response fundraising still works better than anything else.

Seth Rosen, my fundraising genius and associate, lays out the steps for building a happy and productive development team.

Sean Gibbons explains why organizations that do communications well are smarter, stronger, and vastly more effective than those that don’t.

This is the story of a community organizing itself in the wake of a tragedy in order to make positive change. With guest Caroline Samponaro.

Nothing is more important than your people. Nothing. But how do you find 5-star employees? Should you hire a recruitment firm to help?

So your nonprofit is too small to hire a development director, but you won’t get any bigger without a development director. What do you do?

This episode is packed with useful, practical advice on how to make people sit up and take notice of your organization and mobilize for your cause.

Board Chair is one of the most important roles at a nonprofit organization, but it isn’t the job for just anyone. Learn about what makes a good board chair.

Once upon a time a nonprofit would ask corporate partners to sponsor a table at your annual gala... Well, things have gotten a bit more complex.