An org is most vulnerable when the CEO decides to move on. In this episode, we discuss the right way to conduct a search for a new leader.

Learn how Save the Music Foundation creates long-term renewable relationships that lead to multi-year investments from philanthropic funders.

In the year 2000, Donna Dees rallied hundreds of thousands of people to march on Washington. How did she build such a large grassroots movement from scratch in only 9 months?

How do you create a truly successful virtual event? My guests share with us how intimate a virtual event can actually be!

As we close out a most devastating year, I’d like to offer you my own reflections on the things I am carrying into 2021.

Where is online fundraising headed post-pandemic? Scot Chisholm, founder of fundraising software platform Classy, looks into his crystal ball and tells us what he sees.

Do you know the single best indicator of the health of a nonprofit? There is one KEY ingredient for a healthy nonprofit. And it’s even more important during a crisis. In this episode I talk with Carlos de la Rosa and Rosanne Siino, Executive Director and Board Chair of the Lindsay Wildlife Preserve. Hint: Notice I invited an E.D. AND a board chair on the podcast… The “co-pilots” of the organization. Carlos and Rosanne tell me all about the Preserve and in particular about the process of hiring Carlos as executive director. They also tell the story of how they were affected by Covid 19. On Friday the 13th of March 2020, everything was shutting down; Lindsay was closing the doors to the 100,000 people who support their mission. What structure, buffers, reserves, or relationships were in place that could (and did) sustain them through the ensuing months? My guests discuss how they used the down time to create opportunities for a sustainable future and tell us what allowed Lindsay Wildlife Preserve to not only survive, but thrive. About Dr. Carlos de la Rosa Dr. Carlos de la Rosa is an Aquatic Ecologist by training and a Conservation Biologist by practice. He obtained his Ph.D. in Ecology from the University of Pittsburgh, PA, and has recently been Adjunct Professor and Senior Researcher at the University of Costa Rica and the National University of Costa Rica, biodiversity advisor to the Organization of American States, the US Agency for International Development, and other organizations in the US and in Central and South America. Carlos has worked extensively in environmental education programs, sustainability issues, and conservation of wildlife and wildlands. He has led wildlife protection and conservation programs in California, Florida, and Central America and is committed to communicating to the public the urgency for a better relationship with nature and wildlife. Previously he served as Director of the La Selva Biological Station for the Organization of Tropical Studies, in Costa Rica; Chief Conservation and Education Officer for the Catalina Island Conservancy, in California, USA; Program Director for The Nature Conservancy’s Disney Wilderness Preserve in Florida; Education Director for the Environmental Lands Division of Pinellas County, Florida; and Director of the Riverwoods Field Laboratory for the South Florida Water Management District, where he worked as a researcher in the Kissimmee River Restoration Project. Carlos is completing three new books exploring the natural history, ecology, restoration, and conservation of natural habitats within the cultural context in which they exist. His writings have been published in scientific journals as well as in popular media. His nature photographs have been exhibited in museums and galleries in the US and in Costa Rica. “I am very excited to be part of this amazing organization. Developing a strong, positive, and nurturing relationship with nature and wildlife is one of the most important things that people can do to address many of our current environmental issues. And I can’t think of no better place to do this than at the Lindsay Wildlife Experience.” About Rosanne Siino Rosanne Siino was among the founders of Netscape in the 1990s. She brings to the Lindsay Board the same creativity, “think big” attitude and positive energy that launched the first commercially successful web browser. After a long career in high-tech marketing, Rosanne received a doctorate in Management Science and Engineering from Stanford, where she has been a lecturer/researcher since 2007. Rosanne teaches undergraduate and graduate classes in branding, leadership, and organizational dynamics, and consults with technology companies, startups, and nonprofits on effective teamwork, management and messaging. In addition to serving on the Board, Rosanne brought her love of animals and incredible teaching and communications skills to Lindsay as a volunteer wildlife educator for many years. ...

This episode is about the role that AI is starting to play in transforming philanthropy by reducing rote tasks and fueling donor retention.

We discuss why boards matter, when to have a board retreat, how retreats have gone virtual, and what it takes to make a retreat a home run.

I would like to encourage you to turn your impatience toward your heroic pursuits. After all, there’s a reason you become a nonprofit superhero.

Boomers are aging out of nonprofit leadership in droves. Many started organizations post Vietnam and there is a huge impending leadership void in the sector that needs to be filled. Nonprofit boards tend to skew old and are distrusting of youth and "inexperience". And so the cycle continues. So who will fill this void? How do we build a leadership pipeline? In May of 2017 Charlotte Alter, national correspondent at Time, heard President Trump’s speech on how the US was withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement. She looked up each person who advised him to do so and began to feel that the decisions being made were examples of the old eating the young. This took her on a journey to write her book. Today she takes us through the people, events and forces that she believes have shaped the political thinking of the rising generation of leaders in America. We discuss how today’s leaders differ from yesterday’s and what we might do to nurture millennial leadership. About Charlotte Alter Charlotte Alter is a national correspondent at TIME covering the 2016, 2018 and 2020 elections, women in politics and youth social movements. Her first book The Ones We've Been Waiting For: How a New Generation of Leaders Will Transform America was released in February. Links The Ones We've Been Waiting For: How a New Generation of Leaders Will Transform America Greta Thuneberg article The School Shooting Generation has had Enough Joan Garry's Guide to Nonprofit Leadership Second Edition- Joan Garry Who Needs an Executive Coach? Joan Garry’s Instagram Explore the Nonprofit Leadership Lab Joan's Book: Joan Garry’s Guide to Nonprofit Leadership: Because Nonprofits Are Messy Music by Jukebox the Ghost Voiceover Work by Cindy Cap Solutions

There are steps can be taken to ensure success and begin the process of crafting your legacy as a leader, even BEFORE you take on a new role.

Giving circles have raised well over a BILLION dollars over the past 20 years. Learn how your org can tap into this growing movement.

If you’ve ever had trouble finding great board members, or getting them ready to serve your organizations at a high level, you’ll want to listen to this episode.

My journey through the world is highly enriched by the diversity of folks around me.

In this episode, Jim Collins and I continue to explore the question of why some organizations thrive in uncertainty and chaos and others do not. Quite timely!

There are those who believe that the donor-centric fundraising model may be perpetuating the very inequity we seek to address in the nonprofit sector.

My guest today, best selling author Jim Collins, literally wrote the book on how to navigate a path from good to great and I could not be more excited to have him on the podcast!

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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!

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!

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

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

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.

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

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

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?

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.

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?

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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?

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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!

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

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.

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.

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!

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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”.

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

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.

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?

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.

How educated do you think most donors are about the organization they support and invest in? Not very. And this is a big problem we must solve.

Mergers can help nonprofits increase reach and impact, but they can also become a disaster. Here’s how to decide if you should go for it.

What is the secret sauce to finding and hiring the perfect ED for your organization? How can you become a “rockstar” candidate? Find out in today’s episode.

In this episode, Ben Wyskida, CEO of Fenton Communications explains what you must do to build a successful communications plan for your nonprofit.

Nonprofit media fills an important gap. Local and regional newsrooms have been decimated and the expense of investigative journalism is very high. In this episode, Christa Scharfenberg, the acting CEO for the Center of Investigative Reporting, explains the specific challenges nonprofit journalism faces.

Your nonprofit has hit a wall and you want to scale up. But how? Why do some organizations grow and others do not? In this episode, Kathleen demystifies the process for “biggie-sizing” your nonprofit.

Facebook has broken trust with the public. Should your nonprofit think about leaving the platform? Learn how Cambridge Analytics purchased data from people who did not explicitly give permission and how this affects your nonprofit.

How can you run a nonprofit with so little staff? You want to make a difference with that budget? There is so much hard work to be done - surely you can’t do these hard things, can you? Guess what… you can. Here’s the proof.

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.

“At the end of the 7th day, God realized He needed a publicist. So He made a couple of calls, everyone recommended Howard Bragman, and the rest is history.”

Event planning can fray the calmest of nerves. For many nonprofits it's "make or break". Here's great advice from event guru Jason Burlingame.

His blog is called Nonprofit With Balls. How can you not laugh? Here's my interview with the hysterical Vu Le.

Interview with author, board chair, and former Planned Parenthood NY CEO Alexander Sanger. We discuss leadership, staff motivation, and board relations.

Being the Executive Director of a nonprofit is a tough and demanding job. But what exactly does an Executive Director do all day? And how can Executive Directors manage their time to truly be effective?

Asking for money can be intimidating. Fundraiser extraordinaire Seth Rosen and I discuss concrete ways to ask for money without panic and fear.