On The Ground

In this episode of On the Ground with James Misner, James sits down with Calla Parker and Matt Soerens to unpack how World Relief mobilized a rapid, faith-driven response—raising $10 million in just 90 days and housing 3,998 refugee families.This conversation goes beyond the numbers. Calla and Matt share what it looked like to navigate sudden policy shifts, respond to urgent human need, and lead through uncertainty while staying grounded in mission. They also reveal the behind-the-scenes strategy—how advocacy, storytelling, and donor engagement came together to fuel one of the most critical fundraising efforts in recent history.

The podcast features a conversation with John Molineux, CEO of Love Justice International, focusing on the organization's impactful mission and efficient fundraising strategies. John shares his journey to founding Love Justice and the birth of its preventative solution. The discussion also delves into the scaling of transit monitoring, tenacity and resilience in fundraising, maximizing impact and efficiency, translating program skills to fundraising, donor engagement and impact, and the future of Love Justice International.

In this episode of On the Ground, host James Meisner sits down with Jen, Executive Director of ANCA — the national association representing over 400 nature centers across North America. Jen shares her journey from wildlife biologist to nonprofit leader, the lessons she's learned navigating membership organizations, and why nature centers are more vital than ever in today's screen-dominated world. From setting realistic fundraising goals to staying focused amid constant change, Jen offers honest, practical wisdom for any nonprofit leader trying to grow sustainably. Plus, she breaks down ANCA's biggest fundraising challenge — telling their impact story — and why storytelling may be their greatest opportunity yet.

The celebration is real. The impact is massive. But the mindset has changed.In this episode of On the Ground, James Misner explores Stage 5: Acceleration—the moment when success stops being the finish line and becomes the new baseline. This conversation is about what it takes to build a team that pursues excellence relentlessly and isn’t satisfied with “good enough.”Because the best teams don’t just win—they evolve.

The conversation explores the concept of stage four in fundraising psychology, focusing on action, learning orientation, building systems and teams, and the role of metrics and feedback. It emphasizes the importance of intelligent action, learning from mistakes, involving teams, and using metrics as feedback for improvement.

James Misner, CEO of The Kipos, explores Stage 3 of Fundraising Psychology: Acceptance — the turning point where fundraising stops feeling like an obligation and becomes an expression of leadership.This is the moment when fear and resentment fade, and ownership takes its place. Fundraising is no longer something that happens to you — it becomes something you intentionally lead.Stage 3 isn’t about loving every donor meeting or becoming someone you’re not. It’s about alignment. It’s about recognizing that resourcing the mission is central — not secondary — to your role as a nonprofit CEO.

You’re no longer afraid of donor meetings.You’re just… tired of them.In Stage 2 of our 5 Stages of Fundraising Psychology series, James Misner unpacks the quiet danger of resentment in nonprofit leadership.In this episode, James explores why Annoyance is more dangerous than Anxiety, how subtle resentment caps growth, and why flat results often trace back to flat energy. If your organization feels stuck — not declining, but not growing — this conversation will hit close to home.You’re functioning. But are you thriving?

In this episode of On the Ground, James Misner (CEO, The Kipos Group) shares insights from the largest study to date on the psychology of nonprofit fundraising—and the finding that changes everything: 82% of nonprofit leaders are psychologically stuck, not because they don’t know what to do, but because of what happens inside them when it’s time to ask.You’ll learn the five stages of fundraising psychology, why you can’t skip stages, and what “Stage 1: Anxiety” actually looks like in real life. James gives practical ways to build momentum—small actions that retrain your nervous system—and clear next steps to identify your stage and move forward.

Over half of nonprofit leaders admit their discomfort with fundraising is directly limiting their organization's impact. Not because they don't know what to do—but because asking for money triggers anxiety, avoidance, and resentment they can't seem to overcome.In this episode, James Misner exposes the truth most fundraising advice ignores: Your fundraising struggles aren't a knowledge problem. They're a psychological problem.

"We're making a real impact. Our programs work. Our team is passionate. So why doesn't our funding match what we're creating?"If you've ever asked yourself that question, this podcast is for you.Welcome to On the Ground – real leaders, real challenges, real solutions from the trenches. I'm James Misner, CEO of The Kipos Group, and for 20 years, I've watched passionate nonprofit leaders work themselves to exhaustion while their revenue stays stuck.