Are you starting next year with a plan or just a list of to-dos? In this episode, I break down why focusing on outcomes—not just activities—can transform your organization’s strategy and impact. Too often, nonprofit leaders get stuck in activity-based planning that leaves them overwhelmed and disconnected from their mission. But when you center your plans around concrete outcomes, everything changes. I’ll explain the power of outcomes-based planning and how it brings focus, prioritizes resour...
In this episode, I’m diving deep into why individual giving programs are essential for nonprofit organizations—especially those with budgets under $2M. Drawing from my own experience weathering the 2008 recession, I’ll share why individual donors provide one of the most stable and sustainable revenue streams for mission-driven organizations. But here’s the catch: many nonprofits struggle with individual giving because they’ve been taught to approach it the wrong way. From building meaningful ...
As nonprofit leaders, we often equate growth with bigger numbers—serving more people, running more programs, or expanding reach. But is that truly the story of impact your organization wants to tell? In this quick episode, I explore why growth doesn’t have to mean more numbers and how you can frame your nonprofit’s growth in a way that feels aligned with your mission. I’ll share six different modes of growth to help you articulate your progress and impact to funders and stakeholders without f...
As we wrap up the year, it’s the perfect time to reflect and prepare for a successful 2025. In this episode, I share five key questions to guide your annual fundraising planning. These aren’t just surface-level prompts—they’re designed to help you align your goals, strategies, and systems to ensure your nonprofit thrives in the year ahead. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just starting out, these questions will challenge you to think deeply about how you approach fundraising and set your o...
In this episode, I share 10 crucial questions that every nonprofit leader should ask to make sure that your organization is set up for resilience, clarity, and impact in the year ahead. The questions in this checklist focus on aligning your goals with your long-term vision, assessing team capacity, and preparing for possible shifts in the external environment. You’ll walk away with a solid plan for creating a balanced, realistic plan that not only supports growth but also builds the strength ...
In this audio workshop, I pull back the curtain on the core elements that successful 7-figure nonprofits consistently point to as the reason they were able to grow to and sustain 7-figures - without burning out!By the end of the workshop, you’ll know what it takes to scale and how to begin to integrate these elements into your own growth plans.Want to work together? Apply for the Next Level Nonprofit Accelerator, a high-touch coaching and training accelerator for established organizations tha...
We’ve all felt the frustration of having too much to do and not enough time to do it. As nonprofit leaders, this overwhelm can keep us from focusing on high-impact work. In this episode, I introduce the Focus Filter Framework—a straightforward 4-step process to help you clear away distractions, prioritize tasks that align with your goals, and take control of your calendar. By breaking down your task list, aligning it with your goals, and making realistic time decisions, you can regain control...
At some point in your nonprofit's growth, you’ll realize that the team that got you this far might not be the one to take you to the next level. In this episode, I walk you through the crucial steps to move from the team you have to the team you need, so your organization can scale successfully. We’ll unpack how to rework your current team, add capacity where it’s needed, and avoid the common mistake of treating these two strategies as one. By the end of this episode, you'll know how to asses...
One of the biggest challenges growing nonprofits face is plateauing—doing all the right things but not breaking through to the next level of impact and funding. In this episode, I talk about the core reason behind this: a lack of strategic alignment. I explain why organizations need to align three critical elements—strategic direction, a true cost financial roadmap, and a revenue model. When these pillars work together, nonprofits can achieve the kind of growth that’s both sustainable and imp...
In this special episode, I join Rhea Wong on her podcast to talk about the wild ride that is being a nonprofit Executive Director. We talk about how strange 2024 has been, what to do when the fear of failure - or actual failure - stops you in your tracks, and we offer some concrete strategies for making the coming year your best yet! Want to work together? Apply for the Next Level Nonprofit Accelerator, a high-touch coaching and training accelerator for established organizations that wan...
In this episode, I explore the concept of generative governance and why it’s a game-changer for nonprofit boards looking to enhance their strategic role. Too often, boards get stuck in the weeds, focusing on operational details rather than long-term, mission-critical questions. I break down the differences between operational and generative governance, explaining when and how your board can make the shift. By focusing on big-picture strategy, nonprofit boards can navigate new challenges, fost...
In this episode, I tackle a common but risky misconception: the idea that nonprofits can simply replicate the success of other organizations by copying their strategies. The reality is that applying the same tactics from a $2M organization to a $600K one can be a costly mistake. I’ll guide you through why understanding your organization’s unique growth journey is critical for achieving sustainable impact without burning out your team.What You’ll Learn:Why copying larger nonprofits’ strategies...
This conversation is with Ana Polanco, international ancestral coach and cultural facilitator. This month I’m doing a mini-series called Lessons from COVID that are still relevant today. Pulling together collections of conversations that I had with sector leaders called the Next Normal. We were deep in the days of COVID, and heading into a difficult election season, and everything felt fraught and difficult. And no one knew what our organizations and our work and our sector would look like on...
These conversations were with George Suttles, Executive Director of Commonfund Institute at Commonfund. This month I’m doing a mini-series called Lessons from COVID that are still relevant today. Pulling together collections of conversations that I had with sector leaders called the Next Normal. We were deep in the days of COVID, and heading into a difficult election season, and everything felt fraught and difficult. And no one knew what our organizations and our work and our sector would loo...
These conversations are with Kemi Ilesanmi, former ED of The Laundromat Project, and founder and Principal at KGI Projects. This month I’m doing a mini-series called Lessons from COVID that are still relevant today. Pulling together collections of conversations that I had with sector leaders called the Next Normal. We were deep in the days of COVID, and heading into a difficult election season, and everything felt fraught and difficult. And no one knew what our organizations and our work and ...
This month I’m doing a mini-series called Lessons from COVID that are still relevant today. Pulling together collections of conversations that I had with sector leaders called the Next Normal. We were deep in the days of COVID, and heading into a difficult election season, and everything felt fraught and difficult. And no one knew what our organizations and our work and our sector would look like on the other end of it all.Now, here we are 4 summers later, and we’re starting to see which shif...
In this episode, I'm diving into the often overlooked but critical elements of effective leadership: bravery and grace. While I usually focus on the skills and strategies for launching and scaling high-impact nonprofits, today I'm shedding light on the mindset shifts that can propel your organization forward. Tune in to discover why acting before you're comfortable and giving yourself grace when things don't go as planned are just as important as any strategic plan. What You'll Learn:The impo...
In this episode, I dive into the essentials of creating a high-impact strategic plan for your nonprofit. Last week, we explored the importance of a well-structured planning process and clarity about your end goal. This week, we focus on the content of your strategic plan, ensuring it’s both inspiring and actionable. Whether you're leading the process or working with a facilitator, understanding these elements is crucial. What You'll Learn:How to articulate a 10-year guiding vision that s...
In this episode, I demystify the strategic planning process for nonprofit leaders. Facilitating your own strategic plan doesn't have to be daunting or time-consuming. With the right structure, you can create a plan that not only guides your organization but also gets used effectively. Tune in to learn how to engage your team, gain stakeholder buy-in, and develop a strategic plan that serves as a powerful marketing and fundraising tool.What You'll Learn:The essential components of a successful...
What you do in July, August, and September lays the foundation for the kind of year-end you're going to have. In this episode, 4 nonprofit experts share their advice about what you can do to make this summer a success. Listen in as Kel Haney, Jordana Merkin, Perry Radford, and Emily Taylor pull back the curtain on everything from how to bring joy to your team, to how to set yourself up for successful year-end fundraising! Want to work together? Apply for the Next Level Nonprofi...