Claim OwnershipNonprofits Are Messy: Lessons in Leadership | Fundraising | Board Development | Communications
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© Joan Garry Consulting
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Hosted by Joan Garry, the “Dear Abby” of the nonprofit world, Nonprofits Are Messy is a discussion of the most pressing issues faced by nonprofit leadership. Joan and her guests tackle topics like the overhead myth, the best way to run special events, how to make a big fundraising ask, board-staff relations, and so much more. At times hilarious, uplifting, and frustrating, the stories told in this podcast should feel very familiar to anybody working in a nonprofit today.
Topics include fundraising, leadership development, building a great board, Executive Director / Board relations, communications and messaging, staff management, nonprofit career advice, crisis management, digital marketing, social media, and so much more.
Listen to real stories of nonprofit leaders like you and how they handled the mess. Because the truth is, nonprofits ARE messy. There’s not enough money, too many cooks, and an abundance of passion. Leading nonprofits isn’t easy. This podcast will help.
Topics include fundraising, leadership development, building a great board, Executive Director / Board relations, communications and messaging, staff management, nonprofit career advice, crisis management, digital marketing, social media, and so much more.
Listen to real stories of nonprofit leaders like you and how they handled the mess. Because the truth is, nonprofits ARE messy. There’s not enough money, too many cooks, and an abundance of passion. Leading nonprofits isn’t easy. This podcast will help.
226 Episodes
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It is a misnomer. There is nothing ‘micro’ about microaggression. What is the real meaning of microaggression, what should it truly be called, and how can a leader recognize and take action to tackle it? Dr. Tiffany Jana shares her insights, why she has stopped using the word ‘crazy’, and what organizations can do to create a culture of awareness.
Disability is not a niche issue—it’s a reality for 60 million Americans. Yet, systemic bias and stereotypes continue to exclude people with disabilities from conversations about inclusion. In this episode, Nancy Smith of Activating Change shares practical steps nonprofits can take to build truly accessible and equitable spaces.
Three fearless nonprofit leaders share what drives them, how they navigate burnout, and the vision that keeps them going. Tomik Dash, Laura Carmichael, and Adrienne McCue are breaking barriers and sharing their stories that prove that small but mighty nonprofits are changing lives every day.
From the Atlanta spa shootings to ongoing challenges, Deepa Iyer highlights the critical need for infrastructure, relationship-building, and centering the voices of affected communities in times of crisis.
1Whether you’re grappling with turbulent times or striving for greater impact, these strategies will help you navigate 2025 with clarity and purpose. Join me for a conversation that will leave you inspired, equipped, and ready to take on the year ahead. Let’s buckle up and face this journey together.
Nonprofit leaders often feel overwhelmed by endless tasks, but project management guru, Christie Machorek, shares insights about how to transform chaos into clarity. With simple strategies like celebrating wins and debriefing after projects, she shows how to create systems that free up time to focus on what truly matters.
I sit down with Glennda Testone, CEO of the Nonprofit Leadership Lab, to unpack personal and professional lessons from 2024. Together, we discuss navigating change, embracing resilience, and how nonprofit leaders can strengthen their organizations for the challenges ahead.
Bianca Anderson and Lamisa Mustafa join me in a conversation about shifting the stereotypes and misconceptions about Gen Z. Whether you're grappling with workforce challenges or striving to lead inclusively, this episode will equip you with insights and tools to turn generational differences into an asset.
Iara Peng guest appears on the podcast to discuss redefining philanthropy, what her company Just Fund is doing to equalize and simplify giving, and the one word that moves money.
Seth Chalmer’s insights on crisis management will help you navigate today’s challenging social landscape as a nonprofit leader. This conversation gives tools to spark valuable conversations that can create clarity and confidence the next time your organization faces a hot-button topic and needs to respond.
Jamila Hodge and Mikaela Levons from Equal Justice USA join the podcast to discuss the challenges and strengths of fundraisers of color. We explore how race, white supremacy power dynamics, and lived experiences shape their approach to fundraising and leadership.
I sat down with Michael Thatcher, CEO of Charity Navigator, to explore how nonprofits can use data to build trust with donors and move beyond the outdated focus on overhead. Michael shared valuable insights on how nonprofits can better engage donors, make the right asks, and thrive in today’s challenging giving environment.
Seth Godin, the marketing GOAT, shares a fresh, transformative approach to nonprofit marketing. He reveals how understanding and aligning with your donors' emotions can significantly enhance your strategy.
One-third of all nonprofits fail within 10 years, and 30% of the 1.5 million nonprofits in the U.S. have budgets under $100,000, putting them at significant risk of failure. To address this challenge, Scott Curran, CEO of Beyond Advisors, shares his expertise on how growth-stage social impact enterprises can strengthen their core, define their unique value, and strategically scale. This episode offers nonprofit leaders practical advice to ensure long-term sustainability and maximize their impact.
In this episode, Glennda Testone and I dive into real-life scenarios where we've had to make tough decisions and say no. Our intimate conversation offers practical tips on navigating common leadership challenges with confidence and diplomacy.
Allison Fine and I discuss the need to transform nonprofit fundraising from a transactional to a relational model, leverage technology to build meaningful donor relationships, and create a more sustainable and joyful fundraising environment.
Like me, Claire Babineaux-Fontenot moved from the corporate world to the nonprofit sector with zero previous experience in nonprofit work. In this episode, she shares her inspiring story of how and why she shifted her focus to step into her most impactful work yet.
The nonprofit sector has a serious PR problem that impacts its ability to garner adequate support. Nonprofit leaders have a powerful opportunity to be ambassadors and advocates for the sector as a whole. In this episode, I make a poignant call to action for nonprofit leaders everywhere to rally to the side of saving public perception of the important work they do.
Let’s discuss collective nonprofit power - what it is, what it isn’t, and what the nonprofit sector could do to harness it. To do more good in the world, we need to stand in our collective power which includes, ironically, taking a seat at the table.
Need to build capacity? Fix your fundraising? Graphics design or marketing? HR support? Then you need to know about Catchafire, an organization that is bridging paths to stronger communities by aligning nonprofits with expert volunteers.
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useful podcast for managers of non profit and for profit orgs alike!
NPO consultant here. This podcast is an absolute must for anyone working for, with, or starting a nonprofit in this economy. Carve an hour from your day to invest in yourself and your org via Joan!
I'm really so thankful for your podcast. It is my college and a great way to see where I fit in a non profit. Thanks so much!
thank you for the amazing podcast. I am going to start a non profit next year and these podcast are exactly what I need! thank you again :)
This podcast is possibly the most helpful thing that I have ever listened to.
awesome guest and glad to hear more indepth from an area that seems mysterious and misunderstood