The Nonprofit Lab
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Challenge the status quo. Welcome to The Nonprofit Lab, a podcast dedicated to the ongoing discovery of how we can all be a part of bigger social change through the lens of the nonprofit sector. Join us as we work to uncover and challenge the status quo in the world of nonprofits.
72 Episodes
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What if you could raise money for a nonprofit by listening to Spotify, going for a walk, or even playing Fortnite? In today's episode, we delve into some really cutting-edge technology in the world of social impact with our guests Mario and Maurizio Hernandez, brothers and founders of Knobl.
My guest today is Lucia Kanter St. Amour is the VP for UN Women USA, attorney of 25 years, international negotiation superhero, and bestselling author of For the Forces of Good: The Superpower of Everyday Negotiation.In this episode we go to a lot of places. We’ll learn about Lucia’s journey into the nonprofit sector as a founder, explore the inspiration and lessons learned in her grassroots nonprofit, successes and challenges of building impactful programming as a small nonprofit, similarities, differences, and connections in her leadership roles outside of the nonprofit sector.
Donor-advised funds now hold over $255 billion in charitable assets, but most nonprofits struggle to access them. In this episode, Elon Packin, Head of Partnerships at Chariot explains how their DAFpay technology makes giving from donor-advised funds seamless, and why unlocking these dollars can transform fundraising. Learn more at givechariot.com.
Samantha Swaim of Swaim Strategies shares how to design fundraising events that move people: from storytelling that doubles giving, to match strategies that multiply impact, to follow-ups that turn donors into lifelong supporters.
Nonprofit finance doesn’t have to be confusing or scarcity-driven. Karen Houghton, CEO of Infinite Giving, shares how nonprofits of every size can move idle cash into growth, accept stock and crypto with confidence, and build reserves and endowments that open doors to major gifts. A practical roadmap for shifting from survival mode to sustainable impact.
What if the key to unlocking billions in medical debt relief was hiding in plain sight? Jared Walker, founder of Dollar For, joins The Nonprofit Lab to share how one viral TikTok exposed hospital charity care, and sparked a movement that’s erased over $90M in medical bills.
Fundraising isn’t just about sending messages, it’s about making people feel seen. Bart Lillie from Synergy joins to share how nonprofits can build real donor connection through intentional, multichannel engagement that centers trust, listening, and humanity.
Mallory Erickson shares how unlearning false beliefs, regulating our nervous systems, and having our own back can transform the way we fundraise. We explore burnout, scarcity mindset, and why emotional well-being is essential to sustainable impact. Mallory is the author and host of What the Fundraising and the creator of Practivated, an AI-powered conversation simulator helping fundraisers build confidence through practice.
Tasha Van Vlack, Founder of The Nonprofit Hive, turned a simple idea — weekly one-on-one chats — into a global community and network spanning 75 countries and 1,500+ nonprofit organizations. In this episode, we unpack how real connection between nonprofit and social impact leaders can combat burnout, break silos, and spark collaboration in a sector often siloed and stretched thin. Whether you’re leading a major nonprofit or flying solo, this conversation is a reminder: you deserve community too.
Nonprofit strategist and author Leah Kral shares how innovation doesn’t have to be massive to be meaningful. From small experiments to sector-wide collaboration, Leah offers practical insights on how nonprofits can challenge the status quo, build a culture of creativity, and spark lasting change.Visit www.leahkral.com to learn more.
Philanthropic expert Claire Axelrad, founder of Clairification, joins to explore the true meaning of philanthropy—love of humankind. We dive into strategic and tactical ways nonprofits can move beyond transactions to build trust, deepen donor relationships, and lead with humanity at the heart of every ask.
Unmesh Sheth, founder of SoPact, shares his approach to impact measurement focused on listening to stakeholders, not just donors. He explains how nonprofits can move beyond activity counts to track real change using practical tools, theory of change, and continuous feedback—making data a driver of strategy, not just reporting.
What if one five-minute phone call could deepen a donor relationship, spark generosity, and build lasting trust?In this episode, Kel Haney shares a powerful framework for mid-level donor engagement, rooted in empathy, authenticity, and action. Whether you’re a seasoned fundraiser or just picking up the phone for the first time, this conversation will shift how you think about donor relationships, one call at a time.
Laura Andes, Chief Program Officer at Charity Navigator, joins us to explore how their new Beacon rating system is lighting the way for a more holistic, trust-centered evaluation of nonprofits. We dive into the evolution from focusing solely on financial metrics to a full 360-degree view through four key Beacons: Accountability & Finance, Leadership & Adaptability, Culture & Community, and Impact & Results. Laura also shares trends in donor behavior and how Charity Navigator is standing up for the sector during a pivotal moment with their Giving is American campaign—reminding us that generosity is woven into the fabric of our nation. This episode is a must-listen for nonprofits and donors alike as we work together to build trust and create greater impact across the U.S. and beyond.
Cloud, data, CRMs — we cut through the noise to bring strategic clarity to nonprofit technology.Kelley Hecht (🔗), Strategic Executive Advisor at Amazon Web Services (AWS) for Nonprofits shares what it really means for nonprofits to modernize their tech stack. We unpack how cloud infrastructure supports mission delivery, why “working backwards” is a powerful tool for innovation, and how nonprofit leaders can shift from reactive tools to proactive strategy. Whether you’re wrestling with data, dreaming of better donor journeys, or just trying to understand what AWS can actually do for your organization — this conversation will meet you where you are.👉 Learn more about and apply for the AWS Imagine Grant📊 AWS Nonprofit Cloud Benchmarking and Assessment Tool
In this milestone Episode 50 collaboration, Marssie Versola from Impact Table takes us through her journey from early community service to becoming a transformative leader for women in the nonprofit sector. She shares candid insights on overcoming challenges, addressing burnout, and building genuine connections that empower mission-driven leaders to create lasting social impact. Tune in to be inspired and see how Marssie is working day in and day out to challenge the status quo and elevate women in impact.
If you’re someone who wants to start a nonprofit and maximize impact without the hurdles of forming a 501(c)(3), or simply learn about the power of fiscal sponsorship, then this episode is for you! Learn all about what fiscal sponsorships are, how they work, and why they might be a fit for you with Tivoni Devor, fiscal sponsor expert and author of Skip the c3: The Grassroots Guide to Fiscal Sponsorship.
Discover how intentional HR practices can transform the nonprofit sector into a space where mission-driven teams thrive. Dr. Tiffany Slater at HR TailorMade Services shares her empathetic approach to building trust, creating supportive cultures, and aligning HR policies with organizational values. From practical onboarding strategies to fostering wellness, this episode offers actionable insights for leaders looking to inspire and retain their teams.
Sheryl Cababa, Chief Strategy Officer at Optimistic Design, shares her expertise in equity-centered and human-centered design, focusing on transforming educational systems and elevating marginalized communities. Drawing from her experience with organizations like the Gates Foundation and Khan Academy, she discusses how design can address systemic inequities by involving those most affected in the problem-solving process. Sheryl highlights the importance of iterative collaboration, co-design, and prioritizing lived experience in creating impactful solutions. Through compelling examples, she emphasizes the role of design in redistributing power, breaking down silos, and fostering innovation to address complex challenges in education and beyond.
In this episode, Pat Taggart, founder and chief creator at The SkyBlue Creative, discusses the transformative power of unscripted and authentic storytelling through video in the nonprofit sector. He shares his passion for creating genuine content that deeply resonates with audiences, offering valuable insights on how nonprofits can leverage video production to amplify their missions and engage supporters. Emphasizing that perfection isn't necessary for effectiveness, the conversation highlights the importance of embracing authenticity in video storytelling to drive real impact and foster meaningful engagement.
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