The Nonprofit MBA Podcast with Stephen Halasnik

It is a fact that nonprofits are known for addressing a wide range of crucial societal issues. However, to maximize their impact, they must establish a strong brand identity that sets them apart. Nonprofits can achieve this by defining their mission and values, identifying a unique selling proposition, understanding their audience, crafting a compelling brand story, maintaining a consistent brand identity, leveraging digital marketing, collaborating, and continuously measuring their efforts. Remember, a strong brand not only attracts supporters but also ensures long-term sustainability and success in fulfilling its mission. In today’s podcast, Celina Shands from Full Capacity Marketing, Inc. and Stephen Halasnik from Financing Solutions (https://financingsolutionsnow.com/) discuss how nonprofits can position their brand to solidify their niche.  

Monthly giving programs are a powerful tool for building a resilient nonprofit organization. They provide a steady and predictable stream of revenue, foster donor loyalty, and allow nonprofits to plan and execute long-term projects. By following the steps outlined in this guide and continuously engaging with your monthly donors, your nonprofit can create a sustainable and lasting impact in your chosen field. Monthly giving not only benefits your organization's financial health but also strengthens the connection between your donors and your mission. In today's podcast, Ronald Pruitt from 4aGoodCause and Stephen Halasnik from Financing Solutions (https://financingsolutionsnow.com/) discuss how to build a resilient nonprofit through monthly giving.  

Your board of directors can be an invaluable asset to your nonprofit's fundraising efforts. By establishing clear expectations, identifying areas of strength, and providing necessary training, your board can become a formidable fundraising team. With their passion and dedication, they can help you unlock the financial resources needed to drive your mission forward. So, begin harnessing the power of your board for fundraising and witness your organization thrive and make a lasting impact. In today’s podcast, Wendy Steele from Impact100 Global and Steven Halasnik from Financing Solutions (https://financingsolutionsnow.com/) discuss Unleashing the Power of Your Board For Fundraising.  

Sustaining your organization's mission requires a strategic approach to fundraising, especially in an increasingly competitive nonprofit world. Hence, implementing a sustainer program is a decisive step toward financial stability, long-term sustainability, and a more significant impact. By building a base of committed sustainers, your nonprofit can secure its future, amplify its mission, and make a lasting difference in the world. So, if you haven't already, it's time to consider why your nonprofit needs a sustainer program and take the necessary steps to establish one. In today’s podcast, Stephen King from GrowthForce and Steven Halasnik from Financing Solutions (https://financingsolutionsnow.com/) discuss “why your nonprofit needs a sustainer program- improve donor retention by 80% in the first year”.  

Fraud prevention might not be the first thing on a nonprofit's mind when striving to make a positive impact, but its importance cannot be overstated. Protecting the organization's resources, reputation, and the trust of its supporters is a fundamental responsibility. By acknowledging the potential risks, dispelling misconceptions, and implementing robust prevention strategies, nonprofits can ensure their efforts remain dedicated to their mission and the communities they serve. Remember, proactive fraud prevention is not a sign of distrust but a testament to an organization's commitment to transparency and accountability. In this article, Stephen King from Growth Force and Steven Halasnik from Financial Solutions (https://financingsolutionsnow.com/) discuss Fraud Prevention in a Nonprofit: You Don’t Know You Need It.

QuickBooks undoubtedly remains one of the leading accounting software options on the market. Its user-friendly interface, comprehensive feature set, and adaptability make it a strong contender for businesses aiming to streamline their financial operations. Remember, the "right" solution ultimately depends on how well it aligns with your business requirements. In this article, Brad White from VARC Solutions and Steven Halasnik from Financing Solutions (https://financingsolutionsnow.com/) discuss “Is Quickbooks the Right Solution for Your Business?”

As a nonprofit founder, strategic planning is your compass in the often complex and dynamic world of nonprofit work. It provides you with the tools to navigate challenges, allocate resources wisely, and make a lasting impact on the goal you're passionate about. By developing a comprehensive and flexible strategic plan, you set your organization on a path toward sustainable growth and meaningful change. Remember, while the journey might have twists and turns, a solid strategic plan ensures you're always headed in the right direction. In this podcast, Andrena Sawyer from P.E.R.K. Consulting and Steven Halasnik from financing solutions (https://financingsolutionsnow.com/) discuss strategic planning for nonprofit founders.

In nonprofit governance, effective board relations are instrumental in ensuring the organization's longevity, impact, and sustainability. By following this fool-proof strategy encompassing transparent communication, role clarification, diversity, education, engagement, strategic planning, committees, evaluation, and relationship-building, nonprofit boards can pave the way for good governance and successful mission fulfillment. As the nonprofit landscape evolves, a dedicated and united board will remain a driving force behind the organization's meaningful contributions to society. In today’s podcast, Brad Ward from Bradward Coaching and Steven Halasnik from Financial Solution (https://financingsolutionsnow.com/) discuss nonprofit board relations: a fool-proof strategy for good governance.

Fractional executives offer a game-changing resource for nonprofits seeking to increase their operations and create a more significant impact. By accessing specialized expertise, optimizing budgets, and fostering flexibility, nonprofits can navigate challenges with confidence and adaptability. Furthermore, fractional executives' mentorship and knowledge transfer enables sustainable growth and capacity building, strengthening the organization for the future. As the landscape of nonprofit management continues to evolve, embracing fractional executives can be a strategic move that empowers nonprofits to overcome obstacles, drive innovation, and leave a lasting positive imprint on society. By leveraging the power of these talented professionals, nonprofits can chart a course toward a more sustainable and impactful future. In today’s podcast, Cindy Wagman from The Good Partnership, Inc. and Steven Halasnik from financing solutions (https://financingsolutionsnow.com) discuss how nonprofits can leverage fractional executives to level up.

In today’s unpredictable landscape, nonprofit organizations face both unprecedented opportunities and complex challenges. Economic shifts, global crises, and cultural changes have altered the way people give. Yet at the heart of this transformation lies a timeless truth: donors want to feel connected to a cause. That means nonprofit leaders must adapt—by weaving data, storytelling, and human connection into every aspect of fundraising. Stephen Halasnik, co-founder of Financing Solutions, sat down with Tim Sarrantonio of Neon One, a leading nonprofit software company, to explore the future of fundraising. Their conversation revealed that while technology can help organizations thrive, it is ultimately the human element—the story, the relationship, the personal connection—that drives long-term donor support.

Nonprofit leaders often focus on mission statements, fundraising goals, and strategic plans. Yet one of the most influential drivers of success is often underestimated: organizational culture. Culture shapes how employees show up, how teams collaborate, and how communities perceive the nonprofit itself. For nonprofits, where purpose is paramount and turnover can be costly, culture isn’t just a “nice-to-have” — it’s the backbone of long-term impact. In this episode of The NonProfit MBA Podcast, host Stephen Halasnik sits down with Greg Miller of Penmar Human Services to discuss why a strong organizational culture is vital for nonprofits and how leaders can build one.

Financial uncertainty has become the defining challenge for many churches and nonprofit organizations across the United States. With declining attendance, shrinking donations, and rising costs, thousands of religious institutions are questioning their long-term viability. On a recent episode of the Nonprofit MBA Podcast, host Stephen Halasnik, co-founder of Financing Solutions, sat down with Loren Richmond Jr., a pastor, chaplain, and consultant with more than 15 years of experience advising ministries and nonprofits through crisis. Their conversation sheds light on why so many faith-based organizations are struggling—and what practical steps can keep them afloat.  

For nonprofits, capital campaigns represent some of the most ambitious and transformative fundraising efforts. They can reshape organizations, expand programs, and create legacies. Yet in today’s climate of economic uncertainty, political polarization, and shifting donor expectations, preparing for a capital campaign can feel daunting. This was the focus of a conversation between Stephen Halasnik, managing partner at Financing Solutions, and Amy Eisenstein, a leading nonprofit fundraising consultant and author.

In today’s nonprofit world, the difference between financial stability and constant budget anxiety often comes down to one deceptively simple practice: donor stewardship. While many organizations focus their energy on acquiring new supporters, the real growth engine lies in keeping the ones they already have. That’s the message fundraising consultant Katherine Lacefield, founder of Just Because Consulting, shared on a recent episode of the Nonprofit MBA Podcast. With a background advising nonprofits across the globe, she’s seen the same pattern again and again: groups that cultivate deep, consistent relationships with their donors—not just during campaigns, but year-round—are the ones that thrive. And surprisingly, she says, building those relationships doesn’t require full-time effort. With the right approach, even one hour a week can make a measurable difference.

When nonprofit organizations draft strategic plans, the expectation is stability. A three-to-five-year vision is meant to guide priorities, operations, and growth. But what happens when the world changes faster than the paper it’s written on? In a recent episode of the Nonprofit MBA Podcast, Stephen Halasnik of Financing Solutions sat down with Marie Palacios, Lead Consultant at Funding for Good, to discuss a subject that’s rapidly gaining urgency: how nonprofits can adapt their strategic plans in a changing reality. “In today’s environment, you have to hold strategy loosely,” said Palacios. “Because the reality you planned for may not be the one you’re living in next quarter.”