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The Practice of Nonprofit Leadership

The Practice of Nonprofit Leadership
Author: Tim Barnes and Nathan Ruby
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© 2025 The Practice of Nonprofit Leadership
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The Practice of Nonprofit Leadership was designed for Executive Directors of small to medium sized nonprofits. If you are currently an Executive Director or hope to be one someday this is your spot. Leading an organization can be one of the most fun, exhilarating, rewarding, scary, thankless jobs in the universe. Using a mixture of encouragement, information, stories, and practical tools, hosts Tim Barnes and Nathan Ruby will use their years of nonprofit leadership experience to make your journey a little easier, more fun, and ultimately help you be more effective in leading your organization.
171 Episodes
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Send us a text Every nonprofit leader knows the scenario: Board meetings that consist of reviewing reports, nodding politely, and adjourning without meaningful engagement. But what if there's a better way? What if your board members are craving something beyond those financial statements and program updates? The truth is, your board represents your organization's most valuable leadership asset—when properly engaged. They're not just there to fulfill a legal requirement; they're strategic par...
Send us a text In the dynamic world of nonprofit leadership, maintaining focus on your organization's vision is more crucial than ever, especially in times of uncertainty and challenges. This episode explores the phenomenon of "vision leakage," a subtle yet significant issue where organizations lose sight of their core mission amid everyday operational demands. Throughout the conversation, Tim and Nathan share practical strategies that nonprofit leaders can implement to counteract vision lea...
Send us a text In this episode, Nathan discusses the vital role of donor relationship management systems in enhancing nonprofit fundraising efforts. Providing some practical insights and tips, Nathan explores key features such as donor management, fundraising tools, and data analytics, we emphasize the importance of selecting the right database tailored to an organization's needs. Support the show The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership: Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice P...
Send us a text Establishing regular one-on-one meetings is essential for fostering strong connections within nonprofit teams. These check-ins enhance accountability, ensure transparent communication, prevent conflicts from escalating, and provide support for professional development. Here are some of the points discussed on today's episode: • Creating a culture of consistency and accountability through regular meetings • Fostering transparent communication for open dialogue • Prev...
Send us a text Effective email communication is crucial for nonprofit leaders aiming to engage stakeholders. This episode explores five key strategies to craft subject lines that enhance email open rates and promote responsiveness. • Be clear and specific in subject lines • Create a sense of urgency without overdoing it • Personalize when possible to foster connection • Keep it short and sweet to ensure readability • Make it actionable to prompt responses ...
Send us a text Ever found yourself nodding along in a meeting, even when you disagree, just to keep the peace? You're not alone. Join Nathan Ruby on a journey through the intricate world of groupthink within nonprofit organizations. Drawing from personal highs and lows, we'll uncover how the quest for consensus sometimes leads us astray from our missions. Together, we'll dissect how the desire for harmony can cloud judgment, leaving well-meaning nonprofits with decisions that don’t serve thei...
Send us a text Struggling with staff who dump problems on your desk? Join Tim and Nathan as they share a game-changing leadership strategy: asking the right questions. Learn how clarifying open-ended, reflective, exploratory, and empowering questions can train your nonprofit team to solve their own challenges. Boost critical thinking, build trust, and free up your time to focus on what matters most--leading your organization to success. Perfect of new executive direc...
Send us a text This episode dives into the transformative practice of choosing three guiding words for the new year, offering nonprofit leaders a unique alternative to traditional resolutions. Through shared insights and personal experiences, Tim and Nathan share their 3 Words for 2025 and highlight the power of intention, accountability, and community in nonprofit leadership. Support the show The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership: Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice Presid...
Send us a text With the start of a new year, here is an encore presentation of an interview we did with Dr. Jack Groppel back in 2023 on Leadership. Dr Jack Groppel, co-founder of the Johnson & Johnson Human Performance Institute and current professor at Judson University, Elgin, IL joins Tim and Nathan on today's episode. His experience in working with world class athletes and sports teams to coaching top business leaders, provides plenty of real world thought on the topic of ...
Send us a text In the first episode of 2025, Tim and Nathan dive into the crucial lessons learned from the "12 Days of Major Gift Fundraising," emphasizing the importance of consistency, connection, and passion in nonprofit leadership. They discuss how strategic planning and interpersonal relationships can significantly enhance fundraising efforts and ultimately drive organizational success. Some of the key points discussed were: • Reflect on the previous year and insights gained • Im...
Send us a text Join Tim and Nathan as they unpack the themes of rest, connection, and planning during the holiday season. The conversation touches on the rejuvenating power of spending quality time with loved ones, celebrating successes and setting positive intentions for the year to come. Through practical tips like establishing guiding words, reflective practices, and planning ahead, this episode serves as a reminder for nonprofit leaders to prioritize personal commitments and embrace...
Send us a text This is Day 12 of the 12 Days of Major Gift Fundraising. On today's episode, Nathan wraps up the series with three final thoughts and then presents an offer to the listeners. If you are interested in signing up for Nathan's Video Newsletter, go to www.nonprofitleader.online and sign up for the email list or leave your info in the contact form. Support the show The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership: Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of Interna...
Send us a text What if board members could transform the daunting task of fundraising into an exciting and rewarding experience? On day 11 of the 12 Days of Major Gift Fundraising, Nathan provides insights and a practical system of engaging Board members in major gift fundraising. If you are interested in signing up for Nathan's Video Newsletter, go to www.nonprofitleader.online and sign up for the email list or leave your info in the contact form. Support the show The Hosts of The Pr...
Send us a text Day 10 of the 12 Days of Major Gift Fundraising is all about creating and maintaining a culture of philanthropy in your organization. You will discover how engaging everyone from leadership to volunteers in the fundraising process can transform donor relationships and elevate your organization’s mission. By treating donors as integral partners and not just sources of funding, you can cultivate a more successful philanthropic environment. In this episode Nathan sha...
Send us a text On Day 9 of the 12 Days of Major Gift Fundraising, Nathan unravels the mysteries of how our subconscious mind shapes our thoughts, emotions, and actions, often without us even realizing it. Discover how deeply rooted beliefs formed in our early years can influence our approach to fundraising and learn practical strategies to overcome these invisible barriers. If the thought of fundraising fills you with anxiety, you're not alone. Nathan shares insights drawn from his experienc...
Send us a text On day 8 of our "12 Days of Major Gifts" series, Nathan focuses on Stewardship and emphasizes that expressing gratitude is not just a courteous act but a strategic one that can elevate your major gift program to new heights. He also shares insights on how a well-crafted thank you process can reinforce your donors' decision to support your mission, reassuring them that their contributions are making a difference. You will discover practical strategies to seamlessly reintegrate ...
Send us a text Today is Day 7 of the 12 Days of Major Gift Fundraising. The topic is Making the Ask and Nathan answers these important questions: What Should I Take To the Meeting? Where Should We Meet? What Should I Ask For? What Do I Do After I Ask? If you are interested in signing up for Nathan's Video Newsletter, go to www.nonprofitleader.online and sign up for the email list or leave your info in the contact form. Support the show The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leade...
Send us a text On Day 6 of the 12 Days of Major Gift Fundraising, Nathan is focused on the concept of Cultivation, taking the steps needed to prepare the prospect for "the ask". If you are interested in signing up for Nathan's Video Newsletter, go to www.nonprofitleader.online and sign up for the email list or leave your info in the contact form. Support the show The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership: Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association...
Send us a text It's day 5 of the 12 Days of Major Gift Fundraising. Today Nathan explores the art and science behind qualifying major gift prospects, with a focus on building a structured and efficient program that ensures you're targeting the right individuals. If you are interested in signing up for Nathan's Video Newsletter, go to www.nonprofitleader.online and sign up for the email list or leave your info in the contact form. Support the show The Hosts of The Practice of NonProf...
Send us a text Unlock the secrets to successfully identifying major gift donors and elevate your nonprofit’s fundraising game. Our latest episode promises to transform how you approach potential donors by aligning with your organization's core principles. Discover practical guidelines like the "10 times the average annual gift" rule and Nathan's "holy smokes" moment that redefines major gifts. We delve into setting internal thresholds for donor categorization and highlight the crucial role of...