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? Join The Collective, a membership...

Summer is officially here -- are you starting to have that sinking feeling that you're falling behind?Did “January-You” make exciting and bold plans for 2024 but “Mid-Year You” is nowhere near achieving them?I see you 👀And I have good news for you: You don't have to feel guilty for changing your plans!It’s not too late to save your year.During this info-packed workshop, I share actionable strategies to:Reset your goals: Gut-check what’s still realistic and important for the rest of the yearEn...

In this episode, I break down how to get the opportunity to speak at a conference to do double duty as a cultivation vehicle also! By focusing on pre-event preparation, engaging interactions during the event, and personalized post-event follow-up, you can transform conference opportunities into meaningful donor engagement opportunities. What You'll LearnHow to prepare for a conference to maximize donor cultivationEffective strategies for engaging potential donors during the eventBest pr...

In today’s episode, I conclude our mini-series on donor cultivation by exploring the crucial fourth dimension: trust. If you missed the earlier episodes, I highly recommend starting there for a comprehensive understanding. Today, we'll discuss how to demonstrate your organization’s impact, strategic planning, and trustworthiness to potential donors. What You'll Learn:How to prove your organization's impact with data and stories.Strategies for showcasing your clear and strategic planning....

In this episode, I delve into the third dimension of donor cultivation: affinity. Understanding and nurturing potential donors' affinity for your mission is crucial for building lasting relationships. If you missed the first two episodes, I recommend starting there for a complete overview. Today, we explore how to engage donors who already resonate with your mission, making them feel even more connected and invested in your cause. What You'll Learn:The importance of targeting donors who natur...

In today’s episode, I continue our mini-series on donor cultivation, focusing on how nonprofit leaders can build meaningful relationships with potential donors by deepening their understanding. We dive into the second dimension of donor cultivation: understanding. This episode is all about helping your potential donors grasp the core of your mission and how you achieve it, fostering a sense of excitement and investment. Tune in to learn how to make your work resonate on a deeper le...

In this 4-part strategy mini-series, I break down what it truly means to build relationships with your donors. Over the past 20 years, I’ve learned that the essence of successful fundraising lies in understanding and implementing the four dimensions of donor cultivation: knowledge, understanding, affinity, and trust. I’ll walk through the reason this is such an important topic to focus on, and I’ll break down the what and the how of each dimension of donor cultivation. What You'll LearnThe fo...

Do you often feel overwhelmed by back-to-back meetings and never-ending tasks? In this episode, I share my tried-and-true weekly planning ritual that has helped me and countless nonprofit leaders stay on top of our work while keeping our long-term goals in sight. As we approach the end of the first half of the year, it's time to reflect and recalibrate. Let's dive into a process that ensures you’re not just getting things done but moving towards your mission with intention and clarity.What Yo...

In this episode, I reflect on some enlightening conversations with leaders from my Next Level Nonprofit program. This week, I revisit discussions with Darcy Richie and Toya Lillard, exploring the essential elements of building and sustaining high-impact nonprofit teams. We dive into how to foster trust and respect within teams, the evolving nature of leadership post-COVID, and strategies for achieving sustainable impact. Join me as we uncover actionable insights to strengthen your nonprofit l...