If you listen to just one episode this year, make it this one. As Donald Trump prepares to take office, the nonprofit sector faces a potential shift that could disrupt services, funding, and the communities you support. In this urgent solo episode, Dolph Goldenburg provides a strategic roadmap to help progressive nonprofits prepare for these seismic changes within the next two months. Goldenburg shares a practical, five-step REACT framework and offers real-world strategies to keep your...

Are you ready to take charge of your personal and professional growth with the support of a "personal board of directors"?  This episode dives into the unique concept of a personal board with award-winning executive coach, author, and podcast host Donna Peters. Peters shares her experience using personal boards to guide life and career decisions, offering invaluable advice for nonprofit leaders.  You'll discover how to build a personal board that challenges, supports, and holds you...

What if the key to your nonprofit's success lies not in working harder but in structuring your work smarter? In this insightful episode, Leslie MacKrell, partner at Bridgespan Group and expert in nonprofit operating models, breaks down the essential elements for driving strategic impact. From rethinking accountability structures to streamlining decision-making, Leslie shares actionable steps and real-world examples that help nonprofits of all sizes overcome growth challenges and achieve big,...

Are you leaving money on the table by ignoring the psychological triggers that drive donors to give? Join us for a compelling conversation with Griff Bohm, co-founder of Give Momentum, as we explore how behavioral psychology and AI can transform your nonprofit’s fundraising strategy. Griff brings deep expertise in donor psychology and financial decision-making, backed by his success in the Defeat by Tweet campaign, which raised $15 million from 60,000 new donors.  He explains how concepts...

Do you have "Causies" on your board? Board members so passionate about your mission that they can’t stop championing your nonprofit?  In this episode, nationally recognized nonprofit governance expert Rob Acton shares insights from his new book Becoming a Causie: Champion Your Cause Through Nonprofit Board Leadership. Rob discusses how to attract, onboard, and inspire board members who are true champions of your mission. From navigating the tightrope between board governance and staff...

Are nonprofit organizations destined to be underfunded, overworked, and underpaid? Think again! In this myth-busting episode, Mickey Desai, founder of Nonprofit Snapshot and host of The Nonprofit SnapCast, joins Dolph to debunk some of the most common misconceptions about nonprofit work. From myths about volunteers being “free” to the dangers of relying on events for fundraising, Mickey and Dolph provide insights that will challenge the way you think about nonprofit management.  Learn why...

Do you feel constantly overstretched, running on empty while trying to keep up with the demands of work and life? You're not alone! This week’s guest, Francesca Giulia Mereu, is here to help you recharge your energy and improve your well-being through small, impactful habits.  Francesca, a coach with over 25 years of experience, shares her framework for managing energy through the "five batteries"—physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social. Discover how simple actions, from mindful...

Have you ever delayed a difficult conversation, hoping the issue would resolve itself? You’re not alone! In this episode, Tucker Miller, executive coach and author of The First Four Words, shares her fresh approach to starting challenging conversations with ease and confidence. Drawing from her experience as a lawyer and HR professional, Tucker dives into why those first four words matter and how they can lead to more effective, empathetic discussions.  If you've ever procrastinated on...

Are you tired of choosing between your personal well-being and performance in leadership? In this episode, Mohan Sivaloganathan, founder of Harmonious Leadership and former nonprofit chief executive, shares his vision for reimagining leadership to fuel bold social impact ideas. Known as the "Batman of Social Impact," Mohan blends his expertise in nonprofit leadership, coaching, and even hip-hop artistry to challenge the status quo. Discover how to break the cycle of burnout, foster a culture...

Andrew Cooper, a trailblazer in ethical leadership and author of The Ethical Imperative, joins Dolph for this episode. Andrew shares profound insights on why ethical leadership is crucial for nonprofit organizations to solve seemingly intractable problems. Drawing on his experiences and research, Andrew explains how nonprofits can lead with integrity, invest in their teams, and build stronger communities. Listen in as Andrew discusses practical strategies for nonprofit leaders to foster...

As nonprofit professionals gear up for their Fall fundraising campaigns, it's the perfect time to revisit one of our most impactful episodes. Join us as we dive into Responsive Fundraising with Gabe Cooper, founder of Virtuous and author of the book by the same name.  In this encore episode, we explore innovative strategies that help nonprofits treat every donor like a major donor. Gabe shares real-world examples of how to build personal relationships with donors through automation,...

It’s the last week of August, and the lights are off here at Successful Nonprofits®. We have no meetings this week; the podcast and social media are scheduled in advance. And we’re off the computer and off the phone. You know why? Because we’re off having fun and enjoying our rest week! Since we’re on self-care rest week right now, it felt appropriate that we run this encore episode with Kevin Greer, the Chief Administrative Officer at New Profit, about the transformative power of...

Are you losing new donors due to uninspired thank-you emails? Join our conversation with Lisa Fernandez as she shares her expertise in crafting effective email sequences to build lasting relationships with donors. Learn how to engage your audience with personalized and automated emails, harness the power of storytelling, and create lead magnets that resonate. Whether you're a seasoned nonprofit professional or new to email marketing, Lisa's insights will help you boost donor retention and...

Are your board members causing more problems than they solve? In this mailbag episode, Dolph answers listener questions about dealing with difficult board members. Whether you're a board chair trying to keep the peace, or an executive director frustrated with a meddling board, this episode offers practical advice to help you refocus on your mission. Listen to this episode to hear how to: Enforce an "escalate together" rule to prevent being dragged into board drama. Facilitate conflict...

Have you ever found yourself saying "yes" to a task or opportunity, only to regret it later? You're not alone! In this episode, Stephanie Wagner, a board-certified health and wellness coach from Healthy Minds Innovations, discusses how to say no and feel good about it. Stephanie shares her expertise on setting boundaries, prioritizing self-care, and communicating assertively without guilt or anxiety. Learn practical strategies for managing digital distractions, breaking free from negative...

Leadership transitions are challenging enough, and for leaders of color, there are unique hurdles and barriers that must be overcome. In this episode, we are joined by Nate Wong, a partner at The Bridgespan Group, to discuss the complexities and opportunities of leadership transitions for nonprofit leaders of color. Nate shares his own experiences as a leader of color and offers practical advice for navigating the glass cliff, addressing systemic inequities, and building supportive networks....

What if you could leverage inclusion to not only improve your workplace culture but also boost your nonprofit’s effectiveness? In today’s episode, Andres Tapia, a Senior Client Partner at Korn Ferry and co-author of "The 5 Disciplines of Inclusive Leaders," shows us how. Tapia dives deep into how leaders can cultivate inclusion to unlock the full potential of their teams and organizations. We explore practical steps for building a more inclusive environment, measuring success, and learning...

Are you missing out on the hidden potential of remote volunteer programs? Michele Wiesner, Director of Capacity Building at Hire Heroes USA, shares how to unlock this game-changer. Michele discusses the journey of building an effective remote volunteer program, highlights success stories of remote volunteers making significant impacts, and provides practical advice for nonprofit leaders to start or improve their remote volunteer programs. This episode answers the following questions: ...

Sean Littman, a Google Ads and Google Grants expert, shares his insight on leveraging Google’s $10,000 monthly ad credit to drive traffic, grow your email list, and ultimately increase donations. From keyword research to creating compelling email sequences, Sean breaks down his proven strategies for maximizing the impact of Google Grants. He also delves into the importance of storytelling in nonprofit marketing and how to re-engage dormant email lists effectively. Listen to this episode for...

In this special Independence Day encore episode, we're revisit an important conversation with financial planner Bobbie Munroe. With over 40 years in finance and 30 years as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Bobbie helps individuals with modest incomes plan for a secure retirement. In this episode, Bobbie offers practical advice for nonprofit professionals on financial planning, saving for retirement, and achieving financial independence. This episode answers the following questions: ...

Dr. Tiffany Slater, CEO and Senior Human Resources Consultant for HR TailorMade, discusses the critical issue of ineffective onboarding and leadership in nonprofits. Dr. Tiffany emphasizes that many of our frustrations with team members stem from inadequate training and unclear expectations, arguing that these are often our fault as managers.  It's tough to admit this, but that’s also the first step in becoming a better manager and leader. Together, we explore practical strategies for...

In honor of Juneteenth this week, we are re-sharing Kia Croom’s episode on fostering inclusion in your organization.   When the country shut down in March 2020, Kia Croom realized the shift to remote work also shifted justice, equity, and inclusion dynamics. Racial discrimination, racial trauma, and microaggressions didn’t go away, they just changed a little. And now they were happening in her home.  Since then, Kia has been working to disrupt and challenge the norms that lead to lack of...

As nonprofits navigate increasingly complex social and political landscapes, understanding the potential of a 501(c)(4) may be crucial for driving meaningful change. This compelling conversation with advocacy expert Adam Snipes may leave you wondering if your organization should start a 501(c)(4) .  Adam delves into real-world examples, provides practical advice for nonprofit leaders considering this route, discusses the evolving role of 501(c)(4) organizations in today’s advocacy ecosystem,...

Kyle Waide and Xavier Roberts from the Atlanta Community Food Bank to discuss into the transformative role of a Board Liaison. As your organization strives to maximize board engagement and effectiveness, have you considered a Board Liaison role that supports board members and enhancing governance practices? Kyle and Xavier share their journey of establishing this role at one of Georgia's largest nonprofits, highlighting the challenges and successes they've encountered. From navigating the...