Are you a leader of an organization? And if so, are you afraid to talk about money? Many are and that’s a problem. Even more so with a not-for-profit organization where asking for money feels taboo. When leaders operate in survival mode, hoping things work out instead of planning for growth, excellence becomes harder to sustain, innovation slows down, and long-term impact is compromised

In this “Extra Credit” episode of the Clearly Christian Podcast, host Dr. Cy Smith, Superintendent of Mansfield Christian School dives deeper into his recent podcast conversation with Justin Savini, Advancement Director at Dlmarva Christian School, CEO of Savini Solutions

It’s a deeper dive exploring how mindset, leadership, and business discipline intersect with mission-driven work. Cy talks about profit, margin, and strategic planning as essential tools for excellence, particularly in Christian education.

Takeaways

-A scarcity mindset keeps organizations stuck in survival mode

-Excellence has a real cost, and avoiding it undermines mission

-Fundraising is a leadership responsibility, not a side task

-Operating at break-even prevents long-term improvement

S-trong products and reputations retain support even in hard times

-Strategic planning must be revisited annually, not every three to five years. Things change too fast.

-Margin creates freedom to innovate instead of constantly reacting

Purpose and profit are not opposites. They go together and support each other in accomplishing the things worth doing.

Chapters

00:13 — Introduction

01:33 — Justin Savini Example of Enthusiastic Fundraising

03:29 — Operating at a Loss

06:17 — Planning for Success

09:03 — Who Owns Fundraising

12:21 — Consistent Strategic Planning

Helpful Links:

Justin Savini, Delmarva Christian Schools: https://www.delmarvachristian.org/ and Savini Solutions: https://www.savinisolutions.com/

Dr. Cy Smith, Mansfield Christian School: https://www.mcsflames.org/