Is unrestricted fundraising really the hardest kind? In this episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership, Sarah Olivieri sits down with Sherry Quam Taylor to challenge that long-held belief and unpack how nonprofits can build stronger, more effective fundraising strategies by focusing on investment-level giving. They dig into the real reasons many nonprofits stay stuck in low-ROI tactics like events and appeals, and what it takes to shift into a high-return, relationship-based model. From calculating your true financial need to rethinking donor conversations, this episode is packed with insights to help you raise more money with less stress—and no gala required.

Episode Highlights

• 03:21 Fundraising Challenges and Strategies

• 04:05 Investment Level Giving and ROI

• 05:08 Relational Fundraising and Donor Engagement

• 09:01 Shifting Fundraising Mindsets

• 13:01 Building Donor Relationships and Financial Planning

• 18:51 Field Testing Your Messaging

• 19:19 Overcoming Perfectionism in Fundraising

• 19:47 Balancing Organizational Health Perceptions

• 21:10 Equipping Teams for Deeper Conversations

• 23:02 Evaluating Fundraising Efficiency

• 27:50 Shifting to Sustainable Fundraising

• 29:28 The Power of Relational Fundraising

Meet the Guest

Sherry Quam Taylor works with business-minded Nonprofit CEOs whose Strategic Plans require expansive budgets and larger amounts of general-operating revenue for growth. To become investment-level ready, Sherry helps leaders see their revenue potential and helps them see what may be blocking donors from giving in this way. Sherry’s clients know how to attract larger donors by solving the funding challenges at the root of the issue.

As a result of learning her methodology, Sherry’s clients become sustainable, diversify revenue, and know how to add significant amounts gen-ops revenue to their budgets. But mostly, their development departments and board have transformed into high-ROI revenue generators – aligning their hours with relational dollars and set free from the limitations of transactional fundraising.

Sherry attributes the success of her business to her passion for modeling radical confidence to the future CEOs in her house - her two college-aged daughters.

Connect with Sherry:

Website: www.QuamTaylor.com

Main Social Media Outlet: LinkedIn

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Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don’t miss a single episode, and while you’re at it, won’t you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.

What if doing less could actually help your nonprofit get more done? In this episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership, host Sarah Olivieri shares her simple but powerful 7-step system for boosting productivity without burning out. You’ll learn how to break down projects, prioritize better, and create a visual workflow that helps you and your team focus on what matters most—while actually finishing what you start. If your to-do list is out of control, this episode is your roadmap to getting back on track (and maybe even enjoying your work again).

Episode Highlights

01:16 Seven Steps to Do Less and Get More Done

01:54 Step-by-Step Breakdown

06:15 Bonus Tips and Conclusion

Resource

The Board Clarity Club

A monthly membership for boards that provides training and live expert support to help your board have total clarity on how to be the best board possible.

Learn More>>

About Your Host

Have you seen Casino Royale? That moment when Vespa slides in elegantly, opposite James, all charming smile, razor-sharp wit and mighty brainpower, and says, “I’m the money”?

Well, your host, Sarah Olivieri has been likened to Vespa by one of her clients – not just because she’s charming, beautiful and brainy– but because that bold statement “I’m the money” was, as it turned out, right ON the money.

Sarah helps nonprofits transform their organizations from failing to thriving. And she’s very, very good at it.

She’s brought nonprofits back from the brink of insolvency. She’s averted major cash-flow crises, solved funding droughts, board conflicts and everything in between… and so she has literally become “the money” for many of the organizations she works with.

As the former director of 3 nonprofits and founder of 5 for-profit businesses, she understands, deeply, the challenges and complexities facing organizations and she’s created a framework, called The Impact Method®️, which can help you simplify operations, build aligned teams and make a bigger impact without getting overwhelmed or burning out – and Every. Single. One. Of her clients that have implemented her methodologies have achieved the most incredible results.

Sarah is also a #1 international bestselling author, holds a BA from the University of Chicago with a focus on globalization and its effect on marginalized cultures, and a master's degree in Humanistic and Multicultural Education from SUNY New Paltz. Access additional training at www.pivotground.com/funding-secrets or apply for the THRiVE Program for personalized support at www.pivotground.com/application

Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don’t miss a single episode, and while you’re at it, won’t you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.

What do gang intervention programs, tech startups, and fly fishing have in common? Leadership—and a whole lot of curiosity. In this episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership, Sarah Olivieri is joined by Dan Tocchini, a transformational leadership expert who’s spent over 40 years helping founders and changemakers navigate conflict, unlock potential, and take on problems that won’t leave them alone. From candid conversations to building trust through better language, Dan shares wisdom that nonprofit leaders can apply right now to lead more effectively—without burning out or backing down.

Episode Highlights

• 03:29 Leadership Insights and Team Management

• 06:14 Working with Entrepreneurs and Nonprofits

• 10:06 Navigating Conflict and Candid Communication

• 17:57 Understanding Future Expectations

• 18:39 Mediation in Africa: A Case Study

• 20:46 The Power of Feeling Heard

• 22:10 Conflict Resolution Through Shared Concerns

• 26:45 Complaints as Frustrated Requests

Meet the Guest

Daniel Tocchini is a distinguished entrepreneur and executive with a career spanning over four decades in transformational leadership and organizational development. As the Founder and a Senior Partner at TNG, Daniel has pioneered innovative approaches to team dynamics and leadership training, emphasizing authentic engagement and candid feedback. Daniel was also a Co-Founder, executive, and Board Director for The Grid, a pioneering developer of AI technology to design, construct, and maintain dynamic websites. His expertise extends to his role as Co-Founder & Chairman of Culture ROI, where he specialized in sales and negotiation training, productivity enhancement, and fostering transformational change in corporate cultures.

With a legacy of over 20,000 hours dedicated to training leaders, facilitating workshops, and mentoring executives, Daniel’s impact is evident in his transformative work with companies like Virgin Hyperloop, where he also served as interim Chief of Staff. His methods are not just theoretical; they are grounded in practical application, having been honed through extensive experience with leading enterprises and NGOs alike.

Daniel’s commitment to leadership development is further showcased through his published works and his contributions to the field of transformational technologies and techniques. His vision and dedication to cultivating courageous leadership and resolving conflicts creatively have established him as a venerated figure in the industry.

Connect with Dan:

Website: https://takenewground.com/#team

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dan_tocchini

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dantocchini/

Sponsored Resource

Join the Inspired Nonprofit Leadership Newsletter for weekly tips and inspiration for leading your nonprofit!

Access it here >>

Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don’t miss a single episode, and while you’re at it, won’t you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.

Burnout isn’t just a personal issue—it’s a systemic one in the nonprofit world. In this episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership, host Sarah Olivieri gets real about burnout: what it looks like, why it happens, and what you can actually do to recover and prevent it. You’ll hear practical strategies for stripping your to-do list, clearing your calendar, and shifting from activity-based planning to results-based action. Plus, Sarah shares her go-to process for creating realistic, joyful schedules that work—without sacrificing impact. If you're feeling the drag, this one's for you.

Episode Highlights

• 01:15 Understanding Burnout in Nonprofit

• 02:00 Recognizing the Signs of Burnout

• 03:05 Steps to Combat Burnout

• 04:14 Personal Experience with Burnout

• 05:24 Preventing Future Burnout

• 07:09 Outcome-Based Mindset for Productivity

Resource

The Board Clarity Club

A monthly membership for boards that provides training and live expert support to help your board have total clarity on how to be the best board possible.

Learn More >>

About Your Host

Have you seen Casino Royale? That moment when Vespa slides in elegantly, opposite James, all charming smile, razor-sharp wit and mighty brainpower, and says, “I’m the money”?

Well, your host, Sarah Olivieri has been likened to Vespa by one of her clients – not just because she’s charming, beautiful and brainy– but because that bold statement “I’m the money” was, as it turned out, right ON the money.

Sarah helps nonprofits transform their organizations from failing to thriving. And she’s very, very good at it.

She’s brought nonprofits back from the brink of insolvency. She’s averted major cash-flow crises, solved funding droughts, board conflicts and everything in between… and so she has literally become “the money” for many of the organizations she works with.

As the former director of 3 nonprofits and founder of 5 for-profit businesses, she understands, deeply, the challenges and complexities facing organizations and she’s created a framework, called The Impact Method®️, which can help you simplify operations, build aligned teams and make a bigger impact without getting overwhelmed or burning out – and Every. Single. One. Of her clients that have implemented her methodologies have achieved the most incredible results.

Sarah is also a #1 international bestselling author, holds a BA from the University of Chicago with a focus on globalization and its effect on marginalized cultures, and a master's degree in Humanistic and Multicultural Education from SUNY New Paltz.

Access additional training at www.pivotground.com/funding-secrets or apply for the THRiVE Program for personalized support at www.pivotground.com/application

Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don’t miss a single episode, and while you’re at it, won’t you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.

What does it really mean to lead with confidence and authenticity—especially when you're juggling a million things and doubting yourself in the process? In this heartfelt episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership, host Sarah Olivieri sits down with leadership coach Kathy Archer to talk about leading from alignment, setting healthy boundaries, and building real confidence from the inside out. You’ll hear honest stories, practical strategies, and surprising truths about what leadership looks like after burnout—and how you can grow into the leader you’re meant to be without pretending to be someone you’re not.

Episode Highlights

• 002:12 Balancing Work and Life

• 04:28 Leading with Alignment

• 09:30 Facing Fear and Building Confidence

• 12:24 Self-Leadership and Emotional Intelligence

• 15:20 Adapting Leadership Styles

• 18:51 Addressing Confidence Issues

• 20:14 Building Competence to Boost Confidence

• 21:53 Practicing Confidence Outside the Arena

• 23:56 Delegating and Leveraging Strengths

• 28:15 Character-Driven Leadership

• 33:42 Resources and Support for Women Leaders

Meet the Guest

Kathy Archer knows what it’s like to constantly put out fires, question every decision, and carry the weight of an entire organization. She was once that overwhelmed nonprofit leader, teetering on the edge of burnout. Now, a leadership development coach, she helps nonprofit leaders stop drowning in work, doubting themselves, and carrying it all alone so they can lead with confidence, set boundaries, and finally take control of their leadership and life.

Connect with Kathy:

Website: https://www.kathyarcher.com/

The Training Library Membership: https://www.kathyarcher.com/library.html

Character Driven Leadership book: https://www.kathyarcher.com/character-driven-leadership-book.html

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathydarcher/

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/kathydarcher

Tiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@kathydarcher

Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@kathydarcher

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathydarcher

Sponsored Resource

Join the Inspired Nonprofit Leadership Newsletter for weekly tips and inspiration for leading your nonprofit!

Access it here >>

Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don’t miss a single episode, and while you’re at it, won’t you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.

Are your fundraising goals keeping your nonprofit small? In this quick but powerful episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership, host Sarah Olivieri makes the case for bigger, bolder budgets—and explains why aiming higher can actually help you raise more money, attract more donors, and grow your impact. You’ll hear three clear reasons to stop sandbagging your fundraising targets, plus a story about one smart executive director who's proving how inflation-adjusted thinking can shift funder expectations. Ready to ditch the starvation cycle? Tune in.

Episode Highlights

• 01:16 Setting Ambitious Fundraising Goals

• 01:42 Realistic Budget Planning

• 04:16 Increasing Donor Engagement

• 05:53 Building Momentum

• 07:42 Avoiding the Starvation Cycle

• 08:15 Client Success Story

Resource

The Board Clarity Club

A monthly membership for boards that provides training and live expert support to help your board have total clarity on how to be the best board possible.

Learn More >>

About Your Host

Have you seen Casino Royale? That moment when Vespa slides in elegantly, opposite James, all charming smile, razor-sharp wit and mighty brainpower, and says, “I’m the money”?

Well, your host, Sarah Olivieri has been likened to Vespa by one of her clients – not just because she’s charming, beautiful and brainy– but because that bold statement “I’m the money” was, as it turned out, right ON the money.

Sarah helps nonprofits transform their organizations from failing to thriving. And she’s very, very good at it.

She’s brought nonprofits back from the brink of insolvency. She’s averted major cash-flow crises, solved funding droughts, board conflicts and everything in between… and so she has literally become “the money” for many of the organizations she works with.

As the former director of 3 nonprofits and founder of 5 for-profit businesses, she understands, deeply, the challenges and complexities facing organizations and she’s created a framework, called The Impact Method®️, which can help you simplify operations, build aligned teams and make a bigger impact without getting overwhelmed or burning out – and Every. Single. One. Of her clients that have implemented her methodologies have achieved the most incredible results.

Sarah is also a #1 international bestselling author, holds a BA from the University of Chicago with a focus on globalization and its effect on marginalized cultures, and a master's degree in Humanistic and Multicultural Education from SUNY New Paltz.

Access additional training at www.pivotground.com/funding-secrets or apply for the THRiVE Program for personalized support at www.pivotground.com/application

Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don’t miss a single episode, and while you’re at it, won’t you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.

If you are thinking about strategic planning, this episode is for you! Host Sarah Olivieri and special guest Doug Paul talk strategy and impact combining their 40+ years of strategy experience. They cover strategic planning, execution, and maintaining a balance between passion-driven goals and practical actions and go into some key concepts like the Pareto principle, assumptions mapping, and the difference between process goals and outcome goals.

This episode is packed with actionable advice for ambitious nonprofit leaders!

Episode Highlights

• 02:12 Challenges and Strategies in Nonprofit Leadership

• 04:36 The Importance of Integrating Strategy and Execution

• 05:52 Balancing Passion and Discipline

• 08:42 Developing and Implementing Effective Strategies

• 24:02 The Role of Boards and Stakeholders

Meet the Guest

Doug Paul is a Managing Partner and Innovation Strategist of Catapult, an organization that helps leaders build successful non-profits that scale. In addition to working with more than 1300 nonprofits over the course of his career, he's written the bestselling book Ready or Not and lives in Richmond, Virginia, along with his wife, Elizabeth, three kids, and great Dane Oliver.

Connect with Doug: https://wearecatapult.org/

Sponsored Resource

Join the Inspired Nonprofit Leadership Newsletter for weekly tips and inspiration for leading your nonprofit!

Access it here >>

Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don’t miss a single episode, and while you’re at it, won’t you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.

Break free from reactive mode. In this short but impactful episode, host Sarah Olivieri discusses a simple yet powerful exercise to identify and address the root causes of urgent issues.

Episode Highlights

• 001:15 Getting Out of Reactive Mode

• 01:47 Exercise: Identifying and Extinguishing Fires

• 03:07 Real-Life Example: Payroll Crisis

Resource

The Board Clarity Club

A monthly membership for boards that provides training and live expert support to help your board have total clarity on how to be the best board possible.

Learn More >>

About Your Host

Have you seen Casino Royale? That moment when Vespa slides in elegantly, opposite James, all charming smile, razor-sharp wit and mighty brainpower, and says, “I’m the money”?

Well, your host, Sarah Olivieri has been likened to Vespa by one of her clients – not just because she’s charming, beautiful and brainy– but because that bold statement “I’m the money” was, as it turned out, right ON the money.

Sarah helps nonprofits transform their organizations from failing to thriving. And she’s very, very good at it.

She’s brought nonprofits back from the brink of insolvency. She’s averted major cash-flow crises, solved funding droughts, board conflicts and everything in between… and so she has literally become “the money” for many of the organizations she works with.

As the former director of 3 nonprofits and founder of 5 for-profit businesses, she understands, deeply, the challenges and complexities facing organizations and she’s created a framework, called The Impact Method®️, which can help you simplify operations, build aligned teams and make a bigger impact without getting overwhelmed or burning out – and Every. Single. One. Of her clients that have implemented her methodologies have achieved the most incredible results.

Sarah is also a #1 international bestselling author, holds a BA from the University of Chicago with a focus on globalization and its effect on marginalized cultures, and a master's degree in Humanistic and Multicultural Education from SUNY New Paltz.

Access additional training at www.pivotground.com/funding-secrets or apply for the THRiVE Program for personalized support at www.pivotground.com/application

Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don’t miss a single episode, and while you’re at it, won’t you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.

Join host Sarah Olivieri as she discusses nonprofit innovation with special guest Leah Kral, author of “Innovation for Social Change: Wildly Successful Nonprofits Inspire and Deliver Results”. Leah shares key principles for fostering innovation in nonprofit organizations and strategies to overcome common challenges. Learn about her book, practical examples of successful innovation, and actionable tips to enhance your nonprofit's impact.

Episode Highlights

• 03:55 Importance of Innovation in Nonprofits
• 06:36 Six Principles for Social Change Innovation
• 13:51 Organizational Design and Empowerment
• 17:18 Measurement and Evaluation in Nonprofits
• 22:46 Building a High-Performing Team

Meet the Guest

Leah Kral is an expert facilitator and author who helps social entrepreneurs

innovate and further social change. She writes about her work in Innovation for Social Change: How Wildly Successful Nonprofits Inspire and Deliver Results (Wiley, 2022).

Kral is a sought-after speaker at nonprofit industry events, and writes frequently about her research, and for decades, has provided tailored consulting to nonprofit teams and coaching to social entrepreneurs across the country.

As principal and owner of Two Larks Consulting, she has a passion for helping organizations achieve their missions.

She holds a Master of Arts in Public Policy from Duquesne University, is a returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Jamaica 2002-2004), and is an active volunteer in her community in northern Virginia. To learn more, visit LeahKral.com.

Connect with Leah:

Author of Innovation for Social Change: How Wildly Successful Nonprofits Inspire and Deliver Results (Wiley, 2022)

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://leahkral.com/

Blog: https://substack.com/@leahkral

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahkral/

Sponsored Resource

Join the Inspired Nonprofit Leadership Newsletter for weekly tips and inspiration for leading your nonprofit!

Access it here >>

Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don’t miss a single episode, and while you’re at it, won’t you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this episode, Sarah shares 11 crucial questions to ask yourself to set better goals and make a bigger impact, while avoiding burnout. Learn how to evaluate the efficiency, secondary impacts, timing, and resources related to your goals.

Episode Highlights

• 00:01:12 Setting Goals: Introduction
• 01:28 11 Questions for Better Goal Setting

Resource

The Board Clarity Club

A monthly membership for boards that provides training and live expert support to help your board have total clarity on how to be the best board possible.

Learn More >>

About Your Host

Have you seen Casino Royale? That moment when Vespa slides in elegantly, opposite James, all charming smile, razor-sharp wit and mighty brainpower, and says, “I’m the money”?

Well, your host, Sarah Olivieri has been likened to Vespa by one of her clients – not just because she’s charming, beautiful and brainy– but because that bold statement “I’m the money” was, as it turned out, right ON the money.

Sarah helps nonprofits transform their organizations from failing to thriving. And she’s very, very good at it.

She’s brought nonprofits back from the brink of insolvency. She’s averted major cash-flow crises, solved funding droughts, board conflicts and everything in between… and so she has literally become “the money” for many of the organizations she works with.

As the former director of 3 nonprofits and founder of 5 for-profit businesses, she understands, deeply, the challenges and complexities facing organizations and she’s created a framework, called The Impact Method®️, which can help you simplify operations, build aligned teams and make a bigger impact without getting overwhelmed or burning out – and Every. Single. One. Of her clients that have implemented her methodologies have achieved the most incredible results.

Sarah is also a #1 international bestselling author, holds a BA from the University of Chicago with a focus on globalization and its effect on marginalized cultures, and a master's degree in Humanistic and Multicultural Education from SUNY New Paltz. Access additional training at www.pivotground.com/funding-secrets or apply for the THRiVE Program for personalized support at www.pivotground.com/application

Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don’t miss a single episode, and while you’re at it, won’t you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.