In this episode, host Sarah Olivieri outlines why a nonprofit board's primary role should NOT be governance. Sarah explains the importance of separating decision-making and oversight, detailing how such a system of Governance can improve decision-making and organizational effectiveness. With examples and actionable advice, she demonstrates how shifting to an oversight model can lead to happier board members, more empowered staff, and a bigger impact for the nonprofit.

Episode Highlights

• 01:15 The Misconception About Board Governance
• 01:53 Understanding Governance
• 03:51 The Role of the Board in Governance
• 05:10 Emergency Decisions and Oversight
• 06:49 Benefits of the Oversight Model
• 07:09 A Case Study

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 Sarah Olivieri, nonprofit consultant and coach, as she interviews Scott Burgmeyer about high performance leadership in the nonprofit sector. They discuss the importance of clarity in mission and strategy, how to cultivate and grow team members, and the critical aspects of hiring the right people for your organization. Scott shares his expertise on delivering effective feedback, holding team members accountable, and making strategic hiring decisions that align with long-term organizational goals. Tune in for practical advice and essential tips to unleash your full potential as a nonprofit leader.

Episode Highlights

• 03:28 Defining Great Leadership
• 06:15 Challenges Leaders Face
• 08:27 Addressing Underperformance
• 19:00 Hiring the Right People
• 19:39 The Cost of Hiring Decisions
• 19:58 Designing the Role for Future Needs
• 21:55 Finding the Right Fit: Skills, Heart, and Head
• 27:39 The Importance of Onboarding and Setting Norms
• 32:18 Accountability in the Workplace

Scott Burgmeyer is a founder of the BecomeMore Group solve problems that prevent organizations from achieving their full potential.

More about Scott:

PhD in Organizational Development and Leadership from the University of Arizona

Master’s degree in Business Administration, Organizational Leadership from Ashford University

Recipient of the Iowa Recognition of Performance Excellence seven times

Won the Bridgestone CEO award

Connect with Scott:

Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/in/burgy

Website: www.becomemoregp.com

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.

Join Sarah Olivieri, host and nonprofit consultant, as she shares her expert insights on planning and executing successful projects for nonprofit organizations. In this episode, Sarah discusses the crucial subprojects that form a comprehensive project plan, including designing the plan, executing it, evaluating results, and refining processes. Learn how to avoid common pitfalls that lead to projects running behind schedule or over budget and discover practical tips for making project tasks a routine habit in your organization. Sponsored by DonorBox, this episode offers valuable advice to help you work smarter and make a bigger impact without the burnout.

Episode Highlights

• 02:12 Key Elements of Project Planning
• 03:33 Evaluating and Refining Your Project
• 04:34 Making a New Processes a Habit

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.

In this episode, I discuss the importance of strategic planning tailored to the size and needs of your organization with special guest Kate Scherr-Adams. We talk about the significance of stakeholder engagement, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and how to develop focused, actionable plans. Plus insights on right-sizing your strategic initiatives, making data-informed decisions, and fostering a collaborative environment within your team.

Episode Highlights

• 03:09 Challenges and Changes in Strategic Planning
• 05:16 Strategic Planning Essentials
• 07:25 Tailoring Strategic Planning to Organizational Needs
• 11:31 Importance of Stakeholder Engagement
• 16:45 Adapting to Organizational Challenges
• 20:26 Uncovering Organizational Issues Early On
• 20:58 The Importance of External Perspective
• 22:15 Strategic Planning vs. Organizational Readiness
• 24:20 Defining and Engaging Stakeholders
• 27:41 Collecting and Utilizing Data Effectively
• 32:47 Incorporating DEI in Strategic Planning

Meet the Guest

Kate Scherr-Adams, is a strategist, trainer, and facilitator dedicated to helping nonprofits and public-sector organizations navigate challenges and drive meaningful change. With a background in social work and nonprofit management, she founded KS Solutions Consulting in 2011, specializing in professional development, DEI, and workplace wellness.

Kate has held senior leadership roles at Business Volunteers Maryland, the Family League of Baltimore City, and more, bringing expertise in strategic planning, board dynamics, and partnership building. She also teaches strategy and community engagement at UMBC.

An avid volunteer, nature lover, and community advocate, Kate believes in listening to the birds, not the thunder—an outlook that guides both her work and life.

Connect with Kate:

website: https://www.kssolution.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katescherr-adams/

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.

Join Sarah Olivieri, your host and nonprofit expert as she delves into effective goal setting. Learn the difference between outcome goals and process goals, how to set them in pairs, and the importance of focusing on execution goals. Discover actionable tips for breaking down larger goals into manageable projects to make a bigger impact with less work. Get insights on evaluating goals and performance and find out how to apply SMART criteria to process goals.

Episode Highlights

• 01:12 Introduction to Goal Setting
• 02:46 Understanding Outcome and Process Goals
• 05:32 When to Apply SMART Goals
• 06:37 Breaking Down Goals into Projects

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 on 'Inspired Nonprofit Leadership' as she dives into the crucial topic of soft skills with John Whitehead, a seasoned executive coach and corporate trainer. John brings over 40 years of senior leadership experience to the discussion, sharing insights on the importance of emotional intelligence, communication, and behavioral shifts for impactful leadership. Learn practical tips for improving your nonprofit's effectiveness, including how to manage board relationships and ensure fair compensation for staff. This in-depth will help you work smarter, not harder, and make a lasting impact without burning out.

Episode Highlights

• 04:21 The Importance of Thinking Time for Leaders
• 07:04 Defining Soft Skills
• 09:45 Emotional Intelligence and Communication
• 10:35 Practical Examples and Stories
• 12:10 Developing Leadership and Emotional Intelligence
• 19:09 Natural Leadership Qualities
• 20:02 Building Relationships and Continuous Learning
• 20:57 Communication Challenges in Leadership
• 22:06 Understanding Personal and Team Dynamics
• 27:15 Nonprofit Leadership Challenges
• 30:16 Fair Compensation in Nonprofits
• 33:48 Final Thoughts and Words of Wisdom

Meet the Guest

John Whitehead is a facilitator, and Certified Executive Coach (ICF) who has over 40 years of senior leadership and management experience.

John has held senior operational positions with national organizations achieving significant recognition for his results. Along with his executive and leadership coaching practice, John is currently a Corporate Trainer at Okanagan College, British Columbia, Canada and was previously an Adjunct Professor at the Faculty of Management, University of British Columbia, Okanagan.

John travels internationally including Europe and the Middle East facilitating leadership workshops. John describes himself as a continuous learner, motivated to learn more so that he can better help others achieve their goals. John’s clients have included senior and emerging leaders in both non-profit and for-profit organization.

John holds a master’s degree in leadership from Royal Roads University, Victoria, Canada along with various certifications in management and leadership

Connect with John:

Website https://johnkwhitehead.ca/

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

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@JohnWhitehead_Executive_Coach

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.

Join host Sarah Olivieri in this episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership as she shares essential tips for building and retaining a dedicated and effective nonprofit team. Drawing from her experience as an executive director, board member, consultant, and coach, Sarah discusses the importance of paying a worthy wage, creating a supportive and inclusive workplace culture, investing in professional development, and building pathways for career advancement.

Episode Highlights

• 01:15 The Importance of Building a Stronger Nonprofit Team
• 01:51 Tip 1: Pay Your People Well
• 03:35 Tip 2: Create a Supportive and Inclusive Culture
• 06:41 Tip 3: Invest in Professional Development
• 07:41 Tip 4: Build Pathways for Career Advancement

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 Sarah Olivieri in another insightful episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership where she speaks with Holly Rustick, a world-renowned grant writing and business coach. They dive into the challenges and opportunities faced by nonprofit leaders, including the importance of mindset, the complexities of grant writing, and the necessity of preparation and self-care. Holly shares her expertise on how nonprofits can pivot in response to changes in the funding landscape and offers practical tips for executive directors and board members. If you're involved in nonprofit leadership or considering a transition to consulting, this episode is packed with valuable insights to help you unleash your full potential.

Episode Highlights

• 01:05 Meet Holly Rustick: Grant Writing Expert
• 03:48 Navigating Change and Pivoting in Nonprofits
• 11:33 Addressing Toxicity in Nonprofit Culture
• 19:13 Creating a Better Work Environment in Nonprofits
• 19:37 Steps to Transition Out of Your Nonprofit Job
• 19:55 Maximizing Efficiency with Task Management
• 20:11 The Importance of Data in Nonprofit Management
• 21:59 Exploring Nonprofit to Consultant Transitions
• 27:07 Pricing Strategies for Hiring Grant Writers
• 34:43 Final Advice and Resources for Nonprofit Leaders

Meet the Guest

World-renowned grant writing and business coach Holly Rustick coaches new and seasoned grant writers to quit their toxic nonprofit jobs and replace their full-time income writing grants part-time from home through her signature programs: the Freelance Grant Writer Academy and the Grant Professional Mentorship. In 18 months alone, Holly’s program students in her two programs have collectively secured $137+ million in grant funding, and $2.7 million+ in their businesses.

Being a grant writer and trainer for 20 years, Holly has a mission to coach grant writers to help causes they care about while making an equitable income on flexible hours. Holly is the podcast host of the top grant writing podcast in the world, “Grant Writing & Funding” and author of the Bestselling book, “The Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing.”

Holly has an MA in International Political Economy, is past-president of the Guam Women’s Chamber of Commerce, serves on numerous boards of directors, and is an unapologetic feminist. She lives on the island of Guam with her beautiful daughter, Isabella. Find out more at www.grantwritingandfunding.com

Connect with Holly: Website: Grant Writing & Funding LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-rustick-0765b817/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/hollyrustick/ Podcast: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/grant-writing-podcast/ Book: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/book YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GrantWritingandFunding Freelance Grant Writer Academy:https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy Grant Professional Mentorship: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/grant-professional-mentorship

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.

Join nonprofit leadership expert Sarah Olivieri in this episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership as she challenges the traditional hierarchical organizational chart model. Sarah explores the origins of the org chart, its limitations in fostering innovation and treating people well, and introduces a new model focused on managing outcomes rather than people. She discusses the core functions necessary for all nonprofits and how distributing leadership roles can lead to a more effective, happier, and innovative team. If you're ready to transform your nonprofit's structure and decision-making processes, this episode is a must-listen.

Episode Highlights

• Rethinking the Traditional Org Chart
• Problems with the Hierarchical Model
• Shifting Focus to Managing Outcomes
• Core Functions of Nonprofits
• Distributing Leadership and Decision Making

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.

Connect with Sarah:

On LinkedIn>>

On Facebook>>

Subscribe on YouTube>>

We are excited to celebrate our 300th episode of the Inspired Nonprofit Leadership with special guest Brandon Dean Johnson, CEO of Create Now, an LA-based nonprofit focused on empowering underserved youth through arts education. Brandon shares his journey from being unhoused to leading a successful nonprofit, drawing from his background in graphic design and fine arts. He discusses the importance of authentic leadership, the role of AI in nonprofit work, programmatic innovations, and the future vision for Create Now. Tune in for valuable insights on nonprofit leadership and sustainable fundraising.

Episode Highlights

• Skills and Leadership Insights
• Fundraising and Relationship Building
• Programmatic Innovations at Create Now
• Future Vision and AI Integration
• Words of Wisdom

Meet the Guest

Brandon Dean Johnson is the CEO of Create Now, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering underserved youth through arts education. With a background in graphic design and fine arts from Elizabeth City State University, Brandon has leveraged his talents in both the entertainment industry and community outreach.

He has contributed to projects for major companies such as Disney, Warner Bros, and Netflix, including work on notable titles like Marvel Super Heroes: Black Panther.

As the founder of BigFooters LLC and the creative force behind Hoodlin Mania, Brandon continues to innovate in animation and digital media.

Committed to enriching lives, Brandon continues to lead Create Now into being a pivotal resource for young people, offering creative programs that foster their talents and aspirations.

Connect with Brandon:

Createnow.org

https://www.classy.org/campaign/peer-peer-create-now-a-new-era-of-change/c623336

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.

Connect with Sarah:

On LinkedIn:>>

On Facebook:>>

Subscribe on YouTube:>>