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Funding challenges affect nonprofits of all sizes, but the solutions might surprise you. In this eye-opening conversation, Charlyn Moss, founder and CEO of Working Within, reveals how her journey from finance to nonprofit support showed her the critical gaps between grassroots organizations and their well-funded counterparts.

Moss challenges conventional nonprofit thinking with a provocative insight: trying to be everything to everyone actually makes your organization less attractive to funders. When you spread yourself too thin chasing various funding opportunities, you dilute your expertise and struggle to compete against organizations with deep specialization. The most successful nonprofits understand that going narrow first and broad later creates a stronger foundation for growth and impact.

Whether you're starting from scratch or reimagining your approach after funding changes, this conversation provides actionable insights to strengthen your organization's financial foundation. As Moss reminds us with her parting wisdom: funding challenges come in cycles, and "this too shall pass" for organizations willing to adapt thoughtfully.

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In this illuminating conversation with Courtney Krus and Greg Colunga, managing partners of Amplify Fundraising, we unpack how nonprofits can transform their digital strategy from a "bolt-on" tactic to a powerful, relationship-building channel that drives meaningful results. 

These digital fundraising experts reveal what they call "The Pizza Hut Problem" - how traditional nonprofit communications often resemble impersonal, highly-stylized marketing emails that create distance rather than connection. "We have to be authentic and human," Courtney emphasizes, sharing practical ways to write conversational emails that feel like messages from a friend rather than a corporation.

You'll learn why personalization matters more than polish, how to leverage the donor data you already possess, and simple changes you can implement immediately to humanize your digital communications. Greg explains that digital shouldn't be viewed strictly as a revenue channel, but as "an additive piece of the recipe to everything that you're doing," supporting and enhancing your entire fundraising program.

With nonprofit retention rates dropping 12% in just four years, this conversation couldn't be more timely. Whether you're just starting with digital or looking to refresh your approach, you'll walk away with actionable strategies to build authentic connections that inspire generosity.

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In a landscape where nonprofit burnout is rampant and mid-career professionals are vanishing from the sector, Kevin and Johanna from the Collaborative Collective bring urgently needed wisdom to address this talent crisis.

The financial stakes are higher than many realize. When a skilled nonprofit professional leaves, the replacement cost exceeds $30,000—not counting the immeasurable loss of relationships and institutional knowledge. Yet despite these sobering numbers, many organizations continue investing mere "pennies per day" in professional development, if anything at all.

"If I'm not willing to spend any time developing the team, and then I can't figure out why people keep leaving..." Johanna poses this challenging question that many leaders need to confront. The conversation reveals how even cash-strapped organizations can create environments where staff feel genuinely valued and invested in, often the deciding factor in retention despite lower compensation.

Perhaps most surprising is the revelation about artificial intelligence in nonprofits. Most organizations are operating in what Kevin calls "ghost mode"—staff using AI tools without guidance or oversight, potentially creating significant risks. "If you're not doing something already with AI, you need to be," Johanna emphasizes. The pair outlines practical approaches for developing sound AI policies that protect organizations while embracing innovation, including their affordable AI Policy Lab designed specifically for smaller nonprofits.

The conversation concludes with powerful advice on sustainability. "Don't let the work ruin you, because the work needs you," Johanna counsels, sharing her personal journey toward establishing boundaries around rest. This wisdom, combined with Kevin's reminder that human-centered nonprofit work "is never going away" despite technological disruption, offers both practical guidance and renewed hope for sector leaders.

Catch Kevin and Johanna's workshop at CauseCamp on November 4-5 in Pittsburgh to dive deeper into talent development strategies for your organization.

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What does innovation really look like in the nonprofit world? In this enlightening conversation, nonprofit consultant and author Leah Kral challenges the notion that innovation requires massive resources or technical expertise.

Drawing from her extensive research and twenty years of experience in the sector, Leah explains that innovation can be as simple as switching from paper forms to iPads at a legal aid clinic or as complex as revolutionizing healthcare delivery for the poor. The key is being willing to question the status quo and experiment with new approaches.

For nonprofit leaders feeling overwhelmed by day-to-day operations or limited by resources, this episode offers practical wisdom on fostering innovation within any organization. As Leah beautifully puts it, "The nonprofit sector isn't the withered branch – we are the root system of democracy," solving crucial social problems that deserve our most creative and courageous thinking.

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In this eye-opening conversation, Rebecca Prejean, CEO and founder of EB Graphics Consulting, reveals a critical gap in nonprofit work that's keeping organizations from truly serving their communities. Driven by her personal journey as a mother of a child with autism, Rebecca discusses how 14% of working-age African Americans have disabilities, yet this intersection of race and accessibility remains largely invisible in nonprofit conversations. She explains why accessibility isn't just about inclusion—it's a technical skill set that requires intentional implementation, from ensuring websites work with screen readers to creating truly inclusive workplace environments. Rebecca provides practical starting points for resource-strapped nonprofits, including affordable audit options and free accessibility checkers, while challenging listeners to move beyond virtue signaling to genuine, comprehensive support. This powerful discussion exposes how nonprofits may unknowingly be excluding the very communities they aim to serve, both as clients and team members.

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In this episode, host Meghan Speer sits down with Chris Wong, founder and executive coach at Leadership Potential and a featured main stage speaker at this year’s Cause Camp. Drawing from his background as a licensed therapist turned leadership and organizational development expert, Chris shares practical strategies for nonprofit leaders—especially those who identify as “chronic people pleasers”—to navigate difficult conversations, balance accountability with support, and set clear boundaries without sacrificing empathy. Together, they explore how regular check-ins, progressive discipline, and value-driven leadership can transform team culture, prevent burnout, and keep organizations mission-focused. Whether you’re leading a small startup nonprofit or a large, established team, this conversation offers actionable insights to help you lead with clarity, courage, and compassion.

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What if the key to greater nonprofit impact isn’t pushing harder—but leading differently? In this refreshing and deeply honest conversation, Kishshana Palmer—veteran fundraiser, founder of ManageMint, and author of Busy is a Four-Letter Word—challenges the toxic myth that busyness equals effectiveness. After a debilitating injury forced her to confront her own unsustainable pace, Palmer began reimagining leadership rooted in wellbeing, not overwork. She shares her Five-Star Wellness Plan—physical, mental, spiritual, financial, and community health—as a framework for reclaiming balance and breaking the cycle of burnout, especially for women and "oldest daughters" who often carry the heaviest loads. More than a personal wellness strategy, Palmer calls for a cultural shift in the nonprofit sector: one where self-care is embedded in professional development, rest is celebrated, and vulnerability is seen as strength. If you're exhausted by hustle culture or simply wondering if there's a better way to lead, this episode offers a bold, compassionate roadmap to sustainable impact.

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What if the key to thriving as a nonprofit leader isn't avoiding failure, but actively seeking it out? That's the counterintuitive wisdom Cathleen Armstead, founder of Sunshine Nonprofit Solutions, shares in this transformative conversation about developing a growth mindset during challenging times.

Whether you're leading a nonprofit through turbulent times or working to influence your organization from within, this episode offers actionable strategies for developing resilience, improving team dynamics, and creating a culture where everyone can thrive through continuous learning. As Kathleen reminds us, "We look at these turbulent times as an opportunity to grow stronger."

Ready to transform how you view challenges and failure? Listen now and discover why your biggest mistakes might become your greatest opportunities for growth.

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In this episode of the Nonprofit Hub Podcast, host Megan Speer is joined by Jess DiVito and Megan Frenz from Nonprofit People to explore the essentials of fundraising readiness as part of the "Nonprofit 101" series. Drawing from decades of hands-on experience, Jess and Megan share insights into how new fundraisers and nonprofit leaders—especially those without formal training—can build a strong foundation for sustainable fundraising. The conversation covers everything from clarifying strategy and understanding budgets to building a supportive team, creating donor-ready infrastructure, tracking key metrics, and crafting clear, compelling messaging. Whether you're starting a new nonprofit, transitioning into fundraising, or needing a back-to-basics reset, this episode is packed with wisdom, practical steps, and encouragement to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

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In this episode of the Nonprofit Hub Podcast, host Meghan Speer is joined by Carly Berna, Fundraiser in Residence at Virtuous, for a practical discussion of key fundraising benchmarks as part of the Nonprofit 101 series. Carly shares insights from Virtuous’ latest Benchmark Report, highlighting key fundraising metrics like donor retention, average gift size, and recurring giving—plus new tools such as "days to second gift," case studies, and a board-ready presentation deck. With an emphasis on data-driven decision-making, Carly encourages fundraisers—especially those just starting out—to view their work through a business lens and understand how tracking the right metrics can help organizations build sustainable donor relationships, break down internal silos, and ultimately increase impact.

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Get free nonprofit professional development resources, connections to cause work peers, and more at https://nonprofithub.org