In this second part of his conversation with veteran nonprofit leader Tom Atema, host Matt Stockman dives deeper into the heart of leadership and fundraising. With over 50 years of experience leading organizations like Heart for Lebanon, John Maxwell’s Equip, and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Tom shares timeless wisdom for nonprofit founders and fundraisers on how to build meaningful relationships, steward donors well, and lead from a place of value—not pressure.

If you’ve ever struggled with donor burnout, awkward asks, or the tension between mission and money, this episode is for you.

💡 In This Episode You’ll Learn:

• Why “everything rises and falls on leadership.”
  Leadership is more than strategy—it’s about helping people see their God-given value and leading with integrity and purpose.
• The ideal size of a donor portfolio.
  Tom breaks down how many donor relationships a development officer can realistically manage (and why major donors require more care).
• The “cell phone test” for measuring real relationships.
  How to know whether your donor connections are truly personal—and why you should never give away a donor’s number before trust is earned.
• How to handle donor handoffs the right way.
  Step-by-step, Tom explains how to introduce a new development officer without losing relationships or momentum.
• Quarterly “Investor Calls” that mirror Wall Street.
  A brilliant idea from Heart for Lebanon—30-minute calls that combine storytelling, financial transparency, and donor engagement.
• How to build a healthy, accountable board.
  Tom outlines the difference between funding, operational, and governing boards—and why accountability boards drive sustainable impact.
• Why development officers burn out—and how to prevent it.
  Stop chasing money. Start developing people. Fundraising becomes joyful when it’s relational, not transactional.

🧭 Key Quotes

"Don’t chase money. Add value to people, and let God handle the outcomes.” — Tom Atema

“Leadership is a bigger deal than you think. Everything rises and falls on it.” — Tom Atema

🔗 Resources Mentioned

• Free PDF: From Dream to Action: Your Nonprofit Pre-Launch Checklist
  10 essential steps to move from idea to impact.

 👉 Get it at NonprofitLaunchPlan.com
or email Matt at [email protected]

• Free Mini-Course: Fearless Fundraising
  A workbook and 5 short videos to help you build clear, confident fundraising messaging.
  👉 Download at NonprofitLaunchPlan.com

🙌 About the Guest: Tom Atema

Tom Atema is the co-founder and Chairman of Heart for Lebanon, a faith-based organization providing education, humanitarian relief, and the Gospel to Syrian refugees in Lebanon. He’s served in senior leadership roles at John Maxwell’s Equip, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, and Word of Life Fellowship. Tom brings five decades of experience in nonprofit leadership, development, and strategic partnerships—always centered around people, not transactions.

🧩 Episode Takeaways

• Carry the right-sized portfolio—don’t overload your relationships.
• Earn trust one conversation at a time.
• Keep donors close with transparent quarterly calls.
• Let your board support momentum, not be the momentum.
• Above all, add value to people and let God handle the rest.

🎧 Listen & Subscribe

Be sure to subscribe to The Nonprofit Launch Plan Podcast so you don’t miss future episodes, and please leave a review to help other nonprofit leaders discover the show.

➡️ Share this episode with another nonprofit founder or development officer who needs encouragement to lead with purpose, not pressure.

In this episode of The Nonprofit Launch Plan Podcast for Startup, Small, and Growing Nonprofits, host Matt Stockman sits down with veteran nonprofit leader Tom Atema, co-founder of Heart for Lebanon and former VP with John Maxwell’s Equip. With more than 50 years of experience in ministry and development work, Tom shares timeless, faith-driven wisdom on what it really means to build meaningful relationships with your donors—what he calls investors.

You’ll discover how to approach every gift, no matter the size, as the start of a relationship… not a transaction. Tom unpacks practical habits that turn small gifts into long-term partnerships and shares powerful stories that will challenge how you think about stewardship, gratitude, and generosity.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• What truly defines a major donor (hint: it’s not about the dollar amount)
• Why every donor deserves a personal thank-you
• How small first-time gifts can become transformational partnerships
• Why stories matter more than numbers in donor communication
• How relational follow-up builds trust and deepens engagement

Memorable Quote

Free Resource Mentioned

📘 From Dream to Action: Your Nonprofit Pre-Launch Checklist - 10 essential steps to move from nonprofit IDEA to IMPACT.
👉 Download free at nonprofitlaunchplan.com
or email [email protected]

Fearless Fundraising Mini Course - Get it here 👉 Nonprofit Launch Plan | Consulting & Fundraising for Nonprofits

Next Episode Teaser

Don’t miss Part 2 of this conversation with Tom Atema next week!
We’ll dig into scaling your donor relationships, transferring trust to new team members, running quarterly “investor calls,” and how to stop chasing money—and start adding value to people.

Connect with Matt

💻 www.nonprofitlaunchplan.com

📧 [email protected]

🔗 Follow on LinkedIn

If you’ve ever felt like every week starts from zero — or like every day is more reactive than proactive — this episode is for you. Matt Stockman breaks down how to escape the constant cycle of overwhelm by creating what he calls your Nonprofit Operations Flywheel: a simple set of systems that give your organization rhythm, predictability, and peace of mind.

In this practical, step-by-step episode, Matt walks you through five systems (or “gears”) that keep your nonprofit running smoothly — even when you’re short on time, staff, or energy:

1. The Planning System – How to set clear 90-day goals tied to your long-term vision so your team can stay proactive, not reactive.
2. The People System – Creating meeting rhythms, clear roles, and communication patterns that keep everyone aligned and engaged.
3. The Process System – Why documenting repeatable tasks saves your sanity — and how to start with just one.
4. The Information System – Organizing your data, donor info, and documents into one “source of truth” your team can trust.
5. The Review System – How to build rhythms for reflection and improvement so your team keeps learning and growing.

Matt also shares a powerful story of a small nonprofit that went from chaos to clarity in just six months by implementing these systems — proving that lasting change comes from consistent structure, not more effort.

🧭 Key Takeaways

• Most nonprofit burnout isn’t caused by too much work — it’s caused by unclear systems.
• Systems create peace of mind, predictability, and long-term sustainability.
• You don’t need complex software or big teams — just consistent rhythms.
• When you build your operations flywheel, you move from reacting to leading.

📈 Free Resources Mentioned

• From Dream to Action: Your Nonprofit Pre-Launch Checklist — 10 essential steps to move your idea toward impact.
• Fearless Fundraising Mini-Course — A free workbook and video series to help you clarify your message and attract more donors.

Both are available at nonprofitlaunchplan.com
.

🎧 Listen If You’re Asking…

• “Why does my nonprofit always feel like it’s starting over?”
• “How can I get out of reactive mode and create consistency?”
• “What systems do I need to actually grow my organization?”
• “How can I get my time and brainpower back as a leader?”

🔗 Call to Action

Ready to design your own operations flywheel?
 Book a free 30-minute discovery call with Matt at nonprofitlaunchplan.com
to get personal guidance on building systems that bring clarity and calm to your nonprofit.

Complexity quietly chokes far too many nonprofits—large and small. Spreadsheets multiply, meetings take over calendars, and software stacks pile up in the name of “getting organized.” But the truth is, the best-run nonprofits are not the ones that are more complicated—they’re the ones that are simpler.

In this episode, Matt Stockman breaks down how unnecessary complexity creeps into nonprofit operations, planning, and technology—and how to fight back with clarity and focus. Whether you’re still in the dreaming phase or already running programs, you’ll learn practical steps to strip away the clutter and lead with simplicity.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why complexity is quietly choking so many nonprofits
• The difference between a 40-page strategic plan and a 3-page action plan—and why the latter works better
• How to reverse-engineer your nonprofit’s growth by starting with a 10-year vision, then backing up to 5-year, 1-year, and 90-day goals
• The importance of auditing your technology stack to eliminate overlap and confusion
• How simplicity builds trust, improves communication, and accelerates impact

Practical Takeaways:

1. Flip your planning process: Start with your 10-year vision, then work backward to today’s 90-day goals.
2. Simplify your tools: Audit your apps, systems, and subscriptions annually—if a volunteer can’t learn it in five minutes, it’s too complicated.
3. Revisit your vision yearly: Reassess your long-term goals each year to keep them relevant and achievable.

Resources Mentioned:

• 🧭 Free Guide: From Dream to Action — Your Nonprofit Pre-Launch Checklist (10 Essential Steps)
  
   → Email Matt at [email protected]
  or grab it via the website pop-up.
• 
  
• 💡 Free Mini-Course: Fearless Fundraising — A five-part video and workbook series to help you build clear, compelling donor messaging.
• 
  
• 👥 Guest Mention: David Watters – Simple & Engaging [email protected]
  (episode referenced on nonprofit tech and automation)

Connect with Matt:
🌐 www.nonprofitlaunchplan.com

📧 [email protected]

🔗 LinkedIn

Quote of the Episode:

Leadership expert Max Dupree once said, “We cannot become what we want by remaining where we are.” In this episode of The Nonprofit Launch Plan Podcast, host Matt Stockman unpacks one of the biggest leadership hurdles nonprofit leaders face — decision paralysis.

Whether it’s keeping a struggling team member too long, clinging to a tired fundraising event, or avoiding an uncomfortable board conversation, decision paralysis can quietly stall your mission’s growth. Matt shares the real reasons leaders get stuck and walks you through a simple, 3-step framework to start making confident, courageous decisions that move your organization forward.

You’ll Learn:

• Why even strong nonprofit leaders struggle to make tough decisions
• The 3 common ways leaders avoid hard choices — and how to stop doing them
• How indecision drains team morale, donor trust, and organizational momentum
• A practical, 3-step plan to break free from paralysis and take action
• How clarity and courage in leadership set your nonprofit up for long-term success

Resources Mentioned:

• 💥 Fearless Fundraising Mini Course — Get the workbook and 5 short videos to help you build fundraising clarity and confidence.
  ➡️ Nonprofit Launch Plan | Consulting & Fundraising for Nonprofits
• 🚀 From Dream to Action: Your Nonprofit Pre-Launch Checklist — 10 steps to move your nonprofit idea from concept to impact.
  📧 Email [email protected] or visit nonprofitlaunchplan.com

One of the biggest mistakes startup and small nonprofits make is trying to serve too many people with too broad of a mission. The result? Your message gets fuzzy, donors aren’t sure exactly who they’re helping, and your programs end up stretched thin.

The truth is this: clarity creates impact. Donors don’t give to “programs” or “initiatives”—they give to change a life. They want to see a face, know a name, and understand exactly what difference their gift is making. That all starts with one essential step: identifying your beneficiary.

In this episode of The Nonprofit Launch Plan Podcast for Startup, Small, and Growing Nonprofits, Matt Stockman walks you through a practical process to get crystal clear on exactly who your nonprofit exists to serve. With the help of three powerful questions and a simple framework, you’ll learn how to create a “target beneficiary profile” that will help you focus your compassion, sharpen your messaging, and design programs that meet real needs.

Matt also shares why narrowing your focus doesn’t limit your reach—it strengthens your effectiveness. You’ll hear examples of how this kind of clarity transforms donor communication and see how it leads to stronger fundraising, better resource allocation, and more meaningful impact.

Whether you’re dreaming of starting a nonprofit or leading one that’s already running, this episode will give you the tools to clarify your mission, communicate with confidence, and inspire donors to join your cause.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why trying to help “everyone” can actually weaken your nonprofit’s impact
• A simple way to clarify exactly who your nonprofit serves
• The 3 questions every nonprofit leader should ask when identifying their beneficiary
• How to build a target beneficiary profile (and why it’s a game-changer for your messaging)
• Practical examples of stronger donor appeals when you know your beneficiary
• How clarity about your beneficiary leads to better programs, more efficient use of resources, and more compelling fundraising

Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:

• Fearless Fundraising Mini Course (Free)
  – a workbook + 5 short videos to help you clarify your fundraising message and remove the stress of asking for donations
• From Dream to Action: Your Nonprofit Pre-Launch Checklist (Free PDF) – 10 steps to move your nonprofit idea to impact (email [email protected] to request your copy)

Take Action Challenge:

 This week, take the time to create your nonprofit’s target beneficiary profile. Write it down. Give them a name. Describe their needs, their challenges, and what success would look like in their life. Share it with your team and let it guide how you design programs, write emails, and ask donors to give.

When you know exactly who you’re helping, you don’t just build a nonprofit—you build trust, connection, and lasting impact.

Making an emotional connection with your donors is key to fundraising success. But what happens when that emotional momentum hits a digital wall?

So often, the moment a donor is ready to make a gift, the experience on your website feels different, broken, or disconnected—and that can cost you a donation and, more importantly, the trust you’ve worked so hard to build.

In this episode, host Matt Stockman dives into the crucial user experience through the whole donor journey—from clicking a button to completing the gift. He's joined by Cari Kates, Director of Digital Content at Pillar Media, to walk us through how to make sure each step of the digital giving process is as powerful as your initial ask.

This discussion falls under the Fundraising (Development) core area of a strong nonprofit.

Key Takeaways & Topics Covered

• Brand Consistency is King: Learn why maintaining your organization's logo, colors, font, and language on your giving platform is vital for building donor trust and avoiding suspicion when financial data is requested.
• The Seamless Donor Journey: The experience from your original ask (e.g., in an email) to the landing page must be consistent. Ensure suggested gift amounts and mission language match the communication that prompted the click.
• Restate the "Why": The donation page often feels the most transactional. We discuss how to use this space to share an impact story, revisit your mission, and remind donors of the emotional "why" that motivated their gift.
• The Power of the Confirmation: Don't treat the confirmation email as an afterthought or just a receipt. Maximize this opportunity to say thank you, remind the donor of the impact their generosity will make, and provide details on next steps for their gift.

Resources Mentioned in the Episode

Free Resources to Launch and Fuel Your Nonprofit:

• Fearless Fundraising Mini Course: A simple 5-step framework including a workbook and videos to give you clarity on your fundraising messaging and a gameplan for inviting partners.
  • Get it free now at: Nonprofit Launch Plan | Consulting & Fundraising for Nonprofits
• From Dream To Action: Your Nonprofit Pre-Launch Checklist: A free PDF resource detailing 10 essential steps for moving your nonprofit IDEA to IMPACT.
  • Email Matt to request it: [email protected]
  • Look for the pop-out on the website: nonprofitlaunchplan.com

Book A Free Call with Matt: Contact | Nonprofit Launch Plan Email Matt: [email protected] Find Matt on LinkedIn: (1) Matt Stockman | LinkedIn Get My Free Fearless Fundraising Mini Course: Nonprofit Launch Plan | Consulting & Fundraising for Nonprofits

Fundraising is the lifeblood of your nonprofit—but it doesn’t have to leave you and your team exhausted. In this episode, host Matt Stockman shares five common fundraising practices that drain small nonprofit leaders of their limited energy and capacity. More importantly, he offers practical alternatives that build sustainability, trust, and stronger donor relationships.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why relying solely on events can burn months of effort for little reward—and how to redirect that energy into building individual donor relationships.
• The hidden costs of chasing grants too early and why building systems, donors, and outcomes first sets you up for long-term success.
• How constantly chasing new donors can distract you from nurturing the ones you already have—and why donor retention is your greatest ROI.
• Why weak messaging is like using a dull axe—and how sharpening your story creates clarity, connection, and results.
• The trap of chasing big one-time gifts while neglecting recurring giving—and how even a small monthly giving program creates stability and deeper commitment.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Fearless Fundraising Mini Course
  – Free workbook + videos to clarify your messaging and build a fundraising plan you can confidently use.
• From Dream to Action: Your Nonprofit Pre-Launch Checklist – Free guide with 10 essential steps to move your nonprofit idea into impact.

If you’ve been feeling stretched thin or stuck in fundraising that doesn’t move the needle, this episode will help you refocus your energy on what truly works.

Subscribe & Share:
Don’t miss future episodes of The Nonprofit Launch Plan Podcast for Startup, Small, and Growing Nonprofits! Subscribe now, and if you found this episode helpful, share it with another nonprofit leader who could use these tools.

www.nonprofitlaunchplan.com
Email Matt: [email protected]
LinkedIn: Matt Stockman | LinkedIn

How do you build lasting trust with donors when your nonprofit is small and your budget is limited? In this episode of the Nonprofit Launch Plan Podcast, Matt takes a deep dive into one of the most recognized nonprofits in the world—Charity: Water—and uncovers what every small or startup nonprofit can learn from their approach.

You’ll discover:

• The 100% Model and how you can adapt it even if you don’t have a network of wealthy donors.
• Charity: Water’s new Waterproof donor platform and three simple ways you can replicate the idea without expensive tech.
• Why closing the loop with donors matters, and how milestone updates and simple impact reports can inspire repeat giving.
• Practical steps you can take this week to build your own version of donor transparency—even in just 60 minutes.

Matt also shares free resources to help you strengthen your fundraising and nonprofit launch plan:

• Fearless Fundraising Framework – a free workbook + video series to take the fear out of donor conversations.
• From Dream to Action: Nonprofit Pre-Launch Checklist – 10 essential steps to move your nonprofit idea toward impact.

🎧 Listen in to learn how you can wow donors, build trust, and grow your nonprofit—even without a massive budget or tech team.

👉 Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Fearless Fundraising Mini Course
• From Dream to Action Pre-Launch Checklist

Email Matt: [email protected]

Find Matt on LinkedIn: (1) Matt Stockman | LinkedIn

In this episode of the Nonprofit Launch Plan Podcast, host Matt Stockman addresses a common fear among nonprofit leaders: annoying their donors. He explains that most donors actually stop giving because they don't hear from the organization, not because they lose interest. Matt breaks down why donor communication isn't a transactional obligation, but a way to build a relationship based on trust and consistency. He shares a powerful story of a nonprofit leader who only communicated during a campaign and was essentially "ghosting" their donors. He argues that a donor's financial gift is an intimate act, a desire for a relationship with your organization.

Matt provides a practical framework to build a systematic and sincere communication rhythm that will help you grow a donor base that is loyal and engaged for the long term.

In this episode, you will learn:

• The Donor Communication Rhythm: Matt outlines a four-step framework for staying in touch with donors:

• Immediate Thank You (within 48 hours): This should be a personal touch—a phone call, a handwritten note, or a video message—that is separate from the automated gift receipt.
• Impact Follow-up (within a few weeks): Share a specific story or update on how the donor's gift was used to make a difference.
• Ongoing Rhythm (at least monthly): Integrate donors into a regular communication flow, such as a monthly newsletter or impact story email.
• Special Touches (throughout the year): Add personal touches on a donor's birthday or the anniversary of their first gift to remind them you see them as an individual.

• Pro Tips for Donor Communication: Matt offers additional advice for building strong relationships, including:
• Mix it up: Use a variety of communication methods like email, phone calls, and handwritten notes.
• Keep it donor-centered: Always make the donor the hero of the story. For example, instead of "Our nonprofit raised $10,000," say, "Because of your generosity, you helped put meals on 50 family tables".
• Don't overthink it: Sincerity beats polish every time. A heartfelt message today is better than a perfect one a month from now.
• Batch your work: Matt encourages leaders to dedicate intentional time each week to donor communication to make it a consistent habit that isn't overwhelming.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Fearless Fundraising Mini Course: A free workbook and five short videos to help you get clarity on your fundraising messaging and create a game plan. Available for free on the website, www.nonprofitlaunchplan.com.

• "From Dream to Action: Your Nonprofit Pre-Launch Checklist": A free PDF with 10 essential steps for moving from a nonprofit idea to a launch plan. Get it by emailing Matt at [email protected] or looking for it on the website.

Book A Free Call with Matt: Contact | Nonprofit Launch Plan

Email Matt: [email protected]

Find Matt on LinkedIn: (1) Matt Stockman | LinkedIn

Get My Free Fearless Fundraising Mini Course: Nonprofit Launch Plan | Consulting & Fundraising for Nonprofits