Dr. Rob Harter welcomes Julie Castle, CEO of Best Friends Animal Society, to the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast. In this inspiring episode, Julie shares her remarkable journey—from employee #17 with an $800,000 annual budget to leading a thriving $180 million organization. She highlights how steadfast commitment to brand, high-touch donor relationships, positive storytelling, and unwavering focus on mission fueled exponential growth and deep community connection.

Julie dives into the power of personal touches—thank‑you phone calls and handwritten notes, even today—and how authenticity and consistency, paired with a clear, optimistic brand narrative, have built a movement. She also discusses the importance of hiring for cultural fit, nurturing internal talent, and staying laser‑focused on a singular mission.

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In this kickoff to a special four-week fundraising series, host Rob Harter welcomes Seb Boyer, President of Zeffy, a 100% free fundraising platform built for nonprofits. Seb, a former tech entrepreneur and AI startup founder, shares his insights into why Zeffy was created, how it sustains a completely free model, and what the latest fundraising data reveals about giving trends across the nonprofit sector.

Rob and Seb dive into Zeffy’s recent benchmark reports, including findings on seasonal giving patterns and recurring donor behaviors. Seb explains why fall is the prime giving season, how different sectors experience unique donation trends, and why retaining recurring donors is both a challenge and a major opportunity. This data-driven episode equips nonprofit leaders with actionable strategies to elevate their year-end campaigns and rethink donor engagement through the lens of smart data.

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In this episode of the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast, host Rob Harter is joined by Brittan Stockert, a seasoned fundraising coach at DonorBox with over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit and social impact sector. As nonprofit leaders brace for the critical year-end giving season, Brittan provides an encouraging, realistic, and highly practical guide to making the most of it—without adding to your burnout.

From revitalizing donation forms to simplifying your follow-up communications, Brittan shares smart, actionable strategies that can significantly boost donor engagement and retention. With a strong emphasis on simplicity, authenticity, and relationship-building, this episode is filled with ideas that will help you elevate your year-end giving campaign—whether you’re a one-person shop or part of a larger team.

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In this episode of the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast, host Dr. Rob Harter sits down with Alex Amouyel, President and CEO of the Newman’s Own Foundation, to explore how nonprofits can more effectively approach foundations for funding. With billions in grant requests competing for limited dollars, Alex shares candid insights into what makes a funding request compelling—and how nonprofits can align their proposals with a foundation’s mission.

Alex also discusses the unique “100% for Purpose” business model behind Newman’s Own, which donates 100% of profits to support children facing adversity. She reflects on her own leadership journey, the shifting philanthropic landscape, and how nonprofits can navigate funding challenges in a rapidly changing world. Whether you’re an executive director, development professional, or board member, this conversation offers practical strategies for building stronger relationships with funders.

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In this episode, Dr. Rob Harter sits down with Adam Boddison, CEO of the Association for Project Management and Managing Director at Grant Genie, to explore how nonprofit leaders can effectively harness artificial intelligence for strategic impact. Rather than focusing solely on how AI is transforming the nonprofit sector, this conversation delves deeper into leadership—asking how leaders can use AI responsibly and intentionally for good.

Adam shares practical insights from his extensive experience in both education and the charitable sector, offering a balanced view of the risks and opportunities posed by AI. From debunking myths around job displacement and bias to advocating for a test-and-learn culture and data-driven decision-making, this episode is packed with actionable strategies for leaders navigating digital transformation. Whether you’re AI-curious or leading a tech-forward nonprofit, this conversation will offer you valuable direction on using technology to enhance your mission.

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In this episode, Dr. Rob Harter welcomes Alexx Goeller, CEO of Waste Less Solutions, a Utah-based nonprofit dedicated to combating food insecurity and reducing food waste. With a deep-rooted passion for social impact and a strong background in leadership, Alexx shares how she has developed effective systems and patterns to scale impact, stay focused on core objectives, and navigate the unique challenges of nonprofit leadership.

Alexx discusses her transition into her new role, the importance of saying “no” to avoid mission creep, and how she builds structure and accountability into her leadership style. From her Peace Corps experience to current strategies for deepening community partnerships and advocating for more flexible funding, Alexx offers valuable lessons for leaders in any nonprofit space.

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In this episode of the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast, host Dr. Rob Harter welcomes executive and leadership coach Kelly Kienzle to explore the mounting uncertainty facing nonprofit leaders and how it’s affecting their confidence and decision-making. Kelly recently conducted in-depth interviews with over 40 leaders across the nonprofit, public, and private sectors, revealing troubling trends in burnout, reactivity, and a widespread crisis of confidence.

Kelly discusses how shifting funding landscapes, political change, and societal shifts have left many nonprofit leaders unsure about their organization’s direction and mission. She shares her top three leadership challenges identified in the research and offers practical, actionable tools to help nonprofit executives regain clarity and lead with renewed confidence. This episode is a must-listen for any nonprofit leader feeling the weight of today’s volatile environment.

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In this episode of the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast, Rob Harter dives into a transformative discussion with Bob Searle of The Bridgespan Group. Bob shares compelling insights from Bridgespan’s “Leading for Impact” program, which involved nearly 300 nonprofit executive leaders. Together, they explore why team development is just as critical—if not more so—than individual leadership growth in today’s nonprofit sector.

Bob outlines the unique advantages of cultivating an executive team that works in unison, backed by Bridgespan’s extensive data and practical tools. He also unpacks common pitfalls nonprofit leaders face, like miscommunication and lack of strategic clarity, and offers actionable strategies to overcome them. This episode is packed with lessons for anyone in nonprofit leadership aiming to boost organizational effectiveness through better team dynamics.

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Rob interviews William Vanderbloemen who shares his experience about starting a cause-based search firm. His firm emphasizes the need for nonprofits to prioritize soft skills when recruiting new staff. He also highlights the significance of clearly articulating the organization’s mission and values to attract the right talent. Additionally, Vanderbloemen emphasizes the role of a healthy organizational culture in recruitment and retention, and suggests using tools like theculturetool.com to assess and improve culture. In this conversation, Rob and William discuss the importance of organizational culture and employee satisfaction in the nonprofit sector. They explore the eight cultural values that shape behavior within an organization and how to assess and improve culture. They also discuss the impact of culture on employee retention and the need for organizations to adapt to the changing expectations of millennials and Gen Z. The conversation highlights the value of feedback and collaboration in creating a positive culture, as well as the importance of balancing professional development with organizational efficiency. 

Recruiting the right people at the right time is crucial for staff retention in nonprofits. Soft skills, or human-to-human skills, are essential for success in the nonprofit sector. Nonprofits should clearly articulate their mission and values to attract the right talent. A healthy organizational culture is key to recruitment and retention in nonprofits. Assessing and improving organizational culture is crucial for nonprofit organizations to create a healthy and effective work environment. Understanding the cultural values that shape behavior within an organization can help identify areas for improvement. Employee satisfaction and well-being are key factors in retaining staff, especially in a generation that values career mobility. Involving staff in the decision-making process and addressing their feedback can lead to a more engaged and committed workforce. Balancing professional development with organizational efficiency requires identifying the right timing and opportunities for growth. 

#FromTheArchives

In this episode of the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast, Dr. Rob Harter dives into the evolving staffing models within the nonprofit sector, spotlighting the rise of fractional executives. Our guest, Cindy Wagman, a seasoned fundraiser and author of the bestselling book Raise It, joins Rob to unpack what it means to hire a fractional leader and why more nonprofits are exploring this innovative approach. Cindy is also the host of two podcasts, Confessions with Jess and Cindy and Fracture, a private podcast for nonprofit fractional executives.

Cindy shares her journey from traditional consulting to pioneering the fractional executive model for nonprofits, illustrating how this model offers both strategic insight and hands-on implementation. Designed especially for small to mid-sized nonprofits, fractional executives offer expert-level leadership without the cost of a full-time hire. Whether you’re seeking support in fundraising, HR, marketing, or operations, Cindy breaks down the benefits, key indicators of readiness, and steps for integrating a fractional executive into your team.

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