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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In this episode of the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast, host Rob Harter sits down with Ben Sand, CEO of The Contingent, a nonprofit that’s revolutionizing the foster care system through innovative applications of data and technology. With a heart for foster children and firsthand experience as a foster parent, Ben shares how his organization is tackling the critical shortage of foster homes across the U.S. by leveraging targeted outreach and AI-driven solutions. The Contingent’s signature initiative, Every Child, began in Oregon and has expanded nationally, offering a powerful model of how community engagement and smart tech can solve complex social challenges.

Ben dives deep into how The Contingent uses research, data analysis, and digital marketing to identify and mobilize prospective foster families. Their work in states like Oregon, Arkansas, and Tennessee showcases the importance of culturally relevant messaging and region-specific strategies. If you’re a nonprofit leader wondering how to integrate tech into your mission-driven work, this episode is packed with insights and actionable strategies.

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Safe water. While most of us have access to it, there are millions across the world who do not. There are approximately 700 million people, all over the world, who do not have access to safe water or sanitation. Rob’s guest, Vedika Bhandarkar, describes a unique and effective strategy for getting more clean water to those in need.

Vedika is the Chief Operating Officer at Water.org. This global nonprofit organization works to bring safe water and sanitation to the world through affordable financing, such as small loans.

Vedika describes how co-founders Matt Damon and Gary White started Water.org. She explains that the organization is focused on helping those in need get access to affordable capital to pay for safe water systems. Vedika describes the negative impact of not having enough safe water, on an individual scale as well as on the global scale. She explains why a lack of financing plays such a crucial role in this issue, and how Water.org has increased their efforts in this area. In the last four years, Water.org has scaled from helping 16 million people worldwide, to now reaching 60 million people. Vedika shares exactly what the organization did to scale so fast, in such a short span of time. Finally, she reminds us of the worldwide benefits if more people had access to safe water, and believes this issue is solvable in our lifetime.

#FromTheArchives

Website:

https://water.org/
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Donorbox

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