  Nonprofit leaders often ask me whether their nonprofit is ready to start the strategic planning process. That's why I am sharing the 6 indicators we use to determine if a nonprofit is not only ready to start a planning process, but also whether they have the ability to successfully implement the finished plan.  And don’t forget to take our quiz to determine if you and your organization are ready to start planning  Quiz: Is Your Nonprofit Primed for Strategic Planning?

6 Signs Your Nonprofit is Ready for Strategic Planning

With over half-a-million downloads, the Successful Nonprofits Podcast  shares insights, tools, and tips to help you and your nonprofit thrive.  Our incredible content is the reason we're ranked in the top 2% of podcasts globally. 

Each week, Dolph interviews nonprofit experts and leaders who share their experiences and wisdom on a wide range of topics relevant to the nonprofit sector. From fundraising and board development to leadership and strategic planning, and more!

We also offer shorter Bonus Break episodes you can listen to while taking a tea break – and get the added bonus of making you and your nonprofit stronger. These Bonus Breaks are solo episodes, where Dolph shares hard-learned (sometimes painfully learned) lessons from his 3 decades in the sector. And he often create worksheets and templates that accompany the bonus breaks.

The podcast is hosted by Dolph Goldenburg, a consultant, coach, and confidant to nonprofit leaders across the nation.

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As a nonprofit leader, you navigate the complexities of managing time, resources, staff, and your board. Today’s guest, Huggy Rao, wants you to create friction within your organization that makes the right things easier and the wrong things harder. Huggy and Dolph dive into practical strategies for reducing 'bad friction' that wastes time and energy, while advocating for 'good friction' that fosters deliberation and educated decisions. This episode is a must-listen for nonprofit executives seeking actionable advice on enhancing organizational efficiency and culture. Huggy Rao is co-author of  the best-selling book “The Friction Project: How Smart Leaders Make the Right Things Easier and the Wrong Things Harder,” and other best-selling books. And as a distinguished professor at Stanford Business School, Huggy has also authored “Scaling Up for Excellence” and “Market Rebels.”  This episode answers the following questions:  What is 'bad friction' and how can it be identified and removed? How does 'good friction' benefit an organization? What are the impacts of time poverty and addition bias on organizational efficiency? How can nonprofit leaders effectively manage both types of friction? What simple steps can be taken to make work easier?  Links mentioned in this episode:   Huggy’s Website Friction Project’s Co-Author  Buy the book The Friction Project   Huggy’s LinkedIn Page   Looking for more? Check out these amazing episodes:   Ep 180: Creating a Strong Back Office with Sean Hale [Apple Podcasts,  Spotify, or our website with show notes]  Ep 277: Make the Most of Your Time with Shanice Miller [Apple Podcasts,  Spotify, or our website with show notes) 

Making Work Easier with Huggy Rao

My friend, colleague, and fellow podcaster Tony Martignetti was in the Atlanta area and stopped by to record this incredible episode about planned giving.  Since my podcast studio is super-small, we recorded this week’s episode at my dining room table. (And I’d bet many of the best conversations with your planned giving prospects might happen at their dining room table.)  Together, we explore planned giving’s transformative power to help your organization achieve sustainable funding.  Pull up a chair and get ready to learn why and how your organization should launch a planned giving program.  With years of experience and a passion for helping nonprofits build sustainable funding, Tony offers invaluable insights, practical advice, and inspirational stories that empower organizations to embrace planned giving.  This conversation goes beyond the basics, discussing innovative approaches, common misconceptions, and actionable strategies for making planned giving a cornerstone of your fundraising efforts. Whether you're new to planned giving or looking to enhance your current planned giving efforts, this episode is a must-listen for executive directors and development directors dedicated to making a lasting impact.  This episode answers the following questions:  Should my organization have a planned giving fundraising program? (Yes!) How do I start a planned giving program? When is a donor too old to be solicited for a planned gift in their will?  Should I ask my donors under 60 about planned giving? How do I overcome my board or staff objections to starting a planned giving program?    Links mentioned in this episode:  Planned Giving Accelerator   Tony Martignetti’s Website    Looking for more? Check out this amazing episode:    Ep 157: Generosity Post-Mortem: Legacy Giving with Lori Kranczer (Apple | Spotify | Our Home Page) 

Planned Giving: Your Nonprofit’s Guide to Big Impact with Tony Martignetti

Whether you're grappling with salary negotiations, seeking to enhance donor engagement, or aiming to motivate your team more effectively, Uri's expert analysis provides actionable advice tailored for the unique challenges you face as nonprofit leaders. In this episode, renowned behavioral economist Uri Gneezy and our podcast host Dolph Goldenburg explore the world of incentives and their profound implications for nonprofit leaders. We dive into Gneezy's groundbreaking book, "Mixed Signals – How Incentives Really Work" and uncover the often-overlooked complexities of incentive strategies within the nonprofit sector. From dismantling the overhead myth to harnessing the power of pro-social incentives and understanding the unintended consequences of well-meaning initiatives, this episode offers a treasure trove of insights. This episode answers the following questions:  How do incentives impact nonprofit management? What are the most effective incentives for fundraising and donor engagement? What is the overhead myth, and how can my nonprofit navigate it? How can I effectively use incentives to motivate staff and volunteers? What is the best way to negotiate my salary?  Links mentioned in this episode:   Mixed Signals: How Incentives Really Work   Looking for more? Check out these amazing episodes:  Ep 302: Maximize Your Employee Engagement and Retention with Rob Woronoff (Apple | Spotify |  Our Home Page) Ep 307: Empower Your Team: Unleashing Leadership Potential with Luis Velasquez & Kristin Gleitsman (Apple | Spotify |  Our Home Page) 

Beyond Money: Incentives That Work with Uri Gneezy

In this transformative conversation with Bobby Herrera, author of "The Gift of Struggle," Bobby shares his journey from growing up in a large family where struggle was a constant companion, to becoming a leader who views every challenge as an opportunity to grow. Through personal anecdotes and profound insights, Bobby explores how struggles can be our most valuable teachers, guiding us towards empathy, leadership, and success. He helps us discover the profound impact of embracing struggle, not as a burden, but as a gift that shapes our character and destiny. In this episode, Bobby also delves into his leadership philosophy, illustrating through his life's work and stories how one act of kindness can set off a ripple effect, transforming not just individual lives but entire communities. Whether you're a leader seeking to inspire your team, or a single contributor navigating the ups and downs of life, this episode is packed wisdom on turning adversity into advantage. This episode answers the following questions:  How can personal struggles serve as a catalyst for leadership growth? What role does empathy play in leadership? How can leaders foster a culture of giving within their organizations? How can I build resilience? What should I do when a key employee leaves?  Links mentioned in this episode:  Populus Group  Bobby’s Website  The Gift of Struggle   Looking for more? Check out these amazing episodes:  Bonus Break #34: Ten Toxic Trump Traits Every Leader and Manager Should Avoid (Apple Podcast | Spotify | Our Home Page) Ep 169: The Ripple Effect with Natasha Wallace (Apple Podcast |  Spotify | Our Home Page) 

Transforming Struggles into Strengths with Bobby Herrera

Russ Finkelstein is a seasoned career coach, social entrepreneur, and advisor to founding executive directors. Together we dive deep into the fears that hold leaders back, the importance of authenticity, and the courage required to lead impactful organizations. Whether you're a new executive director, a seasoned founder, or someone passionate about making a difference in the nonprofit sector, Russ's advice is both practical and profound, offering a roadmap to leadership that's not only effective but deeply fulfilling.  This conversation is a must-listen for anyone looking to inspire change, overcome challenges, and lead with authenticity.   This episode answers the following questions:  How can leaders overcome fear and embrace courage in their roles? What does it mean to lead authentically in the nonprofit sector? How can founders and executive directors set realistic and impactful goals? What strategies can help nonprofit leaders navigate challenges and inspire change?   Links mentioned in this episode:   Russ’ LinkedIn    Looking for more? Check out these other amazing episodes:   Coaching for Nonprofit Leaders with Deb Stallings (Our Home Page)   Navigating Nonprofit Leadership Transitions with Dhivya O'Connor (Apple |  Spotify |  Our Home Page) 

6 Signs Your Nonprofit is Ready for Strategic Planning

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