The Nonprofit Edge: Kyle Houlton on Preparing Leaders Before They Manage People**

Too many nonprofit professionals find themselves placed into management roles without the training, support, or preparation they need to succeed. In this episode of The Nonprofit Edge, Chris Looney sits down with Kyle Houlton, CEO of Covenant Philanthropic Solutions, to unpack why this continues to happen and how organizations can change the pattern.

Kyle reflects on the experiences that shaped his leadership philosophy and explains why people management is a completely different discipline from being an individual contributor. The episode dives into core leadership competencies, overlooked risks, the value of early equipping, and the training models that help rising leaders succeed.

Listeners will come away with a clear and practical set of ideas for improving leadership development inside their organizations.

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A helpful and hopeful conversation for anyone committed to building stronger teams and healthier organizations.

In this episode of The Nonprofit Edge, Chris Looney welcomes Howard Pearl, CEO of CARS, a nonprofit social enterprise that supports nearly 11,000 organizations nationwide through vehicle, real estate, and asset donation programs.

Howard shares how his career evolved from entrepreneurship and global business leadership into nonprofit management, and how CARS became a mission-aligned enterprise designed to help other nonprofits thrive. The discussion explores revenue diversification, high-ROI fundraising models, operational efficiency, and the importance of technology and automation in scaling impact.

Listeners will also hear Howard’s candid perspective on why nonprofits should embrace enterprise thinking, overcome discomfort around revenue generation, and invest in systems that support long-term sustainability.

A practical and thought-provoking conversation for nonprofit leaders focused on growth, innovation, and financial resilience.

Choosing the right investment advisor is one of the most important and least understood decisions nonprofit leaders face. In this episode of The Nonprofit Edge, host Chris Looney is joined by Michael Skillman, Partner and Senior Wealth Advisor at Beacon Pointe Advisors, to break down how nonprofits can lead a smart, confident investment counsel search without needing to be investment experts. Michael walks listeners through what to do before, during, and after an advisor search, with a focus on clarity, governance, and long-term mission protection rather than chasing short-term performance. This conversation is especially helpful for executive directors, CEOs, and senior nonprofit leaders with limited investment background who want to make sound decisions and avoid common pitfalls. Key Takeaways • Why most nonprofits react to investment searches instead of planning them • How to clarify the role investments play in supporting mission outcomes • The importance of defining success beyond just returns • Why governance and investment policy matter more than hiring a big-name firm • What questions to ask advisors and what red flags to avoid • What a healthy, long-term advisor relationship should look like 🎧 Listen to remember this simple truth: you do not need to be an investment professional to lead this process well.

Mergers & Acquisitions in the Nonprofit Sector: A Conversation with Tim Davis of Glick Davis & Associates In this episode of The Nonprofit Edge, host Chris Looney sits down with Tim Davis, President of Glick Davis & Associates, to explore one of the most misunderstood and transformative topics in nonprofit leadership: mergers and acquisitions. Tim draws on more than two decades of experience helping organizations navigate complex transitions with both strategy and humanity. Together, Chris and Tim unpack: Why mergers and alliances are becoming more common across the nonprofit landscape How leaders can tell the difference between a short-term financial fix and a true long-term strategy The human side of mergers—trust, culture, and communication What a well-run merger process really looks like, from early conversations to board approval and implementation How partnerships can preserve mission, protect staff, and expand community impact Whether you’re leading a nonprofit that’s thriving, struggling, or simply evolving, this episode will help you think differently about collaboration, sustainability, and the future of impact. 🎧 Subscribe to The Nonprofit Edge wherever you get your podcasts. 💡 If conversations like this help you lead better, connect with the community shaping the future of the sector at Fulcrum Nonprofit Leadership.

In this episode of The Nonprofit Edge, host Chris Looney sits down with Chad Paris, CEO and Creative Director of Parisleaf, to unpack one of the most misunderstood elements of major fundraising efforts: campaign communications.

Whether your organization is planning a billion-dollar university campaign, a hospital expansion, or a large-scale nonprofit initiative, how you tell your story matters. Chad shares how powerful communications can unify people around a common vision, inspire donor confidence, and transform campaigns from transactional to transformational.

Together, Chris and Chad explore:

Why campaign communications are the heartbeat of a successful fundraising effort

How to integrate communications early in campaign planning—ideally during readiness and feasibility studies

The value of co-creation and collaboration between fundraising counsel and creative partners

How to balance institutional and campaign branding for consistency and inspiration

The power of authentic storytelling that connects the head and the heart

Strategies to maintain momentum and keep communications fresh through long campaigns

How AI and new tools are shaping the future of nonprofit storytelling

This is a must-listen for nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, and communicators preparing to launch or strengthen a major campaign.

🎧 Listen now to learn how to build alignment, spark emotion, and tell the story that will move your donors to act.

The Nonprofit Edge: Growth Mindset, Culture, and Team Alignment with Stuart Wachs

In this episode of The Nonprofit Edge, host Chris Looney sits down with Stuart Wachs, Founder and CEO of Impact Group, to explore what it truly takes to lead and grow a thriving nonprofit in today’s complex environment.

Stuart shares insights on cultivating a growth mindset, building a strong organizational culture, and aligning teams around a shared vision of impact. Drawing from his experience leading large nonprofit organizations and advising executive teams across the country, Stuart offers practical strategies for balancing mission with operational excellence — treating a nonprofit like a business without losing sight of purpose.

Tune in to learn how mindset, culture, and alignment can transform not just your organization’s results, but the experience of everyone who’s part of it.

🎧 Listen now to gain actionable leadership lessons and inspiration for your own journey in nonprofit leadership.

Episode Title: Gift Planning vs. Planned Giving: Shifting from Transactions to Transformations with Dave Smith of Heaton Smith Group

In this episode of The Nonprofit Edge, host Chris Looney sits down with Dave Smith, President and CEO of the Heaton Smith Group, to unpack the critical difference between planned gifts and gift planning. While many organizations focus on securing specific instruments like bequests or trusts, Dave explains why the real opportunity lies in gift planning—a donor-centered process that aligns philanthropic intent with financial and estate goals.

Listeners will learn how to move beyond transactional fundraising to build deeper, values-driven relationships that result in more meaningful and sustainable support. Dave shares practical strategies for starting the conversation, integrating planned giving into your overall development approach, and cultivating legacy donors who give with both purpose and confidence.

If your nonprofit wants to strengthen long-term donor relationships and unlock transformational gifts, this episode offers insights you can immediately apply.

In this episode of The Nonprofit Edge, I’m joined by Neil Shah, Founder of Altruva.ai and a seasoned nonprofit CFO who has partnered with more than 100 organizations across the sector. Neil blends deep financial expertise with a forward-thinking approach to technology—helping nonprofits harness AI to make smarter financial decisions, improve efficiency, and stay mission-focused in a rapidly changing world. 💡 In this episode, Neil shares: ✅ Where to start with AI in your finance function ✅ Common pitfalls to avoid ✅ How CEOs can prepare their teams for an AI-driven future ✅ Why leadership mindset and culture matter more than ever If you’ve been wondering what AI really means for nonprofit finance, this conversation will give you a clear, practical roadmap. 🎧 Tune in for “AI and the Future of Nonprofit Finance: What Every CEO Needs to Know” #NonprofitLeadership #Finance #ArtificialIntelligence #Innovation #NonprofitEdgePodcast #FulcrumLeadership

Today on the Nonprofit Edge Podcast, we welcome Jeffrey R. Wilcox, CEO of Third Sector Company and Founder of the Interim Executives Academy. Jeffrey is a nationally recognized expert in nonprofit leadership transitions and the art of interim executive management. Through his work, he has guided countless organizations through critical periods of change, helping them not only bridge leadership gaps but also emerge stronger and more strategically aligned. His insights into interim leadership, governance, and development management have shaped the field and inspired leaders across the sector. This conversation is a master class on why and when organizations need interim leadership, what makes a leader successful in that role, and why it's important to consider interim leadership at the appropriate moments to move a nonprofit forward in new and exciting ways.

Welcome to The Nonprofit Edge: A Podcast to Promote Purpose in Practice. Each week The Nonprofit Edge features an extraordinary individual that provides valuable and impactful services, helping to transform the capabilities of their nonprofit clients. Join us as we explore a variety of topics, all vital to the success of nonprofit organizations. Learn and grow from the experience and expertise of our featured guests. Today on The Nonprofit Edge Podcast, we’re joined by Jeff Kliewer, founder of Viewspark—a platform helping nonprofits engage with their donors and supporters in more meaningful, personalized, and lasting ways. Jeff brings years of experience at the intersection of technology and philanthropy, and he’s passionate about equipping nonprofits with the right tools to deepen relationships, spark authentic engagement, and ultimately drive more impact. His work with Viewspark focuses on reimagining how organizations move beyond transactions and into truly transformative donor relationships. Fulcrum Nonprofit Leadership, the producer of this webinar series, exists to raise up the most effective nonprofit leaders and we invite you to learn more by visiting us on the web at www.fulcrumleader.com.