Nonprofits Are Messy: Lessons in Leadership | Fundraising | Board Development | Communications

Joan Garry
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Nonprofits Are Messy: Lessons in Leadership | Fundraising | Board Development | Communications

Hosted by Joan Garry, the “Dear Abby” of the nonprofit world, Nonprofits Are Messy is a discussion of the most pressing issues faced by nonprofit leadership. Joan and her guests tackle topics like the overhead myth, the best way to run special events, how to make a big fundraising ask, board-staff relations, and so much more. At times hilarious, uplifting, and frustrating, the stories told in this podcast should feel very familiar to anybody working in a nonprofit today. Topics include fundraising, leadership development, building a great board, Executive Director / Board relations, communications and messaging, staff management, nonprofit career advice, crisis management, digital marketing, social media, and so much more. Listen to real stories of nonprofit leaders like you and how they handled the mess. Because the truth is, nonprofits ARE messy. There’s not enough money, too many cooks, and an abundance of passion. Leading nonprofits isn’t easy. This podcast will help.

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    Ep 215: The Worst Headline Just Hit The New York Times. Now What? (with Seth Chalmer)

    Seth Chalmer’s insights on crisis management will help you navigate today’s challenging social landscape as a nonprofit leader. This conversation gives tools to spark valuable conversations that can create clarity and confidence the next time your organization faces a hot-button topic and needs to respond.

    48 min

  2. 26 OCT

    Ep 214: Productive Conversations in Polarizing Conflicts (with Parisa Parsa)

    Nonprofit Leadership Lab CEO, Glennda Testone, and Parisa Parsa explore how nonprofit leaders can have productive conversations amidst polarization and division. Parisa shares practical strategies for addressing power dynamics and leading productive conversations across differences.

    49 min

  3. 12 OCT

    Ep 213: Racial Dynamics in Nonprofit Fundraising (with Mikaela Levons + Jamila Hodge)

    Jamila Hodge and Mikaela Levons from Equal Justice USA join the podcast to discuss the challenges and strengths of fundraisers of color. We explore how race, white supremacy power dynamics, and lived experiences shape their approach to fundraising and leadership.

    57 min

  4. 28 SEPT

    Ep 212: Street Cred, Trust Capital, and Impact-Focused Fundraising (with Michael Thatcher)

    I sat down with Michael Thatcher, CEO of Charity Navigator, to explore how nonprofits can use data to build trust with donors and move beyond the outdated focus on overhead. Michael shared valuable insights on how nonprofits can better engage donors, make the right asks, and thrive in today’s challenging giving environment.

    54 min

  5. 14 SEPT

    Ep. 211 The Maverick Marketing Approach (with Seth Godin)

    Seth Godin, the marketing GOAT, shares a fresh, transformative approach to nonprofit marketing. He reveals how understanding and aligning with your donors' emotions can significantly enhance your strategy.

    45 min

  6. 31 AUG

    Ep 210: Scaling Social Impact: Strategies for the Small Nonprofit (with Scott Curran)

    One-third of all nonprofits fail within 10 years, and 30% of the 1.5 million nonprofits in the U.S. have budgets under $100,000, putting them at significant risk of failure. To address this challenge, Scott Curran, CEO of Beyond Advisors, shares his expertise on how growth-stage social impact enterprises can strengthen their core, define their unique value, and strategically scale. This episode offers nonprofit leaders practical advice to ensure long-term sustainability and maximize their impact.

    51 min

  7. 17 AUG

    Ep 209: Finding the Courage to Say No with Glennda Testone

    In this episode, Glennda Testone and I dive into real-life scenarios where we've had to make tough decisions and say no. Our intimate conversation offers practical tips on navigating common leadership challenges with confidence and diplomacy.

    50 min

  8. 3 AUG

    Ep 208: Bring Back the Joy of Giving (with Allison Fine)

    Allison Fine and I discuss the need to transform nonprofit fundraising from a transactional to a relational model, leverage technology to build meaningful donor relationships, and create a more sustainable and joyful fundraising environment.

    43 min
See All (218)

About

Hosted by Joan Garry, the “Dear Abby” of the nonprofit world, Nonprofits Are Messy is a discussion of the most pressing issues faced by nonprofit leadership. Joan and her guests tackle topics like the overhead myth, the best way to run special events, how to make a big fundraising ask, board-staff relations, and so much more. At times hilarious, uplifting, and frustrating, the stories told in this podcast should feel very familiar to anybody working in a nonprofit today. Topics include fundraising, leadership development, building a great board, Executive Director / Board relations, communications and messaging, staff management, nonprofit career advice, crisis management, digital marketing, social media, and so much more. Listen to real stories of nonprofit leaders like you and how they handled the mess. Because the truth is, nonprofits ARE messy. There’s not enough money, too many cooks, and an abundance of passion. Leading nonprofits isn’t easy. This podcast will help.

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