The Practice of Nonprofit Leadership Tim Barnes and Nathan Ruby

In this episode, we dive into four simple questions you can ask yourself to determine if your organization is ready to consider a capital campaign.


Project: Do I have a project that aligns with the reasons people donate: to save or transform lives? We touch on common project types, including new construction, renovations, and expensive equipment purchases.

Donors: Do I have the right donors needed based on campaign goals? We provide a simple breakdown using a $100,000 campaign as an example, and discuss the need for lead gifts, and how many donors you might need at different giving levels.

Leadership: Do I have the right leadership needed to be successful? With a focus on the time commitment required from the Executive Director and the need for a dedicated campaign cabinet. The role of a campaign consultant and the challenges of a DIY approach for first-time campaign leaders are also discussed.

Infrastructure: Do I have the organizational infrastructure needed to be a campaign home? Lastly, we discuss the necessary infrastructure for a successful campaign, including administrative support, a donor database, and the identification of potential lead donors.

Is your organization ready to even consider a capital campaign? If the answers to all four of these questions are yes, then you are in good shape to go to the next step in considering a capital campaign.
Support the Show.
The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:

Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR)

Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH)

They can be reached at info@practicenpleader.com

All opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.

As a small to medium nonprofit with a small budget, it seems like a good call to try to do things yourself or with the help of volunteers. But are there areas where it actually makes more sense and provides even better value, to hire a professional?  We would say most definitely.

One of those areas is nonprofit finances.  On today's episode, Tim and Nathan discuss some places where seeking financial expertise is wise.  Some those places are:

- Financial Reporting
- Tax Preparation
- Internal Controls
- Budgeting and Forecasting
- Strategic Planning


A small nonprofit may not be able to hire a financial employee but they might be able to hire a contractor or a third party firm to provide help and insights.  In any case, this is one area where it is worth investing in expertise for the good of the long term health of the organization.
Support the Show.
The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:

Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR)

Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH)

They can be reached at info@practicenpleader.com

All opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.

Ever find yourself intrigued by the potential of artificial intelligence to transform the way we connect with donors and enhance our fundraising efforts? 

In this episode, Nathan discusses three ways that AI can help improve fundraising efforts:


Automate Everyday Tasks: AI is all about simplifying tasks, not complicating them. For instance, using the voice assistant on your phone (like Siri) to set reminders or send messages to donors can save you valuable time. This is a simple yet effective use of AI that doesn't cost anything extra.

Rough Draft Writing: AI can be used to create rough drafts of appeal letters, emails, and other correspondences. However, it's essential to remember that AI outputs should only be used as a starting point. Tone and voice differ greatly among individuals, so you need to review and adjust the drafts to ensure they align with your unique style.

Creating Presentations: AI can be a great help when creating presentations, especially for small teams. With AI, you can produce a basic layout and content for your presentation, saving you time and frustration. However, AI lacks the ability to introduce a personal touch or create a connection with your audience, so you will need to incorporate these elements yourself.

Remember, while AI can be a powerful tool, it's essential to use it wisely and factor in its limitations.
Support the Show.
The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:

Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR)

Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH)

They can be reached at info@practicenpleader.com

All opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.

Whether it’s in person, on line, or someone driving into your parking lot. People make a decision about you and your organization in mere seconds. If they have a negative impression of you or the organization it is incredibly difficult to change their mind later. First impressions matter. 

In today's episode, Nathan discussed the importance of making a good first impression that can lead to success in your nonprofit organization.  Looking at three areas...your physical location, your online presence, and your personal presence...Nathan provides tips and ideas for making a better impression.

If you are interested in joining The Practice Community, click the link below.
Support the Show.
The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:

Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR)

Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH)

They can be reached at info@practicenpleader.com

All opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.

On this episode, Tim and Nathan chat about the best ways small nonprofits can leverage online giving.   Some of the tips that they share are:

- How to make your donation button impossible to miss and super easy to use. 
- The importance of a seamless, secure payment process. 
-  Why it's crucial to ensure your donation page is mobile-friendly. 
 - How to identify and reach your audience, the power of visuals, and why consistency is
    key. 

If you are interested in joining The Practice Community, click the link below.



Support the Show.
The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:

Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR)

Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH)

They can be reached at info@practicenpleader.com

All opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.

Effective leaders aren't always perfect leaders.  What often makes them effective is that they take action consistently and with commitment.  No matter whether your organization is big or small, consistent action is the key.

On today's episode, Tim identifies 5 key actions that every nonprofit executive director should be taking that results in effective and impactful leadership.  Those actions include:

- Foster a Strong Vision
- Embrace Learning
- Build Strong Relationships
- Promote Transparency
- Practice Resilience

Being an effective leader is not about being perfect but rather continuing to grow, building strong relationships, and exercising resilience.  

If you are interested in joining the Practice Community, click on the link below.
Support the Show.
The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:

Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR)

Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH)

They can be reached at info@practicenpleader.com

All opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.