The Nonprofit Show

American Nonprofit Academy
  • 0.0 (0)
  • SIN FINES DE LUCRO
  • CADA DÍA

The Nonprofit Show is the nation’s daily broadcast for the business side of nonprofits — bringing you practical insights, expert interviews, and real-world strategies to help your organization run smarter, lead stronger, and fund better. Each weekday, our co-hosts and guests break down the most current topics in fundraising, board governance, leadership, staffing, technology, communications, and financial strategy — giving nonprofit professionals the tools they need to build sustainable, high-performing organizations. With more than 1,400 episodes and growing, our on-demand library is a trusted resource for executive directors, team members, fundraisers, board members, and sector leaders who are ready to move beyond inspiration and into implementation. 🎥 Watch the daily show on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3A0Dqlw

  1. The Donor Retention Formula Every Nonprofit Needs

    HACE 1 DÍA

    The Donor Retention Formula Every Nonprofit Needs

    Send a text Donor retention is a measurable strategy, not just a fundraising hope. Plus, how to calculate donor retention for nonprofits.  On this episode of Fundraisers Friday, Julia Patrick and Tony Beall take on one of the most serious business challenges in the nonprofit sector: donor retention. Their conversation makes clear how fundraising success is not only about bringing in new names, it’s about keeping the people who have already said yes to your mission and building systems that help them stay connected. The discussion begins with a hard truth: average donor retention is far too low, and many organizations are not even measuring it consistently. Julia frames the issue in plain terms, calling it “a crisis,” while Tony brings context by showing how retention can vary by subsector. Faith-based groups and higher education may see stronger rates, while arts, culture, and human services organizations often face a steeper climb. That contrast alone reminds nonprofit leaders that benchmarking matters, but strategy matters even more. One of the most focused parts of their conversation is the simple donor retention formula. Julia makes the case that this number belongs in board meetings, CEO reports, and regular management conversations. Retention is not a side note. It is a core operating measure. As she puts it, “It should be present with everyone so that you know what is going on.” Tony then moves the conversation from math to management. He explains that donors leave for understandable reasons: delayed thanks, weak impact reporting, too many asks, and too little human connection. His line captures the heart of the episode: “We’re not talking about transactional fundraising. We’re talking about relationship-driven fundraising.” That idea turns donor retention from a development task into an organizational discipline. They also link retention to stewardship cost, long-term donor growth, monthly giving, and next-generation philanthropy. Monthly donors, in particular, are shown as a promising path for building a more stable base. Julia and Tony encourage leaders to study patterns, review donor journeys, and make practical choices with limited resources.  00:00:00 Welcome to Fundraisers Friday  00:02:31 Why Donor Retention Is a Nonprofit Crisis  00:03:14 Retention Rates by Nonprofit Sector  00:06:18 Why Donors Stop Giving  00:08:00 Relationship-Driven Fundraising Strategies  00:10:10 The Donor Retention Formula  00:12:44 Using Data to Find Donor Patterns  00:16:16 Why Keeping Donors Costs Less  00:20:20 The Business Value of Monthly Giving  00:23:07 Donor Journey and Strategy Shifts  00:25:07 Planning Beyond a Big Fundraising Year   #TheNonprofitShow #FundraisersFriday #DonorRetention Find us Live daily on YouTube! Find us Live daily on LinkedIn! Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_Show Our national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits! 12:30pm ET 11:30am CT 10:30am MT 9:30am PT Send us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.com Visit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

    30 min
  2. The Audit Roadmap Nonprofits Need: Tips Every Leader Should Know

    HACE 2 DÍAS

    The Audit Roadmap Nonprofits Need: Tips Every Leader Should Know

    Send a text Audits may make nonprofit leaders tense, but this discussion reframes the audit process as smart organizational practice rather than a yearly ordeal. Ben Stap of Your Part-Time Controller explains that a nonprofit audit is not simply a compliance exercise. It is an outside review that helps confirm financial accuracy, transparency, and proper use of funds so donors, grantmakers, and regulators can trust the organization’s stewardship. Ben makes the conversation approachable right away with a memorable comparison: “It’s like having a police car behind you while you’re driving.” That simple image captures why audits feel stressful even when an organization has done nothing wrong. From there, he shifts the focus from fear to preparation. His message is clear: nonprofits that treat every month like audit season are far better positioned when the real process begins. A major theme of the episode is audit readiness. Ben explains that many of the biggest audit problems come from issues that build up over time, including missed in-kind contributions, unclear treatment of restricted cash, revenue recognition confusion, stale footnotes, and unusual transactions that were never properly documented. His advice is practical: keep policies current, organize records all year, reconcile monthly, and review financial activity regularly so year-end does not become a scramble. One especially useful takeaway for nonprofits is that audits are not only about finance staff. He points to the value of internal communication across departments, especially when program teams, development staff, and finance professionals need to share information about grants, pledges, and restricted funding. He also offers a smart governance practice: have the board periodically review the vendor list to help prevent conflict-of-interest concerns and support stronger oversight. Another emphasized point is that nonprofits should decide what they want from an audit relationship. Some organizations need an audit firm that simply reviews and reports. Others need a partner who will answer questions during the year and help them think through complicated nonprofit accounting situations. As he puts it, “Proactive, overreactive is always a good way to go about it.”  00:00:00 Opening Discussion  00:01:19 Why Nonprofit Audits Matter  00:03:45 What Audit Ready Really Means  00:04:35 The Purpose of a Nonprofit Audit  00:06:13 Common Audit Pitfalls to Avoid  00:10:16 Documentation and the PBC List  00:13:15 Policies Procedures and Separation of Duties  00:16:28 Why Communication Drives Audit Success  00:21:05 Monthly Reconciliations and Year Round Prep  00:22:21 Audit Season Timing and Expectations  00:24:40 Turning Audits Into a Useful Tool  Find us Live daily on YouTube! Find us Live daily on LinkedIn! Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_Show Our national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits! 12:30pm ET 11:30am CT 10:30am MT 9:30am PT Send us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.com Visit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

    30 min
  3. Beyond the First Gift: How Smart Nonprofits Keep Donors Giving

    HACE 3 DÍAS

    Beyond the First Gift: How Smart Nonprofits Keep Donors Giving

    Send a text What happens after the first donation may matter even more than the donation itself! Lauren Laski, Manager of Customer Success at Bloomerang, talks about how nonprofit organizations can build stronger donor relationships, improve retention, and create more reliable revenue over time. Lauren brings both fundraising and technology experience to the conversation, and she offers a clear reminder that the first donation should never be treated as the finish line. Instead, it should be seen as the start of a longer relationship. Lauren explains the power of prompt gratitude. She shares that when a first-time donor is thanked within 48 hours, they are “four times more likely to make a second gift.” That one practice alone can completely change how a nonprofit approaches stewardship. The conversation, with host Julia Patrick, also moves into recurring giving, which Lauren describes as one of the strongest tools for long-term donor retention and revenue stability. With recurring donors retaining at a much higher rate, nonprofits can reduce the feast-or-famine cycle that often comes with event-based or year-end fundraising. For organizations trying to build predictable cash flow, this is a major business lesson, not just a fundraising tactic. Another highlight of the discussion is Lauren’s advice on donor segmentation. Rather than grouping supporters only by gift size, she encourages nonprofits to think about behavior, loyalty, interests, and motivations. That shift can help even smaller organizations communicate in more personal and effective ways. As Lauren says, “Even if you only have 200 donors, they’re not all the same.” The duo also talk about the 80 /20 communication rule, where most donor communication should focus on impact and connection rather than constant asking. That approach helps organizations move from transactional fundraising to relationship-centered fundraising, which is far more sustainable over time. Strong donor retention is built through thoughtful systems, timely communication, and habits that make supporters feel seen, valued, and connected to mission results. For nonprofit leaders who want to grow fundraising in a healthier and more strategic way, this conversation offers a terrific roadmap!  00:00:00 Welcome and episode introduction  00:01:48 Meet Lauren Laski from Bloomerang  00:03:16 Bloomerang’s AI tool Penny  00:05:28 The 48 hour gratitude rule  00:10:34 Why recurring giving is retention gold  00:13:40 Segmenting donors by behavior not just dollars  00:18:04 The 80 20 donor communication rule  00:20:49 How often major donors should hear from you  00:23:40 Aligning fundraising and marketing teams  00:27:14 Lauren’s GiveCon invitation and final takeaways  Find us Live daily on YouTube! Find us Live daily on LinkedIn! Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_Show Our national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits! 12:30pm ET 11:30am CT 10:30am MT 9:30am PT Send us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.com Visit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

    29 min
  4. Gen Z and the New Rules of Nonprofit Staffing and Leadership

    HACE 4 DÍAS

    Gen Z and the New Rules of Nonprofit Staffing and Leadership

    Send a text What happens when four generations share one nonprofit workplace, but each generation brings a completely different relationship to work, authority, technology, flexibility, and purpose? In this eye-opening conversation, Julia Patrick sits down with Katie Warnock of Staffing Boutique to explore one of the most consequential workforce shifts facing nonprofit leaders right now: the rise of Gen Z in the sector. Katie explains that this next-generation workforce is digital-first, mission-aware, highly collaborative, and deeply resistant to outdated systems and top-down leadership habits. For nonprofit organizations, that creates both friction and opportunity. If your internal operations are clunky, if your leadership style depends on “because that’s how we’ve always done it,” or if your organization cannot connect daily work to visible impact, younger talent may not stay long. As Katie puts it, “Mission alignment is huge.” This discussion goes far beyond stereotypes about younger workers. Instead, it frames the issue as a strategic business matter for nonprofits. Retention, recruitment, management structure, workplace flexibility, and leadership communication all come into play. Katie makes a powerful distinction between work-life balance and work-life integration, noting that younger workers are not willing to sacrifice mental health, fitness, hobbies, or autonomy for a job title. They want work to fit into life, not life to be consumed by work. The conversation also reaches into fundraising and donor behavior. Julia and Katie connect the workforce conversation to the next wave of philanthropic engagement, pointing out that younger donors often want proof, performance, and measurable outcomes rather than emotional appeals alone. Katie says it plainly: “They want to know the numbers before they launch a project.” That same instinct shows up in how they evaluate employers, missions, and charitable giving. For nonprofit executives, this episode is a call to rethink leadership assumptions. The next generation is not waiting to adapt to legacy culture. Organizations that want to attract talent, retain strong performers, and earn long-term donor trust will need to respond with sharper systems, better communication, real flexibility, and visible evidence of impact.  00:00:00 Welcome   00:02:00 Who Is the Next Generation Workforce  00:03:27 Digital First Expectations and Tech Credibility  00:05:04 Real Time Information and Leadership Tension  00:08:26 Mission Alignment as a Retention Strategy  00:10:08 Portfolio Careers and Work Life Integration  00:12:32 Group Projects Collaboration and Managing Directives  00:17:10 Flexibility Remote Work and Performance Expectations  00:20:39 Why In Office Roles Are Harder to Fill  00:24:18 Data Driven Thinking and Younger Donor Expectations  00:27:15 What Nonprofits Must Change to Reach Gen Z  #TheNonprofitShow #NonprofitStaffing #WorkforceStrategy Find us Live daily on YouTube! Find us Live daily on LinkedIn! Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_Show Our national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits! 12:30pm ET 11:30am CT 10:30am MT 9:30am PT Send us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.com Visit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

    29 min
  5. Nonprofit Board Trouble or Leadership Trouble? Executive Transitions Explained

    HACE 5 DÍAS

    Nonprofit Board Trouble or Leadership Trouble? Executive Transitions Explained

    Send a text Leadership transitions can either rattle a nonprofit or reset it for real success, and this conversation makes the case for why professional interim leadership can be one of the smartest business decisions a board makes.! Joan Brown, Chief Operating Officer of Third Sector Company, and professional interim executive Kevin Lynch walk through what really happens when an interim steps into an organization during a period of stress, uncertainty, or executive turnover. This discussion moves far beyond the idea that an interim is simply there to “hold things together.” Kevin makes it clear that the role is much bigger than that. A strong interim is assessing the organization, working closely with the board, identifying governance gaps, preparing the path for a future leader, and helping the organization become more stable and more attractive to top executive talent. Joan brings a powerful governance lens to the conversation, reminding viewers that effective interim work starts with alignment and honesty. She says, “You have to agree on where you are.” Before a board and executive can move forward together, they need a shared view of the organization’s reality, including finances, culture, board practices, staff morale, and priorities. Kevin also offers a practical look where nonprofit boards often stumble. He explains that many of the conditions that created problems for the prior executive will still exist for the interim unless expectations are reset early. That means boards must be willing to look at themselves, not just the staff or the previous CEO. Governance habits, budget assumptions, micromanagement, and bypassing the executive can all weaken the transition if left untouched. For boards, executives, and leadership teams, this learning session is a wake-up call and a roadmap. Interim leadership is not a stopgap. Done well, it is a strategic bridge to stronger governance, better hiring, and long-term organizational health. Find us Live daily on YouTube! Find us Live daily on LinkedIn! Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_Show Our national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits! 12:30pm ET 11:30am CT 10:30am MT 9:30am PT Send us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.com Visit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

    33 min
  6. Starting a Charity in Britain: Timeline, Legal Setup, and Governance Basics

    5 MAR

    Starting a Charity in Britain: Timeline, Legal Setup, and Governance Basics

    Send a text The Nonprofit Show launches its Global Edition with cohosts Julia C. Patrick and Matthew Murray (CEO, Expand PR / Expand Consultancy), taking listeners inside what it really looks like to start and operate a charity/NGO in the United Kingdom—and why global expansion is as much a business decision as it is a mission decision. Matthew opens with the on-the-ground reality that “every culture has its own nuances… laws and rules,” and that expanding beyond your home country requires leaders to respect local norms, donor behaviors, and governance expectations. The conversation quickly turns practical: Do Brits give? Matthew says yes—substantially—while noting economic pressures have shifted donor patterns. He also explains a key difference for revenue strategy: the UK doesn’t mirror U.S.-style donor tax deductions, but it does offer Gift Aid, where government adds funding to eligible donations. As Matthew describes it, “25 pence for every pound donated,” meaning a £100 gift can become £125 for the charity—an important lever for fundraising planning, messaging, and cash forecasting. On governance and transparency, the UK’s Charity Commission functions as a dedicated regulator for charities. Matthew emphasizes the public nature of filings and the reputational impact of being late or sloppy with reporting—because funders, partners, and major donors look. In the UK, board members are typically called trustees, are usually unpaid, and cannot be paid for the trustee role itself (though they may be compensated for a separate job). For organizations with global ambitions, Matthew shares a strategic advantage: non-UK residents can serve as trustees in Britain, which can simplify governance when launching a UK-based entity. The global discussion also contrasts donor culture. Matthew suggests UK donors may give differently than U.S. donors—often less driven by “momentary adrenaline” and more oriented toward longer-term loyalty—reinforcing the value of relationship, credibility, and consistency. Julia adds a caution for international leaders: expansion fails fast when it arrives with a “we’ll fix you” mindset. The Global Edition’s promise is clear: practical global learning that helps nonprofit executives expand responsibly, protect integrity, and build durable support across borders. #NonprofitBusiness #GlobalPhilanthropy #TheNonprofitShow Find us Live daily on YouTube! Find us Live daily on LinkedIn! Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_Show Our national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits! 12:30pm ET 11:30am CT 10:30am MT 9:30am PT Send us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.com Visit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

    31 min
  7. What A Nonprofit Board Chair Should Do!

    4 MAR

    What A Nonprofit Board Chair Should Do!

    Send a text Boards get plenty of attention in the nonprofit sector, but this lively conversation zooms in on the role that can make or break governance performance: the board chair.  Alisa Chatinsky, CEO of NPOSuccess.org, talks about what strong chair leadership really looks like—and why so many organizations treat the position like an honorific instead of a job with real operational and strategic responsibilities. Alisa shares that after decades in nonprofit leadership and nearly 14 years consulting and serving in interim roles, she stepped into board service again and was immediately asked to chair. That experience sparked a practical question: How many chairs are actually set up to succeed? Her conclusion is simple and business-minded: “Because when a board chair is strong, the board is strong and the organization is strong.” She explains that boards often “recruit” chairs by minimizing expectations, which leads to sloppy meeting execution, confused roles, and underused talent. The conversation becomes a working blueprint for better governance. Alisa outlines what effective chairs do: run meetings with purpose and time discipline, keep the board out of day-to-day management, build consensus, listen well, and handle conflict without letting it hijack the mission. She emphasizes governance infrastructure that supports decision-making: a governance calendar, clear expectations, job descriptions, consent agendas, dashboards, and space for generative discussions that move the organization forward. A standout lesson is the connection between life cycle stage and board behavior. As organizations mature, the board’s work must mature too—and that can mean changing how meetings operate and what board members are willing (or able) to contribute. Alisa also advocates for board mentoring and orientation that includes real business essentials (budget, program allocations, financial results), so members can represent the organization confidently in the community. As she puts it, “We reinvest our profits in our mission.” The episode closes with her “Five-Star Board Chair” master class concept, pairing training with coaching and a real board meeting evaluation—designed to build leadership capacity that improves governance, accountability, and long-term organizational strength. #BoardGovernance #NonprofitLeadership #TheNonprofitShow Find us Live daily on YouTube! Find us Live daily on LinkedIn! Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_Show Our national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits! 12:30pm ET 11:30am CT 10:30am MT 9:30am PT Send us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.com Visit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

    30 min
  8. Homegrown Unicorns: Putting the FUN in Major Fundraising

    2 MAR

    Homegrown Unicorns: Putting the FUN in Major Fundraising

    Send a text What happens when a nonprofit needs to raise eight figures fast… and decides to do it with unicorn horns, a donor “blessing,” and a whole lot of joy? We are joined by Brenda Goldsmith, Executive Director of the El Rio Foundation, the fundraising arm of El Rio Health, a federally qualified community health center (FQHC) in Tucson. Brenda walks us through the business model realities of community health centers—how they’re designed to keep people out of the hospital, how they serve patients “from birth to death,” and why fundraising looks different when many patients live at or below the federal poverty level. Then the conversation turns into a masterclass in campaign strategy and community education. El Rio needed to support a 91,000-square-foot integrated health center expansion—part of a $50 million community investment—without federal capital support. The foundation was asked to raise $10 million quickly, despite never having run a major capital effort at that scale. Instead of leading with heaviness, Brenda and her team built a campaign brand that made giving feel welcoming and social. The “Blessing Project” was born after a simple discovery: “Does anyone know what a herd of unicorns is called?… we Googled that and we found out a herd of unicorns is called a blessing.” From there, the foundation created a clear participation on-ramp: a $1,000 commitment for five years made you an “El Rio unicorn,” complete with a unicorn horn photo moment. Underneath the fun was serious execution: board and senior leadership made first commitments, the team held 100+ face-to-face meetings in roughly 70 days, offered multi-year giving options, used tours to teach donors what an FQHC really does, and engaged younger ambassadors through the El Rio Vecinos (ages 25–40). The results speak for themselves: a stretch goal raised, a revised goal, and a growing donor community that wanted to be part of something that made their neighbors healthier. Brenda says it best: “Make it fun, make it joyous—put the fun in fundraising.”  00:00:00 Welcome   00:02:18 El Rio Foundation at 25 years and why tenure matters in development  00:03:30 What a community health center is and how it differs from a hospital  00:06:00 Why FQHC fundraising is different and why tours matter  00:08:22 Board ambassadors and the El Rio Vecinos young professional arm  00:09:30 The Blessing Project begins a major expansion with a fast timeline  00:13:00 Unicorns as a campaign identity and the “blessing” discovery  00:15:35 Leadership and board commit first over $700K in early momentum  00:18:10 100+ face-to-face meetings and why multi-year gifts worked  00:23:10 Unlocking employee giving over $1M committed from staff  00:27:25 Campaign branding icon vocabulary momentum and joy  #TheNonprofitShow #FundraisingStrategy #CapitalCampaigns Find us Live daily on YouTube! Find us Live daily on LinkedIn! Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_Show Our national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits! 12:30pm ET 11:30am CT 10:30am MT 9:30am PT Send us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.com Visit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

    30 min
Ver todo (963)

Acerca de

The Nonprofit Show is the nation’s daily broadcast for the business side of nonprofits — bringing you practical insights, expert interviews, and real-world strategies to help your organization run smarter, lead stronger, and fund better. Each weekday, our co-hosts and guests break down the most current topics in fundraising, board governance, leadership, staffing, technology, communications, and financial strategy — giving nonprofit professionals the tools they need to build sustainable, high-performing organizations. With more than 1,400 episodes and growing, our on-demand library is a trusted resource for executive directors, team members, fundraisers, board members, and sector leaders who are ready to move beyond inspiration and into implementation. 🎥 Watch the daily show on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3A0Dqlw

Información

  • Creador
    American Nonprofit Academy
  • Años de actividad
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodios
    963
  • Clasificación
    Apto
  • Copyright
    © 2026 American Nonprofit Academy
  • Mostrar sitio web
    The Nonprofit Show