Nonprofit411 Podcast

Nonprofit411
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The podcast for nonprofit professionals who love the mission and are still figuring out the rest. You care about the mission. You're also the one holding a dozen jobs at once, the fundraising, the board, the programs, the staffing, the wondering where next quarter's money comes from. This show is for you. Every episode brings in people who've done the work, and the thinkers who shape it. Nonprofit leaders and specialists, plus voices from the wider world of leadership and purpose, who can tell you what really worked. Real conversations, real help. What works, what doesn't, and what might be a good next try. Listen on your commute or your lunch break, and leave with one thing you can use. New episodes every week. Listen wherever you get your podcasts

  1. 3d ago

    Burnout Isn't Inevitable with Abbey Harlow | Nonprofit411 Podcast

    Abbey Harlow works with rural nonprofits, and she'll tell you burnout isn't a personal failing. Abbey Harlow founded Harlow Nonprofit Consulting in 2022, after twenty years in nonprofit strategy, fundraising, and facilitation. She came in sideways: music venues, a semester interning at a Smithsonian museum, then fundraising jobs at museums and performing arts organizations. She works from rural Vermont, where she grew up and lives now, and she helps stretched teams move out of survival mode. Abbey walks through an exercise she runs with rural leaders. Write down everything you did in the last week. Sort each item into one of four quadrants: urgent and important, urgent but not important, and so on. Then look at what surprised you, and which quadrant took more of your week than you meant to give it. The last question is the one that does the work: what could you have delegated, and if there's nobody to delegate to, what could you have not done, and how would that have felt? Most of us keep carrying tasks because we assume something bad happens if we stop. Naming the task makes that assumption testable. If the only advice you've been given about burnout is to take better care of yourself, this conversation offers a different place to look. In this episode: The three things rural leaders named when Abbey surveyed them: funding, isolation, and burnoutWhy the burnout conversation starts with a sector-wide belief about mission work, not with the individualThe four-quadrant exercise she runs with leaders, and the question at the end of it A few ideas to apply at your nonprofit: Write down everything you did last week and sort it by urgent and important. Look for the quadrant that took more of your week than you meant to give it.Pick one task you've been carrying and ask what would actually happen if it didn't get done. Test that assumption before you keep paying for it.Try one micro boundary. One leader Abbey works with stopped answering email the minute it arrived, and found that some things resolved without her. Resources Mentioned Connect with Abbey Harlow Nonprofit Consulting: https://www.harlownonprofitconsulting.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harlownonprofitconsultingRural Nonprofit Leader Summit: https://www.harlownonprofitconsulting.com/rural-nonprofit-leader-summit Connect with Sarah Nonprofit411: https://www.nonprofit411.orgLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nonprofit411The Generosity Roadmap for Nonprofits, a free class to explore the systems that keep community at the heart of fundraising: https://nonprofit411.org/generosity_mapChapters 00:00 Introduction09:47 Funding, isolation, burnout11:57 Squeezing water from dry sponges19:22 Burnout starts with the system20:49 The four-quadrant exercise29:23 What every rural leader should know

    Burnout Isn't Inevitable with Abbey Harlow | Nonprofit411 Podcast

  2. Sep 11

    Kind Persuasion: Madeleine Nance on Asking Without the Ick

    Kind Persuasion — with Madeleine Nance Your supporters have already told you why they give. Most organizations let it evaporate. Madeleine Nance has spent seventeen years in the nonprofit sector. She started in-house in Australia as a development director, working inside three organizations that ranged from an animal shelter to one of the country's largest national charities. She then spent seven years as a fundraising copywriting specialist, and now runs Kind Word, where the work is mostly strategy and training. She joins Sarah to explain where fundraising copy actually starts: not with words, but with the person who is going to read them. She walks through a real example. A woman being interviewed for an animal organization mentioned, almost in passing, that she keeps old towels in the back of her car, just in case she comes across an injured animal that needs help. That one sentence tells you more about who gives to that cause than any donor persona ever will. Put it in an appeal, and the next supporter reads it and recognizes herself. If your appeals sound like everyone else's, this episode explains why, and what to do about it. In this episode: The name cover test, a five-minute check on whether your copy sounds like anyone at allThe four steps of Kind Persuasion: I care, I feel this, I trust you with this, I'm inThe one phrase to listen for in every supporter conversationWhy demographic personas miss what actually moves peopleHow to reframe the ask so it stops feeling like a favor you're begging forA few ideas to apply at your nonprofit: Cover your logo and read your last appeal cold. If a stranger couldn't name your cause, the words aren't working yet.Start a spreadsheet. Every time a supporter tells you why they give, write down their exact words. In a few months you'll hold language more persuasive than anything you'd draft alone.Listen for "I'm the kind of person who…" Everything that comes after it is usable.Open donor interviews with easy yes-or-no questions, then follow with "tell me more." People warm up as they go.Decide what feeling you're after before you write, whether that's warmth, outrage, or heartbreak, then build toward it on purpose.Resources Mentioned Connect with Madeleine Kind Word: https://kindwordreview.comJoin Madeleine's newsletter where she shares Kind Persuasion strategies for cause leaders: https://resources.kindwordreview.com/profileLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madeleinenance/ Connect with Sarah Nonprofit411: https://www.nonprofit411.orgLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nonprofit411The Generosity Roadmap for Nonprofits, a free class: https://nonprofit411.org/generosity_map Chapters 00:00 Introduction06:03 Where Copywriting Actually Starts14:11 Tapping Into What People Care About21:14 The Name Cover Test28:01 Persuasion Without Pressure

    Kind Persuasion: Madeleine Nance on Asking Without the Ick

  3. Aug 28

    Gold Mines of Stories - with Don Martelli, PR Bunker | Nonprofit411 Podcast

    Gold Mines of Stories — with Don MartelliEvery nonprofit is sitting on a gold mine of stories. Most never mine them. Don Martelli is a former Boston Globe reporter and longtime PR agency executive who now leads PR Bunker, working with mission-driven, impact-focused organizations. He helps nonprofits tell the stories their communities need to hear so they can engage the people who fuel the mission. He joins Sarah to explain how nonprofit PR actually works: how to find the one human story that carries your whole mission, how to place it with the right reporter at the right moment, and how to turn a single piece of coverage into a campaign that raises real money. He walks through a real example. A woman named Lisa, once homeless, now helping others through the same organization that housed her. That one story, told well, raised nearly a quarter million dollars in a week. If PR feels like a black box, this episode opens it. In this episode: The "micro that fits the macro" method for finding a story reporters actually wantWhy the most positive stories are the hardest to place, and how to place them anywayPaid, earned, shared, and owned media, explained simplyHow to pitch a reporter in 250 words or fewerWhy a fractional expert often beats hiring in-houseA few ideas to steal: The story is the headline. If you have to sell it, it isn't a story yet.Keep the pitch to one paragraph, then follow up until you get a yes, a no, or silence. Silence is a no.End or start each week by asking your team, "What happened this week that made you feel good?" Those are your stories. Someone has to own collecting them.One good story, repurposed across your site, newsletter, socials, and a podcast, is a marketing campaign, not a one-and-done.Connect with Don PR Bunker: www.prbunker.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/donmartelliThe PR Bunker podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-pr-bunker/id1839463900Connect with Sarah Nonprofit 411: www.nonprofit411.orgLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nonprofit411The Generosity Roadmap for Nonprofits, a free class to explore the systems that keep community at the heart of fundraising: https://nonprofit411.org/generosity_map Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Nonprofit 41102:57 The Power of Impactful Storytelling05:56 Telling Impactful Stories through PR09:06 Advice for Nonprofits on PR17:23 The Role of Consultants in Nonprofits24:09 Utilizing Impactful Stories in Nonprofits

    Gold Mines of Stories - with Don Martelli, PR Bunker | Nonprofit411 Podcast

  4. Aug 21

    Stop Chasing New Donors - Borrow a Crowd with Daryl Hatton | Nonprofit411 Podcast

    The conversation covers the concept of social fundraising, the evolution of fundraising work, engaging donors and advocates, borrowing a crowd and corporate partnerships, media partnerships and retention strategies, the importance of consistent communication, and concludes with a call to action for the listeners. Key takeaways include the importance of social fundraising, understanding the donor journey, and the need for consistent communication with donors and supporters. Connect with Daryl FundRazr: www.fundrazr.comConnectionPoint: www.connectionpoint.comLinkedIn: search Daryl HattonConnect with Sarah Nonprofit 411: www.nonprofit411.orgLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nonprofit411The Generosity Roadmap for Nonprofits, a free class to explore the systems that keep community at the heart of fundraising: https://nonprofit411.org/generosity_map In this episode: Why you should share results 80% of the time and only ask 20%How to borrow a crowd from your board, volunteers, and corporate partnersWhy your best advocate might be your smallest donorThe "forgettable zone," and the simple weekly habit that keeps you out of it Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Alignment02:05 The Concept of Social Fundraising03:37 The Evolution of Fundraising Work06:28 Engaging Donors and Advocates10:07 Borrowing a Crowd and Corporate Partnerships13:24 Media Partnerships and Retention Strategies26:01 The Importance of Consistent Communication32:13 Conclusion and Call to Action

    Stop Chasing New Donors - Borrow a Crowd with Daryl Hatton | Nonprofit411 Podcast

  5. Season 2 Trailer

    Tim Sarrantonio on the Nonprofit411 Podcast | Trailer

    Not because they don't care but because they think they're about to get blamed. That’s why Tim Sarrantonio’s so excited about the Generosity Roundtable - a role-playing game for nonprofit professionals. It creates a safe space for nonprofit professionals to think through real problems, without the finger-pointing. Listen to the full conversation on the Nonprofit411 Podcast

    Tim Sarrantonio on the Nonprofit411 Podcast | Trailer

  6. Aug 10

    Stop Calling It Fundraising with Tim Sarrantonio | Nonprofit411 Podcast

    STOP CALLING IT FUNDRAISING — with Tim SarrantonioWhat if fundraising isn't really about money at all, but about generosity, trust, and the ways people choose to participate? Tim Sarrantonio joins Sarah to rethink what fundraising actually is. They get into why generosity and identity are tied to trust, why creative play matters for understanding it, and how a role-playing game might be one of the best professional development tools the sector has. Along the way: the state of nonprofit education, budgeting under pressure, using feedback and data to make better calls, and what AI is changing. Tim Sarrantonio is the founder of The Generosity Spectrum and the creator of The Generosity Roundtable, the nonprofit sector's first role-playing game designed to help organizations practice decision-making together. He has spent nearly fifteen years working at the intersection of generosity, technology, and nonprofit practice, supporting organizations as they navigate participation, trust, and change. In this episode: Fundraising, redefined as generosityHow role-playing sharpens nonprofit learning and decision-makingConnect with Tim The Generosity Spectrum: www.generosityspectrum.orgLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timsarrantonioEmail: hello@generosityspectrum.orgConnect with Sarah Nonprofit 411: www.nonprofit411.orgLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nonprofit411The Generosity Roadmap for Nonprofits, a free class to explore the systems that keep community at the heart of fundraising: class.nonprofit411.org/fundraising_roadmap-440406Chapters 00:00 — Redefining Fundraising as Generosity02:33 — Journey into the Nonprofit Sector04:07 — Challenges in Nonprofit Education06:10 — The Role of Generosity in Community Resilience07:08 — The Need for Practical Application in Nonprofit Education07:29 — The Importance of Professional Development08:59 — Budgeting Challenges in Nonprofits10:37 — The Role of Role-Playing in Nonprofit Learning16:27 — Feedback and Data in Nonprofit Decision-Making23:00 — The Impact of AI on Nonprofit Dynamics30:09 — The Generosity Roundtable Game

  7. Feb 2

    Michelle Riley on The Impact of Pictures | Nonprofit411

    Harnessing the Power of Ethical Photography in Nonprofit Storytelling In this episode of Nonprofit 4 1 1, Sarah Barton hosts Michelle Riley, founder of Lens for Change, to discuss the importance of ethical photography in nonprofit organizations. Michelle explains how authentic and ethical images can significantly impact fundraising, expand an organization's reach, and maintain credibility. They delve into the principles of ethical photography, the pitfalls of using stock and staged photos, and the process of planning an effective photo shoot. The conversation highlights the value of visual storytelling in building trust and emotional connections with donors.   00:00 Welcome to Nonprofit 4-1-1 00:28 Meet Michelle Riley: Ethical Photography for Nonprofits 04:34 The Importance of Authentic Visual Storytelling 08:03 Ethical Photography: Principles and Practices 10:17 Challenges and Solutions in Ethical Photography 18:18 Building a Photo Library for Your Nonprofit 29:05 The Visual Truth Matters Campaign 34:31 Final Thoughts and Resources   The importance of curiosity in donor relationships: Fundraising isn't about selling but building genuine connections with community members. Phone calls as an effective tool for engaging mid-level donors: Personal connections and voicemails can foster trust and increase donor retention. Systems and strategies that work: How having the right tools in place can make a huge difference in donor engagement and nonprofit growth. Show Links: Find more of Michelle's work at: linkedin.com/in/michelle-riley-56866714 lensforchange.net (Company) visualtruthmatters.com (Other) Find more about Nonprofit411 at: linkedin.com/in/nonprofit411 www.nonprofit411.org Listen to other episodes of Nonprofit411 Podcast(RSS Feed) Check out our partners: Give Suite AI For Anyone | Discount Code: NONPROFIT411 Hoot Host | Affiliate Code NONPROFIT411

  8. Jan 28

    Revitalizing Nonprofits Through Broad-Based Community Support | Nonprofit411

    In this episode of Nonprofit 411, host Sarah Barton explores strategies to cultivate broad-based community support for nonprofits. Sarah highlights the shift from broad to narrow community support and offers practical steps to rebuild a wide-reaching support network. Key topics include engaging donors beyond monetary contributions, the importance of personal connections, and innovative ways to maintain donor relationships. The episode concludes with actionable challenges and organizational tips to enhance nonprofit outreach and donor engagement.   00:00 Welcome to Nonprofit 411 00:46 The Shift in Fundraising Trends 01:49 Defining Broad-Based Community Support 03:00 Engaging and Retaining Donors 04:50 Practical Steps for Community Engagement 08:30 Building Meaningful Relationships 10:07 Effective Communication Strategies 13:52 Managing Your Outreach Activities 18:46 The 10 Connections in 10 Days Challenge 20:11 Conclusion and Resources   Find more about Nonprofit411 at: linkedin.com/in/nonprofit411 www.nonprofit411.org Listen to other episodes of Nonprofit411 Podcast(RSS Feed) Check out our partners: Give Suite AI For Anyone | Discount Code: NONPROFIT411 Hoot Host | Affiliate Code NONPROFIT411

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About

The podcast for nonprofit professionals who love the mission and are still figuring out the rest. You care about the mission. You're also the one holding a dozen jobs at once, the fundraising, the board, the programs, the staffing, the wondering where next quarter's money comes from. This show is for you. Every episode brings in people who've done the work, and the thinkers who shape it. Nonprofit leaders and specialists, plus voices from the wider world of leadership and purpose, who can tell you what really worked. Real conversations, real help. What works, what doesn't, and what might be a good next try. Listen on your commute or your lunch break, and leave with one thing you can use. New episodes every week. Listen wherever you get your podcasts

Information

  • Creator
    Nonprofit411
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    50
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Nonprofit411
  • Show Website
    Nonprofit411 Podcast