Sustainably Nonprofit

The Executive Geek

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Non-Profit

A candid, practical, and hope-filled conversation for nonprofit professionals who love their mission, but are tired of running on fumes. Hosted by Heather Kwitschau of The Executive Geek and co-host Richard Clark of AreaCode Audio, each episode explores how to overcome compassion fatigue, reclaim clarity, and build systems that truly sustain both you and your organization.

May 27

Change Moves at the Speed of Trust

Real change takes more than a good idea. It takes trust. In this episode of Sustainably Nonprofit, we sit down with Joi Cuartero Austin of Main Street America to talk about the tension between being known in a serving role within your community and being trusted as a champion who can help move the mission forward. Joi helps us unpack what it looks like to guide decisions with the people you serve, not just for them. It is a conversation about listening well, leading with humility, and remembering that sustainable change moves at the speed of trust. Show notes Data or deception: Statement #1: Mixed-use developments (so spaces that combine residential, retail, and office) tend to increase surrounding property values by about 5–20%. Multi-use properties have surged in popularity as consumers increasingly favor walkable, amenity-rich environments where they can live, work, shop, and play without extensive travel. This shift represents a return to traditional urban planning principles, championed by influential urbanist Jane Jacobs, who argued that mixed-use development creates more vibrant, safe, and economically resilient communities.https://microflexspace.com/unlocking-potential-multi-use-commercial-properties/#:~:text=Multi%2Duse%20properties%20have%20surged,Commercial%20Property%20&%20How%20It's%20StructuredStatement #2: The average American city allocates over 35% of its annual budget to public transportation infrastructure. As a share of state and local direct general expenditures, highways and roads were the fifth-largest expenditure in 2021, less than 6% behind Public welfare, Elementary and secondary education, Health & Hospitals, Higher education. https://www.urban.org/policy-centers/cross-center-initiatives/state-and-local-finance-initiative/state-and-local-backgrounders/highway-and-road-expenditures#:~:text=State%20spending%20is%20typically%20for,general%20funds%20and%20federal%20fundsStatement #3: Access to safe parks and green spaces in urban neighborhoods has been linked to improved focus and academic performance in students. University of Chicago psychologist Marc Berman, PhD, and his student Kathryn Schertz explored in a 2019 review. They reported, for instance, that green spaces near schools promote cognitive development in children and green views near children’s homes promote self-control behaviors. Adults assigned to public housing units in neighborhoods with more green space showed better attentional functioning than those assigned to units with less access to natural environments. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/04/nurtured-nature#:~:text=Spending%20time%20in%20nature%20can,2019%20opens%20in%20new%20window) Contact: Richard: Area Code AudioLinked In Guest: jaustin@mainstreet.org Mainstreet.org Heather: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kwitschau/ The Executive Geek: TheExecutiveGeek.com

34 min
Apr 27

Stabilizing Your Nonprofit for the Long Term

In this episode, we talk with the Executive Director of Batavia United Way about what it takes to build a more stable nonprofit. With the unique perspective of someone who moved from board service into a staff leadership role, Kathy shares insights on strengthening an organization from the inside out. We discuss practical ways nonprofits can improve stability, create healthier foundations, and lead more sustainably over time. Part of that work means making space to regularly debrief, reevaluate priorities, and make adjustments when needed. It is a thoughtful conversation full of encouragement for leaders who want their organizations to be strong, steady, and ready for what is next. Show notes Data or deception: The average full-time worker in 2025 needs to earn $24/hour in order to afford a modest one-bedroom apartment rental in the United States. https://nlihc.org/resource/now-available-out-reach-2025-high-cost-housingIn 2025, the national Housing Wage is $33.63 per hour for a modest two-bedroom rental home and $28.17 for a modest one-bedroom.Definitions: Housing wage calculated to include fair market rent (rent and utilities), with affordability standard being 30% of income. NLIHC then divides the income needed by 52 weeks and by 40 hours per week to get the hourly wage.How much do you need to earn to afford a modest apt in your state: https://nlihc.org/oor Home prices in 2025 are rising significantly since 2020, with nearly 21 million homeowners spending more than 30% of income on housing. https://bipartisanpolicy.org/explainer/what-is-the-state-of-homeownership-today/The Bipartisan Policy Center reported that by late 2025, home prices have surged 50% since 2020, supply remains inadequate, and nearly 21 million homeowners spend more than 30% of their income on housing. Affordability concerns extend beyond mortgage costs: even those who own their homes outright have seen non-mortgage costs—like property insurance and utilities—rise 35% since 2019. In 2025 a nationwide resource network handled more than 6 million housing-related requests and referrals, making housing its largest area of need at roughly 30% of total volume. https://www.unitedway.org/news/211-helpline-data-reveals-most-pressing-us-community-needs-0Impact of 211 in 2025 included 53,000 stories heard daily, 19M referrals provided. Top need being Housing related needs, 2nd being utilities, 3rd Food related needs. Other needs include legal counsel, public safety, mental health and more. Contact: Richard: Area Code AudioLinkedIn Kathy: LinkedInBatavia United Way Heather: LinkedInTheExecutiveGeek.com

43 min
Mar 11

Hope at the end of the Road

Most leadership conversations in churches, like many other type of nonprofits, often focus on growth. Bigger attendance. Bigger budgets. Bigger buildings. This episode looks at a different kind of leadership. The kind that knows how to steward something faithfully all the way to its final chapter. Notes: 1. U.S. Church Attendance Distribution (2023) A typical U.S. church hosts ~120 attendees weekly. However, the vast majority are smaller: Small (99 attendees): 59% of churches Med-Small (100–499): 35% Medium (500–999): 4% Large (1k–2k): 2% Source: Worship Leader (https://worshipleader.com/leadership/worship-in-the-average-church-in-america/) 2. Giving & Tithing Trends (2023) While 50% of churchgoers self-report giving 10% or more, the breakdown shows varied consistency: More than 10%: 19% Exactly 10%: 31% Inconsistent/Attempting: 22% Regularly less than 10%: 16% Financially hindered: 9% Do not give: 2% Source: Lifeway Research (https://research.lifeway.com/2023/04/25/churchgoers-are-still-tithing-more-comfortable-doing-so-outside-of-church/) 3. Generational Attendance Shift (2025) A "generational reversal" shows younger cohorts attending more frequently than older ones: Gen Z: 23 Sundays per year (avg) Boomers/Elders: Under 17 Sundays per year (avg) Nuance: Data specifically highlights Sunday attendance; survey methods have shifted from phone to online. Source: Christianity Today (https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/09/study-gen-z-leads-church-attendance-average/)

47 min
Jan 26

You Don't Have to Do It Alone

It can often look like the strongest nonprofits evolve out of pure headstrong determination. But what happens when that mindset quietly becomes isolating and growth begins to stall? In this pilot episode of Sustainably Nonprofit, we sit down with Sarah White, Senior Director of Operations at Project Scientist, for an honest conversation about leadership, strengths and blind spots. Sarah shares how meaningful progress didn't come from pushing harder, but by accepting the invitation to be vulnerable. By identifying limitations, letting go of the need to carry everything alone, and trusting others to step in. We talk about the tension nonprofit leaders often feel between responsibility and letting go. Asking for help can feel risky, but sustainable impact is almost always a team sport. This episode sets the tone for the series: candid, practical, and deeply human. Because the work matters, and so do the people doing it. And you don’t have to do it alone. ---- Data or Deception Answers: Girls who believe they “belong” in STEM are 4× more likely to pursue it. Belonging—not grades—has the strongest predictive link to future STEM engagement. Source: Smithsonian Science Education Center More than 60% of elementary-aged girls feel STEM careers are “not for people like them." Phrasing varies across studies, the overarching theme of belonging and identity barriers in STEM is widely documented. – “Why Europe’s Girls Aren’t Studying STEM” (2018), though focused on Europe, findings align with U.S. data: a majority of girls lack STEM confidence and see STEM as “not for them.” Source: Microsoft & KRC Research By high school, on average girls outperform boys in most major STEM categories, including engineering and computer science. Girls perform equally well in math/science coursework, but participation drops sharply in engineering and CS long before high school graduation. More about our guest, Sarah White: LinkedInProject Scientist More about Richard: LinkedInArea Code Audio More about Heather: LinkedinThe Executive Geek

35 min

4 Episodes

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The Executive Geek
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Sustainably Nonprofit

Sustainably Nonprofit

Episodes

Change Moves at the Speed of Trust

Stabilizing Your Nonprofit for the Long Term

Hope at the end of the Road

You Don't Have to Do It Alone

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