Nonprofit Leadership Podcast

Dr. Rob Harter
  • 4.7 (82)
  • Non-Profit
  • Updated Weekly

The Nonprofit Leadership Podcast discusses important issues facing nonprofit leaders in our community and features real stories from real leaders about what strategies and practices have made them successful. Enjoy the show!

  1. 6d ago

    What values-driven leadership looks like

    What does values-driven leadership look like when a nonprofit is growing rapidly, facing increasing demand, and making difficult decisions about where to focus? In this episode of the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast, Rob Harter sits down with Angelique Albert, CEO of Native Forward Scholars Fund, the largest direct provider of scholarships to Native students in the United States. Angelique shares how her upbringing on the Flathead Indian Reservation and her connection to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes have shaped her approach to leadership, service, and community impact. Angelique also offers an inside look at how Native Forward has scaled its impact, growing from roughly $4 million in annual revenue to an annual budget of approximately $26 million while significantly expanding its net assets and student support. She explains why strong nonprofit leadership requires knowing what to say no to, building the infrastructure needed for sustainable growth, bringing in outside expertise, and balancing long-term organizational strength with immediate mission impact. The conversation also explores Native Forward’s transformational unrestricted gifts from MacKenzie Scott and how those investments strengthened the organization’s capacity to serve more Native scholars. Key Topics Include: How Angelique Albert’s Native heritage and connection to community shape her values-driven leadership approach Why nonprofit leaders need to identify what their organizations can do exceptionally well—and be willing to stop doing the rest How Native Forward narrowed its focus to college access and college success while partnering with others for complementary services The importance of strategic planning, organizational infrastructure, documented systems, and strong internal processes when scaling a nonprofit Why outside consultants and third-party perspectives can help nonprofit leaders identify blind spots and build stronger strategies How unrestricted funding from MacKenzie Scott helped Native Forward invest in infrastructure, scholarships, wraparound services, marketing, and long-term sustainability How nonprofit leaders can balance immediate mission impact with investments in capacity, fundraising, technology, and future generations Mentioned in This Episode: Native Forward Scholars Fund: https://nativeforward.org/ The Bridgespan Group: https://www.bridgespan.org/ MacKenzie Scott’s Yield Giving: https://yieldgiving.com/ Hispanic Scholarship Fund: https://www.hsf.net/ UNCF: https://uncf.org/ This Episode is Sponsored By: Donorbox: https://donorbox.org/ Links to Resources: Interested in Leadership and Life Coaching? Visit Rob’s website: RobHarter.com Find us on YouTube: Nonprofit Leadership Podcast YouTube Channel Suggestions for the show? Email us at nonprofitleadershippodcast@gmail.com Request a sample coaching session: Email Rob at rob@robharter.com Subscribe and Share Listen and subscribe to the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or Amazon. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with other nonprofit leaders!

  2. Aug 16

    How to Lead When Life Is Unraveling Around You

    What happens when you’re responsible for holding a nonprofit organization together while your personal life is falling apart? In this episode, Rob Harter sits down with Ashley Stallings to have an honest conversation about nonprofit leadership, burnout, vulnerability, and what it takes to lead sustainably through seasons of personal crisis. Ashley shares her own experience of navigating the end of a 19-year marriage, becoming a single mom, and leading an organization that was barely hanging on—all at the same time. She explains the warning signs she missed, why asking for help can be so difficult for leaders, and how a strong support system ultimately helped her recover. Rob and Ashley also explore practical ways nonprofit leaders and boards can build healthier organizational structures, create psychological safety, establish boundaries, and prepare for difficult seasons before a crisis occurs. Key Topics Include: Recognizing the early warning signs that a nonprofit leader may be approaching burnout or a breaking point How tying your identity and self-worth too closely to your organization’s mission can push you beyond healthy limits Why nonprofit leaders often struggle to ask for help and the importance of building a support network before you need it Finding the right balance between healthy vulnerability and oversharing with staff and board members How boards, second-in-command leaders, and succession plans can reduce the pressure placed on executive directors Establishing healthy boundaries and learning why saying “no” can protect both the leader and the organization’s mission Creating sustainable leadership practices that allow nonprofit leaders and their teams to stay healthy for the long haul Mentioned in This Episode: Learn more about Ashley Stallings, her speaking, and nonprofit consulting: AudiblyAshley.com This Episode is Sponsored By: Donorbox Links to Resources: Interested in Leadership and Life Coaching? Visit Rob’s website: RobHarter.com Find us on YouTube: Nonprofit Leadership Podcast YouTube Channel Suggestions for the show? Email us at nonprofitleadershippodcast@gmail.com Request a sample coaching session: Email Rob at rob@robharter.com Subscribe and Share Listen and subscribe to the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or Amazon. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with other nonprofit leaders!

  3. Aug 9

    Noah’s brief life led to lasting legacy

    Matthew Efird How can profound grief be transformed into purpose, empathy, and a legacy that serves others? In this powerful episode of the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast, Rob Harter speaks with Matthew Efird about the loss of his son, Noah, who was diagnosed with Trisomy 13 before birth and lived for 57 and a half hours. Matthew shares how he and his wife, Hannah, navigated the months between Noah’s diagnosis and birth, the intentional choices they made to protect their marriage and family, and the role faith and community played in helping them endure an unimaginable season. Matthew also discusses how journaling became a critical tool for processing grief and eventually led to his book, Even Though We Will. He explains how Noah’s legacy now fuels his work through the Even Though We Will Foundation, where his family helps connect others facing child loss and terminal diagnoses with resources and support. Their story offers nonprofit leaders meaningful lessons on empathetic leadership, sustainable leadership, protecting what matters most, learning to say no, and turning personal pain into service for others. Key Topics Include: Matthew and Hannah Efird’s experience receiving their son Noah’s Trisomy 13 diagnosis and preparing for the loss of their child The 57 and a half hours Matthew and Hannah were able to spend with Noah and how his life continues to shape their family How intentional communication helped Matthew and Hannah protect their marriage while navigating grief Why journaling, counseling, community, and openly processing difficult emotions became essential parts of Matthew’s grief journey How Matthew’s personal journals eventually became his book, Even Though We Will, written in part to provide a father’s perspective on child loss How the Even Though We Will Foundation helps families connect with resources and support while navigating child loss and terminal diagnoses Leadership lessons around empathy, burnout, delegation, protecting your time, setting 90-day priorities, and understanding that every “yes” is also a “no” to something else Mentioned in This Episode: Matthew Efird: https://matthewefird.com Even Though We Will Foundation: https://eventhoughwewill.com Even Though We Will by Matthew Efird: https://eventhoughwewill.com This Episode is Sponsored By: DonorBox: https://donorbox.org Links to Resources: Interested in Leadership and Life Coaching? Visit Rob’s website: RobHarter.com Find us on YouTube: Nonprofit Leadership Podcast YouTube Channel Suggestions for the show? Email us at nonprofitleadershippodcast@gmail.com Request a sample coaching session: Email Rob at rob@robharter.com Subscribe and Share Listen and subscribe to the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or Amazon. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with other nonprofit leaders!

  4. Aug 2

    The Missing Middle: How Ivory Innovations Is Seeking to Address the Housing Crisis

    Amy Tomasso America’s housing crisis is not only about affordability—it is also about a lack of diverse housing options for people at different income levels and stages of life. In this episode, Rob Harter speaks with Amy Tomasso, Director of Policy Innovation at Ivory Innovations, about the “missing middle” between detached single-family homes and large apartment buildings. Amy explains how duplexes, triplexes, cottage courts, accessory dwelling units, and other smaller housing types could create more attainable options for first-time homebuyers, growing families, and older adults hoping to downsize. Amy also shares how Ivory Innovations combines research, education, entrepreneurship, public policy, and hands-on affordable housing development to move promising ideas into practice. The conversation explores zoning reform, construction technology, innovative financing, cross-sector partnerships, and the important role nonprofit leaders and community foundations can play in developing local housing strategies. Key Topics Include: Why the housing crisis affects community wellbeing, economic development, food security, and financial stability What “missing middle” housing is and why many communities stopped building it How zoning reform, smaller lots, streamlined approvals, and developer support can expand housing options How Ivory Innovations tests new construction technologies and housing solutions through its Fieldworks program Why successful housing policy reforms need committed champions from government, business, nonprofits, or the community What nonprofit organizations can learn from the public and private sectors—and what those sectors can learn from nonprofits How students and emerging leaders can enter the housing field through Hack-A-House and other educational opportunities Mentioned in This Episode: Ivory Innovations The Little Book of Low-Cost, High-Impact Housing Solutions The Ivory Prize for Housing Affordability Ivory Innovations Fieldworks Hack-A-House Missing Middle Housing UCLA Housing Voice Podcast Fixer-Upper: How to Repair America’s Broken Housing Systems by Jenny Schuetz Escaping the Housing Trap by Charles Marohn Jr. and Daniel Herriges Missing Middle Housing: Thinking Big and Building Small to Respond to Today’s Housing Crisis by Daniel Parolek This Episode is Sponsored By: Donorbox Links to Resources: Interested in Leadership and Life Coaching? Visit Rob’s website: RobHarter.com Find us on YouTube: Nonprofit Leadership Podcast YouTube Channel Suggestions for the show? Email us at nonprofitleadershippodcast@gmail.com Request a sample coaching session: Email Rob at rob@robharter.com Subscribe and Share Listen and subscribe to the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or Amazon. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with other nonprofit leaders!

  5. Jul 27

    A Nonprofit Driving Meaningful Change for the Unhoused

    Preston Cochrane Housing is essential, but is it enough to create lasting change for people experiencing chronic homelessness? In this episode, Rob Harter speaks with Preston Cochrane, CEO of The Other Side Village in Salt Lake City, Utah, about the nonprofit’s human-centered approach to homelessness. Rather than treating residents as clients or case numbers, the organization creates a supportive community where people can rebuild relationships, rediscover purpose, develop practical skills, and take responsibility for their futures. Preston explains how The Other Side Village combines permanent housing with peer mentorship, meaningful work, recovery support, social enterprise, and a democratic therapeutic community. He also discusses the need to balance compassion with accountability, why lived experience is central to the organization’s coaching model, and how the village measures long-term success through housing stability, self-reliance, sobriety, and crime-free living. Key Topics Include: Why housing alone may not address the isolation, trauma, addiction, mental health challenges, and broken relationships connected to chronic homelessness How a human-centered model helps residents move beyond short-term stabilization toward lasting transformation The importance of balancing compassion and accountability when serving people experiencing homelessness How coaches with lived experience provide credible peer support, mentorship, and encouragement Why residents are called neighbors and participate in a democratic therapeutic community How social enterprises provide employment, workforce training, purpose, and sustainable revenue The four outcomes The Other Side Village uses to measure success: permanent housing, employment or self-reliance, drug-free living, and crime-free living Mentioned in This Episode: Learn more about The Other Side Village Connect with Preston Cochrane on LinkedIn Learn more about The Other Side Academy Visit The Other Side Donuts Learn more about the National League of Cities This Episode is Sponsored By: Donorbox Links to Resources: Interested in Leadership and Life Coaching? Visit Rob’s website: RobHarter.com Find us on YouTube: Nonprofit Leadership Podcast YouTube Channel Suggestions for the show? Email us at nonprofitleadershippodcast@gmail.com Request a sample coaching session: Email Rob at rob@robharter.com Subscribe and Share Listen and subscribe to the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or Amazon. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with other nonprofit leaders!

  6. Jul 20

    How Transparency Can Improve Donor Retention

    Donors want to know that their generosity is making a real difference. Yet many gifts can feel like they disappear into a “black box,” leaving supporters unsure where their donations went or whom they helped. In this episode, Rob Harter speaks with Antonis Politis, CEO and co-founder of Givelink, and Panos Kokmotos, COO and co-founder of Givelink, about how greater transparency can strengthen donor trust, improve the giving experience, and increase donor retention. Givelink enables donors to purchase products that nonprofits currently need, track those items through delivery, and receive photos, videos, and personalized stories showing their impact. Antonis and Panos explain why nonprofits should make giving more tangible and human, how AI can personalize donor communications without replacing authentic connection, and why Givelink’s transparency model has led donors to give approximately 60% more annually. Key Topics Include: Why uncertainty about where donations go can weaken donor trust and retention How Givelink connects donors with the specific products nonprofits currently need Why nonprofits should be able to track charitable impact as easily as consumers track a package How photos, videos, and personalized impact stories make giving more tangible Why Givelink reports that donors give approximately 60% more annually through its platform How nonprofits can use AI to personalize donor communications while preserving authentic human connection How Givelink provides its in-kind donation platform to nonprofits at no cost Mentioned in This Episode: Learn more about Givelink and its free in-kind donation platform for nonprofits: Givelink Explore Givelink’s resources for nonprofit organizations: Givelink for Nonprofits Research nonprofit accountability and transparency: Charity Navigator This Episode is Sponsored By: Donorbox Links to Resources: Interested in Leadership and Life Coaching? Visit Rob’s website: RobHarter.com Find us on YouTube: Nonprofit Leadership Podcast YouTube Channel Suggestions for the show? Email us at nonprofitleadershippodcast@gmail.com Request a sample coaching session: Email Rob at rob@robharter.com Subscribe and Share Listen and subscribe to the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or Amazon. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with other nonprofit leaders!

  7. Jul 12

    How Our Brains Are Wired for Generosity and Why It Matters

    Why do people give—and what happens in the brain when they decide to support a cause? Rob Harter sits down with fundraising strategist, behavioral science expert, and Neurogiving author Cherian Koshy to explore the neuroscience behind generosity. Cherian explains why charitable giving is closely connected to emotion, identity, belonging, and the brain’s reward systems—and why facts alone rarely inspire someone to donate. Cherian also shares practical ways nonprofit leaders can create more meaningful donor experiences, reduce unnecessary friction, and build lasting relationships rooted in trust. The conversation examines the ethical use of neuroscience and artificial intelligence in fundraising, emphasizing that these tools should deepen human connection rather than manipulate donors or reduce them to data points. Key Topics Include: Why generosity and charitable giving are wired into the human brain How giving expresses a donor’s identity, values, passions, and sense of belonging Why nonprofit communications should connect emotionally before presenting facts and data How confusion, excessive choices, insider language, and complicated donation forms create friction The difference between harmful friction and intentional questions that reinforce donor identity Ethical considerations for using neuroscience and artificial intelligence in fundraising How consistency, curiosity, transparency, and patience build donor trust and lifelong loyalty Mentioned in This Episode: Cherian Koshy’s Website Connect with Cherian Koshy on LinkedIn This Episode is Sponsored By: Donorbox Links to Resources: Interested in Leadership and Life Coaching? Visit Rob’s website: RobHarter.com Find us on YouTube: Nonprofit Leadership Podcast YouTube Channel Suggestions for the show? Email us at nonprofitleadershippodcast@gmail.com Request a sample coaching session: Email Rob at rob@robharter.com Subscribe and Share Listen and subscribe to the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or Amazon. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with other nonprofit leaders!

  8. Jul 5

    How to Not Just Survive but Thrive in Leadership

    Dr. Doris Macharia In this episode of the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast, Rob Harter speaks with Dr. Doris Macharia, President of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, about what it takes to lead with clarity, courage, and resilience during times of crisis. Dr. Macharia shares her journey from practicing medicine in Kenya to leading global HIV and public health initiatives, and how her background prepared her to step into executive leadership during a season of major international funding cuts. Dr. Macharia offers practical insight for nonprofit leaders navigating uncertainty, staffing challenges, donor shifts, and organizational change. She emphasizes the importance of staying anchored to mission, communicating consistently, making decisive choices, caring for yourself as a leader, and building trust through presence, empathy, and action. Key Topics Include: How nonprofit leaders can build trust when stepping into leadership during a crisis Why mission clarity gives organizations authority and direction during uncertain times Leading global health and nonprofit work through funding cuts and resource scarcity The importance of communication, listening, and visible leadership with staff and stakeholders How collaboration with governments, communities, donors, and partners strengthens impact Why leaders must make decisions quickly, even with limited information The role of self-care, family support, preparation, and personal values in sustainable leadership Mentioned in This Episode: Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation: https://pedaids.org EGPAF on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/egpaf EGPAF on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/elizabeth-glaser-pediatric-aids-foundation This Episode is Sponsored By: DonorBox: Links to Resources: Interested in Leadership and Life Coaching? Visit Rob’s website: RobHarter.com Find us on YouTube: Nonprofit Leadership Podcast YouTube Channel Suggestions for the show? Email us at nonprofitleadershippodcast@gmail.com Request a sample coaching session: Email Rob at rob@robharter.com Subscribe and Share Listen and subscribe to the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or Amazon. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with other nonprofit leaders!

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4.7
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About

The Nonprofit Leadership Podcast discusses important issues facing nonprofit leaders in our community and features real stories from real leaders about what strategies and practices have made them successful. Enjoy the show!

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Rob Harter
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    295
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Nonprofit Leadership Podcast. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Nonprofit Leadership Podcast

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