A Modern Nonprofit Podcast

The Charity CFO, LLC
  • 4.7 (25)
  • NON-PROFIT
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

A Modern Nonprofit Podcast, powered by The Charity CFO, explores the most important business and culture topics in the nonprofit sector. Hosted by Tosha Anderson, each episode will feature an informative, lighthearted and insightful discussion about what’s trending in today’s organizations. This podcast is designed for nonprofit leaders and listeners alike, and we thank you for making this podcast part of your day!

  1. APR 28

    Episode 157: Budgeting for Impact: Why Nonprofits Need More Than Just a Spreadsheet

    Most nonprofits have a budget. But very few are actually using it to make better decisions. In this episode of A Modern Nonprofit Podcast, Tosha Anderson sits down with CFO Pat Fisher from The Charity CFO to break down what effective nonprofit budgeting really looks like. This is not about spreadsheets. It is about strategy. You will learn: Why every nonprofit needs a board-approved budget The biggest budgeting mistakes nonprofit leaders make How to turn your budget into a real management tool Why involving your team changes everything The difference between budgeting and forecasting How to plan for funding uncertainty and pivot with confidence This episode highlights Principle #12 of The Charity CFO Financial Blueprint, a framework built from working with hundreds of nonprofits. If your budget feels disconnected, outdated, or stressful, this conversation will show you a better way forward. Download The Charity CFO Financial Blueprint here. #nonprofitbudgeting #nonprofitfinance #nonprofitleadership #thecharitycfo #financialmanagement Follow Us Online 🌐 Website: ⁠⁠www.thecharitycfo.com⁠⁠ 📸 Instagram: @thecharitycfo 📘 Facebook:⁠⁠ /thecharitycfo⁠⁠ 💼 LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠ / the-charity-cfo⁠⁠ ⁠ 🎵 TikTok: @thecharitycfoJoin our newsletter: https://go.thecharitycfo.com/l/995872/2025-02-24/6ldn1

    30 min

  2. APR 14

    Episode 156: From Starvation to Sustainability: How Nonprofits Can Escape the Funding Trap

    Are you constantly chasing funding but still struggling to build sustainable growth?In this episode of A Modern Nonprofit Podcast, Tosha Anderson sits down with Drew Reynolds, Principal Consultant at Common Good Data, to break down why so many nonprofits are stuck in the funding trap and what to do about it.With increasing funding uncertainty and limited capacity, nonprofit leaders are being forced to rethink their fundraising strategy. The key is not doing more. The key is getting clear on your mission and proving your impact. In this episode, you will learn: Why nonprofits get stuck in the starvation cycleHow the Clarity Impact Fundraising framework drives sustainabilityHow to improve donor retention through impact storytellingPractical ways to measure impact without overwhelmHow to align your team around mission and results If you want to build a more sustainable nonprofit and stop chasing funding, this episode is for you. Check out the full episode and blog here: https://thecharitycfo.com/nonprofit-funding-sustainability/ Connect With Drew Online 🌐 Website: https://www.commongooddata.com/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewdreynolds/ Follow Us Online 🌐 Website: ⁠⁠www.thecharitycfo.com⁠⁠ 📸 Instagram: @thecharitycfo 📘 Facebook:⁠⁠ /thecharitycfo⁠⁠ 💼 LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠ / the-charity-cfo⁠⁠ ⁠ 🎵 TikTok: @thecharitycfoJoin our newsletter: https://go.thecharitycfo.com/l/995872/2025-02-24/6ldn1Download The Charity CFO Financial Blueprint: https://go.thecharitycfo.com/financial-blueprint #nonprofitleadership #nonprofitfunding #fundraisingstrategy #impactmeasurement #thecharitycfo

    36 min

  3. MAR 31

    Episode 155: The State of Grant Seeking in 2026: Strategy, AI, and Surviving the Competition

    Grant Writing in 2026 Is Harder Than Ever - Here’s How to Adapt Federal funding volatility. Private foundations acting like contracts. Massive nonprofits competing for $5,000 grants. And now AI flooding the system with applications. In this episode of A Modern Nonprofit Podcast, Tosha Anderson sits down with Dr. Krista Kurlinkus to unpack the state of grant seeking in 2026 and what nonprofit leaders must change to survive. We cover: -Why competition for grants is exploding -How AI is increasing volume but lowering quality -The dangers of “spray and pray” grant writing -Administrative burden and hidden compliance costs -Why nonprofits need a Grants Operating System -How to align strategy before writing another proposal If you’re feeling overwhelmed by funding shifts, this episode will give you clarity and actionable next steps. #grantwriting #nonprofitleadership #fundraisingstrategy #nonprofitfinance #aiingrantwriting #thecharitycfo Connect with Krista Kurlinkus FREE Templates on Krista's website: https://www.grantwritingmadeeasy.com💼 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kristakurlinkus YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/GrantWritingMadeEasy 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kristakurlinkus Follow Us Online 🌐 Website: ⁠⁠www.thecharitycfo.com⁠⁠ 📸 Instagram: @thecharitycfo 📘 Facebook:⁠⁠ /thecharitycfo⁠⁠ 💼 LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠ / the-charity-cfo⁠⁠ ⁠ 🎵 TikTok: @thecharitycfoJoin our newsletter: https://go.thecharitycfo.com/l/995872/2025-02-24/6ldn1Download The Charity CFO Financial Blueprint: https://go.thecharitycfo.com/financial-blueprint

    32 min

  4. MAR 17

    Episode 154: Why Donors Don’t Give Again — And How to Fix It

    Why Are Donors Disappearing? Here’s What Nonprofits Must Change Only 20% of first-time donors give again. That means for every 100 new donors you acquire, 80 disappear. Is it donor fatigue? The economy? AI? Federal funding volatility? In this episode of A Modern Nonprofit Podcast, Tosha Anderson and donor strategist Erin Straza unpack the real reasons donors don’t return - and what nonprofit leaders must change to improve donor retention. We discuss: The truth about donor retention rates Why transactional fundraising fails The power of phone calls and personal outreach How messaging impacts lifetime donor value Why “fully funded” grant-heavy nonprofits are still vulnerable How to shift from a numbers game to relationship strategy If your fundraising appeals feel like they’re vanishing into the void, this episode is for you. #donorretention #nonprofitfundraising #nonprofitleadership #fundraisingstrategy #thecharitycfo 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinstraza/ 🌐 Website: https://erinstraza.com/ FREE Open Office Meet Up with Erin on April 14th Register for FREE here: https://mailchi.mp/1af00243dff3/charitycfogrowtime Follow Us Online 🌐 Website: ⁠⁠www.thecharitycfo.com⁠⁠ 📸 Instagram: @thecharitycfo 📘 Facebook:⁠⁠ /thecharitycfo⁠⁠ 💼 LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠ / the-charity-cfo⁠⁠ ⁠ 🎵 TikTok: @thecharitycfoJoin our newsletter: https://go.thecharitycfo.com/l/995872/2025-02-24/6ldn1Download The Charity CFO Financial Blueprint: https://go.thecharitycfo.com/financial-blueprint

    33 min

  5. MAR 3

    Episode 153: Federal Grants in 2026: What Nonprofits Need to Know Before Applying

    Is federal funding coming back? Should your nonprofit apply for federal grants in 2026? And what are the new compliance risks you need to understand before submitting an application? In this episode of A Modern Nonprofit Podcast, Tosha Anderson sits down with federal funding expert Fielding Jezreel to unpack the current state of federal grants as of February 2026.After a turbulent 2025 filled with funding whiplash, shutdown fears, and shifting priorities, we’re finally seeing stability return. But that doesn’t mean it’s business as usual. We cover: -Why federal grant opportunities are surging in Spring 2026 -New federal funding priorities (faith-based, charter schools, rural organizations) -Increased scrutiny around first-year outcomes and compliance -Red flags that mean your nonprofit is NOT ready to apply -How to build the infrastructure to withstand federal audits -Whether you should apply directly or start as a sub-recipient If you’re a nonprofit leader navigating federal funding, grant management, compliance requirements, or organizational readiness, this episode is essential listening. Federal grants aren’t all doom and gloom in 2026 — but they do require strategy. Connect with Fielding Jezreel LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fieldingjezreel LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jezreelconsulting Learn more about Fielding’s Federal Grants Accelerator: https://www.federalgrantsaccelerator.com Follow Us Online 🌐 Website: ⁠⁠www.thecharitycfo.com⁠⁠ 📸 Instagram: @thecharitycfo 📘 Facebook:⁠⁠ /thecharitycfo⁠⁠ 💼 LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠ / the-charity-cfo⁠⁠ ⁠ 🎵 TikTok: @thecharitycfoJoin our newsletter: https://go.thecharitycfo.com/l/995872/2025-02-24/6ldn1Download The Charity CFO Financial Blueprint: https://go.thecharitycfo.com/financial-blueprint Full episode here: https://thecharitycfo.com/federal-grants-2026-nonprofit-readiness/ Check these out: Is Your Nonprofit Ready For Federal Grant Funding? Why You Shouldn’t Be Giving Up on Federal Grants #nonprofitleadership #federalgrants #grantwriting #nonprofitfinance #nonprofitstrategy #thecharitycfo

    39 min

  6. FEB 17

    Episode 152: From Compliance to Clarity: How to Streamline Nonprofit Data Collection and Evaluation

    Data doesn’t have to feel like a burden. In this episode of A Modern Nonprofit Podcast, Tosha Anderson talks with Kayla Meyers, Founder of Bridgepoint Evaluation, about how nonprofit leaders can move from compliance-driven data collection to clarity-driven evaluation strategy. If your organization is collecting data for grants but not using it for decision-making, team alignment, or strategic growth, this conversation will help you rethink your approach. You’ll learn how to: Shift from reactive to proactive evaluation Streamline nonprofit data systems Improve data quality without increasing volume Align your team around shared learning goals Combine impact stories with metrics Evaluation isn’t just a reporting requirement — it’s a leadership tool. Read the full blog recap here: https://thecharitycfo.com/from-compliance-to-clarity-how-nonprofits-can-finally-make-data-work-for-them/ Connect with Kayla Meyers 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridgepointkayla/ 🌐 Website: https://www.bridgepointevaluation.com/ Follow Us Online 🌐 Website: ⁠⁠www.thecharitycfo.com⁠⁠ 📸 Instagram: @thecharitycfo 📘 Facebook:⁠⁠ /thecharitycfo⁠⁠ 💼 LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠ / the-charity-cfo⁠⁠ ⁠ 🎵 TikTok: @thecharitycfoJoin our newsletter: https://go.thecharitycfo.com/l/995872/2025-02-24/6ldn1Download The Charity CFO Financial Blueprint: https://go.thecharitycfo.com/financial-blueprint #nonprofitpodcast #nonprofitdata #impactmeasurement #nonprofitstrategy #thecharitycfo

    22 min

  7. FEB 3

    Episode 151: Rethinking Philanthropy: How Business Leaders Can Help Nonprofits Create Lasting Impact

    What if philanthropy wasn’t just about writing checks - but about building systems that actually work?In this episode of A Modern Nonprofit Podcast, host Tosha Anderson sits down with Ed Mitzen, Co-Founder of the Business for Good Foundation, to talk about rethinking traditional philanthropy through a business lens.After selling his for-profit company, Ed and his wife chose a hands-on approach to giving - investing time, talent, and capital into workforce development, housing, entrepreneurship, and underserved communities. Together, they explore how nonprofits, government, and the private sector can collaborate more effectively to create long-term economic mobility instead of short-term fixes. You’ll hear real examples of: Using entrepreneurship to reduce reliance on nonprofit servicesPartnering with government to get funding out fasterWhy nonprofit boards need business expertiseHow to engage donors and business leaders beyond writing checksWhat nonprofits should focus on as funding gets tighterIf you’re a nonprofit leader, funder, or board member navigating uncertainty and looking for smarter, more sustainable ways to drive impact - this episode is for you. Connect with Ed Mitzen 🌐 Website: ⁠⁠https://www.bfg.org/💼 LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-mitzen/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/businessforgoodfoundation/ Follow Us Online 🌐 Website: ⁠⁠www.thecharitycfo.com⁠⁠ 📸 Instagram: @thecharitycfo 📘 Facebook:⁠⁠ /thecharitycfo⁠⁠ 💼 LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠ / the-charity-cfo⁠⁠ ⁠ 🎵 TikTok: @thecharitycfoJoin our newsletter: https://go.thecharitycfo.com/l/995872/2025-02-24/6ldn1Download The Charity CFO Financial Blueprint: https://go.thecharitycfo.com/financial-blueprint

    33 min

  8. JAN 20

    Episode 150: Why Traditional Strategic Plans Fail Nonprofits - And What to Do Instead

    Traditional strategic plans are failing nonprofits. In this episode of A Modern Nonprofit Podcast, Tosha Anderson and Theresa Guest, CFO at The Charity CFO, explain why so many nonprofit strategic plans collect dust instead of driving decisions. Using insights from The Charity CFO Financial Blueprint, they unpack the missing links between strategy, accountability, financial planning, and execution. You will learn why quarterly planning creates more momentum than multi year roadmaps, how financial alignment exposes unrealistic goals early, and what nonprofit leaders can do this quarter to turn strategic planning into a living system that supports sustainable growth. This episode is a must listen for nonprofit leaders who want clarity, alignment, and financial sustainability. Follow Us Online 🌐 Website: ⁠⁠www.thecharitycfo.com⁠⁠ 📸 Instagram: @thecharitycfo 📘 Facebook:⁠⁠ /thecharitycfo⁠⁠ 💼 LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠ / the-charity-cfo⁠⁠ ⁠ 🎵 TikTok: @thecharitycfoJoin our newsletter: https://go.thecharitycfo.com/l/995872/2025-02-24/6ldn1Download The Charity CFO Financial Blueprint: https://go.thecharitycfo.com/financial-blueprint

    29 min
See All (158)

4.7
out of 5
25 Ratings

About

A Modern Nonprofit Podcast, powered by The Charity CFO, explores the most important business and culture topics in the nonprofit sector. Hosted by Tosha Anderson, each episode will feature an informative, lighthearted and insightful discussion about what’s trending in today’s organizations. This podcast is designed for nonprofit leaders and listeners alike, and we thank you for making this podcast part of your day!

Information

  • Creator
    The Charity CFO, LLC
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    158
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Charity CFO, LLC
  • Show Website
    A Modern Nonprofit Podcast

You Might Also Like