Nonprofit Nation with Julia Campbell

Julia Campbell
  • 4.9 (68)
  • Non-Profit
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Ready for some real talk about nonprofits? Julia Campbell sits down with industry experts and practitioners to get advice on the best ways to build a thriving movement and a vibrant, passionate community around a cause. Topics include fundraising, storytelling, and marketing of course - but it also dives into mental health issues, leadership strategy, digital wellness, and much more. Julia's guests share practical wisdom, entertaining stories, and real-world tips that will help you strategize, plan, and grow your nonprofit. You never know exactly what you’re going to learn when you tune into Nonprofit Nation, but you can be assured that it will be worth your valuable time and attention.  Nonprofit Nation is hosted by Julia Campbell, digital marketing and fundraising expert, nonprofit consultant, and author of Storytelling in the Digital Age: A Guide for Nonprofits and How to Build and Mobilize a Social Media Community for Your Nonprofit in 90 Days. Julia helps nonprofits build movements, and in her work she teaches nonprofits how to build community, audience and raise influence on social media channels. Be sure to click the subscribe button on Apple podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. 

  1. 7h ago

    When Grief Becomes Service: Building Community After Unimaginable Loss with Joe Samaha

    What happens when unimaginable loss becomes a catalyst for service, advocacy, and community? In this deeply moving episode of Nonprofit Nation, Julia Campbell sits down with Joseph Samaha, Director of Victim Advocacy and Outreach for VTVCare, an organization rooted in the community of families and survivors brought together following the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting. Joe’s daughter, Reema, was killed in the tragedy. In the aftermath, Joe and other families found themselves navigating profound grief while also discovering the power of community, people coming together, sharing what they were learning, supporting one another, and creating a path forward when there was no roadmap. Over time, that community became something much larger. Joe shares what it means to lead a mission-driven organization when the mission is deeply connected to your own lived experience. He talks about the long-term needs of survivors and families after the public attention surrounding a tragedy fades, the role of community in recovery and resilience, and the challenges of turning individual support into systemic change. We also explore what nonprofit leadership looks like when the work is deeply personal, how to think about impact when outcomes involve grief, healing, and human connection, and how VTVCare is working to create more sustainable resources for people affected by mass violence. Nonprofit Nation Podcast Prep -… In this episode, we discuss: Starting a nonprofit while navigating profound personal griefHow the Virginia Tech community came together after tragedyThe role of community in long-term recovery and resilienceWhat survivors need long after the initial attention disappearsHow lived experience shapes nonprofit leadership and decision-makingCreating boundaries and sustainability when the mission is deeply personalMeasuring impact when the work centers on grief, healing, and human connectionMoving from supporting individual families to advocating for systemic changeCreating sustainable, long-term resources for people affected by mass violenceCarrying Reema’s memory forward through service Nonprofit Nation Podcast Prep -… About Joseph Samaha Joseph Samaha is the Director of Victim Advocacy and Outreach at VTVCare and a lifelong resident of Northern Virginia. Following the Virginia Tech tragedy, Joe and his wife, Mona, established scholarships and funds in memory of their daughter, Reema, and Joe became a tireless advocate for Virginia Tech families and other survivors. He has served as the first president of VTVFOF and works as a consultant and speaker with the Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center. He also consults with the Medical University of South Carolina’s National Mass Violence and Victim Resource Center. Joe has helped advise states and institutions on VTVCare’s investment model for sustaining the cost of assisting victims of mass violence. His advocacy contributed to Virginia and Maine becoming the first states in the nation to establish non-reverting Mass Violence Care Funds for citizens impacted by mass violence. Learn More Learn more about VTVCare at vtvcare.org. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a nonprofit leader or fundraiser who could benefit from this conversation. Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

  2. 22h ago

    When Facebook Changes the Rules: Protecting Your Year-End Fundraising

    If your nonprofit is preparing for year-end fundraising, there’s a Facebook development I want you to know about. Facebook expert Mari Smith is reporting that some Facebook Pages and professional-mode profiles are encountering a limit of two organic external-link posts per month. Under the restrictions she describes, putting a link in the comments can count, too. Two links per month. If you’re promoting a fundraising campaign, a volunteer opportunity, and an event, you can see how quickly that becomes a problem. Availability varies, so check your own Page for notices before assuming you’re affected. I’ll link to Mari’s article in the show notes. But this development raises a question every nonprofit should consider: How much of our fundraising depends on Facebook allowing supporters to reach our website? Today, we’re going to look at what the data tells us, what paying for more link sharing actually gets you, and three practical steps you can take before year-end. Mari Smith article Jon Loomer podcast Meta's Widely Viewed Content Report: What People See on Facebook  This episode of Nonprofit Nation is brought to you by Porkbun. Nonprofit friends, your domain name is part of your brand - and a .ORG immediately tells people there’s a mission behind your work. Porkbun makes it easy to get a .ORG domain with transparent pricing, no aggressive upsells, and free features like SSL certificates, URL forwarding, and email forwarding. Plus, if you need help, you can actually reach a real human 24/7. Get your .ORG domain from Porkbun at porkbun.com/NonprofitNation26. And thank you to Porkbun for supporting Nonprofit Nation and the Nonprofit Social Media Summit!  Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

  3. Sep 30

    Building the Nonprofit Flywheel: What Sustainable Growth Really Takes with Suzanne Smith

    What if sustainable nonprofit growth isn't about getting bigger, but about making your organization stronger? Nonprofits are constantly being told to grow, scale, serve more people, raise more money, and demonstrate greater impact. But what happens when the need for growth moves faster than an organization’s ability to actually sustain it? In this episode of Nonprofit Nation, Julia Campbell talks with Suzanne Smith, founder and CEO of Social Impact Architects and author of The Nonprofit Flywheel: A Playbook for Sustainable Growth, Smarter Strategy and Lasting Impact, about what it really takes to build a stronger, more resilient nonprofit.  Suzanne introduces the idea of the nonprofit flywheel, a way of thinking about how interconnected parts of an organization can work together to create sustainable momentum. Rather than treating growth as simply getting bigger, Suzanne makes the case for strengthening the systems underneath the work, including mission, strategy, leadership, trust, storytelling, revenue, operations, culture, and governance. Julia and Suzanne dig into why nonprofits sometimes try to scale programs before building the organizational capacity needed to support them, why a fundraising problem may actually be a problem with mission clarity or trust, and why so many strategic plans lose momentum once the retreat is over. They also explore the nonprofit sector's leadership pipeline, the importance of investing in organizational infrastructure, and what boards and funders can do to help—or hinder—organizational resilience. In this episode, we discuss: What the “nonprofit flywheel” is and how it creates sustainable momentumWhy growth and scale aren't necessarily the same thing as impactHow to determine whether your organization is actually ready to growWhy nonprofits often scale programs before strengthening the organization underneath themThe connection between mission clarity, trust, storytelling, and revenueWhy fundraising challenges aren't always fundraising problemsWhy strategic plans so often stall after the planning retreatHow to turn strategy into everyday organizational decision-makingWhy organizational capacity should be viewed as essential infrastructure, rather than simply “overhead”What resilient nonprofit organizations have in commonThe leadership pipeline challenge facing the nonprofit sectorHow boards and funders can strengthen or undermine organizational resiliencePractical ways nonprofit leaders can begin building sustainable momentum. About Suzanne Smith Suzanne Smith, MBA, is the founder and CEO of Social Impact Architects and the author of The Nonprofit Flywheel: A Playbook for Sustainable Growth, Smarter Strategy and Lasting Impact, launching October 1, 2026. Drawing on 16 years of research, testing, and work with hundreds of nonprofits, Suzanne's book explores six interconnected drivers—impact, brand, revenue, operations, culture, and governance—and how they work together to build stronger and more resilient organizations.  A question to think about: Is your nonprofit actually growing, or are you simply doing more without building the infrastructure needed to sustain it? If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a nonprofit leader or fundraiser who could benefit from the conversation. Learn More About Suzanne Learn more about The Nonprofit Flywheel and sign up for the free digital edition: www.meetsuzanne.com/nonprofitflywheel Subscribe to Suzanne's Social TrendSpotter: https://socialtrendspot.substack.com/ Learn more about Suzanne: www.meetsuzanne.com Learn more about Social Impact Architects: www.socialimpactarchitects.com Follow Suzanne on social media: https://linktr.ee/socialimpactarchitects  Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

  4. Sep 23

    Becoming Community-Led with Carolyn Daly

    What does it really mean to be community-led? In the nonprofit sector, “community-led” has become a popular phrase, but what does it actually look like when an organization is willing to transfer real decision-making power to the people closest to the work? In this episode of Nonprofit Nation, Julia Campbell talks with Carolyn Daly, Executive Director of Nuya’, a nonprofit partnering with Indigenous Maya women in Guatemala to improve health, education, and economic opportunity through community-led solutions. Carolyn has spent the past 13 years working alongside local women leaders as programs have increasingly been designed, led, and sustained by the communities they serve. She is now helping lead a long-term transition of executive leadership to Nuya’s Indigenous Guatemalan leadership team.  Carolyn shares how this experience has challenged her assumptions about leadership, philanthropy, growth, and sustainability and what nonprofit leaders may need to unlearn and let go of in order to make meaningful community ownership possible. We also dig into a question that many nonprofits and funders wrestle with: Does bigger actually mean better? Carolyn shares what a failed program experiment in Guatemala taught her about the idea of “enough,” and why sustainability and lasting impact may require organizations to rethink their relationship with growth.  In this episode, we discuss:  What “community-led” really means beyond simply asking for community input  The difference between community participation and community power What it takes to develop local leadership over many years—not just within a grant cycle  Why transferring leadership is about much more than changing someone's title  What Carolyn has had to unlearn about leadership and power How boards, staff, and organizational structures need to evolve when leadership is being transferred  The important work of community leadership that philanthropy often doesn't see or fund  Why leadership development can be difficult to fit into traditional funder metrics  The importance of patient and unrestricted funding What happens when funder priorities don't align with what a community actually needs  Who should define what “impact” means: funders, nonprofits, or the communities being served?  Why nonprofits and funders often equate growth with impact What a failed program experiment in Guatemala taught Carolyn about knowing when “enough” is enough Rethinking sustainability beyond simply having enough money to keep an organization running  Whether a nonprofit leader's success can eventually mean becoming less necessary One uncomfortable question nonprofit leaders and funders should be willing to ask if they genuinely want to become more community-led  About Carolyn Daly Carolyn Daly is the Executive Director of Nuya’, a nonprofit that partners with Indigenous Maya women in Guatemala to improve health, education, and economic opportunity through community-led solutions. She is currently helping lead a long-term transition of executive leadership to Nuya’s Indigenous Guatemalan leadership team. Over the past 13 years, Carolyn has worked alongside local women leaders to build programs that are increasingly designed, led, and sustained by the communities they serve. Carolyn writes about philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, and community-led development, exploring questions around growth, sustainability, and how philanthropy can better support local leadership. Before joining Nuya’, she served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Guatemala.  Short Description What does it really mean to become community-led? Carolyn Daly of Nuya’ joins Julia to explore transferring power, not just titles, to Indigenous Guatemalan leaders, the challenges philanthropy creates for community-led work, and why nonprofit leaders should question whether growth always equals impact. Suggested Episode Hook What if becoming a more effective nonprofit leader means learning to give up control? Carolyn Daly joins Julia Campbell to talk about what it really takes to transfer power to the communities nonprofits serve and why sometimes the most meaningful measure of success isn't how much an organization grows, but how much ownership it is able to give away. Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

  5. Sep 16

    How to Post Less On Social Media and 10X Engagement with Reuben Harney

    What if your nonprofit doesn't need to post more, it just needs to post better? Nonprofits are constantly told they need to be more active on social media. Post consistently. Create more Reels. Follow the trends. Keep feeding the algorithm. But what if doing more isn't actually the answer? In this episode of Nonprofit Nation, Julia sits down with Reuben Harney, founder of Motus Reach, to challenge the idea that nonprofits need to constantly create content to succeed on social media. Reuben shares his philosophy of “posting less, but better” and explains why focusing on real people, real stories, and meaningful outcomes can create stronger engagement without adding more work to already-busy nonprofit teams. Drawing from his work with Family First, a Jersey-based charity, Reuben shares how a more focused and sustainable social media strategy helped increase engagement while reducing the organization's content workload. We talk about how nonprofits can uncover compelling stories within the work they're already doing, collect testimonials without overwhelming staff, and turn those stories into content that inspires supporters to actually take action. We also dig into the difference between engagement that simply looks good and engagement that genuinely advances the mission—and why nonprofits should stop posting simply because they feel like they have to. In this episode, you'll learn: Why posting more doesn't necessarily lead to better social media resultsThe difference between being active on social media and having an actual social media strategyWhy real names and real stories can be more powerful than generic impact statisticsHow to find compelling nonprofit stories without creating more work for staffHow to gather testimonials while respecting the people your organization servesWhy a sustainable content strategy can outperform an aggressive posting scheduleHow to connect storytelling with fundraising and supporter actionWhich social media metrics nonprofits should actually pay attention toHow to distinguish engagement that looks impressive from engagement that actually moves your mission forwardWhat small nonprofits can realistically accomplish with limited time and resourcesWhat nonprofits should stop doing on social mediaHow to build a content strategy around impact instead of algorithms A Few Key Takeaways You don't have to be everywhere. Being constantly active on social media isn't the same thing as having a strategy. For nonprofits with limited time and resources, a smaller number of thoughtful, strategic posts can be more effective than trying to keep up with an endless content schedule. People connect with people. Numbers can communicate scale, but individual stories can help supporters understand the human impact behind those numbers. Reuben's approach centers on real people and real stories to help organizations communicate their impact more meaningfully. The best content doesn't have to create more work. Nonprofits already have stories happening every day. The challenge is creating simple systems that allow program staff to capture those moments naturally instead of making communications teams constantly chase down content. Engagement isn't the end goal. Likes and comments can feel good, but nonprofits ultimately need supporters to take meaningful action. The goal is to connect storytelling to what you want people to do—whether that's donate, volunteer, share, subscribe, or simply pay attention. About Reuben Harney Reuben Harney runs Motus Reach, a social media management agency that works exclusively with charities. His approach focuses on real names, real stories, and posting less but better. Through his work with Family First, a Jersey-based charity, Reuben grew their engagement by 272% in under five months while developing a streamlined content strategy designed to increase engagement and support without creating an unsustainable workload for the nonprofit team. He works with a small number of charities at a time, helping organizations communicate their impact, build trust, and make it easier for supporters to understand and act on their mission. Learn more: MotusReach.com 🎧 Enjoyed this episode? If this conversation gave you a new perspective on nonprofit social media, subscribe to Nonprofit Nation, leave a review, and share this episode with a nonprofit leader or fundraiser who could benefit from it. Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

  6. Sep 9

    Nonprofit Communications That Work with Christine Koh

    What if your nonprofit doesn’t actually have a communications problem? When a nonprofit’s messaging isn’t landing, the instinct is often to rewrite the website, create a new communications plan, post more content, or bring in a communications expert. But sometimes, the real issue goes much deeper. In this episode of Nonprofit Nation, Julia Campbell talks with Christine Koh, a strategic communications advisor who works with mission-driven leadership teams to repair narrative breakdowns, strengthen leadership communication, and build the infrastructure organizations need to communicate effectively. Christine shares why communications problems are often symptoms of deeper leadership or organizational challenges, and what happens when everyone inside an organization has a different understanding of its story. They dig into what “narrative breakdown” actually looks like, how internal misalignment eventually shows up in external communications, and why communications teams can end up being asked to solve problems they don't actually have the authority to fix. Julia and Christine also explore how nonprofit leaders can create clearer ownership around messaging, avoid “communications by committee,” and build systems that don't depend on one person carrying the entire organizational story in their head. And, as always, they get practical, talking about what nonprofit leaders should diagnose before investing in another website, brand refresh, communications strategy, or endless stream of content. If you've ever felt like your nonprofit is communicating a lot but somehow the message still isn't quite landing, this conversation is for you. 🎧 In this episode, we discuss:  Why some nonprofit communications problems are actually leadership problems What narrative breakdown looks like inside an organization  How internal misalignment affects external communications  Why communications teams can become the catch-all for organizational dysfunction  The role of executive leadership in shaping and protecting an organization's narrative  How to create clear ownership around messaging and communications decisions  How to avoid communications by committee while still making space for input  What healthy communications infrastructure actually looks like  Why more content isn't necessarily the answer to a communications problem  How nonprofits can build communication systems that remain effective through staff and leadership changes  What leaders should diagnose before hiring someone to redo their website or create another communications strategy  Practical questions nonprofit leaders can ask to assess the health of their communications infrastructure About Christine Koh Christine Koh, PhD, is a strategic communications advisor who works with mission-driven leaders and executive teams to stabilize leadership communication, repair narrative breakdown, and build sustainable communications infrastructure. Her work draws from years of experience across media brand building, creative direction, and strategic advising for nonprofits. She also brings experience as a podcast host through Edit Your Life, where she explores ideas and translates them into practical insights.  Connect with Christine Koh Want to learn more from Christine or follow her work?  🌐 Website: christinekoh.com 💼 LinkedIn: Christine Koh on LinkedIn 🎙️ Edit Your Life Podcast: Listen to Edit Your LifeChristine is also the host of Edit Your Life, an award-winning podcast focused on practical advice for simplifying and decluttering different areas of life.  Don’t forget: If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to Nonprofit Nation, leave a review, and share this episode with a nonprofit leader or fundraiser who could benefit from the conversation.  Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

  7. Sep 3

    Planned Giving Without the Stress with Tony Martignetti

    What if planned giving isn’t just for large nonprofits with massive development teams, sophisticated systems, and years of experience? In this episode of Nonprofit Nation, Julia Campbell talks with Tony Martignetti, the evangelist for Planned Giving and author of the forthcoming book Planned Giving Accelerated, about why small and mid-size nonprofits should be thinking about legacy giving, and why it doesn’t have to be complicated. Tony shares a practical, approachable perspective on how nonprofits can recognize potential planned giving donors, start meaningful conversations about legacy giving, and build a program without expensive infrastructure or unnecessary complexity. Together, Julia and Tony unpack some of the biggest misconceptions around planned giving, including the idea that only wealthy donors or large institutions should pursue it. They also explore why donor loyalty can matter more than the size of an individual gift, how to make conversations about estate plans feel natural, and what nonprofit leaders and boards need to understand about building a culture around legacy giving.  In this episode, you’ll learn:  Why planned giving isn’t just for universities, hospitals, and large institutions  The biggest misconceptions that keep small nonprofits from getting started  What a simple and affordable planned giving program can look like  How to identify donors who may be strong planned giving prospects  Why donor loyalty can be more important than wealth when identifying potential legacy donors  How to introduce planned giving without making the conversation uncomfortable or transactional  What fundraisers need to know before talking with donors about legacy gifts  When to involve a donor’s attorney or financial advisor  The basic infrastructure a nonprofit actually needs to get started  How to communicate about planned giving without overwhelming donors with technical information  How nonprofit leaders and boards can support a culture of legacy giving  Why the current generational transfer of wealth creates an important opportunity for nonprofits  One thing fundraisers can do this week to start moving planned giving forward About Tony Martignetti Tony Martignetti is the evangelist for Planned Giving and the author of Planned Giving Accelerated, a book designed to help small and mid-size nonprofits launch planned giving programs by making the process easy, accessible, and affordable. Tony began his career as a front-line planned giving fundraiser in 1997 and launched his consulting practice in 2003. He is also a lawyer with a background in stand-up comedy and improv—an unusual combination that helps him make planned giving approachable rather than intimidating.  Resources & Links 🔗 Tony Martignetti on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonymartignetti/ 📖 Planned Giving Accelerated: PlannedGivingAccelerated.com Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

  8. Aug 26

    Capturing the Next Generation of Donors with Logan Vaughan

    What if the next generation of donors wants to give, but they want giving to feel tangible, convenient, and digital at the same time? As donor expectations continue to evolve, nonprofits have an opportunity to rethink how they engage younger supporters. While online fundraising has made monetary giving easier than ever, physical-item donations and in-kind giving can still be surprisingly difficult to organize, manage, and scale. On this episode of Nonprofit Nation, Julia Campbell sits down with Logan Vaughan, co-founder and CEO of GiftDrive.org, to talk about the changing landscape of donor engagement and what nonprofits need to understand about the way Gen Z and younger millennials want to give. Logan shares the story behind GiftDrive, a platform designed specifically to help nonprofits create online wishlists and donation drives for physical goods. Since launching, GiftDrive has supported more than 55 nonprofit organizations and facilitated more than 5,500 item donations valued at over $60,000.  Together, Julia and Logan explore why physical giving resonates with younger donors, where traditional tools like online wishlists fall short, and how technology can make in-kind giving more accessible and effective. In this episode, you'll learn:  Why younger donors are increasingly drawn to giving physical items instead of cash How Gen Z and millennials are changing expectations around philanthropy and nonprofit engagement  Why tangible giving can feel more accessible and meaningful to younger supporters  What younger donors expect when it comes to convenience, transparency, and technology The challenges nonprofits face when managing physical-item donation drives  Why consumer tools like Amazon Wish Lists aren't always the best solution for nonprofit organizations  How purpose-built technology can make in-kind giving easier to manage and scale  The importance of CRM integrations, automated tax receipts, reporting, analytics, and customization  What Logan has learned by building GiftDrive alongside the nonprofits it serves How nonprofit leaders can prepare for the next generation of donors About Logan Vaughan Logan Vaughan is a senior at the University of Vermont and the co-founder and CEO of GiftDrive.org, a platform that helps nonprofits create wishlists and donation drives to collect physical items from their communities. Since launching, GiftDrive has supported more than 55 nonprofit organizations across the country, facilitating more than 5,500 item donations valued at over $60,000. Logan is passionate about building the nonprofit technology and infrastructure of the future and believes organizations need tools designed around the ways modern donors want to give.  Resources Mentioned 🎁 GiftDrive: https://giftdrive.org/ Don't forget! If you enjoyed this episode of Nonprofit Nation, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a nonprofit leader who could benefit from this conversation! 🎧 Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

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Ready for some real talk about nonprofits? Julia Campbell sits down with industry experts and practitioners to get advice on the best ways to build a thriving movement and a vibrant, passionate community around a cause. Topics include fundraising, storytelling, and marketing of course - but it also dives into mental health issues, leadership strategy, digital wellness, and much more. Julia's guests share practical wisdom, entertaining stories, and real-world tips that will help you strategize, plan, and grow your nonprofit. You never know exactly what you’re going to learn when you tune into Nonprofit Nation, but you can be assured that it will be worth your valuable time and attention.  Nonprofit Nation is hosted by Julia Campbell, digital marketing and fundraising expert, nonprofit consultant, and author of Storytelling in the Digital Age: A Guide for Nonprofits and How to Build and Mobilize a Social Media Community for Your Nonprofit in 90 Days. Julia helps nonprofits build movements, and in her work she teaches nonprofits how to build community, audience and raise influence on social media channels. Be sure to click the subscribe button on Apple podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. 

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