Asking for Good: Fundraisers help you launch your Nonprofit Career

Asking For Good
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A podcast for people who want to make a difference in the world. Hear stories from seasoned nonprofit professionals and volunteers about their work and how to enter the sector. Designed for those looking to make a career change into the nonprofit space and those studying nonprofit management.

  1. Scientific Principles to Guide Nonprofit Work

    JAN 17

    Scientific Principles to Guide Nonprofit Work

    In this episode we’re joined by Todd Pooser, author of A Systems Approach to Public Administration and Social Equity and founder of The Virtual Commonwealth. Listen in to hear the scientific justification for the foundations of our work to create an equitable and sustainable society. Job seekers may use these frameworks as they evaluate the work and the approach of potential employers.  As we aim to solve intractable problems we need more than opinion, we have scientific models, derived from living systems, that can guide us. Todd uses General Systems Theory to answer this big question:  What’s the elegant solution that solves all of our inextricably entwined problems? To discover the solution we need to recognize our interdependence and interconnectedness. Then we have 2 sets of 3 rules to follow.  3 Rules of Systems-Based Ethics Human Health and Environmental Health are One and the Same There is No Such Thing As Them It’s Bigger than Physical Things. We have non-material needs.  3 Rules of a Systems-Based Social Contract  Establish a Physical Steady State Create central mandates while preserving the individual’s right to choose Reconcile Price and Cost We use a discussion of Congestion Pricing as a policy that reconciles price and cost.  Noting that there is a 0% chance of political systems creating the ideal situation, Todd introduces The Virtual Commonwealth which is a model for collective action where individuals form investing and purchasing communities because throwing our financial weight behind our beliefs is as critical as our voting weight is to our democracy. About the Guest: Todd Pooser is the founder and CEO of the Virtual Commonwealth. Todd’s book, A Systems Approach to Public Administration and Social Equity, uses cross-disciplinary science to formulate “The Plan” – a series of social policies that if enacted, will enable humanity to live in the best possible world given the conditions of our existence. The Virtual Commonwealth is the commercial application of the concepts advanced in the book, which has been published by Emerald Publishing as part of a series on sustainability and social equity. As COO of an Ad Tech startup, Todd has raised $9M from both public companies and high net worth individuals.

    40 min
  2. Using a Champion Mindset to Avoid Burnout and Win the Long Game of Nonprofit Leadership

    12/15/2025

    Using a Champion Mindset to Avoid Burnout and Win the Long Game of Nonprofit Leadership

    Dacia Moore, LPC, NBCC dives right into one of the biggest and all too common drawbacks of the nonprofit sector: BURNOUT. She draws from her training as a Licensed Professional Counselor, nonprofit executive search partner and personal experience with burnout to teach us how to manage our own emotional regulation and find long-term success in the nonprofit sector.  Nurture a Championship Mindset. This isn’t about winning a sports trophy. This is about resilience, optimism, and a burning desire to work with excellence. It sounds like, “I’m in this for the long haul, we’re doing a good job and getting better everyday.” Acknowledge what needs to be improved and give the most energy to what works well. Avoid perfectionism, it will kill you.  Sweeping your own doorstep, an idea she learned from Mother Theresa. Do what you can and what’s in front of you. In a nonprofit leadership context this means not doing other people’s job instead delegate and trust your staff. Then support the staff. Nonprofit leaders need to provide direction and vision and then move over to let staff execute. Remember that your piece, whatever it is matters. You matter and we can think about a tiny bolt to illustrate this. There was a bolt that got loose and an airplane door flew off midflight. Leaders need to focus on their part. Be the bolt, don’t try to be the bolt, the plane, the FAA… And as you are working, remember that we all play to mixed reviews. In any group, you will have 40% with you, 40% not with you and 20% on the fence. Recognize the negativity bias, spend the bulk of your energy on those who are on the fence and those who are with you.  As a job seeker, try to determine if the organization has healthy boundaries. Ask about the last person who was in this role, how long did they stay? What are the key traits of the next person who fills this role? How does the person that is interviewing you maintain healthy boundaries? Consider the interview process, was it designed to allow conversation or were you as a candidate just grilled by staff?  Dacia leaves us with two big ideas:  If Oprah and Michelle Obama can do it, so can you. Think of those who you admire. They’re all human. If they can figure out how to achieve excellence and have balance, then you can too.  Protect your mental and physical health; they are too important not to take care of them. The nonprofit sector needs leaders who can sustain their energy and keep coming back to do this challenging work. Resources:  DaciaMoore.com   From Stuck to Unstoppable: 5 Strategies for Getting Your Second Wind ABOUT THE GUEST: For eight years, Dacia L. Moore served as the Executive Director of a non-profit organization, driving its significant growth and success as a vibrant community resource. Her extensive background in fundraising, philanthropy, behavioral health, and non-profit management helped diversify the participants served and staff employed. Throughout her career, she has established a strong track record of enhancing organizational processes, motivating teams, and exceeding established targets. She now shares this expertise through workshops, keynotes, professional coaching, and counseling. She also contributes as a Senior Recruiter with Moran & Company, assisting non-profits in finding their next great leaders. As a Published Author, Radio Host, and Former Adjunct Professor, she helps organizations and leaders improve mental resilience.

    27 min
  3. Are you one good story from your dream job?

    11/16/2025

    Are you one good story from your dream job?

    Max Kringen from TellWell Story Co. shows listeners how to use story in their job interview process to stand out from a sea of candidates and make authentic connection.  As Simon Sinek suggests, start with why. Your why is your differentiator. The how is probably similar to other applicants and the organization will want you to buy into their how.  For job seekers to set themselves apart:  have stories that align with the point you’re making. People remember how they feel more than they will remember stats.  Use narrative transportation to help make connection. This sounds like, “do you remember when…” And when asked the inevitable…Tell me about yourself.  Get real. Start by sharing something not included in your resume or application materials. Be authentic. It could include the first time you realized this mission or organization was important. It may be the heartbeat of your professional life or the moral conviction that drives your work.  The interview process allows many opportunities to build trust. Use the Trust Framework to develop a strong rapport with the hiring team: Introduce: where curiosity is sparked, each party thinks, “there may be something here for me” Educate: build reliability; articulate your skills and experience that align with the job at hand Engage: call to action; ask the interviewer for the opportunity to address any beige or red flags they see in your candidacy;  Remind: this one is simple but often overlooked, remind people that you love them, if you’re grateful for the opportunity to interview, share it with the hiring team Looking beyond the job search, we hear from Max where the nonprofit industry is headed.  With attention spans getting shorter and shorter, it’s not about getting louder and louder: Cut the jargon because clarity is kindness.  Do NOT copy and paste out of AI. **Genuine human connection is going to win.** The nonprofit sector needs to approach communication with our boards, supporters, beneficiaries and the public at-large aiming to create community and connection. We can apply this same approach in the interview process, lead with authenticity with the goal of making connection. TellWell Story Co. is a creative studio that helps nonprofits tell more human stories that build trust through film design and web experiences. ABOUT OUR GUEST Max Kringen is the Founder and Chief Storyteller at Tellwell Story Co., a creative studio based in Fargo, North Dakota, that partners with mission-driven organizations to craft human-first stories that don’t just inspire—they drive action. With a decade of experience helping nonprofits, higher education institutions, and community-based businesses share their stories, Max has become a trusted guide for organizations seeking authentic connection in a noisy world.

    20 min
  4. Problem, Lever, Gaps, 10x Impact - Job Search Like a Consultant

    10/07/2025

    Problem, Lever, Gaps, 10x Impact - Job Search Like a Consultant

    Sarah Pomeranz is an expert in career transition. In this episode she shares tools she and her team at Consultants for Impact use to assist consultants in their transitions to social impact careers. Looking to have an outsized impact? Tune in to learn essential steps to defining your career path along with the frameworks and tests to get you there.  Forget passion, follow these steps instead: Identify the PROBLEM, find the LEVER, fill in your knowledge and skills GAPS, create 10x IMPACT Explore the Career Theory of Change Framework to roadmap your search Discover low-effort, high-reward Cheap Tests—from social media following to short-term consulting projects—to test if a role or organization is the right fit before you jump in head first Gain new personal insights by using the Weighted Factor Model: Get the formula for moving beyond a simple pros and cons list to objectively compare complex career paths or job offers by weighting your unique priorities like financial stability versus autonomy Plus, Sarah offers advice on how to translate consulting skills like project management and executive communication to the impact space, how to think about salary trade-offs for mission-aligned work, and her 10 Quit Business Days policy to avoid making desperate career moves. If you want to move on from where you are and make an outsized positive impact on society, this episode is for you. Resources:  Weighted Factor Model  Exit Interview films Career Theory of Change Meet the Member profiles Giving Green  ABOUT THE GUEST Sarah Pomeranz is the founder and CEO of Consultants for Impact. Since launching the organization, she has built a global network of 1,200+ consultants and facilitated over 80 career transitions to high-impact roles at organizations including the Clinton Health Access Initiative, Anthropic, Mercy for Animals, the World Bank, and the US and UK governments. Through 800+ personalized career advising sessions, Sarah helps strategy consultants channel their skills toward solving pressing global challenges. Before founding Consultants for Impact, Sarah was a top-performing strategy consultant at Accenture, where she advised clients including the World Economic Forum, Goodwill International, and Feed the Children.

    45 min
  5. What are the success factors at this organization?

    09/14/2025

    What are the success factors at this organization?

    Are you a job seeker trying to land your dream role or a hiring manager struggling to find the perfect fit? In this episode, we're joined by Rachel Platt of PLATTinum Consulting who shares interview process insights  from both sides of the table. Rachel reminds us that it is rare to find the perfect candidate. She reveals why hiring managers often prioritize soft skills over hard skills, explaining that it's much easier to teach someone a new software program than to change their mindset or motivation. So, how do you stand out? Rachel explains that candidates who demonstrate a strong alignment with an organization's specific success factors and values are the ones who get the offer. We also tackle the push and pull between the urgent need to fill a role and the desire to make a good, long-lasting hire. Rachel offers invaluable advice for both companies and job seekers on how to avoid a bad cultural fit, boiling it down to a powerful quote from Maya Angelou: "When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time." Finally, we discuss how to use AI to supercharge your interview preparation, from in-depth organization research to identifying potential questions based on a specific job description. Rachel emphasizes that every candidate should be ready with compelling examples of their adaptability, how they handle ambiguity, and their collaboration skills. Tune in to discover the secrets to a successful hiring journey!

    37 min
  6. What will you contribute to further the mission?

    08/26/2025

    What will you contribute to further the mission?

    In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Sherece West-Scantlebury, a 30-year veteran of the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors and CEO of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation. Dr. West-Scantlebury shares her powerful journey, from a 7-year-old who knew things could be better to a leader committed to shifting power and changing systems. She offers essential wisdom for anyone looking to make a lasting impact. You'll learn what truly sets successful candidates apart in mission-driven work—it's not just about what you've done, but how your unique skills and lived experiences will move the mission forward. Dr. West-Scantlebury reminds us that you don't need permission to do good and that in a world full of challenges, there's only one path forward: “See something, make something happen.” For Dr. Sherece West-Scantlebury, CEO of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation and 30-year veteran of the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors, successful candidates succinctly articulate how their contributions will advance the mission. Candidates with staying power join the sector with a social justice heart and are not driven by ego. They are self-aware of their own power, biases and growing edge to serve the mission instead of their individual needs. The best interviewees are those who get to know the organization before the interview and understand how the role they are applying for is pivotal to the organization. They ask questions that are thoughtful and curious, not to impress but to truly understand the work and the people it impacts. They include their accomplishments as well as their lived experience to showcase how they will use their skills and perspective to further the mission. As early as age 7, Dr. West-Scantlebury – then she went by Sherece and was unimpressed with the broken playground, among other things in her neighborhood – knew things could be better. She started her career in policy and advocacy and grew to become an influential nonprofit and philanthropic executive. After thirty years in the non-profit and philanthropy sectors she knows that lasting change requires a shift in power that leads to a change in systems that hold back the disenfranchised. Listen in to hear about her impactful journey which began in housing advocacy and led her to becoming the founding CEO of the Foundation for Louisiana, the current CEO of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation and a founding board member of the Women’s Foundation of the South. She shares more about the policies and systems that affect housing, how underinvestment in communities is a policy choice that spans generations and how people working 2-3 jobs are still economically insecure. Insights from her journey will benefit anyone interested in joining the sector. Looking at the sector as a whole. At this moment, Dr. West-Scantlebury encourages those new to the sector not to be deterred by the current chaos. In addition to providing necessary services in our communities, the nonprofit sector is a notable portion of our local economies. She reminds listeners that you do not need permission to do good, to impact systems and to positively impact change. As she puts it, there is only: “see something make something happen. Instead of complaining about the change you want, be the change you want it to be.” In the future she hopes to see funders and nonprofits working together as co-creators where funders build trust with grantee partners so they are comfortable with community-defined impact and make unrestricted, multi-year gifts. She wants to see nonprofits being leaders instead of lagging behind when it comes to technology or innovative ways of work. This requires that all in the sector hone their craft; she encourages listeners to read, A LOT…alot, alot, and make regular space for thinking and planning.

    40 min

  7. 06/08/2025

    Run Your Own Race: Sort of Sure Podcast Crossover

    In this crossover episode, Samar Kargbo of the Sort of Sure podcast interviews Asking for Good host Katherine Pooser about the nonprofit sector, fundraising and overcoming Imposter Syndrome.  Begin your transition to the nonprofit sector by volunteering and making a personally meaningful gift. These interactions with the sector will give any job candidate a leg up as they have demonstrated commitment to the sector.  For those ready to become development professionals, listen in to hear two essential frameworks to become a successful fundraiser: Be INTERESTED + INTERESTING to create strong donor relationships  Every ask is an invitation to change the world and should include these essential elements: PROJECT + TIMING + AMOUNT Finally, hear how to overcome Imposter Syndrome in the job search by identifying and reframing Automatic Negative Thoughts.

    20 min
  8. Eyes Wide Open to Opportunity: Learn from a 40 Year Career in Philanthropy with Lisa Lager

    05/14/2025

    Eyes Wide Open to Opportunity: Learn from a 40 Year Career in Philanthropy with Lisa Lager

    Lisa Lager is a nationally recognized philanthropy expert, all-around fundraising guru, and mentor to host, Katie Pooser. In this inspiring episode, Lisa shares why she prioritizes mentoring, lessons learned along a robust four-decade career journey, and provides invaluable advice for navigating job interviews and offers with confidence. Listen in as Lisa shares: ✨ See Beyond the Sparkle: Learn why it's crucial to approach new opportunities with open eyes, ditching those rose-colored glasses to truly assess if an organization is the right fit for you. 🤝 Mentorship Magic: Discover the profound impact of mentorship and hear firsthand how Lisa has guided countless professionals toward fulfilling careers. 🧐 Interview Intelligence: Unlock the secret to using the interview process to gather essential information, empowering you to make informed decisions when you land an offer. 🌟 Crafting Your Legacy: Be inspired by Lisa's journey in helping donors create meaningful legacies and how her own career has become a powerful reflection of her values. Tune in for a dose of career wisdom that will leave you feeling empowered and ready to make a real difference!

    36 min
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A podcast for people who want to make a difference in the world. Hear stories from seasoned nonprofit professionals and volunteers about their work and how to enter the sector. Designed for those looking to make a career change into the nonprofit space and those studying nonprofit management.

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