The Nonprofit Show

American Nonprofit Academy
  • 5.0 (5)
  • NON-PROFIT
  • UPDATED DAILY

The Nonprofit Show is the nation’s daily broadcast for the business side of nonprofits — bringing you practical insights, expert interviews, and real-world strategies to help your organization run smarter, lead stronger, and fund better. Each weekday, our co-hosts and guests break down the most current topics in fundraising, board governance, leadership, staffing, technology, communications, and financial strategy — giving nonprofit professionals the tools they need to build sustainable, high-performing organizations. With more than 1,400 episodes and growing, our on-demand library is a trusted resource for executive directors, team members, fundraisers, board members, and sector leaders who are ready to move beyond inspiration and into implementation. 🎥 Watch the daily show on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3A0Dqlw

  1. The Future of International Aid May Not Be Aid at All

    13H AGO

    The Future of International Aid May Not Be Aid at All

    Send us Fan Mail This episode is for nonprofits searching for alternatives to traditional aid models and dependency-driven philanthropy. The conversation blends international development, nonprofit operations, sustainability, and social enterprise into a highly searchable leadership discussion. Sustainable nonprofit development in Africa requires more than donations—it requires long-term economic thinking, local leadership, and community ownership. In this Global Edition of The Nonprofit Show, Paul Smith, UK Director of MUSANA, shares how the organization is transforming rural communities in Uganda through healthcare, education, hospitality businesses, and locally driven enterprise systems designed to become financially sustainable. Rather than creating dependency on Western aid, MUSANA uses philanthropy as catalytic investment. Their model builds hospitals, schools, hotels, restaurants, and jobs that eventually generate enough local revenue to sustain operations and fund scholarships and outreach programs internally. Paul explains how MUSANA’s district-based strategy has already created nearly 900 full-time jobs while building systems that communities themselves support, value, and grow. The conversation also takes an honest look at the ethical challenges facing international nonprofits, including poverty marketing, child sponsorship culture, and “white savior” dynamics that can unintentionally reinforce harmful power structures. One of the most compelling moments comes when Paul says: “No global economy has ever been built off charity. It’s always enterprise, it’s always industry that builds an economy.” The episode also introduces a powerful nonprofit leadership concept: “Every single charity should have an out vision.” If your nonprofit works internationally—or simply wants to build stronger, more sustainable systems locally—this conversation offers fresh thinking on what long-term impact can truly look like.   00:00:00 Introduction To MUSANA’s Mission  00:02:32 Breaking Cycles Of Aid Dependency  00:05:17 Building Schools, Hospitals & Enterprises  00:07:19 How Local Revenue Funds Community Growth  00:10:30 Why Free Aid Can Create Dependency  00:11:49 Local Leadership Versus Western Control  00:14:20 The Ethics Of Poverty Tourism  00:17:48 Why MUSANA Rejects Child Sponsorship  00:19:49 When Western-Led Models Fail  00:22:20 Ego, Power & Nonprofit Leadership  00:25:23 Access, Opportunity & Economic Growth  00:27:03 Why Every Charity Needs An “Out Vision”  #TheNonprofitShow #InternationalDevelopment #Uganda Find us Live daily on YouTube! Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn! Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_Show Our national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PT Send us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.com Visit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

    30 min
  2. Why More Money Won’t Fix Your Nonprofit

    1D AGO

    Why More Money Won’t Fix Your Nonprofit

    Send us Fan Mail Nonprofit infrastructure planning is often overlooked until growth creates operational stress, staff burnout, and organizational confusion. In this energizing discussion, Sharmon Lebby, founder and CEO of Blessed Designs Consulting, explains why nonprofit leaders must build systems, strategy, and internal alignment before major funding arrives. Many nonprofit organizations operate in survival mode—focused on securing the next grant, donation, or hire—without fully preparing for what sustainable growth actually requires. Sharmon challenges leaders to rethink budgeting, board development, volunteer management, and organizational planning from a long-term operational perspective. “You’re not planning for success,” Sharmon explains during the conversation, encouraging nonprofits to think beyond immediate fundraising goals and define what meaningful impact truly looks like. The discussion explores how operational breakdowns often begin internally through unclear systems, rushed onboarding, weak infrastructure, and reactive leadership. Sharmon introduces three core areas nonprofits should continuously strengthen: strategy, systems, and storytelling—including internal storytelling that shapes organizational culture and alignment. The episode also dives into: Why budgeting should function as a strategic compass Creating “dream budgets” before funding exists Building board alignment around values and skill gaps Planning founder transitions and organizational succession Shifting from scarcity thinking to intentional impact planning Collaborating with peer nonprofits instead of competing for every dollar One of the most powerful moments comes when Sharmon reframes the nonprofit relationship with money itself: “Money’s not really what you want.”   00:00:00 Why More Money Can Create New Problems  00:02:22 The “Collapsing Table” Infrastructure Analogy  00:04:15 Burnout and Operational Cracks During Growth  00:06:00 Why Nonprofits Don’t Plan for Success  00:07:34 Building Systems Before Funding Arrives  00:09:31 Strategy, Systems, and Storytelling Framework  00:11:08 Budgeting as a Strategic Growth Tool  00:13:18 Building Boards Around Values and Skills  00:16:27 Why Nonprofits Are Built in Survival Mode  00:19:14 Redefining the Nonprofit Relationship With Money  00:21:29 Planning From the End Goal Backward  00:22:50 Collaboration Instead of Competition  #TheNonprofitShow #NonprofitOperations #NonprofitManagement Find us Live daily on YouTube! Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn! Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_Show Our national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PT Send us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.com Visit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

    31 min
  3. Difficult Donors: When to Walk Away

    5D AGO

    Difficult Donors: When to Walk Away

    Send us Fan Mail Managing difficult donors in nonprofits requires more than patience—it requires boundaries, documentation, leadership support, and a clear understanding of donor behavior. In this Fundraisers Friday episode, Julia C. Patrick and Tony Beall explore how nonprofit teams can identify challenging donor patterns before they disrupt the mission, staff, or fundraising strategy. Not every difficult donor is difficult in the same way. Some want control. Some want recognition. Some have disengaged because of a past disappointment. Others cross lines that should never be ignored. This conversation gives nonprofit professionals a thoughtful framework for recognizing those patterns and responding with confidence. Julia and Tony begin with “the controller”—the donor who wants influence over programs, decisions, or organizational direction. Often, this person has business experience, strong opinions, and a genuine desire to help, but their advice can quickly turn into pressure. Tony reminds nonprofit leaders that clear communication about capacity, barriers, and mission alignment is essential. They also discuss the high-maintenance donor, or the “diva/devo” personality, who expects frequent attention, personal recognition, and ongoing reassurance. Tony offers a helpful perspective: these donors may be easier to satisfy when nonprofits understand what they are really seeking—visibility, appreciation, and personal connection. Next comes the transactionalist, often connected to corporate giving, sponsorships, or community relations. This donor wants to know what they receive in return: logo placement, event perks, social media visibility, impressions, access, and recognition. For nonprofits, the lesson is simple: expectations must be set before the gift is made. The conversation then turns to lapsed and angry donors—supporters who have pulled away because something changed, something offended them, or something was never resolved. These situations require careful listening, CRM documentation, and a willingness to reengage with transparency. Finally, Julia and Tony address the line-crosser, the donor whose behavior becomes inappropriate, disrespectful, or harmful. This is where gift policies, conduct language, leadership reporting, and staff protection become non-negotiable. Tony captures the complexity perfectly: “There is no one-size-fits-all answer.” But he also offers the hard truth many fundraisers need to hear: “There’s power in goodbye.” This episode is a business-minded guide to protecting donor relationships without sacrificing mission, staff dignity, or organizational integrity.   00:00:00 Difficult Donors and the Summer Fundraising Season  00:02:08 Why Donor Personas Help Nonprofits Prepare  00:04:02 The Controller: When Donors Want Influence  00:07:48 The High-Maintenance Donor and Recognition Needs  00:10:50 Transactional Donors, Perks, and Visibility  00:13:49 Lapsed and Angry Donors: What Changed?  00:17:16 Politics, Civil Discourse, and Donor Disengagement  00:20:42 The Line-Crosser and Inappropriate Behavior  00:24:22 Policies, Documentation, and Leadership Reporting  00:26:29 When to Walk Away From a Donor  00:28:27 Bless and Release Without Damaging Philanthropy  #TheNonprofitShow #NonprofitFundraising #DonorManagement Find us Live daily on YouTube! Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn! Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_Show Our national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PT Send us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.com Visit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

    31 min
  4. Nonprofit Influencer Marketing: Build Strategy, Goals, and Donor Growth

    6D AGO

    Nonprofit Influencer Marketing: Build Strategy, Goals, and Donor Growth

    Send us Fan Mail Nonprofit marketing strategy with fractional CMO leadership can help organizations move beyond reactive communications and build smarter pathways to donors, volunteers, clients, and community trust. In this energizing episode of The Nonprofit Show, Andrea Sok, Founder and CEO of Sok Influencer PR, shares how nonprofits can turn marketing into a strategic business function—not just a last-minute scramble. Many nonprofits treat marketing as a response mechanism: a campaign is behind, a crisis has surfaced, an event needs attention, or another organization is doing something visible. Andrea challenges that mindset and makes the case for intentional planning, measurable goals, and executive-level marketing leadership. One of the strongest ideas in this conversation is the role of a fractional CMO for nonprofits. Andrea explains that some organizations need short-term leadership during a transition, while others need part-time strategic guidance because they are not yet large enough for a full-time marketing executive. In either case, nonprofits gain senior-level insight without carrying the full cost of a permanent hire. She also reframes influencer marketing for the nonprofit sector. As Andrea puts it, “Influencer could be anyone who influences your audience.” That could be a neighborhood leader, pastor, local official, business owner, parent blogger, or trusted community voice—not just someone with a massive online following. The episode also takes on AI for nonprofit marketing. Andrea makes the case that AI is not about replacing nonprofit staff; it is about giving exhausted teams time back. From one 30-second volunteer video, an organization can create social posts, email content, annual report copy, graphics, and more. Her point is clear: “AI alone is a great tool for brainstorming… but when we pair it with automation, game changer.” For nonprofit CEOs, board members, development leaders, and communications teams, this conversation offers a smarter way to think about marketing investment, donor growth, board education, and organizational capacity. Watch this episode to rethink how your nonprofit can use marketing leadership, AI, automation, and influence to build stronger relationships and better business outcomes!  00:00:00 Welcome to The Nonprofit Show  00:01:41 What an Influencer Really Means for Nonprofits  00:03:47 Why Nonprofit Marketing Gets Stuck in Reaction Mode  00:06:20 How a Fractional CMO Supports Nonprofit Leadership  00:08:56 Helping Boards See Marketing as Investment  00:10:56 Marketing Is More Than Advertising  00:13:03 Meaningful Metrics That Move the Organization Forward  00:14:03 AI as a Force Multiplier for Nonprofit Teams  00:17:17 Turning One Story Into Multiple Marketing Assets  00:19:12 Using AI as a Thought Partner for Small Teams  00:21:57 Why Banning AI Can Create Bigger Risk  00:25:33 Choosing the Marketing Work That Actually Moves the Needle  #TheNonprofitShow #NonprofitMarketing #FractionalCMO Find us Live daily on YouTube! Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn! Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_Show Our national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PT Send us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.com Visit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

    29 min
  5. What AFP ICON Revealed: Getting Real Business Value From Nonprofit Conferences

    MAY 20

    What AFP ICON Revealed: Getting Real Business Value From Nonprofit Conferences

    Send us Fan Mail Nonprofit conference strategy for fundraisers is not just about attending sessions — it’s about turning time, travel, relationships, and learning into business value for your organization. Tim Sarrantonio, Founder of The Generosity Spectrum (and also a cohost of the Show), joins to share timely insights from the recent AFP International Conference and the broader conference landscape shaping nonprofit fundraising leadership. Tim brings a rare perspective as a sector educator, speaker, conference participant, and creator of game-based learning experiences for nonprofit leaders, boards, and communities. The conversation begins with AFP ICON — what it is, who attends, and why it matters — but quickly moves into a larger question: how can nonprofit professionals make conferences worth the investment? From the vendor hall to rooftop gatherings, from formal panels to side conversations, Tim explains why the strongest learning often happens outside the scheduled room. As he puts it, “Always, no matter what, ask yourself, why am I in this room?” That question becomes a powerful lens for fundraisers, CEOs, CFOs, board members, and development teams trying to maximize conference ROI. The episode also touches on the Fundraising Effectiveness Project, board education, sector trust, inclusive conference design, and the cautious optimism many nonprofit professionals are carrying into this next season. Tim notes, “People are ready to help. Vendors are there to help.” But he also challenges leaders to be thoughtful about where they spend their attention, energy, and budget. This conversation is especially useful for nonprofit professionals preparing for AFP ICON, Bridge Conference, AFP chapter events, vendor-hosted gatherings, or any sector learning experience. It offers a smarter way to think about nonprofit networking strategy, fundraising leadership development, and the business case for attending conferences. For nonprofit leaders, this episode is a reminder: don’t just show up. Show up with purpose!!  00:00:00 Welcome And Why AFP ICON Matters  00:02:04 Tim Sarrantonio And The Generosity Spectrum  00:04:54 Creating A Practice Field For Nonprofit Leaders  00:06:54 What AFP ICON Is And Who It Serves  00:11:21 Why Executives And Fundraisers Attend  00:13:50 The Real Vibe At AFP ICON  00:18:01 Sector Confidence And Cautious Optimism  00:21:13 How To Maximize A Nonprofit Conference  00:24:24 Vendor Hall Strategy And Sponsor Value  00:26:33 Why Small-Room Conversations Matter  00:29:15 Local AFP Chapters And What Comes Next  #TheNonprofitShow #NonprofitFundraising #AFPICON Find us Live daily on YouTube! Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn! Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_Show Our national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PT Send us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.com Visit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

    31 min
  6. The Future of ESL Education Is Mobile, Human, and AI-Assisted

    MAY 19

    The Future of ESL Education Is Mobile, Human, and AI-Assisted

    Send us Fan Mail Nonprofits exploring AI education strategies and immigrant workforce development will find powerful lessons in this conversation with Patricia Machado of SQA Education. Learn how AI language learning for immigrants is helping nonprofits scale services, strengthen community participation, and create real-world outcomes for adult learners. Patricia, founder of SQA Education, joined us from Argentina to discuss how her nonprofit serves more than 4,000 immigrant adults from over 50 countries through mobile-first English language education powered by both teachers and artificial intelligence. Rather than replacing educators, SQA Education uses AI to expand learning opportunities beyond the classroom. Patricia explains how AI-powered conversation tools allow students to practice real-world scenarios like job interviews, banking, healthcare conversations, and workplace communication repeatedly—building the confidence adult learners need to succeed. “We don’t want any other adult immigrants to go through this same experience,” Patricia shares while reflecting on her own transition to the United States as a chemical engineer without English fluency. This episode also explores: How nonprofits can use AI to increase organizational capacity Why phone-first learning models matter for underserved communities The role of partnerships with banks, hospitals, HR professionals, and legal experts Why adult education must deliver immediate daily-life value How language learning impacts workforce retention and employee growth Why nonprofits should frame language access as infrastructure investment instead of charity Patricia also offers a compelling perspective on measuring success—not through test scores alone, but through moments when students successfully speak with doctors, employers, teachers, and community leaders for the first time. “This is not a charitable work. You’re doing a really high leverage work for your community.” If your nonprofit is exploring AI, digital learning, workforce development, or immigrant community engagement, this conversation offers operational insight and scalable ideas.   00:00:00 Welcome to The Nonprofit Show  00:01:24 Expanding Global Philanthropy Conversations  00:01:52 Inside SQA Education’s Mission  00:02:53 Patricia Machado’s Immigrant Journey  00:06:21 Why Adult Language Learning Needs Structure  00:08:37 Using AI to Expand Human Teaching  00:10:06 AI Conversation Tools for Real-Life Practice  00:11:39 How AI Increased Nonprofit Capacity  00:12:54 Why SQA Is Phone-First  00:15:31 Building Partnerships That Support Immigrants  00:18:34 Teaching Real-World Survival Skills  00:22:23 Framing Language Access as Infrastructure  00:24:29 Workforce Retention and Language Investment  00:27:11 Why Confidence Changes Everything  #TheNonprofitShow #ArtificialIntelligence Find us Live daily on YouTube! Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn! Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_Show Our national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PT Send us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.com Visit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

    31 min
  7. Nonprofit Capital Campaigns: Magic? Luck? . . . or Strategy?

    MAY 18

    Nonprofit Capital Campaigns: Magic? Luck? . . . or Strategy?

    Send us Fan Mail Nonprofit capital campaign strategy starts long before the ask — it begins with donor trust, board readiness, and a clear business case for growth. Kelly Hill of CASA Heart of Missouri shares how her organization turned a space challenge into a bold campaign to serve more children and strengthen the foster care ecosystem—and what it really takes to lead a capital campaign while still running the daily work of a nonprofit! CASA Heart of Missouri serves children in foster care through trained volunteer advocates, currently reaching about 60% of the children in need across Boone and Callaway Counties. But as the organization grew, rented space became both limiting and expensive. Kelly and her team asked a defining business question: “What if we did the hard thing now, raise the money to have our own permanent space?” That question became the foundation for the Building a Brighter Future campaign, a nearly $4.7 million effort to create a permanent home and launch The Clubhouse — a purpose-built space for supervised visits, family meetings, partner collaboration, and child-centered support. This discussion offers nonprofit leaders a grounded look at capital campaign planning for nonprofits, including feasibility studies, donor readiness, board leadership, case for support development, government funding, individual giving, and the patience required when major gifts move on donor timelines. Kelly also shares how outside coaching helped sharpen communication with investment-level donors and support long-term fundraising growth beyond the campaign itself. As she notes, “Donors give on their own schedule, they give on their own timeline.” This episode shows why capital campaigns are not just fundraising projects. They are business decisions that test strategy, culture, relationships, and capacity.  00:00:00 Capital Campaign Strategy for Nonprofits  00:01:04 Meet Kelly Hill of CASA Heart of Missouri  00:03:29 The Clubhouse Vision and Local Service Gaps  00:06:43 Turning a Space Problem Into a Growth Strategy  00:09:40 Building a Strong Case for Support  00:13:42 What a $4.6 Million Campaign Means for a Mid-Sized Nonprofit  00:16:09 Feasibility, Donor Strategy, and Government Funding  00:18:30 Using Outside Coaching to Strengthen Donor Conversations  00:21:59 Patience, Timing, and the Campaign Roller Coaster  00:23:50 Donor Relationships Before the Campaign Begins  00:25:32 Balancing Daily Operations With Capital Campaign Demands  00:28:57 Final Lessons for Nonprofit Leaders  #TheNonprofitShow #NonprofitFundraising #CapitalCampaign Find us Live daily on YouTube! Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn! Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_Show Our national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PT Send us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.com Visit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

    31 min
  8. The Fundraising Gold Hidden Inside Your Donor Data

    MAY 15

    The Fundraising Gold Hidden Inside Your Donor Data

    Send us Fan Mail Nonprofit donor database fundraising strategy starts with one powerful idea: your next major opportunity may already be inside your CRM, spreadsheet, or donor history. In this Fundraisers Friday convo, Julia C. Patrick and Tony Beall explore how nonprofits can stop chasing every new dollar and start cultivating the donor relationships they already have with more intention, structure, and business focus. The duo deliver a thoughtful conversation about donor data, mid-level giving, CRM systems, planned giving, board engagement, and the daily habits that help fundraising teams grow stronger. The message is clear: donor management is not just recordkeeping. It is one of the most valuable revenue tools a nonprofit can build. As Tony explains, “The way you find gold first starts with the information that you are obtaining and putting into your donor management system.” That means tracking more than gift amounts. Nonprofits should understand donor interests, family connections, hobbies, community roles, board affiliations, loyalty patterns, and giving history. Those details help fundraising teams create better stewardship, identify upgrade opportunities, and protect institutional knowledge when staff transitions happen. The episode also explores how nonprofits can define mid-level donors based on their own giving portfolio, then create thoughtful cultivation pathways. Tony adds, “Your high-level donors are all about stewardship… For your mid-level donors, it’s about stewardship, but it’s also planting the seeds about how they can elevate their gift.” Julia and Tony also take on planned giving, donor privacy, board involvement, and the need to protect time for CRM updates and data mining. Their advice is refreshingly operational: schedule the work, respect the data, use donor personas with board members, and treat donor intelligence as a long-term business asset. For nonprofit leaders, development directors, board members, and fundraising teams, this episode offers a timely reminder: sustainable fundraising growth often begins with better use of the information already in your hands. #TheNonprofitShow #NonprofitFundraising #DonorRetention Find us Live daily on YouTube! Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn! Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_Show Our national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PT Send us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.com Visit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

    30 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

The Nonprofit Show is the nation’s daily broadcast for the business side of nonprofits — bringing you practical insights, expert interviews, and real-world strategies to help your organization run smarter, lead stronger, and fund better. Each weekday, our co-hosts and guests break down the most current topics in fundraising, board governance, leadership, staffing, technology, communications, and financial strategy — giving nonprofit professionals the tools they need to build sustainable, high-performing organizations. With more than 1,400 episodes and growing, our on-demand library is a trusted resource for executive directors, team members, fundraisers, board members, and sector leaders who are ready to move beyond inspiration and into implementation. 🎥 Watch the daily show on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3A0Dqlw

Information

  • Creator
    American Nonprofit Academy
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    1K
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 American Nonprofit Academy
  • Show Website
    The Nonprofit Show

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