The Unfiltered Non-Profit: Leaders Share It All

Cherry Chan
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  • Non-Profit
  • Semiweekly

Dive into the real world of non-profit leadership. Hear inspiring stories and experiences of leaders, with a focus on examining their operations. Get a candid look at the challenges they face in managing successful non-profits. This podcast is all about the unfiltered journey of leading a non-profit and making a difference.

  1. 1d ago

    How Small Nonprofits Can Raise More Money Without More Events

    Small nonprofits are doing incredible work, but limited staff, tight budgets, donor retention challenges, and complicated funding applications can make sustainable growth difficult. In this episode of the Unfiltered Nonprofit Podcast, Lois Graveline, founder and CEO of Harmonia Philanthropy and co-founder of Project Launchpad, shares insights from nearly 35 years in the nonprofit sector. She breaks down how smaller charities can build stronger fundraising systems, diversify revenue, nurture existing donors, and make better use of limited resources. Lois Graveline also explains why nonprofits shouldn’t rely too heavily on fundraising events, why donor stewardship and CRM systems matter, and why it can be more effective to“go deeper rather than go out” by strengthening relationships with the supporters you already have. The conversation also explores Project Launchpad, a platform designed to give smaller charities access to fundraising and operational tools, templates, calculators, grant resources, and sector experts without having to build a large internal team. Finally, Lois Graveline discusses one of the biggest challenges facing small charities today: the barriers involved in accessing funding and the enormous amount of time organizations can spend completing grant applications. If you lead, work for, or volunteer with a nonprofit and want practical ways to strengthen fundraising and build a more sustainable organization, this episode is for you. 🔗Contact with Lois: Linkedin🔗Harmonia Philanthropy: https://harmoniaphilanthropy.ca/🔗Project Launchpad: https://www.projectlaunchpad.ca/

  2. Oct 16

    How to Build an Engaged Nonprofit Community Without Membership Fees | Tasha Van Vlack

    What does it really take to build a community where people don’t just sign up, but actually participate and feel like they belong? In this episode of the Unfiltered Nonprofit Podcast, Cherry Chan sits down with Tasha Van Vlack, founder of The Nonprofit Hive, to explore a different approach to community building in the nonprofit sector. Tasha Van Vlack shares how The Nonprofit Hive grew from a simple idea for connecting nonprofit professionals into a global community centered around curated one-to-one conversations. They dive into why community is an action, the role email plays in keeping people engaged, and how The Nonprofit Hive has been able to keep its community free through partnerships and sponsorships. Tasha Van Vlack also shares practical lessons on co-creating with your community, experimenting with new ideas, and why adding another platform, forum, or piece of content isn’t necessarily the answer to stronger engagement. If you’re a nonprofit leader, association professional, or community builder looking for ways to create stronger connections, increase engagement, and deliver meaningful value to your members, this conversation is packed with ideas to consider. 🐝 Learn more and join The Nonprofit Hive: thenonprofithive.com 🔗Contact with Tasha: Linkedin 🐝Join Community Hives: communityhives.com

  3. Sep 10

    Why Most Strategic Plans Fail: The Missing Link Between Strategy & Execution

    In this episode of the Unfiltered Non Profit Podcast, Cherry Chan sits down with Karen Craft, CEO and Founder of CRAFTXECS and IHR Advisory Services, to discuss one of the biggest challenges facing nonprofits and associations today: turning strategy into action. Karen shares the critical role of operational planning, and how change management helps organizations successfully execute their vision. Learn practical strategies for assessing team readiness, managing organizational change, avoiding burnout, and creating plans that actually drive results. Important Timestamps: 03:26 – Karen’s background in HR, cybersecurity, and change management. 04:22 – Why project success often fails without proper change management. 06:41 – The biggest gap between strategic planning and operational execution. 07:50 – The three key drivers organizations should assess before committing to major initiatives. 10:55 – How culture, trust, and readiness for change impact organizational performance. 18:50 – Why three- and five-year strategic plans may no longer be realistic in today’s fast-changing environment. 28:28 – Karen’s practical framework: 10-year vision, 3-year milestones, and 1-year execution plans. 🔗Contact with iHR Advisory Services: info@ihradvisoryservices.ca🔗Contact with CraftXecs:info@craftxecs.com🔔 Follow for more conversations with nonprofit leaders, association executives, and experts who are helping organizations grow and thrive.

  4. Aug 27

    Leading a Nonprofit with Just 2 Staff and 80+ Volunteers | Stephanie Crilly Interview

    What does it take to go from Project Coordinator to Executive Director in just 10 months? In this episode of the Unfiltered Non-Profit Podcast, we sit down with Stephanie Crilly, Executive Director of the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO), to explore her remarkable leadership journey, the challenges of nonprofit management, and the systems that help a small team create a big impact. Stephanie shares how years of experience prepared her for an unexpected leadership opportunity, what she learned stepping into an executive role, and how EDCO has successfully grown its membership, increased conference attendance, and built an engaged network of volunteers across Ontario. We also discuss: • Transitioning from staff member to Executive Director• Building strong relationships with your board of directors• Managing governance, strategy, and organizational growth• Leveraging volunteers to create a thriving nonprofit community• The power of mentorship programs and member engagement• Growing events from hundreds to nearly 600 attendees• How nonprofit leaders can avoid burnout and maintain work-life balance• Why family, boundaries, and mental health matter in leadership roles One of the most fascinating parts of this conversation is Stephanie's insight into leading an organization with just two staff members while supporting an extensive network of committees, volunteers, mentorship programs, and professional development initiatives. Whether you're an Executive Director, nonprofit CEO, board member, association leader, or someone aspiring to a leadership role, you'll walk away with practical lessons on leadership, governance, engagement, and sustainable growth. 🎧 Tune in to hear how the right opportunity, strong relationships, and a commitment to continuous learning can transform a career and an organization.

  5. Aug 13

    How Landscape Ontario Grew to 2,600+ Members and Built a $17M Training Centre | Joe Salemi

    What does it take to lead a nonprofit through a global shutdown, a membership rollercoaster, and a $17 million investment in the future of an industry?  In this episode of Unfiltered Nonprofit Podcast, Cherry Chan sits down with Joe Salemi, Executive Director of Landscape Ontario, one of the largest and most influential trade associations in North America. With more than 2,600 member companies, a $7M+ operating budget, 35 staff, 10 regional chapters, and over 160 events each year, Joe shares what it takes to lead a complex organization while keeping people, purpose, and strategy at the center.  When membership surged by nearly 1,000 companies during the pandemic, then later dropped significantly as market conditions changed, how did Landscape Ontario respond? Did they panic, cut staff, or pull back? Joe walks through the leadership decisions that helped the organization stay strong, find new revenue sources, and continue growing despite uncertainty. If your organization has ever faced fluctuating revenue, changing member needs, or pressure from your board, you'll relate to this conversation.  You'll also hear the story behind one of the boldest projects in the sector: a $17 million workforce training centre that is set to transform landscape and horticulture education in Ontario. What gives a nonprofit leader the confidence to place a bet that big? And how do you balance long-term vision with day-to-day operations?  This episode is packed with practical insights on succession planning, revenue diversification, leadership development, event strategy, and leading through change. If you're an association or nonprofit leader thinking about growth, sustainability, or what the future could look like for your organization, this is one you'll want to watch all the way through.

  6. Jul 16

    What would you do if 30% of your organization's revenue disappeared?

    "What would you do if 30% of your organization's revenue disappeared?" That was not a hypothetical question for Christine Nielsen, CEO of the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS). In her conversation with Cherry Chan, she shares what it's like to lead an association through the loss of a major revenue stream that had been part of the organization for decades. The surprising part? Christine isn't panicking. In fact, she's remarkably optimistic about what comes next. Cherry and Christine talk about the realities of nonprofit leadership when the path forward isn't entirely clear. How do you prepare your board for a major shift before it happens? How do you help staff navigate uncertainty? And how do you keep moving forward when you're grieving a loss while also trying to lead through it? Christine is refreshingly honest about feeling betrayed when the decision was first made, but she also shares why dwelling there wasn't an option. The conversation also explores board governance, long-term planning, and the challenge of working with a constantly changing group of volunteer leaders. Christine jokes that after 16 years as CEO she's had 16 different bosses, and if you've ever worked with a board, you'll appreciate her perspective on onboarding, governance, and setting everyone up for success before problems arise. What really stood out to us was Christine's belief that change doesn't have to be a crisis. Sometimes it's an opportunity to refocus on what members truly need. As she puts it, CSMLS is currently in "containment mode," but fully expects to move into "flourish mode." It's a conversation about resilience, leadership, and finding opportunity in the middle of uncertainty, something every nonprofit and association leader can relate to. This episode might leave you wondering: if your organization had to reinvent 30% of its business model tomorrow, would you be ready? And what investments should you be making today to prepare for the changes you can't yet see coming?

  7. Jun 19

    The Most Human Organization Wins

    With AI shaping how we work, many nonprofit leaders are asking: what does this mean for the future? At the OTUS Nonprofit Exchange, Cherry Chan shared a grounded perspective—starting with a simple but powerful question from her 12-year-old daughter: “If AI is doing all of this… what am I going to do?” Her answer? We don’t have all the answers—but AI isn’t here to replace us. It’s here to change how we work. From automating repetitive tasks to supporting proposals and communications, AI is expanding what teams can do—not replacing them. At OTUS, team members are already experimenting with AI tools to increase capacity. But the real value of human work remains in three areas AI can’t replace: judgment, storytelling, and relationships. In a time of uncertainty, Cherry’s message is clear: we’re not behind, and we’re not being replaced. The organizations that thrive won’t be the most technological—they’ll be the most human.

  8. May 14

    Supporting the People Behind the Mission

    In this episode of the Unfiltered Nonprofit Podcast, Cherry Chan sits down with Lana Hann, Executive Director of Gilda's Club Simcoe Muskoka, for a deeply personal conversation about leadership, resilience, and what it really means to support the people behind a mission-driven organization.  Lana shares the experiences that shaped her career in the nonprofit sector — from losing someone close to suicide early in life, to caring for her mother through breast cancer, to eventually facing her own cancer diagnosis years later. Throughout the conversation, she reflects on how those experiences changed the way she views leadership, workplace culture, and community support. Rather than separating personal experiences from professional work, Lana explains how those moments became the foundation for the kind of leader she wanted to become.  Cherry and Lana also explore the operational side of nonprofit leadership and the realities many Executive Directors face every day. From balancing limited resources and growing programs, to building strong teams and creating psychological safety in the workplace, the conversation offers an honest look at the challenges of nonprofit operations. Lana shares practical leadership lessons around hiring, accountability, staff check-ins, and building a culture where everyone is willing to “roll up their sleeves” to support the mission. She also discusses how Gilda’s Club has expanded its services by collaborating with hospitals, facilitators, and community partners instead of duplicating existing supports — allowing the organization to better serve people impacted by cancer while remaining financially sustainable.  At the heart of the episode is a conversation about people. About creating spaces where individuals feel seen, understood, and supported during some of the hardest moments of their lives. Lana shares the story behind Gilda’s Club Simcoe Muskoka, the importance of kindness in leadership, and why supporting staff as people first ultimately strengthens organizations as a whole. It’s an honest and thoughtful conversation that many nonprofit leaders — especially those carrying both personal and professional responsibilities — will relate to.

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Dive into the real world of non-profit leadership. Hear inspiring stories and experiences of leaders, with a focus on examining their operations. Get a candid look at the challenges they face in managing successful non-profits. This podcast is all about the unfiltered journey of leading a non-profit and making a difference.

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