On The Ground

James Misner
  • 5.0 (2)
  • NON-PROFIT

As CEO of The Kipos Group, James Misner has spent years in the trenches with nonprofit leaders. "On the Ground" brings those conversations to you—unfiltered insights by nonprofit leaders, for nonprofit leaders. Real Leaders. Real Challenges. Real Solutions.

Episodes

  1. APR 28

    Lead With Optimism or Get Out of the Way: Kendra Davenport on Running a National Nonprofit

    Adaptive Show Notes for "Leading with Innovation and Humanity at Easterseals" Podcast Episode Join us as Kendra Ennis Davenport, President and CEO of Easterseals, shares how the organization serves over 1 million people annually by blending tradition with innovation, storytelling with impact, and optimism with realism. Discover how Easterseals navigates funding gaps, scales care, and advocates for disability awareness with heart and ingenuity. Main Topics: The evolution and ongoing innovation at Easterseals over 107 yearsCreative models for adult disability services, including the open-air PIAT centerFundraising strategies that humanize and elevate adult programsThe power of storytelling and participant agency in advocacyLeaders' resilience in challenging nonprofit environmentsBuilding a national brand movement similar to breast cancer awarenessStrategies for smaller nonprofits to scale impact and grow support In this episode: Kendra shares how Easterseals combines its rich heritage with innovative service deliveryAn inside look at the open-air adult day program in Southern CaliforniaThe importance of storytelling and participant consent in advocacy campaignsLessons learned from a failed gaming program and pivoting with transparencyHow to foster positivity and resilience in nonprofit leadershipStrategies to grow awareness and support for disability issues through example organizations like Susan G. KomenPractical advice for small nonprofits to step out of comfort zones and expand their impact Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Easterseals and its impact on over a million individuals annually 00:31 - Kendra's background and vision for sustaining innovation over 107 years 01:56 - The juxtaposition of tradition and innovation at Easterseals 03:19 - Innovative adult day services — open-air centers and personalized care models 05:00 - The story of the PIAT open-air adult day center in Southern California 07:05 - Fundraising challenges and human storytelling for adult programs 09:15 - Engaging veteran stories to highlight resilience and purpose 11:56 - Maintaining positivity despite national funding challenges 14:49 - How Easterseals continues to evolve and celebrate long-term impact 16:58 - The importance of storytelling, authenticity, and participant agency 22:51 - Lessons learned from a failed gaming program and pivoting with transparency 22:58 - Crafting stories that balance honesty with emotional connection 28:40 - The role of personal stories in advocacy and fundraising success 33:31 - Building a national awareness movement for disability akin to breast cancer campaigns 34:00 - Advice for small nonprofits aspiring to grow impact 38:02 - Connecting with Easterseals and future leadership initiatives Resources & Links: Kipos GroupSchedule a callConnect with Kendra: Kendra Ennis Davenport - LinkedInEasterseals

    40 min

  2. APR 23

    From $7,000 to $800,000: How North Bay Transformed Its Fundraising Strategy

    From $7,000 to $800,000: How North Bay Transformed Its Fundraising Strategy Discover how North Bay, a 17-year-old outdoor education organization, shifted from negligible fundraising to confidently raising nearly $800,000 annually. Jen Foy shares her journey, strategies, and lessons learned to inspire nonprofit leaders to rethink their funding models and systems. In this episode: The storytelling power of cohesive messaging in fundraisingHow North Bay identified and invested in foundational partnershipsThe importance of starting small with systems and processesStrategies for building a community presence and recognitionLessons learned from failed outreach effortsThe role of team culture and leadership in risk-taking and learningPractical steps to grow a donor list from scratchThe concept of 'learning labs' for continuous improvementThe significance of 'day in the life' visits for engagementFuture fundraising plans and expanding donor pipelines Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction: The mission to change nonprofit funding perceptions 01:51 - Jen Foy’s background and North Bay's vision 02:58 - Challenges faced: organizational burnout and funding crises 04:09 - The fundraising vacuum: initial small donations and reliance on grants 05:32 - Entering a new era: from $7,000 to $800,000 in annual revenue 10:00 - Building foundation and corporation partnerships: starting points 11:11 - The decision to invest in fundraisers: making a strategic leap 12:46 - Overcoming fear: why investment was a necessity 13:46 - Navigating community perception and awareness gaps 15:11 - Why North Bay focused on corporate and foundation funding 16:51 - Setting up effective systems: KPIs, tracking, and iteration 18:13 - Embracing imperfect systems: starting small and scaling 19:10 - The 'day in the life' visits approach and its impact on engagement 21:37 - Lessons from failures: email campaigns and event turnout 23:13 - Reflecting and learning: debriefs and team culture 26:17 - Leadership principles fostering a collaborative, risk-tolerant team 27:14 - Next steps: expanding the donor base and future growth 28:24 - Final advice: start small, take risks, and learn fast Resources & Links: The Kipos Group WebsiteBook a discovery Call with James M. Connect with Jen Foy: LinkedIn Connect with James Misner: LinkedIn

    32 min

  3. APR 7

    $10 Million in 90 Days: How World Relief Housed 3,998 Refugee Families When the Government Cut Funds

    In this episode of On the Ground with James Misner, James sits down with Calla Parker and Matt Soerens to unpack how World Relief mobilized a rapid, faith-driven response—raising $10 million in just 90 days and housing 3,998 refugee families. This conversation goes beyond the numbers. Calla and Matt share what it looked like to navigate sudden policy shifts, respond to urgent human need, and lead through uncertainty while staying grounded in mission. They also reveal the behind-the-scenes strategy—how advocacy, storytelling, and donor engagement came together to fuel one of the most critical fundraising efforts in recent history.

    44 min

  4. MAR 31

    Prevention That Works: How Love Justice International Scales Justice Through Data & Donor Trust

    The podcast features a conversation with John Molineux, CEO of Love Justice International, focusing on the organization's impactful mission and efficient fundraising strategies. John shares his journey to founding Love Justice and the birth of its preventative solution. The discussion also delves into the scaling of transit monitoring, tenacity and resilience in fundraising, maximizing impact and efficiency, translating program skills to fundraising, donor engagement and impact, and the future of Love Justice International.

    37 min

  5. MAR 24

    Stay Focused, Choose Wisely: How ANCA Supports 400+ Nature Centers on a Lean Budget

    In this episode of On the Ground, host James Meisner sits down with Jen, Executive Director of ANCA — the national association representing over 400 nature centers across North America. Jen shares her journey from wildlife biologist to nonprofit leader, the lessons she's learned navigating membership organizations, and why nature centers are more vital than ever in today's screen-dominated world. From setting realistic fundraising goals to staying focused amid constant change, Jen offers honest, practical wisdom for any nonprofit leader trying to grow sustainably. Plus, she breaks down ANCA's biggest fundraising challenge — telling their impact story — and why storytelling may be their greatest opportunity yet.

    27 min

  6. MAR 17

    Acceleration: From Big Wins to Mastery

    The celebration is real. The impact is massive. But the mindset has changed. In this episode of On the Ground, James Misner explores Stage 5: Acceleration—the moment when success stops being the finish line and becomes the new baseline. This conversation is about what it takes to build a team that pursues excellence relentlessly and isn’t satisfied with “good enough.” Because the best teams don’t just win—they evolve.

    17 min

  7. MAR 10

    Action: Building Systems That Fund The Mission

    The conversation explores the concept of stage four in fundraising psychology, focusing on action, learning orientation, building systems and teams, and the role of metrics and feedback. It emphasizes the importance of intelligent action, learning from mistakes, involving teams, and using metrics as feedback for improvement.

    16 min

  8. FEB 27

    Acceptance: "Owning Fundraising as Leadership.”

    James Misner, CEO of The Kipos, explores Stage 3 of Fundraising Psychology: Acceptance — the turning point where fundraising stops feeling like an obligation and becomes an expression of leadership. This is the moment when fear and resentment fade, and ownership takes its place. Fundraising is no longer something that happens to you — it becomes something you intentionally lead. Stage 3 isn’t about loving every donor meeting or becoming someone you’re not. It’s about alignment. It’s about recognizing that resourcing the mission is central — not secondary — to your role as a nonprofit CEO.

    21 min

  9. FEB 20

    Annoyance: "I Have to Do This, But I Really Don't Want To ! "

    You’re no longer afraid of donor meetings. You’re just… tired of them. In Stage 2 of our 5 Stages of Fundraising Psychology series, James Misner unpacks the quiet danger of resentment in nonprofit leadership. In this episode, James explores why Annoyance is more dangerous than Anxiety, how subtle resentment caps growth, and why flat results often trace back to flat energy. If your organization feels stuck — not declining, but not growing — this conversation will hit close to home. You’re functioning. But are you thriving?

    25 min

  10. FEB 11

    From Panic to Progress: The First Stage of Fundraising Psychology

    In this episode of On the Ground, James Misner (CEO, The Kipos Group) shares insights from the largest study to date on the psychology of nonprofit fundraising—and the finding that changes everything: 82% of nonprofit leaders are psychologically stuck, not because they don’t know what to do, but because of what happens inside them when it’s time to ask. You’ll learn the five stages of fundraising psychology, why you can’t skip stages, and what “Stage 1: Anxiety” actually looks like in real life. James gives practical ways to build momentum—small actions that retrain your nervous system—and clear next steps to identify your stage and move forward.

    23 min

  11. FEB 5

    82% of Nonprofit Leaders Are Stuck. Here's Why.

    Over half of nonprofit leaders admit their discomfort with fundraising is directly limiting their organization's impact. Not because they don't know what to do—but because asking for money triggers anxiety, avoidance, and resentment they can't seem to overcome. In this episode, James Misner exposes the truth most fundraising advice ignores: Your fundraising struggles aren't a knowledge problem. They're a psychological problem.

    18 min

  12. FEB 4

    Welcome to the Trenches

    "We're making a real impact. Our programs work. Our team is passionate. So why doesn't our funding match what we're creating?"If you've ever asked yourself that question, this podcast is for you. Welcome to On the Ground – real leaders, real challenges, real solutions from the trenches. I'm James Misner, CEO of The Kipos Group, and for 20 years, I've watched passionate nonprofit leaders work themselves to exhaustion while their revenue stays stuck.

    7 min
  • 12 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

As CEO of The Kipos Group, James Misner has spent years in the trenches with nonprofit leaders. "On the Ground" brings those conversations to you—unfiltered insights by nonprofit leaders, for nonprofit leaders. Real Leaders. Real Challenges. Real Solutions.

Information

  • Creator
    James Misner
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 James Misner
  • Show Website
    On The Ground