Episodes

114: Leadership, Track Record & Sustainability: How Does Your Nonprofit Stack Up? (Tom Lawrence) SUMMARY It’s common for a nonprofit leader to wonder what a prospective funder is thinking as he or she evaluates your organization for a potential investment. Fortunately, Tom Lawrence is happy to …

113: How to Balance the Mission and the Business as a Nonprofit Leader (Jim Warren) SUMMARY Many nonprofit leaders struggle to maintain their passion for the organization’s mission as they grapple with the management realities required to run a complex nonprofit business. If you’re wrestling with t…

112: How to Shift the Nonprofit Narrative on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (Samara Hakim) SUMMARY Most nonprofit leaders are saying the right things about their approach to diversity, equity and inclusion, but making genuine progress on difficult issues of difference is easier said than done. S…

111: The Importance of Strategic Visioning as a Nonprofit Leader (Chris Jackson) SUMMARY There are many essential elements to successful nonprofit leadership, but perhaps none more important than an ability to conceive and implement a strategic vision. Chris Jackson has demonstrated that exact skil…

110: 3 Challenges All Nonprofit Leaders Will Face (Sheryl Aikman) SUMMARY While moving out of the pandemic provides a sigh of relief for nonprofit leaders everywhere - as well as a host of strategic opportunities - there are also some key challenges that must be addressed. Fortunately, the national…

109: Next Generation Talent: Does Your Nonprofit Have a Plan? (Righteous Keitt) SUMMARY Success as a nonprofit leader does not necessarily require years of experience. Inspiration can occur at any age, and the question simply becomes doing something about it. In episode #109 of the Path Podcast, I …

108: What is Giving Done Right? (Phil Buchanan) SUMMARY What are the critical issues facing nonprofit leaders right now, and how do they impact the funders that support their efforts? That’s exactly the question I posed in this bonus episode #108 of the Path to Phil Buchanan, who has led the Center…

107: How To Engage The 3 Distinct Types of Funders (Sybil Ackerman-Munson) SUMMARY Every nonprofit leader rehearses their perfect case for support in anticipation of a donor meeting. And while the ability to deliver a clear and compelling vision for your organization is critical, an often-overlooke…

106: Failure is What It’s All About (Steven Lavine) SUMMARY When Steven Lavine took the role of President at CalArts in 1988, the school - an experimental arts institution located just north of Los Angeles - was in danger of going bankrupt. In 1994, the Northridge earthquake rendered the campus uni…

105: The Nonprofit Leader’s Guide to Demystifying Donor Advised Funds (Catherine Warfield) SUMMARY While the knowledge required for successful nonprofit leadership is extensive, one area that can be challenging - and even intimidating - is legacy or planned giving. Complicating this subject are the…

104: The 3 Dimensions of All Nonprofit Board Challenges (Mary Hiland) SUMMARY Maximizing the talent of your board of directors is an ongoing objective for a nonprofit executive, but creating a healthy engagement with the board is difficult if you are facing any number of issues, from micromanagemen…

103: Effective Nonprofit Leadership in a Virtual World (Heather Burright) SUMMARY While nonprofit leaders are welcoming a gradual return to in-person meetings and events, the virtual access required during the pandemic will remain an operational reality going forward. For many leaders, the prospect…

102: Leading A Nonprofit Through Dramatic Growth (Rob Harter) SUMMARY It seems obvious that most nonprofit leaders hope to grow their impact and increase the numbers they serve, but are they really ready for dramatic growth? Growth without planning can create all kinds of problems, which makes the …

101: How to Energize Your Nonprofit’s Social Media (Dana Snyder) SUMMARY Do you find your nonprofit’s digital marketing strategy is simply reacting to the latest social media craze? As a nonprofit leader, you’re not alone, and you simply don’t have the time or resources to flounder around in a spac…

100: Leadership Lessons from the First 100 Episodes (Patton McDowell) SUMMARY Reaching the 100-episode milestone on Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership was a wonderful journey thanks to incredible nonprofit leaders who were willing to share their wisdom and experiences with our listeners. Chris Delis…

099: Moving Through the Pandemic: What Do We Do Now? (Michael Marsicano) SUMMARY As one of the most popular guests on Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, it seems only fitting to bring back Michael Marsicano as the podcast completes its first 100 episodes. On his first visit to the Path (episode #32…

98: Embracing Kinship as a Nonprofit Leader (Charlie Elberson, Diane Gavarkavich, Whitney Feld) SUMMARY When a prospective funder asks you how to define success for your nonprofit, how do you answer? It seems like a straightforward question, but it usually leads to the more important question: how …

97: Nonprofit Leaders: When is it Time to Leave? (Kathy Ridge) SUMMARY On your path to nonprofit leadership, you will face difficult decisions about whether it is the right time to leave your organization. This decision can be even more difficult if you are the leader of your nonprofit and have ded…

96: Getting a Grip on Uncertainty as a Nonprofit Leader (Gail Bower) SUMMARY Still feeling a bit paralyzed in your strategic planning given the uncertainty that surrounds us? This is a perfect time to utilize the talents of a futurist, and that’s exactly the skill Gail Bower brings to episode #96 o…

95: Adapting Your Plan to Nonprofit Leadership (Bob Carter) SUMMARY Are you open to new opportunities along the path to nonprofit leadership? None of us know exactly where our journey will take us, but advice from Bob Carter, the guest on episode #95 of the Path Podcast, will certainly help. Bob br…

94: Can Nonprofit Leaders Bring An Equity Lens to their Strategic Planning? (Anna Dewar Gully) SUMMARY Many nonprofit organizations are talking about equality, diversity and inclusion, but are they making genuine progress to support their stated goals? Making public statements is a start, but incor…

93: Leadership Lessons from The Duke Endowment (Rhett Mabry) SUMMARY It’s hard not to be impressed by an organization that has contributed over $4 billion in grants to nonprofit organizations since its inception, but that’s exactly The Duke Endowment has done, making it one of the largest 501(c)(3)…

92: The 4 Stages of Nonprofit Leadership (Ben Mohler) SUMMARY Where do you fall within the different stages of nonprofit leadership? Our guest in episode #92 of the Path Podcast offers a fascinating view of career development in the charitable sector by breaking it into four distinct stages. Ben Mo…

91: Bringing A Business Perspective to Nonprofit Leadership (Laryn Weaver) SUMMARY Have you contemplated whether your for-profit experience might translate into effective leadership in the charitable sector? Many nonprofit leaders bring invaluable skills from their for-profit days, but sometimes fa…