Episodes

118: Embracing the Power of Philanthropy as a Nonprofit Leader SUMMARY Philanthropy is the lifeblood of nonprofit organizations, but the acquisition of charitable dollars can be a motivational barrier for many nonprofit leaders. We all have hang-ups about money, and that can hurt our enthusiasm to actually ask for funds for the causes we care deeply about. Charles Thomas has been on both sides of philanthropy, as an executive director of two organizations, and now the Program Director f...

117: 3 Keys to Effective Nonprofit Leadership (John Bennett) SUMMARY The study of nonprofit leadership requires the review of a wide array of topics, skills and experiences, especially as you try to identify the keys to success in the philanthropic sector. Where can you turn for advice on ways to improve your leadership skills? Well, to assure a deeper dive into these sometimes intangible leadership factors, John Bennett proved to be the perfect guest on episode #117 of the Path Podcast...

116: Is It Time for a Capital Campaign? (Cindy Clark) SUMMARY As we move through the pandemic, numerous factors are influencing nonprofit leaders to consider whether now is the time to launch a capital campaign. Pent up demand, relatively good economic conditions, competition from other nonprofits - and just a restlessness from staff and board - may all be pushing you to what feels like an inevitable fundraising effort. But are you and your nonprofit really ready? My colleag...

115: Need to Recharge Your Nonprofit Career Plan? (Patton McDowell) SUMMARY While the new year gets most of the attention as the time for personal resolutions and career planning, the summer may be an even better time for personal and professional reflection, and a great time to re-evaluate your path to nonprofit leadership. In episode #115 of the Path Podcast, Patton offers a solo summary of two key planning instruments that can help with your nonprofit career planning. You’ll...

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 share the framework The Leon Levine Foundation uses to evaluate hundreds of grant applications it receives every year. Tom serves as the President of the Foundation, and he and his team ...

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 that “mission versus business” tug-of-war, Jim Warren is the perfect person to know. Jim is the Executive Director of the Carolina Raptor Center, and brings his energy and wisdom from 40 ...

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. Samara Hakim proved to be the perfect guest to discuss these challenges - and opportunities - as she equips leaders to better work with those different than themselves. Samara leads an in...

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 skill, and shares it with our listeners on episode #111 of the Path Podcast. Chris leads Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont, one of the largest nonprofits in the Southeastern United States. He...

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 perspective Sheryl Aikman brings to episode #110 of the Path Podcast will help you identify these potential challenges that could inhibit your nonprofit’s success. In particular, Sheryl and I discu...

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 was fortunate to speak with exactly the kind of young nonprofit leader that has much to offer our sector, and someone who did not “wait for his turn” to make a difference. Righteous Keitt was ...

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 for Effective Philanthropy for nearly 20 years. CEP has studied many of the key issues facing our sector, and Phil is uniquely qualified to identify the key trends that will affect nonprofit leader...

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-overlooked part of your preparation is considering exactly what type of major donor you are about to encounter. Sybil Ackerman-Munson offers a fascinating assessment of the three types of donors you’re...

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 uninhabitable. But Lavine piloted the school through those stormy waters, and today CalArts is thriving, with an endowment of $152 million and a ranking that places it among the top 10 fine arts school...

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 various philanthropic vehicles many donors are using, especially the increasingly popular Donor Advised Fund. What are they? How do they work? How can your nonprofit better engage the d...

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 micromanagement to apathy. What are the underlying issues that create challenges for you and your board, and how do you address them? That’s exactly what Dr. Mary Hiland and I discuss in episode #104 ...

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 of more online meetings and trainings is frustrating, but how can you make the best of this reality and in fact leverage the technology to improve the effectiveness of your virtual platforms ...

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 thoughtful leadership of Rob Harter even more helpful as a guide to program growth and strategic expansion. Rob serves as the Executive Director of the Christian Center of Park City in Utah, a...

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 space that is increasingly important to the engagement of critical friends and donors to your organization. Fortunately, Dana Snyder is the perfect person to talk about this dilemma, and bri...

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 Delisio, our guest on episode #24 on the Path, offered to rejoin the show and interview me about the experience since the inaugural episode on November 21, 2019. Our discussion lifted up many fanta...

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), Michael raised important questions - and offered key insight - on the role of philanthropy as nonprofit leaders grappled with a global pandemic in April of 2020. A year later on episode #99...

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 do you know if you’ve achieved it? These questions lead to a fascinating conversation with Charlie Elberson and Diane Gavarkavich about the funder perspective, the importance of measurem...

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 dedicated countless hours to the cause and feel genuine concern for its well-being after your departure. Kathy Ridge, our guest on episode #97 of the Path Podcast has helped dozens of nonprofit ...

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 of the Path Podcast. Gail provides a clear framework to activate your nonprofit’s strategic planning in a way that’s both practical and engaging for staff and board volunteers. Equ...

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 brings four decades of leadership experience in the charitable sector, and leads one of the top philanthropic consulting practices in the world at Carter Global. He shares man...