In this episode, Rob Harter is joined by Jesse Lane, founder of goodmakerU and Branches Mission Lab, to discuss how nonprofits can elevate their marketing and fundraising efforts in an increasingly digital world. Jesse returns to the show to share insights on the power of email marketing, donor engagement strategies, and the role of AI in nonprofit marketing. Topics include: -Why email…

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In this episode, Rob Harter speaks with Dr. Michael Horowitz, Chancellor of The Community Solution Education System, about the crucial role of culture in nonprofit success. Dr. Horowitz emphasizes that culture isn’t just an abstract concept—it directly impacts leadership, fundraising, collaboration, and long-term impact. Topics include: – Why Peter Drucker’s famous quote…

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Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the nonprofit landscape, and the question for nonprofit leaders isn’t whether to use AI, but how to use it effectively. In this episode, Rob Harter sits down with Ben Miller, SVP of Data Science at Bonterra, to explore how nonprofits can leverage AI for good. They discuss practical applications like improving donor engagement…

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When it comes to leadership attributes, what are the top attributes in your opinion? Is it motivation? Is it vision? Is it integrity? Most often, the answer to that question emerges from our own experience, or what we have already seen. Rob’s guest today is Darren Isom and Darren explores various aspects of leadership based on his interviews with 25 leaders of color. Darren discusses topics such…

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Are you familiar with the term leadership “lids”? I first heard about leadership “lids” from author John Maxwell and these lids are self imposed limits or beliefs one has that can hold leaders back from being effective in their organizations and lives. Today’s guest will share how your effectiveness as a leader starts with your mindset, beliefs, and core values. Rob’s guest is Scott Jeffrey…

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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are key issues that most nonprofit leaders are discussing. When looking at the Inclusion aspect, there is one group that sometimes gets left out of the conversation. This group is made up of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD). Today’s guest, Lloyd Lewis, explains that hiring people with IDD is not only the right thing to do…

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Mental health issues are a growing concern all over the world. Right here in the US, there is a mental health crisis facing our youth and one significant contributor to this growing trend is social media and related technology. Today’s guest, Larissa May, shares how the next generation can be empowered to have a healthy relationship with technology. Rob’s guest is Larissa (Larz) May…

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When living in developed countries, we are accustomed to seeing special parking spaces and accessible ramps for those who may use wheelchairs. Unfortunately this is not the case in many developing countries. Not only do they not have these accommodations, but a large number of people don’t even have the ability to move around their homes or neighborhoods. Today’s guests, Don Schoendorfer and Nuka…

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Are you a leader at a nonprofit who wants to bring about change, but you don’t think your idea will be welcomed by the rest of the team? Are you struggling to get everyone on board with this new mission and feel your efforts are futile? Today’s guest, Alex Budak, explains that you don’t need everyone on board before bringing change and how you can become a more effective change maker.

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Humans are not the only ones who suffer through troubling times, their pets do as well. Pets are often the only companion a person may have and they play a big role in one’s mental and physical health, especially during trying times. Today’s guest, Susanne Kogut, explains why her nonprofit is committed to the wellbeing of pets and their families. Susanne is the President of Petco Love.

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Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1976 and is one of the strongest nonprofit brands in the United States. Many nonprofit leaders can learn valuable lessons from this impactful organization that has changed lives all over the world. Rob’s guest, Jonathan Reckford, shares some of his insights on a variety of topics that affect nonprofit organizations. Jonathan is the CEO of Habitat for…

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Change. Some people avoid it, while others thrive in it. Tension can sometimes rise when leaders of nonprofits seek to bring about change to their organization. Rob’s guest today is Hal Donaldson who offers his insight into how leaders can bring positive change to their organizations and how individuals can bring positive change to the world. Hal is the founder and CEO of Convoy of Hope.

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We know that Walmart is a large, profitable corporation selling goods throughout the world, but that is not all they do. You may be surprised by the impact Walmart is making through their many philanthropic efforts, local and world-wide. Today’s guest, Julie Gehrki, explains the various ways Walmart is supporting nonprofits through their new social impact program, Spark Good.

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In this episode, Rob Harter speaks with Scott Key, the founder of Every Shelter, a nonprofit focused on providing innovative shelter solutions for refugees. Scott shares insights into the global refugee crisis, emphasizing the staggering statistic that refugees remain displaced for an average of 20 years. He explains how Every Shelter addresses this challenge by focusing on localization…

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In order to have a successful nonprofit, sometimes changes must be made. While it may be difficult to bring change, it is necessary. Rob’s guests, Jeffrey Appell and Keith Heller explain how implementing new technology strategies can help bring positive results, and they share when it’s the best time to bring about that positive change. Jeffrey Appell and Keith Heller are the leaders…

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We have all heard of Visa, a world leader in digital payments, but most don’t realize that the corporation has a philanthropic arm to their company. Today’s guest, Graham Macmillan, explains what the Visa Foundation is doing. He also shares key lessons nonprofit leaders can learn from corporate philanthropies. Graham is the President at the Visa Foundation. The Visa Foundation seeks to…

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Some people will use the phrase “the great resignation” to describe current employment trends, while others will use the phrase, “the great reshuffle.” Regardless which phrases are being used, the current trends are impacting us all. Rob’s guest today is Don Howard and he argues that there is not a worker shortage, but a quality jobs shortage. Don is the President and CEO of The James…

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Community foundations play an important role in the geographic regions they offer support. Today’s guest, Joel Zarrow, helps us to further understand the purpose of a community foundation and how community foundations offer resources and tools to help nonprofits accomplish their mission. Joel is the President and CEO of Park City Community Foundation in Park City, Utah.

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Improving the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) of your organization in terms of recruiting, is becoming increasingly important for both nonprofits and for-profit companies. While this has become an important mission for organizations, it is not necessarily an easy process. Today’s guest, Matt Wilkerson, explains how his company is helping nonprofits and Fortune 500 companies to find…

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Amazon is not just a place full of great products to purchase and movies to stream, but the company is also making a social impact. Rob’s guest, Allyson Fryhoff, explains how Amazon Web Services is providing tools to nonprofits, helping them to go further and faster. Allyson Fryhoff, is the Managing Director of Nonprofit and Nonprofit Health at Amazon Web Services. Amazon Web Services (AWS)…

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Most in the nonprofit sector are passionate about affecting change with a particular issue in the world. Having a singular, focused mission in one’s organization is critical to having sustained impact and to avoid mission drift. Today’s guest, Steve Creech, explains how his nonprofit has been able to establish and maintain a clear focus that has led to sustained growth. Steve says the mission of…

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Our world continues to change in so many areas, particularly in regards to technology, and specifically, smart tech. Smart tech is not just changing how we use technology, but it’s actually changing the way people make decisions. Rob’s guests today are Beth Kanter and Allison Fine, co-authors of the upcoming book entitled The Smart Nonprofit. They point out that smart tech and other advanced…

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Currently only five percent of the tech industry is made up of women of color. This figure is extremely low, but thankfully there are nonprofits who are trying to change that. Today’s guest, Bertina Ceccarelli, explains how her organization is changing the lives of so many women who are looking to launch promising careers in the tech industry. Bertina has a Bachelors in Engineering…

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When you hear the phrase “healthy work-life balance”, what goes through your mind? That it’s impossible or possibly just a myth? Or perhaps you know first hand how the pain of your work has negatively impacted your marriage, your family or your personal life. This topic is certainly not new, and with our new “work from home, zoom-calls, always online world” that we are living in now…

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In this episode, Rob is joined by Ellena Fortner, founder of Nonprofit Bestie, an organization dedicated to empowering women leaders in small and medium-sized nonprofits. With over 15 years of nonprofit experience, Ellena focuses on equipping leaders with practical tools, strategies, and guidance to achieve their fundraising goals with confidence and ease. Ellena shares insights into creating…

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What kind of brand and what kind of culture do you have? Is there a gap between how you see your brand and how your community sees your brand? Rob’s guest, Ted Vaughn, explains why so many nonprofits inadvertently develop a “brand gap” by failing to integrate their culture and brand strategy. He also shares how you can avoid making this mistake. Ted Vaughn, is the co-author of the recent book…

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Many nonprofit founders will see a problem in their community and decide to tackle the problem by starting a nonprofit. Today’s guest, Doctor David Nayak, was motivated by a problem and a need in his community to start a foundation to help address this. He explains the reason why he started this foundation and how he is able to maintain balance while wearing multiple hats. Rob’s guest…

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Whether grants generate a large portion or a small portion of your budget, it is important to be efficient in your grant prospecting process. Today’s guest, Gauri Manglik, explains how nonprofits can improve their fundraising and grant prospecting. Rob’s guest, Gauri Manglik, is the CEO and Co-founder of Instrumentl. Instrumentl is a platform that brings grant prospecting…

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When it comes to auditing the donations coming into your nonprofit organization, have you ever thought about where your donations are primarily coming from? Today’s guest, Vance Roush, explains why nonprofits need to offer donors more options especially the option to give from their stocks. Rob’s guest, Vance Roush, is the founder of Overflow. Overflow makes generosity frictionless by helping…

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2020 skyrocketed the move to online giving for all donors who give to nonprofits. Organizations who already had a clear and robust process for donors to give online really benefited—those who didn’t, really struggled. They struggled to keep their giving on par with previous years. Now, the question for all nonprofits of how to “future-proof” fundraising is constantly on our collective minds.

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Despite the market being hit hard as of late, thankfully charitable giving has remained resilient. One particular tool that is fueling philanthropy is Donor Advised Funds (DAF). Today’s guest, Stephen Kump, explains the benefits of this fast growing tool and why so many donors prefer to give through a DAF. Rob’s guest, Stephen Kump, is the co-founder and CEO of Charityvest.

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The traditional model of having a singular Executive Director can actually be an unsustainable way to lead an organization. This model can be overwhelming for one person and often leads to burn out. Today’s guests are Brooke McKenna and Naomi Spence who are Co-Executive Directors at the Hunger Coalition in Blaine County, Idaho (Sun Valley area). They have been working together for over a decade.

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Across the United States, nonprofit organizations are all struggling to serve their communities due to the current economic climate. Many people are having issues to afford housing and food and nonprofits need to adapt to the economic changes so they can serve their growing number of clients. Today’s guests are Brianne Snow and Sharel Lund, both Executive Directors of nonprofit organizations in…

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Today’s episode is Part 2 of a fascinating conversation with Dr. Jan Rivkin of the Harvard Business School. In Part 1, Doctor Rivkin dives deep into how the Young American Leaders Program (YALP) is solving important problems by bringing together local leaders from all over the United States. In today’s episode, he explains how one can develop the skills that are necessary to be a successful leader.

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Right now in the United States, 95% of the sector is being overlooked and underinvested when it comes to nonprofit donations, according to Philanthropy Together. Thankfully, the collective giving movement is growing and making a positive change in underinvested communities. Today’s guest explains how more diverse communities can get funded when there are more diverse philanthropists involved.

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In today’s episode, Rob Harter is joined by Mariya Yurukova, founder of Charity Search Group (CSG), to discuss the essential connection between recruitment and retention in the nonprofit sector. With years of experience helping organizations find and retain top talent, Mariya shares actionable strategies for building a strong workforce through effective recruitment practices.

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It can be difficult to see actual change to today’s big problems, especially when starting at the federal level. Change usually occurs due to the efforts of dedicated individuals at the local level. Rob’s guest shares how a program at Harvard Business School is dedicated to solving big issues by bringing together local leaders from all over the United States. Rob’s guest today is Dr.

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Cryptocurrency is all the rage in many ways right now, but there still remains a lot of skepticism about the long term sustainability of cryptocurrency and just the uncertainty around it. There’s a lot of misunderstanding when it comes to cryptocurrency’s use for nonprofits and philanthropy. This is part two of our series on cryptocurrency and part one featured Robbie Heeger from Endaoment.

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Cryptocurrency is here to stay and it’s coming to a nonprofit near you. Understandably, many of you might be very skeptical when it comes to cryptocurrency, in general, and certainly when it comes to how it might impact your nonprofit fundraising efforts. Rob’s guest today is Robbie Heeger, the CEO of Endaoment, a new public charity that offers donor-advised funds (DAFs) built atop the…

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Ever wondered how philanthropy and charity first began? The answer may surprise you! The Greek roots for the word “philanthropy” refer to the “love of humankind”. Rob’s guest today is author Paul Vallely who has written a new book that serves as an encyclopedic review of the origins and history of philanthropy and charity over the centuries. Paul argues that today, too many people and…

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Almost everyone is familiar with the YMCA, especially because of the Village People’s infamous song. What many may not know is that the Y, with all of its nationwide affiliates, is actually one of the largest nonprofits, not only in the US, but in the world. Rob’s guest today is the retiring President and CEO of the YMCA of the USA, Kevin Washington. After 43 years of service…

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Rob has had several guests on the show to talk about the work they are doing with diversity, equity and inclusion. Today’s guest is dedicated to this same important work. The work is particularly relevant this month, because August is Black Philanthropy Month. Rob’s guest today is Dr. Chera Reid, the Co-Executive Director of the Center for Evaluation Innovation or CEI and she will share how…

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Personality tests have existed for centuries, yet many leaders are still surprised by how insightful and beneficial understanding your personality type can be to the work you want to accomplish. Rob’s guest today is Ian Morgan Cron, speaker, author, and pioneer in the contemporary Enneagram movement. His book “The Road Back to You” is perfect for those interested in learning more about the…

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Rob’s guests today are Shelley Hoss, president and CEO of OCCF for nearly 22 years, and Tammy Tumbling, the first-ever Executive Vice President and COO at OCCF. Based in Newport, California, OCCF is in the top 2% in grant-making among U.S. community foundations. The DNA of their service model is a double helix, with one strand being service to donors and their own philanthropic goals and the other…

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Racial equality and social justice are nothing new however they have become one of the most prominent conversations we are having now when it comes to nonprofit leadership and growth. *Note: This episode is from the archives* #ICYMI Rob’s guest today is Kishshana Palmer, CEO of Kishshana + Co., and founder of The Rooted Collaborative. She is a national speaker, trainer, and coach with a 17…

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Recruiters across the country have been feeling the pressure of the “great reshuffle” since COVID. They are relying on their existing networks to find talent quickly. Unfortunately, many recent college graduates have been left behind in this process without a recruiter or the right network, which too often means those from underrepresented communities, especially as Generation Z enters the…

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Addressing childhood poverty in the U.S. is an enormous challenge, and for nonprofits working to improve children’s lives, understanding the impact of poverty is essential. In this episode, Dr. Dipesh Navsaria, a pediatrician and advocate for early childhood development, joins Rob to discuss how nonprofits can support positive childhood experiences to mitigate the effects of poverty. Dr.

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For years, one of the most effective ways a nonprofit could raise money was through large in-person fundraising events. However, fast forward to 2020, when COVID literally put the brakes on all large in-person events for a significant period of time. Then, even when restaurants and schools and other public places began reopening, for many people the idea of getting together with a big group of…

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Nonprofit mergers are a trend that is increasing more and more, especially since COVID first started. Are mergers the wave of the future? Although that remains to be seen, many nonprofits are merging more now than ever, especially ones established in an area where there is more than one nonprofit doing very similar work. It’s becoming more apparent that lone nonprofits may benefit from joining…

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Donors don’t give to organizations, they give to people. Fundraising at its core is relationship building. When a donor gives to your organization, they’re giving because there’s a relationship with someone in your organization that has prompted them to give, and the stronger that relationship is, the more that donor will give and the more comfortable they are with increasing their giving over…

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