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The Nonprofit Show

American Nonprofit Academy

Business

Frequency: 1 episode/2d. Total Eps: 1017

The Nonprofit Show is the nation’s daily broadcast for the business side of nonprofits — bringing you practical insights, expert interviews, and real-world strategies to help your organization run smarter, lead stronger, and fund better.

Each weekday, our co-hosts and guests break down the most current topics in fundraising, board governance, leadership, staffing, technology, communications, and financial strategy — giving nonprofit professionals the tools they need to build sustainable, high-performing organizations.

With more than 1,400 episodes and growing, our on-demand library is a trusted resource for executive directors, team members, fundraisers, board members, and sector leaders who are ready to move beyond inspiration and into implementation.

🎥 Watch the daily show on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3A0Dqlw

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For Nonprofits: When Critics Shout—What to Say—A Field Manual for Communications

Season 5 · Episode 173

mercredi 5 novembre 2025 • Duration 31:55

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Nonprofits are being yanked into culture wars they never asked for. In this Nonprofit Power Week conversation, Jill Crumbacher, Senior VP of Marketing and Development at the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, lays out how to keep your message steady when the public square gets noisy. This episode is a field manual for keeping your purpose intact—and your voice effective—when the temperature rises!

Jill’s team spans both marketing and fundraising—by design. As she puts it, the Foundation treats the whole enterprise “as one big communication strategy,” where audience segmentation, message discipline, and timing live in the same room.

Are foster care and adoption political? Jill’s answer: yes—and no. The Foundation operates at the back end of the process, after courts determine a child cannot safely return home. That’s where “finding forever families” becomes the mission—while the front end (why a child enters care) is where debates about poverty, racism, and systems flare. That nuance matters, and Jill’s team crafts language for each audience: “adoption” for the public; “permanency” for child-welfare professionals who also consider guardianship and reunification.

Jill’s playbook mixes discipline with restraint. She says it plainly: “Just because a reporter calls you doesn’t mean you have to reply.” Years before headlines heat up, her team works with crisis-comms experts to pre-write long and short answers for likely “arrows”—from Dobbs to immigration—paired with a decision tree about whether to engage at all. The goal is to protect mission focus when others try to conscript your voice for their fight.

Inside the house, rigor rules. The comms calendar is “beautifully organized chaos,” mapping channels, suppressions, and variants for donors (new, returning, Wendy’s-affiliated, etc.), followers, and child-welfare audiences. Message control isn’t censorship; it’s service to clarity. The team maintains a “say this, not that” lexicon and sends materials to outside reviewers to catch phrasing that could be misunderstood in other contexts.

There are also non-negotiables. “We will celebrate all children and we’ll advocate for all children in the system, regardless of how they identify,” Jill says. The Foundation’s images and words stay consistent year-round—they don’t “poke,” they persist. And when criticism pops up, they’ve seen the community often step in first, defending the work organically on social media.

If you steward a mission in a volatile moment, borrow these moves: define your lane, choose words precisely, prepare answers in peacetime, monitor hot-button issues for possible linkages, and decide in advance what you will never trade away.

#TheNonprofitShow #FosterCare #CrisisCommunications

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Nonprofit Board Energy That Lasts: Committees that Work, Meetings that Fly

Season 5 · Episode 172

mardi 4 novembre 2025 • Duration 31:36

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In this key conversation, Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption President & CEO Rita L. Soronen maps out a modern playbook for governing with purpose while sustaining momentum after years of change. She begins with the Dave Thomas legacy—not as a branding exercise, but as a lived journey that shaped a national public charity with a singular focus: permanency for children in foster care. “If you can do one good thing in life,” Rita reflects, “the fact that he created two iconic brands—the Wendy’s Company and the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption—is just remarkable.” That origin story still informs board design, revenue strategy, and leadership cadence today. The throughline for governing is respect for leaders’ time and a culture where advice is welcomed, staff are empowered to execute, and collaboration fuels outcomes for children and families.

Rita details a deliberately blended board: seats for Wendy’s C-suite leaders (tone from the top), franchisees who steward restaurant-level campaigns, Thomas family members, and public members—researchers, policy experts, legal leaders, and child welfare practitioners—who bring depth to complex decisions. The result is governance that can guide a mission working at local, state, and federal levels without being mistaken for a corporate foundation. “We want donors to see a public charity doing serious work,” she notes, “and not assume we’re fully funded by Frosty sales.”

Her approach to engagement is disciplined and human. Board meetings are two in-person and two virtual per year, each paired (for the in-person sessions) with intentional social time to build trust. Meetings themselves are crisp—two and a half hours—because the real work happens in committees that meet quarterly, report out, and keep decisions moving. Between meetings, Rita runs a high-touch communication rhythm: January one-on-ones with every director, timely updates to the executive committee, and monthly check-ins to prevent surprises.

On fundraising, she favors shared responsibility over quotas: franchisee-driven campaigns; a gala at Wendy’s convention; personal giving from all members; and thoughtful introductions to new corporate and individual partners. Equally important is recognizing non-monetary value—when a board member’s policy expertise or research acumen is as catalytic as a major gift.

Finally, Rita describes their operational maturity: a formal platform (Nasdaq Boardvantage) for materials; a consent agenda; predictable deadlines; and smart seasonality—virtual meetings in December and June to avoid travel disruptions.

#TheNonprofitShow #BoardGovernance #Adoption

Joint Fundraising That Actually Works: For Collab Events and Small Teams

Season 5 · Episode 163

vendredi 17 octobre 2025 • Duration 30:32

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Joint fundraising: bold idea, complicated feelings. On this Fundraisers Friday, Julia C. Patrick and Tony Beall swap real-world stories and field notes on how small and midsize nonprofits can team up without tripping over turf, lists, or logistics. Julia sets the table with a grin—“They’re super tricky, they’re very interesting, and I think there’s a lot of fear around it”—then Tony gets granular on where collaboration actually shines: events. Think shared strengths: one NPO’s marketing mojo plus another’s room-flow wizardry equals a stronger guest experience and better net for all.

The throughline is alignment. Serve the same community—youth, seniors, cancer journeys, pets—so the purpose reads as one chorus, not competing solos.

Contracts keep friendships friendly. Spell everything out in an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) or partnership agreement: shared costs, who fronts deposits, marketing responsibilities, volunteer management, night-of logistics, and—vital—who’s the fiscal agent. As Tony puts it, “It’s just a reminder that we are running a business.” Marketing lists stay private; attendee lists can be shared with explicit consent at registration. Afterward, leverage an event page for social recaps while each org pushes post-event notes to its own supporters.

Courage shows up at the recap table. Schedule a quick postmortem to capture wins, gaps, and “never again” insights while memories are fresh. Sometimes the bravest answer is one-and-done: celebrate the success and move on. Julia’s take on reality checks lands with a smile and a nod to capacity: big hearts are fantastic, but bandwidth pays the bills!!

#TheNonprofitShow #NonprofitFundraising #Collaboration

Hope Over Fear: DEIB Leadership in a Testy Climate

Season 5 · Episode 74

jeudi 1 mai 2025 • Duration 31:30

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In a conversation as timely as it is timeless, we welcome Gordon Sims, Director of Development at the Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio, to explore how nonprofits can sustain their commitment to DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) amid increasing societal and political scrutiny. Joined by cohosts Wendy F. Adams and Julia Patrick, this dialogue doesn’t flinch from the complex realities of today’s climate—but it also doesn’t surrender to them.

Gordon traces the DEIB movement's lineage back nearly a century, when Catholics and Jews united to counter hate, showing that “this movement and this work is far bigger than this political cycle.” His words remind us that while terminology and tactics may shift, the core intention remains: equal access, safety, and dignity for all. "The intent really was never to create preferential treatment for anyone,” he says, “but to just give equal treatment and opportunities."

This conversation acknowledges how the DEIB landscape has been reshaped by fear, legislation, and misinformation. Yet it offers clarity and resolve. Gordon uses a poignant metaphor comparing DEIB to theme park "fast passes," where historically marginalized communities have been left to wait in line while others bypassed them. DEIB, he emphasizes, is about giving everyone the opportunity to get on the ride—no more, no less.

Equally compelling is the discussion around strategy. Gordon highlights the importance of language, framing, and tone when approaching these issues, especially in environments where such topics are misunderstood or even banned. “Sometimes we have to choose between being right and being strategic,” he shares, quoting trainer Erica Merritt. The challenge lies in advancing the work without triggering defensiveness or political backlash.

Ultimately, this episode is about courage, compassion, and connection. It's about listening deeply, creating safe spaces, and convening in strength. Whether it’s through roundtables with LGBTQ centers, school districts, or town hall-style block parties, Gordon and his team are modeling how collaboration itself becomes a form of resilience.

For those unsure how to proceed or afraid to speak, this episode provides a framework not just for advocacy, but for hope.

00:00:00 Welcome and introductions

00:03:11 History of the Diversity Center and DEIB origins

00:05:35 The movement cycle and current contraction

00:07:35 DEIB as equal access—not preferential treatment

00:09:53 What DEIB looks like in real life today

00:12:11 Convening as a form of resilience

00:14:43 Creating safe spaces and actionable strategies

00:17:03 Legislative engagement and civic action

00:19:03 Navigating DEIB within family and social dynamics

00:22:30 Strategic language and meeting people where they are

00:26:01 Being strategic vs. being right

00:28:37 Data-driven proof of DEIB’s value

#InclusiveLeadership #NonprofitStrategy #CivicEngagement

Inside a Disability-Inclusive Summer Camp: Lessons in Leadership

Season 5 · Episode 73

mercredi 30 avril 2025 • Duration 31:26

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Dawn Trapp, CEO of the Civitan Foundation AZ, delivers an inspiring and detailed look into how her organization successfully runs a summer camp for individuals with disabilities. With operations dating back to 1968, Civitan has evolved from a modest two-week camp into a year-round service hub providing inclusive programming, employment training, arts initiatives, and a deeply supportive community.

Dawn shares the journey of navigating decades of change—from shifting public perceptions to compliance with modern licensing, insurance, and risk management needs. The organization made a pivotal decision during COVID to remain open, extending their camp season when many others shut down. “We stayed open… and it was probably one of the best decisions that we made for everybody,” she says, reflecting on how camp served as a safe haven for campers and staff during uncertain times.

Camp Civitan serves a broad age range—from 5 to 83—and a spectrum of disabilities, tailoring programming to meet diverse needs. Dawn emphasizes the importance of respite not just for the campers, but for their families. Many use state-provided respite funding to cover attendance, enabling caregivers to rest, while campers experience joy, independence, and connection.

Staffing is one of Civitan’s most pressing challenges, especially given its rural location. Dawn shares how they addressed this by bringing in international staff and launching the "Grow Our Own" program, cultivating future leaders from within their own volunteer base—some of whom started at age six and are now on staff. Civitan also maintains ownership of its 15-acre camp, which provides long-term flexibility but comes with substantial cost and maintenance responsibilities.

From risk mitigation to community partnerships, Dawn’s candid discussion reveals the complexity of operating a mission-aligned, community-centered facility. Her closing thoughts on legacy and leadership succession reflect a long-view commitment: ensuring Civitan continues to thrive for generations to come.

00:00:00 Welcome with Dawn Trapp
00:02:06 Keeping Camp Civitan Open During COVID
00:04:22 Camp is for Everyone – Even Age 81
00:05:15 How Camp Civitan Got Its Start in 1968
00:07:18 Services for Campers from Age 5 to 83
00:08:00 How Camp Provides Respite for Families
00:10:28 Staffing in a Remote Location
00:11:29 Recruiting International Staff and Volunteers
00:13:22 Growing Leaders Through Camp Life
00:16:20 Owning vs. Renting Camp Facilities
00:20:26 Risk Management and Safety Protocols
00:27:03 Dawn’s Vision for the Next Five Years

#InclusiveCamps #DisabilityServices #NonprofitLeadership

Creative Aging: The Movement Nonprofits Can't Ignore!

Season 5 · Episode 72

mardi 29 avril 2025 • Duration 29:56

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Julie Kline and Sarah Jacobus from Lifetime Arts take a deep and inspiring dive into the transformative world of creative aging. As America's population shifts, nonprofits must adapt—and creative engagement is an exciting and necessary path forward.

Together, they break open the outdated, medicalized view of aging and replace it with a vision where creativity, choice, and social connection are seen as core elements of a vibrant older life. They explore how creative programs provide empowerment, reduce isolation, and foster new identities for older adults—a dynamic shift nonprofits can't afford to ignore.

Julie Kline, Director of Program Strategy at Lifetime Arts, passionately describes the organization’s mission: “Our goal is to weave creative aging into the fabric of our communities.” She shares her personal journey, rooted in childhood experiences of writing plays for her grandparents, that fueled her dedication to bridging generations through creativity.

Sarah Jacobus, Creative Writing Trainer, reflects on her own pivot into this field, especially during COVID, sharing: “Being in a creative aging class is really establishing a new sense of identity—one that’s empowering and energizing.”

The conversation also tackles the nuances of gender differences in participation, the need for thoughtful partnerships, the silent influence of ageism, and the exciting expansion of training opportunities for nonprofits of all kinds—even unexpected ones like botanical gardens.

This episode will challenge you to ask: Are we ready to serve an aging population creatively, inclusively, and dynamically?

00:00:00 - Welcome and Introduction to Creative Aging

00:02:20 - What Lifetime Arts Does

00:04:00 - The "Medicalized" View of Aging

00:06:15 - Julie Klein’s Personal Journey Into Creative Aging

00:08:00 - Sarah Jacobus’ Story and COVID’s Impact

00:11:00 - Why Creativity Matters for Health and Aging

00:13:00 - Empowerment Through Creative Expression

00:14:45 - Gender Differences in Creative Aging Participation

00:18:20 - Why Nonprofits Should Care About Aging

00:20:45 - Building Effective Partnerships

00:22:00 - New Open Enrollment Training Opportunities

00:26:00 - Fighting Ageism Through Creative Programming

00:29:00 - Closing Thoughts and Call to Action

#CreativeAging #EmpowerThroughArt #NonprofitInnovation

Real Talk for Fundraisers: Goals, Gratitude, and Getting It Done

Season 5 · Episode 71

vendredi 25 avril 2025 • Duration 29:32

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It’s Fundraisers Friday, and Julia C. Patrick and Tony Beall are back with an episode full of big opinions, thoughtful advice, and even a little Kung Fu Panda wisdom. This time, they dive into real questions from viewers—and they don’t hold back, with an honest and supportive conversation about the ins and outs of development work, from transparency in fundraising goals to the fine line of donor privacy.

One of the first questions tackled: Should fundraising goals be shared organization-wide, or kept within the C-suite? Tony makes the case for balance: “The way you communicate goals matters—empathy and intention are key.” Julia adds that fundraisers often get put under pressure when goal updates trickle down without context or support.

They also unpack a tricky topic—sharing top donor info with board members. Julia suggests, “Having a policy is key. Without it, you risk someone casually announcing a donor’s gift in public.” Tony agrees but reminds us, “Unless the donor asked for anonymity, listing them for board review isn’t a breach of privacy.”

Perks for development staff? This duo has thoughts. Forget just bagels—Tony encourages nonprofits to ask staff what’s actually meaningful to them. From car washes donated by board-owned businesses to flexible scheduling, he reminds us, “Perks don’t have to cost much to show value.”

Perhaps the most surprising take came on newsletters vs. annual reports. Tony challenged the typical approach, saying monthly newsletters can feel stale, while an annual report can be a dynamic, story-driven tool: “If I had to choose, I’d go with the annual report every time.”

To close, Julia teases upcoming episodes (like managing fundraiser stress) and celebrates The Nonprofit Show nearing its 1300th episode. The vibe? Honest, empowering, and always real.

—“There’s no such thing as bad news or good news. There’s just news.” —Tony Beall, quoting Kung Fu Panda, but owning the sentiment.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Welcome to Fundraisers Friday!
00:01:18 The joy of working with nonprofit leaders
00:03:19 Teaser: Upcoming episode on fundraiser stress
00:04:21 Should fundraising goals be shared org-wide?
00:06:55 Communication, stress, and fear in fundraising updates
00:09:49 Good news vs. bad news (Kung Fu Panda style)
00:11:14 Donor privacy: Should boards know top givers?
00:14:55 Low-cost perks for development staff
00:19:20 Annual report vs. monthly newsletters—what’s more important?
00:24:08 How to maximize your annual report
00:25:34 Tony’s news from AFP and upcoming events
00:27:11 Julia's Innovate Conference appearance
00:28:13 Celebrating 1300 episodes!

#FundraisersFriday #NonprofitLeadership #DevelopmentStrategy

Nonprofits—It's Time to Rethink Financial Success!

Season 5 · Episode 70

jeudi 24 avril 2025 • Duration 32:25

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Understanding what it really means for a nonprofit to be financially successful—and no, it’s not just about the size of your bank account. Beth Larsen, VP of Client Accounting and Advisory Services at JMT Consulting, explains.

Financial success, Beth explains, is fundamentally about “whether or not you have the resources to fulfill your mission effectively.” It’s a mindset shift from passive accounting to active financial management, where success is defined by the ability to match your assets to your mission-driven activities.

Beth digs into how nonprofits can and should assess their financial health by tracking three core metrics: monthly operating results, available unrestricted cash, and current ratio. She emphasizes that these metrics aren’t just nice-to-have—they’re essential to making real-time strategic decisions and maintaining stability in uncertain economic times.

“Most nonprofits are dealing with demand that far exceeds available resources,” she shares. “That means decision-making must be rooted in data and aligned with mission, not just money.”

The conversation moves from theory to practice, with Beth advocating for a solid financial foundation built on clean data, clear processes, and internal discipline. She outlines actionable best practices like having written financial procedures, separation of duties, automated systems, and integrated budget planning that includes development and operations.

Host Julia Patrick and Beth also reflect on their past experiences during the 2008 recession—where both faced impossible decisions around shelter programs and fundraising gaps—and draw relevant lessons for today's leaders.

Whether your nonprofit is flying blind with checkbook accounting or wrestling with boardroom fear around financial topics, Beth’s calm, strategic approach lights a clear path forward. Her message is both urgent and empowering: “You can’t afford not to do this work.”

Timestamps:

00:00:00 – Welcome and Introduction to Beth Larsen

00:03:44 – What Financial Success Really Means for Nonprofits

00:05:19 – Navigating Resources vs. Demand in Tough Times

00:08:39 – Best Practices: Build a Financial Foundation

00:10:42 – Budget Strategy and Data Categorization

00:13:33 – How Strong Systems Reduce Fear and Confusion

00:17:10 – Balancing Mission with Financial Realities

00:20:38 – The Three Key Metrics You Must Track

00:24:26 – Moving From Checkbook Management to Smart Strategy

00:26:10 – Improving Communication Around Financials

00:28:52 – Finance as a Journey, Not a Checklist

00:30:12 – Innovate 2025 Conference Preview

#NonprofitFinance #MissionDrivenData #StrategicStewardship

The 6 Innovation Rules Every Nonprofit Needs Now

Season 5 · Episode 69

mercredi 23 avril 2025 • Duration 30:33

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Leah Kral, social impact consultant and author of Innovation for Social Change, joins cohosts Julia Patrick and Sherry Quam Taylor for a spirited deep-dive into how nonprofits can rethink innovation—no Silicon Valley badge required!

Leah sets the tone early, challenging the misconception that innovation is only about gadgets and tech. “Innovation is simply finding new and better ways of doing things,” she says, reframing it as a mindset accessible to nonprofits of every size. Whether it’s Habitat for Humanity’s volunteer model or a legal aid clinic swapping clipboards for iPads, she insists, “People are innovating all the time in the nonprofit sector—they just don’t always realize it.”

Throughout the conversation, Leah shares why many nonprofits feel stuck: good intentions clouding decision-making, risk-averse leadership, and the pressure to produce “glossy” reports with no room for trial-and-error. She offers a refreshingly realistic take—yes, failure might happen, but so might wild success. “It’s far better to fail fast and fail small than never experiment at all,” she notes.

Leah introduces her six principles of innovation: think like a detective, ask courageous questions, empower frontline workers, leave room for experimentation, pursue continuous learning, and master the art of persuasion. She backs each with vivid examples—from the night staff at Mayo Clinic improving patient care, to the global success of WorldReader’s mobile reading app born from failed Kindle pilots.

Cohosts Julia and Sherry echo the importance of curiosity and culture, with Sherry noting, “A curious leader sets the tone for the whole team.” Leah agrees and highlights that personal innovation is just as vital as organizational change.

What’s the biggest takeaway? Innovation isn’t a luxury—it’s essential. And it starts with making space for curiosity, iteration, and the courage to try. Leah wraps with a compelling call: “You don’t need a huge budget to innovate—just a little time and a willingness to ask better questions.”

Whether you're a grassroots nonprofit or a national leader, this episode might just be the reboot your strategy needs.

TImestamps:

00:00:00 – Introduction and guest welcome

00:01:35 – Leah Kral on writing *Innovation for Social Change*

00:04:00 – What innovation really means in nonprofits

00:05:52 – Big vs. small innovation examples

00:08:08 – What’s holding nonprofits back from innovation?

00:10:56 – Addressing the myth: innovation = risk

00:11:44 – Leah’s six principles of innovation

00:16:20 – Why personal innovation matters too

00:21:45 – Embracing small experiments and fast failure

00:23:48 – Building a culture that allows for trial and error

00:27:12 – How to spark creativity within teams

00:29:44 – Final thoughts and where to find Leah’s book

#NonprofitInnovation

Why HR is the Executive Director’s Superpower

Season 5 · Episode 68

mardi 22 avril 2025 • Duration 31:13

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Executive Director Janelle Miller Moravek of Youth and Family Counseling takes us behind the curtain of what it really means to make HR the Executive Director’s greatest ally. This isn’t just an HR pep talk—it’s a dive into how transactional excellence, emotional intelligence, and succession planning can transform your organization’s culture, resilience, and impact.

Topics:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
01:50 About Youth and Family Counseling
03:29 HR’s Role in Organizational Growth
05:31 What Is Transactional Excellence?
07:25 When Staff Leave: Root Causes
08:54 Counseling Work vs Other Sectors
11:08 HR as Organizational Design
13:42 Planning Your Work, Working Your Plan
16:00 Resilience in a Multigenerational Workforce
17:23 Succession Planning Without Panic
20:24 Cross-Training and Shared Leadership
23:09 Mental Health for Mental Health Providers
24:10 HR as Organizational Scaffolding
25:22 Fractional vs Full-Time HR
27:17 Real-Life Lessons from a Fortune 100 CEO
28:29 Closing Thoughts and Key Takeaways
31:15 Final Message: Stay Well to Do Well

Janelle brings real-world insights from her 15-year journey leading a nonprofit mental health organization that grew from a $680,000 budget to $2.8 million and expanded to three locations. What’s her secret? A thoughtful, strategic approach to human resources.

“We’ve always had to create an experience for our employees that attracts the talent we need,” she shares. In a sector where nonprofits can’t match private sector salaries, Janelle emphasizes designing career ladders and crafting meaningful employee experiences as key levers in recruitment and retention.

She also doesn’t shy away from accountability: “We need to look back at ourselves. Our staffing changes often come about because of something we’ve done.” Her refreshing honesty sets the tone for a discussion that’s as practical as it is reflective.

From the nitty-gritty of job descriptions to navigating a multigenerational workforce and preparing for the “silver tsunami” of retirements, Janelle urges leaders to embrace HR not just as a compliance mechanism, but as strategic scaffolding that supports every function in the organization.

The episode explores how nonprofits—especially smaller ones—can structure succession planning without fear, cultivate middle management, and share leadership in ways that increase organizational capacity and decrease burnout.

As she puts it, “HR is scaffolding. It’s how you manage the work and the people—it can’t just be the ED holding it up.”

If you're a nonprofit leader navigating hiring woes, team development, or succession worries, watch this for a generous dose of real-world experience mixed with humor, clarity, and heart.