Explore every episode of the podcast The Practice of Nonprofit Leadership
Dive into the complete episode list for The Practice of Nonprofit Leadership. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.
Rows per page:
50
1–50 of 171
Title
Pub. Date
Duration
5 Steps To Overcoming Roadblocks: Strategies for Nonprofit Leadership Success
Imagine you're cruising along on a road trip when suddenly you're face-to-face with a roadblock. What now? Turn right, turn left, or hear your GPS say "recalculating"?
Same thing happens when leading a nonprofit organization. Roadblocks pop up that hinder our progress, reaching our goals, and/or fulfilling our mission. What do we do?
In today's episode, Tim and Nathan explore 5 steps to take when facing road blocks in your organization. From identifying the real issue, seeking counsel both inside and outside, to taking action and monitoring the plan, the guys provide some practical steps to get you back on the road towards your goals.
If you are interested in working with Tim and Nathan, reach out to them at info@practicenpleader.com.
Could a simple phone call or face-to-face meeting revolutionize your mid-year fundraising success?
In this episode of The Practice of Nonprofit Leadership, Tim and Nathan unpack the critical steps to personally engage with top donors and re-engage those who may have fallen off the radar. Learn how to carefully review your donor lists to spot trends, make those essential connections that drive your fundraising goals forward, and prepare for an impactful and effective year-end fundraising focus.
Interested in downloading the Donor Meeting agenda mentioned in this episode? Click here.
Effective leaders aren't always perfect leaders. What often makes them effective is that they take action consistently and with commitment. No matter whether your organization is big or small, consistent action is the key.
On today's episode, Tim identifies 5 key actions that every nonprofit executive director should be taking that results in effective and impactful leadership. Those actions include:
- Foster a Strong Vision - Embrace Learning - Build Strong Relationships - Promote Transparency - Practice Resilience
Being an effective leader is not about being perfect but rather continuing to grow, building strong relationships, and exercising resilience.
If you are interested in joining the Practice Community, click on the link below.
How can a small nonprofit's online presence become an effective fundraising strategy? What practical steps can be taken to raise awareness to the work that the organization is doing? What are the benefits and challenges in online fundraising?
On this episode, we are joined by Christina Edwards, Founder of Splendid Consulting and a marketing expert and coach who helps ambitious social impact businesses and nonprofits increase revenue, supporters, and engagement. Christina answers those questions and provides insight on how marketing and online fundraising go together.
You can find Christina at www.splendidatl.com or on Intragram at Splendidconsulting.
The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:
Family Foundations. Community Foundations. Corporate Foundations. Government Funding. All sound like great opportunities to help fund your organization and its important mission.
But was does it take to go after that grant?
On today's episode, Tim and Nathan explore the world of grants as a source of funding for your nonprofit organization. Sharing from their personal experiences, the guys discuss the positive aspect of procuring grants, the challenges in the application process, and the mistakes that Executive Directors often make when using them as a fundraising strategy.
The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:
According to a recent Association of Fundraising Professionals FEP report 88% of dollars come from 12% of your donors. Can even a small nonprofit, intentionally work to develop a major gifts program focused on this 12%?
In this episode, Tim and Nathan dive into a discussion on developing a major gifts focus at a small nonprofit. Nathan helps executive directors consider whether this is a good strategy for their nonprofit, sharing the benefits, the challenges, and also the mistakes to avoid.
The following links are referred to in the podcast.
Often associated as a strategy of large nonprofits. could it also be an untapped resource for smaller nonprofits?
On today's episode, Tim and Nathan discuss planned giving as a fundraising strategy. Nathan shares 3 ways to discern whether planned giving is right for your organization, provides both the benefits and challenges of this strategy, and the number 1 mistake Nonprofit ED's make when working to implement it in their organization.
The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:
As one of the most common nonprofit fundraising strategies, how do you know if Events is right for your organization?
What are 3 common mistakes nonprofits make when implementing Events as a fundraising strategy?
In this episode, Tim and Nathan dive into the positives and challenges of raising funds through Events, including some ideas on how to use them effectively and whether "Virtual Events" will still be a thing post-Covid.
The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:
How do you know if Direct Mail is a fundraising strategy that is right for your organization?
Today's episode kicks off a series of podcasts focused on Fundraising Strategies for Nonprofit organizations. On this episode, Nathan relies on his years of experience to help you understand the" ins and outs" of direct mail fundraising...and provides practical insights to know if this is the right fundraising strategy for your organization.
The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:
Today's episode is part 2 of our focus on teams. As we said last week:
Good teams are essential for effective nonprofit work. And it is the leader's responsibility to lead the team to effectiveness.
In this episode, Tim and Nathan look at 5 Characteristics of a good team. Referencing Patrick Lenceoni's book, The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team, and sharing from their own experience, the guys provide actions steps to take to move the team in a positive direction.
The episode ends with a challenge to take these 3 actions:
Take time to assess your team and how you are leading it.
Choose one of the areas talked about to begin to work on and take a few small action steps.
Consider purchasing the 5 Dysfunctions of a Team (linked above).
Note: Tim and Nathan do not receive any benefit from the books purchase but just highly recommend the book.
The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:
What's your best team experience? Why was it so good?
Good teams are essential for effective nonprofit work. And it is the leader's responsibility to lead the team to effectiveness.
In today's episode, Tim and Nathan start a two-part series focused on leading teams. The focus today is characteristics of dysfunctional and ineffective teams. Referencing Patrick Lenceoni's book, The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team, both Tim and Nathan share from the challenges they have faced in leading teams and how to recognize when the team is showing signs of dysfunction.
The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:
A headline in Forbes magazine, February 2020, stated that 45% of Nonprofit employees were planning to seek a new job by 2025. One of the reasons that employees choose to seek new employment is due to working for a "bad boss".
In today's episode, Tim and Nathan look at 3 traits of bad bosses and suggest some alternative ways of leading their teams. Traits discussed are:
Micromanagement,
Ignoring input from other team members,
Not dealing with underperforming or toxic teammates.
The article from Fast Company that is mentioned in the discussion can be found here.
The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:
"Nobody likes direct mail anymore….sending a direct mail appeal just isn’t going to work."
But according to a 2021 study by the Print and Mail Communications Association direct mail has an impressive open rate of 42.2%. Direct mail is still a valuable tool in your tool box for fundraising.
Today we are going to go over a simple template on how you can write an effective appeal letter quickly…even with $0 budget. And if you make it all the way to the end Nathan will have a tip or two to increase your open rate way above that 42% rate.
To join The Practice Community, click on the link, "Support the Show" below.
Rob shares about his journey as a Nonprofit Executive Director and what he has learned about leading yourself and your organization. Among other practical wisdom, Rob talks about 3 Key Principles:
Speaking from his more than 20 years of nonprofit fundraising, Nathan Ruby provides some insights into building a fundraising plan for your organization. Nathan shares what a fundraising plan is and where to start if you don't have a plan. Plenty of practical steps are shared in this episode.
Do you anticipate a successful year for your nonprofit in 2022?
What have actions have you taken to put success in your way?
Sharing from their own respective experiences, Tim and Nathan discuss 5 questions to consider as you launch into 2022 These questions should lead to action that can put you on the road to a successful and impactful year...even if circumstances and expectations change.
Jim Collins and a quote from his Good To Great book are mentioned in the podcast.
Research indicates that many nonprofits receive up to one-third of their revenue in the last few weeks of the year. But it also takes planning, preparation, and work with your donors to see that happen.
On the last episode of 2021, Tim and Nathan discuss why people give to nonprofits and why the end of the year is a popular time to give. Practical steps to have a successful end of the year appeal are shared, including why what you do in January impacts what happens in December.
Nathan has also put together a Year End Donor Agenda, that walks through a year end meeting with a donor. You can view it here.
Recent statistics show that the majority of people who start a podcast, fail to get to 10 episodes. With this episode, The Practice of Nonprofit Leadership has reached 20.
In this edition of PNPL, Tim and Nathan reflect back on producing 20 episodes, lessons they have learned, and how those lessons can be applied to leading a nonprofit organization.
The debate is on. Back to the office or not...or some sort of hybrid. And is working remotely right for Nonprofit work?
In this episode, Tim and Nathan share from their experiences both the benefits and challenges of a remote team. Tim also presents 4 actions that are required when leading a remote team., including some practical leadership ideas.
One resource that is mentioned in this episode is TechSoup (www.techsoup.org), a site that is focused on providing discount or free technology for nonprofits, charities, and libraries. Tim and Nathan receive no benefit from recommending this resource but have found it a helpful site.
Where do grants fall in your fundraising strategy? Are grants something you would like to pursue to help fund your organization's programs? And why does Nathan, the fundraising guru, have a love/hate relationship when it comes to grants?
In this episode, Tim and Nathan explore the big ocean called grant funding and answer the love/hate question. Nathan provides 4 significant questions that need to be considered before choosing to expend the time and effort to go after grants.
Your organization is growing. More opportunities are coming your way. The workload is increasing. You begin to realize that you need more help to get everything done. What kind of help do you need?
On this episode, Tim and Nathan discuss the five kinds of "help" that one can bring into their organization. Starting with bringing on volunteers and ending with hiring full time staff, the discussion includes the pros and cons of each type, and the impact they might have on the organization.
Being successful and making a difference are two things Executive Directors strive for when leading their organizations. But how do you know? What measurements do you use to evaluate your program effectiveness?
On this episode, Tim and Nathan discuss why program evaluation is important and defines some the terms that are used when going through this process. They also provide some practical ideas to move your evaluation in the right direction.
In most cases, Executive Directors are not hired for their financial prowess but most often for their leadership gifts, passion for the mission, and/or ability to raise funds. But providing financial oversight, in concert with the Board of Directors is a significant piece of the job.
On this episode, Tim and Nathan discuss 4 key areas that are part of providing financial oversight and also mention a few resources where an Executive Director can find help if feeling overwhelmed with this area of organizational leadership.
Tim and Nathan are not CPAs and do not consider themselves financial experts. All ideas and recommendations should be discussed with a financial professional before pursuing or implementing.
There is no one way to make chili or to fundraise. But in both cases, having the right ingredients to get started is very important. On today's episode, Tim and Nathan share four key ingredients every nonprofit needs before they can maximize their fundraising. And they explore how to get those ingredients into your own fundraising efforts.
Be sure to consider joining the Practice Community. Not only will you be a part of supporting this podcast but you will receive exclusive content for subscribers only plus a monthly community zoom with Tim and Nathan. You can subscribe here.
As a nonprofit leader, what keeps you up at night? What occupy's your mind?
On this episode, Tim and Nathan share four issues that tend to keep them up at night as nonprofit leaders. They also discuss each issue and some ways that leaders can address them.
While there seems to be no shortage of crisis in the world, sometimes that crisis makes its way into your nonprofit organization. Sharing from their current realties, Tim and Nathan share steps the Executive Director and an organization can take in a crisis situation. They also provide thoughts on the posture and actions of a leader, when leading in a crisis.
In the podcast, Tim mentions ideas from a masterclass by Jim Collins. Some of those ideas can be found here.
Who is really responsible for a nonprofit organization ? What is the role of the Board vs the Executive Director when it comes to governance?
In today's episode, Tim and Nathan answers those questions as they address the issue of nonprofit governance. Practical insights are provided on how an Executive Director can help the Board provide good governance and to work well together.
Note: Tim and Nathan are not lawyers and are not providing legal counsel or legal opinions. Legal counsel should be sought by the organization when constructing bylaws or making legal decisions.
Tim Barnes is the Executive Vice President of IAFR and can reached at tim@iafr.org. Nathan Ruby is the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH) and can be reached at nathan@fotcoh.org.
All opinions are their own and do not represent that of their respective organizations.
How do you respond when a staff member, Board member, or volunteer has a great new idea for the organization? Or if a donor offers to fund a new project substantially, if the organization will take it on?
"Mission Creep" is real, especially when there are lots of needs and plenty of good ideas and opportunities out there. In this episode, Tim and Nathan discuss the hard work of keeping an organization on mission, with Tim offering several practical tips to do so.
We all know that a nonprofit requires resources to do its work. But where do those resources come from?
As part of their series on "What's my Job?", Tim and Nathan discuss the role of Executive Director as "Chief Fundraiser". Drawing on his nearly 20 years as both a professional fundraiser and nonprofit executive director, Nathan provides insights and practical tips on raising funds for your nonprofit.
With all that comes at us as leaders of nonprofits on a daily basis, it is often tempting to ask the question, "What is my job?" Tim and Nathan kick off a new series looking at that very question. Together they discuss four key principles to consider when working to clarify what is your job as a nonprofit leader.
It may be retirement, health issues, or just time to move on...but there are few things more challenging than the transition of a Nonprofit Founder to a new Executive Director. The transition requires strategic intention by the Board, the Founder and the new Executive Director. Tim and Nathan discuss three important things to keep in mind when tackling this significant leadership challenge.
Starting a nonprofit usually kicks off with lots of passion and excitement. But as it moves along, there are actions that limit the growth and impact of the organization. In this episode, Tim and Nathan discuss 5 mistakes that founders often make when starting their nonprofit.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, with job losses and the world on hold, reports show that a large number of nonprofits were started to address local, national, and global issues. Tim and Nathan discuss what it takes to found a nonprofit and address the challenges ahead.
Volunteers are a vital aspect of nonprofits and a key relationship for nonprofit leaders. Sharing from their current experiences, Tim and Nathan discuss finding, managing, and appreciating volunteers.
From national to local, one of the most challenging seasons of a nonprofit executive director is leading your organization during a contentious election year. An even greater challenge is when the mission of your organization becomes a significant issue in the political dialogue.
On today's episode, Tim and Nathan provide some key actions steps to take when navigating this challenging season. Sharing stories and insights from their own leadership journeys, they provide some practical wisdom on engaging with those who have different points of view and looking ahead to plan for possible outcomes to your organization as a result of the election.
If you are interested in joining The Practice Community, go here.
Tim and Nathan can be contacted at info@practicenpleader.com
One of the most rewarding, and yet sometimes challenging, is the relationship we have with our Board members. It is also one of the most important relationships for an Executive Director. Tim and Nathan share from their own experiences, some practical ideas for finding right board members, keeping them connected, and building healthy relationships.
As a nonprofit executive leader, you may not be in it for the money but if you don't have money, you will not be in it. On podcast #3, Tim and Nathan. explore the importance of good relationships with donors. And, as an experienced and effective fundraiser, Nathan provides some practical insights into building good relationship with an organization's donors.
A recent article stated that more than 50% of a Nonprofit Executive Director's time is spent focused on people.
In this episode, Tim and Nathan identify a few key relationships that are important to focus on when leading a nonprofit and how they can contribute to the effectiveness of the leader. Some practical actions are shared and the question, "What if I am not really a 'people' person?", is discussed.
Welcome to the Practice of Nonprofit Leadership! Hosts Tim Barnes and Nathan Ruby, introduce themselves and share what to expect on upcoming episodes of the Practice of Nonprofit Leadership podcast. Laugh along with them, as they share both their good and bad experiences leading and serving in nonprofits.
So what do you do when you have to tell your Board that you fell short of your fundraising goal?
Communicating bad news to your Board can be tough, especially when it concerns finances. But as an Executive Director, it's part of the job.
On today's episode, Tim and Nathan guide you through the sensitive process of delivering less-than-stellar news to your nonprofit board. Expect to walk away with a blueprint for honest, direct communication that lays out the facts . The discussion also looks at the importance of developing a realistic plan to address the issue at hand.
Also, as Nathan mentioned, we are launching the Practice Community. This includes extra content from Tim and Nathan plus a monthly "office hours" zoom call, where you can ask questions of Tim and Nathan and others in the community. The cost is $10 a month.
With this 2024 Kickoff episode, Season 4 of the Practice of Nonprofit Leadership begins!
And what better way to begin then with Tim and Nathan revealing their Three Words for 2024. The concept of Three Words is to select words that will serve as a compass for the year. These words help to direct the individuals focus and energy and also provide an opportunity for accountability.
Tim and Nathan were introduced to the concept of My Three Words By Chris Brogan. You can find out more about the concept and listen to Chris reveal his Three Words here.
We would love to hear where you are headed in 2024 or if you have questions or topics you would like to hear on the podcast. You can reach us at info@practicenpleader.com.
As one year comes to a close and a new year is on the horizon, how should a nonprofit leader prepare for what lies ahead?
On today's episode, Tim and Nathan share some of the questions and strategies they use to prepare for a new year. The questions lead them to take a look back and then to look forward. The questions include celebration, honesty, hope, and challenge. Taking the time to reflect backwards and then look forward, provides the opportunity to start off the year with a sense of confidence and focus.
Tim mentioned questions from an annual review document put together by Dickie Bush of Ship 30 for 30. You can find it here.
Tim and Nathan are going to be taking some time off over the holidays. Feel free to look back through our previous episodes. We will see you in the new year!
If you would like to get in touch with us, you can do so at: info@practicenpleader.com.
Another year is quickly coming to an end. As preparations are being made for a new year, taking time to review the past year is an important habit to develop. A key question to ask is, "How did my leadership measure up this year?"
On today's episode, Tim and Nathan discuss four key areas to consider when reviewing your leadership this year. Sharing actions step plus personal insights, this episode will help you get ready for an effective new year, as you take time to learn from your experience in the previous year.
Success Frames by Rob Hatch is mentioned in the episode. Find the book here.
To contact Tim and Nathan, you can email at info@practicenpleader.com.
Most job descriptions for Executive Directors, contain at least one bullet point that focuses on them representing, connecting, and being visible in the community. How important is this for the organization?
On today's episode, Nathan explores several points that should be considered when planning this in your schedule. What are the possible outcomes for this effort? Where should you show up in the community? How do I make sure the effort is fruitful? All this plus more on The Art of Community Engagement for Nonprofit Leaders.
If you are interested in being more connected to the Practice of Nonprofit Leadership, let us know by reaching out to us at info@practicenpleader.com.
Ready to demystify the world of fundraising metrics?
Nathan spends time googling "Fundraising Metrics"; Tim...not so much. But they both know the importance and the cautions with using specific metrics when tracking nonprofit fundraising.
On today's episode, Nathan walks us through four key fundraising metrics (Gift Size, Number of New Donors, Cost of Dollar Raised, and Return on Investment - ROI), why nonprofit leaders should be tracking them and how to make sure that they don't "lie" to you.
If you are a nonprofit executive director, a nonprofit board member, or someone who takes responsibility for raising funds for your nonprofit, this episode with provide insights and actions to keep in mind when tracking fundraising in your organization.
Tim and Nathan can be contacted at info (at) practicenpleader (dot) com.
Discover the power of knowing what each donor brings to your nonprofit's table over the long haul.
We're unlocking the secrets to calculating the lifetime value of a donor, and why this number is a game changer for your strategic planning and sustained funding. With every monthly donation, be it a humble $30 or more, Nathan will show you how those figures compound to form the bedrock of your organization's financial future. It's not just about the money—it's about understanding the true worth of consistent support and how it can pave the way for growth and stability.
Have you ever noticed how the simplest 'thank you' can light up your day?
On today's episode, Tim and Nathan discuss how gratitude can transform your non-profit organization's culture and amplify your leadership, including the impact on the mental well-being of non-profit leaders, despite the challenges they face.
Speaking from experience, the guys share insights into the application of gratitude in everyday situations, and the invaluable effect it can have on your team's satisfaction and retention. They reveal actionable steps to foster a culture of appreciation, from maintaining a daily gratitude journal to the power of a heartfelt 'thank you.'
If you would like to reach out to Tim and Nathan, you can do so at info (at) practicenpleader (dot) com.
Ever feel like you're stumbling in the dark when it comes to budgeting for your non-profit organization? The thought of revenue planning and expense analysis might seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be.
In part 2 of our focus on nonprofit budgeting, Tim and Nathan, are here to guide you through this financial labyrinth with clarity and ease. We provide you with a fresh perspective on how to evaluate and forecast your revenue sources, making budgeting less of a mystery and more of a manageable task.
From revenue to expenses, we’ve got you covered. Discover the strategies we use to review and analyze past expenses, identify potential areas for cost reduction and align resources with your organization's mission. We highlight the importance of maintaining a flexible margin in your budget to prepare for any unexpected hurdles. Gain insight on how to avoid difficult decisions like staff or program cuts through effective planning and regular financial reviews. So, join us on this journey of fiscal wisdom and let's make budgeting a breeze for your non-profit organization.
You can contact Tim and Nathan at: info (at) practicenpleader (dot)com
Ready to supercharge your non-profit's budgeting process?
Join us, your hosts Tim Barnes and Nathan Ruby, as we disclose the keys to effective financial planning for non-profit organizations. We guarantee you'll walk away with actionable strategies to align your budget with your organization's mission, identify opportunities, and assess what's working and what's not. Our candid conversations will highlight the importance of thinking big and planning strategically, giving you the tools you need to flourish in the non-profit world.
Here are the 5 key points when putting together your nonprofit budget:
- Start with a Plan - Engage Stakeholders - Consider Past Performance Analysis - Commit to Building in Margin - Do the Budget in "Pencil"