What happens when your nonprofit receives a transformational gift—seemingly out of the blue? In this episode, change management expert Michael Randel joins Tosca Bruno-van Vijfeijken to explore what nonprofits can learn from the MacKenzie Scott giving wave. Together, they discuss how to prepare for sudden funding growth, what risks to avoid, and how to communicate wisely during a time of high visibility and high stakes.

Guest Bio

Founder and Principal of Randel Consulting Associates
Long-standing consultant in nonprofit change management and scaling
Researcher on philanthropic giving and leadership dynamics
Regular advisor to mission-driven organizations facing major transitions

We Discuss:

Michael’s research into nonprofits that received large-scale gifts from MacKenzie Scott
Why divisiveness after a big gift was less common than expected
How to manage sudden scaling and increase organizational readiness
The value of a “quiet phase” in your communication strategy
How to plan for the eventual “financial cliff” once funding is spent
Why this moment calls for both bold leadership and intentional restraint

Quotes:

“One day, 10 million dollar suddenly landed in our bank account.”
“Should we be careful what we wished for?”

Resources:

Michael Randel's LinkedIn page
Randel Consulting Associates LinkedIn page
Randel Consulting Associates
Get insider tips to overcome the 5 most common problems facing leaders during change - download here
Mackenzie Scott has donated part of her fortune to over 2,000 organizations doing amazing work. What are they doing with all this newfound money? - download here

091. “$10M Landed in Our Account”—What Nonprofits Must Know About Transformational Gifts and Sudden Growth with Michael Randel