225: The Critical Role of HR in Nonprofits with Arum Lee Lansel

In this episode of What the Fundraising, Mallory is joined by Arum Lee Lansel, an HR consultant specializing in small nonprofits. Arum’s diverse career spans fashion, philanthropy, venture capital, and organizational effectiveness. She now uses this unique lens to help nonprofits build sustainable, thriving work environments through strategic HR practices.

Human Resources (HR) plays a critical role in shaping a thriving work environment, especially in nonprofit organizations where the demands on staff can be overwhelming. It is more than just compliance or administrative responsibilities; it is about building a long-lasting supportive environment in which people feel respected, encouraged, and enabled to perform to their full potential. HR becomes a crucial partner in achieving a nonprofit's objective and guaranteeing that its staff can flourish by tackling the underlying reasons for burnout, placing a high priority on employee well-being, and making sure leaders are prepared to assist their teams.

Key takeaways from the episode: 

• HR should be seen as a strategic driver for nonprofit impact, not just a compliance function.
• The Thrive Model provides a structured approach to building a sustainable nonprofit workplace.
• Leadership commitment is essential for meaningful HR and cultural improvements.
• Burnout is an organizational issue that requires systemic changes, not just individual coping strategies.
• Nonprofits must navigate funder dynamics and advocate for internal investments to sustain impact.

Get all the resources from today’s episode here. 

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If you’re looking to raise more from the right funders, then you’ll want to check out my Power Partners Formula, a step-by-step approach to identifying the optimal partners for your organization. This free masterclass offers a great starting point