Agents of Nonprofit

In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit, host Alexander Lapa welcomes Jena Lynch from Donorbox to share her insights on how nonprofits can prepare for the busiest fundraising season of the year. From leveraging AI thoughtfully, to building month-by-month strategies, to communicating in ways that truly resonate, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help nonprofits thrive at year-end and beyond.Topics We Cover:Jena’s “superhero origin story” and how she found her path into the nonprofit sectorThe “triple squeeze” challenge nonprofits face today: funding cuts, declining giving, and rising service demandsWhy donor retention matters more than acquisition—and how just a 10% boost can transform lifetime valueThe 3C formula for success: connection, retention, and clarityA month-by-month framework for year-end fundraising (September through December)How to use AI responsibly for donor communication and engagementThe power of segmentation and tailoring messages for different donor groupsWhy slowing down, documenting strategies, and planning with intention lead to healthier organizations and sustainable resultsTo Learn More and Connect with Jena:Donorbox.orgJena Lynch on LinkedInSupport the show

In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit, I speak with leadership and mental health advocate Dacia Moore about why mental wellness isn’t a luxury—it’s a leadership essential. From “push-ups for your brain” to the power of margin time, this conversation blends personal stories, practical frameworks, and a call for leaders to model healthy habits for their teams.Topics We Cover:Why nonprofit leadership carries unique mental health challengesThe zigzag career paths that often lead to executive rolesViewing mental wellness as a daily leadership discipline, not a soft skillHow high-pressure roles mirror the demands placed on elite athletes“Push-ups for your brain” — Dacia’s daily mental health routineDelegating effectively and focusing on high-impact leadership tasksThe “margin time” analogy and how white space boosts creativity and decision-makingGratitude as a practical tool for resilience and perspectiveTo Learn More and Connect with Dacia:Dacia's SW Snippet NewsletterSupport the show

In this empowering episode of Agents of Nonprofit, I chat with Shannon Bowen, a former nonprofit executive turned career and leadership coach. From navigating career pivots to confidently negotiating job offers, Shannon reveals how nonprofit workers can build fulfilling, sustainable careers by embracing her bold mantra: Be picky, be expensive, be brilliant.Topics We Cover:Why Shannon transitioned from nonprofit leadership to career coachingHow nonprofit professionals can earn competitive (even six-figure) salariesThe difference between soft pivots and hard pivots when changing sectorsQuestions that reveal an organization's true culture during interviewsHow to negotiate more than salary—think PTO, flexibility, and bonusesThe risks of relying on verbal promises in job offersHow systemic pay inequity affects women and people of color in nonprofitsShannon’s career mantra and how to apply it to your next job searchTo Learn More and Connect with Shannon:Shannon Bowen on LinkedInDream Job Coaching with Monsoon LeadershipSupport the show

In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit, I welcome Mariah Monique, founder of Sponsorship Catalyst, to discuss how nonprofits can elevate corporate sponsorships from transactional support to mission-aligned, long-term partnerships. From choosing the right sponsors to knowing when to walk away, this conversation is packed with practical advice on diversifying revenue streams, understanding audience psychographics, and building relationships rooted in mutual value and trust.Topics We Cover:Why corporate sponsorships should be strategic partnerships, not one-time donationsHow the pandemic sparked a need for revenue diversification in nonprofitsThe “pie” metaphor for funding sources—and why over-reliance is riskyWhat makes a sponsorship offer valuable to both nonprofits and sponsorsThe power of mission alignment and saying no to the wrong sponsorshipsHow to identify and evaluate corporate partners based on brand valuesThe shift in language from “please donate” to “partner with us”Why understanding your audience’s psychographics unlocks better partnershipsTo Learn More and Connect with Mariah:Mariah Monique on LinkedInThe Sponsorship Catalyst WebsiteSupport the show

In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit, I sit down with Scott Minger, Chief Development Officer at Vitamin Angels, to explore how strategic corporate partnerships have fueled the organization's exponential growth—from serving 25 million to 74 million women and children worldwide. For nonprofits looking to deepen their impact through corporate support, this conversation is packed with strategic insight and actionable takeaways.Topics We Cover:How a Walgreens partnership inspired Scott’s transition from retail to nonprofit workWhy unrestricted corporate funding is a game-changer for nonprofit scalabilityThe role of transparency and fiscal credibility in securing long-term partner trustCrafting stories that combine emotion, data, and urgency to inspire supportBuilding “credibility checking accounts” through consistent impact reportingAligning nonprofit mission with corporate business objectivesManaging competing goals across similar industry partners without losing integrityAdvice for nonprofits seeking to enter or grow in the corporate partnership spaceTo Learn More & Connect with Scott:Vitamin AngelsScott Minger on LinkedInSupport the show

In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit, I sit down with digital strategist Matthew Stafford to explore how the online landscape is rapidly evolving—and what that means for nonprofits. If you’re relying on a DIY website or wondering why your traffic isn’t converting, this conversation is for you.Topics We Cover:Why beautiful websites often fail—and how psychology and user behavior influence conversionsThe common pitfalls of DIY website design (and what nonprofits should do instead)The rise of AI search engines and the concept of AEO (Artificial Engine Optimization)How to increase your chances of being featured in AI-generated search resultsThe future of hyper-personalized websites: one visitor, one unique experienceData privacy concerns and how even anonymous users leave digital fingerprintsHow platforms like Google and Facebook track behavior across the webWhy websites should be tools for connection, not shields from itTo Learn More and Connect with Matthew:BuildGrowScale.comMatt@BuildGrowScale.comSemrush SEO Traffic StudySupport the show

In this inspiring episode of Agents of Nonprofit, I sit down with Tonya Surman, CEO and co-founder of the Centre for Social Innovation (CSI), to explore her decades-long mission to redesign how nonprofits operate, collaborate, and finance their futures. As the conversation unfolds, Tonya challenges traditional ideas around ownership, scale, and capitalism, offering a vision of a regenerative, relationship-centered economy built on circular design principles.Topics We Cover:Tonya Surman’s journey from grassroots activism to nonprofit innovationThe founding vision of the Centre for Social Innovation (CSI)How shared resources evolved into a thriving social impact ecosystemThe power and mechanics behind community bonds as financing toolsStories of unlikely investors—from new Canadians to 25-year-old Gen Z womenThe challenges of scaling a nonprofit vs. a for-profit structureThe impact of COVID-19 and interest rates on nonprofit-owned real estateA bold vision for “exit to community” and reshaping capitalism with circular designTo Learn More and Connect with Tonya:SocialInnovation.orgE-mail TonyaSupport the show

In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit, I speak with Naomi Hattaway about the underestimated power of sabbaticals in the nonprofit world. Drawing from her personal journey and professional expertise, Naomi reframes sabbaticals as essential leadership and organizational tools—not luxuries. Together, they explore how intentional breaks can reduce burnout, reveal hidden inefficiencies, build leadership capacity, and foster healthier workplace cultures. From pilot programs and funding strategies to reintegration and equity, this conversation is a blueprint for sustainable nonprofit leadership rooted in rest, reflection, and resilience.Topics We Cover:Naomi explains the power of “leaving loudly”What a sabbatical really is—and what it isn’tBurnout, leadership longevity, and the myth of unlimited PTOWhy sabbaticals shouldn’t be exclusive to executive directorsHow to pilot a sabbatical and build a culture of restReintegration tips: what to expect and how to plan a smooth returnBudgeting for sabbaticals, including internal and external funding optionsPractical ways to embed rest into organizational culture without a full sabbatical policyTo Learn More and Connect with Naomi:NaomiHattaway.comE-mail NaomiSupport the show

In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit, I welcome Gregory Warner, founder of MarketSmart and creator of the Fundraising Report Card, for a deep dive into data-driven donor engagement. Whether you’re wrestling with donor retention or chasing ROI, this conversation offers a powerful blend of insight and strategy that reframes fundraising as a journey of shared values and lasting relationships.Topics We Cover:Why many nonprofits misuse surveys and feedback tools—and how to fix itThe “before and after” model for measuring impact and fundraising ROIWhat the Fundraising Report Card reveals about donor retention, upgrades, and lifetime valueWhy donor lifetime value (LTV) is the most predictive and essential fundraising metricHow to identify and re-engage lapsed major donors hiding in your CRMThe surprising statistic that 25% of major donors start at the major gift levelWhy relational fundraising beats transactional tactics—and how to offer lasting valueTo Learn More and Connect with Gregory:Fundraising Report CardGregory Warner on LinkedInGoogle's Zero Moment of TruthFundraising Effectiveness ProjectSupport the show

In this powerful episode of Agents of Nonprofit, I speak with Frank Velásquez Jr., founder of 4 Da Hood and the Ascending Leaders in Color program. Together, we discuss the need for identity-affirming spaces, how to involve white allies in meaningful ways, and why perfectionism and professionalism can be tools of exclusion. With vulnerability and insight, Frank walks us through his leadership journey—and how he's using it to create lasting impact.Topics We Cover:How Frank's journey from Disney to nonprofits led to the founding of 4 Da HoodWhy the Ascending Leaders in Color program was created and what “in color” truly meansThe importance of healing in racially specific spaces and how white allies can participate effectivelyHow race, gender, sexuality, and ability intersect in leadership spacesWhy code switching, colorism, and “professionalism” can harm authenticity in the workplaceThe three core questions Frank uses to spark deep, reflective group conversationsHow AI tools like Claude support program design—without replacing human-centered facilitationFrank’s vision of a future where programs like his are no longer needed because equity has been achievedTo Learn More and Connect with Frank:4 Da HoodE-mail Info@4DaHood.comFrank Velásquez Jr. on LinkedInSupport the show