Nonprofits Are Messy: Lessons in Leadership | Fundraising | Board Development | Communications

Nonprofits aren’t “less than” – they’re labs for modern leadership. I’ll share 8 nonprofit lessons corporate leaders need now.

Budgets are more than numbers; they tell the strategic story of a nonprofit. Transitioning to goal-driven budgeting can boost creativity and collaboration. Emphasizing fiscal literacy among board members is crucial for making informed decisions. Joan Garry advocates for integrating budgeting with mission-focused goals, allowing reserves to be utilized as strategic assets for innovation. Regular revisits of budgets keep them dynamic and relevant, while collaborative drafting encourages ownership among teams.

Garrett Cathcart, an Army veteran and co-founder of More Perfect Union, talks about building community bridges through the power of conversation and service. He shares the inspiring origins of MPU and its model focused on connection, service, and civic engagement. Garrett discusses the innovative 'brickyard' concept, where neighbors unite locally, fostering trust and understanding. He highlights a successful event in Glen Rose, Texas, showcasing the impact of simple neighborly acts and emphasizes the importance of diversifying leadership within nonprofits to reach wider communities.

Erica Fortescue, a professional coach and consultant focused on neurodiversity, joins to challenge the misconception that ADHD is a workplace flaw. She shares insights on ADHD subtypes, spotting strengths like creativity and crisis performance, and the innovative term 'ADHD-ish' for high-achieving individuals. Erica provides practical strategies for supervisors to align roles with strengths and improve communication. She emphasizes the importance of accommodations and suggests structuring meetings for neuroinclusion, promoting a more supportive work environment.

Vivian Chang, leader of the Democratizing Philanthropy Project, brings her 30 years of experience in community power-building to the discussion. She emphasizes the importance of people-powered fundraising, showing how small donations can stabilize revenue and align funding with mission goals. Vivian highlights the value of grassroots donors as ambassadors and shares insights into her project’s accelerator program designed to boost digital fundraising. With timely provocations for organizations and funders, she champions grassroots fundraising in current crisis moments.

Darian Rodriguez Heyman, a nonprofit author and consultant, and Cheryl Contee, a technology entrepreneur, share insights from their new practical guide, AI for Nonprofits. They discuss the pressing need for tactical AI guidance post-ChatGPT and how nonprofits can embrace AI while keeping human-centered approaches in mind. Key topics include ethical AI adoption, using AI as a super-assistant in fundraising, and the importance of mission-first leadership. They also emphasize building trust and capacity for responsible technology use within organizations.

Too many Development Directors feel like failures if they don't hit their revenue numbers — even when circumstances are beyond their control. In this episode, I explore why this mindset is harmful and what nonprofits can do to redefine success.

Mitch Stein, Head of Strategy at Chariot and a thought leader in donor-advised fund payments, joins Glennda Testone to clarify the complexities surrounding Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs). He shares his inspiring journey from investment banking to nonprofit fundraising, revealing the connection between finance and philanthropy. They discuss common myths about DAFs, emphasizing their accessibility to diverse donors and the potential for growth through legislative changes. Insights on personalizing donor experiences and strategies for nonprofits to maximize DAF contributions are also highlighted.

Succession planning gets treated like a worst-case scenario when it should be a regular part of nonprofit leadership. In this episode, Glennda and I get candid about our own transitions—and what we wish we’d known sooner.

In this insightful conversation, Alex Love, an executive coach and founder of Alex Love Consulting, joins Glennda Testone to discuss leading amid chaos. They explore how nonprofit leaders can remain grounded and uphold their mission through continuous upheaval. Alex shares strategies for fostering inclusivity and support in organizations, emphasizing the importance of open dialogue and active listening. They also address the emotional impact of current events on teams and the need for authentic commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.