Is federal funding coming back? Should your nonprofit apply for federal grants in 2026? And what are the new compliance risks you need to understand before submitting an application? In this episode of A Modern Nonprofit Podcast, Tosha Anderson sits down with federal funding expert Fielding Jezreel to unpack the current state of federal grants as of February 2026.After a turbulent 2025 filled with funding whiplash, shutdown fears, and shifting priorities, we’re finally seeing stability return. B...
Mar 03, 2026•39 min•Ep. 153
Data doesn’t have to feel like a burden. In this episode of A Modern Nonprofit Podcast , Tosha Anderson talks with Kayla Meyers, Founder of Bridgepoint Evaluation, about how nonprofit leaders can move from compliance-driven data collection to clarity-driven evaluation strategy. If your organization is collecting data for grants but not using it for decision-making, team alignment, or strategic growth, this conversation will help you rethink your approach. You’ll learn how to: Shift from reactive...
Feb 17, 2026•22 min•Ep. 152
What if philanthropy wasn’t just about writing checks - but about building systems that actually work?In this episode of A Modern Nonprofit Podcast, host Tosha Anderson sits down with Ed Mitzen, Co-Founder of the Business for Good Foundation, to talk about rethinking traditional philanthropy through a business lens.After selling his for-profit company, Ed and his wife chose a hands-on approach to giving - investing time, talent, and capital into workforce development, housing, entrepreneurship, ...
Feb 03, 2026•33 min•Ep. 151
Traditional strategic plans are failing nonprofits. In this episode of A Modern Nonprofit Podcast , Tosha Anderson and Theresa Guest, CFO at The Charity CFO, explain why so many nonprofit strategic plans collect dust instead of driving decisions. Using insights from The Charity CFO Financial Blueprint , they unpack the missing links between strategy, accountability, financial planning, and execution. You will learn why quarterly planning creates more momentum than multi year roadmaps, how financ...
Jan 20, 2026•29 min•Ep. 150
Fundraising and finance are supposed to work together but in most nonprofits they operate in silos. In this episode of A Modern Nonprofit Podcast, Tosha Anderson sits down with David Cristello, Founder and CEO of Jetpack Workflow, to talk about why this disconnect is costing nonprofits time, money, and people.They dive into grant utilization, financial visibility, burnout, and why spreadsheets are failing nonprofit leaders. David shares what he has learned building technology for accountants and...
Jan 06, 2026•43 min•Ep. 152
Trust is the currency of leadership - especially during disruption.In this episode of A Modern Nonprofit Podcast, host Tosha Anderson sits down with Kim Bohr, President & COO of SparkEffect, to unpack how nonprofit leaders can navigate uncertainty without losing the trust, morale, and engagement of their people.Kim draws from SparkEffect’s new research study, Trust in Turbulence: The 2025 State of Organizational Trust, revealing what employees say builds trust (and destroys it) during disrup...
Dec 23, 2025•27 min
Most nonprofit leaders want more unrestricted revenue - but few have a strategy for building it. In this episode, The Charity CFO’s Tosha Anderson and Aaron Landis explain why unrestricted funds are the true fuel behind nonprofit growth, stability, and innovation. Drawing on conversations with hundreds of CEOs and EDs, they highlight why organizations with the highest unrestricted percentages are often the most resilient and mission-aligned. You’ll learn: • Why unrestricted revenue is essential ...
Dec 09, 2025•30 min•Ep. 150
Why do people really give? It is not logic. It is not spreadsheets. It is not persuasion. In this thought-provoking conversation, Tosha talks with fundraising strategist and neuroscience expert Cherian Koshy about the biology and behavior behind generosity. Together they explore how the brain rewards giving, why relationships matter more than transactions, and how nonprofit leaders can create emotionally resonant donor experiences. Cherian shares insights on donor identity, digital fatigue, dono...
Nov 25, 2025•37 min
Are you walking into a financial mess without realizing it? In this episode of A Modern Nonprofit Podcast , Tosha Anderson shares the five critical financial questions every new nonprofit CEO should ask in their first 90 days. You’ll learn how to: Spot hidden red flags in budgets and audits Understand what funders, auditors, and reports are really saying Build early trust with your board and financial team Protect your organization from preventable financial risk Whether you’re a first-time CEO ...
Nov 12, 2025•19 min
Your finance committee can be your nonprofit’s greatest asset—or its biggest headache. In this episode, host Tosha Anderson and CFO Trina Owens-Rogers dive into the do’s and don’ts of creating an effective finance committee. From micromanaging boards to committees that never meet, they’ve seen it all, and they share what actually works. You’ll discover: The true role of a finance committee How to spot when your committee is too hands-off or too controlling Real-world examples from nonprofits tha...
Nov 05, 2025•31 min•Ep. 143
Repost: Grant Writing 101 for Nonprofits: How to Find and Win the Right Grants Finding and managing grants is one of the toughest parts of nonprofit growth. In this conversation, Tosha and grant writer Kate Hephner break down how to: Identify the right grant opportunities Write stronger, more organized proposals Collaborate effectively with your team Build a reputation as a trustworthy funding partner This episode is perfect for new nonprofit leaders, founders, and development staff ready to ele...
Oct 28, 2025•28 min
Most nonprofits struggle to understand why their fundraising isn’t working. In this episode, Tosha Anderson, Founder of The Charity CFO , talks with Jeff Schreifels, Principal and Owner of Veritus Group , about what it takes to build a fundraising strategy that truly connects with donors. You’ll learn: Why fundraising is not just about the money How to move from transactional asks to relationships The secret to permission-based asking What it takes to build donor trust and loyalty How to create ...
Oct 22, 2025•42 min•Ep. 143
Why are marketing metrics so confusing and how can nonprofits make smarter decisions about where to invest their dollars? Join Tosha Anderson, Founder of The Charity CFO, as she talks with Jeff Greenfield, CEO and Founder of Provalytics, about how nonprofits can finally get clarity on their marketing data. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why marketing numbers don’t always add upHow to distinguish clicks from attention What “working vs. nonworking” marketing dollars really mean Why paid advertisin...
Oct 15, 2025•36 min•Ep. 142
Most nonprofits try to scale by adding more people, but that often makes the chaos worse. In this episode, Tosha Anderson and Dr. Andrea Ortega uncover how to scale your nonprofit through systems, not stress. Learn how to build SOPs, create repeatable workflows, strengthen board engagement with useful dashboards, and handle the challenges that come with federal grants and rapid growth. If you’re a nonprofit leader ready to move from reactive to proactive, this conversation is for you. Connect wi...
Oct 07, 2025•53 min•Ep. 140
New nonprofit CEO? Don’t inherit a financial mess. In this solo episode, Tosha breaks down the exact questions to ask in Week 1 and the first 90 days so you can quickly assess risk, read audits + 990s with confidence, pressure-test budget assumptions, verify restricted funds, and fix delayed or conflicting reports. You’ll learn how to evaluate your finance team, set a cadence for monthly close, and own the financial story with your board and funders. Grab our free Financial Blueprint and avoid p...
Sep 30, 2025•27 min
Networking is not a box to check. It is how modern nonprofits fuel mission, board growth, fundraising, and talent. Tosha Anderson sits down with Anne Marie Dougherty, CEO of the Bob Woodruff Foundation, to break down how to prepare for events, find common ground quickly, tell sharper stories, and follow up with discipline. They cover board dynamics, scaling programs without losing focus, and why curating your network beats collecting contacts. If you lead a nonprofit, this playbook will help you...
Sep 23, 2025•39 min•Ep. 134
Beyond Staff: Engaging Your Full Nonprofit Workforce - Board Members and Volunteers Included Nonprofit engagement cannot stop at staff. In this episode, Tosha Anderson and leadership expert Rhonda Travers show you how to engage employees, board members, and volunteers with a simple lifecycle approach. Learn to define volunteer roles, onboard and offboard board members, build a basic governance dashboard, and communicate across channels so your mission stays top of mind. Connect with Rhonda Trave...
Sep 09, 2025•39 min•Ep. 135
Strong nonprofit leadership isn’t about having all the answers - it’s about building trust, empowering teams, and leading with integrity.In this episode of A Modern Nonprofit Podcast, Tosha Anderson sits down with Karen Leies, President & CEO of The Seeing Eye, the world’s oldest guide dog school. Together they explore: The role of integrity in shaping culture and trust Why teamwork is the backbone of nonprofit success How to balance tradition with innovation in a 96-year-old organization Pr...
Aug 26, 2025•41 min•Ep. 137
Scarcity in nonprofits isn’t just about money. In this powerful conversation, Pierre Berastain of The Centre for Public Impact joins Tosha Anderson to explore financial, structural, and psychological scarcity, and how they shape nonprofit culture, leadership, and sustainability.You’ll learn:-Why scarcity creates cycles of burnout and underinvestment-The difference between a crisis-driven vs. clarity-driven culture-Practical tools like decision filters and personal boards of directors-How nonprof...
Aug 19, 2025•40 min•Ep. 136
Tosha Anderson sits down with Dr. Dustin York to explore nonprofit marketing trends you can implement without a big budget. They cover AI agents for SEO, video podcast strategy, free Apple Wallet passes, content repurposing into 60 assets, thought leadership hacks via Qwoted and a 90-day action plan to boost visibility. Perfect for nonprofit leaders seeking tactical, scalable marketing strategies. Connect with Dr. Dustin YorkLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dryork/ Website: https://ww...
Aug 05, 2025•43 min
Are restricted grants helping your nonprofit—or silently hurting it?In this solo episode, Tosha Anderson, CEO & Founder of The Charity CFO , dives deep into the complicated world of restricted vs. unrestricted grants. You’ll learn when restricted funds are a smart move, when they create cash flow nightmares, and how to release them quickly so they actually work for your mission, not against it.Follow Us Online 🌐 Website: www.thecharitycfo.com 📸 Instagram: @thecharitycfo 📘 Facebook:...
Jul 29, 2025•22 min•Ep. 134
Only 22% of nonprofit Executive Directors are women—yet 75% of nonprofit employees are. Why aren’t more women making it into leadership roles? In this episode of A Modern Nonprofit Podcast , Tosha Anderson sits down with Shilpa Alva, Founder and Executive Director of Surge for Water, to talk about the challenges, opportunities, and long-term impact of women in nonprofit leadership. You’ll learn: What’s stopping women from climbing the nonprofit ladder How systemic funding gaps hold women (especi...
Jul 22, 2025•47 min
In this episode of A Modern Nonprofit Podcast , host Tosha Anderson talks with Courtney Johnson, the Founder and CEO of Culinary Care, a nonprofit that delivers meals and comfort to cancer patients undergoing treatment. Courtney shares what it's really like to start a nonprofit from scratch at just 23 years old, and how advocacy—both for her mission and herself—was the key to getting in the door with hospitals, donors, and volunteers. You’ll learn how she built a sustainable fundraising model, w...
Jul 15, 2025•41 min•Ep. 128
Is your nonprofit brand outdated—or just unclear? In this episode of A Modern Nonprofit Podcast, branding expert Steven Picanza joins Tosha Anderson to explore what modern branding really means for nonprofits. Discover why your brand is more than a logo, how to simplify your messaging without losing impact, and why your website might be pushing people away.Steven breaks down the key differences between voice and tone, how to build brand culture internally, and how to attract individual donors in...
Jul 08, 2025•47 min
Federal grants are more chaotic than ever. Delays, shifting executive orders, compliance confusion—and now, questions about what language nonprofits can or can’t use in applications. But should you give up on federal funding altogether?In this episode of A Modern Nonprofit Podcast, Tosha Anderson is joined by Fielding Jezreel, federal grant strategist, Founder & President of Jezreel Consulting, to unpack what’s really happening with federal grants in 2025—and why walking away could hurt your...
Jul 08, 2025•43 min•Ep. 130
Every nonprofit builds a budget. But only the most effective leaders use forecasts to steer their organizations forward. In this episode, A Modern Nonprofit Podcast host Tosha Anderson is joined by David Steffens, CPA to break down the difference between budgeting and forecasting—and why both are critical for financial health and sustainability. They discuss: What a budget really is (and isn’t) How forecasts go beyond “what happened” to show “what’s next” Common mistakes in budgeting and how to ...
Jun 24, 2025•38 min•Ep. 129
What is strategic planning really — and are you doing it right? In this episode, Tosha Anderson talks with Steve Strang, Practice Director at Spectrum Nonprofit Services, about why so many nonprofits misunderstand strategic planning. They unpack what a strategic plan should look like, how to align it with your team’s capacity and funding reality, and when not to pursue growth. If your organization is in flux, dealing with turnover, or facing budget concerns, this episode is a must-listen for gro...
Jun 17, 2025•41 min•Ep. 128
Nonprofit board struggles? You’re not alone. In this episode of A Modern Nonprofit Podcast, Tosha sits down with Katerina Manoff, founder & CEO of ENGin, to bust the biggest myths about boards—and reveal what actually works when you're building or evolving one. They talk about: The unrealistic expectations many founders have about boardsWhy “bless and release” is a vital leadership move How to recruit board members who align with your mission and your strategy The difference between helpful ...
Jun 10, 2025•51 min•Ep. 127
Is fundraising really that different from sales? Aaron Landis doesn’t think so—and he’s lived both sides. In this episode, he joins Tosha Anderson to reflect on his time as a fundraiser and what he’s learned since entering the for-profit world. From CRM tips and donor follow-up to data-driven KPIs and team communication, this is the nonprofit leadership masterclass you didn’t know you needed.Grab your free blueprint here .Get in Touch with Aaron and The Charity CFO Team here !What to watch next…...
Jun 03, 2025•49 min
Tosha Anderson teams up with Cindy Wagman, Founder of the Fractional Fundraising Network to unpack what it means to hire a fractional executive. From navigating scope creep to knowing when your org is truly ready, this episode reveals everything nonprofits need to know before diving into the fractional model. Get real talk, expert insight, and practical advice on bringing strategic leadership to your team—without the full-time hire. Full episode recap here! Connect with Cindy Wagman LinkedIn Web...
May 27, 2025•44 min
