204: How Can Nonprofit Leaders Bring Innovation to Their Organization? (Leah Kral) SUMMARY How can you foster sustainable innovation within your nonprofit? Between the pandemic and workforce shortages, many nonprofit leaders today are likely exhausted and running out of actionable ideas. It’s said that adversity drives innovation, but for many, that well is drying up too soon. So where are all the good ideas? In episode #204 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership , nonprofit strategist and author,...
Apr 06, 2023•46 min
203: Finding Success as a New Nonprofit Leader (Aaron Randolph) SUMMARY How do you find success as a new nonprofit leader? Starting any new business is difficult, and while similar, starting a nonprofit has a whole host of unique complexities. In Episode #203 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership , Aaron Randolph shares his best advice for others looking to start, fund and run a successful nonprofit organization. Aaron navigated the “big three” - new leader, new organization, new community – and ...
Mar 30, 2023•58 min
202: Turning Your Financials into a Nonprofit Leadership Tool (Melisa Galasso) SUMMARY Are you and your board members confident when it comes to the financials? Many nonprofit leaders - staff and board - are not. In episode #202 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership , Melisa Galasso brings two decades of experience making complex accounting topics easy to understand, and will empower you with the financial acumen to better lead your nonprofit. She breaks down the sometimes complex world of accoun...
Mar 23, 2023•46 min
201: Key Fundraising Trends Nonprofit Leaders Need to Know (Matt Nash) SUMMARY As a nonprofit leader, are you aware of the unique motivations many Donor Advise Fund (DAF) givers share? Do you target stewardship efforts to this group of individuals specifically? In episode #201 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership , Matt Nash , who has been on the cutting edge of recent key fundraising trends in the philanthropic sector shares his extensive knowledge about the rise of this donor group. Learn more...
Mar 16, 2023•49 min
200: Nonprofit Leaders: Which Trends Should You Follow? (Becky Endicott & Jon McCoy) SUMMARY What key trends are you following as a leader in 2023? For the enterprising nonprofit executive, one of the best sources of cutting-edge information on hot topics in the sector is We Are For Good , and that’s why we waited until the #200th episode of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership to speak with Becky Endicott and Jon McCoy , two thought leaders in our sector who will zero in on some of the key tre...
Mar 09, 2023•51 min
199: Finding Your Passion as a Nonprofit Leader (Helena Scott) SUMMARY How do you find – and keep - your passion as a nonprofit leader? In episode #199 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership , Helena Scott shares her remarkable two-decade journey with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and what sustains her energy and motivation. She discusses challenges, benefits and unique opportunities inherent to being a part of a national chapter organization and her leadership approach to such things as fu...
Mar 02, 2023•56 min
198: Dirty Little Secrets of Direct Response Fundraising (Andrew Olsen) SUMMARY What is direct response fundraising? Is it part of your overall fundraising plan and are you getting the returns you expect? In episode #198 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, Andrew Olsen returns to the podcast and explains why you need a better way to fundraise. Many nonprofits coming out of Covid are achieving their highest levels in giving. However, Andrew explains why giving patterns over the last decades don...
Feb 23, 2023•51 min
197: Building a New Community as a Nonprofit Leader (Sherri Chisholm) SUMMARY Stepping into a new leadership role is an exciting challenge, but doing it in a new community can create new complexities. In episode #197 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership , seasoned nonprofit leader Sherri Chisholm shares how she navigated a new community while maintaining her personal and professional connection to the cause. She shares the steps she took to hone the organization's vision and message, and how eac...
Feb 16, 2023•50 min
196: Key Strategies for Becoming an Exceptional Nonprofit Leader (Denver Frederick) SUMMARY As a nonprofit leader, you’re committed to achieving greater impact, yet recent challenges could hinder the effective implementation of your mission. In episode #196 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership , we’re joined by Denver Frederick , a pioneer in the philanthropic sector who has been on the cutting edge of many fundraising principles used today. As someone who created the model for corporate sponsor...
Feb 09, 2023•57 min
195: Leading a Nonprofit in a Post Pandemic Working Environment (Katherine Lambert) SUMMARY The pandemic put a unique pressure on nonprofit organizations and its leaders to do more with less, and adapt to new technologies and structures. As we usher in a post Covid-19 future, what will the new normal in the nonprofit sector look like? In episode #195 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership , we speak with veteran philanthropic leader, Katherine Lambert , about finding balance post-pandemic and movi...
Feb 02, 2023•50 min
194: 3 Essential Characteristics for Nonprofit Leaders (Jama Campbell) SUMMARY As a nonprofit leader looking for specific program funding, are you aware of all your opportunities and what those potential funders are specifically looking for when considering where to invest? In episode #194 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership , we talk with SECU Foundation Executive Director Jama Campbell about key leadership attributes they look for when choosing projects and programs to fund. She shares the pr...
Jan 26, 2023•50 min
193: Social Impact Strategies for Nonprofit Leaders (Jacob Harold) SUMMARY Many nonprofit leaders have social impact amongst their chief objectives, but do you know what social impact truly means and how to measure the impact you’re having? In episode #193 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership , social change strategist Jacob Harold shares his tools to help you transform your corner of the world. A former GuideStar and Candid executive, Jacob talks about the importance of collaboration, transpare...
Jan 19, 2023•51 min
192: Everything You Think About Board Development Is Wrong (Sabrina Walker Hernandez) SUMMARY What is the biggest misconception about board development that many nonprofit leaders face? Do you have the right members on your board and do they know exactly why they've been invited to join? Sabrina Walker Hernandez , who has over 25 years’ experience in nonprofit management, answers these questions and more in episode #192 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership . She shares key advice for effective b...
Jan 12, 2023•47 min
119: Managing Turnover as a Nonprofit Leader (Bert Armstrong) SUMMARY As turnover affects every level of our nonprofit organizations, leaders are asking themselves “how do I attract and retain the talented people we need?” In episode #191 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership , we speak with Bert Armstrong , who has served more than three decades in the philanthropic sector, about navigating turnover. He discusses how to avoid turnover in the first place, the best approach to a search process whe...
Jan 05, 2023•52 min
190: 22 Resources from 2022: Fundraising, Finance & Future Focus Fundraising Rhea Wong’s Developing the Right Mindset to be an Effective Fundraiser Deepa Naik’s 3 Ways Your Nonprofit Can Inspire Greater Investment Autumn Keck’s Elevating Your Grants Program as a Nonprofit Leader Holly Rustick’s Why Diversification is Vital to Your Fundraising Plan Jay Frost’s Horror Stories of Fundraising: What Would You Do? Finance & Technology Bill Connors’ 3 Technology Traps All Nonprofit Leaders Must...
Dec 29, 2022•25 min
189: Maximizing Community Relationships as a Nonprofit Leader (Kathy Rogers) SUMMARY Community partnerships can be an effective way to accomplish shared goals. What are the factors that make some partnerships more effective than others? In episode #189 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership , Mental Health America of Central Carolinas Executive Director Kathy Rogers outlines the importance of building intentional and strategic community relationships that maximizes collaboration, funding, and will...
Dec 22, 2022•52 min
188: How Can You Be More Effective as a Nonprofit Leader? (Grace Nicolette) SUMMARY Being effective in the philanthropic sector is uniquely challenging. To make every dollar count, you must continually assess performance, learn from data, and adapt in ways that are consistent with effectiveness. Grace Nicolette , co-host of the widely acclaimed Giving Done Right Podcast and Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) executive, joins us in episode #188 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership to share h...
Dec 15, 2022•44 min
187: Managing A Nonprofit Merger: Would You Be Ready? (Dr. Monique Perry-Graves) SUMMARY As nonprofits consider strategies for the future, its leadership may explore the possibility of re-aligning resources, collaborating to increase efficiencies, or even entering a formal strategic alliance or merger with another nonprofit. In episode #187 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership , Dr. Monique Perry-Graves shares key considerations nonprofit leaders can follow to guide their organization through th...
Dec 08, 2022•50 min
186: Why Don’t Board Members Do What They’re Supposed to Do? (Hardy Smith) SUMMARY Are your nonprofit board members as engaged as they should be? Do they micromanage or are they completely disengaged? In episode #186 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership , author of Stop the Nonprofit Board Blame Game , Hardy Smith , discusses what an effective board really means. He details actions to avoid board member relationship mistakes, keys to recruiting and retaining productive board members, and why boa...
Dec 01, 2022•1 hr 3 min
What are you doing to actually move closer to your ideal leadership role in the nonprofit sector? In this solo episode #185 of The Path Podcast , I offer seven specific ideas that can help you build your personal strategic plan for the year ahead. 1. Declutter 2. Calendar Review 3. Aspirational Job Postings 4. Read A Book 5. Create a Guide List 6. Two Topic Curriculum 7. Coach and be Coached ABOUT PATTON Patton McDowell has enjoyed a successful 30-year career in nonprofit leadership, strategic p...
Nov 24, 2022•30 min
184: Excelling at Team Development as a Nonprofit Leader (Liz Brigham) SUMMARY Is the synergy of your team firing on all cylinders? Do you make time for an intentional pause, to first look back at what got you to where you are and what it will take to get you to that next level? Liz Brigham of the Jay Hurt Hub for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Davidson College answers these questions and more in episode #184 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership . Liz shares vast experience from her profes...
Nov 17, 2022•59 min
183: National Philanthropy Day: How Will You Celebrate? (Robert Touchstone) SUMMARY As a nonprofit leader, how can you leverage National Philanthropy Day throughout the year? Learn why it’s celebrated across the nation and about some of the local winners worthy of recognition as we talk with AFP Charlotte President Robert Touchstone in episode #183 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership . Robert advocates for the benefits nonprofit leaders realize through an organization like AFP. He also discusse...
Nov 10, 2022•52 min
182: Breaking Down Barriers as a Nonprofit Leader (Nyeisha Dewitt) SUMMARY How do you blend your life experiences with a passion for change and actually do something about it? Dr. Nyeisha Dewitt is eminently qualified to answer this question. In episode #182 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership , Nyeisha shares her journey to nonprofit leadership, the lessons she’s learned, and the challenges she’s faced along the way. As a committed entrepreneur herself, she knows leaders can be mission-driven ...
Nov 03, 2022•46 min
181: What Are Your Donors Thinking? (Derric Bakker) SUMMARY After record-level giving during Covid, what are your donors thinking with uncertain economic conditions ahead? In episode #181 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership , we talk with Derric Bakker , a 30+ year expert fundraiser and founder of the annual Donor Insight Study , about what donors are likely to do in the year ahead. After multiple years studying the economic indicators that affect philanthropic behavior, Derric shares his insig...
Oct 27, 2022•44 min
180: How Can You Use Technology to Amplify Good? (Ray Gary) SUMMARY Today’s donors have become empowered consumers conditioned by predictive technology experiences. As a nonprofit leader, do you truly embrace the donor experience? Is your technology more convenient for the organization than it is for your donors? In episode #180 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership technology expert, Ray Gary explains how nonprofit leaders who embrace current advances in digital platforms successfully engage, cu...
Oct 20, 2022•41 min
179: Transition Across Sectors: Are You Ready to Lead a Nonprofit? (Beth Reaves) SUMMARY Are you considering a career move to a mission based nonprofit and wonder how your corporate skills will transfer to the philanthropic sector? In episode #179 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership , one time fortune 50 company executive, Beth Reaves shares what to expect for a successful transition. Having developed an “Entry Plan” for new nonprofit leaders, she explains why it’s important to have one that ou...
Oct 13, 2022•44 min
178: Building a Diverse and Talented Team at Your Nonprofit (Julie Kratz) SUMMARY As a nonprofit leader, are you creating a more inclusive and diverse culture at your organization, especially at the leadership level? In episode #178 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, we talk with an inclusivity expert, Julie Kratz , about developing the framework for building a diverse and talented leadership team. DEI can be a complex topic in the workplace, and Julie introduces the basic terms leaders shoul...
Oct 06, 2022•46 min
Kevin Briscoe 177: Mastering Your Financial Acumen as a Nonprofit Leader (Kevin Briscoe) SUMMARY Is your organization positioned to navigate the unique strategic and financial challenges inherent in nonprofit settings? As a nonprofit leader, do you need more financial expertise but don’t know if you can afford it? In episode #177 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership , financial expert Kevin Briscoe helps today’s nonprofit leaders address their overall accounting needs and financial literacy. He ...
Sep 29, 2022•49 min
176: Does Your Nonprofit Board Have the Skills to Thrive? (Lisa Cook) SUMMARY If leadership begins at the top, does your board ensure everyone is performing at their best at the work they pledged to do? In episode #176 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership , board governance expert Lisa Cook shares how to identify, cultivate, train and engage your board for long-term success. She discusses why such skills as governance, strategic planning and financial acumen are necessary for success, and things...
Sep 22, 2022•53 min
175: How Can Nonprofit Leaders Succeed in the Attention Economy? (Eric Ressler) SUMMARY With the distractions of instant access to information, are you effectively capturing the attention of the right people in a sustained, authentic, and meaningful way to move your mission forward? Eric Ressler explains what the attention economy means and how it has affected nonprofit organizations in episode #176 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership . Eric shares why organizations struggle to find, grow and m...
Sep 15, 2022•43 min
