Nonprofits Are Messy: Lessons in Leadership | Fundraising | Board Development | Communications
Episodes
Ep 55: The Nonprofit Sector Has Serious Money Hangups (with Belinda Rosenblum)
31 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Do you get anxious asking people for donations? How much salary should the leader of a nonprofit make? How do you feel about wealthy people? The answe...
Ep 54: The 15-Year-Old Nonprofit Superhero (with Kayla & Andrea Abramowitz)
17 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Kayla Abramowitz is AMAZING. At 11 years old, she founded a nonprofit that helps sick kids feel a whole lot better. In this episode, Kayla and her CEO...
Ep 53: Asking for Money Isn’t Sexy… But Philanthropy Is (with Claire Axelrad)
03 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Neuroscientists confirm that when somebody gives a donation, it lights up the same part of the brain as having sex or eating chocolate. So why does fu...
Ep 52: Personal Politics vs. Public Responsibilities (with Anne Wallestad)
17 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Every person who joins a board comes with opinions and points of view. But what happens when your responsibility to your organization as a board membe...
Ep 51: A Symphony of Shared Leadership (with Jim Roe and Bernard Labadie)
03 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
At arts orgs, how should power be shared when, in addition to the Executive Director, there is also a creative director who is, perhaps, the most impo...
Ep 50: Why Bartenders Make Great Leaders (with Helen Rothberg)
20 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Based on lessons she learned working as a bartender while pursuing degrees in business and behavioral science, Dr. Helen Rothberg identifies leaders b...
Ep 49: How To Make 2018 a Whole Lot Better
06 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
This podcast is about resolving to bounce back. It’s about living in a world of unease while keeping your passion and desire to improve it -- alive ...
Ep 48: Building a Culture of Gratitude
16 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
A strong leader builds an organizational culture of gratitude. It impacts your staff, board, volunteers, donors, and more. But how do you do it? And w...
Ep 47: How to Engage Millennials (with Abra Annes)
02 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
How do we engage millennials and get them to support causes we care about, and that we hope they care about too? That's the topic of today's podcast.....
Ep 46: Strategic Program Design (with Lindsay Hoffman)
18 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Too often, nonprofits become distracted by the newest and shiniest programming. This can cause big opportunities to be missed. Lindsay Hoffman explain...
Ep 45: The Final 60 Days of the Year (with Seth Rosen)
04 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
We're now in the critical year-end fundraising season. It's daunting. My guest, Seth Rosen, will help you sort it out and make the most of these 2 mon...
Ep 44: The Executive Director With No Staff (with Sarah Audet)
14 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
With everything nonprofit leaders have to get done, imagine that you are the only staff person. What would that look like? I wanted to know...
Ep 43: Nonprofits, Storytelling, and ‘This American Life’ (with Alex Blumberg)
30 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Alex Blumberg, executive producer of 'This American Life' discusses with me the power of storytelling to activate people to engage and help your nonpr...
Ep 42: What’s With All The Ribbons? (with Dan Osheyack)
16 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, my guest Dan Osheyack and I will explore issues of awareness, action, and cause marketing at nonprofits.
Ep 41: What Every New Board Member Needs to Understand
29 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
I’d love for this podcast to be played for new board members – maybe at an orientation or perhaps at a board retreat when you are setting expectat...
Ep 40: Overcoming Fundraising Mistakes (with Jim Bennett)
15 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Fundraising can be full of landmines. But is there a way to turn fundraising lemons into lemonade? Why yes, I do believe there is.
Ep 39: From Kitchen Volunteer to Board Chair (with Sylvia Vogelman)
01 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Multiple studies show the positive benefits of volunteering (for the volunteer). Today's guest took that to the limit and ultimately became the board ...
Ep 38: What the Heck is Marketing Anyway? (with Sarah Durham)
17 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Marketing, done right, is central to all aspects of a nonprofit organization, from raising money to attracting the best people to enabling programs...
Ep 37: The Partnership That Drives a Thriving Nonprofit (with Kim Freedman and Nick Purrington)
03 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
What is the single best indicator of a thriving nonprofit? A strong partnership between the board and staff leaders. So I spoke with both and asked th...
Ep 36: The Community Builder Who Became a Philanthropist (with Stu McLaren)
13 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
How does one of the foremost experts in building online communities end up working to help thousands of children in Africa get a daily education?
Ep 35: Stop Asking Your Board to Fundraise! (With Gail Perry)
29 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode fundraising expert Gail Perry argues that pushing your board members to fundraise is a big mistake. She suggests a better approach...
Ep 34: Leading a Small (But Mighty) Nonprofit (With Joan Garry)
15 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Small nonprofits need as much (or more) help than larger ones but usually don't have the same resources available. This episode focuses on their issue...
Ep 33: Successful Nonprofit Collaborations (With Geri Mannion)
01 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
It takes a village to run a nonprofit. Today’s guest tells us a thing or two about the success that comes with collaboration – and the potential h...
Ep 32: Even Roger Federer Has a Coach (With Michael Bungay Stanier)
18 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
For business and nonprofit leaders, an executive coach can make all the difference. Here's my interview with the #2 executive coach in the world...
Ep 31: Givers and Takers at Nonprofits (With Adam Grant)
04 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Once in awhile you read a book that really sticks with you and changes the way you think. For me, one of those was "Give and Take" by Adam Grant.
Ep 30: Nonprofits Are Messy… So What? (with Tim Harford)
18 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Some argue that when I call nonprofits “messy,” I’m doing them a disservice. Am I? My guest Tim Harford believes that we should all embrace the ...
Ep 29: Leadership Transitions: How to Avoid the Mess (with Don Tebbe)
04 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Don Tebbe, an expert at planning successful leadership transitions, joined me to give us all some great advice on how to navigate the waters of change...
Ep 28: Difficult Conversations in Uncertain Times (with Parisa Parsa)
21 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Nonprofits are needed now more than ever. Strong leadership is needed more than ever. And we have to start doing a better job of listening to each oth...
Ep 27: Confessions of a Terrible Board Member (with Eileen Opatut)
07 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
What if a prospective board member looks great “on paper” but doesn’t pan out as the five-star board member you’d expected? Is it their fault?...
Ep 26: Building a Culture of Optimism (with Steve Gross)
17 Dec 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Two brothers start a business selling t-shirts with just $78 in the bank. They live out of a van and eat PB and J for 5 years. They are selling optimi...
Ep 25: Year End In T-Minus 30… (with Seth Rosen)
03 Dec 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Most nonprofits see 30% of their revenue come in the door in December. Have you planted sufficient seeds? Will you hit your numbers? Are you ready?
Ep 24: Corporate Support the Right Way (with Julie Hirshey)
05 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode you will learn about how sports teams -- and corporations in general -- have so much more to give than just money.
Ep 23: Unlocking the Mystery of Foundation Funding (with Molly de Aguiar)
22 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
If you are funded by a foundation or want to be, you'll want to listen to this episode where I interview foundation program officer Molly de Aguiar...
Ep 22: The Art and Science of Asking for Money (with Brian Saber)
08 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Why do so many people find it terrifying to ask for money, even for organizations they care deeply about? It's critical. Here's how to go about asking...
Ep 21: The Happy Healthy Nonprofit (with Beth Kanter)
24 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Working at a nonprofit can feel like an express train to Burnout-land. How do we avoid that stay mindful and healthy while doing such passionate work?
Ep 20: Volunteer If You Want to Live Longer (with Pamela Hawley)
10 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Harvard did a study that determined that volunteering helps people live longer and healthier lives with 38% fewer nights spent in the hospital.
Ep 19: How to Give a Great Speech (with Elaine Bennett)
27 Aug 2016
Contributed by Lukas
How do you write and give a great speech that excites and inspires your audience about your organization? Elaine Bennett tells you how to do just that...
Ep 18: Mission Control and Strategic Planning (with Liana Downey)
13 Aug 2016
Contributed by Lukas
It seems like everyone views strategic planning with a sort of dread. But when you do it right, it's game changing. With special guest Liana Downey.
Ep 17: How One Founder Avoided ‘Founder Syndrome’ – with guest Kevin Jennings
30 Jul 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Perhaps the question I am most commonly asked is this: How do I make the switch from corporate to nonprofit? Bill Abrams knows a lot about this subjec...
Ep 16: Why I Moved From Corporate to Nonprofit – with guest Bill Abrams
16 Jul 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Perhaps the question I am most commonly asked is this: How do I make the switch from corporate to nonprofit? Bill Abrams knows a lot about this subjec...
Ep 15: On Direct Response Fundraising – with guest Lisa Maska
02 Jul 2016
Contributed by Lukas
I spoke with guest Lisa Maska about how marketing has changed in the digital age and why direct response fundraising still works better than anything ...
Ep 14: Building a Great Development Team – with guest Seth Rosen
18 Jun 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Seth Rosen, my fundraising genius and associate, lays out the steps for building a happy and productive development team.
Ep 13: Extraordinary Nonprofit Communications – with guest Sean Gibbons
04 Jun 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Sean Gibbons explains why organizations that do communications well are smarter, stronger, and vastly more effective than those that don’t.
Ep 12: Turning Tragedy Into Legacy – with Guest Caroline Samponaro
21 May 2016
Contributed by Lukas
This is the story of a community organizing itself in the wake of a tragedy in order to make positive change. With guest Caroline Samponaro.
Ep 11: Finding the Best People – with Guest Marilyn Machlowitz
07 May 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Nothing is more important than your people. Nothing. But how do you find 5-star employees? Should you hire a recruitment firm to help?
Ep 10: Successful Fundraising at Small Nonprofits – With Pamela Grow [PODCAST]
24 Apr 2016
Contributed by Lukas
So your nonprofit is too small to hire a development director, but you won’t get any bigger without a development director. What do you do?
Ep 9: Websites, Social Media and Online Movements – With Scott Paley [PODCAST]
17 Apr 2016
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is packed with useful, practical advice on how to make people sit up and take notice of your organization and mobilize for your cause.
Ep 8: A Day in the Life of a Board Chair – With Joe Landau [PODCAST]
10 Apr 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Board Chair is one of the most important roles at a nonprofit organization, but it isn’t the job for just anyone. Learn about what makes a good boar...
Ep 7: Corporate Sponsorships Ain’t What They Used to Be – With Guest Nancy Mahon of Estee Lauder [PODCAST]
03 Apr 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Once upon a time a nonprofit would ask corporate partners to sponsor a table at your annual gala... Well, things have gotten a bit more complex.
Ep 6: It’s All About the Message – My Conversation With PR Guru Howard Bragman [PODCAST]
27 Mar 2016
Contributed by Lukas
“At the end of the 7th day, God realized He needed a publicist. So He made a couple of calls, everyone recommended Howard Bragman, and the rest is h...
Ep 5: Special Events: It’s Not All About the Centerpieces [PODCAST]
20 Mar 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Event planning can fray the calmest of nerves. For many nonprofits it's "make or break". Here's great advice from event guru Jason Burlingame.
Ep 4: Nonprofits Are Messy AND Funny: My Interview with Vu Le [PODCAST]
07 Mar 2016
Contributed by Lukas
His blog is called Nonprofit With Balls. How can you not laugh? Here's my interview with the hysterical Vu Le.
Ep 3: My Interview with Alexander Sanger of Planned Parenthood [PODCAST]
27 Feb 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Interview with author, board chair, and former Planned Parenthood NY CEO Alexander Sanger. We discuss leadership, staff motivation, and board relation...
Ep 2: A Day in the Life of an Executive Director [PODCAST]
26 Feb 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Being the Executive Director of a nonprofit is a tough and demanding job. But what exactly does an Executive Director do all day? And how can Executiv...
Ep 1: The Fear of Asking for Money [PODCAST]
26 Feb 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Asking for money can be intimidating. Fundraiser extraordinaire Seth Rosen and I discuss concrete ways to ask for money without panic and fear.