091. “$10M Landed in Our Account”—What Nonprofits Must Know About Transformational Gifts and Sudden Growth with Michael Randel

What happens when your nonprofit receives a transformational gift—seemingly out of the blue? In this episode, change management expert Michael Randel joins Tosca Bruno-van Vijfeijken to explore what nonprofits can learn from the MacKenzie Scott giving wave. Together, they discuss how to prepare for sudden funding growth, what risks to avoid, and how to communicate wisely during a time of high visibility and high stakes.Guest BioFounder and Principal of Randel Consulting AssociatesLong-standing consultant in nonprofit change management and scalingResearcher on philanthropic giving and leadership dynamicsRegular advisor to mission-driven organizations facing major transitionsWe Discuss:Michael’s research into nonprofits that received large-scale gifts from MacKenzie ScottWhy divisiveness after a big gift was less common than expectedHow to manage sudden scaling and increase organizational readinessThe value of a “quiet phase” in your communication strategyHow to plan for the eventual “financial cliff” once funding is spentWhy this moment calls for both bold leadership and intentional restraintQuotes:“One day, 10 million dollar suddenly landed in our bank account.”“Should we be careful what we wished for?”Resources:Michael Randel's LinkedIn pageRandel Consulting Associates LinkedIn pageRandel Consulting AssociatesGet insider tips to overcome the 5 most common problems facing leaders during change - download hereMackenzie Scott has donated part of her fortune to over 2,000 organizations doing amazing work. What are they doing with all this newfound money? - download hereLet’s stay connectedYou can also watch this episode on YouTube and subscribe to be the first to know when new episodes or other thought pieces are released.Have a challenge or opportunity in your nonprofit or philanthropic organization that you'd like to explore? Feel free to reach out to Tosca directly at tosca(at)5oaksconsulting(dot)org.And if you’d like more insights on nonprofit leadership, organizational change, and culture, you can follow Tosca on LinkedIn.