Episodes
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Let's Be Honest About Nonprofit Fundraising
What if fundraising wasn't just about raising money, but about bringing people together around a cause they care about? In this episode, Nancy and Sarah challenge some common assumptions about fundraising and explore how small nonprofits can make it part of everyone's work. Discover how shifting...
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Board Decision-Making: Who Decides What?
Who decides what? It sounds like a simple question, but the answer changes as nonprofits grow and roles evolve. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah explore how boards and staff can get clearer about decision-making—when the board should lead, when staff should lead, and when the best answer is both....
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The First 100 Days of a New Executive Director
We often talk about what a new executive director should accomplish in their first 100 days. But what should the organization be doing? In this episode, Nancy and Sarah turn the usual first-100-days conversation around and explore how boards and staff can help a new leader learn the organization,...
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The Challenges (and Strengths) of Rural Nonprofits
Running a nonprofit is hard anywhere. Rural nonprofits face some distinct challenges—but they also have distinct strengths. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah explore three challenges that show up differently in rural communities and the strengths nonprofits can put to work in response. They share...
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The "Working Board" Myth
Many nonprofit boards call themselves “working boards.” There’s nothing wrong with board members rolling up their sleeves. But that label can quietly shape what a board believes its job is—and how it spends its time. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah unpack the “working board” myth and why every...
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What to Know About Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs)
$326 billion. That's how much money is currently sitting in Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) waiting to be directed to great causes like yours. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah break down the basics of DAFs, explain why they matter to nonprofits of all sizes, and share practical ways organizations can...
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Why Leadership Transitions Deserve a Strategy
Every nonprofit faces leadership changes. Change is inevitable. With the right approach, a leadership change can become a chance to pause, reflect, and prepare for what's ahead. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah explore how organizations can navigate a leadership change with confidence. They…
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Monthly Donor Programs: Building sustainable support with Garrett Freibott-Kalt
A monthly donor program often feels like a big lift, but it does not have to be. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah sit down with monthly giving specialist Garrett Freibott-Kalt to unpack what it takes to build a sustainable base of supporters. You will walk away with a clearer picture of where to...
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The Fundraising Power Small Nonprofits Already Have
Small nonprofits have more going for them than they often give themselves credit for. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah explore an encouraging report from Bridgespan on the strengths that help small and midsize organizations build resilient funding strategies — and how to put those strengths to…
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Why Small Donations Matter
Grassroots donations may feel small, but their impact is anything but. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah reflect on a recent article about the decline in everyday giving and why small nonprofits should pay attention. From monthly giving to radical transparency, they explore practical ways...
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Low Engagement? Fix What’s Getting in the Way
Are you struggling with board engagement? If so, you’re not alone—it’s one of the most common challenges nonprofits face. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah explore why smart, committed people sometimes hold back—and what actually helps them step in, speak up, and follow through. You’ll leave with...
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Onboarding New Board Members
Every new board member arrives with fresh energy and new perspectives. Channeling that energy into helpful engagement takes intention and care. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah walk through what it takes to set new board members up for success — from building deep organizational knowledge to...
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Leadership Transition
A leadership transition is one of the most pivotal moments a nonprofit will ever face. It involves far more than simply finding the next executive director. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah talk through how organizations can navigate this change in a way that actually makes them stronger. Good...
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Setting a Fundraising Goal
Setting a fundraising goal is one of the most important steps in building a healthy fundraising program—and it doesn't have to feel overwhelming. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah break down how to set a fundraising goal your whole team can believe in. They make the process feel manageable—whether...
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How to Have an Effective Board Meeting
What if your board meetings were the most energizing hour of your month? Too often, board meetings become routine report-outs instead of spaces for real governance, strategy, and alignment. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah break down how to design meetings that are inclusive, purposeful, and...
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Advocacy Habits for a New Year
This episode was recorded on January 4. As we share it, we’re thinking about the people of Minnesota. At its core, advocacy is about building relationships and standing together around what our communities most need, as Minnesotans have demonstrated these past weeks. We are grateful for their...
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The Secrets of a Great Thank You Letter
A good thank you letter helps strengthen relationships and keeps donors connected to your work. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah share practical ideas for writing thank you notes that feel genuine and manageable. They talk about how to open a letter in an engaging way, describe impact clearly…
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Rethinking the Board-Executive Director Relationship
The board-ED relationship is one of the most powerful partnerships in nonprofit work—when it clicks, everything flows. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah dig into what makes the board–ED relationship work—and why there’s no one-size-fits-all formula. They explore how the partnership shifts…
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End of Year Reflections
As 2025 wraps up, we're reflecting on what inspired us—and what's ahead. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah share five themes shaping nonprofit work right now. Community coalitions are sparking change. Advocacy is finding its voice. Board governance is having a moment. And new leaders are rewriting...
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How to Assess Your Organization
Every so often, it’s important to pause and ask: How are we really doing? In this episode of the Nonprofit Radio Show, Nancy and Sarah explore practical ways nonprofit boards and staff can take stock of their organization’s health and direction. From classic tools like SWOT to strengths-based...
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Budgeting for a New Year
Your budget is more than a spreadsheet. It's a map that guides your organization toward its goals and a mirror that reflects what you truly value. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah explore how to build a budget that aligns with your mission and sets you up for success in the coming year. They...
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8 Ways to Engage Your Board in Year-End Fundraising
Your board has so much heart for your mission. With a little inspiration, they can play a big role in your year-end fundraising success. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah share eight ways to help your board members get involved in year-end fundraising. From writing thank-you notes to sharing…
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Imposter Syndrome
Stepping into leadership takes courage—and you’re right where you belong. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah talk about imposter syndrome—the voice that makes even the most capable leaders question themselves. They share why it shows up so often in nonprofit work and offer simple ways to quiet the...
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The Lonely Executive Director
Leading a nonprofit can feel isolating at times—but it doesn’t have to stay that way. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah explore how Executive Directors can find connection, encouragement, and community in their work. From peer groups to healthy boundaries, you’ll discover practical ways to feel...
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How to Engage Your Board
Engaged boards don’t just happen—they’re built with intention. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah explore why some board members drift while others lean in, and what you can do to shift the balance. They unpack the four cornerstones of engagement—people, lens, structure, and conversations—and show...
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Everyday Advocacy: Finding Your Voice to Influence Policy with Bethany Snyder
Advocacy isn’t just for experts—it’s for anyone who cares about their community and wants to make a difference. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah talk with advocacy expert Bethany Snyder about how every nonprofit—no matter its size—can build power and make change. You don't need to be in…
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Manipulation or Influence?
Manipulation or influence? It’s a question that stops many nonprofit leaders from using some of the tools of marketing and persuasion. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah unpack why the fear of being manipulative holds us back, and how we can reframe influence as an ethical, mission-driven tool.…
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How Professional Associations Can Help Your Mission
Professional associations can be a real lifeline for nonprofits. They connect us with others doing similar work, help us stay on top of what matters, and give our missions a stronger voice. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah chat about what makes a professional association truly helpful—and how to...
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The Most Important Financial Report for Your Organization Right Now
Nonprofit finances feeling uncertain? You’re not alone. In this episode, we shine a light on one financial report that every small nonprofit should be using right now: the cash flow statement. Join Nancy and Sarah as they unpack why understanding your organization’s cash flow matters more than...
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What it Really Costs to Run a Program
Ever see the video “Everyone deserves a slice?” It asks the question: What is pizza shops were funded like human services nonprofits? It makes the case that we would never expect a pizza shop to operate at partial cost or with the kinds of restrictions we deal with regularly. In this episode…
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Evaluation as a Learning Journey
Evaluation is a journey of discovery. It invites us to be curious, a chance to learn, grow, and make our work even stronger. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah talk about how evaluation can help our nonprofits ask the right questions, invite our communities into discovering the answers, and uncover...
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Understanding All the Ways People Can Give to Your Mission
Giving doesn’t always come in the form of a check. Sometimes it comes in a bushel of wheat! In this episode, Nancy and Sarah explore the many ways people support the missions they care about—from volunteering and recurring gifts to donor-advised funds, stock donations, and more. Understanding how...
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Planning for Succession
Succession planning isn’t just about replacing a leader—it’s about sustaining an organization’s mission through change. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah talk about why every nonprofit should have a plan for the transition of staff and board leaders, including both expected or unexpected changes....
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How Boards Can Be a Source of Strength in Uncertain Times
We have entered turbulent times for nonprofits. A strong board can be the steady hand that keeps a nonprofit on course. It can offer clarity and connection when things feel uncertain. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah dive into how boards can stay mission-focused, support their organizations, and...
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How to Stress Test Your Nonprofit
Nonprofits are continuing to face existential challenges. How do we continue to achieve our mission through changes in administrations and shifts in funding? Stress testing helps nonprofits respond to risk and stay resilient by asking “What if?” questions that identify potential challenges before...
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Practical Ideas for Inspiring Board Members to be Mission Ambassadors
Being an ambassador for your nonprofit is like sparking a campfire—it takes a little effort, but the impact can spread far and wide. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah share fun, practical ways to help your board feel confident sharing your mission. With activities like speed dating, conversation...
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Reflections for a New Year
As this year comes to a close, you might be reflecting on the year... on your successes and lessons learned. In this episode of the Nonprofit Radio Show, Nancy and Sarah share with you the lessons they've been reflecting on. Join us as we reflect on how these lessons will carry us into 2025, with...
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Fiscal sponsorship as an option to achieve your mission
Have you ever wanted to make difference without all of the work involved in starting a nonprofit? Fiscal sponsorship might just be your solution. In this episode of the Nonprofit Radio Show, Nancy and Sarah unpack the concept of fiscal sponsorship—a powerful tool for advancing a mission without...
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Your mission as a movement
“When you start to think about your mission as a movement....” You may have heard this phrase many times in past episodes. In this episode of the Nonprofit Radio Show, Nancy and Sarah explain what they mean by it. They dive into why this re-frame is so valuable and how you will know if you have...
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Changing Board Culture
Culture is like the foundation of a house. Just as a strong foundation keeps a house stable through storms and changing weather, a healthy board culture supports a nonprofit through challenges and growth. If the foundation is weak or neglected, cracks will eventually show, leading to...
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Why you need a volunteer strategy right now
In this episode of the Nonprofit Radio Show, Nancy and Sarah dig into why every nonprofit should have a clear volunteer strategy. People are seeking meaningful ways to engage-- why not make our nonprofit the go-to place for community members to get involved in a cause they care about. Join us as…
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The Art of Delegation
We all have so much on our to-do list. The only way to get it all done is by sharing the load. That's why nonprofit leaders must learn to delegate effectively, whether we are talking about Executive Directors delegating to their boards and staff or volunteer managers entrusting responsibilities…
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Planning a Career in Nonprofits
New graduates are scouring the internet looking for a job. Many want to turn their passion into a career. Starting a career in the nonprofit sector can be both exciting and daunting, especially for new graduates looking to make a meaningful impact. Are you looking to create a long-lasting and...
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Motivating your team
We need to motivate people all around us. Nonprofit Executive Directors need to motivate their boards and staff members. Volunteer managers need to motivate volunteers. Folks raising money need to motivate donors to give. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah talk about the two elements needed to…
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Recruiting great board members
We keep hearing from organizations that they can't find board members. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah discuss some key components for ensuring your mission attracts great board members. They discuss different recruitment strategies, from the "open call" to "by invitation only." By the end of…
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Let's Talk about Risk
The word "risk" can sound so.... well, risky! Risk often carries a negative connotation, evoking thoughts of danger and uncertainty. However, understanding and managing risk is crucial for the long-term success of any organization. In this episode, we invite you to think about risk and what that...
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Inviting legacy conversations into our organizations
Nonprofits are supported by people at all stages of life. When we invite more conversations about legacy, we help the people who care about their mission consider how they can support the causes they care about when they aren't here anymore. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah reflect on some…
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Why attend a conference
Every spring and fall we receive invitations to attend a conference. It may be a nonprofit conference or a conference related to the mission of our organization. It can feel hard to take the time, and yet there is so much benefit. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah talk about conferences and how it...
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Why investing in your organization matters
Many nonprofit board members feel that being a good steward of money means that they shouldn't invest in themselves as a board or organization. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah challenge board members to let go that that scarcity mindset and recognize the value of investing in their organization....
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Reconnecting with donors
We've been hearing from nonprofit colleagues that they feel like their donors have gone into hibernation. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah share six steps on how to bring spring into your fundraising program and reconnect with past donors. They talk about how reconnecting with your donors can be…
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About this show
The Nonprofit Radio Show podcast offers bite-size, practical information to help small nonprofits thrive.
Hosted by
Nancy Bacon and Sarah Brooks
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