Successful Nonprofits Podcast
by Successful Nonprofits, LLC
With more than half a million downloads, the Successful Nonprofits Podcast helps nonprofit chief executives lead effectively and build stronger organizations.Hosted by Dolph Goldenburg, a consultant, coach, and confidant to nonprofit leaders across the country, the podcast helps nonprofit executive directors navigate board relationships, staff leadership, financial stewardship, fundraising pressure, strategic planning, leadership transitions, and the hard decisions only the CEO can make.Each episode is created for busy nonprofit chief executives leading through complexity, often without a deep bench of finance, HR, fundraising, or operations support.Through conversations with nonprofit leaders and experts, along with practical episodes drawn from Dolph's three decades of nonprofit leadership, the Successful Nonprofits® Podcast offers clear-eyed guidance to help you and your organization thrive.
Episodes
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Are You Ready for a $2 Million Lawsuit?
Are you one staff or volunteer accident away from a $2 million claim? Last year I sat on a jury where the plaintiff's attorneys asked for $2 million over a car accident in which the airbags never went off and the plaintiff walked away without a scratch. The jury awarded nothing, but it drove home...
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5 Lessons from Shutting Down a Nonprofit
About a decade ago, I helped a once multimillion-dollar nonprofit with about 50 employees close its doors, and before it was over, board members wrote personal checks to cover money owed to the IRS. In this episode, I share the five lessons I took from that work. And these lessons are essential…
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The CEO's Role in a $500,000 Event with Jai Ferrell
When your organization's biggest fundraising event is on the line, where should the chief executive lead, and where should she stay out of the way? Jai Ferrell, CEO of Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta, transitioned a long-running luncheon in her first year to a gala that raised more than $500,000.…
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6 Ways to Use AI in Your Nonprofit
Join the live virtual audience for podcast recordings (and bring your question for the Q&A). Topics, guests, and times are announced in my newsletter, and you can sign up at this link: https://successfulnonprofits.com/newsletter-signup/ Whether or not you like AI, you are already using it, from...
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When Staff Complain Directly to Your Board
A staff member unhappy with one of your decisions skips you and goes straight to the board chair. If the chair entertains it, your ability to lead takes a hit that is very hard to repair. In this episode I share when this happened to me as a chief executive, as well as what I've learned about...
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Stop Being Your Team's Referee: Escalate Together
A staff member knocks on your door and asks you to settle a disagreement with a coworker. Saying yes feels good, and it is one of the few things in your week that ends cleanly. It also teaches your team to bring you every dispute, and it pushes the fundraising, board, and strategy work that only...
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The Busy Executive Director's Guide to Planned Giving with Tony Martignetti
Most executive directors put off planned giving because it feels like a time consuming and expensive project that requires a consultant, a gift acceptance policy, board training, a recognition society, and more. And after investing so much into planned giving, you won't receive a gift for years....
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How to Deliver Bad News to Your Board
If you're in the chief executive seat long enough, something will eventually go wrong. A cash-flow crisis, the loss of a key funder, a serious audit finding, critical news coverage, or an on-site disaster can test both your leadership and your relationship with the board. In this episode, I lay…
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How Nonprofit CEOs Get Buy-In Across Political Divides with Chandra Brown
If you are a CEO responsible for moving your mission forward in a polarized environment, this conversation will sharpen how you lead. Your ability to communicate with people who don't share your or your nonprofit's values and views can determine whether your organization gains traction or stalls...
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Your Board's Fundraising Retreat: 6 Activities to Make It Count (Nonprofit Board Fundraising)
Can one board retreat turn reluctant board members into fundraising superstars? Anyone promising that is selling something they cannot deliver. But a well-designed retreat can still move board fundraising forward. In this episode, I explain how to diagnose the real barriers first, then share six...
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The One Spreadsheet Every Nonprofit Manager Needs
What recurring tasks does each person on your team actually own? It's almost impossible to remember everything a team member is responsible for, and a job description usually won't tell you. When that information lives only in someone's head, onboarding gets harder, performance conversations get...
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Are Fundraising Events Worth Your Time? A 10-Hour-a-Month System with Mary Thompson
Whether to spend staff time and resources on a special event is an important decision that rests with you as the chief executive. Fundraising events can consume hundreds of staff hours, sap your board's enthusiasm, and produce far less revenue than everyone expected. That is why many nonprofit...
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Stop Doing $25-per-Hour Work
Never miss an episode: Sign up for our newsletter Your calendar is full, your inbox is under control, and the copier is finally working. You were productive today, right? Maybe not. Every week, nonprofit chief executives routinely spend hours scheduling meetings, answering routine emails…
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Stop the hijacking hyena in your boardroom
One person's loud and persistent certainty can become the board's decision. Not because everyone agrees, but because everyone else has grown tired of resisting and just want the meeting to move forward. Over time, that dynamic does more than produce a few bad decisions. It weakens the board's...
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Top 5 Mistakes Nonprofit Executive Directors Make with Marvin Webb
Nonprofit chief executives are expected to protect the mission, lead the team, and keep the organization financially healthy, often without a CFO sitting beside them. In this episode, Dolph talks with Marvin Webb about five finance mistakes executive directors make, including confusing cash with...
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Can Your Employees Afford to Stay?
We may say that our organization values equity, inclusion, and our mission. But many of us still pay wages that leave employees struggling to cover basic necessities. That contradiction is not just an HR issue, it's a problem with our strategy. In this episode, I examine why nonprofits are losing...
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6 Clauses for your executive director contract
Your employment agreement is not just paperwork. It shapes how you and your board handle compensation, performance reviews, incentives, leave, renewal, and the end of the relationship. I share six newer clauses that I've started seeing in ED contracts now, and how to negotiate your agreement in a...
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A Sabbatical Made My Nonprofit Stronger with Rebecca Stapel-Wax
Many nonprofit chief executives dream about taking a sabbatical, but few believe their organization is too small to offer sabbaticals. In this episode, SOJOURN Executive Director Rebecca Stapel-Wax shares how she prepared her board, staff, systems, and interim leader for a successful three-month...
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The Executive Director's Fire Drill
When everything feels urgent, it becomes almost impossible for a nonprofit chief executive to focus on the work that actually moves the organization forward. I share a simple fire triage framework that I first developed during an interim executive director engagement with an organization facing...
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The Three Roles of an Executive Director
Many executive directors spend their days in meetings, emails, staff questions, funder requests, budget tweaks, and personnel issues. At the end of the day, they have been busy. They may even feel productive. But they still have the nagging sense that the most important CEO level was untouched. I...
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70% of nonprofit CEOs get fired or forced out!
While the nonprofit sector rarely talks about it openly, 35% - 70% of executive directors are forced out — usually without even realizing the warning signs. In this episode, I pull back the curtain on why board confidence erodes, which issues risk accelerating your departure, and steps you can…
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The Lifecycle of an Executive Director with Claudius Hildebrand
Claudius Hildebrand, co-author of the best selling book Life Cycle of a CEO, explores the five stages of a nonprofit executive director's tenure, revealing how these insights apply to your nonprofit leadership journey. Discover practical strategies for launching into new roles, reinvention during...
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The Podcast Returns June 16th!
New episodes will be released on June 16th with a sharper focus on providing actionable advice and support for nonprofit executive directors. If there's a CEO-level topic you'd like covered, email me at [email protected].
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World-Class Benefits for Nonprofit Teams with Curt Ellis
Could your nonprofit offer staff benefits they couldn't even get working for a Fortune 500 employer? Curt Ellis, co-founder and CEO of FoodCorps, joins Dolph Goldenburg to share the secret sauce behind FoodCorps' jaw-dropping benefits package. From a $3,000 401(k) match to 16 weeks of paid…
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5 Ways to Raise More Money at the End of the Year
As the rest of the world counts down the last weeks of the year, this is the perfect time for leaders like you to harness your donors' holiday-giving spirit to generate more dollars, retain more donors, and cultivate even larger gifts for next year. This episode answers the following questions…
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Are You an Eagle, Parrot, Owl, or Dove? With Manish Shah
What if understanding your team could be as simple as recognizing four birds? In this episode, Manish Shah introduces the "four birds" personality model—a game-changing tool for nonprofits striving to enhance collaboration and solve conflict. From the eagle's boldness to the owl's precision…
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Contingency Planning for a Trump 2.0 Presidency
If you listen to just one episode this year, make it this one. As Donald Trump prepares to take office, the nonprofit sector faces a potential shift that could disrupt services, funding, and the communities you support. In this urgent solo episode, Dolph Goldenburg provides a strategic roadmap to...
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Crafting Your Personal Board with Donna Peters
Are you ready to take charge of your personal and professional growth with the support of a "personal board of directors"? This episode dives into the unique concept of a personal board with award-winning executive coach, author, and podcast host Donna Peters. Peters shares her experience using...
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What's Your Operating Model with Leslie MacKrell
What if the key to your nonprofit's success lies not in working harder but in structuring your work smarter? In this insightful episode, Leslie MacKrell, partner at Bridgespan Group and expert in nonprofit operating models, breaks down the essential elements for driving strategic impact. From...
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Leverage AI and Behavioral Psychology to Engage Major Donors with Griff Bohm
Are you leaving money on the table by ignoring the psychological triggers that drive donors to give? Join us for a compelling conversation with Griff Bohm, co-founder of Give Momentum, as we explore how behavioral psychology and AI can transform your nonprofit's fundraising strategy. Griff brings...
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Becoming a Causie: Elevate Your Nonprofit Board with Rob Acton
Do you have "Causies" on your board? Board members so passionate about your mission that they can't stop championing your nonprofit? In this episode, nationally recognized nonprofit governance expert Rob Acton shares insights from his new book Becoming a Causie: Champion Your Cause Through...
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Nonprofit Myth-busting with Mickey Desai
Are nonprofit organizations destined to be underfunded, overworked, and underpaid? Think again! In this myth-busting episode, Mickey Desai, founder of Nonprofit Snapshot and host of The Nonprofit SnapCast, joins Dolph to debunk some of the most common misconceptions about nonprofit work. From…
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Recharge Your Energy: The Power of Small Habits with Francesca Mereu
Do you feel constantly overstretched, running on empty while trying to keep up with the demands of work and life? You're not alone! This week's guest, Francesca Giulia Mereu, is here to help you recharge your energy and improve your well-being through small, impactful habits. Francesca, a coach...
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The First Four Words: Starting Conversations with Confidence with Tucker Miller
Have you ever delayed a difficult conversation, hoping the issue would resolve itself? You're not alone! In this episode, Tucker Miller, executive coach and author of The First Four Words, shares her fresh approach to starting challenging conversations with ease and confidence. Drawing from her...
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Reimagine Leadership for Bold Social Impact with Mohan Sivaloganathan
Are you tired of choosing between your personal well-being and performance in leadership? In this episode, Mohan Sivaloganathan, founder of Harmonious Leadership and former nonprofit chief executive, shares his vision for reimagining leadership to fuel bold social impact ideas. Known as the…
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Navigating the Ethical Imperative with Andrew Cooper
Andrew Cooper, a trailblazer in ethical leadership and author of The Ethical Imperative, joins Dolph for this episode. Andrew shares profound insights on why ethical leadership is crucial for nonprofit organizations to solve seemingly intractable problems. Drawing on his experiences and research,...
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Maximize Your Fall Fundraising: Responsive Fundraising Strategies with Gabe Cooper (Encore)
As nonprofit professionals gear up for their Fall fundraising campaigns, it's the perfect time to revisit one of our most impactful episodes. Join us as we dive into Responsive Fundraising with Gabe Cooper, founder of Virtuous and author of the book by the same name. In this encore episode, we...
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Your Nonprofit Needs a Rest Week with Kevin Greer (Encore)
It's the last week of August, and the lights are off here at Successful Nonprofits®. We have no meetings this week; the podcast and social media are scheduled in advance. And we're off the computer and off the phone. You know why? Because we're off having fun and enjoying our rest week! Since…
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Use Email Sequencing to Unlock Donor Retention with Lisa Fernandez
Are you losing new donors due to uninspired thank-you emails? Join our conversation with Lisa Fernandez as she shares her expertise in crafting effective email sequences to build lasting relationships with donors. Learn how to engage your audience with personalized and automated emails, harness…
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Mailbag: Board Members Behaving Badly
Are your board members causing more problems than they solve? In this mailbag episode, Dolph answers listener questions about dealing with difficult board members. Whether you're a board chair trying to keep the peace, or an executive director frustrated with a meddling board, this episode offers...
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How to Say No and Feel Good About It with Stephanie Wagner
Have you ever found yourself saying "yes" to a task or opportunity, only to regret it later? You're not alone! In this episode, Stephanie Wagner, a board-certified health and wellness coach from Healthy Minds Innovations, discusses how to say no and feel good about it. Stephanie shares her...
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Leadership Transitions for Nonprofit Leaders of Color with Nate Wong
Leadership transitions are challenging enough, and for leaders of color, there are unique hurdles and barriers that must be overcome. In this episode, we are joined by Nate Wong, a partner at The Bridgespan Group, to discuss the complexities and opportunities of leadership transitions for…
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The Power of Inclusion: Leadership Insights with Andrés Tapia
What if you could leverage inclusion to not only improve your workplace culture but also boost your nonprofit's effectiveness? In today's episode, Andres Tapia, a Senior Client Partner at Korn Ferry and co-author of "The 5 Disciplines of Inclusive Leaders," shows us how. Tapia dives deep into how...
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How to Use Remote Volunteers to Solve Your Nonprofit's Problems with Michelle Wiesner
Are you missing out on the hidden potential of remote volunteer programs? Michele Wiesner, Director of Capacity Building at Hire Heroes USA, shares how to unlock this game-changer. Michele discusses the journey of building an effective remote volunteer program, highlights success stories of…
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Maximize Your Nonprofit's Impact Using Google Grants with Sean Littman
Sean Littman, a Google Ads and Google Grants expert, shares his insight on leveraging Google's $10,000 monthly ad credit to drive traffic, grow your email list, and ultimately increase donations. From keyword research to creating compelling email sequences, Sean breaks down his proven strategies...
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The Nonprofit Professional's Plan for Financial Independence with Bobbie Munroe (Encore)
In this special Independence Day encore episode, we're revisit an important conversation with financial planner Bobbie Munroe. With over 40 years in finance and 30 years as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Bobbie helps individuals with modest incomes plan for a secure retirement. In this...
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Why Our Team Members Fail with Dr. Tiffany Slater
Dr. Tiffany Slater, CEO and Senior Human Resources Consultant for HR TailorMade, discusses the critical issue of ineffective onboarding and leadership in nonprofits. Dr. Tiffany emphasizes that many of our frustrations with team members stem from inadequate training and unclear expectations,...
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Fostering Inclusion at Your Nonprofit with Kia Croom Encore
In honor of Juneteenth this week, we are re-sharing Kia Croom's episode on fostering inclusion in your organization. When the country shut down in March 2020, Kia Croom realized the shift to remote work also shifted justice, equity, and inclusion dynamics. Racial discrimination, racial trauma…
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Should Your Nonprofit Create a 501(c)(4) for Advocacy? Insights from Adam Snipes.
As nonprofits navigate increasingly complex social and political landscapes, understanding the potential of a 501(c)(4) may be crucial for driving meaningful change. This compelling conversation with advocacy expert Adam Snipes may leave you wondering if your organization should start a 501(c)(4)…
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The Power of a Board Liaison with Kyle Waide and Xavier Roberts
Kyle Waide and Xavier Roberts from the Atlanta Community Food Bank to discuss into the transformative role of a Board Liaison. As your organization strives to maximize board engagement and effectiveness, have you considered a Board Liaison role that supports board members and enhancing governance...
About this show
With more than half a million downloads, the Successful Nonprofits Podcast helps nonprofit chief executives lead effectively and build stronger organizations.Hosted by Dolph Goldenburg, a consultant, coach, and confidant to nonprofit leaders across the country, the podcast helps nonprofit executive directors navigate board relationships, staff leadership, financial stewardship, fundraising pressure, strategic planning, leadership transitions, and the hard decisions only the CEO can make.Each episode is created for busy nonprofit chief executives leading through complexity, often without a deep bench of finance, HR, fundraising, or operations support.Through conversations with nonprofit leaders and experts, along with practical episodes drawn from Dolph's three decades of nonprofit leadership, the Successful Nonprofits® Podcast offers clear-eyed guidance to help you and your organization thrive.
Hosted by
Successful Nonprofits, LLC
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