PODCAST · business
The Nonprofit Mentor
by Tom Iselin
Welcome to The Nonprofit Mentor! . . . The show that provides straight talk and practical tools to help you become an outstanding nonprofit leader, run and exceptional organization, and raise a ton of money in the process.Looking for savvy fundraising tips and tactics? . . . check out Tom's other podcast called: The Fundraising Coach.Whether you’re an executive, staff member or board member, you’ll be learning the inside scoop from one of the nation's leading social entrepreneurs who’s been in your shoes and walked in the muddiest of trenches, not from some university professor who spouts theory and has never run a nonprofit. Join us! Because show after show, you’ll learn useful information that will help you grow professionally as you build a high-impact nonprofit.About Tom Iselin: Tom has built eight notable nonprofits. He's written six books, sits on six boards, and is considered a leading authority on building gold standard nonprofits. His been on CNN, Nightline, and feature
Episodes
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Your Board Doesn't Have a Governance Problem -- It has a Courage Problem!
Over the years, I've heard countless nonprofit leaders say some version of the same thing: "Our board has a governance problem." Sometimes they're right. A board may have outdated bylaws, weak committee structures, poor orientation for new members, or unclear policies. Those issues certainly...
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Why "Any Questions" is Killing Your Board Discussions
Why "Any Questions?" Is Killing Your Board Discussions I've facilitated hundreds of board retreats over the past 20 years, and I've noticed something fascinating. The moment a board chair or CEO finishes a presentation and says, "Any questions?" the room almost always gets quieter—not livelier. A...
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You Essential Marketing Quiver - Here!
Many nonprofits believe their mission alone should inspire support. Unfortunately, donors are not mind readers. They cannot automatically feel your impact, understand your programs, appreciate your culture, or grasp the urgency of your work simply because your organization exists. That...
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A Strategic Planning Doc Should be a Decision-Making Tool, Not a Coffee Table Book
I've seen some beautiful strategic plans over the years. Thick paper. Gorgeous photography. Inspirational quotes. Color-coded priorities. One organization even handed me a plan that looked expensive enough to have its own insurance policy. There was just one problem: Nobody was using it. That's...
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How Great Fundraisers Prepare for Donor Meetings
Many fundraisers think successful donor meetings are primarily about charisma. Wrong. Charisma helps. Confidence helps. Storytelling helps. But more than anything else, successful fundraising meetings are usually the result of thoughtful preparation. The best fundraisers rarely "wing it." They...
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Every Board Has an Elephant. Most Just Feed It.
Elephants Have Excellent Appetites Boards feed elephants in all kinds of ways. They postpone difficult conversations. They soften uncomfortable language. They create committees. They commission another study. They put the issue on next month's agenda, where it enjoys a brief appearance before…
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5-Step Formula for Setting Up a Donor Meeting
For many nonprofit leaders and fundraisers, making the initial donor call feels about as comfortable as parallel parking a boat. Even highly confident professionals suddenly become nervous, overly formal, or strangely robotic the moment they pick up the phone to call a potential donor. And...
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The Biggest Lie in Strategic Planning
Board members say it all the time. "We're just not ready to make that decision." It sounds thoughtful. Responsible. Even wise. After all, no one wants to rush an important decision. But after facilitating hundreds of strategic planning retreats across the country, I've come to believe this is…
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Your Board Isn't Working: Why a Board Retreat Might Be the Best Investment Your Nonprofit Makes This Year
Your Board Isn't Working: Why a Board Retreat Might Be the Best Investment Your Nonprofit Makes This Year Most nonprofit leaders know the scene. You're sitting in a board meeting watching the same three people carry the conversation while two members scroll their phones, one asks a question…
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Building a Donor Pipeline BEFORE You need It!
Building a Donor Pipeline BEFORE You need It! Here's a truth most development directors don't want to admit out loud: Your donor base is quietly shrinking. Not because you're doing bad work. Not because your mission isn't compelling. Not because your fundraising team isn't trying. But because...
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Board Retreat Blunders and Mistakes that Sabotage Retreats
Board Retreat Blunders and Mistakes that Sabotage Retreats Board retreats are supposed to be powerful. They're supposed to create clarity, alignment, momentum, unity, and ownership. They're meant to be the moment when a board steps out of the day-to-day grind and finally gets honest about where…
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Part 3 of 3: Ask Better, Raise More Money -- Fundraising Ask Tactics and Strategies
Part 3 of 3: Ask Better, Raise More Money -- Fundraising Ask Tactics and Strategies Most fundraisers spend far too much time worrying about the "perfect ask," as if somewhere out there is one magical sentence that makes every donor instantly reach for a checkbook. There isn't. Fundraising is not…
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Part 2 of 3: Ask Better, Raise More Money -- Fundraising Ask Tactics and Strategies
Part 2 of 3: Ask Better, Raise More Money -- Fundraising Ask Tactics and Strategies Most fundraisers spend far too much time worrying about the "perfect ask," as if somewhere out there is one magical sentence that makes every donor instantly reach for a checkbook. There isn't. Fundraising is not…
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Part 1 of 3: Ask Better, Raise More Money -- Fundraising Ask Tactics and Strategies
Part 1 of 3: Ask Better, Raise More Money -- Fundraising Ask Tactics and Strategies Most fundraisers spend far too much time worrying about the "perfect ask," as if somewhere out there is one magical sentence that makes every donor instantly reach for a checkbook. There isn't. Fundraising is not…
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Unresponsive Donors: A Smarter Way to Respond
If you've spent any time in fundraising, you know this moment well. You send the email, make the call and follow up—politely, professionally, thoughtfully. And then… nothing. No reply. No acknowledgment. No signal of interest or disinterest. Just silence. For many fundraisers, donor silence feels...
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The Year-End (Holiday) Fundraising Secrets Nobody Uses
The "Notify First" Trick There's one move that can turn your ho-hum year-end appeal into a home run: notify first! Before you send a single email or stuff a single envelope, reach out to donors—by phone or email—and announce your campaign is coming. This one act can boost your response rate up to...
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Board Members: Help Raise Money (Without Asking For It!)
Fear not! To raise money, you and your fellow board members don't have to cold call strangers (or worse, friends), or suffer through awkward donor coffees where you feel like the people at the table next to you are eavesdropping on your shaky pitch. Nope. There's an alternative. It's a heck of a...
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10 Strategic Fundraising Principles - Every Fundraiser Should Know
Fundraising—it's part charm offensive, part emotional trapeze act, part caffeine-fueled chaos. Some days you feel like a philanthropic superhero, and other days you're crying into your donor database while searching for the 'undo' button. But you don't have to go it alone. Enter the Rainmakers…
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Don't Pitch—Connect: 10 Smart Moves for First Donor Meetings
Your first face-to-face meeting with a donor isn't a sales pitch or interview. And it's definitely not the time to comb through the details for your 30-page strategic plan. It's a discovery conversation—a delightful dance where you listen, learn, and laugh. Apply the following 10 tactics to get...
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Lighthearted Field Guide to Fundraising Disasters
Here's a crash course in what "not" to do when fundraising, what donors secretly loathe, and a short list of how to ask for money without breaking into hives. Listen in and learn . . .
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Make Your Retreat Outcomes Stick with "Ownership"
Ah, the board retreat. A magical time when board members gather to dive into strategic discussions, unleash big ideas, and nod sagely at visionary plans. You laugh, you brainstorm, you may even awkwardly roleplay. By the end, you've covered walls with stickies and flipchart paper, deepened your...
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Donor Objections: Part 3: Common and Uncommon Types (includes scripts)
Fundraisers know that most donor objections boil down to just two things: the amount you're asking for and the timing of the ask. But here's the good news—both are manageable. In this article, you'll discover practical tactics to navigate these common roadblocks, plus smart ways to handle the...
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Donor Objections: Part 2: A Simple 3-Step Process
Encountering objections when asking donors for money is a given. One tactic for handling objections would be to develop and memorize canned responses to every possible type of objection. Experienced fundraisers know this tactic is futile, because a simple "ask" often triggers an avalanche of…
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Nonprofit Objections: Part 1: A Primer
Experienced fundraisers know objections are part of the ask process, which is why they embrace them. There are dozens of reasons why donors throw caution signs that feel like red lights. What follows is a high-level primer that unpacks why donors hesitate, paired with clear principles for…
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The Golden Hour: Tips for Mastering the Art of Donor Cultivation
Cultivation is the golden hour before the ask. It's when you introduce someone to your nonprofit, show them the heart behind the stats, the faces behind the facts, and the mission behind the jargon. And it isn't just about raising money—it's about raising friends, champions, connectors, and...
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The Other 20%: Winning Foundation, Corporate, and Government Dollars
As fundraisers, we know that while individual giving dominates, finding the right foundation, corporate, or government grant can give your budget a real boost. Many of these funding sources make large, multiyear commitments, and for some nonprofits, these sources of funding are their only sources...
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Use Experiential Learning to Transform Your Next Board Retreat
Wait! A NEW type of board retreat!? One that's more engaging and more effective? No way. Check this out . . . ED's and board chairs know the routine all too well: gather the board in a nice setting, walk through the strategic plan, review the budget, and set some goals. There may be catered…
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Unlocking Generosity: Motivate Your Donors to Give More Without Pressure
Encouraging donors to increase their contributions is a delicate endeavor. This podcast explores several practical and effective tactics to achieve the balance needed to inspire donors to give more generously while maintaining their trust and enthusiasm without alienating or pressuring them. Tune...
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Stewardship Tactics That are Sure to Keep Donors Tied to Your Cause
Did you know that 53% of donors stop giving because they feel unappreciated, and 41% cite lack of acknowledgment or thanks as their reason? Conversely, loyal donors give 42% more over their lifetime and are 70% more likely to leave a planned gift. These numbers underscore the critical need for...
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When Nonprofit Boards Meddle: The Dangers of Micromanagement
If you're tired of your board meddling in the daily operations of your nonprofit . . . this podcast is for you!
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Boardroom Ghosting: How Ignoring Staff Emails Drains Nonprofit Momentum
Nonprofit boards play a critical role in guiding the organizations they serve, helping steer decisions, ensuring fiscal health, and offering strategic oversight. However, one glaring issue that's often swept under the rug is the lack of prompt responses to communications from executive directors...
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Avoid Last-Minute Blues: Tips for Planning Ahead for Strategic Planning
Plan Early for a Stress-Free, High-Impact Session Planning a strategic session for your nonprofit can be one of the most impactful moments of the year—a chance to reset, strategize, and inspire your team. But let's be honest: waiting until the last minute to plan such an important event can lead…
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How to Host the Best Board Development Retreat Ever! Winning Checklist – 17 Keys to Success
Have you ever sat through a board retreat and thought, "What a waste of time!" You're squished in a windowless room, squirming in a chair that feels like granite, and longing for the next break. Worse yet, the facilitator is boring, the content is useless, board members are texting, and the food…
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From Coffee to Commitment: Mastering Donor Meetings with Preparation
In the world of nonprofit fundraising, meeting with a donor for coffee (or any in-person meeting), whether they are a potential supporter or a current contributor, is one of the most crucial interactions you'll have. This isn't just a casual coffee chat; it's a pivotal meeting that can define a...
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Strategic Planning: What's Better, A One-Year or Five-Year Plan?
In today's rapidly changing world, clinging to the traditional five-year strategic plan is not just outdated—it's impractical. Organizations need to adapt quickly to survive, and a long-term plan often becomes a liability and burden rather than a guide and roadmap. Instead, a one-year strategic...
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Tactics for Building a "Value Network" for your Nonprofit
Tactics for Building a "Value Network" for your Nonprofit The nonprofit world is a quirky one. Many nonprofits are founded by passionate people with little or no nonprofit experience. Many board members have little or no nonprofit experience, and many staff members have little or no nonprofit or...
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7 Tips to Hiring "The Best Strategic Planning Facilitator Near Me."
Here's a list of 7 uncommon factors to look for! Strategic planning is the backbone of any successful nonprofit organization, providing a roadmap for future growth and impact. However, navigating the strategic planning process can be challenging, requiring skilled guidance to ensure clarity,...
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10 Tips to Avoid Hiring a Dud Strategic Planning Facilitator
Hosting a strategic planning session can be costly and time-consuming. You can spend hours and hours trying to find a suitable venue, hire caterers, organize pre-work, and wrangle all the attendees. But often times, the biggest cost is the one you spend on hiring the facilitator. Then, the big…
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Next Level Donor Relations – Make Their Experience "Unexpectedly Pleasurable!"
Next Level Donor Relations – Make Their Experience "Unexpectedly Pleasurable!" In today's fundraising world, with dozens of nonprofits competing for donors' hearts and wallets, it's important to stand out and differentiate. Otherwise, no matter how noble your mission, you'll be left with your…
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How Star Wars Can Help You Raise More Money – Say What?
Movies and Sound Imagine watching a movie like Star Wars, Jaws, or Top Gun with no sound. They would be dry, listless, and yes, dull. In many movies, the sound makes the movie. It elicits emotional responses that can lift us up, make us cry, and give us goosebumps. Some music scores are so...
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How To Host the Best Board Retreat Ever! Checklist – 17 Keys to Success
Have you ever sat through a board retreat and thought, "What a waste of time!" You're squished in a windowless room, squirming in a chair that feels like granite, and longing for the next break. Worse yet, the facilitator is boring, the content is useless, board members are texting, and the food…
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How to Find and Hire the Best Board Retreat Facilitator – a 9-Point Checklist . . .
Have you ever sat through a board retreat and spent more time watching the clock, daydreaming, and checking texts than listening to the facilitator? Are your board members cringing at the thought of attending another retreat? Did your last facilitator stand behind a lectern and drone on like a...
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Are Local Board Retreat Facilitators Really the Best Value?
Nonprofits play a critical role in addressing societal issues, but their effectiveness often hinges on the strength of their leadership, especially the board. One way to enhance the performance of a nonprofit's board of directors is by organizing retreats. They can improve engagement…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Welcome to The Nonprofit Mentor! . . . The show that provides straight talk and practical tools to help you become an outstanding nonprofit leader, run and exceptional organization, and raise a ton of money in the process.Looking for savvy fundraising tips and tactics? . . . check out Tom's other podcast called: The Fundraising Coach.Whether you’re an executive, staff member or board member, you’ll be learning the inside scoop from one of the nation's leading social entrepreneurs who’s been in your shoes and walked in the muddiest of trenches, not from some university professor who spouts theory and has never run a nonprofit. Join us! Because show after show, you’ll learn useful information that will help you grow professionally as you build a high-impact nonprofit.About Tom Iselin: Tom has built eight notable nonprofits. He's written six books, sits on six boards, and is considered a leading authority on building gold standard nonprofits. His been on CNN, Nightline, and feature
HOSTED BY
Tom Iselin
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Nonprofit Mentor have?
The Nonprofit Mentor currently has 50 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Nonprofit Mentor about?
Welcome to The Nonprofit Mentor! . . . The show that provides straight talk and practical tools to help you become an outstanding nonprofit leader, run and exceptional organization, and raise a ton of money in the process.Looking for savvy fundraising tips and tactics? . . . check out Tom's other...
How often does The Nonprofit Mentor release new episodes?
The Nonprofit Mentor has 50 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Nonprofit Mentor?
You can listen to The Nonprofit Mentor on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Nonprofit Mentor?
The Nonprofit Mentor is created and hosted by Tom Iselin.
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