Inspired Nonprofit Leadership

Struggling to find great board members—and feeling stuck with the same advice that isn't working? Today's conversation is all about why board recruitment feels so hard (hint: it's not you) and what actually makes board service appealing to the right people. We'll reset what "skilled" really means, talk about the expectations that quietly scare good candidates away, and walk through practical ways...

Ever feel like decisions in your nonprofit take forever… or worse, no one knows who's actually supposed to make them? In this episode, I break down why unclear decision-making slows your organization to a crawl, how to fix confusion between staff and the board, and the simple tools that help teams move faster without chaos. If delays are costing you time, money, and client well-being, this one wil...

If you've ever found yourself juggling way too many projects and somehow making less progress than ever, you're in the right place. In this training, I break down why overcommitment slows you down, how context switching quietly steals your entire workday, and the simple system I use to help nonprofit leaders reclaim time, reduce overwhelm, and actually finish what they start. Grab your coffee, bre...

If major donor work keeps slipping to the bottom of your to-do list, you're not alone. In this episode, we dig into why getting started feels so darn hard, what's really behind the procrastination, and how to take simple, doable steps that actually build momentum. My guest, Lieve Hendren, brings years of experience helping nonprofits build mission-aligned donor relationships, and together we unpac...

If you've ever felt confused about OKRs—or wondered why they seem helpful in theory but clunky in practice—this episode is for you. I break down what OKRs were supposed to do, why the language trips people up, and a clearer way to plan your goals by separating what you can control from what you can't. You'll walk away with a simple, practical framework for setting outcomes, actions, and metrics th...

Ever wish your team would stop handing every decision back to you? In this episode, I sit down with Lisa Levy to talk about building self-reliant teams, simplifying processes, and unlocking the hidden potential inside your organization. Lisa breaks down how to reduce chaos, boost confidence, and tap into the full brainpower of your staff—without adding more meetings or more stress. If you've ever...

Budgets shouldn't feel like punishment math. In this episode, I break down how to use the Jobs to Be Done framework to make your budget actually useful. You'll learn why budgets should change as you learn, how to stop obsessing over budget-vs-actuals, and how to build a financial tool that shows what really matters: what things cost, what results you're getting, and where to invest for the biggest...

What happens when nonprofit leaders stop chasing every idea and start focusing on simplicity, clarity, and what really matters? In this episode, we dig into how to cut through the noise, strengthen your operations, and lead with purpose—without overcomplicating your mission. You'll learn why scaling often means doing less, how to rethink old constraints, and what it really takes to build an organi...

Tired of scrambling to keep up with donors? You're not alone. In this episode, I break down how to build consistent, meaningful donor communication without adding more overwhelm to your plate. You'll learn why simple, frequent updates matter more than perfectly polished newsletters, how to engage supporters weekly in a way that feels natural, and when it might be time to increase staff capacity so...

What if your nonprofit could fight poverty at the systems level? Learn how Rob Hanson reimagines philanthropy, leverages 501(c)(4)s, and moves beyond charity to lasting change—backed by $65M in social investments and a powerful personal journey. Episode Highlights 01:15 Meet Rob Hansen: A Journey of Social Change 03:52 Understanding Nonprofit Structures: 501(c)(3) vs 501(c)(4) 07:26 The Impact of...

Ever feel like your nonprofit decisions are all over the map? The Cynefin Framework (pronounced "ku-nev-in") can help you make sense of chaos. In this episode, I break down how to tell whether your situation is clear, complicated, complex, or downright chaotic—and how to respond effectively in each case. You'll learn when to follow best practices, when to experiment, and when to take bold action s...

Want to raise more money without adding more work? In this episode, I break down the three simple levers that can exponentially increase your donor lifetime value. You'll learn how to make small, strategic changes, like improving retention, boosting average gifts, and increasing giving frequency, that add up to huge results. A little growth in each area can multiply your fundraising impact faster...

What if your nonprofit could generate more revenue without adding more chaos? In this episode, I talk with 30-year nonprofit veteran Rick Harris about how to stop relying on the same old income streams and start building new ones the smart way. We unpack practical strategies for diversifying revenue without spreading your team too thin, creative ideas for attracting sponsors, and how fair pay buil...

Ever feel stuck—like no matter what you try, you're spinning your wheels? In this episode, I introduce the Five Drivers Framework by David Bayer, a powerful tool to help you uncover the root causes behind your results. You'll learn how your beliefs, thoughts, emotions, and actions work together to create outcomes—and how shifting one belief can change everything. Whether you're leading a team, fun...

What if your nonprofit could anticipate the future instead of reacting to it? In this episode, futurist and strategist Donna DuPont shares how leaders can build future literacy—the skill of reading change before it happens. We explore how to turn uncertainty into opportunity, overcome resistance to change, and design flexible strategies that thrive even in chaos. If your team feels stuck reacting...

Does your fundraising only ramp up when the money's running low? You're not alone. In this episode, I'll show you how to stop scrambling for funds and start building a proactive fundraising strategy that keeps your nonprofit stable year-round. You'll learn how to shift from crisis-driven fundraising to relationship-driven sustainability—because the fastest path to cash (and calm) is building stron...

Nonprofit leaders, what does it take to lead one of the largest and oldest nonprofits in a major city—and do it as the first woman in its 165-year history? In this episode, I talk with Lauren Koontz, President and CEO of the YMCA of Metro Atlanta, about stepping into leadership, navigating crises, and building partnerships that truly serve the community. Lauren shares her journey from development...

Nonprofit leaders, does your fundraising strategy feel complicated—or nonexistent? You're not alone. In this episode, I break fundraising down to three simple levers you can pull to get results: growing your qualified leads, improving donor conversions, and maximizing lifetime donor value. I'll show you how to simplify your approach, avoid overplanning, and build a strategy that actually works in...

Nonprofit leaders, are you tired of hearing that funders "don't support general operating costs"? You're not alone—and that mindset is costing your organization. In this episode, I unpack why donors often resist unrestricted funding and how you can change that conversation. The truth is, most donors genuinely care about your mission, not just your programs. They want to be part of the solution, bu...

Nonprofit leaders, when too much responsibility lands on one person's plate, the results are predictable—burnout and turnover. Relying on a single leader, often the ED or CEO, doesn't just exhaust them, it puts your entire organization at risk. In this episode, I share why spreading leadership capacity is essential, how to know when it's time to hire, and what happens when you build a team that ca...

Nonprofit leaders, fundraising isn't just about raising dollars—it's about raising power. In this episode, we delve into the often-overlooked role of Latino fundraisers, the gap between boards and development staff, and why genuine sustainability stems from investing in fundraising, rather than galas or gadgets. Episode Highlights 02:22 Armando's Personal Story and Fundraising Philosophy 04:18 Cha...

What if working fewer hours actually led to better results for your nonprofit? In this episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership, I unpack why so many nonprofit leaders—and boards!—get stuck in the weeds, and how shifting into true strategic focus is the key to both impact and sanity. I share the mindset shifts, scheduling tweaks, and permission you might not know you need to stop the overwhelm and...

In this powerful episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership, Sarah Olivieri sits down with Inaudy Gil, founder of IIJ Consulting, to talk about what real inclusive leadership looks like in practice—not just in theory. They dig into unconscious bias, neurodiversity, identity, and how creating inclusive cultures starts with simple, human conversations. Inaudy shares actionable ways leaders can create...

Nonprofit leaders, are short-term pressures from funders, board members, or staff keeping you from achieving your big-picture goals? In this episode, I share how to flip the script, set priorities that actually drive long-term impact, and build a culture that keeps your team aligned. Episode Highlights 01:14 Balancing Short-Term Pressures with Long-Term Goals 05:21 The Impact Method: A Strategic P...

Running a nonprofit isn't just about budgets and board reports. It's about managing the emotional weight of leadership. In this episode, I'm joined by David Baker Hargrove (they/them), a leadership consultant, licensed psychotherapist, and former CEO of a $100M+ nonprofit. To talk about blind spots, board dynamics, role clarity, and how to build a culture where trust, equity, and mental health fue...