Inspired Nonprofit Leadership

Most nonprofits think fundraising is about getting the pitch right—but what if that's the wrong starting point? In this episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership, I sit down with Jeff Schreifels of Veritus Group to talk about how asking great questions (not writing great appeals) is the real game-changer in major gifts. We unpack why donors actually want to give more, the overlooked power of high-t...

In this episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership, I break down why traditional budget approvals by nonprofit boards can actually hurt your organization—and what to do instead. I'll walk you through what "approval" really means, the unintended consequences of board-controlled budgets, and the simple shift to "budget confirmation" that leads to better planning, stronger oversight, and less drama. If...

Technology is woven into every part of your nonprofit—but is it actually working for you? In this episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership, host Sarah Olivieri sits down with nonprofit tech and operations expert Roz Zavras to talk about how to clean up your data, simplify your systems, and use the right tools to move your mission forward. From bad password habits to donor communications and AI, Ro...

Is your board stuck in the weeds (again)? In this short but powerful solo episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership, host Sarah Olivieri breaks down the real reasons boards get tangled in the details—and how to fix it fast. From the myth of "strategic vs. operational" decisions to unintentional permission-seeking by executive directors, Sarah shares her top three causes of board micromanagement and...

Is your online donation form secretly scaring donors away? In this episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership, I'm joined by Josh Bloomfield, founder of GiveCloud, for a refreshingly honest look at why most nonprofit fundraising tech is stuck in the past—and how small changes can make a big impact. We talk about "trust-raising" instead of just fundraising, what nonprofits can learn from e-commerce g...

Why does communication between executive directors and boards break down so often—even when everyone has the best intentions? In this episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership, host Sarah Olivieri unpacks the five biggest reasons board–ED communication goes sideways, from unclear decision-making lines to insecurity and information overload. With a blend of insight and tough love, Sarah shares what...

Is unrestricted fundraising really the hardest kind? In this episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership, Sarah Olivieri sits down with Sherry Quam Taylor to challenge that long-held belief and unpack how nonprofits can build stronger, more effective fundraising strategies by focusing on investment-level giving. They dig into the real reasons many nonprofits stay stuck in low-ROI tactics like events...

What if doing less could actually help your nonprofit get more done? In this episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership, host Sarah Olivieri shares her simple but powerful 7-step system for boosting productivity without burning out. You'll learn how to break down projects, prioritize better, and create a visual workflow that helps you and your team focus on what matters most—while actually finishing...

What do gang intervention programs, tech startups, and fly fishing have in common? Leadership—and a whole lot of curiosity. In this episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership, Sarah Olivieri is joined by Dan Tocchini, a transformational leadership expert who's spent over 40 years helping founders and changemakers navigate conflict, unlock potential, and take on problems that won't leave them alone....

Burnout isn't just a personal issue—it's a systemic one in the nonprofit world. In this episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership, host Sarah Olivieri gets real about burnout: what it looks like, why it happens, and what you can actually do to recover and prevent it. You'll hear practical strategies for stripping your to-do list, clearing your calendar, and shifting from activity-based planning to...

What does it really mean to lead with confidence and authenticity—especially when you're juggling a million things and doubting yourself in the process? In this heartfelt episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership, host Sarah Olivieri sits down with leadership coach Kathy Archer to talk about leading from alignment, setting healthy boundaries, and building real confidence from the inside out. You'll...

Are your fundraising goals keeping your nonprofit small? In this quick but powerful episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership, host Sarah Olivieri makes the case for bigger, bolder budgets—and explains why aiming higher can actually help you raise more money, attract more donors, and grow your impact. You'll hear three clear reasons to stop sandbagging your fundraising targets, plus a story about o...

If you are thinking about strategic planning, this episode is for you! Host Sarah Olivieri and special guest Doug Paul talk strategy and impact combining their 40+ years of strategy experience. They cover strategic planning, execution, and maintaining a balance between passion-driven goals and practical actions and go into some key concepts like the Pareto principle, assumptions mapping, and the d...

Break free from reactive mode. In this short but impactful episode, host Sarah Olivieri discusses a simple yet powerful exercise to identify and address the root causes of urgent issues. Episode Highlights 001:15 Getting Out of Reactive Mode 01:47 Exercise: Identifying and Extinguishing Fires 03:07 Real-Life Example: Payroll Crisis Resource The Board Clarity Club A monthly membership for boards th...

Join host Sarah Olivieri as she discusses nonprofit innovation with special guest Leah Kral, author of "Innovation for Social Change: Wildly Successful Nonprofits Inspire and Deliver Results". Leah shares key principles for fostering innovation in nonprofit organizations and strategies to overcome common challenges. Learn about her book, practical examples of successful innovation, and actionable...

In this episode, Sarah shares 11 crucial questions to ask yourself to set better goals and make a bigger impact, while avoiding burnout. Learn how to evaluate the efficiency, secondary impacts, timing, and resources related to your goals. Episode Highlights 00:01:12 Setting Goals: Introduction 01:28 11 Questions for Better Goal Setting Resource The Board Clarity Club A monthly membership for board...

With over 35 years of private practice and extensive experience consulting in various sectors, our guest expert Faust Ruggiero shares practical strategies for nonprofit leaders to improve their operations, strengthen staff development, and enhance fundraising efforts. Tune in for actionable tips and learn how to work smarter, not harder, to make a bigger impact without burning out. Episode Highlig...

      Join nonprofit leadership expert Sarah Olivieri as she addresses the outdated cycle of infrequent strategic planning in nonprofits. Sarah introduces the iterative, flexible, and highly effective Impact Method®️ to update and sustain your organization's goals. With over two decades of experience, Sarah shares insights on why traditional multi-year plans often fail and how a bi-monthly plannin...

In this podcast episode, special guest Dr. Tiffany E. Slater, an HR consultant with over 25 years of experience, shares tips on HR tailored for nonprofits. Sarah and Tiffany explore the concept of fractional HR support, onboarding best practices, compliance issues, the role of AI in HR, along with creative ways to enhance employee wellness and engagement. Dr. Slater emphasizes the importance of cu...

Join host Sarah Olivieri to learn why nonprofits are more complex than for-profits and discover practical tips on managing the nonprofit leadership 'whack-a-mole' problem. In this episode, Sarah provides insights on balancing mission and money, managing a larger team with limited financial resources, and enhancing organizational efficiency. Episode Highlights 01:15 The Whack-a-Mole Problem in Nonp...

Join host Sarah Olivieri in this episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership as she explores how nonprofit leaders can make a bigger impact through smart marketing strategies. Featuring guest Lou Kotsinis, founder of BCS Interactive, they discuss the fundamentals of effective storytelling, the strategic use of digital tools, and the transformative potential of AI in nonprofit marketing. Learn from Lo...

In this episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership, host Sarah Olivieri delves into the pitfalls of multitasking and its detrimental effects on productivity for nonprofit leaders. Drawing from personal experience and expert studies, she explains how multitasking leads to cognitive overload, poor decision-making, and significant time loss. Episode Highlights 01:15 The Dangers of Multitasking 01:57 Pe...

On this episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership we welcome Pauline Palkovic, an expert in donor prospect research with nearly 30 years of experience. Pauline shares invaluable insights into how nonprofits can identify and engage potential donors through strategic research. From understanding the basics of prospect research to debunking common misconceptions, Pauline provides tips that both small...

In this episode, host Sarah Olivieri outlines why a nonprofit board's primary role should NOT be governance. Sarah explains the importance of separating decision-making and oversight, detailing how such a system of Governance can improve decision-making and organizational effectiveness. With examples and actionable advice, she demonstrates how shifting to an oversight model can lead to happier boa...

Join Sarah Olivieri, nonprofit consultant and coach, as she interviews Scott Burgmeyer about high performance leadership in the nonprofit sector. They discuss the importance of clarity in mission and strategy, how to cultivate and grow team members, and the critical aspects of hiring the right people for your organization. Scott shares his expertise on delivering effective feedback, holding team m...