Inspired Nonprofit Leadership

Join Sarah Olivieri, host and nonprofit consultant, as she shares her expert insights on planning and executing successful projects for nonprofit organizations. In this episode, Sarah discusses the crucial subprojects that form a comprehensive project plan, including designing the plan, executing it, evaluating results, and refining processes. Learn how to avoid common pitfalls that lead to projec...

In this episode, I discuss the importance of strategic planning tailored to the size and needs of your organization with special guest Kate Scherr-Adams. We talk about the significance of stakeholder engagement, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and how to develop focused, actionable plans. Plus insights on right-sizing your strategic initiatives, making data-informed decisions, and fosterin...

Join Sarah Olivieri, your host and nonprofit expert as she delves into effective goal setting. Learn the difference between outcome goals and process goals, how to set them in pairs, and the importance of focusing on execution goals. Discover actionable tips for breaking down larger goals into manageable projects to make a bigger impact with less work. Get insights on evaluating goals and performa...

Join host Sarah Olivieri on 'Inspired Nonprofit Leadership' as she dives into the crucial topic of soft skills with John Whitehead, a seasoned executive coach and corporate trainer. John brings over 40 years of senior leadership experience to the discussion, sharing insights on the importance of emotional intelligence, communication, and behavioral shifts for impactful leadership. Learn practical...

Join host Sarah Olivieri in this episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership as she shares essential tips for building and retaining a dedicated and effective nonprofit team. Drawing from her experience as an executive director, board member, consultant, and coach, Sarah discusses the importance of paying a worthy wage, creating a supportive and inclusive workplace culture, investing in professional...

Join Sarah Olivieri in another insightful episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership where she speaks with Holly Rustick, a world-renowned grant writing and business coach. They dive into the challenges and opportunities faced by nonprofit leaders, including the importance of mindset, the complexities of grant writing, and the necessity of preparation and self-care. Holly shares her expertise on how...

Join nonprofit leadership expert Sarah Olivieri in this episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership as she challenges the traditional hierarchical organizational chart model. Sarah explores the origins of the org chart, its limitations in fostering innovation and treating people well, and introduces a new model focused on managing outcomes rather than people. She discusses the core functions necessar...

We are excited to celebrate our 300th episode of the Inspired Nonprofit Leadership with special guest Brandon Dean Johnson, CEO of Create Now, an LA-based nonprofit focused on empowering underserved youth through arts education. Brandon shares his journey from being unhoused to leading a successful nonprofit, drawing from his background in graphic design and fine arts. He discusses the importance...

In this episode Sarah Olivieri shares her three top tips for developing your staff at your organization, covering both heads vs. hands roles and the importance of understanding key functions. She also delves into opening up the advancement process and moving toward a model of distributed leadership. Whether you're part of a nonprofit or for-profit organization, these actionable strategies will hel...

This episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership features disaster expert Patrick Hardy. Learn about Patrick's unique approach to disaster preparedness for non-profit organizations, focusing on the 'five pockets' strategy to ensure continuous operations during any crisis. Discover Patrick's incredible journey of breaking a world record for the longest CPR marathon and gain practical tips to empower y...

Join host and nonprofit leadership expert Sarah Olivieri on Inspired Nonprofit Leadership as she dives into the critical topic of overcoming board dysfunction. In this episode, Sarah shares three essential tips for refining board structures, emphasizing the transition from a governance to an oversight model. She also discusses the importance of continuous learning for board members and building a...

In this episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership, Sarah Olivieri welcomes Alan Harrison, a seasoned nonprofit arts professional and author, to discuss the critical need for nonprofit arts organizations to focus on creating measurable impact in their communities. Alan emphasizes that arts organizations must go beyond just producing art and work towards making a tangible, positive difference in soci...

Join host Sarah Olivieri in this episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership, where she shares invaluable strategies on how to start making smart choices using simple data. Discover the importance of tracking key metrics weekly without depending on complex dashboards or automation. Learn how to balance outcome and execution goals, identify critical data points, and integrate data review into your rou...

In this episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership, host Sarah Olivieri welcomes executive coach and leadership consultant Rachel Burr. With over 20 years of experience in leadership, coaching, and organizational development, Rachel shares invaluable insights into effective communication, the power of humor, and overcoming imposter syndrome. They discuss the importance of authenticity, practical tip...

Join Sarah Olivieri in this insightful episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership, where she answers a pressing question from a board member: "How can we justify approving a big expense during a tight budget year?" Sarah discusses different categories of expenses and offers practical advice on focusing on revenue-generating expenses even in challenging financial times. Learn why cutting costs is not...

On this episode, host Sarah Olivieri chats with Bryce Wolf, Director of Strategic Growth at Unit 4, about the transformative power and challenges of AI in the nonprofit sector. They dive into practical strategies for balancing AI's benefits with data privacy, and how to make data truly meaningful using AI-powered tools. Dive in for tips to help you navigate the evolving world of AI and enhance you...

In this episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership, host Sarah Olivieri discusses why taking more risks can be beneficial for nonprofit organizations. She explores the common tendency to avoid risks in the nonprofit sector, which can lead to stagnation and reduced impact. Sarah also provides four strategies to help nonprofits transition into risk-taking, including experimenting with small-scale inno...

Addiction to money, creating decentralized organizations, and the importance of measurable goals all get highlighted in this episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership. Host Sarah Olivieri interviews Ali Horriyat, who left the lucrative, profit-driven world of finance in 2016 and donated his entire net worth of millions to devote himself to his vision of a society where compassion, empathy, and soci...

Join Sarah Olivieri on Inspired Nonprofit Leadership as she tackles the pervasive issue of the poverty mindset in nonprofits. Learn how this scarcity mindset can hold back your organization and discover strategic steps to foster an abundance mentality. Sarah shares real-life examples, the cost of a scarcity mindset, and offers three actionable tips to cultivate a culture of abundance. This episode...

This episode is packed with insights on relationship building, problem-solving, fundraising, and the power of community-driven impact. Perfect for nonprofit leaders looking to maximize their impact and grow their organizations. Join host Sarah Olivieri on Inspired Nonprofit Leadership as she interviews Shilpa Alva, founder and executive director of Surge for Water. Discover Shilpa's inspiring jour...

In this episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership, host Sarah Olivieri shares three essential tips for measuring the impact of your nonprofit organization. Learn how to identify meaningful outcomes, measure your organization's achievements, and evaluate the overall need to determine your impact gap. With over two decades of experience, Sarah shares valuable insights to help you make strategic decis...

In this episode, host Sarah Olivieri is joined by Michael Randel, an experienced organizational change practitioner and founder of Randall Consulting Associates. Michael shares his career journey, particularly his experience with nonprofit organizations in South Africa, and discusses the importance of lifelong learning and leadership coaching. The conversation delves into the distinctions between...

Join host Sarah Olivieri on Inspired Nonprofit Leadership as she shares essential strategies and tips for evaluating executive directors. This episode explores the importance of regular evaluations, setting clear evaluation criteria, and providing constructive feedback and support. Whether you're an executive director, board member, or nonprofit leader, you'll gain valuable insights to enhance lea...

Join Sarah Olivieri, host of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership, as she discusses nonprofit strategies and insights with special guest Rebecca Reiner, Executive Director of Sincere Foundation, who shares her extensive experience in humanitarianism, fundraising, and leading a corporate foundation. Learn about the unique aspects of corporate-funded foundations, the importance of trust in nonprofit fundin...

In this episode, host Sarah Olivieri dives into the importance of strategic planning and execution, offering three valuable strategy tips you can implement immediately! Tune in for insights and tips to navigate your nonprofit leadership journey effectively. Episode Highlights Understanding Strategy and Execution Tip #1: Achieving More by Doing Less Tip #2: Aligning Projects with Strategic Goals Ti...