Nonprofit Counsel Podcast

Nonprofit leadership faces its greatest test as democracy in the United States is under attack, demanding sector-wide transformation. In this episode, May Harris welcomes Vu Le, rabble rousing nonprofit leader and creator of the Nonprofit AF blog, who argues that moderation has paralyzed nonprofits from taking necessary political advocacy stances. Vu dismantles the myth that organizations will los...

Michael Stein, a nonprofit strategist with 30+ years of experience, has witnessed the complete evolution of digital fundraising from its inception in the 80's to today's AI-powered landscape. In this conversation with May Harris, he reveals how nonprofit strategy has shifted from simple email collection to sophisticated donor stewardship programs using predictive analytics. Discover why CRM platfo...

Nonprofit leadership transition can be challenging, especially for professional athletes. On The Nonprofit Counsel Podcast, host May Harris welcomes Danny Barrett, former Olympic USA Rugby player and current executive director of the Golden Eagles Foundation. Danny shares his journey from representing Team USA at two Olympics and two Rugby World Cups to leading the Golden Eagles Foundation. Discov...

Donor-advised funds are revolutionizing philanthropic giving, and in this episode of The Nonprofit Counsel Podcast, host May Harris sits down with author Ted Hart to explore why. Ted's latest book, The DAF Revolution, unpacks how donor-advised funds have become the fastest-growing form of philanthropy ever, with over $250 billion in assets. They discuss the advantages DAFs offer over private found...

Nonprofit fundraising expert Ken Miller joins May Harris on The Nonprofit Counsel Podcast to share transformative insights on building sustainable development programs and organizational resilience. Ken, founder and CEO of Denali FSP, brings a unique perspective shaped by his journey from homelessness to becoming a Certified Fund-Raising Executive. He reveals how to start a nonprofit fundraising p...

Nonprofit volunteer management transforms how organizations create community impact. In this episode of The Nonprofit Counsel Podcast, host May Harris interviews Rachael Orose, Executive Director of Words Alive, about mobilizing 800+ volunteers annually for her San Diego literacy program. Rachael reveals strategies for meaningful volunteer recruitment, integrating volunteerism with philanthropy, a...

In this episode, May Harris welcomes Juan Pablo Berrizbeitia to discuss nonprofit capacity building. JP shares his unique journey from grassroots lawyering in Venezuela to becoming an interim executive director and nonprofit consultant. He introduces the "nonprofit building mindset," a transformative approach that goes beyond day-to-day operations to create lasting organizational systems. Through...

Nonprofit advocacy takes center stage as May Harris welcomes John Van Cleef, CEO of Community Resource Center. In this episode, John shares how community-based organizations can amplify voices for vulnerable populations during unprecedented federal funding challenges. He introduces the concept of polycrisis and emphasizes creating psychological safety in nonprofits to support staff navigating trau...

Nonprofit accounting and legal services require specialized expertise that most professionals lack. On this episode of Nonprofit Counsel, host May Harris speaks with Mike Payne, founder and CEO of Boss Advisors, about why combining these disciplines creates better outcomes for charitable organizations. Mike shares his journey from Ernst & Young's tax-exempt organization practice to building an inn...

Explore nonprofit accounting and financial leadership on Nonprofit Counsel, hosted by May Harris. T. Hampton Dohrman of Hampton Nonprofit Management breaks down the operational challenges of interim executive director roles. Learn about insurance compliance, workers' compensation, payroll systems, and cash flow planning to stabilize your organization. Navigate board financials, manage restricted f...

Nonprofit leadership takes center stage in this robust conversation with Sarah Tuakli Cooper. Host May Harris brings this discussion to life on the Nonprofit Counsel Podcast, highlighting Sarah's dual roles as executive director and board chair. With decades of experience, Sarah explores how conflict resolution, diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as authentic nonprofit governance, create st...

Nonprofit boards, board governance, philanthropy, donor engagement, and nonprofit strategy are front and center in this episode of the Nonprofit Counsel Podcast. Host May Harris sits down with Ryan Ponsford, co-founder of Gateway for Good and founder of Main Street Philanthropy, to talk about how giving and board service can create deeper connections, stronger organizations, and even help reunite...

Nonprofit strategy, food insecurity, food waste, donor engagement, and community building are at the heart of this episode of the Nonprofit Counsel Podcast. Host May Harris sits down with Tania Marino, Culinary Director at Gather and board member of the Golden Eagles, to explore how nonprofits can mobilize communities to fight hunger and waste. Tania shares the history of Gather, one of the oldest...

Nonprofit startup strategy, fundraising, board governance, and leadership—these are the challenges every founder faces. In this episode of the Nonprofit Counsel Podcast, host May Harris talks with Traci DeForge, founder and CEO of Produce Your Podcast and co-founder of the Podcast Professionals Association. Traci shares her personal journey of moving past 20 years of hesitation to finally launch a...

Nonprofit marketing, donor engagement, and storytelling are no longer optional. In this episode of the Nonprofit Counsel Podcast, host May Harris sits down with Jules Taggart, founder and CEO of Wayward Kind and fractional Chief Marketing Officer. Jules explains why today's nonprofits can't rely only on friendships, snail mail, or one-off campaigns to reach donors. She explains how social media, s...

How do you launch and sustain an individual giving program—especially if you're starting from zero? In this episode of the Nonprofit Counsel Podcast, host May Harris talks with Kelly McLaughlin, founder and CEO of From Scratch Fundraising. Kelly shares her personal journey from organizing bake sales at age five to creating a consultancy that helps nonprofits design mission-centered, trust-based ph...

What does it take to set up and manage a nonprofit endowment the right way? How can boards align investments with mission values while avoiding restrictions that limit flexibility? And where does artificial intelligence (AI) fit into the future of nonprofit operations? In this episode of the Nonprofit Counsel Podcast, host May Harris sits down with Kate Azar, Director of Nonprofit Strategy at PNC...

The nonprofit sector is more than service—it's advocacy, innovation, and one of California's largest economic forces. In this milestone 20th episode of the Nonprofit Counsel Podcast, host May Harris speaks with Geoff Green, CEO of the California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofits). Geoff shares insights on nonprofit advocacy, policy reform, board engagement, funding challenges, and legislati...

Running a nonprofit takes more than passion, it takes strategy, leadership, and the ability to answer the all-important "So what?" for funders, boards, and communities. In this episode of the Nonprofit Counsel Podcast, host May Harris sits down with Dr. Crystal Trull, founder of CT Nonprofit Consulting and faculty member in nonprofit leadership at the University of San Diego. Crystal shares candid...

Philanthropy and social entrepreneurship are reshaping how nonprofits, foundations, and businesses create impact. In this episode of the Nonprofit Counsel Podcast, host May Harris speaks with Dr. Paula Cordeiro, global leader in education, philanthropy, and social innovation. From her decades of experience in education and nonprofit leadership to her work with foundations and microfinance, Paula s...

Nonprofit leaders know the pain of a strategic plan that ends up as a PDF collecting dust on a shelf. In this episode of the Nonprofit Counsel Podcast, host May Harris sits down with Andrea Ortega, founder and CEO of Ante Nonprofits, to explore how grassroots and scaling organizations can build strategic plans that drive implementation, accountability, and sustainable impact. Andrea shares her jou...

Making the right hire can make or break a nonprofit. In this episode of the Nonprofit Counsel Podcast, host May Harris speaks with Trevor Blair, principal of Blair Search Partners, about the high cost of a bad hire, the first 90 days, and why human-centered recruiting is the future. From legal foundations and culture to executive search and staff retention, Trevor shares insights on building stron...

Nonprofit leadership is rewarding but often lonely and overwhelming. In this episode of the Nonprofit Counsel Podcast, host May Harris welcomes Mike Gellman, founder of High Five Career Coaching, to discuss the unique challenges nonprofit executives face and the tools that help them succeed. From peer advisory groups and mastermind circles to navigating board dynamics and building partnerships, Mi...

Starting or running a nonprofit? Understanding the difference between public charities and private foundations is critical for compliance, fundraising, and long-term impact. In this episode of the Nonprofit Counsel Podcast, host May Harris sits down with attorney Danika Mendrygal, founder of Mendrygal Law, to unpack nonprofit law essentials, IRS pitfalls, and practical compliance strategies for le...

Nonprofit law and compliance get real in this deep dive on Form 990, Schedule A vs public support, Schedule O storytelling, private foundation mixups, UBIT and 990-T, gift acceptance, and board governance. If you work with a nonprofit board or run a charity, this convo is your crash course on Form 990 and the policies that keep you compliant and funder-ready. May L. Harris, Esq. interviews Genevra...