The Practice of Nonprofit Leadership

Send a text From national to local, one of the most challenging seasons of a nonprofit executive director is leading your organization during a contentious election year.  An even greater challenge is when the mission of your organization becomes a significant issue in the political dialogue. On today's episode, Tim and Nathan provide some key actions steps to take when navigating this challe...

Send a text So what do you do when you have to tell your Board that you fell short of your fundraising goal? Communicating bad news to your Board can be tough, especially when it concerns finances.  But as an Executive Director, it's part of the job.  On today's episode, Tim and Nathan guide you through the sensitive process of delivering less-than-stellar news to your nonprofit board.  ...

Send a text With this 2024 Kickoff episode, Season 4 of the Practice of Nonprofit Leadership begins!  And what better way to begin then with Tim and Nathan revealing their Three Words for 2024.   The concept of Three Words is to select words that will serve as a compass for the year. These words help to direct the individuals focus and energy and also provide an opportunity for accountability. Tim...

Send a text As one year comes to a close and a new year is on the horizon, how should a nonprofit leader prepare for what lies ahead? On today's episode, Tim and Nathan share some of the questions and strategies they use to prepare for a new year.  The questions lead them to take a look back and then to look forward.  The questions include celebration, honesty, hope, and challenge.   Taking t...

Send a text Another year is quickly coming to an end.  As preparations are being made for a new year, taking time to review the past year is an important habit to develop.  A key question to ask is, "How did my leadership measure up this year?" On today's episode, Tim and Nathan discuss four key areas to consider when reviewing your leadership this year.  Sharing actions step plus p...

Send a text Most job descriptions for Executive Directors, contain at least one bullet point that focuses on them representing, connecting,  and being visible in the community.  How important is this for the organization?   On today's episode, Nathan explores several points that should be considered when planning this in your schedule.  What are the possible outcomes for this effort?  Where s...

Send a text Ready to demystify the world of fundraising metrics?  Nathan spends time googling "Fundraising Metrics"; Tim...not so much.  But they both know the importance and the cautions with using specific metrics when tracking nonprofit fundraising. On today's episode, Nathan walks us through four key fundraising metrics (Gift Size, Number of New Donors,  Cost of Dollar Raised, a...

Send a text Have you ever noticed how the simplest 'thank you' can light up your day?  On today's episode, Tim and Nathan discuss how gratitude can transform your non-profit organization's culture and amplify your leadership, including the impact on the mental well-being of non-profit leaders, despite the challenges they face. Speaking from experience, the guys share insights i...

Send a text Ever feel like you're stumbling in the dark when it comes to budgeting for your non-profit organization? The thought of revenue planning and expense analysis might seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be.  In part 2 of our focus on nonprofit budgeting,  Tim and Nathan, are here to guide you through this financial labyrinth with clarity and ease. We provide you with a fresh p...

Send a text Ready to supercharge your non-profit's budgeting process?  Join us, your hosts Tim Barnes and Nathan Ruby, as we disclose the keys to effective financial planning for non-profit organizations. We guarantee you'll walk away with actionable strategies to align your budget with your organization's mission, identify opportunities, and assess what's working and what&apos...

Send a text Non-profit leadership is a dynamic journey that requires responsive and strategic decision-making.  On today's episode, Tim and Nathan delve into how to discern a crisis and make informed decisions about what's crucial at any given moment.  In our candid conversation, we break down three essential points to decide what needs immediate attention versus what can wait. This incl...

Send a text What if you could discover unusual and profitable sources of donations for your non-profit?  This episode is designed to reveal unconventional and exciting sources of donations that move beyond the traditional checkbook giving. With Tim on assignment with his organization, Nathan delves deep into a variety of potential sources such as stocks, donor-advised funds, business gifts, and re...

Send a text How can a small nonprofit's online presence become an effective fundraising strategy?  What  practical steps can be taken to raise awareness to the work that the organization is doing? What are the benefits and challenges in online fundraising?  On this encore episode (ep. 34), we are joined by Christina Edwards , Founder of Splendid Consulting and a marketing expert and coach who...

Send a text What if the barrier between you and the big gifts is not the donors but your own fear?  What does it look like to be bold in your approach to fundraising? On today's episode, Tim and Nathan are focused on helping nonprofit executive directors to develop boldness in fundraising.   Sharing from their own experiences, the guys provide 5 ways to add boldness to the task of raising fun...

Send a text Welcome to Part 2 of Unlocking the Secrets to Effective Direct Mail Fundraising.   Once again, Tim and Nathan point out the importance of effective direct mail fundraising for small to medium nonprofits. On this episode, the following points are discussed: Your mailing should include the Impact and Results of your organization Make it easy to take action Engage with visuals Build Trust...

Send a text Ready to crack the code of direct mail fundraising?  Appeal letters are a crucial tool for nonprofit organizations to engage donors and raise funds.  But in a busy, media-saturated world, it can be a challenge to grab the attention of current and potential donors. Today's episode is part one of a two-part series focused on the secrets of grabbing the attention of donors through di...

Send a text Feeling stuck waiting for motivation to strike?    What if the solution to unlock that motivation is simpler than you think?  On this episode, Nathan lays out the following regarding Leadership and Motivation: Taking action leads to motivation Procrastination kills motivation Motivation is a result of consistent action To get more information and sign up for the Fundraising Fundamental...

Send a text Are you ready to ignite the engine of your nonprofit leadership with the power of momentum? Drawing from the world of sports, their own nonprofit experience, and the experience of others, Tim and Nathan discuss the power of momentum, it's importance, and 5 key elements that are crucial to get and keep momentum in your nonprofit organization. Mentioned on this podcast: Craig Groesc...

Send a text Can nonprofit staff members also serve as volunteers in the organization at which they work?  Good question!  Small nonprofits with limited staff and volunteers, often see this as a way to get needed roles filled.  But it's complicated! On today's episode, Tim and Nathan dive into what is an important but sometimes murky topic.  Important because if not handled correctly, it...

Send a text What if one of the secrets to becoming a more effective leader was as simple as prioritizing your physical health? In today's episode, Tim and Nathan unravel their personal journeys towards better health and how it has transformed their leadership skills. They delve into how lifestyle changes and mindset adjustments have helped them achieve their health goals - and how these chang...

Send a text How do you deal with "Hard Conversations"...Run away, Ignore, or Dive in into them? On today's episode, Tim and Nathan explore 4 keys areas to consider when navigating  difficult or uncomfortable conversation.  These key areas can provide confidence in dealing with this important area of leadership. These areas are: - Defining hoped for outcomes of the conversation -  Go...

Send a text What happens when you finally take the leap after seven long years of dreaming, planning, and talking about launching a podcast? Well, you'll end up celebrating your 100th episode! On this episode,Christina Edwards (Host of The Purpose and Profit Club podcast) joins Tim and Nathan, to celebrate this major milestone.  With Christina's help, we peel back the curtain to share ou...

Send a text Want to unlock the secrets of cultivating a thriving organizational culture that boosts staff engagement, productivity and retention?  On today's episode Tim and Nathan uncover four key elements for creating a culture that people genuinely love. From defining your core mission, vision, and values to the crucial role of open communication in fostering trust, the discussion leaves n...

Send a text Ready to tackle the first 60 days as a nonprofit executive director?   Or maybe you have been in your role for awhile but are feeling stuck or stagnant. On today's episode, Tim and Nathan provide intentional actions a new executive director should take during their first 60 days in the role.  They are also the things an Executive Director should keep on doing throughout their tenu...

Send a text Is your Life Purpose the same as the purpose of the organization that you lead? On today's episode, Tim and Nathan discuss the importance of discovering your life purpose and how that impacts your personal leadership.  Sharing from their own journeys, several concepts are shared...such as understanding the personal uniqueness of life purpose, paying attention to your strengths and...