The Practice of Nonprofit Leadership

Send a text We have truly jumped into 2023 and activities, programs, and projects are ramping up.  But are you sure your organization is focused on the right initiatives?  Where will you focus your energy, resources, and staff? In this episode, Tim and Nathan provide insight on how to choose your organization's key initiatives.   They explore how to review what is currently happening, what pr...

Send a text In episode 65, Tim and Nathan talked about Living with Intent in 2023.   At that time, they introduced the concept of 3 Words, where one chooses 3 words that will provide focus and intent for that year. On today's episode, Tim and Nathan reveal their 3 words for 2023, why they chose them, and how they see them playing out.  They also provide a few reminders on how to choose and us...

Send a text Tim and Nathan are back from their holiday break.  In this episode, Tim and Nathan reflect on the ideas and thoughts they had during their break and how they are bringing them to their work and personal life in 2023.. .ideas that may be helpful to consider for your 2023. To indicate interest in the 2023 Masterclass on Fundraising mentioned in this episode, you can go here . The Hosts o...

Send a text Happy New Year!  Tim and Nathan are finishing up their holiday break. On today's episode, Tim explores the concept of Mission Drift ...how it happens, the results of mission drift and how to prevent it from happening in 2023. To indicate interest in the 2023 Masterclass on Fundraising mentioned in this episode, you can go here . The Hosts of  The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:...

Send a text In preparing for 2023, what Leadership Mindsets should you take into the new year? On today's episode, Nathan focuses on 3 Leadership mindsets that are important to consider as you prepare for the new year ahead.  Nathan also provides a practical application for each mindset. The Mindsets discussed are: 1.  Focus on Outcomes 2.  Communicate a Clear Vision 3.  Get Good at Delegatin...

Send a text What does the last two weeks of 2022 look like for you?   In this episode, Tim shares 4 actions that he and Nathan are taking in these last two weeks of 2022.  The actions are: Rest Review Celebrate Prepare To indicate interest in the 2023 Masterclass on Fundraising mentioned in this episode, you can go here . The Hosts of  The Practice of NonProfit Leadership: Tim Barnes serves as the...

Send a text On this episode, Tim and Nathan introduce one of the tools they use for leading with intent in their life and work called My 3 Words.   Picked up from Chris Brogan , Tim and Nathan share best practices for choosing and applying  My 3 Words strategy and then share their words from 2022. To indicate interest in the 2023 Masterclass on Fundraising mentioned in this episode, you can go her...

Send a text So that's the question?  Would you ever say "No" to a donation?   That may sound unthinkable when your nonprofit is dependent on donations to continue to do its good work. On today's episode, Tim and Nathan discuss some of the reasons that donations may be "Tainted" and the impact they may have on the reputation of your organization and its ability to cont...

Send a text What is the difference between vision and mission?  How much cash should a small to medium nonprofit have in reserve?  How does an Executive Director decide what to do with their day? On today's episode, Tim and Nathan discuss these and other questions that they have received from podcast listeners or have been asked by nonprofit executive directors.  They also mention two ways to...

Send a text The late Max DePree, former CEO of Herman Miller, wrote the following in his book, Leadership Is An Art, "The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality.  The last is to say thank you!" (emphasis ours) As we move towards the U.S. holiday of Thanksgiving, Tim and Nathan discuss the importance of saying "Thank You",  key constituencies to whom we should be...

Send a text So you are ready for your first official Board Meeting, as the Executive Director of your nonprofit.  But questions begin to come to mind.   Who puts together the Board Meeting Agenda?  What items should be on the Agenda?  What am I responsible for in the meeting? Tim is on the road, so Nathan is going solo as he dives into putting together a Board Meeting Agenda.  Pulling from his yea...

Send a text High Inflation.  Volatile Markets.  Global Conflict.   How might these factors impact the year-end giving push for your nonprofit organization?  Maybe not the way you might think. On today's episode, Tim and Nathan explore a number of the economic challenges currently taking place, how individuals and foundations tend to respond to these uncertainties, and what that might mean for...

Send a text It is no secret that leading and working in nonprofit organizations can be stressful, leading to a high burnout rate in global nonprofits.   This is especially true when the stress is prolonged and becomes chronic, impacting a leader's health, relationships, and ability to function in their jobs. On today's episode, Tim and Nathan dive into the issue of dealing with stress in...

Send a text One of the key roles of an Executive Director is securing individual major financial gifts for their organization.  To secure those gifts requires cultivation to help build connection and trust with the organization. On today's episode, Tim and Nathan welcome special guest Terry Egan, Director of Development for Children's Organ Transplant Association to discuss cultivation i...

Send a text On today's episode, Tim and Nathan address 4 common lies that Executive Directors tell themselves.  These lies often impact an Executive Director's ability to lead the organization to effectiveness and impact.  The lies discussed are: I should take a lower salary. Donors don't want me to talk to them about their giving. Running my organization as a business is wrong. I h...

Send a text A donor, a board member, or a volunteer approaches you with what they believe is an amazing idea on how to raise more funds...or an idea for a new program or new direction the organization should take.  What if it is a really good idea?  Even more challenging, what if it is a terrible idea? On today's episode, Tim and Nathan explore how to respond as an Executive Director  to unso...

Send a text In an encore presentation from episode 24, Tim and Nathan share part 1 of their interview with Rob Hatch , co-founder and President of Owner Media group.   Rob is also the author of Attention!: The power of simple decisions in a distracted world. Rob shares about his journey as a Nonprofit Executive Director and what he has learned about leading yourself and your organization.  Among o...

Send a text Boards are more than a necessary evil ... but are an important part of a successful and impactful nonprofit. And the relationship between the Executive Director and the Board is a key part of that. In today's episode, Tim and Nathan explore how the Executive Director/Board relationship gets stuck and then discuss four qualities that encourages  the relationship to flourish and the...

Send a text Finding unique opportunities and reasons for donors to give to your nonprofit, is a consistent challenge for nonprofit leaders. One such opportunity is a global movement toward generosity called Giving Tuesday.  Created in 2012 and taking place on the last Tuesday each November, this event has truly become a worldwide opportunity for people to give toward a cause they care about. Here...

Send a text In his book, The Four Hour Work Week, Tim Ferriss includes this quote: "a person's success in life can usually be measuredly the number of uncomfortable conversations he or she is willing to have.  But a recent stat points out that "40% of people report that they have put off a conversation for six months or more...hoping the issue disappears. On today's episode, Ti...

Send a text Summer is coming to a close.  Kids are back in school.  Football season is here. And NOW is the time to start the sprint to Year End Fundraising.  On today's episode, Tim and Nathan discuss why year end fundraising needs to start now.  Nathan shares 4 action steps that Executive Director should initiate in September, to lay the foundation for a successful End of the Year Fundraisi...

Send a text Over the past few weeks, we have had conversations with individuals who have recently taken on the role as a new nonprofit Executive Director. The questions always comes up… " Now what do I do? " "Where do I start?" " What should the first few days/weeks look like? " "How do I figure out what my priorities should be?" On today's episode, Tim...

Send a text For many nonprofits, the end of summer is often when organizations start to feel the cash crunch.  The binges connected to the big end of the year revenue flow has subsided and the there are a few more month months still the end of the year fundraising starts to ramp up.  And that's when knowing and understanding cash flow is so important. On today's episode, Tim and Nathan d...

Send a text This may come as a shock, but Executive Directors and Nonprofit Leaders are Human .  So what happens in our family, our communities, and in the world can impact how we think and feel.  And can have an impact on how we lead. On today's episode, Nathan explores the concept of mindset and how it impacts our leadership.  He presents 3 mindsets that can help us be better leaders in the...

Send a text It's in the name of our podcast.    One of the most important factors in whether a nonprofit is effective and impactful is leadership . And it’s true whether we are talking about a small one person organization or a large multimillion dollar global organization. Leadership is a key factor. On today's episode, Tim and Nathan explore the kind of leadership others will want to f...