Patton McDowell

Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership

Business EN ↓ 376 episodes

Ranked #1 on FeedSpot's Nonprofit Leadership and Philanthropy podcast lists, Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership is the go-to resource for current and aspiring nonprofit leaders. Hosted by Dr. Patton McDowell and powered by Armstrong McGuire, the show delivers practical wisdom from the sector's most experienced executives, fundraisers, board leaders, and consultants — every Thursday. Patton brings 30+ years of nonprofit leadership, coaching, and consulting experience, and shares proven best practices for individual and organizational success drawn from his work with hundreds of nonprofit organiz...

Author

Patton McDowell

Category

Business

Podcast website

www.podpage.com

Latest episode

Jul 9, 2026

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Episodes

201: Key Fundraising Trends Nonprofit Leaders Need to Know (Matt Nash) 16.03.2023

201: Key Fundraising Trends Nonprofit Leaders Need to Know (Matt Nash) SUMMARY As a nonprofit leader, are you aware of the unique motivations many Donor Advise Fund (DAF) givers share? Do you target stewardship efforts to this group of individuals specifically? In episode #201 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership , Matt Nash , who has been on the cutting edge of recent key fundraising trends in th...

200: Nonprofit Leaders: Which Trends Should You Follow? (Becky Endicott & Jon McCoy) 09.03.2023

200: Nonprofit Leaders: Which Trends Should You Follow? (Becky Endicott & Jon McCoy) SUMMARY What key trends are you following as a leader in 2023? For the enterprising nonprofit executive, one of the best sources of cutting-edge information on hot topics in the sector is We Are For Good , and that’s why we waited until the  #200th episode of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership to speak with Bec...

199: Finding Your Passion as a Nonprofit Leader (Helena Scott) 02.03.2023

199: Finding Your Passion as a Nonprofit Leader (Helena Scott) SUMMARY How do you find – and keep - your passion as a nonprofit leader? In episode #199 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership , Helena Scott shares her remarkable two-decade journey with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and what sustains her energy and motivation. She discusses challenges, benefits and unique opportunities inherent...

198: Dirty Little Secrets of Direct Response Fundraising (Andrew Olsen) 23.02.2023

198: Dirty Little Secrets of Direct Response Fundraising (Andrew Olsen) SUMMARY What is direct response fundraising? Is it part of your overall fundraising plan and are you getting the returns you expect? In episode #198 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, Andrew Olsen returns to the podcast and explains why you need a better way to fundraise. Many nonprofits coming out of Covid are achieving th...

197: Building a New Community as a Nonprofit Leader (Sherri Chisholm) 16.02.2023

197: Building a New Community as a Nonprofit Leader (Sherri Chisholm) SUMMARY Stepping into a new leadership role is an exciting challenge, but doing it in a new community can create new complexities. In episode #197 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership , seasoned nonprofit leader Sherri Chisholm shares how she navigated a new community while maintaining her personal and professional connection to...

196: Key Strategies for Becoming an Exceptional Nonprofit Leader (Denver Frederick) 09.02.2023

196: Key Strategies for Becoming an Exceptional Nonprofit Leader (Denver Frederick) SUMMARY As a nonprofit leader, you’re committed to achieving greater impact, yet recent challenges could hinder the effective implementation of your mission. In episode #196 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership , we’re joined by Denver Frederick , a pioneer in the philanthropic sector who has been on the cutting ed...

195: Leading a Nonprofit in a Post-Pandemic Environment (Katherine Lambert) 02.02.2023

195: Leading a Nonprofit in a Post Pandemic Working Environment (Katherine Lambert) SUMMARY The pandemic put a unique pressure on nonprofit organizations and its leaders to do more with less, and adapt to new technologies and structures. As we usher in a post Covid-19 future, what will the new normal in the nonprofit sector look like? In episode #195 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership , we speak...

194: 3 Essential Characteristics for Nonprofit Leaders (Jama Campbell) 26.01.2023

194: 3 Essential Characteristics for Nonprofit Leaders (Jama Campbell) SUMMARY As a nonprofit leader looking for specific program funding, are you aware of all your opportunities and what those potential funders are specifically looking for when considering where to invest? In episode #194 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership , we talk with SECU Foundation Executive Director Jama Campbell about ke...

193: Social Impact Strategies for Nonprofit Leaders (Jacob Harold) 19.01.2023

193: Social Impact Strategies for Nonprofit Leaders (Jacob Harold) SUMMARY Many nonprofit leaders have social impact amongst their chief objectives, but do you know what social impact truly means and how to measure the impact you’re having? In episode #193 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership , social change strategist Jacob Harold shares his tools to help you transform your corner of the world. A...

192: Everything You Think About Board Development Is Wrong (Sabrina Walker Hernandez) 12.01.2023

192: Everything You Think About Board Development Is Wrong (Sabrina Walker Hernandez) SUMMARY What is the biggest misconception about board development that many nonprofit leaders face? Do you have the right members on your board and do they know exactly why they've been invited to join? Sabrina Walker Hernandez , who has over 25 years’ experience in nonprofit management, answers these questi...

191: Managing Turnover as a Nonprofit Leader (Bert Armstrong) 05.01.2023

119: Managing Turnover as a Nonprofit Leader (Bert Armstrong) SUMMARY As turnover affects every level of our nonprofit organizations, leaders are asking themselves “how do I attract and retain the talented people we need?” In episode #191 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership , we speak with Bert Armstrong , who has served more than three decades in the philanthropic sector, about navigating turnov...

190: 22 Resources from 2022: Fundraising, Finance & Future Focus 29.12.2022

190: 22 Resources from 2022: Fundraising, Finance & Future Focus Fundraising Rhea Wong’s Developing the Right Mindset to be an Effective Fundraiser Deepa Naik’s 3 Ways Your Nonprofit Can Inspire Greater Investment Autumn Keck’s Elevating Your Grants Program as a Nonprofit Leader Holly Rustick’s Why Diversification is Vital to Your Fundraising Plan Jay Frost’s Horror Stories of Fundraising: Wha...

189: Maximizing Community Relationships as a Nonprofit Leader (Kathy Rogers) 22.12.2022

189: Maximizing Community Relationships as a Nonprofit Leader (Kathy Rogers) SUMMARY Community partnerships can be an effective way to accomplish shared goals. What are the factors that make some partnerships more effective than others? In episode #189 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership , Mental Health America of Central Carolinas Executive Director Kathy Rogers outlines the importance of buildi...

188: How Can You Be More Effective as a Nonprofit Leader? (Grace Nicolette) 15.12.2022

188: How Can You Be More Effective as a Nonprofit Leader? (Grace Nicolette) SUMMARY Being effective in the philanthropic sector is uniquely challenging. To make every dollar count, you must continually assess performance, learn from data, and adapt in ways that are consistent with effectiveness. Grace Nicolette , co-host of the widely acclaimed Giving Done Right Podcast and Center for Effective Ph...

187: Managing A Nonprofit Merger: Would You Be Ready? (Dr. Monique Perry-Graves) 08.12.2022

187: Managing A Nonprofit Merger: Would You Be Ready? (Dr. Monique Perry-Graves) SUMMARY As nonprofits consider strategies for the future, its leadership may explore the possibility of re-aligning resources, collaborating to increase efficiencies, or even entering a formal strategic alliance or merger with another nonprofit. In episode #187 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership , Dr. Monique Perry-...

186: Why Don’t Board Members Do What They’re Supposed to Do? (Hardy Smith) 01.12.2022

186: Why Don’t Board Members Do What They’re Supposed to Do? (Hardy Smith) SUMMARY Are your nonprofit board members as engaged as they should be? Do they micromanage or are they completely disengaged? In episode #186 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership , author of Stop the Nonprofit Board Blame Game , Hardy Smith , discusses what an effective board really means. He details actions to avoid board...

185: Happy Thanksgiving: 7 Ideas For Which You'll Thank Me (Patton McDowell) 24.11.2022

What are you doing to actually move closer to your ideal leadership role in the nonprofit sector?  In this solo episode #185 of The Path Podcast , I offer seven specific ideas that can help you build your personal strategic plan for the year ahead. 1. Declutter   2. Calendar Review  3. Aspirational Job Postings  4. Read A Book  5. Create a Guide List  6. Two Topic Curriculum  7. Coach and be Coach...

184: Excelling at Team Development as a Nonprofit Leader (Liz Brigham) 17.11.2022

184: Excelling at Team Development as a Nonprofit Leader (Liz Brigham) SUMMARY Is the synergy of your team firing on all cylinders? Do you make time for an intentional pause, to first look back at what got you to where you are and what it will take to get you to that next level? Liz Brigham of the Jay Hurt Hub for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Davidson College answers these questions and mo...

183: National Philanthropy Day: How Will You Celebrate? (Robert Touchstone) 10.11.2022

183: National Philanthropy Day: How Will You Celebrate? (Robert Touchstone) SUMMARY As a nonprofit leader, how can you leverage National Philanthropy Day throughout the year? Learn why it’s celebrated across the nation and about some of the local winners worthy of recognition as we talk with AFP Charlotte President Robert Touchstone in episode #183 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership . Robert adv...

182: Breaking Down Barriers as a Nonprofit Leader (Nyeisha Dewitt) 03.11.2022

182: Breaking Down Barriers as a Nonprofit Leader (Nyeisha Dewitt) SUMMARY How do you blend your life experiences with a passion for change and actually do something about it? Dr. Nyeisha Dewitt is eminently qualified to answer this question. In episode #182 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership , Nyeisha shares her journey to nonprofit leadership, the lessons she’s learned, and the challenges she’...

181: What Are Your Donors Thinking? (Derric Bakker) 27.10.2022

181: What Are Your Donors Thinking?  (Derric Bakker) SUMMARY After record-level giving during Covid, what are your donors thinking with uncertain economic conditions ahead? In episode #181 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership , we talk with Derric Bakker , a 30+ year expert fundraiser and founder of the annual Donor Insight Study , about what donors are likely to do in the year ahead. After multip...

180: How Can You Use Technology to Amplify Good? (Ray Gary) 20.10.2022

180: How Can You Use Technology to Amplify Good? (Ray Gary) SUMMARY Today’s donors have become empowered consumers conditioned by predictive technology experiences. As a nonprofit leader, do you truly embrace the donor experience? Is your technology more convenient for the organization than it is for your donors? In episode #180 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership technology expert, Ray Gary expl...

179: Transition Across Sectors: Are You Ready to Lead a Nonprofit? (Beth Reaves) 13.10.2022

179: Transition Across Sectors: Are You Ready to Lead a Nonprofit? (Beth Reaves) SUMMARY Are you considering a career move to a mission based nonprofit and wonder how your corporate skills will transfer to the philanthropic sector? In episode #179 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership , one time fortune 50 company executive, Beth Reaves shares what to expect for a successful transition. Having deve...

178: Building a Diverse and Talented Team at Your Nonprofit (Julie Kratz) 06.10.2022

178: Building a Diverse and Talented Team at Your Nonprofit (Julie Kratz) SUMMARY As a nonprofit leader, are you creating a more inclusive and diverse culture at your organization, especially at the leadership level? In episode #178 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, we talk with an inclusivity expert, Julie Kratz , about developing the framework for building a diverse and talented leadership t...

177: Mastering Your Financial Acumen as a Nonprofit Leader (Kevin Briscoe) 29.09.2022

Kevin Briscoe 177: Mastering Your Financial Acumen as a Nonprofit Leader (Kevin Briscoe) SUMMARY Is your organization positioned to navigate the unique strategic and financial challenges inherent in nonprofit settings? As a nonprofit leader, do you need more financial expertise but don’t know if you can afford it? In episode #177 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership , financial expert Kevin Brisco...

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