The Nonprofit Show

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Nonprofit CEO fundraising responsibility is not optional when fiscal health, donor relationships, and organizational sustainability are on the line. In this Fundraisers Friday episode, Julia C. Patrick and Tony Beall take on a tough leadership question: what happens when a nonprofit CEO won’t fundraise?
This conversation goes straight to the business of nonprofits. Tony makes the case that even if a CEO is not making daily asks, every CEO carries responsibility for the organization’s financial health. As he puts it, “I can’t imagine there is a job description for a CEO where there isn’t some level of fiscal responsibility for the organization.”
Julia and Tony explore how fundraising expectations should appear in CEO job descriptions, how boards should manage give-or-get commitments, and why fundraising cannot remain isolated inside the development department. A strong culture of philanthropy requires more than slogans. It requires transparent communication, shared ownership, and consistent reporting.
Tony defines a healthy culture of philanthropy as one where “everyone in the organization understands their role in advancing the mission.” That shift changes the internal story from “development goes to lunches” to “relationship building is part of revenue strategy.”
The episode also addresses board accountability, CEO coaching, donor management systems, dashboards, KPIs, and the need for monthly or quarterly fundraising reporting. If fundraising results are only reviewed at year-end, leaders lose the chance to pivot, repair gaps, or support staff and board members before the damage is done.
Key Takeaways:
Every nonprofit CEO should carry clear responsibility for fiscal health, even if they are not the primary solicitor.
CEO job descriptions should include oversight, leadership, and support of the development function.
Board give-or-get expectations need active tracking by the CEO and board chair—not vague annual reminders.
A culture of philanthropy depends on mission communication, gratitude, relationship-building, and shared ownership.
Fundraising dashboards should be reviewed monthly when possible, and at least quarterly.
Donor management systems help clarify touchpoints, ownership, KPIs, and revenue attribution.
 00:00:00 Welcome
 00:02:37 Should CEO Job Descriptions Require Fundraising?
 00:04:35 Linking CEO Oversight to Development Team Goals
 00:06:39 Where Board Fundraising Responsibility Fits
 00:08:10 Managing Board Give-or-Get Commitments
 00:10:17 Defining a Real Culture of Philanthropy
 00:13:59 Sharing Fundraising Plans Without Creating Fear
 00:17:37 Can Reluctant CEOs Learn to Fundraise?
 00:20:44 Reframing Fundraising Around Relationships
 00:22:19 Tracking CEO Fundraising Through KPIs and Data
 00:25:49 Why Monthly or Quarterly Reporting Matters
 00:27:00 The Architecture of Fundraising and Shared Ownership 
#TheNonprofitShow #NonprofitFundraising
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Our national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits! 
12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PT

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Mindset as an operational skill for nonprofit leaders is becoming one of the most important conversations in nonprofit management. As burnout, decision fatigue, and constant change impact organizations across the sector, leaders are discovering that resilience, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness are not optional—they are essential business competencies.
The Nonprofit Show sits down with Karli-Rose McIntyre, Training Content Manager at Your Part-Time Controller (YPTC), to explore why mindset should be viewed as organizational infrastructure rather than personal development.
Karli-Rose shares what leaders are really asking for. While technical topics like accounting, compliance, grants, and technology remain important, many nonprofit executives are searching for guidance around decision-making, connection, resilience, and navigating uncertainty.
The discussion examines how artificial intelligence is accelerating the shift from transactional work to relationship-driven leadership. As automation handles more routine tasks, nonprofit leaders must strengthen the uniquely human skills that technology cannot replace.
As Karli-Rose shares. .  
"I think when we start treating mindset as not just a nice-to-have item, but instead as infrastructure, then that's when those human skills, like creativity, like resilience, like connection, start to come out and play."
The conversation also addresses nonprofit CEO burnout, organizational communication challenges between finance and development teams, emotional intelligence, and how leaders can create space for better decision-making amid constant demands.
Karli-Rose closes with a powerful leadership reminder: "Replace the fear of the unknown with curiosity."
For nonprofit executives, finance leaders, fundraisers, board members, and emerging professionals, this episode offers a fresh perspective on building stronger organizations from the inside out.
 
Key Takeaways:
 • Approximately half of nonprofit CEOs report concern about burnout levels, making leadership sustainability a strategic issue.
 • Leaders increasingly seek support with decision-making, connection, and resilience—not just technical training.
 • AI is increasing the value of human-centered skills such as communication, emotional intelligence, and relationship-building.
 • Mindset influences every leadership action, from budgeting and policy creation to team management and organizational culture.
 • Strong collaboration between finance, fundraising, and operations requires empathy, storytelling, and shared understanding.
 • Creativity and resilience can be developed intentionally and may help counter burnout and decision fatigue.
00:00:00 Welcome & Why Mindset Matters
00:02:09 Karli-Rose's Unique Path from CPA to Leadership Development
00:03:35 What 1,500 Monthly Webinar Registrants Are Asking For
00:05:30 The Hidden Challenges Nonprofit Leaders Face
00:08:10 AI, Leadership, and the Shift to Human Skills
00:11:20 Why Mindset Is an Operational Issue
00:14:11 Mindset as the Foundation of Decision-Making
00:15:35 Bridging the Gap Between Finance and Fundraising
00:20:01 Treating Mindset as Organizational Infrastructure
00:22:14 Burnout, Creativity, and Leadership Resilience
00:24:45 Practical Habits for Better Leadership Decisions
00:29:17 Replacing Fear with Curiosity
 #TheNonprofitShow #NonprofitMindset #NonprofitManagement
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Our national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits! 
12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PT

Send us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.com
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Nonprofit donor behavior trends in 2026 are revealing something unexpected: generosity is alive and well! The challenge isn't donor willingness to give—it's whether nonprofits are making it easy, clear, and compelling for supporters to take action.
We welcome Mary Crogan, Vice President of Brand Marketing at Bloomerang, to discuss findings from the newly released Giving Signals Report. Based on research conducted with more than 1,000 donors and 405 fundraisers, the report challenges many assumptions about today's fundraising environment.
The data shows that donors remain highly motivated to support causes they care about. In fact, 97% give because they care about their communities, 96% want to make a difference, and 92% say giving is part of who they are.
As Mary explains, "The fact is, donors are actually ready. They want to give. The question is whether the organizations are positioned to engage and receive that generosity."
The conversation explores how nonprofits can bridge the gap between caring and giving through greater clarity, stronger impact communication, and a smoother donor experience.
One of the most striking findings? Seventy percent of donors say a tipping prompt could cause them to reconsider giving altogether, while 79% say unexpected fees create hesitation. These are preventable barriers that may be costing organizations revenue every day.
The discussion also highlights the growing influence of millennial donors. Seventy-five percent plan to increase their giving this year, while 80% intend to support at least one new nonprofit.
Mary offers a simple but powerful challenge for nonprofit leaders:
“Can someone who comes to your site answer these questions in less than 30 seconds: What does this organization do? Who do they serve? Where does the money go? And is it working?"
If your organization wants to strengthen donor trust, improve fundraising results, and better understand how donor expectations are evolving, this conversation delivers important research and valuable perspective.
Key Takeaways
• 97% of donors care deeply about their communities and remain motivated to give.
• 94% are more likely to donate when organizations clearly explain where funds go.
• 70% of donors may reconsider giving when presented with tipping prompts.
• 79% say unexpected fees negatively impact their willingness to complete a gift.
• 75% of millennials plan to increase their giving this year and 80% will support a new nonprofit.
• Transparent reporting, visible impact, and frictionless giving experiences are becoming major competitive advantages.
 00:00:00 Introduction to the Giving Signals Report
 00:02:00 What 1,000 Donors Revealed About Giving
 00:04:00 Generosity Is Shifting, Not Declining
 00:06:00 The Clarity Gap Between Caring and Giving
 00:08:00 The 30-Second Website Audit Every Nonprofit Needs
 00:11:40 How Fees and Tipping Prompts Hurt Donations
 00:15:00 Creating a Frictionless Donor Experience
 00:16:25 Why Millennial Donors Matter Right Now
 00:20:30 Closing the Donor Trust and Clarity Gap
 00:24:20 What's Next for Giving Signals Research 

#TheNonprofitShow #FundraisingStrategy #DonorEngagement
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Our national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits! 
12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PT

Send us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.com
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Nonprofit CEO succession planning is no longer a future issue—it’s a current business challenge. As leadership turnover accelerates across the sector, boards and executives must rethink how they identify, recruit, and support the next generation of nonprofit CEOs.
Dana Scurlock, Managing Director at Staffing Boutique, joins Julia Patrick and Sherry Quam Taylor to discuss what organizations should be looking for when hiring a CEO and how leadership expectations are changing.
With research indicating that approximately 75% of nonprofit leaders are expected to retire by 2036, organizations face a major transition that will impact fundraising, operations, culture, and long-term sustainability. Dana explores why successful CEOs must be more than administrators—they must be communicators, relationship builders, and visionary leaders who can represent the mission externally while helping position the organization for future growth.
As Dana explains, "A CEO is a visionary, an orator, somebody that's out representing the organization elsewhere and helping the organization grow."
The conversation also examines the growing need to separate operational leadership from external leadership responsibilities. Many organizations are exploring structures that pair a forward-facing CEO with strong operational leadership to improve effectiveness, fundraising capacity, and organizational resilience.
Dana also offers guidance on one of the biggest board-level decisions nonprofits face: whether to promote from within or recruit externally. The answer depends on the organization's goals, culture, and future vision—but boards must first define where they want the organization to go.
"If you haven't defined it yet, where do we want to be? And if you don't have the answer to that, therein lies where the first leg of the work needs to come."
Whether you're a board member, executive director, CEO, or nonprofit leadership candidate, this discussion offers valuable insight into preparing your organization for the next decade of change.
Key Takeaways:
Approximately 75% of nonprofit leaders are expected to retire by 2036, creating significant succession planning challenges.
Effective nonprofit CEOs increasingly serve as visionaries, communicators, and public ambassadors for the mission.
Boards should consider separating operational leadership and external leadership responsibilities as organizations grow.
Professional fundraising expertise allows CEOs to focus on growth, partnerships, and strategic positioning.
Internal and external CEO candidates both offer advantages; organizational goals should drive the decision.
Leadership transitions should be accompanied by a clear narrative that explains the organization's future direction.
 00:00:00 Introduction: The Future of Nonprofit Leadership
 00:04:02 75% of Nonprofit Leaders Expected to Retire
 00:05:18 What Makes a Great Nonprofit CEO Today?
 00:08:57 Visionary Leadership vs Operational Leadership
 00:11:25 Should Nonprofits Redefine the CEO Role?
 00:13:45 Why More CEOs Need Strong Operations Partners
 00:19:39 The CEO's Role in Fundraising and Growth
 00:22:19 Why Professional Fundraisers Matter
 00:24:24 Hiring a CEO: Internal Promotion or External Search?
 00:26:53 Controlling the Narrative During Leadership Transitions
 00:29:01 Defining the Organization's Future Before Hiring 

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Our national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits! 
12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PT

Send us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.com
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Nonprofit interim leadership strategy is becoming essential as organizations face CEO retirements, founder exits, leadership fatigue, and urgent succession decisions. Joan Brown, COO of Third Sector Company, explains how interim leadership can help nonprofit boards move beyond crisis hiring and use transition as a business-strengthening opportunity.
Joan frames the conversation around four powerful words: purposeful, methodical, profound, and transformational. Each word helps nonprofit leaders rethink what should happen between one leader leaving and the next leader stepping in.
Rather than treating interim leadership as someone “keeping the lights on,” Joan describes it as a structured process that prepares the organization for long-term leadership success. As she says, “The purpose is to right set the organization for its next leader.”
This episode is especially valuable for nonprofit boards, executive teams, funders, and managers who are navigating CEO succession planning, founder transitions, leadership burnout, or executive search readiness. Joan explains why many organizations need an intentional pause—especially after a long-term or legacy leader leaves. Without that space, the next leader may inherit unresolved culture issues, unclear priorities, board confusion, or outdated operating systems.
A key business insight from the conversation: Third Sector Company’s average interim placement is about nine months, because meaningful transition work requires assessment, alignment, stakeholder participation, and organizational readiness.
Joan also challenges nonprofits to think in 90-day planning increments, rather than relying only on three- to five-year strategic plans. This shorter planning rhythm can help organizations focus on immediate priorities while still preparing for the future.
As Joan puts it, “Let me as an interim deal with the things that aren’t working so that when you invest in hiring a permanent person, it’s going to work for them.”
For nonprofit professionals, this conversation is not just about interim executives. It is about governance, culture, operations, staff structure, board courage, and the discipline required to make leadership transitions count.
Key Takeaways:
Interim leadership should move the organization forward, not simply protect the status quo.
A transparent assessment creates a shared reality for boards, staff, funders, and stakeholders.
Average interim placements may take around nine months because succession readiness is deeper than hiring.
Founder and legacy leader transitions often require space before a permanent successor can thrive.
90-day planning cycles can help nonprofits respond faster while staying mission-aligned.
Transformation may show up through governance, pay equity, culture, mission clarity, or stronger hiring readiness.
 00:00:00 Welcome to The Nonprofit Show
00:02:06 What Is the Third Sector?
00:03:55 Interim Leadership Beyond the CEO Role
00:06:05 Word One: Purposeful Leadership Transition
00:09:02 Why Interim Placements Take Time
00:10:37 Word Two: A Methodical Transition Roadmap
00:13:53 Why Every Interim Engagement Needs Assessment
00:16:45 Founder and Legacy Leader Transitions
00:19:03 Word Three: Profound Processes That Change Organizations
00:20:00 The Power of 90-Day Planning
00:22:29 Why These Ideas Matter for All Leaders
00:23:23 Word Four: Transformation Through Interim Leadership
00:26:03 Preparing the Organization for the Next Permanent Leader
00:28:01 Why Board Members Study Interim Leadership
#TheNonprofitShow #InterimLeadership #NonprofitSuccession
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Our national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits! 
12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PT

Send us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.com
Visit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show