Nonprofit Spending Chaos? Track Every Dollar Without Losing Your Mind!
If you’ve ever worked in a nonprofit and found yourself fronting expenses on your personal credit card, you’re not alone—and you’re definitely not doing it wrong. But there’s a better way. Our host sat down with GiveFront.com , to unpack how nonprofits can modernize the way they manage spending, reimbursements, and financial oversight.
Founder of GiveFront, Matt Tengtrakool, brings a unique dual lens to the discussion: one from years of hands-on experience running and managing nonprofit finances, and another from building financial technology designed specifically for the sector. His message is clear—nonprofits deserve modern tools to track spending, reduce fraud risk, streamline compliance, and eliminate burdensome reimbursement systems.
He explains that many organizations still operate with a single credit card passed around among staff—a system ripe for errors, delays, and a lack of accountability. GiveFront provides an alternative: customizable, trackable virtual cards that make it easy for even volunteers to make approved purchases. “You want to allow people to spend for your organization, but you also want control,” Matt explains. “And having the systems set up from the start is extremely important.”
The conversation covers common friction points between program teams and finance departments, shedding light on how better spend management can actually strengthen relationships across departments. Host Julia Patrick and Matt explore the psychological side of transparency, the real costs of missing receipts, and the ripple effects of poor policy enforcement.
Matt also shares how sales tax refunds—often ignored due to their complexity—can recapture up to 10% of an organization’s spending. With GiveFront’s built-in tools, nonprofits in states like North Carolina and Utah . . . . . . . . .
Flight Paths for All: Breaking Down Barriers in Aviation
What if becoming a pilot wasn’t a dream reserved for the few—but a real career path for young people in underserved communities? In this inspiring conversation, Dana Donati, CEO of Breaking Down Barriers.org, shares how their aviation nonprofit is rewriting the narrative on who gets to fly.
Founded by former American Airlines CEO Doug Parker and his wife, Gwen, Breaking Down Barriers takes flight training and mentorship directly into Dallas communities where aviation has historically been out of reach. From first-grade classrooms to community colleges, Dana and her team spark interest in aviation careers early—well before the traditional fork-in-the-road moments of college or military service.
Dana explains, “Becoming a pilot is expensive. So sometimes that automatically pushes out the group of people that have the skill, just don’t have the financial means.” That’s where Breaking Down Barriers steps in—with scholarships, mentorship, and ongoing support that go beyond one-time transactions. Students sign a promise on day one: not just to succeed, but to return and uplift others in their community.
In a sector facing a massive talent gap, especially post-pandemic, this model isn’t just feel-good—it’s workforce development at its finest. Dana outlines how they rotate mentors every three months to give students exposure to multiple professionals and expand their aviation networks—replacing outdated “lifelong mentor” models with something more agile and sustainable.
This conversation goes beyond aviation. It becomes a blueprint for how nonprofits can foster generational change by focusing on access, exposure, and reinvestment. From field trips to local airports to connecting aviation with brands kids already know—McDonald’s, John Deere, Disney—Dana’s team finds innovative ways . . . . . . . . .
Fundraising in Times of Chaos: It Starts with Your Mindset
In a climate charged with political unpredictability, donor hesitancy, and organizational fatigue, Peter Heller, CEO and Founder of Heller Fundraising Group, returns to offer clear-headed perspective on what nonprofits should be doing now—not later. Drawing from decades of experience in higher education and over 20 years guiding capital campaigns and feasibility studies, Peter brings both context and calm to a sector feeling increasingly unsettled.
Fundraising is never easy, Peter reminds us. But right now, it’s especially daunting. Some organizations are facing existential uncertainty, while others are tempted to pull back entirely. “Even if we stopped talking right now,” Peter says, “and people went away with this one idea: wake up in the morning and believe that you and your nonprofit deserve that money—that mindset alone can shift your entire trajectory.”
Throughout the conversation, Peter offers a compelling blend of strategic realism and aspirational leadership. His guidance is rooted in both emotional alignment and actionable frameworks: acknowledge the difficulty, reaffirm your mission, and keep going. He warns against reactive messaging rooted in fleeting political tides and instead urges organizations to craft campaigns around timeless, hopeful visions that inspire long-term support.
One of the episode’s most striking moments comes when Peter recounts the Ossining Children’s Center’s $18 million capital campaign. Despite losing their board presidents, navigating the death of a lead donor, and facing pandemic-related hurdles, they built a beautiful childcare facility now serving a vibrant, diverse community. It’s not just a story of resilience—it’s a blueprint for bold action in the face of fear.
Julia Patrick (Show host) and Peter explore why now is precisely . . . . . . . . .
From $10K to $10M: Growing Nonprofit Assets Over Time
The Chief Investment Officer at Christian Brothers Services, Steve Sliwinski, offers a highly approachable yet technically sound guide to nonprofit investment strategy. With decades of financial experience and dual designations as CFA and CAIA, Steve breaks down how organizations—regardless of size—can begin managing and growing their financial assets responsibly.
From policy benchmarking and committee structure to modern investment tools and trends like IP transfers and crypto, Steve’s insights will help demystify what can often be an intimidating subject. This episode is a must-watch for boards, CFOs, and executive leaders seeking clarity on how to begin—or refine—their investment approach.
The discussion begins with a history of Christian Brothers Services, which evolved from a cooperative model among Catholic schools into a nationwide provider of retirement, insurance, and investment services for thousands of institutions. This story serves as an example of scalable collaboration and strategic vision, offering NPO’s a compelling model for shared resource management.
Steve explains that waiting for a major windfall to begin investing is outdated thinking. “It’s certainly not out of reach to create a well-diversified portfolio with under $100,000,” he shares, emphasizing that even small recurring contributions—like payroll-deducted retirement savings—can grow into substantial assets over time. The message: nonprofits don’t need to be large to think long-term.
Much of the conversation centers around the role of the investment committee. Steve offers a fresh take, stating that technical expertise isn’t always necessary. What matters most is “a long-term orientation and strategic mindset.” Ideal committee size? Three to seven individuals with high-level focus, not necessarily financial professionals.
The conversation, with host Julia Patrick, continues into policy . . . . . . . . .
AI vs. Human: Nonprofit Hiring Practices in 2025
What happens when artificial intelligence collides with nonprofit hiring? Katie Warnock, CEO and Founder of Staffing Boutique, brings over two decades of recruitment wisdom to unpack the evolving world of nonprofit staffing—where AI, automation, and applicant tracking systems are rapidly reshaping the game.
From resume reviews to video interviews scored by machines, Katie walks us through what’s real, what’s useful, and what still absolutely needs a human touch. She describes AI as a powerful tool—but not a one-size-fits-all solution.
She shares how AI can now instantly generate candidate pipelines, automate scheduling, and send emails with the ease of a few clicks. But for seasoned recruiters like Katie, there’s hesitation: trust and nuance still matter. And for organizations hiring in the nonprofit space, personality and mission alignment can’t be faked—no matter how good your chatbot is.
This episode also explores the do’s and don’ts of keyword optimization, especially for nonprofit resumes. Katie gets specific about how grant writers, development staff, and even tech candidates should tailor their resumes for today’s smart hiring systems. Generic titles like “fundraiser” or “event planner”? Not enough. Think: gala, silent auction, CRM platform, institutional giving.
But perhaps most eye-opening is Katie’s reflection on the new loop: AI-powered interviews are becoming so common that some candidates now use AI to answer questions during the interview—prompting some companies to head back to in-person hiring. “There has to be some sort of reversal,” Katie warns. “How do you even trust that a resume was written by the person who actually did the job?”
This is a refreshingly candid, real-world conversation about modern hiring challenges . . . . . . . . .
Modern Fundraising Starts Here: Tech Can Save You Time & Raise More
This fast episode plants more than a few seeds—it digs deep into the fertile soil of fundraising tech and AI, showing nonprofit leaders how to embrace new tools without fear or being overwhelmed.
Co-host Julia Patrick opens with her signature energy: “It’s always a good day when I get to work with my cohost Tony Beall,” . . .and what follows is an energizing discussion around modernizing fundraising practices. The duo tackles AI not as a villain, but as a brilliant assistant. As Tony puts it: “AI is a tool, not a takeover.”
From predictive analytics to donor segmentation, Tony outlines how AI empowers fundraisers to work smarter—not harder. He reminds us that AI “creates a tremendous opportunity for prospecting,” especially now that tools like ChatGPT are as common as Google searches.
Julia reflects on how her organization embraced AI early on. “It has revolutionized the way we do business,” she says, underscoring (not literally!) how prompts, personas, and platform features help tailor messaging to diverse donor groups.
Tony speaks to how “ChatGPT can help you refine messaging for different donor sets… it’s still your words, but it’s helping you shape the message.” He urges fundraisers to treat the tech as an editor—not a ghostwriter.
They also dig into CRM evolution, with Julia commenting, “What we get today is not what we’ll have tomorrow.” Tony shares how CRM vendors are racing to integrate AI and support their users.
The conversation rounds out with a focus on multi-generational training, acknowledging that not every team member shares the same comfort with digital tools. Tony adds that leaders must explain “why we’re doing . . . . . . . . .
Why Nonprofit’s Finance and Program Teams Clash—and How to Fix It!
Leadership meets lived experience as Eric Wilson, Director at Your Part-Time Controller (YPTC), unpacks the long-standing tension between nonprofit finance and programming. With warmth, wit, and real-world clarity, Eric takes us into the heart of the issue—how two departments with the same mission often work in silos, risking confusion, inefficiency, and financial misalignment.
From discussing budget misunderstandings to the implications of restricted funds, this episode challenges nonprofit leaders to ask themselves: “Are we communicating with intention—or just reacting when problems arise?”
Eric shares, “You don’t want people afraid to bring you a problem… I’d rather have a small problem early than a big problem later.” That mindset—proactive, people-first, and rooted in accountability—is the call to action for every executive, finance officer, and program manager tuning in.
Together with host Julia Patrick, they explore:
· Why many nonprofit staff don’t fully understand the true cost of programs
· How miscommunication around restricted funding can sabotage outcomes
· Why monthly check-ins between finance and programming are more than a best practice—they’re essential
· How fear creates silence and silence breeds mistakes
· What emotional intelligence and mutual education mean for modern nonprofit culture
This learning session is a leadership masterclass in creating cross-departmental unity through intention, clarity, and relationship-building. Whether you’re a new program manager, seasoned CFO, or executive director trying to align teams—you’ll walk away with practical tools and a fresh mindset!
#NonprofitLeadership #FinanceAndProgramming #TheNonprofitShow
The Cybercrime Response Plan Every Nonprofit Needs: What To Do First
When a cyberattack hits your nonprofit, do you know what to do? Cybersecurity expert Michael Nouguier, Partner at Cybersecurity Services at Richey May, walks us through the essential steps every nonprofit must take—before, during, and after a cyber event. As host Julia Patrick notes, it’s not a matter of if, but when, and being unprepared is no longer an option.
From clarifying what cyber insurance actually covers to practicing realistic incident response exercises, Michael offers a pragmatic and step-by-step guide tailored for nonprofit leaders. He points out, “Failure to plan is planning to fail,” and urges organizations to move beyond hope and into action.
The conversation dissects misconceptions, such as thinking IT alone can handle a breach or believing cyber insurance is a comprehensive solution. Instead, Michael recommends building internal resilience with tabletop exercises that include the board, C-suite, legal, and communications staff. These scenario-based run-throughs help teams build muscle memory and prevent panic when disaster strikes.
Third-party vendors—often a hidden weak spot—are addressed in detail. Michael reminds us, “You are the trusted data collector,” meaning nonprofits must ensure their vendors share the same security culture, including notification clauses and accountability.
What if the worst happens? Michael stresses calm, communication, and preservation of evidence. “Don’t delete anything,” he cautions, as doing so can sabotage forensic investigations and potential fund recovery. He also reminds leaders to report incidents to local authorities and the FBI’s IC3.gov, reinforcing the legal and ethical responsibility to act swiftly and transparently.
Perhaps one of the most human insights is around fostering a blame-free culture. Employees fearing punishment won’t report mistakes, making . . . . . . . . .
The Myth of Declining Generosity
A clear message: “Generosity is not dead—it’s transforming”, says Ann Fellman, Chief Marketing Officer at Bloomerang. As headlines churn out fatigue-inducing stories of donor decline and uncertainty, Ann injects much-needed optimism rooted in data and strategy.
“We are in it now,” Ann declares about the $70 trillion wealth transfer, urging nonprofits to act instead of waiting for the perfect moment. Drawing from the latest Giving USA 2024 findings, she reminds us that individual giving reached a staggering $592.5 billion, with 66% of that coming directly from individuals. “Individual Americans are ready and willing to support,” she tells us.
This recent conversation navigates beyond donor behavior into practical strategy. Ann challenges fundraisers to rethink short-term vs. long-term planning and ‘get real about programming priorities: What must be done, what should be done, and what would be nice to do?’ She lays out a compelling scenario-based approach to planning for revenue shifts, especially in a landscape threatened by grant losses and funding uncertainty.
She also makes a strong case for recurring giving. “Would you rather have a one-time $100 gift or $10 a month for years?” she asks. Despite the low adoption rate, recurring programs offer sustainable, predictable revenue and are easy to implement with today’s tech. She even floats the bold concept of creating a “monthly giving officer”—a role few, if any, nonprofits have embraced but one that could radically improve outcomes.
Transparency, too, is no longer optional. Citing data from Bloomerang’s Mission: Retainable report, Ann points out that while 65% of donors crave regular impact updates, only 36% of nonprofits . . . . . . . . .
Why HR Chaos Sinks New CEOs: Interims to the Rescue!
Jeffrey Wilcox (President) and Joan Brown (COO) of the Interim Executives Academy unpack the harsh realities of nonprofit leadership turnover—and the game-changing role of interim executives.
Jeffrey starts this lively session with. . . “Interim leaders aren’t temps—they’re bees, cross-pollinating wisdom to prepare organizations for their next leader.” Joan Brown backs it up, revealing why first-time nonprofit CEOs crash and burn—often due to unclear job expectations, chaotic HR structures, and boards that operate like secret societies instead of partners.
This bouyant conversation with host Julia Patrick, gets real fast:
HR disasters are the #1 reason leaders get fired—think vague job roles, favoritism, and financial denial.
Boards scare new execs by locking them out of meetings instead of mentoring them.
Interims aren’t just placeholders—they’re strategic fixers who spend 9–12 months prepping orgs for long-term success.
Looking ahead, Jeffrey and Joan warn nonprofits: “If you’re only relevant to yourself, you’re already dying.” The future demands sustainable leadership, emotional intelligence, and ditching outdated board models that hold orgs back.
Digital Natives, Real Impact: Engaging Gen Z Volunteers
How do you win the hearts—and hands—of Gen Z donors? According to Emily Tisdale, West Coast Manager for Team for Cures at the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (TheMMRF.org), you stop seeing them as “the future” and start engaging them right now.
In this lively session, Julia C. Patrick explores Gen Z’s philanthropic behavior with Emily, who’s on the frontlines of volunteer and donor engagement across three major markets. Emily doesn’t mince words: “This generation is not transactional. They want to be part of the change.” That means showing up, speaking out, and yes—expecting organizations to be transparent and impact-driven.
Emily explains how COVID-era isolation shaped Gen Z’s digital-first instincts, but also fueled a hunger for purpose. Whether it’s advocacy via Instagram, fundraising through peer networks, or attending real-life charity walks, Gen Zers are ready to get involved—when the mission speaks to them. “They don’t want to just cut a check and sit back,” she adds. “They want action.”
Julia challenges common assumptions about younger donors being flaky or too young to matter. Emily pushes back with stories of college students becoming long-term supporters, and volunteers maturing into major funders. “We need to meet them where they are today,” she says. “Because where they’re going is powerful.”
The conversation covers everything from social media strategies to cross-generational mentorship. One standout idea? Pair Gen Z volunteers with seasoned ones to create a mutual growth loop. “Our high-impact volunteers can become our highest-impact donors,” Emily points out.
Whether you’re building out a peer-to-peer campaign or rethinking how you cultivate loyalty, this episode offers a smart, real-world roadmap for . . . . . . . . .
Crypto, DAFs, and Nonprofit Magic: It’s Fundraiser’s Friday!
In a whirlwind of nonprofit questions from viewers, Julia C. Patrick and Tony Beall splash into the world of fundraising mysteries. “We need to diversify our funding streams,” Tony begins, setting the tone for a conversation that’s part strategy session, part confessional. From the complex dance of fundraising committees to the cutting-edge world of cryptocurrency donations, these nonprofit mavens dissect the industry’s most pressing questions with surgical precision and infectious enthusiasm.
How do fundraising committees work with board members? Committees can serve as talent pipelines and engagement platforms, with board members actively recruiting committee members.
Should nonprofits accept cryptocurrency donations? Yes, but carefully evaluate organizational readiness, donor demographics, and infrastructure.
What’s the typical fundraising performance ratio? Generally 1:5 to 1:10 for development officers, varying by specific role and organization.
Are printed annual reports still relevant? Offer both print and digital versions, tailoring to donor preferences and organizational resources.
How should fundraisers demonstrate their value? Beyond monetary metrics, highlight pipeline development, donor retention, and mission impact.
#TheNonprofitShow #FundraisingInnovation #NonprofitStrategy