How to Run a Nonprofit Thrift Store That Doesn’t End Up in the Clearance Bin
Thinking of opening a nonprofit thrift store? Before you dust off those donation bins, take a lesson from Kate Thoene, CEO of New Life Center., as she gives us a masterclass in turning a pile of secondhand shoes into sustainable impact. Spoiler: It’s not as easy as slapping a price tag on old lamps and hoping for the best.
At Hope’s Closet, the social enterprise Kate oversees, “we don’t take anything that makes you ask, ‘Should I donate this or toss it?’” That tough-love clarity is part of what keeps their thrift shop not just afloat—but thriving. From curated donation bins and strategic store layouts to voucher programs for survivors of domestic violence, Kate walks us through how her organization uses retail to empower recovery, generate unrestricted revenue, and build community loyalty.
She breaks down staff structure (a mix of full-time employees and 1,000+ volunteers), donation flow (“you need new items hitting the floor daily”), and even how color-coded tags help them cycle out stale inventory. Plus, we learn about their fruitful partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters—where unsellable items are bought by the pound, keeping the store clutter-free and the landfill grateful.
Don’t miss how this 5,000-square-foot shop became a community engine, churning out real, trackable impact. Kate shares insights on metrics, bonus incentives, messaging at point-of-sale, and even the exciting possibility of store #2. And yes, there’s a half-off sale where even the “rules” go on discount.
If you’ve ever wondered whether charity shops are worth the effort, Kate answers that with a resounding yes—as long as you’re ready to think like . . . . . . . . .
Collaboration Is Not a Vibe—It’s a Skill: A Wake-Up Call to Philanthropy
In this electric and occasionally uncomfortable conversation, Stephen Minix—VP of Community at UpMetrics—lays bare the myth that collaboration simply “happens” in the nonprofit sector. His assertion is sharp: “If I can cut the check, I can set the terms.” This statement cuts to the core of a sector that talks community but often operates in silos defined by funding power dynamics and compliance culture.
What emerges in this conversation is a compelling argument for a wholesale reframe of how nonprofits and funders work together. Collaboration, Stephen insists, isn’t a mood or a moment—it’s a skill set that demands communication, clarity, and most of all, pre-work. Too often, organizations show up to collaborate without knowing what they’re actually prepared to give up, or what success even looks like in shared terms. “You can’t play social impact ping-pong by yourself,” he notes. “You need a partner to hit it back.”
But this episode goes even deeper. Stephen challenges the performative elements of both philanthropy and nonprofit operations—conferences, reports, retreats—suggesting they often mask the hard reality: without time, trust, and aligned incentives, collaboration is nothing more than theater.
He offers practical alternatives. Funders should meet nonprofits in their spaces. Trust-based philanthropy, he says, doesn’t mean abandoning data—it means letting the nonprofit define what success looks like and equipping them with the tools to track and tell their story. It’s not about validation. It’s about learning.
Perhaps most powerfully, Stephen reframes trust as a proxy for risk tolerance. Real trust means relinquishing control—something many funders still find difficult. “We don’t wait till the end of the year to . . . . . . . . .
Nonprofit Donor Data Is a Gold Mine. Here’s How to Dig!
If you’ve ever wondered whether your nonprofit fundraising data is a treasure chest or a digital junk drawer, Greg Warner is here with a flashlight, a map, and a pickaxe. In this entertaining conversation, Greg—CEO of MarketSmart and creator of the Fundraising Report Card—joins host Julia Patrick to dissect the murky waters of metrics and help nonprofits move from guesswork to grounded strategy.
Greg kicks off with the backstory: MarketSmart’s 17-year evolution into a marketing automation firm helping nonprofits identify, qualify, and steward major and legacy donors. ‘The Fundraising Report Card’, born from this journey, now offers nonprofits a simplified yet powerful lens into donor behavior—showing not just what happened, but what it means.
Here’s the twist: until now, this tool has been free. But with over 27,000 users and a mountain of benchmark data, Greg’s team is rolling out a more robust version—with peer comparisons so relevant, they make national averages look like vague horoscopes.
And it’s about time. “Relevance creates resonance,” Greg shares, “But irrelevant data creates dissonance.” Nonprofits have long been running on emotional narratives and gut instincts. Greg invites you to reframe the conversation using donor lifetime value, retention data, and institutional memory—all quantified, all visual.
Julia comments how too many development pros spend two days prepping board reports for seven minutes of attention. Greg’s fix? Collaborative tools baked into the new version of the app, enabling real-time, cross-functional dialogue. Because why silo data when you can democratize it?
Want to stop flying blind and start mining gold? This episode is your blueprint.
#FundraisingData #DonorAnalytics #TheNonprofitShow
Turn Your Nonprofit’s Auctions Into Joyful, Money-Making Machines
What happens when a PTA president-turned-techie disrupts the nonprofit auction world? You get Roger Devine, co-founder of SchoolAuction.net, a man on a mission to make fundraising events both profitable and meaningful. In this fast-moving conversation with host Julia Patrick, Roger doesn’t just talk events—he redefines them.
From live auctions and paddle raises to the fine art of keeping silent auctions out of the ballroom, Roger offers a field-tested guide to modern event strategy. “I want to treat a fundraiser as if it is a fundraiser—I expect to make money,” Roger declares. And he means it.
But this isn’t just about money—it’s about momentum. Events aren’t just financial tools; they’re culture-building machines. Roger explains how strategic gatherings can cultivate younger donors, lift staff morale, recognize unsung heroes (like teachers and mission staff), and pull entire communities back into connection after years of distraction.
He makes a compelling case for fixed-price purchases (think raffles, gift cards, and sign-up parties), lowering barriers to entry, and offering dignity and opportunity to every guest—whether they’re dropping $25 or $25,000.
Oh, and about those paddle raises? Roger’s advice is clear: don’t wing it with your local news anchor. A trained benefit auctioneer is essential—not just for showmanship, but because they can drive up to 50% of your total event revenue. Skip this at your peril.
Watch and you’ll also learn:
· How hybrid and virtual fundraising have evolved (spoiler: most aren’t fun anymore)
· How to smartly integrate consignment travel packages (hint: only if Bob Bigshot’s coming)
· Why accessibility matters—and how a volunteer ticket swap can make all the difference
Whether you’re planning your first gala or . . . . . . . . .
The Nonprofit Overhead Myth Explained
Are you still chasing a “low overhead” badge of honor? Gregg Indictor, Director at Your Part-Time Controller, confronts one of the nonprofit sector’s most persistent misinterpretations: the overhead myth. With cohosts Julia Patrick and Meico Marquette Whitlock, the conversation unpacks what “overhead” actually represents, why it’s often misunderstood, and how nonprofits can more accurately reflect their financial stewardship.
Gregg begins by demystifying overhead as merely the administrative costs necessary to support any organization’s operations—nonprofit or for-profit, saying, “There is no correct overhead ratio for any organization,” noting that effectiveness should be measured by mission impact, not accounting percentages.
This fast episode fully explores cost allocation, the process of categorizing and reporting expenses across functions—such as program services, management, and fundraising. Gregg walks through the Schedule of Functional Expenses found in audits and IRS Form 990, and explains how misallocating indirect costs can produce distorted financial portraits. His emphasis on methodology—such as time and effort tracking for personnel, or square footage for facility expenses—underscores the importance of reasonable and consistent cost assignment.
Gregg highlights a powerful metric: for most nonprofits, 80–85% of expenses stem from personnel and facilities. Yet not all of those costs are necessarily “overhead”—they could very well contribute directly to mission delivery, depending on how they are allocated.
One of the key moments involves Gregg’s perspective on restricted vs. unrestricted funds. He cautions against well-meaning development practices that inadvertently solicit restricted gifts, reducing an organization’s flexibility to cover essential functions. A simple shift in donor language—from “choose your program” to “support our mission”—can dramatically improve financial resilience.
As the trio discuss transparency and . . . . . . . . .
Fundraising Shakeup: Local, Smart, Data-Driven
Explore the intersection of philanthropy, data science, and the evolving tools shaping nonprofit fundraising, with our guest, Scott Brighton, CEO of Bonterra. Bonterra, a software company serving both nonprofits and funders, processes nearly 10% of all U.S. philanthropic activity outside government sources. This scale gives Scott and his team a uniquely comprehensive vantage point to identify what truly drives growth and effectiveness in today’s nonprofit landscape.
The episode centers on Bonterra’s newly released ‘2025 Impact Report’, which identifies strategic patterns and technologies used by high-performing nonprofits. Scott explains, “We’re not just looking at the growth of philanthropy; we’re looking at what successful organizations are doing differently.” Key among those behaviors is fundraising diversification—no longer a suggestion but a necessity, especially in light of sudden disruptions like cuts to federal funding. Scott shares that some Bonterra clients saw 90% of their federal funding evaporate overnight, a stark reminder that relying on a single funding stream is risky.
Technology, and specifically AI, is positioned as the great equalizer. Scott introduces tools like “Optimized Ask,” which uses behavioral data to recommend the right donation amount for each donor, improving average donor yield by 11%. This innovation, he explains, enables nonprofits to effectively engage their long-tail donors without additional staff—something that was previously out of reach for most organizations.
Another key point Scott shares is the local nature of nonprofit growth. Despite a doubling of registered U.S. nonprofits over the last decade (now nearing two million), 90% operate with budgets under $5 million. Rather than viewing this as a challenge, Scott sees it as a feature: these . . . . . . . . .
The Intentional Nonprofit Executive: Strategies for Sustainable Leadership
In an era marked by organizational strain and evolving workplace expectations, leadership must move beyond traditional fixes and embrace systemic transformation. Patrick Farran, PhD, MBA, co-founder of Ad Lucem Group, joins host Julia Patrick to dissect the true nature of burnout, succession, and sustainable engagement in nonprofit leadership.
Patrick challenges the prevailing assumption that burnout stems solely from overwork. “The number one cause of burnout is not overwork—it’s the loss of agency,” he explains, arguing that without autonomy, even meaningful work becomes draining. Rather than defaulting to micromanagement during times of stress, Patrick advocates for building cultures rooted in trust, purpose alignment, and shared responsibility.
Drawing from decades of executive coaching and organizational consulting, Patrick offers a framework built on three pillars: personal legacy, building others, and systems thinking. His advice is clear—leaders must be deliberate about cultivating capability in others and embedding processes that outlast any individual. This approach not only fortifies the organization but reduces the high failure rate of executive transitions.
He also introduces the concept of “job crafting,” citing research on hospital janitors who redefined their roles around meaning rather than task lists. This practice, when applied in nonprofit settings, can create clear pipelines for succession and foster resilience.
Another key theme is the embrace of constructive conflict. Patrick quotes Adam Grant: “The absence of conflict is not harmony—it’s apathy.” Healthy disagreement, he argues, is not a threat but a catalyst for innovation. Nonprofits should harness this energy to align purpose, improve communication, and prepare for inevitable turbulence.
Finally, Patrick outlines how appreciative inquiry—a strength-based framework—can transform leadership conversations and shift . . . . . . . . .
Secrets Behind Fundraiser’s Salaries Revealed!
How much should a fundraiser make—and why is it still taboo to ask?
Cohosts Julia C. Patrick and Tony Beall tackle the longstanding silence around nonprofit salary transparency. “There isn’t a whole lot of trust around this topic,” says Tony, “and it’s good for us to start talking about it.” What unfolds on this Fundraiser’s Friday episode is a candid, layered discussion about job titles, compensation expectations, and the complicated politics behind who earns what—and why.
Fundraising jobs are not one-size-fits-all. As Tony explains, “There are assistant positions, manager roles, directors, officers—each with its own accountability level, not just a paycheck.” But the sector’s tendency to obscure salaries makes it difficult for professionals to map their advancement. Julia adds, “Talking about salary used to be grounds for dismissal—higher up than reporting abuse. Think about that.”
The duo explore the overlap and confusion between job titles—director vs. officer—especially across healthcare, higher ed, and arts institutions. While some roles sound loftier than others, Tony argues that “titles are often interchangeable,” driven less by function and more by organizational type.
Experience doesn’t always translate to higher pay either. “Ten years in doesn’t mean a pay jump if you’re not at the right org,” says Tony. Instead, professional development, certifications, and even microlearning now influence compensation more than tenure. The hosts underscore how nonprofits are slow to reward results: even fundraisers who exceed goals may still hit salary ceilings unless they leave for a new organization.
And it’s happening often—turnover is the sector’s open secret. With development staff staying an average of just 19 months, organizations are hemorrhaging talent due to stagnant pay . . . . . . . . .
Nonprofit Raffles, Auctions, and Events: Why It Matters To The IRS!
Is your nonprofit planning a gala, auction, or bingo night? Before you book the venue or sell that first ticket, there’s one essential step you may be skipping—looping in your accounting team. In this eye-opening conversation Dan Tritch, Director at Your Part-Time Controller, issues a clear directive to fundraisers: “Talk to your accountants before you plan your fundraising event—every time.”
Dan doesn’t just talk shop—he brings real consequences to light. From misclassifying revenue to unknowingly triggering tax liabilities, organizations that treat finance as an afterthought in event planning can wind up with costly surprises. Fundraising isn’t just about generating revenue—it’s about how that revenue is earned, tracked, and reported.
Dan breaks fundraising activities into three financial stages: 1) procurement, 2) day-of-event, and 3) post-event. He warns that mishandling sponsor agreements, mislabeling advertising, or ignoring unrelated business income tax (UBIT) can derail even the most successful-looking event. That free week in a beach condo or donated diamond necklace? It may be worth more in red tape than revenue—unless properly accounted for.
And then there’s gaming. Raffles, casino nights, and even simple bingo games carry serious regulatory implications that vary by state and can prompt IRS attention. Dan urges nonprofits to consult their tax accountants and state gaming authorities before launching any game-based campaign.
The episode also tackles the misperception that all earned income equals fundraising. Not so, says Dan. Ticket sales, service fees, and campaign contributions each carry distinct accounting requirements. Getting it wrong can distort financial statements and complicate audits.
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Your Nonprofit’s Trusted Platforms Might Be Leaking Donor Info!
“Cybersecurity used to be the Department of ‘No’. Today, it’s about enablement—how we help people work securely without getting in the way.”
Cybersecurity isn’t just an IT issue—it’s a trust issue. Michael Nouguier, Partner at Richey May’s Cybersecurity Services, joins us to discuss how nonprofits can better protect donor data, assess third-party platforms, and prepare for the inevitable breach.
Michael opens with a striking truth: “Cybersecurity is about risk—what we choose to accept, and what we work to prevent.” From this lens, this episode offers a detailed breakdown of today’s most pressing cybersecurity concerns, especially as they relate to data collection, donor privacy, and evolving threats like AI-driven attacks.
The conversation kicks off with the importance of identifying and documenting what data your organization actually collects—not just donor information, but client data, health records, payment details, and beyond. Michael stresses the danger of overlooking third-party vendors, who may have weak security protocols but still process sensitive data on your behalf.
Julia Patrick, host, presses Michael on how access control works in today’s remote-first world. His response is practical: build systems around role-based access and restrict data visibility by “need to know.” Whether you’re a 5-person nonprofit or a national organization, overly broad permissions are a recipe for disaster.
Michael shares real-world examples of organizations undermining their own security—like contractors blocking ChatGPT integrations due to risk, prompting staff to email data to themselves for off-system use. It’s not just about locking systems down—it’s about enabling safer, smarter workflows that employees will actually use.
The episode wraps-up with a powerful call for scenario planning. Just like fire drills, . . . . . . . . .
Beyond the Sign-Up Sheet: Build a Volunteer Strategy That Works
You’ll love this master class on the untapped power of volunteerism—with a call to rethink how we attract, support, and retain volunteers—led by guest expert Kirsten Wantland, Manager of Customer Best Practices and Enablement at Bloomerang,
Kirsten, who holds credentials as a Certified Nonprofit Consultant and Certified Development Executive, brings both frontline and strategic expertise. With her deep background in fundraising and nonprofit leadership, she makes a bold case for managing volunteers with the same intentionality as donors. Her rallying cry? “Recognize behaviors over capacity.”
Too many nonprofits still treat volunteer management as an afterthought—focused on day-of logistics or generic thank-yous. But Kirsten argues for a proactive, data-informed approach that starts well before a volunteer steps foot on site. From setting clear expectations in role descriptions to acknowledging service hours as contributions worth over $34.79 per hour, this learning session delivers some super strategies that can translate into real organizational value for your NPO.
Volunteers aren’t just a feel-good bonus; they are a form of human capital that, when properly stewarded, can evolve into loyal donors and long-term advocates. “If you think of someone donating 10 hours,” Kirsten explains, “you’re looking at the equivalent of nearly $350 in economic impact. How many of your donors give that much in a single gift?”
She encourages nonprofits to:
· Communicate expectations clearly and respectfully.
· Track volunteer hours just like financial contributions.
· Plan intentional follow-ups after service.
· Use personalized recognition—by name, by role, by impact.
· Share volunteer stories in annual reports and community messaging.
Kirsten also addresses a long-standing sector taboo: asking volunteers to give financially. Her advice? Let the volunteer decide. Many already . . . . . . . . .
Remote Work Realities for Nonprofits: What You Need to Know
As remote work settles into the nonprofit landscape, what does the future of flexible staffing really look like? Dana Scurlock, Director of Recruitment at Staffing Boutique, returns to unpack this pressing issue—and she doesn’t shy away from the complexity.
Dana brings clarity to the evolution of work-from-home (WFH) culture. Initially a crisis response, WFH has now become a defining workplace feature—but not without its complications. “There’s that last 20% that is still kind of missing when I have every one of my staff working from home,” she notes, identifying a growing tension between productivity and presence. Her insight? A hybrid future, tailored to roles and individuals, is the most sustainable path.
“People realized how much work could actually be done from home—and how much they saved on commuting. But now the challenge is recapturing the good moments from the office without giving up the freedom we’ve gained.”
Dana highlights the value of defining expectations early in the recruitment process, especially in a labor market where job candidates expect flexibility—and employers risk losing top talent if they can’t deliver. She shares how Staffing Boutique remains nimble in supporting nonprofit clients with both temporary and direct-hire roles, ensuring cultural fit, skills alignment, and strategic placement.
The conversation peers into overlooked topics: professionalism in Zoom culture, generational challenges in remote onboarding, and the need for virtual branding consistency. Dana encourages nonprofits to take remote work as seriously as in-office dynamics: “Maybe as an organization, everybody has the same background… there’s no reason branding can’t extend to Zoom.”
Dana’s expertise shines in offering practical solutions: shared in-office days for . . . . . . . . .