The Nonprofit Show is the nation’s daily live video broadcast for the business of nonprofits — where nonprofit leaders, teams, and changemakers gain practical strategies to strengthen operations, improve performance, and sustain impact.
Each weekday, our Co-hosts and expert guests tackle the most current topics in fundraising, management, marketing, staffing, and technology — all designed to help you run smarter, lead stronger, and deliver on your mission with confidence.
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Fundraising events succeed when nonprofit professionals lead with strategy, professionalism, and intentional relationship-building—not just attendance.
Fundraisers operate under a higher standard of professional conduct at events—whether hosting or attending
Event behavior directly impacts organizational brand perception
Alcohol, attire, and guest behavior are not personal choices—they are strategic signals
Fundraising events are relationship ecosystems, not just transactions
The most effective professionals focus on:
Intentional presence
Emotional connection over scripted messaging
Pre-event planning and post-event follow-up
Events are also learning labs for operations, logistics, and donor experience
Hidden costs (attire, attendance expectations) impact staff and should be addressed organizationally
Actionable Strategies
Set clear behavioral standards for staff (especially around alcohol and representation)
Enter events with defined goals (relationships, learning, stewardship)
Use early arrival + exit positioning strategically
Prioritize feeling-based engagement in noisy environments
Leverage follow-up hooks (selfies, quick connections)
uate events for replicable operational insights
Be intentional about plus-one selection and expectations
Second homeowners represent a major untapped donor market—if nonprofits shift to relationship-first, low-friction fundraising strategies.
Second home donor fundraising strategy is one of the most overlooked opportunities in nonprofit growth today—and it’s costing organizations real revenue. With over 6.5 million second homes in the U.S., nonprofits have access to a donor base that is ready to give… but often ignored or mishandled.
In this continuation conversation, Jeffrey Glebocki, Founder of Strategy Plus Action Philanthropy, shares groundbreaking research into how second homeowners think, give, and engage with nonprofits. The findings challenge common fundraising practices and reveal a major gap between nonprofit assumptions and donor expectations.
One of the clearest takeaways: pressure doesn’t work. As one donor put it, “Guilt is not a good way to ask for a contribution.” Instead, donors want authentic connection, thoughtful outreach, and a sense of belonging in their second-home communities.
This episode highlights how nonprofits are missing opportunities hiding in plain sight—from regular attendees at local organizations to high-capacity donors who are never approached. The lesson is simple but powerful: relationship-first fundraising still wins. “If I know you, if I trust you, and you're involved with this group, I’ll support you.”
You’ll also learn:
Why assumptions about wealth and capacity can shut down giving
How second homeowners actively seek community connection
The importance of personal communication and meaningful follow-up
Why making giving easy (single contributions, trusted intermediaries) increases results
How community foundations are successfully capturing this donor segment
For nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, and community organizations, this is a strategic wake-up call. The opportunity is real—but only for those willing to rethink how they approach donor engagement!!
#NonprofitFundraising #DonorStrategy #TheNonprofitShow
Nonprofits struggle with engagement not because they lack stories—but because their messaging lacks clarity. This episode reveals how strategic storytelling drives real connection and results.
Storytelling is not a tactic—it’s a strategic alignment issue tied to mission clarity and organizational focus
Inconsistent messaging creates confusion, weakening donor trust and engagement
Nonprofits must operate with a business mindset, especially in communication strategy
Clarity of pillars > volume of activities (avoid “everything for everyone” syndrome)
Top-of-funnel awareness matters before asking for donations or engagement
Owned channels (email, website, social) are underutilized measurement tools
Internal alignment (staff + board) is as critical as external messaging
Data supports storytelling—but only after clarity is established
Aligning nonprofit branding with fundraising strategy drives clarity, builds donor trust, and creates sustainable growth without increasing staff burnout.
Nonprofit branding and fundraising strategy are more connected than most organizations realize—and when they’re misaligned, donor retention, staff capacity, and revenue all suffer.
Brianna Pyka, Co-Founder of Brandraise, breaks down how nonprofits can bridge the gap between branding and fundraising to create clarity, build trust, and drive sustainable growth. Instead of treating fundraising as a series of transactions, this conversation reframes it as a long-term relationship strategy rooted in consistent messaging and shared understanding across the organization.
As Brianna explains, “That’s not really a capacity problem—it’s a clarity problem.” When teams, boards, and donors all describe your mission differently, trust erodes and opportunities are lost. But when everyone speaks the same language, fundraising becomes a shared responsibility—not a burden carried by one department.
This lively discussion also challenges a common mindset in the sector: more activity does not equal better results. “Stop making tired people more tired” is a powerful reminder that strategic focus—not volume—is what moves organizations forward. By simplifying messaging, prioritizing key communication channels, and building repeatable systems, nonprofits can reduce burnout while increasing impact.
You’ll also hear why “the ask is not the finish line—it’s a doorway.” What happens after a donor gives determines whether they stay, give again, and bring others with them. This shift from acquisition to relationship-building is where real growth happens.
If your organization feels stuck in a cycle of starting over each year, struggling with donor retention, or overwhelmed by too many competing messages, this episode offers a clear, practical path forward.
#NonprofitFundraising #NonprofitStrategy #TheNonprofitShow
Nonprofits struggle less with mission and more with alignment and execution
The GOST framework (Goal, Objective, Strategy, Tactic) operationalizes strategy into daily action
Burnout is driven by lack of clarity and decision overload, not just workload
“Energy budget” is as critical as financial budget
Strategic planning must be continuous (daily/weekly), not annual
Donor strategy should shift from transactional to relational
GOST creates a decision filter, reducing distractions and “shiny object syndrome”
Massive leadership turnover is underway (100 leaders/day; 30% of nonprofit CEOs retiring within 5 years)
Fundraisers are the most natural internal candidates for CEO roles
Succession planning is not optional—it’s operational risk management
Internal talent development improves performance, retention, and sector strength
Career advancement in nonprofits often requires job movement
Advocacy (self + organizational) is a critical leadership skill
Boards often default to internal hires for speed, trust, and continuity
Leadership transitions should include honoring legacy leaders—not just replacement mechanics
A nonprofit model that transforms artisans into entrepreneurs through training, partnerships, and ethical global market access.
Nonprofit artisan economic development models are reshaping how organizations approach global impact—and this conversation shows exactly how.
Rebecca Van Bergen, Founder and Executive Director of Nest, shares how her nonprofit built a scalable system supporting artisans across 128 countries by combining business training, ethical sourcing, and strategic partnerships. This isn’t about charity—it’s about building sustainable microenterprises that connect directly to global markets.
At the core is a powerful shift: treating craft not as “supplemental income,” but as a legitimate economic sector. As Rebecca explains, “Nobody saw it as an investable sector… not that it was a massive economic opportunity.” That perception has changed—and nonprofits that recognize this shift can unlock entirely new pathways for impact.
This episode breaks down how Nest operationalizes its model:
A global artisan guild providing free training and business resources
Strategic partnerships with organizations like Environmental Defense Fund and CARE
Ethical supply chain certification that connects artisans to major retailers
A growing focus on resilience, including climate adaptation and recovery tools
But the bigger takeaway is strategic. Nonprofits can no longer operate in silos. Rebecca makes it clear: “No organization can do all of that… how can we work in partnership with others to support people as holistically as we can?”
For nonprofit leaders, this is a blueprint for:
Expanding mission through partnerships
Building scalable program models
Aligning impact with market systems
Responding to global disruptions like climate and supply chain shifts
The future of nonprofit work isn’t just service delivery—it’s ecosystem building. And this conversation shows how to do it.
#TheNonprofitShow #NonprofitStrategy #GlobalImpact
Clear messaging and strategic PR help nonprofits build trust, stand out, and drive donor engagement in a crowded market.
Samantha Flynn, Founder of JuniPR Public Relations, breaks down how nonprofits can move beyond reactive PR and build a proactive communications strategy that actually delivers results. With over 1.8 million nonprofits competing for attention, clarity is what separates organizations that grow from those that get ignored.
“Clarity is a currency,” Flynn explains, emphasizing that donors today are more intentional with their giving. They want to know exactly how their contributions make an impact—and organizations that communicate this clearly are the ones that win.
An effective urgent nonprofit fundraising appeal strategy can drive immediate impact—but only when it’s clear, credible, and authentic.
In this Global Edition of The Nonprofit Show, Matthew Murray (CEO, Expand Consultancy, UK) shares practical insights on how nonprofits can respond to crises with urgency while maintaining donor trust and long-term credibility. From small, time-sensitive needs to global emergencies, this conversation focuses on what actually motivates donors to act—and what causes them to disengage.
One of the biggest takeaways: specificity wins. As Matthew explains, “We need this for this. Can you help?” is far more effective than vague appeals. Donors want to know exactly what their contribution accomplishes—whether it’s funding supplies, feeding families, or solving a defined problem in real time.
The episode also explores the role of data in crisis fundraising. While emotional storytelling still matters, credibility comes from backing it up with real numbers. “Backing up with numbers gives you real credibility,” Matthew notes, emphasizing the importance of using verified, trustworthy data sources.
Exploring whether nonprofits should pay taxes on business income, examining how revenue sources, competition, and policy gaps are reshaping the sector’s financial landscape.
Nonprofit tax exemption business income is becoming one of the most important—and controversial—issues facing the sector today. As nonprofits generate more revenue through business-like activities, the question is no longer theoretical: should some of that income be taxed?
In this eye-opening conversation, Scott Hodge of Arnold Ventures joins The Nonprofit Show to examine how nonprofit revenue models have evolved—and where the current tax framework may no longer align with reality.
The nonprofit sector now represents $3.6 trillion in total revenue, with approximately $2.8 trillion coming from business-related activities. Yet much of this income remains untaxed. As Scott explains, “We have this enormous… gap in the tax code so that these businesses that are now nonprofits are not paying any tax on their business income.”
This raises real operational and strategic questions for nonprofit leaders. When organizations generate revenue through sponsorships, services, or large-scale operations, where is the line between mission-driven funding and commercial activity?
The discussion also revisits the intent behind the Unrelated Business Income Tax (UBIT) and why it may no longer capture the realities of today’s nonprofit economy. “UBIT has been made so full of holes that it doesn’t capture very much income at all,” Scott notes.
At the same time, the conversation carefully distinguishes between truly charitable organizations—those driven primarily by donations—and large-scale entities operating with minimal philanthropic income. This distinction matters, especially as nonprofits compete not only with for-profit businesses but also with each other for limited donor dollars.
For nonprofit executives, finance leaders, and board members, this episode offers a critical lens on:
Revenue strategy and risk exposure
Policy shifts that could impact operations
The long-term sustainability of tax-exempt status
This isn’t about weakening the sector—it’s about understanding how definitions, funding models, and accountability may evolve in the years ahead.
#TheNonprofitShow #NonprofitTaxation #NonprofitFinance
“Job hugging” is reshaping nonprofit hiring, slowing recruitment and limiting innovation as professionals prioritize stability over career movement.
Nonprofit hiring challenges in 2026 are shifting in unexpected ways—and it’s not about a lack of talent. It’s about behavior. In this episode, we explore how “job hugging” is reshaping the nonprofit workforce and slowing hiring across the sector.
Dana Scurlock, Managing Director at Staffing Boutique, breaks down a growing trend where nonprofit professionals are choosing stability over opportunity. Rather than pursuing new roles or promotions, many are holding tightly to their current positions due to uncertainty in funding, policy changes, and broader economic pressures.
As Dana explains, “It’s not for lack of candidates—it’s for lack of candidate interest in moving jobs.” This shift has major implications for nonprofit leaders trying to fill roles, build teams, and drive innovation.
Nonprofits must treat succession planning as risk management to ensure leadership continuity, retain talent, and protect mission delivery.
Nonprofit succession planning strategy isn’t just a governance exercise—it’s a core risk management function that directly impacts mission delivery. Joan Brown (Third Sector Company) and Erick Seelbach break down how nonprofits can proactively prepare for leadership transitions without creating fear or disruption.
Too often, succession planning is treated as a reactive process—something triggered by a resignation or crisis. But as Joan explains, “A succession plan is a set of shared understandings and activities…that ensures we have the right people in the right places to deliver on our mission.” When embedded into organizational culture, succession planning becomes a stabilizing force—not a threatening one.
This important convo draws a clear distinction between succession planning and transition planning—two concepts frequently confused but critically different. Succession planning focuses on long-term leadership continuity across the organization, while transition planning addresses the tactical steps when a specific role changes hands.
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