Nonprofit Everything
Business & Finance
About
Welcome to Nonprofit Everything, a bi-weekly Q&A podcast about everything nonprofit.
Episodes
- Celebrating a Retiring CEO
How do we put a positive spin on our CEO transition? Stacey and Andy have some thoughts. Also this week, a listener calls BS on a food bank's perpetual claim that one dollar can provide three meals. Is that even possible? And if it is, how…
- Replacing Federal Funding
It’s the one existential question that everyone has been asking for the last 12 months, and *finally* somebody asks Stacey and Andy! Now that federal funding has become unreliable, what are our other options?! Thanks for joining us as we t…
- Should Big Donors Get Special Treatment?
If a donor shows up with enough cash, should we change our policies for them? Stacey and Andy have thoughts! Also this week, we talk about whether to vote in new board members while they’re present and at their first meeting. Thanks for jo…
- Attracting Younger Donors
As we watch our average donor age get older and older, how do we start to attract younger donors? Stacey and Andy have some thoughts! Also this week, we talk about how to convince your board of something that they’re initially hesitant to…
- Are Strategic Plans Dead?
Are traditional strategic plans dead? (Before listening, do you think you can guess what Stacey is going to say?) Join us this week to find out. Also, Stacey and Andy talk about what fairness and parity mean in the context of employee pay.…
- Preventing Nonprofit Burnout
How are we supposed to keep staff from burning out and quitting when our work increases but our resources decrease? This is a big question and Stacey and Andy will do their best! Also this week, we talk about when and why to record (or not…
- Nonprofit Predictions for 2026
We’re over a month into the new year and one listener wants to know what our predictions are for the nonprofit sector in 2026. Stacey and Andy are happy to oblige! And for long time listeners, one prediction is going to be a huge surprise!…
- Beyond the SWOT Analysis
What begins as a simple question about a better option for the SWOT analysis turns into a strategic planning (don’t call it that!) extravaganza! Join Stacey and Andy this week as they deconstruct the facilitated planning session and share…
- What Expenses to Cut in a Bad Year?
Just one question this week and it’s massive! If we’re halfway through the fiscal year and we’re not going to come anywhere close to hitting our revenue targets, how should the board go about cutting expenses? Yikes! Stacey and Andy get to…
- No Staff in Board Meetings
Can the board request that no staff are present during board meetings? Stacey and Andy have the answer! Also this week, we talk about managing a chatty volunteer that’s making it hard to get work done, and have a nice discussion about how…
- AI Board Minutes
Upcoming tax law changes mean that there could be a lot of unexpected gifts hitting before December 31st this year. How do we keep windfalls from ratcheting up board expectations for years afterwards? Stacey and Andy have some thoughts! Al…
- Disengaged Board Members
Wait, now a board member wants us to *not* run like a business? I’m so confused. But Stacey and Andy can help! Also this week, we talk about disengaged board members who refuse to step down, and what kinds of smart questions to ask when ve…
- Treasurer Risks
What legal risks does a person take on when they agree to be a nonprofit treasurer? Stacey and Andy have some thoughts. Also this week, we talk about different generational takes on PTO policies (how exciting!) and some practical advice ab…
- Am I Being Forced to Retire?
I think I’m being forced to retire. Everybody keeps talking about succession planning, but this nonprofit is my baby! Stacey and Andy can definitely help. Also this week, we talk about how to keep your head above water when there is *a lot…
- Donor wants Executive Director Fired
Is it possible to convince a resistant board that a merger is necessary to save the nonprofit from a “long, slow death?” Stacey and Andy have some thoughts. Also this week, a Board Chair faces a tough ethical and financial conflict: A majo…
- Maintaining a Founder’s Vision
When you’ve spent years crafting your vision for the successful nonprofit you’ve founded, how do you prevent future boards and leaders from screwing it all up? Predictably, Stacy and Andy have a few thoughts. Also this week, we talk about…
- Recruiting Board Members
How should you respond when a board member prospect declines your offer? Is there anything to learn from that experience Join us this week as Stacey and Andy tackle that topic. Also, we talk about how small nonprofit shops get up to speed…
- Should the executive director be on the board?
Is there anything you can you do if your organization has trouble hanging on to volunteeers? Stacy and Andy have some thoughts! Also this week, we talk about whether or not the executive director should have a seat on the board, and go rea…
- Staff Ambassadors
What is the best way to get staff to recognize that they’re ambassadors for the organization? Stacey and Andy have some thoughts. Also this week, we talk about how to get an underperforming employee back up to scratch. Thanks for joining u…
- Serious Financial Struggles
What can you do when cash runs out and you can’t even make payroll? Andy and Stacey have some thoughts. Also this week, we find out if it’s possible for an executive director to effectively run a nonprofit by remaining in the background, a…
- Better Funder Site Visits
How do you get funder site visits just right? Stacey and Andy have some thoughts! Also this week, we talk about budgeting for grant revenue, and have an interesting discussion about managing end user fraud (and whether it’s something you s…
- Board Member Burnout
Nonprofits are “business on hard-mode,” and sometimes this can take a toll on board members and staff. Is there something we can do about burnout in this high-stress environment? Stacey and Andy have some thoughts! Also this week, we talk…
- Talking to the Media
How do nonprofits get better at talking to the media about our mission, programs and needs? Stacey joins guest expert Linda Bridges , Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at SafeNest for the answer. Thanks for joining us this week! I…
- Creating a First Fundraising Budget
How do you create a fundraising budget from scratch — is that even possible if you have no past history? Andy and Stacey sure seem to think so! Also this week, we talk about how to officially wind down a nonprofit organization, and if it’s…
- Raising Unrestricted Funds
Is it possible (or ethical) to raise unrestricted funds at a program focused event? Stacey and Andy have some thoughts! Also this week, we discuss how a small membership organization can start to raise some cash, and we find out the three…
- Benefits for Remote Workers
How do we know which state’s benefits apply to our remote workers? Andy joins guest expert Randy Marsh , Interim Chief Financial & Operations Officer for the nonprofit ANet to get the answer. Also this week, Stacey has some ideas about how…
- Board Members are Fighting
Two of the members on one of our board committees can’t stop fighting with each other… who should deal with this? We’ve definitely got a few ideas. Also this week, Stacey and Andy explore some options for smaller organizations to recognize…
- Endowments!
Everybody should have an endowment, shouldn’t they? Not so fast — Andy and Stacey have some thoughts. Also this week, are restaurant marketing fundraisers a good way to make a little money? Thanks for joining us this week, and please, plea…
- Overhead Percentage Targets
Are there any special things we should be considering when former clients want to come back to volunteer? Stacey and Andy have thoughts. Also this week, we discuss whether an organization should have an “overhead target” and if it’s approp…
- Corporate Volunteering
We get a lot of requests for one-day corporate volunteering projects, but they take so much effort. How do we make these worth our time? Stacey and Andy have some thoughts! Also this week, we talk about how to manage a founder who has reti…
- Marketing with Limited Capacity with Guest Expert Lisa Nelsen
With so many options available, what strategies should we use to maximize our marketing efforts — especially if we don’t really have the capacity in the first place? Stacey joins guest expert Lisa Nelsen , Owner, Nonprofit Brand Designer &…
- Distilling Impact for Social Media
What’s the best way to condense the massive impact our organization has into a easily digested social media clip? Stacey and Andy have some thoughts! Also this week, we (kinda) talk about how to find an easy to use accounting package for n…
- Why even be a nonprofit?
Isn’t it a huge waste of effort to be a nonprofit once you consider the compliance, reporting and donor rules? For an organization just starting out, couldn’t we serve our mission more efficiently if we didn’t have to bother with all that?…
- How are nonprofit arts organizations different? with Guest Expert Alan Harrison
Are there fundamental differences between the board responsibilities of an arts nonprofit and a regular old charitable one? This week Andy is joined by guest expert and author of Scene Change Alan Harrison to get this question answered pro…
- Avoiding Negative News Stories
How do you keep from being the subject of a negative news story? Stacey and Andy have some thoughts. Also this week, we talk about what a better set of nonprofit financial statements looks like. Thanks for joining us this week (and this en…
- Attracting Younger Board Members
How do we attract and retain younger board members? Stacey and Andy have some thoughts. Also this week, we talk about how to engage with new pro sports teams (or any new companies) coming to your town. And finally, we share some tips for m…
- What does a new board need to know?
Are there things we need to know when bringing in our first ever board? Stacey has thoughts. Also this week, we talk about internal controls for an organization with one staff member, and whether or not to submit a report for a grant that…
- Fundraising for Capacity Building
How do you encourage donors to fund capacity building and not just programs? Stacey and Andy have some thoughts! Also this week, we talk about whether or not there is a best practice around reserve spending, and share some ideas about insp…
- Getting the Board to Ask More Questions
Is there a difference between a nonprofit’s “story” and its “elevator pitch?” Stacey has some thoughts. Also this week, we talk about criteria for a recognition wall, and a really big one: how the heck do you get boards to ask more (intell…
- Hiring a First Development Director
After starting a brand new nonprofit and filing the paperwork, what’s next? Stacey and Andy will get you pointed in the right direction. Also this week, we talk about things to think about when hiring your first ever development profession…
- Donor Advised Funds
Are donor advised funds good or evil? That’s a big question, and Stacey and Andy definitely have some thoughts. Also, we talk about strategies for filling vacant committee leadership positions (it’s tough!) and Stacey has some tips for get…
- Founding Executive Director is Resistant to Change
We’ve got a really nice balance of questions this week! Is it possible to get a founding executive director to embrace change? Stacey and Andy have some thoughts on that! Also this week, we brainstorm about how to get new people to come to…
- Do you need a strategic planning consultant?
Just two questions for Stacey and Andy this week, but they’re biggies! When creating a strategic plan is a consultant really necessary, or can we spare that expense? Also this week, a technical question about calculating liquidity gets une…
- What Committees Should Be Board Run?
If there’s something more terrifying than having to tell a grantor that they’re wrong, we haven’t heard of it. Is it even possible to push back on a state agency interpreting a federal grant incorrectly? Stacy and Andy have some thoughts!…
- Expanding Your Corps of Volunteers
Should the executive director select their own replacement? Andy and Stacey certainly have some thoughts on that topic! Also this week, an organization needs help attracting new and different volunteers, and we discuss whether a nonprofit…
- Converting from All Volunteer Run
If you’ve spent years proudly telling donors that you’re all volunteer run, is it even possible to hire paid staff when you need to level up? Stacey and Andy have some thoughts. Also this week, we talk about the possibility and consequence…
- Politics and Nonprofits
This week Stacey and Andy delve into the Nonprofit Everything archive to bring you a thematically consistent series of previously aired questions. Which is a fancy way of saying “Hey! It’s a clip show!” From episode 79, we talk about how t…
- Political Candidates and Events – with Guest Expert April Mastroluca
It’s guest expert time! This week, Stacey is joined by April Mastroluca , Chief Solution Finder at Synergy Nonprofit Consulting to talk about the convergence of political campaign season and gala event season. Are there rules about ads in…
- Buying Mailing Lists
Should we be buying mailing lists to expand our reach, or is that a tactic from the olden days? Stacey and Andy certainly have some thoughts! Also this week, we talk about how strict to be when using the words “evidence based program” (in…
- Can the Executive Director Veto a Board Nomination?
If better boards can prevent nonprofit failures, would it be smart to require boards to take governance training? Stacey and Andy have some thoughts. Also this week, we talk about an executive director’s responsibility to prevent a bad boa…