Ep 196 | Rethinking Fundraising Success & Mission Impact in 2026 - Bruce Arbit
The Nonprofit Podcast
Embracing experimentation over fundraising
Bruce urges starting with genuine engagement and rapid pilots rather than immediate fundraising asks.
Uncertainty doesn’t just expose cracks in the system.
It exposes who actually holds value.
When uncertainty hits the sector, partnership conversations often shift. Resources tighten. Expectations change. Risk tolerance narrows.
In this conversation with Britt, impact advisor Bruce Arbit challenges the assumption that nonprofits enter these conversations from a position of need.
They don’t.
They bring impact. They bring access. They bring credibility earned through proximity to the problem. That carries value in any room, including cross-sector partnerships.
Bruce unpacks what he calls “the business of impact” and why many organizations may be underestimating their leverage in collaborative work.
In this discussion:
- Why traditional fundraising models feel strained
- How power dynamics shape partnership negotiations
- The strategic advantage of community trust and lived expertise
- What disciplined experimentation actually looks like
- Practical steps you can implement immediately
Nonprofits do not show up empty-handed. They bring assets that cannot be easily replicated.
The question may not be whether this is instability…but whether it is a moment to reassess positioning.
Head over and dig deeper with Bruce on our Nonprofit Blog:
How to Unlock New Paths to Fundraising Success and Mission Impact in 2026| Bruce Arbit
Connect with Bruce Arbit
Learn more about Bruce’s work or reach out directly on LinkedIn.
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Chapters
00:00. Navigating Uncertainty in Nonprofits
03:00. The Business of Impact
05:47. Power Dynamics in Partnerships
08:46. Shifting Mindsets and Strategies
11:47. Embracing Experimentation
14:51. Real-World Examples of Impact
18:11 Taking Action: Practical Steps
20:59. Conclusion: The Path Forward
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