Nonprofit Leadership Podcast

David Beckmann joins Dr. Rob Harter for a conversation on poverty alleviation, public policy, and the practical steps nonprofit leaders can take to reduce hunger and hardship in the United States and around the world. A pastor, economist, activist, and former president of Bread for the World, David shares insights from decades of advocacy work and discusses the central ideas in his book, Poverty Abolitionists. In this episode, David reflects on the significant progress that has been made in reducing poverty over recent decades, while also warning that recent policy shifts are reversing some of those gains. Rob and David explore the role of nonprofit advocacy, the intersection of faith and public policy, and why leaders in the social impact sector need a vision that extends beyond their own organizations. Key Topics Include: Why David Beckmann believes poverty is a solvable problem in the U.S. and globally What decades of data reveal about the dramatic decline in global and U.S. poverty rates How advocacy can help nonprofit leaders influence policies that affect hunger and poverty The impact of government funding cuts, tariffs, and immigration policies on vulnerable communities Why nonprofit organizations play a unique role in offering both practical support and personal connection How faith, spirituality, and beliefs about justice can shape public support for anti-poverty policies Why nonprofit leaders need a mission bigger than their organization to create lasting change Mentioned in This Episode: David Beckmann’s website: https://www.davidbeckmann.net David Beckmann’s book: Poverty Abolitionists Bread for the World: https://www.bread.org Alliance to End Hunger: https://alliancetoendhunger.org Feeding America: https://www.feedingamerica.org This Episode is Sponsored By: DonorBox Links to Resources: Interested in Leadership and Life Coaching? Visit Rob’s website: RobHarter.com Find us on YouTube: Nonprofit Leadership Podcast YouTube Channel Suggestions for the show? Email us at nonprofitleadershippodcast@gmail.com Request a sample coaching session: Email Rob at rob@robharter.com Subscribe and ShareListen and subscribe to the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or Amazon. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with other nonprofit leaders!

Asiaha Butler In this episode Dr. Rob Harter sits down with Asiaha Butler, co-founder and CEO of the Resident Association of Greater Englewood (R.A.G.E.), to explore how one resident’s decision to stay transformed into a powerful, resident-led movement for community healing, ownership, and revitalization. Asiaha shares the defining moment that changed her life: seeing a young girl playing in a vacant lot filled with broken glass and deciding that leaving Englewood was no longer the answer. Through this conversation, Asiaha unpacks how grassroots leadership, deep relationship-building, and a mission bigger than yourself can spark lasting change. From helping residents reclaim vacant lots to promoting homeownership, economic justice, and neighborhood belonging, her story offers nonprofit leaders a compelling model for building trust, preventing mission drift, and leading with both courage and joy. Key Topics Include: How a single moment in a vacant lot inspired Asiaha Butler to stay in Englewood and invest in her community The founding story of R.A.G.E. (Resident Association of Greater Englewood) and its resident-led approach to transformation Why “community development of the mind” is essential before physical redevelopment can succeed How relationship-building, belonging, and “porch life” help restore social fabric in disconnected communities The role of vacant land activation, homeownership, and the Buy the Block Homebuyer Grant in advancing economic justice How nonprofit leaders can document their story, reflect on their journey, and share their mission more effectively Asiaha’s leadership lessons on rest, reflection, joy, and preventing burnout in mission-driven work Mentioned in This Episode: Resident Association of Greater Englewood (R.A.G.E.) Asiaha Butler on Instagram (@mrs_englewood) R.A.G.E. on Instagram (@rage_englewood) This Episode is Sponsored By: DonorBox Links to Resources: Interested in Leadership and Life Coaching? Visit Rob’s website: RobHarter.com Find us on YouTube: Nonprofit Leadership Podcast YouTube Channel Suggestions for the show? Email us at nonprofitleadershippodcast@gmail.com Request a sample coaching session: Email Rob at rob@robharter.com Subscribe and ShareListen and subscribe to the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or Amazon. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with other nonprofit leaders!

Julia Devine In this episode, Dr. Rob Harter sits down with Julia Devine of Relatable Nonprofit to explore the rapid rise of nonprofit consulting and why more professionals are moving into this space. Drawing from a new industry report based on responses from 381 nonprofit consultants, Julia shares what is fueling this post-COVID shift and why nonprofits are increasingly turning to consultants and fractional experts to solve urgent capacity gaps. Rob and Julia also unpack some of the biggest myths about nonprofit consulting, including the idea that only certain specialties earn more or that consulting is simply an easy career pivot. They discuss what today’s nonprofit consultants actually do, how retainers and project-based work are shaping the field, and what nonprofit leaders should understand about hiring outside expertise in a changing funding environment. Key Topics Include: Why nonprofit consulting has grown significantly over the last five years, especially after COVID How layoffs, federal funding cuts, and reduced grant support are pushing professionals toward consulting Why nonprofits are hiring consultants and fractional workers instead of adding full-time staff What Julia Devine’s report revealed about consultant earnings, hourly rates, and business models The difference between nonprofit consulting and fractional roles such as CFO, COO, or CEO support Why niche positioning and problem-specific marketing matter more than offering general services How retainer agreements and project-based work are helping consultants build sustainable income Mentioned in This Episode: Relatable Nonprofit This Episode is Sponsored By: DonorBox Links to Resources: Interested in Leadership and Life Coaching? Visit Rob’s website: RobHarter.com Find us on YouTube: Nonprofit Leadership Podcast YouTube Channel Suggestions for the show? Email us at nonprofitleadershippodcast@gmail.com Request a sample coaching session: Email Rob at rob@robharter.com Subscribe and ShareListen and subscribe to the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or Amazon. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with other nonprofit leaders!

Stefan Feuerstein In this episode, Dr. Rob Harter sits down with Stefan Feuerstein to explore why healthy delegation is essential for nonprofit leaders who want to avoid burnout and build sustainable organizations. Drawing on years of leadership experience in the humanitarian sector, Stefan explains that delegation is not about getting work off your plate, but about empowering team members, clarifying responsibility, and helping others grow into greater leadership. Rob and Stefan unpack the fears that often keep mission-driven leaders from delegating well, especially the fear that the mission will suffer if someone else takes on key responsibilities. Stefan shares practical insights from his A-B-C Delegation Framework and explains how leaders can create healthier teams by defining responsibility, building trust, and developing people in ways that strengthen both the organization and its impact. Key Topics Include: Why delegation is a leadership skill every nonprofit leader must develop How poor delegation contributes to burnout, bottlenecks, and micromanagement The fear and control issues that keep leaders from letting go What healthy delegation looks like in a growing organization How Stefan’s A-B-C Delegation Framework creates clarity and trust Why delegation should be used to develop people, not just distribute tasks A practical first step leaders can take this week to reduce overwhelm Mentioned in This Episode: Stefan Feuerstein’s website: https://abcdelegation.com/ Stefan Feuerstein on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefan-feuerstein-0b35a7117 Stefan’s book, A-B-C Delegation: The Manager’s Guide to Effective Delegation: This Episode is Sponsored By: Donorbox Links to Resources: Interested in Leadership and Life Coaching? Visit Rob’s website: RobHarter.com Find us on YouTube: Nonprofit Leadership Podcast YouTube Channel Suggestions for the show? Email us at nonprofitleadershippodcast@gmail.com Request a sample coaching session: Email Rob at rob@robharter.com Subscribe and ShareListen and subscribe to the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or Amazon. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with other nonprofit leaders!

Michael Thatcher In this episode, Dr. Rob Harter sits down with Michael Thatcher, CEO of Charity Navigator, to explore how the nation’s largest independent charity evaluator is evolving to better serve donors and nonprofits alike. With over a decade at the helm, Michael shares how his background in technology and impact measurement has shaped Charity Navigator’s shift toward a more comprehensive, 360-degree view of nonprofit effectiveness. From financial transparency and governance best practices to measuring real impact and rebuilding trust in the nonprofit sector, this conversation dives deep into how data-informed giving can strengthen both donor confidence and organizational performance. Whether you’re a nonprofit executive striving for a higher rating or a donor seeking to invest in meaningful change, this episode provides practical insights to help you give—and lead—smarter. Key Topics Include: The mission of Charity Navigator and how it has expanded to rate over 250,000 nonprofits Why overhead is not a proxy for impact—and how to think beyond simple financial ratios Best practices for improving your nonprofit’s rating, including governance, transparency, and data submission How Charity Navigator’s new 360-degree rating system evaluates organizational health and impact The importance of transparency, independent boards, and posting your IRS Form 990 Why donors should think of their giving as an investment in impact, not just a charitable transaction Addressing declining trust in the nonprofit sector and the role of third-party evaluators in rebuilding confidence Mentioned in This Episode: Charity Navigator This Episode is Sponsored By: DonorBox Links to Resources: Interested in Leadership and Life Coaching? Visit Rob’s website: RobHarter.com Find us on YouTube: Nonprofit Leadership Podcast YouTube Channel Suggestions for the show? Email us at nonprofitleadershippodcast@gmail.com Request a sample coaching session: Email Rob at rob@robharter.com Subscribe and ShareListen and subscribe to the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or Amazon. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with other nonprofit leaders!

Suzanne Ehlers In this episode, Dr. Rob Harter sits down with Suzanne Ehlers, Executive Director and CEO of USA for UNHCR (the fundraising partner of the UN Refugee Agency), to explore how women are reshaping philanthropy—and how nonprofits can better design giving models that reflect who is actually driving decisions. Suzanne shares why traditional fundraising approaches often haven’t been built with women at the center, even though women influence the vast majority of giving decisions and are poised to inherit a significant portion of global wealth. (UNHCR) Suzanne also unpacks USA for UNHCR’s women-led campaign, Building Better Futures, a $15M initiative that supports refugee women through higher-education scholarships via UNHCR’s DAFI program. Together, Rob and Suzanne discuss how relationship-based philanthropy, authentic storytelling, and flexible program delivery can create deeper donor engagement and more durable impact for refugee women and girls. (UNHCR) Key Topics Include: Why philanthropy models must evolve to match who drives giving decisions—and why women’s leadership in giving matters How Building Better Futures centers women “soup to nuts”: donor voice, decision-making, and impact priorities The power shift from transactional fundraising to relationship-driven philanthropy and shared purpose How USA for UNHCR is helping sustain and expand the DAFI Scholarship Programme for refugee higher education Closing the gender gap in refugee education by intentionally prioritizing women scholars Storytelling that’s “by and for” women—using authentic refugee voices to inspire action Why flexibility (host-country study, support systems, and virtual options) is essential for education programs in refugee contexts Mentioned in This Episode: USA for UNHCR (UN Refugee Agency fundraising partner): https://www.unrefugees.org Building Better Futures campaign: https://www.unrefugees.org/building-better-futures/ UNHCR’s DAFI Tertiary Scholarship Programme: https://www.unhcr.org/us/what-we-do/build-better-futures/education/higher-education-and-skills/dafi-tertiary-scholarship-0 Suzanne Ehlers on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzanne-ehlers Not Really Strangers Podcast https://www.unrefugees.org/not-really-strangers-podcast/ (UNHCR) This Episode is Sponsored By: DonorBox Links to Resources: Interested in Leadership and Life Coaching? Visit Rob’s website: RobHarter.com Find us on YouTube: Nonprofit Leadership Podcast YouTube Channel Suggestions for the show? Email us at nonprofitleadershippodcast@gmail.com Request a sample coaching session: Email Rob at rob@robharter.com Subscribe and ShareListen and subscribe to the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or Amazon. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with other nonprofit leaders!

Mitch Stein In this timely and data-packed episode, Rob Harter sits down with Mitch Stein, Head of Strategy at Chariot, to unpack one of the most important—and fastest-growing—trends in nonprofit fundraising: Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs). With economic uncertainty, shifting donor behavior, and fewer individuals giving overall, nonprofit leaders must understand how to meet donors where they are. And increasingly, that’s through DAFs. Mitch shares eye-opening statistics, including that nearly 20% of all charitable donations now come from DAFs, totaling $65 billion in grants in 2024 alone. He explains how DAFs work, why donors love them, common misconceptions around payout rates, and—most importantly—how nonprofits can create a clear and effective DAF strategy to increase revenue and donor engagement. If you’re looking to future-proof your fundraising efforts, this is a must-listen episode. Key Topics Include: The explosive growth of Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs), with $326 billion currently held in DAF accounts Why approximately 1 in 5 charitable dollars now comes from a DAF How DAFs work and the tax advantages that attract donors Common misconceptions about DAF payout rates and “hoarding” concerns The 10x increase in average gift size when donors switch from credit cards to DAFs Practical steps nonprofits can take to build a DAF strategy How to leverage DAF Day and integrate DAF messaging into existing fundraising campaigns Mentioned in This Episode: Chariot This Episode is Sponsored By: DonorBox Links to Resources: Interested in Leadership and Life Coaching? Visit Rob’s website: RobHarter.com Find us on YouTube: Nonprofit Leadership Podcast YouTube Channel Suggestions for the show? Email us at nonprofitleadershippodcast@gmail.com Request a sample coaching session: Email Rob at rob@robharter.com Subscribe and ShareListen and subscribe to the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or Amazon. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with other nonprofit leaders!

Tim Elmore In this episode, Dr. Rob Harter welcomes Dr. Tim Elmore, founder of Growing Leaders and author of The Future Begins With Z, for a thought-provoking discussion on how nonprofit and social impact organizations can better attract, engage, and retain Generation Z talent. Drawing from decades of experience and recent research with over 2,000 Gen Z individuals, Tim shares surprising insights about Gen Z’s workplace mindset, their desire for purpose-driven work, and how leaders can adapt to unlock the potential of this emerging generation. Tim dispels common myths about Gen Z—including the idea that they lack work ethic—and instead highlights their unique strengths: intuitive tech skills, emotional intelligence, entrepreneurial thinking, and a deep passion for social justice. He offers practical, data-backed strategies for nonprofit leaders to become more effective mentors, foster inclusive workplace cultures, and design roles that engage Gen Zers in meaningful ways. If your organization is looking to future-proof its team and mission, this episode is a must-listen. Key Topics Include: Why Gen Z may be the solution to future challenges—not just another workforce “problem” The Peter Pan Paradox: how the age of authority is decreasing while the age of maturity rises Practical tips for recruiting and retaining Gen Z talent, including optimizing your website and onboarding experience How reverse mentoring can empower Gen Zers and improve your leadership Creating a “first job” experience that inspires loyalty and learning Strategies for addressing Gen Z’s mental health needs with empathy and structure How Gen Z is reshaping views on leadership, feedback, and workplace culture Mentioned in This Episode: Tim Elmore’s website: TimElmore.com The Future Begins With Z (Tim’s latest book) This Episode is Sponsored By: DonorBox.org Links to Resources: Interested in Leadership and Life Coaching? Visit Rob’s website: RobHarter.com Find us on YouTube: Nonprofit Leadership Podcast YouTube Channel Suggestions for the show? Email us at nonprofitleadershippodcast@gmail.com Request a sample coaching session: Email Rob at rob@robharter.com Subscribe and ShareListen and subscribe to the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or Amazon. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with other nonprofit leaders!

Matt Nash Dr. Rob Harter sits down with Matt Nash, Executive Director of The Blackbaud Giving Fund, to unpack the recent changes in federal tax law that significantly impact corporate giving. With corporate philanthropy under increased scrutiny and new tax hurdles on the horizon, Matt offers timely insights and actionable advice for nonprofits looking to maintain or grow their corporate donor base. The discussion dives into how the 1% income floor for corporate charitable deductions, taking effect in 2026, might affect corporate giving patterns—particularly for small and mid-sized nonprofits. Matt shares strategies for strengthening corporate relationships, tailoring outreach based on business size, and leveraging tools like AI and workplace giving platforms to better tell your story and attract support. Key Topics Include: The impact of the new 1% income threshold for corporate tax deductions starting in 2026 Why brand image and community presence are bigger motivators for corporate giving than tax deductions How nonprofits can adapt their strategy for small, mid-sized, and large corporations The importance of storytelling, emotional connection, and measurable impact reporting in donor relations How to leverage volunteerism and in-kind donations even when corporate cash gifts are cut Best practices for sustaining and deepening corporate partnerships during policy and funding shifts Why AI tools and online presence matter more than ever for workplace giving platforms Mentioned in This Episode: The Blackbaud Giving Fund Matt Nash on LinkedIn The Blackbaud Giving Fund on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn This Episode is Sponsored By: DonorBox Links to Resources: Interested in Leadership and Life Coaching? Visit Rob’s website: RobHarter.com Find us on YouTube: Nonprofit Leadership Podcast YouTube Channel Suggestions for the show? Email us at nonprofitleadershippodcast@gmail.com Request a sample coaching session: Email Rob at rob@robharter.com Subscribe and ShareListen and subscribe to the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or Amazon. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with other nonprofit leaders!

In this episode, Dr. Rob Harter sits down with Dan Pallotta—renowned author, TED Talk speaker, and social impact provocateur—to discuss what it really takes to solve the world’s biggest problems. Known for challenging the status quo in the nonprofit sector, Dan pushes listeners to think beyond conventional limitations, urging nonprofit leaders and donors alike to reimagine what’s possible when we truly embrace bold, audacious goals. Dan unpacks his groundbreaking fundraising innovations, including the AIDS Rides and Breast Cancer 3-Day Walks, and dives into key themes from his recent documentary Uncharitable. He emphasizes that nonprofits need to stop playing it safe and start empowering people to explore their own heroism—whether it’s through higher-risk initiatives or rethinking how we define overhead and impact. This episode will inspire you to challenge outdated assumptions and push your organization to dream—and do—bigger. Key Topics Include: The origin and impact of Dan’s fundraising innovations, including the AIDS Rides and Breast Cancer 3-Day events Why nonprofits must reframe how they view overhead, salaries, and investments The danger of playing it safe: how fear of failure stifles nonprofit innovation Exploring the concept of fundraising as a path to individual heroism Why bold, time-bound goals are essential for real social impact The importance of capital investment and risk-taking in the nonprofit sector Insights from the Uncharitable documentary and how it’s shifting donor mindsets Mentioned in This Episode: Dan Pallotta’s Website: DanPallotta.com Watch Uncharitable: UncharitableMovie.com The Audacious Project: audaciousproject.org No Kid Hungry: nokidhungry.org Social Current: social-current.org This Episode is Sponsored By: DonorBox Links to Resources: Interested in Leadership and Life Coaching? Visit Rob’s website: RobHarter.com Find us on YouTube: Nonprofit Leadership Podcast YouTube Channel Suggestions for the show? Email us at nonprofitleadershippodcast@gmail.com Request a sample coaching session: Email Rob at rob@robharter.com Subscribe and ShareListen and subscribe to the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or Amazon. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with other nonprofit leaders!