Nonprofit Mission: Impact

How can nonprofit organizations navigate leadership transitions with steadiness and clarity? In episode 137 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton talks with Erin Stratford Owens, a seasoned interim executive director to answer this question. Carol and Erin talk about: what makes interim leadership distinct from simply "holding down the fort" — it's a time for honest reflection, system assessment, and preparing the path for what's next. how boards and staff can make the most of an interim period, the common mistakes to avoid, and why slowing down to plan for sustainability — rather than reacting in urgency — is essential for long-term impact. The conversation offers nonprofit leaders a grounded perspective on turning moments of uncertainty into opportunities for renewal and learning. Episode highlights: [00:08:26] What Interim Leadership Really Is [00:11:56] Misconceptions About Interims [00:15:21] Avoiding Common Mistakes [00:18:46] Setting the Stage for the Next Leader [00:20:26] The Board's Crucial Role [00:22:41] Building Staff Trust [00:25:36] Addressing Systems and Structure [00:29:26] What Makes an Interim Successful [00:30:56] From Urgency to Sustainability Guest Bio: Erin Stratford Owens is the founder and CEO of ESO Nonprofit Consulting, specializing in Interim Executive Leadership and coaching for nonprofits and nonprofit leaders in transition. Erin holds a BA in English from UNC-Greensboro and a Master's in Nonprofit Management from The New School's Milano School of Policy, Management and Environment. She is a Certified Interim Executive through Armstrong McGuire Interim Leadership Institute. With 12 years of experience as an in-house nonprofit Executive Director, her extensive interim leadership experience includes guiding organizations through critical transitions at Humane Society of the Piedmont, Partners Ending Homelessness, Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater High Point, Greensboro Farmers Market, and Humane Society of Catawba County. She currently serves as Board Chair for the Guilford County Continuum of Care and as a Steering Committee member of the Guilford Nonprofit Consortium. When not working or volunteering, Erin enjoys spending time with her husband and two kids, two dogs, and a 16-year-old blind kitty cat named Smokie Important Links and Resources: Erin Stratford Owens Be in Touch: ✉️ Subscribe to Carol's newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting and receive the Common Mistakes Nonprofits Make In Strategic Planning And How To Avoid Them 📚Find the books referred to on Nonprofit Mission: Impact 👥 Like what you heard? Please share the podcast with a colleague or friend 🌟 Help more people learn about Nonprofit Mission: Impact by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn

In episode 136 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton, Elizabeth Engel, and Jamie Notter talk about their new white paper Lean at 10: Culture Eats Methodology for Lunch. Ten years after Engel first explored Lean Startup principles in the nonprofit and association world, she and Notter revisit what's changed—and what hasn't. Carol, Elizabeth and Jamie discuss: Why the tools of innovation are accessible, yet the real challenge in adoption lies in organizational culture. how competing commitments, fear of failure, and rigid silos can quietly sabotage innovation efforts what leaders can do instead to nurture learning, empathy, and experimentation. For nonprofit and association leaders navigating rapid change, this conversation offers a candid look at how to build cultures that support innovation—not resist it. Episode highlights: [00:06:00] Revisiting Lean Startup, 10 Years Later [00:010:50] Defining Lean Startup and Design Thinking [00:011:50] Culture: The Invisible Barrier [00:014:40] When Culture Undermines Innovation [00:19:00] Insight Over Perfection [00:22:00] People Don't Resist Change—They Resist Being Changed [00:24:40] Low Fences, Not No Silos [00:27:00] Listening Beyond the Boardroom [00:30:40] Volunteer Culture Matters Too [00:31:00] The Role of Healthy Conflict [00:37:35] What a Culture Supportive of Innovation Looks Like [00:41:20] From Reactive to Proactive Transparency [00:44:35] The Questions Nonprofit Leaders Should Ask Guest Bios: Elizabeth Weaver Engel, M.A., CAE, is Chief Strategist at Spark Consulting. For more than 25 years, Elizabeth has helped associations grow in membership, marketing, communications, public presence, and especially revenue, which is what Spark is all about. She speaks and writes frequently on a variety of topics in association management. When she's not helping associations grow, Elizabeth loves to dance, listen to live music, cook, and garden. Jamie Notter is a speaker, author, consultant, and culture scientist. His career spans 30 years, with more than a decade of research and practice in the culture field, as well as deep experience in areas like conflict resolution and generations. He desperately wants to make work suck less for everyone, and has written four popular business books, including the award-winning Non-Obvious Guide to Employee Engagement, and his latest release, Culture Change Made Easy. He holds a Master's in conflict resolution from George Mason and a certificate in Organization Development from Georgetown, where he served as adjunct faculty. Important Links and Resources: Elizabeth Weaver Engel https://www.getmespark.com/ https://www.getmespark.com/blog/ Jamie Notter https://jamienotter.com/ https://jamienotter.com/research-books/ Be in Touch: ✉️ Subscribe to Carol's newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting and receive the Common Mistakes Nonprofits Make In Strategic Planning And How To Avoid Them 📚Find the books referred to on Nonprofit Mission: Impact 👥 Like what you heard? Please share the podcast with a colleague or friend 🌟 Help more people learn about Nonprofit Mission: Impact by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn

In episode 135 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton talks with organizational design consultant Julian Chender about how nonprofits can move beyond simple restructuring to intentional organizational design that aligns strategy, structure, and process. They discuss: how organizational design is not the same as restructuring how design choices impact effectiveness, collaboration, and long-term sustainability. the pitfalls of designing around personalities, the importance of strategic clarity when facing downsizing or merger decisions. The conversation offers nonprofit leaders practical insights into building organizations that are resilient, adaptable, and positioned for impact. Episode highlights: The Why Behind the Work - [00:08:08] Defining Organizational Design - [00:13:53] Structure, Silos, and Collaboration - [00:14:41] Common Mistakes in Nonprofit Design - [00:18:23] Balancing Human-Centered Values and Strategy - [00:20:40] Downsizing by Design - [00:24:36] Participation and Ownership - [00:23:32] Benchmarking vs. Mass Customization - [00:30:01] Strategic Plans Require Organizational Design - [00:37:40] Mergers and Strategic Alliances - [00:41:21] Examples of Successful Mergers - [00:44:16] The Key Question for Leaders - [00:47:57] Guest Bio: Julian Chender is the founder of 11A Collaborative, an organization design firm focused on creating healthy society through healthy organizations. In his early years, Julian was an internal consultant at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) under Tony Fauci during the agency's response to the global Ebola and Zika crises. From there, he moved to external consulting, eventually joining Accenture's Operating Model & Organization Design practice shortly after its acquisition of Kates Kesler. Through 11A Collaborative, Julian has consulted to purpose-driven organizations across sectors. He is a Certified Organization Design Practitioner and an ICF-Certified Coach who holds a master's degree in Organization Development from American University and a B.A. in History from Swarthmore College. Important Links and Resources: Julian Chender 11A Collaborative Organization Design Forum Downsizing by Design: A Guide for Nonprofits Candid Social Impact Staff Retention survey Board Source Purpose Driven Leadership Be in Touch: ✉️ Subscribe to Carol's newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting and receive the Common Mistakes Nonprofits Make In Strategic Planning And How To Avoid Them 📚Find the books referred to on Nonprofit Mission: Impact 👥 Like what you heard? Please share the podcast with a colleague or friend 🌟 Help more people learn about Nonprofit Mission: Impact by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn

Kayla Meyers, founder of Bridgepoint Evaluation and seasoned program evaluator, explains reimagining evaluation as collaborative and curiosity-driven. She talks about shifting away from punitive audits, right-sizing evaluations for small nonprofits, starting with strategy, and pairing numbers with stories to communicate impact.

In episode 133 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, host Carol Hamilton and guest Paula Brantner, workplace fairness consultant and founder of Accountability Ignited, unpack the real challenges nonprofits face in preventing harassment, bullying, and misconduct. They talk about: The often-overlooked gaps in nonprofit systems—particularly around reporting mechanisms—and The false sense of security many mission-driven organizations have about their immunity to these issues. How to take a proactive, values-based approach rooted in trauma-informed practices, Why codes of conduct need to include all constituents, including for example sponsors and vendors to be effective For nonprofit and association leaders seeking to build safer and braver organizational cultures, this episode is full of actionable insight. Episode highlights: Inadequate Legal System - [00:08:23] Reporting Systems as Ground Zero - [00:9:45] Small Organizations Are Especially Vulnerable - [00:11:00] Aligning Codes of Conduct with Values - [00:13:19] Moving Beyond Punitive Approaches - [00:15:48] Codes Should Live Beyond the Employee Handbook - [00:17:01] Who's in the Ecosystem? Everyone. - [00:18:00] Special Risk Zones: Conferences and Galas - [00:21:00] Building Visible, Trained Allies Programs - [00:24:35] Multiple Reporting Channels Are Key - [00:27:00] Trauma-Informed Listening - [00:38:18] Power Dynamics and Systemic Barriers - [00:37:00] Organizational Excellence: 3 Leading Practices - [00:42:00] Proactive Culture-Building as a Strategic Imperative: It can happen anywhere - [00:46:10] Guest Bio: Paula Brantner of Accountability Ignited builds harassment and toxic workplace prevention systems that reflect your values and transform your culture. She works with academic societies, professional organizations, nonprofits, and political organizations on training, reporting systems and policy development to encourage reporting, ensure accountability, and build a harassment-free environment. Prior to founding Accountability Ignited in 2016, Paula spent 18 years (including eight as executive director) with Workplace Fairness, a legal nonprofit that educates workers about their legal rights in the workplace. An employment lawyer for over 30 years, Paula has degrees from UC Law-San Francisco and Michigan State University's James Madison College. She has a credential from the Association of Workplace Investigators (AWI-CH), and incorporates training in trauma-informed and anti-racism principles and practices into her work. Important Links and Resources: Paula Brantner Accountability Ignited Building Inclusive Scientific Communities and Leadership Case Studies from Professional Societies Be in Touch: ✉️ Subscribe to Carol's newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting and receive the Common Mistakes Nonprofits Make In Strategic Planning And How To Avoid Them 📚Find the books referred to on Nonprofit Mission: Impact 👥 Like what you heard? Please share the podcast with a colleague or friend 🌟 Help more people learn about Nonprofit Mission: Impact by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn

In episode 132 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Justine Krank discuss the realities and nuances of pursuing US government grants for nonprofit organizations. They discuss: common misconceptions including that government grants equals federal grants The challenges and compliance demands that come with government dollars. How to decode complex RFPs -- the hidden requirements that can make or break an application, and how to get an organization truly grant-ready — not just on paper, but with the capacity to manage the work. why the human side of building relationships even in the often opaque government grant space is important Episode highlights: [00:08:17] Clearing Up Misconceptions About Government Grants [00:09:24] The Challenge of Reading RFPs [00:11:48] Why It Matters Who Writes the RFP [00:13:49] The Hidden Details in Grant Links [00:16:02] Budget Pitfalls in Grant Applications [00:17:32] Federal vs. State and Local Funding [00:20:08] Balancing Risk, Reward, and Compliance [00:23:18] Shifting Grant Strategies Amid Funding Freezes [00:25:45] Building True Grant Readiness [00:28:40] How to Research Relevant Funding Streams [00:30:56] The Often-Overlooked Human Element [00:32:31] The Bottom Line: Alignment and Capacity Guest Bio: Justine founded Gold Dust Grants in January 2023 after almost 10 years in the nonprofit field. She's an Intersectional Professional with a background rooted in reproductive justice, a B.A. from UC Berkeley, and over six years of dedicated institutional grant writing experience, bringing in almost $12 million as Lead Writer. As a consultant, she leverages her experience in nonprofit contracts & compliance, and her legal studies background, to help nonprofits submit clear and cohesive proposals with a strong case for support. While the bulk of her grant experience is writing for Transition-Age Youth programs (ages 14-25), she also has extensive experience in: Housing, Mental Health, Workforce Development, and LGBTQIA+ services. She has worked on successful proposals totaling over $25 million in awards funded Important Links and Resources: Justine Krank Gold Dust Grants Consulting Be in Touch: ✉️ Subscribe to Carol's newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting and receive the Common Mistakes Nonprofits Make In Strategic Planning And How To Avoid Them 📚Find the books referred to on Nonprofit Mission: Impact 👥 Like what you heard? Please share the podcast with a colleague or friend 🌟 Help more people learn about Nonprofit Mission: Impact by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn

In episode 131 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Melissa Kessler explore the intersection of communications and organization development, particularly in moments of crisis, transition and change. They talk about how internal communications can either reinforce or undermine values, strategy, and humanity within an organization. how to navigate layoffs, restructuring, or organizational shifts with humanity why how we communicate is just as important as what we decide. Episode highlights: 💬 "It's a Communications Problem" – Or Is It? [00:09:27] – 🔁 Communications Is Change [00:12:29] – 💔 Communicating Layoffs with Humanity [00:14:30] – 🧠 Leaders Are Always Ahead of the Curve [00:18:24] – 🔄 Defining "Internal" vs. "External" in Complex Systems [00:19:32] – 🧩 Communication Is Not Strategy [00:20:57] – 💬 Who Gets Told What—And When [00:22:55] – ⚠️ Managing With Compassion Through Uncertainty [00:24:54] – 👥 The Impact on Those Who Remain [00:30:15] – 🌅 Ending Well: The Missing Ritual [00:33:15] – 🪦 Organizational Death and Grief [00:35:55] – 🧘‍♀️ Leading in Chaos: Self-Care Is Strategic [00:42:15] – 📝 Your Crisis Plan Should Include Snacks [00:44:04] – Guest Bio: Melissa George Kessler is a consultant and executive coach working in the areas of strategy and organization effectiveness through her independent practice, Organizations + Communications, and with partner firms. She began her career as a reporter and editor; later ran the communications shops for two agriculture associations; and has worked extensively in trade policy and education. Over a 20 year career, Melissa has done work with non-profit and private-sector partners throughout the urban and rural United States and in Asia, Africa and Latin America. She also has spoken at various OD conferences and is the author of a book chapter on communications and strategic change. Melissa splits her time between her hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the national capital area. Important Links and Resources: Melissa Kessler Organizations + Communications LLC The Workplace Psychological Contract Is Broken. Here's How to Fix It Transitions: Making Sense of Life's Changes Be in Touch: ✉️ Subscribe to Carol's newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting and receive the Common Mistakes Nonprofits Make In Strategic Planning And How To Avoid Them 📚Find the books referred to on Nonprofit Mission: Impact 👥 Like what you heard? Please share the podcast with a colleague or friend 🌟 Help more people learn about Nonprofit Mission: Impact by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn

In episode 130 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol reflects on five years of podcasting and the sobering state of the nonprofit sector in 2025. While celebrating milestones, she also underscores the challenges nonprofits face amidst unprecedented political attacks, funding cuts, and threats to long-standing principles like nonpartisanship. Despite these challenges, Carol highlights the resilience, innovation, and critical role nonprofits play in society—from filling essential gaps to fueling social movements, strengthening democracy, and sparking innovation. She calls on nonprofit leaders to share their stories, advocate for the sector, and remind their communities why nonprofits matter now more than ever. Episode highlights: [00:00:00] Five Years of Podcasting [00:00:25] A Sector Under Attack [00:02:00] Specific Threats to the Nonprofit Sector [00:03:38] Resistance and Resilience [00:04:19] Trust in the Sector [00:05:37] Five Reasons Nonprofits Matter Carol shares her top five reasons the sector is essential: Filling critical gaps in services and support Driving social movements for justice and inclusion Building social capital and connections in communities Strengthening democracy and civic life Spurring social innovation that reshapes society [00:06:33–00:12:26] Deep Dive into the Five Reasons [00:25:46] Imperfection, Impact and Resilience [00:26:00–00:27:35] Tell the Good News Leverage campaigns like Nonprofits Get It Done to tell the sector's story [00:28:00] Looking Ahead Important Links and Resources: https://nonprofitsgetitdone.org/ https://www.urban.org/research/publication/what-financial-risk-nonprofits-losing-government-grants https://www.vera.org/news/trumps-war-on-nonprofits-will-make-us-all-less-safe https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Yentel-Written-Testimony.pdf https://www.aam-us.org/2025/06/26/eo-impact-is-there-an-existential-threat-to-nonprofit-status https://nonprofithub.org/a-brief-history-of-nonprofit-organizations/ Be in Touch: ✉️ Subscribe to Carol's newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting and receive the Common Mistakes Nonprofits Make In Strategic Planning And How To Avoid Them 📚Find the books referred to on Nonprofit Mission: Impact 👥 Like what you heard? Please share the podcast with a colleague or friend 🌟 Help more people learn about Nonprofit Mission: Impact by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Follow Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn

In this episode of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton gives a tribute to nonprofit consulting star and nonprofit governance and fundraising expert Sabrina Walker Hernandez, President & CEO of Building Better Boards, by re-releasing their conversation from 2021. Ms. Hernandez passed away in July 2025 after a long battle with cancer. Episode highlights: [00:06:45] Finding Her Why: From Law to Nonprofit Service [00:13:00] Breaking Down the Fundraising Cycle [00:18:30] A Mantra for Courage: It's Not About You [00:21:15] Helping Board Members Identify Donors: The List Generator [00:25:55] Cultivating With Authenticity [00:29:75] Fundraising in Underserved Communities [00:35:55] Where to Begin: Budget and Strategy [00:40:30] Innovating Fundraising Approaches Guest Bio: Sabrina Walker-Hernandez was the President & CEO of Building Better Boards. She has over 30 years of experience in nonprofit management, fundraising, and leadership. One of Sabrina's greatest successes was that she increased operation revenue from$750,000 to $2.5 million over an 8-year period as well as being responsible for the planning and operations of a $12 million comprehensive capital campaign in the 3rd poorest county in the United States. She facilitated numerous workshops with hundreds of nonprofit professionals and was a master trainer for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Sabrina gained a certificate in Nonprofit Management by Harvard Business School. She was an active community leader and volunteer in Edinburg, Texas. Important Links and Resources: Tributes to Sabrina: https://texasborderbusiness.com/in-loving-memory-of-sabrina-walker-hernandez/ https://riograndeguardian.com/tributes-pour-in-for-sabrina-walker-hernandez/ https://www.legacychapelsrgv.com/obituaries/sabrina-walker-hernandez https://www.youtube.com/@SupportingWorldHope Be in Touch: ✉️ Subscribe to Carol's newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting and receive the Common Mistakes Nonprofits Make In Strategic Planning And How To Avoid Them 📚Find the books referred to on Nonprofit Mission: Impact 👥 Like what you heard? Please share the podcast with a colleague or friend 🌟 Help more people learn about Nonprofit Mission: Impact by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn

In episode 128 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Michael Randel joins Carol to explore how psychological safety—often dismissed as a "soft" concept—plays a critical role in nonprofit team performance, learning, and innovation. They discuss: The connection between organizational readiness and the deeper human dynamics that shape effective leadership and collaboration. What psychological safety looks like in action, Why it's vital in today's polarized climate, How nonprofit leaders can foster inclusive, high-trust environments where people feel safe to speak up, take risks, and learn from mistakes. Episode highlights: [00:08:55] 🔍 What is Psychological Safety? [00:12:05] 📉 The Cost of Silence [00:15:05] 📊 How Do You Know It's There? [00:17:55] 🧠 Insights from Surgery Rooms [00:21:05] 🤝 Belonging Happens in the Small Moments [00:23:55] 🛠️ The Five Practices of Psychological Safety [00:28:55] 👂 More Than Lip Service [00:32:55] 🔁 Inclusive Rituals in Action [00:37:55] 🧩 Are Leadership Teams Actually Teams? [00:40:55] 📈 Safety and Accountability Aren't Opposites [00:42:55] ❓ Two Powerful Questions for Leaders Guest Bio: Michael Randel helps leaders and their teams move through Change and Growth with Calm and Confidence. He developed the RCA Seasons of GrowthTM framework to help people understand and move through the three common phases of change. This allows leaders to navigate the challenges of change and bring about transformational results. With 30 years of experience, Michael works with philanthropic foundations, nonprofit organizations, corporations, and public sector agencies to help them navigate change with success and poise with his expertise in organizational change. The influence and impact of Michael's work has been recognized with multiple global awards, and his clients include Amnesty International, AstraZeneca, NASA, United Nations, and the World Bank. Important Links and Resources: Michael Randel Randel Consulting Associates RCA Resources RCA Resources for Psychological Safety RCA Solutions Amy C. Edmonson The Fearless Organization by Amy Edmonson Be in Touch: ✉️ Subscribe to Carol's newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting and receive the Common Mistakes Nonprofits Make In Strategic Planning And How To Avoid Them 📚Find the books referred to on Nonprofit Mission: Impact 👥 Like what you heard? Please share the podcast with a colleague or friend 📤👥 🌟 Help more people learn about Nonprofit Mission: Impact by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn