Nonprofit Hub Radio

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Janelle Miller Moravec shares how she has not only survived but thrived in nonprofit leadership for over 15 years—defying the sector's alarming burnout trends. Her approach? Reimagining sustainability from the inside out. From rethinking productivity standards and tailoring support for novice clinicians to implementing a team-based supervisory model and using data to track burnout indicators, Janelle offers a powerful blueprint for building resilient, mission-driven organizations. Tune in to learn how modeling boundaries and staying the course can help your nonprofit—and your people—truly thrive.Janelle Miller Moravec is the Executive Director of Youth & Family Counseling (YFC), a nonprofit mental health organization serving Lake County in the Chicagoland area. She leads a dedicated team of clinicians, staff, board members, and donors united by a shared mission to increase access to quality mental health care. Known for her innovative and compassionate leadership style, Janelle focuses on building supportive, data-informed systems that help both people and programs thrive.Support the showGet free nonprofit professional development resources, connections to cause work peers, and more at https://nonprofithub.org

Send us Fan MailIn this inspiring episode, Ken Miller shares his journey from foster care to becoming a lifelong mentor to over 50 men. With heartfelt candor, he unpacks the key differences between mentoring, coaching, and workplace sponsorship—emphasizing that true mentorship is always free, relational, and focused on the whole person. Ken’s approach begins with a powerful question: “What is your dream?” and aims to help others rediscover the ability to dream. He also discusses the unique challenges faced by women and people of color in finding mentors and how his organization, Men of Color in Development, addresses this need. Whether you're seeking a mentor, becoming one, or building a culture of support, this episode offers practical insight for every stage of your nonprofit journey.Support the showGet free nonprofit professional development resources, connections to cause work peers, and more at https://nonprofithub.org

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Meghan talks with David Rhode, author of Passion Isn't Enough: A Practical Guide for Nonprofit Leaders, about the often overlooked realities of nonprofit leadership. David offers practical, hard-earned insights on everything from board engagement and leadership isolation to managing the everyday chaos of running a small organization. With real talk on setting expectations, evaluating (and even letting go of) board members, and simplifying roles, this conversation is a must-listen for nonprofit leaders juggling multiple hats. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, under-resourced, or unsure of how to move forward, this episode delivers the validation and actionable advice you need—because passion is just the beginning.Support the showGet free nonprofit professional development resources, connections to cause work peers, and more at https://nonprofithub.org

Send us Fan MailMatt Lombardi, founder of Share Talent, introduces a transformative approach to nonprofit growth by applying lean startup principles rooted in his journey from ministry to digital consulting. He urges mission-driven organizations to build with their communities, not just for them, through radical humility, listening, and experimentation. Using frameworks like MVPs (Minimum Viable Products) and MAPs (Minimum Awesome Products), Matt shows how nonprofits can adapt quickly, avoid waste, and sustain impact. His core message challenges the status quo: stop chasing more funding—start asking better questions, kill what no longer works, and build what truly matters.Support the showGet free nonprofit professional development resources, connections to cause work peers, and more at https://nonprofithub.org

Send us Fan MailFeeling exhausted from chasing the latest fundraising trends with little to show for it? In this insightful conversation with Isaac Ezell, CEO of Seed Fundraisers, we explore what truly drives sustainable nonprofit growth. Drawing from his 13+ years scaling Hope International from $5 million to $38.5 million, Isaac reveals that successful organizations focus on just one or two core strategies—rather than trying to do everything. He outlines five primary fundraising approaches and encourages nonprofits to align with their strengths and donor base. Most importantly, he highlights the relational heart of fundraising, where storytelling and listening build deeper, mission-driven partnerships.Support the showGet free nonprofit professional development resources, connections to cause work peers, and more at https://nonprofithub.org

Send us Fan Mail In 2025’s shifting nonprofit funding landscape, many organizations face steep federal grant cuts, prompting a pivot toward overlooked private foundations. In a timely discussion, Rachel Fidler Cannella of Instrumentl joins Megan Speer to share insights on navigating this challenge, highlighting examples like Second Harvest Food Bank. She debunks the myth of grants as “easy money,” noting most professionals spend 40+ hours per application with no guarantee of success. The conversation emphasizes how AI and cross-team collaboration are transforming the grant process, and Rachel offers practical strategies for strengthening grant efforts—urging leaders to focus on what’s working, set clear priorities, and adopt systems that foster visibility and sustainability. Rachel Fidler Cannella is a skilled educator & nonprofit professional with over a decade in the Arts & Culture sector. She now leads educational programming as the Events & Community Manager at Instrumentl, the all-in-one grants platform for tracking, management, and prospecting. Prior to Instrumentl, Rachel served as Senior Manager of School & Teacher Programs at the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County, leading all educational programming for 150,000+ annual school visitors at two county museum sites. She has also directed creative arts programming at Holocaust Museum LA and designed environmental education courses at the Portland Children’s Museum, in partnership with the Oregon Zoo.Support the showGet free nonprofit professional development resources, connections to cause work peers, and more at https://nonprofithub.org

Send us Fan MailWhen the world feels like it's erupting around your nonprofit, should you wait for the storm to pass or forge ahead? In this timely conversation, Kimberly Bottom of Feather shares why inaction during uncertain times poses the greatest risk to your organization's future. We dive into the current challenging climate for nonprofits - from funding freezes to harmful rhetoric questioning the sector's legitimacy. Rather than seeing these as reasons to retreat, Kimberly reveals how they create unprecedented opportunities to amplify your mission and transform criticism into connection. "All press is good press," she notes. "The fact that nonprofits are being recognized nationally, even though the rhetoric is bad, gives us a taller soapbox to show what we're really about." The conversation explores practical strategies for nurturing donor relationships across generations, leveraging automation to create surprisingly personal experiences, and approaching new communication channels with a "test, don't guess" mentality. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed by technological change, unsure about investing in marketing during lean times, or simply looking for a confidence boost, this episode delivers both strategic insight and empowering perspective. As Kim powerfully reminds us: "Take the high road. Say 'Hey, you're bringing all this attention to me? Thanks, I'm going to show you all the good work I'm doing.'" Don't miss this blueprint for turning today's challenges into tomorrow's opportunities.Kimberly Bottom is a passionate storyteller and a sharp strategic thinker with nearly two decades of experience in digital media. As Director of Community Engagement at Feather, Kimberly consults with nonprofits on the most effective and efficient ways to know, grow and engage their audiences through GOOD digital marketing. Support the showGet free nonprofit professional development resources, connections to cause work peers, and more at https://nonprofithub.org

Send us Fan MailWhat if the most powerful tool for strengthening donor relationships isn't your messaging strategy, but your ability to listen? In this illuminating conversation with Chris Barlow, Customer Happiness Director at Your Beeline, we explore how nonprofits can transform their digital communications from one-way broadcasts into meaningful two-way conversations. We often view our websites, social media accounts, and email campaigns as channels for pushing out information rather than opportunities for genuine engagement. Chris challenges this mindset by showing how active listening principles can be applied across all your digital touchpoints to deepen connection with supporters and dramatically improve results. Discover practical strategies that any organization can implement immediately: from adding simple surveys to your website's thank you pages. Perhaps most powerfully, you'll learn how asking donors about their vision for your mission can uncover hidden major gift prospects while honoring their role as stakeholders in your work. As Founder and Customer Happiness Director, Chris Barlow is grateful to help nonprofits use digital marketing to multiply the reach of their mission and the growth of their donors. Most of all, he’s grateful to be the dad to seven kids, and to try to teach them how to live in a way that multiplies good in others.Support the showGet free nonprofit professional development resources, connections to cause work peers, and more at https://nonprofithub.org

Send us Fan MailVolunteers are the lifeblood of nonprofit organizations, yet a staggering 35% don't return year after year. Why is this happening, and what can your organization do about it? In this eye-opening conversation with Eric Burger, Director of Marketing at Volunteer Hub, we unpack the critical importance of volunteer communication and management strategies that keep supporters coming back. When you consider that each volunteer hour is valued at $33.49, retention becomes not just a mission imperative but a financial one too. Burger shares practical insights on why volunteers leave—from feeling underappreciated to lacking proper training—and offers actionable solutions for addressing these challenges. We explore how treating volunteers with the same structured approach used for employees can dramatically improve retention rates, including proper onboarding, clear role definitions, and systematic feedback mechanisms. Whether you're struggling with volunteer recruitment or looking to enhance your existing program, you'll take away concrete strategies for creating streamlined, efficient processes that respect volunteers' time while deepening their connection to your mission. Looking to transform your volunteer program? Connect with Eric on LinkedIn or visit volunteerhub.com to explore comprehensive volunteer management solutions built specifically for nonprofit needs.Support the showGet free nonprofit professional development resources, connections to cause work peers, and more at https://nonprofithub.org

Send us Fan MailWhen nonprofit leaders hear "operations," many immediately think of bureaucratic processes that pull them away from their mission work. But what if strong operational foundations are actually the key to multiplying your impact? Joshua Monge, fractional COO and founder of Think, Adapt, Build, makes a compelling case that treating your nonprofit like a business – with clear processes, defined roles, and contingency plans – creates the infrastructure needed for sustainable mission fulfillment. For startup nonprofits, Joshua offers three essential pieces of guidance. First, understand and clearly articulate why your organization specifically should be addressing your chosen issue when others may already be working in the space. Second, focus on measuring outcomes rather than just activities – not just what you're doing but what difference it's making. Third, remain flexible about potential solutions while staying focused on your core mission outcomes. Established nonprofits facing leadership transitions or growth challenges need different operational approaches. Joshua recommends a three-to-five-year window to document core processes, clarify financial systems, and create clear role definitions before significant leadership changes occur. This preparation prevents the all-too-common scenario where critical operational knowledge walks out the door with departing founders or executives. Connect with Joshua at thinkadaptbuild.com for operational resources designed specifically for nonprofits, or find him on LinkedIn where he regularly shares articles and practical wisdom for mission-driven organizations.Support the showGet free nonprofit professional development resources, connections to cause work peers, and more at https://nonprofithub.org