When the Power Goes Out: Strategic Planning Shapes Operational Decisions Strategy in Practice, Not Just on Paper When I was CEO of the Chicago Botanic Garden, we had a strategic plan, “Keep Growing,” that was the outcome of a robust executive team and board effort. We made a decision early in its roll-out to try to communicate the plan to every stakeholder and have it inform every action we took. We held all-staff, all-volunteer, and […] The post When the Power Goes Out: Strategic Plann...| InsideCharity.org
Breaking Barriers: How Digital Accessibility Can Transform Nonprofit Impact In this eye-opening conversation, Rebecca Prejean, CEO and founder of EB Graphics Consulting, reveals a critical gap in nonprofit work that’s keeping organizations from truly serving their communities. Driven by her personal journey as a mother of a child with autism, Rebecca discusses how 14% of working-age African Americans have disabilities, yet this intersection of race and accessibility remains largely invisibl...| InsideCharity.org
How to Build a Stewardship Matrix for Your Nonprofit Read any nonprofit fundraising guide, and they’ll all tell you the same thing: Personalization is the key to truly connecting with donors and securing their long-term support. However, trying to build personal relationships with hundreds or even thousands of donors can easily overwhelm your fundraising team. A stewardship matrix is like your nonprofit’s cheat sheet for delivering the right touchpoints to the right donors at the […] Th...| InsideCharity.org
Leadership in Crisis: Managing Dysfunction and Conflict In this episode, host Meghan Speer sits down with Chris Wong, founder and executive coach at Leadership Potential and a featured main stage speaker at this year’s Cause Camp. Drawing from his background as a licensed therapist turned leadership and organizational development expert, Chris shares practical strategies for nonprofit leaders—especially those who identify as “chronic people pleasers”—to navigate difficult conversati...| InsideCharity.org
America's Trusted Nonprofit News Source| InsideCharity.org
America's Trusted Nonprofit News Source| InsideCharity.org
At NANOE, we celebrate members who live out the conviction that donors are the lifeblood of mission. Few stories illustrate this better than that of Karen Haggen, Philanthropy Officer at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center Foundation, who has dedicated more than 17 years to inspiring generosity across Whatcom County. Known as a servant leader, a connector, and a pillar of her community, Karen is a member of a team that has secured $100 million dollars […] The post Karen Haggen – Buildin...| InsideCharity.org
In the nonprofit world, some leaders stand out for the vision, courage, and compassion they bring to their work. Sean Patrick, President of Finish Line Ministries International (FLMI), is one such leader. Under his direction, FLMI has grown into a vibrant, multi-country ministry committed to evangelism, church development, pastoral training, and orphan care across Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. A Ministry With a Clear Mission Finish Line Ministries International is driven by a singular pas...| InsideCharity.org
When we welcome new members into NANOE, we are often reminded of the extraordinary journeys that bring leaders to our network. Today, we highlight Tim Kraynak, a man whose life has been defined by service, stewardship, and Christ-centered leadership. Tim’s story is one of faith, education, and now, a bold commitment to advancing the Gospel through fundraising and development. His path has uniquely positioned him not only to make an eternal impact across continents but […] The post Tim Kra...| InsideCharity.org
Katherine Langford’s 8 Ways Donor Retention Rates Are Soaring And How Your Nonprofit Can Keep Up, will show you the surprising strategies fueling record donor loyalty in 2025. These aren’t just tips — they’re game-changing moves top nonprofits are using to keep supporters hooked, giving, and bringing friends along. Miss them, and you risk being left behind. It’s 2025, and there’s a quiet revolution happening in the nonprofit world. If you’re part of a nonprofit […] The post Ka...| InsideCharity.org
Escaping The Busy Trap What if the key to greater nonprofit impact isn’t pushing harder—but leading differently? In this refreshing and deeply honest conversation, Kishshana Palmer—veteran fundraiser, founder of ManageMint, and author of Busy is a Four-Letter Word—challenges the toxic myth that busyness equals effectiveness. After a debilitating injury forced her to confront her own unsustainable pace, Palmer began reimagining leadership rooted in wellbeing, not overwork. She shares ...| InsideCharity.org
Strong, committed leadership doesn’t happen by accident — it’s built through deliberate investment in people over time. In 8 Steps to Cultivate Nonprofit Leaders Who Stay Committed, we explore how organizations can move beyond short-term fixes and create a leadership pipeline that lasts. From professional development and flexible education options to mentorship, succession planning, and accessible learning, these steps help nonprofits prepare leaders who are resilient, mission-driven, a...| InsideCharity.org
5 Ways to Get Parents Involved in School Fundraisers Instability in government funding leads to budget shortfalls for public schools, resulting in fewer extracurricular opportunities, outdated educational materials, and teachers providing supplies out of pocket. To prevent these issues and maintain a high standard of education, many schools are raising revenue through school-wide fundraisers, from classic walk-a-thons to t-shirt sales. However, many parents dread the fundraising season at the...| InsideCharity.org
March 30, 2025| InsideCharity.org
Mexican American Catholic College Celebrates San Antonio Nonprofits highlights MACC’s commitment to the River City’s charitable sector. As planning began at the beginning of the year, Louis Fawcett and I were thinking in the neighborhood of 50 to 60 San Antonio nonprofit leaders participating in the Major Gifts Ramp-Up Conference planned for July 23-24, 2025. We agreed that if attendance grew beyond that level that would be a welcome problem. We knew we were heading […]| InsideCharity.org
San Antonio Nonprofits Rally for Major Gifts Ramp-Up is fundraising veteran Jim Eskin’s take on a July 2025 conference event that’s taking the River City by storm! Here’s what Eskin has to share: When Louis Fawcett first reached out about organizing a Major Gifts Ramp-Up (MGRU) conference in San Antonio, we jumped at the idea. When he shared that Bexar County has 19,451 millionaire households with a net worth of $10,000,000 plus we said “We’ve got to […]| InsideCharity.org
I made a year-end gift to a favorite charity several years ago. It was the fulfillment of a pledge made months before. Outside of church, this was the largest check I had ever written to a non-profit. For me, it was a big check. A really big check. I counted the CEO as a friend, had volunteered at the facility, and believed in their mission. Writing the check filled me with joy. It felt good. […]| InsideCharity.org
June 16, 2025| InsideCharity.org
8 Ways Lifelong Learning Is the Cornerstone of Community Leadership unpacks powerful reasons why lifelong learning isn’t just helpful—it’s essential for anyone serious about guiding their community through uncertainty, innovation, and growth. From building emotional intelligence to earning real-world credentials, it shows how staying curious keeps your leadership relevant, trusted, and transformative. Whether you’re a formal leader or someone others naturally turn to, this is your cal...| InsideCharity.org
Jim Eskin, Mary Yearwood on Winning Grants In 2025 is an eye-opening conversation between fundraising veteran Jim Eskin and grants expert Mary Yearwood. This is a must-read for nonprofit leaders navigating a rapidly changing funding landscape. With federal dollars tightening and private grants more competitive than ever, they tackle what’s working now in grantsmanship, how to avoid costly mistakes, and how to pivot with strategy and confidence. Mary—whose firm has secured over $125 millio...| InsideCharity.org
Why Passion Isn’t Enough: The Hidden Reality of Nonprofit Leadership In 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...| InsideCharity.org
May 30, 2025| InsideCharity.org
4 Ways to Decide On Your Annual Nonprofit Fundraising Events When you sit down with your team to plan the year’s fundraisers, where do you start? Do you prioritize finances, donor behavior, marketing opportunities, or something else? How do you choose fundraisers that bring in the funds your nonprofit needs to thrive, engage supporters, and inspire lasting support? The truth is, there’s not one right answer. There are several effective ways to evaluate your options, […]| InsideCharity.org
Secure your Nonprofit Website with Confidence Website security is a critical component of your nonprofit’s digital strategy. It ensures that your data, donors and mission are protected while allowing you to focus on making an impact. At Firespring, we’re committed to taking the hassle out of website security by providing secure nonprofit websites that are regularly updated and maintained, so you don’t have to fret. Here’s a focused look at key website-specific cybersecurity tips to […]| InsideCharity.org
Grant Funding in Crisis: Navigating the New Landscape 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 applica...| InsideCharity.org
4 Tips for Maximizing Your Association’s Membership Value Why do members join your association? Are they looking to expand their professional networks? Do they need to develop skills and earn credentials? Or do they want a reliable source of information about news in your field? Whatever the reason, members join your association because they think your organization can provide them with valuable offerings. Studies agree, with associations claiming to have a compelling or very compelling […]| InsideCharity.org
Navigating Funding Uncertainty: What Nonprofits Can Do Right Now Late last week, I answered a somewhat panicked phone call from a client and friend who works with one of my favorite nonprofit organizations. (I know, I shouldn’t have favorites, but…) The tone of the call was heartbreaking—frustration, exasperation, overwhelmed and a strange mix of defeat and optimism. This organization is owed three-quarters of a million dollars on a government contract signed well before the 2024 […]| InsideCharity.org
InsideCharity.org - America's Trusted Nonprofit News Source| InsideCharity.org
February 28, 2025| InsideCharity.org
8 Ways Smart Nonprofits Use Business Strategy to Win shows how your organization can apply proven for-profit tactics to grow, operate more efficiently, and expand your impact. Major gift fundraising has always been part art, part intuition. But in an era where donor expectations are higher and attention spans shorter, instinct alone doesn’t cut it. The most successful nonprofits aren’t just doubling down on mission—they’re refining the way they communicate, borrowing lessons from the ...| InsideCharity.org
6 Steps to Organizing a Successful Charity Walk Fundraiser is Sharon Redd’s step-by-step guide to planning a walk event that leaves participants and volunteers excited for the next one—while strengthening your organization’s financial position to continue making a meaningful impact in the community. Pulling off a charity walk fundraiser might seem daunting, but if you do it right, it’s one of the most rewarding ways to rally a community around a cause. You’re not just […]| InsideCharity.org
Lisa Van Zyll Celebrates Nonprofits, Nature & NANOE is our beloved Member Relations Director take on the beauty of nature and nonprofit growth. Let’s hear what this veteran administrator has to share. I can’t stop watching this remarkable YouTube 24hr live stream from Big Bear Valley, California, where Jackie and Shadow, a devoted pair of bald eagles, are tending to their newly laid eggs. Watching them up close has been an awe-inspiring experience. At any […]| InsideCharity.org
Henry “Hall” Powell, Jr. celebrates his 86th birthday this March 31st, and is honored by his peers for his remarkable legacy of leadership in both the nonprofit sector and Christian ministry. This tribute honors a man whose career spans decades and whose influence spans generations. Hall’s life has been defined by service – from raising funds to transform and save lives to guiding others in their walks of faith. Jimmy LaRose, one of Hall’s proteges, […]| InsideCharity.org
Plan Perfect: Transforming Nonprofit Strategic Planning Join me as we explore how nonprofits can break free from the limitations of traditional strategic planning. In this engaging episode, we delve into the valuable insights of Sophia Shaw and Adam Wolford from PlanPerfect, who discuss how their innovative tool empowers organizations to create dynamic plans that grow with their mission instead of collecting dust. We begin by addressing the pain points of static planning processes often seen ...| InsideCharity.org
Next–Gen Fundraising: How Salesforce EmpowersNonprofits of All Sizes Author: Rob Leighton, Executive Director, iMission Institute For successful fundraising, personalized communication has always been key.Connecting with donors on a personal level, based on their individual interests andgiving history, builds strong relationships and encourages generosity. However,achieving this kind of personalization on a large scale has traditionally been achallenge. Salesforce, the world’s leading CRM...| InsideCharity.org
Do Great Fundraisers Ever Really Retire is a thoughtful article written by nonprofit veteran Jim Eskin. Here’s what he has to share: For the record, I proudly am a contrarian. I fully accept that in many respects I am different from most people. And that’s what makes life interesting and fun. A huge example is retirement. I genuinely respect that most people relish the thought of their so-called senior years giving them freedom over their […]| InsideCharity.org
Sharon Redd’s 8 Ways to Leave a Lasting Mark on Future Generations explores practical strategies to ensure you and your organization create a lasting legacy for years to come. 1. How to Leave a Lasting Mark on Future Generations A true legacy is more than just what you leave behind – it’s the impact you create while you’re here. Whether through generosity, wisdom, or purposeful action, shaping a lasting influence on your loved ones and […]| InsideCharity.org
Empowering Nonprofits: Integrating Technology and Human Strategies for Scalable Impact David Watters, CEO of Simple and Engaging, joins us for an enlightening conversation about the powerful intersection of technology and nonprofit growth. Discover how nonprofits can unlock new levels of efficiency and impact by aligning tech solutions with their core missions. David shares his transformation from corporate project management to founding a company dedicated to guiding nonprofits through infor...| InsideCharity.org
Palmetto Publishing Serves Authors Who Celebrate Nonprofits features an important enterprise committed to charitable executives and the organizations they love. Let’s hear from Ryan Jorgensen COO at Palmetto Publishing. As the Chief Operating Officer of Palmetto Publishing, I’ve had the privilege of working with countless authors, many of whom are part of nonprofits that are deeply committed to making a positive impact in their communities. Before Palmetto Publishing I worked in Nonprofit...| InsideCharity.org
The Future of Social Philanthropy – John Del Bello Social media platforms can be enjoyable, but are not always beneficial for building diverse communities, as younger generations are often not actively engaged with the content nonprofits are putting out. Younger generations seem to want to be generous, but don’t often use social platforms for that kind of connection. Is it due to the fraudulent past of some organizations? Is it because older organizations have more […]| InsideCharity.org
Growing a Healthy House of Worship w Linda Lysakowski is America’s Fundraiser take on how to build financial capacity at local church ministries. Here’s what she has to share: I know it might be difficult for you, as clergy to think about the practical side of your ministries; after all, you have a calling to bring people to a relationship with God, Allah, or a higher power of some kind. However, every calling requires some […]| InsideCharity.org
America's Trusted Nonprofit News Source| InsideCharity.org
Kathleen Robinson’s RE-IMAGINING NONPROFIT GOVERNANCE provides charitable leaders an opportunity to tackle one of charity’s biggest obstacles…PEOPLE! Read below an introduction to her forthcoming 150 plus page written work of the same name to be published by NANOE in 2025. Here’s a first look at Dr. Robinson’s insights into organizational oversight: Effective governance can empower leaders and staff to higher productivity, worker satisfaction, board and staff engagement, greater cus...| InsideCharity.org
Jim Eskin’s How To Score Your First Or Next Million-Dollar Gift is a must read for staff, board members and volunteers responsible for raising charitable gifts. Jim says, “The average organization leaves 90% of dollars behind without a robust major gift fundraising program”. Plus, he’s a great guy and a true friend to charity! ~ Jimmy LaRose, NANOE Here’s what the author has to share about his latest work: I vividly recall my late mother […]| InsideCharity.org
From securing and managing grants to strategic planning to stewarding supporter relationships, board members are key players in facilitating your nonprofit’s operations and upholding your mission. Your organization relies on them for their governance, oversight and nonprofit expertise. To maximize your board’s effectiveness, you need to build a solid, healthy foundation for your relationship with board members. That way, your board will be more productive and work in tandem with your n...| InsideCharity.org
Courage Against Bullies – It’s Charity’s Nature To Avoid Confrontation is Jim Eskin’s take on how to truly inspire change within the charitable sector. Here’s what this fundraising veteran has to share “There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me.” ― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice As both a practitioner for three decades in higher […]| InsideCharity.org
Meet Alexis India-Alm is an introduction to Development Systems International‘s newest Major Gifts Ramp-Up Expert! Alexis is a woman who is passionate about community, giving back, and paying it forward. Her passion for raising awareness and helping others started when she was 16 and her prom date, who used a wheelchair, could not get into the venue from the front door so they had to use the loading dock and come into the restaurant through […]| InsideCharity.org
United Way CEOs That Thrive & Raise Millions may be the most important UNITED WAY CAPACITY-BUILDING VIDEO you ever watch (press play button above)! It will challenge everything you believe about United Way and the way you generate income. VISIT HERE TO JOIN US FOR A UNITED WAY MAJOR GIFTS RAMP-UP CAMPAIGN EVENT Here’s the OLD NEWS – we all know that workplace campaigns no longer fill the funding gaps needed in our communities. Here’s […]| InsideCharity.org
Jimmy Monaghan Celebrates Olive Crest is an interview with a charitable champion and hero to Nevada’s families in need. Jimmy Monaghan, Executive Director of Olive Crest in Nevada, is a clinical counselor and oversees an important Las Vegas nonprofit. Here’s a word from Jimmy: Jimmy, what is your favorite philanthropy memory? “22 years ago, a woman in an agency very similar to Olive Crest spoke hope into my life in a time when life felt […]| InsideCharity.org
CFRE vs. NANOE Credentialing…What’s the Difference is Alexis India Alm’s take on industry credentialing organizations who serve the charitable sector. Here’s what this celebrated fundraising veteran has to share about her experiences in nonprofit continuing education: I’m a champion of both CFRE and NANOE. My affiliations with these professional organizations demonstrate my commitment to lifetime learning and adult continuing education. I’ve spent my vocational career listening to...| InsideCharity.org
Linda Lysakowski is America’s Fundraiser is an understatement. This fundraising veteran has dedicated her life to saving and transforming lives because of the way she has lived her life. “Love for what?” you may ask. First, her love for the Lord. Second, her love of nonprofit leaders. It was the early 1990s when I launched my journey with a goal of becoming our nation’s most successful fundraiser. I was 23 years old and made a […]| InsideCharity.org