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Nonprofit Leadership Podcast

Nonprofit Leadership Podcast

By: Dr. Rob Harter
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Summary
 The Nonprofit Leadership Podcast discusses important issues facing nonprofit leaders in our community and features real stories from real leaders about what strategies and practices have made them successful. Enjoy the show!© 2025 Nonprofit Leadership Podcast. All rights reserved. Economics Management Management & Leadership Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • What This Nonprofit Leader-Turned-Podcast Host Has Learned About Leadership

    What This Nonprofit Leader-Turned-Podcast Host Has Learned About Leadership
    25 Oct 2026
    What does it take to become a better nonprofit leader, and what can we learn from our biggest leadership mistakes? In this episode of the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast, host Rob Harter sits down with Dolph Goldenburg, nonprofit consultant, former executive director, and host of the Successful Nonprofits Podcast. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, leadership, and organizational management, Dolph shares powerful lessons from both sides of the microphone. He opens up about his personal journey from becoming what he describes as a toxic leader to helping nonprofit organizations thrive without sacrificing their people or their values. Rob and Dolph explore the importance of building healthy nonprofit cultures, developing stronger teams, navigating fundraising challenges, and rebuilding trust with donors. Dolph shares the remarkable story of how he restored a damaged donor relationship that eventually resulted in a nearly $400,000 gift. They also discuss why nonprofits need to think bigger, advocate for fair compensation, set bold organizational goals, and make difficult decisions to prevent leadership burnout. This conversation offers practical nonprofit leadership strategies for executive directors, development professionals, and anyone seeking to create lasting social impact while building healthier, more sustainable organizations. Key Topics Include: Learning from leadership mistakes: How Dolph’s experience as a nonprofit executive director taught him the dangers of toxic leadership and the importance of personal growth, self-awareness, and organizational culture.Building stronger nonprofit teams: Why thoughtful recruitment, onboarding, employee development, and a people-first leadership approach are essential for long-term organizational success.Rethinking nonprofit fundraising: How nonprofit leaders can confidently approach donors and foundations, negotiate realistic grant expectations, and recognize when funding opportunities are not worth pursuing.Rebuilding donor trust: The power of patience, authentic relationships, and donor-centered fundraising, including Dolph’s remarkable story of securing a nearly $400,000 donation after repairing a broken relationship.Setting bold goals for greater social impact: Why nonprofits should challenge conventional assumptions, pursue ambitious goals, and invest in competitive salaries, employee benefits, and operational efficiency.Preventing nonprofit leadership burnout: How prioritization, intentional decision-making, and accepting that not everything can get done can help nonprofit leaders manage compassion fatigue and protect their well-being.Creating a more sustainable nonprofit sector: What Dolph has learned from interviewing other leaders and why the future of nonprofit leadership must emphasize equity, fair compensation, organizational effectiveness, and helping both employees and communities thrive. Mentioned in This Episode: Dolph Goldenburg – Successful Nonprofits – Learn more about Dolph’s nonprofit consulting work, leadership expertise, and resources for nonprofit organizations.Successful Nonprofits Podcast – Explore Dolph’s podcast featuring conversations with nonprofit leaders and experts on fundraising, management, and organizational success. This Episode is Sponsored By: Donorbox Links to Resources: Interested in Leadership and Life Coaching? Visit Rob’s website: RobHarter.comFind us on YouTube: Nonprofit Leadership Podcast YouTube ChannelSuggestions for the show? Email us at nonprofitleadershippodcast@gmail.comRequest a sample coaching session: Email Rob at rob@robharter.com Subscribe and Share Listen and subscribe to the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or Amazon. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with other nonprofit leaders!
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    39 min
  • What Real Support for Parental Leave Looks Like

    What Real Support for Parental Leave Looks Like
    18 Oct 2026
    Beth Wanner Offering parental leave is one thing, but creating a workplace where employees can confidently take that leave without worrying about their careers, their coworkers, or the organization’s mission is another. For nonprofit leaders managing tight budgets and lean teams, supporting parental leave can feel complicated and costly. Yet without a thoughtful plan, organizations risk employee burnout, decreased productivity, and losing valuable staff. So how can nonprofits build parental leave policies and practices that truly support employees while maintaining organizational effectiveness? In this episode, Rob Harter sits down with Beth Wanner, Founder and CEO of Mother Cover, an agency that provides interim and fractional staffing solutions for organizations navigating parental and caregiver leave. Drawing from her personal experience with pregnancy discrimination and her years as a marketing executive, Beth shares why traditional parental leave policies often fall short and what nonprofit leaders can do differently. Together, they explore practical strategies for planning employee absences, maintaining organizational continuity, preventing burnout, and creating a smoother return-to-work experience. Beth also explains how nonprofits can provide meaningful parental leave support without breaking their budgets, ultimately strengthening employee retention, workplace culture, and long-term mission impact. Key Topics Include: Why parental leave policies aren’t enough: The difference between offering parental leave benefits and creating an organizational culture that genuinely supports employees before, during, and after their leave.Planning for employee absences: How nonprofit leaders can develop effective parental leave coverage plans, document responsibilities, establish decision-making authority, and ensure critical work continues.Preventing employee burnout and improving retention: Why distributing an absent employee’s workload across an already stretched team can lead to burnout, resentment, and costly staff turnover.Using fractional leadership and interim staffing: How nonprofits can leverage experienced fractional professionals to maintain operations, protect donor relationships, and support organizational leadership during parental leave.The financial ROI of supporting parental leave: Understanding the hidden costs of inadequate leave coverage, including disrupted programs, lost productivity, damaged donor relationships, and employee turnover.Creating a successful return-to-work transition: Why re-onboarding, documented updates, gradual workload transitions, and regular check-ins are essential for supporting employees returning from parental leave.Practical parental leave solutions for nonprofits on tight budgets: How leaders can create a simple, one-page coverage plan, prioritize essential responsibilities, identify internal growth opportunities, and provide meaningful support without requiring full-time replacement staffing. Mentioned in This Episode: Mother Cover – Founded by Beth Wanner, Mother Cover helps nonprofits and other organizations maintain operational continuity through interim and fractional staffing solutions during parental and caregiver leave.Nonprofit Leadership Podcast – Explore additional episodes, nonprofit leadership resources, and interviews with experts helping nonprofit organizations strengthen their leadership and impact. This Episode is Sponsored By: Donorbox – An online fundraising platform that helps nonprofits streamline fundraising, maximize donations, and simplify giving with customizable donation forms, digital wallet payments, donation tracking, and automated receipts. Links to Resources: Interested in Leadership and Life Coaching? Visit Rob’s website: RobHarter.comFind us on YouTube: Nonprofit Leadership Podcast YouTube ChannelSuggestions for the show? Email us at nonprofitleadershippodcast@gmail.comRequest a sample coaching session: Email Rob at rob@robharter.com Subscribe and Share Listen and subscribe to the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or Amazon. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with other nonprofit leaders!
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    31 min
  • Bringing Your Organization’s Impact to Life Through Story

    Bringing Your Organization’s Impact to Life Through Story
    2 Nov 2026
    Matt Kamin How can nonprofit leaders use storytelling to inspire donors, strengthen fundraising efforts, and bring their organization’s mission to life? While statistics and impact reports are important, compelling stories are often what truly connect supporters to a cause. But how can nonprofits share these stories effectively while protecting the dignity and privacy of the people they serve? In this episode of the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast, host Rob Harter sits down with Matt Kamin, nonprofit leader, fundraising expert, founder of Envision Consulting, and host of Nonprofit on the Rocks. Drawing on his experience leading nonprofit organizations and advising social impact leaders, Matt shares practical strategies for building a culture of philanthropy, using authentic storytelling to increase donor engagement, and communicating organizational impact. Rob and Matt also explore the role of AI in nonprofit communications, the opportunities and challenges of nonprofit mergers, and the leadership qualities needed to navigate financial uncertainty. Discover how your nonprofit can tell more powerful stories, inspire generosity, and ultimately expand its impact. Key Topics Include: The power of nonprofit storytelling: Why real-life stories often resonate more deeply with donors than statistics alone and how sharing meaningful outcomes can strengthen fundraising and donor relationships.Building a culture of philanthropy: How nonprofit leaders can involve staff, board members, and volunteers in understanding fundraising, organizational finances, and the importance of communicating impact.Ethical storytelling and client privacy: How to celebrate success stories while protecting the dignity of those served, obtaining permission, establishing boundaries, and setting expiration dates for sharing personal stories.Using social media and video effectively: Practical considerations for capturing authentic stories, identifying appropriate moments to share, and creating content that connects supporters to your nonprofit’s mission.AI and technology in nonprofit communications: How nonprofit organizations can use artificial intelligence to save time, support grant writing, and improve efficiency without sacrificing authenticity, accuracy, or human connection.Nonprofit mergers and strategic partnerships: Why financial pressures are encouraging nonprofit collaboration and how organizational culture, humility, and shared mission influence successful mergers.Leadership in uncertain times: The importance of courage, vision, emotional intelligence, and adaptability as nonprofit leaders navigate funding challenges, organizational change, and evolving technology. Mentioned in This Episode: Matt Kamin and Envision Consulting – Learn more about Matt’s work supporting nonprofit organizations through executive recruitment, strategic planning, mergers, and board development.Nonprofit on the Rocks – Explore Matt Kamin’s podcast featuring candid conversations with nonprofit executives, fundraisers, and social impact leaders about nonprofit management, leadership, and the challenges of running mission-driven organizations.Nonprofit Leadership Podcast – Explore additional interviews, leadership insights, and resources for nonprofit executives and social impact leaders. This Episode is Sponsored By: Donorbox Links to Resources: Interested in Leadership and Life Coaching? Visit Rob’s website: RobHarter.comFind us on YouTube: Nonprofit Leadership Podcast YouTube ChannelSuggestions for the show? Email us at nonprofitleadershippodcast@gmail.comRequest a sample coaching session: Email Rob at rob@robharter.com Subscribe and Share Listen and subscribe to the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or Amazon. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with other nonprofit leaders!
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    35 min
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