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: https://www.charitynavigator.org

This Episode is Sponsored By:

• DonorBox – https://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 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!

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: https://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 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!

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 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!