Nonprofits Are Messy: Lessons in Leadership | Fundraising | Board Development | Communications

Joan Garry & Glennda Testone

Nonprofits Are Messy is the podcast for nonprofit leaders navigating the real challenges of leadership, fundraising, governance, communications, and organizational growth. Hosted by Joan Garry and Glennda Testone, each episode features candid conversations, practical advice, and honest stories to help you lead with greater confidence through the messiness of nonprofit work.

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262 episodes
Updated Yesterday

Episodes262

Newest first

Jan 4, 2025 · 45 min
Ep 219: Simplifying Success: How Project Management Can Transform Nonprofit Leadership (with Christie Machorek)
Nonprofit leaders often feel overwhelmed by endless tasks, but project management guru, Christie Machorek, shares insights about how to transform chaos into clarity. With simple strategies like celebrating wins and debriefing after projects, she shows how to create systems that free up time to focus on what truly matters.
Dec 20, 2024 · 39 min
Ep. 218: 2024 In Review: A Heartfelt Reflection on Leadership and What Lies Ahead (with Glennda Testone)
I sit down with Glennda Testone, CEO of the Nonprofit Leadership Lab, to unpack personal and professional lessons from 2024. Together, we discuss navigating change, embracing resilience, and how nonprofit leaders can strengthen their organizations for the challenges ahead.
Dec 7, 2024 · 48 min
Ep 217: Why We Must Reframe The Narrative Around Gen Z (with Bianca Anderson and Lamisa Mustafa)
Bianca Anderson and Lamisa Mustafa join me in a conversation about shifting the stereotypes and misconceptions about Gen Z. Whether you're grappling with workforce challenges or striving to lead inclusively, this episode will equip you with insights and tools to turn generational differences into an asset.
Nov 23, 2024 · 45 min
Ep 216: Just Fund Me! (with Iara Peng)
Iara Peng guest appears on the podcast to discuss redefining philanthropy, what her company Just Fund is doing to equalize and simplify giving, and the one word that moves money.
Nov 9, 2024 · 48 min
Ep 215: The Worst Headline Just Hit The New York Times. Now What? (with Seth Chalmer)
Seth Chalmer’s insights on crisis management will help you navigate today’s challenging social landscape as a nonprofit leader. This conversation gives tools to spark valuable conversations that can create clarity and confidence the next time your organization faces a hot-button topic and needs to respond.
Oct 26, 2024 · 48 min
Ep 214: Productive Conversations in Polarizing Conflicts (with Parisa Parsa)
Nonprofit Leadership Lab CEO, Glennda Testone, and Parisa Parsa explore how nonprofit leaders can have productive conversations amidst polarization and division. Parisa shares practical strategies for addressing power dynamics and leading productive conversations across differences.
Oct 12, 2024 · 57 min
Ep 213: Racial Dynamics in Nonprofit Fundraising (with Mikaela Levons + Jamila Hodge)
Jamila Hodge and Mikaela Levons from Equal Justice USA join the podcast to discuss the challenges and strengths of fundraisers of color. We explore how race, white supremacy power dynamics, and lived experiences shape their approach to fundraising and leadership.
Sep 28, 2024 · 53 min
Ep 212: Street Cred, Trust Capital, and Impact-Focused Fundraising (with Michael Thatcher)
I sat down with Michael Thatcher, CEO of Charity Navigator, to explore how nonprofits can use data to build trust with donors and move beyond the outdated focus on overhead. Michael shared valuable insights on how nonprofits can better engage donors, make the right asks, and thrive in today’s challenging giving environment.
Sep 14, 2024 · 45 min
Ep 211: The Maverick Marketing Approach (with Seth Godin)
Seth Godin, the marketing GOAT, shares a fresh, transformative approach to nonprofit marketing. He reveals how understanding and aligning with your donors' emotions can significantly enhance your strategy.
Aug 31, 2024 · 51 min
Ep 210: Scaling Social Impact: Strategies for the Small Nonprofit (with Scott Curran)
One-third of all nonprofits fail within 10 years, and 30% of the 1.5 million nonprofits in the U.S. have budgets under $100,000, putting them at significant risk of failure. To address this challenge, Scott Curran, CEO of Beyond Advisors, shares his expertise on how growth-stage social impact enterprises can strengthen their core, define their unique value, and strategically scale. This episode offers nonprofit leaders practical advice to ensure long-term sustainability and maximize their impact.
Aug 17, 2024 · 50 min
Ep 209: Finding the Courage to Say No
In this episode, Glennda Testone and I dive into real-life scenarios where we've had to make tough decisions and say no. Our intimate conversation offers practical tips on navigating common leadership challenges with confidence and diplomacy.
Aug 3, 2024 · 43 min
Ep 208: Bring Back the Joy of Giving (with Allison Fine)
Allison Fine and I discuss the need to transform nonprofit fundraising from a transactional to a relational model, leverage technology to build meaningful donor relationships, and create a more sustainable and joyful fundraising environment.
Jul 20, 2024 · 48 min
Ep 207: From Walmart to Feeding America (with Claire Babineaux-Fontenot)
Like me, Claire Babineaux-Fontenot moved from the corporate world to the nonprofit sector with zero previous experience in nonprofit work. In this episode, she shares her inspiring story of how and why she shifted her focus to step into her most impactful work yet.
Jun 22, 2024 · 10 min
Ep 206: The Nonprofit Sector’s PR Problem – And How We Can Fix It
The nonprofit sector has a serious PR problem that impacts its ability to garner adequate support. Nonprofit leaders have a powerful opportunity to be ambassadors and advocates for the sector as a whole. In this episode, I make a poignant call to action for nonprofit leaders everywhere to rally to the side of saving public perception of the important work they do.
Jun 8, 2024
Ep. 205: The Power and Influence of the Nonprofit Sector (with Dr. Akilah Watkins)
Let’s discuss collective nonprofit power - what it is, what it isn’t, and what the nonprofit sector could do to harness it. To do more good in the world, we need to stand in our collective power which includes, ironically, taking a seat at the table.
May 25, 2024
Ep 204: Build Your Volunteer Dream Team (with Matt Miszewski)
Need to build capacity? Fix your fundraising? Graphics design or marketing? HR support? Then you need to know about Catchafire, an organization that is bridging paths to stronger communities by aligning nonprofits with expert volunteers.
May 13, 2024 · 22 min
Ep 203: Can You Answer These 10 Funder Questions?
Congrats! A funder is considering donating to your nonprofit and they have questions. For some, this request instills panic. Here is how to prepare!
Apr 27, 2024 · 41 min
Ep 202: The Master of Mobilizing Movements (with Jeremy Heimans)
Since he was 8 years old, Jeremy Heimans has been mobilizing movements that galvanize people for social change. He is the guru to ask about how to reach people and motivate them to take action. In this episode, he shares his insights.
Apr 15, 2024 · 52 min
Ep 201: Cultural Intelligence: A Major Key to a Thriving Nonprofit (with Dr. Pablo Otaola)
You’ve heard of IQ and EQ. But, CQ is the third intelligence that empowers a nonprofit leader to mightily drive the mission with the strong, rallying support of a unified team. Listen in to learn what CQ is, how it works, and why it matters in the nonprofit landscape like never before.
Mar 30, 2024 · 22 min
Ep 200: The 200th Episode: Gratitude & Observations About This Amazing Journey
Releasing episode 200 of the Nonprofits Are Messy podcast is a milestone. It has been a journey full of insights, observations, and a big fat “I told you so”. This is a look back at how far we’ve come together.

Nonprofits Are Messy: Lessons in Leadership | Fundraising | Board Development | Communications

Ep 219: Simplifying Success: How Project Management Can Transform Nonprofit Leadership (with Christie Machorek)

Ep. 218: 2024 In Review: A Heartfelt Reflection on Leadership and What Lies Ahead (with Glennda Testone)

Ep 217: Why We Must Reframe The Narrative Around Gen Z (with Bianca Anderson and Lamisa Mustafa)

Ep 216: Just Fund Me! (with Iara Peng)

Ep 215: The Worst Headline Just Hit The New York Times. Now What? (with Seth Chalmer)

Ep 214: Productive Conversations in Polarizing Conflicts (with Parisa Parsa)

Ep 213: Racial Dynamics in Nonprofit Fundraising (with Mikaela Levons + Jamila Hodge)

Ep 212: Street Cred, Trust Capital, and Impact-Focused Fundraising (with Michael Thatcher)

Ep 211: The Maverick Marketing Approach (with Seth Godin)

Ep 210: Scaling Social Impact: Strategies for the Small Nonprofit (with Scott Curran)

Ep 209: Finding the Courage to Say No

Ep 208: Bring Back the Joy of Giving (with Allison Fine)

Ep 207: From Walmart to Feeding America (with Claire Babineaux-Fontenot)

Ep 206: The Nonprofit Sector’s PR Problem – And How We Can Fix It

Ep. 205: The Power and Influence of the Nonprofit Sector (with Dr. Akilah Watkins)

Ep 204: Build Your Volunteer Dream Team (with Matt Miszewski)

Ep 203: Can You Answer These 10 Funder Questions?

Ep 202: The Master of Mobilizing Movements (with Jeremy Heimans)

Ep 201: Cultural Intelligence: A Major Key to a Thriving Nonprofit (with Dr. Pablo Otaola)

Ep 200: The 200th Episode: Gratitude & Observations About This Amazing Journey