The Nonprofit Lab
Challenge the status quo. Welcome to The Nonprofit Lab, a podcast dedicated to the ongoing discovery of how we can all be a part of bigger social change through the lens of the nonprofit sector. Join us as we work to uncover and challenge the status quo in the world of nonprofits.
Episodes
Philanthropic expert Claire Axelrad, founder of Clairification, joins to explore the true meaning of philanthropy—love of humankind. We dive into strategic and tactical ways nonprofits can move beyond transactions to build trust, deepen donor relationships, and lead with humanity at the heart of every ask.
Lori Zoss Kraska, CEO of Growth Owl and author of The Boardroom Playbook, shares practical strategies for transforming nonprofit boards from passive participants into purpose-driven partners. Learn how to align motivations, build trust, and activate real boardroom engagement.
Unmesh Sheth, founder of SoPact, shares his approach to impact measurement focused on listening to stakeholders, not just donors. He explains how nonprofits can move beyond activity counts to track real change using practical tools, theory of change, and continuous feedback—making data a driver of strategy, not just reporting.
What if one five-minute phone call could deepen a donor relationship, spark generosity, and build lasting trust?
In this episode, Kel Haney shares a powerful framework for mid-level donor engagement, rooted in empathy, authenticity, and action. Whether you’re a seasoned fundraiser or just picking up the phone for the first time, this conversation will shift how you think about donor relationships, one call at a time.
When Hannah Lowe’s son was diagnosed with a rare disease, she turned fear into fuel and founded the L-CMD Research Foundation and led a successful $2M peer-to-peer fundraising campaign from scratch. In this episode, she shares her journey, the unique challenges of leading rare disease research, and how personal storytelling and community-driven fundraising can accelerate impact against all odds.
Laura Andes, Chief Program Officer at Charity Navigator, joins us to explore how their new Beacon rating system is lighting the way for a more holistic, trust-centered evaluation of nonprofits. We dive into the evolution from focusing solely on financial metrics to a full 360-degree view through four key Beacons: Accountability & Finance, Leadership & Adaptability, Culture & Community, and Impact & Results. Laura ...
Cloud, data, CRMs — we cut through the noise to bring strategic clarity to nonprofit technology.
Kelley Hecht (🔗), Strategic Executive Advisor at Amazon Web Services (AWS) for Nonprofits shares what it really means for nonprofits to modernize their tech stack. We unpack how cloud infrastructure supports mission delivery, why “working backwards” is a powerful tool for innovation, and how nonprofit leaders can shift from reactive to...
Philip Deng, co-founder and CEO of Grantable, shares how AI is transforming the way nonprofits approach grant writing. We dive into the role of critical thinking and judgment with AI, systemic inefficiencies of grant funding, the trust barriers nonprofits face, and the power dynamics shaping philanthropy today—especially amidst the federal funding freeze and USAID shutdown.
Omondi Peter returns to share the incredible growth of Global Youth Forum from expanding football tournaments to launching an innovative archery program that blends sports with social impact. He reflects on the power of persistence, the lessons learned in scaling a nonprofit, and how embracing new challenges—like building a sustainable business model—has fueled his mission. This conversation dives into leadership, resilience, and t...
Griff Bohm, co-founder of Give Momentum, dives into the intersection of behavioral psychology, AI, and philanthropy to explore how nonprofits can raise more with less stress. We discuss the science behind giving, the power of making the right ask, and how AI can enhance—rather than replace—human connection in fundraising. Griff shares insights on donor engagement, the role of trust, and how nonprofits can leverage technology to cre...
Ryan Ruud, founder and CEO of Lake One, joins the conversation to explore how nonprofits can harness digital transformation to scale their impact. From his personal journey overcoming childhood cancer to his work helping organizations modernize their technology and marketing strategies, Ryan shares invaluable insights on breaking free from outdated systems, optimizing donor engagement, and leveraging AI-powered solutions—all while ...
In this milestone Episode 50 collaboration, Marssie Versola from Impact Table takes us through her journey from early community service to becoming a transformative leader for women in the nonprofit sector. She shares candid insights on overcoming challenges, addressing burnout, and building genuine connections that empower mission-driven leaders to create lasting social impact. Tune in to be inspired and see how Marssie is working...
Helena Wasserman—an experienced climate investor—shares how early-stage ventures can secure the resources, coaching, and connections they need to make a powerful impact on environmental challenges. She underscores the importance of private capital in the climate tech space and highlights how nonprofit leaders and social entrepreneurs alike can adopt a startup mindset to drive innovation, efficiency, and measurable outcomes. By reve...
If you’re someone who wants to start a nonprofit and maximize impact without the hurdles of forming a 501(c)(3), or simply learn about the power of fiscal sponsorship, then this episode is for you! Learn all about what fiscal sponsorships are, how they work, and why they might be a fit for you with Tivoni Devor, fiscal sponsor expert and author of Skip the c3: The Grassroots Guide to Fiscal Sponsorship.
Discover how intentional HR practices can transform the nonprofit sector into a space where mission-driven teams thrive. Dr. Tiffany Slater at HR TailorMade Services shares her empathetic approach to building trust, creating supportive cultures, and aligning HR policies with organizational values. From practical onboarding strategies to fostering wellness, this episode offers actionable insights for leaders looking to inspire and r...
Sheryl Cababa, Chief Strategy Officer at Optimistic Design, shares her expertise in equity-centered and human-centered design, focusing on transforming educational systems and elevating marginalized communities. Drawing from her experience with organizations like the Gates Foundation and Khan Academy, she discusses how design can address systemic inequities by involving those most affected in the problem-solving process. Sheryl hig...
In this episode, Pat Taggart, founder and chief creator at The SkyBlue Creative, discusses the transformative power of unscripted and authentic storytelling through video in the nonprofit sector. He shares his passion for creating genuine content that deeply resonates with audiences, offering valuable insights on how nonprofits can leverage video production to amplify their missions and engage supporters. Emphasizing that perfectio...
We sit down with Jeremy Meyer, co-founder of Podcastathon, a global initiative uniting podcasters to raise awareness for nonprofits and charities. Jeremy shares his journey from digital entrepreneurship to social impact, where he now dedicates his time to empowering charitable organizations through podcasting. The conversation delves into the power of collaboration, the unique ability of podcasts to build deeper connections with au...
Join us for a deep dive into Café Momentum's mission to transform the lives of at-risk youth through culinary training, mentorship, and community support. Discover how this groundbreaking nonprofit is creating lasting change, one meal at a time.
James shares how Vehicle for Good is transforming nonprofit fundraising through vehicle sweepstakes, providing a unique and engaging way to raise funds for smaller organizations. The conversation delves into leadership, transparency, and how building trust and creativity can redefine donor relationships in the nonprofit sector.
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