Discover the power of knowing what each donor brings to your nonprofit's table over the long haul. We're unlocking the secrets to calculating the lifetime value of a donor, and why this number is a game changer for your strategic planning and sustained funding. With every monthly donation, be it a humble $30 or more, Nathan will show you how those figures compound to form the bedrock of your organization's financial future. It's not just about the money—it's about understanding the true worth of consistent support and how it can pave the way for growth and stability.Support the Show.The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR) Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH) They can be reached at info@practicenpleader.comAll opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.

A recent survey states that a large number of nonprofits have open positions that they cannot fill with qualified candidates.  As the Executive Director, could the answer be to recruit your spouse to fill one of those open positions?  What might be the pros and cons, when considering this possibility?  Listen in, as Tim and Nathan dive into this interesting possibility.Support the Show.The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR) Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH) They can be reached at info@practicenpleader.comAll opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.

Many things in our organization and world feel like they are out of our control.  As much as we try,  control is not something we can often exercise. But when it comes to our leadership as nonprofit executive directors, there are a few things we can and should exercise control.These areas are:- My Attitude- My Skillset- My Priorities- My Influencers- My WorkFocusing on controlling these areas in a positive fashion, will increase the effectiveness of our leadership.Support the Show.The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR) Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH) They can be reached at info@practicenpleader.comAll opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.

In this episode, we dive into four simple questions you can ask yourself to determine if your organization is ready to consider a capital campaign.Project: Do I have a project that aligns with the reasons people donate: to save or transform lives? We touch on common project types, including new construction, renovations, and expensive equipment purchases.Donors: Do I have the right donors needed based on campaign goals? We provide a simple breakdown using a $100,000 campaign as an example, and discuss the need for lead gifts, and how many donors you might need at different giving levels.Leadership: Do I have the right leadership needed to be successful? With a focus on the time commitment required from the Executive Director and the need for a dedicated campaign cabinet. The role of a campaign consultant and the challenges of a DIY approach for first-time campaign leaders are also discussed.Infrastructure: Do I have the organizational infrastructure needed to be a campaign home? Lastly, we discuss the necessary infrastructure for a successful campaign, including administrative support, a donor database, and the identification of potential lead donors.Is your organization ready to even consider a capital campaign? If the answers to all four of these questions are yes, then you are in good shape to go to the next step in considering a capital campaign.Support the Show.The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR) Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH) They can be reached at info@practicenpleader.comAll opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.

As a small to medium nonprofit with a small budget, it seems like a good call to try to do things yourself or with the help of volunteers. But are there areas where it actually makes more sense and provides even better value, to hire a professional?  We would say most definitely.One of those areas is nonprofit finances.  On today's episode, Tim and Nathan discuss some places where seeking financial expertise is wise.  Some those places are:- Financial Reporting- Tax Preparation- Internal Controls- Budgeting and Forecasting- Strategic PlanningA small nonprofit may not be able to hire a financial employee but they might be able to hire a contractor or a third party firm to provide help and insights.  In any case, this is one area where it is worth investing in expertise for the good of the long term health of the organization.Support the Show.The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR) Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH) They can be reached at info@practicenpleader.comAll opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.

Ever find yourself intrigued by the potential of artificial intelligence to transform the way we connect with donors and enhance our fundraising efforts? In this episode, Nathan discusses three ways that AI can help improve fundraising efforts:Automate Everyday Tasks: AI is all about simplifying tasks, not complicating them. For instance, using the voice assistant on your phone (like Siri) to set reminders or send messages to donors can save you valuable time. This is a simple yet effective use of AI that doesn't cost anything extra.Rough Draft Writing: AI can be used to create rough drafts of appeal letters, emails, and other correspondences. However, it's essential to remember that AI outputs should only be used as a starting point. Tone and voice differ greatly among individuals, so you need to review and adjust the drafts to ensure they align with your unique style.Creating Presentations: AI can be a great help when creating presentations, especially for small teams. With AI, you can produce a basic layout and content for your presentation, saving you time and frustration. However, AI lacks the ability to introduce a personal touch or create a connection with your audience, so you will need to incorporate these elements yourself.Remember, while AI can be a powerful tool, it's essential to use it wisely and factor in its limitations.Support the Show.The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR) Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH) They can be reached at info@practicenpleader.comAll opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.

Whether it’s in person, on line, or someone driving into your parking lot. People make a decision about you and your organization in mere seconds. If they have a negative impression of you or the organization it is incredibly difficult to change their mind later. First impressions matter. In today's episode, Nathan discussed the importance of making a good first impression that can lead to success in your nonprofit organization.  Looking at three areas...your physical location, your online presence, and your personal presence...Nathan provides tips and ideas for making a better impression.If you are interested in joining The Practice Community, click the link below.Support the Show.The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR) Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH) They can be reached at info@practicenpleader.comAll opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.

On this episode, Tim and Nathan chat about the best ways small nonprofits can leverage online giving.   Some of the tips that they share are:- How to make your donation button impossible to miss and super easy to use. - The importance of a seamless, secure payment process. -  Why it's crucial to ensure your donation page is mobile-friendly.  - How to identify and reach your audience, the power of visuals, and why consistency is    key. If you are interested in joining The Practice Community, click the link below.Support the Show.The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR) Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH) They can be reached at info@practicenpleader.comAll opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.

Effective leaders aren't always perfect leaders.  What often makes them effective is that they take action consistently and with commitment.  No matter whether your organization is big or small, consistent action is the key.On today's episode, Tim identifies 5 key actions that every nonprofit executive director should be taking that results in effective and impactful leadership.  Those actions include:- Foster a Strong Vision- Embrace Learning- Build Strong Relationships- Promote Transparency- Practice ResilienceBeing an effective leader is not about being perfect but rather continuing to grow, building strong relationships, and exercising resilience.  If you are interested in joining the Practice Community, click on the link below.Support the Show.The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR) Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH) They can be reached at info@practicenpleader.comAll opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.

"Nobody likes direct mail anymore….sending a direct mail appeal just isn’t going to work."But according to a 2021 study by the Print and Mail Communications Association direct mail has an impressive open rate of 42.2%.  Direct mail is still a valuable tool in your tool box for fundraising.Today we are going to go over a simple template on how you can write an effective appeal letter quickly…even with $0 budget.  And if you make it all the way to the end Nathan will have a tip or two to increase your open rate way above that 42% rate.To join The Practice Community, click on the link, "Support the Show" below.Support the Show.The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR) Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH) They can be reached at info@practicenpleader.comAll opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.

Fundraising and making Chili are a lot alike.  There is no one way to make chili or to fundraise.  But in both cases, having the right ingredients to get started is very important.  On today's episode, Tim and Nathan share four key ingredients  every nonprofit needs before they can maximize  their fundraising.  And they explore how to get those ingredients into your own fundraising efforts.Be sure to consider joining the Practice Community.  Not only will you be a part of supporting this podcast but you will receive exclusive content for subscribers only plus a monthly community zoom with Tim and Nathan.  You can subscribe here.Support the Show.The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR) Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH) They can be reached at info@practicenpleader.comAll opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.

From national to local, one of the most challenging seasons of a nonprofit executive director is leading your organization during a contentious election year.  An even greater challenge is when the mission of your organization becomes a significant issue in the political dialogue.On today's episode, Tim and Nathan provide some key actions steps to take when navigating this challenging season.  Sharing stories and insights from their own leadership journeys, they provide some practical wisdom on engaging with those who have different points of view and looking ahead to plan for possible outcomes to your organization as a result of the election.If you are interested in joining The Practice Community, go here.Tim and Nathan can be contacted at info@practicenpleader.comSupport the Show.The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR) Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH) They can be reached at info@practicenpleader.comAll opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.

So what do you do when you have to tell your Board that you fell short of your fundraising goal?Communicating bad news to your Board can be tough, especially when it concerns finances.  But as an Executive Director, it's part of the job.  On today's episode, Tim and Nathan guide you through the sensitive process of delivering less-than-stellar news to your nonprofit board.   Expect to walk away with a blueprint for honest, direct communication that lays out the facts .  The discussion also looks at the importance of developing a realistic plan to address the issue at hand.  Also, as Nathan mentioned, we are launching the Practice Community.  This includes extra content from Tim and Nathan plus a monthly "office hours" zoom call, where you can ask questions of Tim and Nathan and others in the community.  The cost is $10 a month.  To sign up, go here:   https://www.buzzsprout.com/1746349/subscribeSupport the Show.The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR) Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH) They can be reached at info@practicenpleader.comAll opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.

With this 2024 Kickoff episode, Season 4 of the Practice of Nonprofit Leadership begins!  And what better way to begin then with Tim and Nathan revealing their Three Words for 2024.   The concept of Three Words is to select words that will serve as a compass for the year. These words help to direct the individuals focus and energy and also provide an opportunity for accountability.Tim and Nathan were introduced to the concept of My Three Words By Chris Brogan.  You can find out more about the concept and listen to Chris reveal his Three Words here.We would love to hear where you are headed in 2024 or if you have questions or topics you would like to hear on the podcast.  You can reach us at info@practicenpleader.com.Support the Show.The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR) Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH) They can be reached at info@practicenpleader.comAll opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.

As one year comes to a close and a new year is on the horizon, how should a nonprofit leader prepare for what lies ahead?On today's episode, Tim and Nathan share some of the questions and strategies they use to prepare for a new year.  The questions lead them to take a look back and then to look forward.  The questions include celebration, honesty, hope, and challenge.   Taking the time to reflect backwards and then look forward, provides the opportunity to start off the year with a sense of confidence and focus.Tim mentioned questions from an annual review document put together by Dickie Bush of Ship 30 for 30.  You can find it here.Tim and Nathan are going to be taking some time off over the holidays.  Feel free to look back through our previous episodes.  We will see you in the new year!If you would like to get in touch with us, you can do so at:  info@practicenpleader.com.Support the Show.The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR) Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH) They can be reached at info@practicenpleader.comAll opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.

Another year is quickly coming to an end.  As preparations are being made for a new year, taking time to review the past year is an important habit to develop.  A key question to ask is, "How did my leadership measure up this year?"On today's episode, Tim and Nathan discuss four key areas to consider when reviewing your leadership this year.  Sharing actions step plus personal insights, this episode will help you get ready for an effective new year, as you take time to learn from your experience in the previous year.Success Frames by Rob Hatch is mentioned in the episode.  Find the book here.To contact Tim and Nathan, you can email at info@practicenpleader.com.Support the Show.The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR) Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH) They can be reached at info@practicenpleader.comAll opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.

Most job descriptions for Executive Directors, contain at least one bullet point that focuses on them representing, connecting,  and being visible in the community.  How important is this for the organization?  On today's episode, Nathan explores several points that should be considered when planning this in your schedule.  What are the possible outcomes for this effort?  Where should you show up in the community?  How do I make sure the effort is fruitful?  All this plus more on  The Art of Community Engagement for Nonprofit Leaders.If you are interested in being more connected to the Practice of Nonprofit Leadership, let us know by reaching out to us at info@practicenpleader.com.  Support the Show.The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR) Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH) They can be reached at info@practicenpleader.comAll opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.

Ready to demystify the world of fundraising metrics? Nathan spends time googling "Fundraising Metrics"; Tim...not so much.  But they both know the importance and the cautions with using specific metrics when tracking nonprofit fundraising.On today's episode, Nathan walks us through four key fundraising metrics (Gift Size, Number of New Donors,  Cost of Dollar Raised, and Return on Investment - ROI), why nonprofit leaders should be tracking them and how to make sure that they don't "lie" to you.If you are a nonprofit executive director, a nonprofit board member, or someone who takes responsibility for raising funds for your nonprofit, this episode with provide insights and actions to keep in mind when tracking fundraising in your organization.Tim and Nathan can be contacted at info (at) practicenpleader (dot) com.Support the Show.The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR) Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH) They can be reached at info@practicenpleader.comAll opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.

Have you ever noticed how the simplest 'thank you' can light up your day? On today's episode, Tim and Nathan discuss how gratitude can transform your non-profit organization's culture and amplify your leadership, including the impact on the mental well-being of non-profit leaders, despite the challenges they face.Speaking from experience, the guys share insights into the application of gratitude in everyday situations, and the invaluable effect it can have on your team's satisfaction and retention. They reveal actionable steps to foster a culture of appreciation, from maintaining a daily gratitude journal to the power of a heartfelt 'thank you.'If you would like to reach out to Tim and Nathan, you can do so at info (at) practicenpleader (dot) com.Support the Show.The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR) Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH) They can be reached at info@practicenpleader.comAll opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.

Ever feel like you're stumbling in the dark when it comes to budgeting for your non-profit organization? The thought of revenue planning and expense analysis might seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be. In part 2 of our focus on nonprofit budgeting,  Tim and Nathan, are here to guide you through this financial labyrinth with clarity and ease. We provide you with a fresh perspective on how to evaluate and forecast your revenue sources, making budgeting less of a mystery and more of a manageable task. From revenue to expenses, we’ve got you covered. Discover the strategies we use to review and analyze past expenses, identify potential areas for cost reduction and align resources with your organization's mission. We highlight the importance of maintaining a flexible margin in your budget to prepare for any unexpected hurdles. Gain insight on how to avoid difficult decisions like staff or program cuts through effective planning and regular financial reviews. So, join us on this journey of fiscal wisdom and let's make budgeting a breeze for your non-profit organization.You can contact Tim and Nathan at:  info (at) practicenpleader (dot)comSupport the Show.The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR) Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH) They can be reached at info@practicenpleader.comAll opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.