The Practice of Nonprofit Leadership

Hosted by Tim Barnes and Nathan Ruby

Business Management Education

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Episodes

171

Latest episode

Mar 2025

Language

EN-US

About the show

The Practice of Nonprofit Leadership was designed for Executive Directors of small to medium sized nonprofits. If you are currently an Executive Director or hope to be one someday this is your spot. Leading an organization can be one of the most fun, exhilarating, rewarding, scary, thankless jobs in the universe. Using a mixture of encouragement, information, stories, and practical tools, hosts Tim Barnes and Nathan Ruby will use their years of nonprofit leadership experience to make your journey a little easier, more fun, and ultimately help you be more effective in leading your organization.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

March 12, 2025Episode 16724 min

Beyond Board Reports: What Your Nonprofit Board Really Wants

Send a textEvery nonprofit leader knows the scenario: Board meetings that consist of reviewing reports, nodding politely, and adjourning without meaningful engagement. But what if there's a better way? What if your board members are craving something beyond those financial statements and program updates?The truth is, your board represents your organization's most valuable leadership asset—when properly engaged. They're not just there to fulfill a legal requirement; they're strategic partners who can propel your mission forward. On today's episode, Nathan explores four essential elements board members truly want from nonprofit leadership: community, decision-making opportunities, confidence in leadership, and yes—even fun.Shift your focus from reports to relationships, and watch your board transform from obligatory oversight to enthusiastic partnership in advancing your mission.Support the showThe 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.

February 26, 2025Episode 16631 min

Vision Leaks: Keeping Your Nonprofit Focused

Send a textIn the dynamic world of nonprofit leadership, maintaining focus on your organization's vision is more crucial than ever, especially in times of uncertainty and challenges. This episode explores the phenomenon of "vision leakage," a subtle yet significant issue where organizations lose sight of their core mission amid everyday operational demands.Throughout the conversation, Tim and Nathan share practical strategies that nonprofit leaders can implement to counteract vision leakage effectively. From creating "mission moments" at meetings to sharing compelling stories that illustrate your organization's impact, these action items serve as powerful reminders of your purpose. Also emphasized is the importance of engaging stakeholders by offering them opportunities to experience your mission firsthand, reinforcing their connection to your work. The need for visual reminders and integrating mission-driven language into all organizational communications, ensuring that the core message is consistently shared is also discussed.Support the showThe 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.

February 19, 2025Episode 16524 min

Optimizing Your Donor Database for Greater Impact

Send a textIn this episode, Nathan discusses the vital role of donor relationship management systems in enhancing nonprofit fundraising efforts. Providing some practical insights and tips, Nathan explores key features such as donor management, fundraising tools, and data analytics, we emphasize the importance of selecting the right database tailored to an organization's needs.Support the showThe 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.

February 12, 2025Episode 16430 min

Unlocking Effective Nonprofit Leadership Through One-on-One Meetings and Transparent Communication

Send a textEstablishing regular one-on-one meetings is essential for fostering strong connections within nonprofit teams. These check-ins enhance accountability, ensure transparent communication, prevent conflicts from escalating, and provide support for professional development.Here are some of the points discussed on today's episode:• Creating a culture of consistency and accountability through regular meetings • Fostering transparent communication for open dialogue • Preventing conflicts by addressing small issues early • Supporting team members' professional growth and development • Highlighting the connection between individual roles and the organization’s missionSupport the showThe 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.

February 5, 2025Episode 16321 min

Crafting Attention-Grabbing Email Subjects for Nonprofit Growth

Send a textEffective email communication is crucial for nonprofit leaders aiming to engage stakeholders. This episode explores five key strategies to craft subject lines that enhance email open rates and promote responsiveness. • Be clear and specific in subject lines • Create a sense of urgency without overdoing it • Personalize when possible to foster connection • Keep it short and sweet to ensure readability • Make it actionable to prompt responses If you've gotten any benefit from this podcast, would you take time to share a review on the platform in which you're listening? Let us know how the podcast is benefiting you, and if you could leave us a five-star review, that would be great.Support the showThe 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.

January 29, 2025Episode 16219 min

Breaking Free from Groupthink: Strategies for Effective Nonprofit Leadership

Send a textEver found yourself nodding along in a meeting, even when you disagree, just to keep the peace? You're not alone. Join Nathan Ruby on a journey through the intricate world of groupthink within nonprofit organizations. Drawing from personal highs and lows, we'll uncover how the quest for consensus sometimes leads us astray from our missions. Together, we'll dissect how the desire for harmony can cloud judgment, leaving well-meaning nonprofits with decisions that don’t serve their true purpose.Support the showThe 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.

January 22, 2025Episode 16126 min

How to Solve Nonprofit Problems Without Doing It All Yourself

Send a textStruggling with staff who dump problems on your desk? Join Tim and Nathan as they share a game-changing leadership strategy: asking the right questions. Learn how clarifying open-ended, reflective, exploratory, and empowering questions can train your nonprofit team to solve their own challenges. Boost critical thinking, build trust, and free up your time to focus on what matters most--leading your organization to success. Perfect of new executive directors easy to empower their staff and transform their leadership. Support the showThe 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.

January 15, 2025Episode 16027 min

Our 3 Words - Setting A Compass For 2025

Send a textThis episode dives into the transformative practice of choosing three guiding words for the new year, offering nonprofit leaders a unique alternative to traditional resolutions. Through shared insights and personal experiences, Tim and Nathan share their 3 Words for 2025 and highlight the power of intention, accountability, and community in nonprofit leadership.Support the showThe 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.

January 8, 2025Episode 15940 min

Encore Episode: Leadership with Dr. Jack Groppel

Send a textWith the start of a new year, here is an encore presentation of an interview we did with Dr. Jack Groppel back in 2023 on Leadership.Dr Jack Groppel, co-founder of the Johnson & Johnson Human Performance Institute and current professor at Judson University, Elgin, IL joins Tim and Nathan on today's episode. His experience in working with world class athletes and sports teams to coaching top business leaders, provides plenty of real world thought on the topic of leadership.Our fascinating conversation is packed with insights that can help you become a more effective, impactful leader. From the discussion on Energy Management vs Time Management to leading as a "Corporate Athlete" and then considering the idea include Agape Love as part of our leadership, Jack brings challenge after challenge to our quest for effective leadership.Dr Jack Groppel can be contacted on Linked-in here.Support the showThe 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.

January 1, 2025Episode 15820 min

New Year Reflections From 12 Days Of Major Gift Fundraising

Send a textIn the first episode of 2025, Tim and Nathan dive into the crucial lessons learned from the "12 Days of Major Gift Fundraising," emphasizing the importance of consistency, connection, and passion in nonprofit leadership. They discuss how strategic planning and interpersonal relationships can significantly enhance fundraising efforts and ultimately drive organizational success. Some of the key points discussed were:• Reflect on the previous year and insights gained • Importance of maintaining relationships in fundraising • Challenges of consistency in nonprofit work • The role of action stacks in improving efficiency • Rekindling passion for major gifts and organizational goals • Emphasis on manageable strategies for cultivating major donors • Encouragement to plan and prioritize fundraising endeavors for 2025If you are interested in signing up for Nathan's Video Newsletter, go to www.nonprofitleader.online and sign up for the email list or leave your info in the contact form.Support the showThe 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.