Send us Fan Mail

What if the biggest lever for your organization’s growth isn’t your next fundraising strategy, hire, or strategic plan, but your board?

In this episode, Marcia sits down with philanthropy expert Melanie Ulle to unpack what most nonprofit leaders are getting wrong about board development and engagement, and how to fix it in a way that actually works.

If you’ve ever felt frustrated by lack of follow-through, unclear expectations, or that subtle tension between you and your board, this conversation will help you understand why, and more importantly, what to do differently.

Together, they explore the concept of shared accountability, why so many Executive Directors feel stuck or overwhelmed when it comes to board leadership, and how to create a structure that allows your board to become a true growth partner for your organization.

You’ll walk away with practical, actionable strategies you can begin applying right away.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• The #1 accelerator of board engagement and why most organizations overlook it
• What high-functioning boards do differently, and how to start building that inside your organization
• The true story of a board chair who fired the wealthiest, most prestigious member because he didn’t show up to one meeting
• How to shift from solo responsibility to shared accountability without losing leadership authority
• The critical role of a board ally who helps hold members accountable, and why this should not fall solely on the CEO or Executive Director
• The practical changes to cadence and rhythm of effective board and committee meetings that drive real organizational impact

Key Takeaway:
An effective board doesn’t happen by chance. Learn how to build 150% shared accountability, clear structure, and intentional leadership. When you get this right, your board becomes one of the most powerful drivers of growth in your organization.

If this episode resonated with you, join our email community of Executive Directors and nonprofit CEOs who are leading with more confidence, unifying their teams, and transforming their cultures. You’ll be the first to hear about new resources, conversations, and opportunities to support your leadership journey.

👉 Are you catapulting towards burnout? Schedule a private session: https://culturecares.com/burnout-to-boundaries/

🔗 CONNECT WITH MARCIA

Free Weekly Leadership Insights → culturecares.com → Click Subscribe

Follow Marcia on LinkedIn → linkedin.com/in/marciabeckner

Visit the Culture CARES Website → culturecares.com

Explore the Podcast → culturecares.com/podcast

🤩 LEARN ABOUT MELANIE ULLE'S WORK

Philanthropy Expert → https://philanthropyexpert.org/

💰 JOIN ME IN SAN DIEGO for AFP ICON 2026

The world's No. 1 conference for fundraising professionals, hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, is in sunny San Diego, April 26-28.

Will you be there? Join me and thousands more fellow nonprofit change-makers for three impactful days of learning, connecting and growth as a fundraiser and nonprofit leader.

Register today: https://afpglobal.org/afp-icon

📈 WANT BETTER BOARD ENGAGEMENT?

Zeck transforms your entire board meeting process, and 10,000+ CEOs & board members agree.

Get a free demo of Zeck.app and save 80% of your time on board meet

Send us Fan Mail

If you’ve ever felt like your nonprofit organization is posting consistently, but still not seeing meaningful engagement, it may not be a content problem.

In this episode, I sit down with digital marketing expert and Nonprofit Nation Podcast host Julia Campbell to unpack what’s actually driving connection, trust, and donor engagement online right now. Because social media is not a strategy on its own, it’s a tool. And when it’s used without intention, it can quickly become just another item on an already full plate.

We talk about what it really means to build a community around your mission instead of simply broadcasting updates, why authenticity is becoming your greatest competitive advantage in a crowded digital space, and how nonprofit leaders can approach storytelling in a way that feels human, sustainable, and aligned with their culture.

Julia also shares practical insight into short-form video, the role of AI in content creation, and how to think about digital engagement without burning out your team in the process.

If you’re ready to move beyond posting for the sake of posting and start building trust that leads to real engagement, stronger relationships, and long-term support for your mission, this conversation will give you a clearer path forward.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Why social media is a tactic, not your full nonprofit strategy
  
  
• The biggest mistake nonprofits make when trying to build engagement online
  
  
• How to use storytelling to build trust with donors and your community
  
  
• What authentic content actually looks like (and why it outperforms polished campaigns)
  
  
• How short-form video is shaping nonprofit marketing and fundraising
  
  
• Where AI can support your team and where it can hurt your credibility
  
  
• How to approach digital engagement without creating burnout for staff

👉 Are you catapulting towards burnout? Schedule a private session: https://culturecares.com/burnout-to-boundaries/

🔗 CONNECT WITH MARCIA

Follow Marcia on LinkedIn → linkedin.com/in/marciabeckner

Visit the Culture CARES Website → culturecares.com

Explore the Podcast → culturecares.com/podcast

Free Weekly Leadership Insights → culturecares.com → Click Subscribe

🎙️ ENJOY THE SHOW?

If this episode resonated, here’s how you can support:

1. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
2. Leave a review (it helps more nonprofit leaders find the show)

Learn more about Julia Campbell @ https://jcsocialmarketing.com.

Don’t forget to share this episode with a CEO or Executive Director who would benefit.

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, Marcia Beckner sits down with grant writing expert, author, and Grant Writing & Funding podcast host Holly Rustick for a candid conversation about what nonprofit leaders need to know before hiring fundraising support.

They explore a question many Executive Directors and nonprofit CEOs are quietly asking right now: is it smarter to hire an in-house grant writer, or bring in a freelance specialist?

But this conversation goes far beyond staffing models. Holly also shares her perspective on nonprofit burnout, toxic work norms, the CEO vs. Executive Director mindset, gender pay gaps in the sector, and why more women are building flexible consulting businesses that better support their lives and leadership.

If you have ever felt stretched too thin, unsure how to build fundraising capacity, or curious whether a freelance model could create more sustainability for your organization, this episode will give you plenty to think about.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The real difference between hiring an employee and hiring a freelance grant writer
• Why many nonprofits unintentionally overload staff and reduce fundraising effectiveness
• The mindset shift from Executive Director to CEO
• How nonprofit culture can normalize overwork, guilt, and blurred boundaries
• Why flexibility, pricing confidence, and business ownership matter for women in the sector
• What nonprofit leaders should consider before adding grant capacity to their team
• How some leaders successfully transition from in-house roles to freelance grant writing careers

Resources mentioned:

• Holly Rustick: https://grantwritingandfunding.com
• Check out her #1 Grant Writing Podcast: Grant Writing & Funding
• Freelance Grant Writer Academy
• Grant Professional Mentorship
• The Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing book
• Marcia’s Burnout to Boundaries Session at Culture CARES®

👉 Are you catapulting towards burnout? Schedule a private session: https://culturecares.com/burnout-to-boundaries/

🔗 CONNECT WITH MARCIA

Follow Marcia on LinkedIn → linkedin.com/in/marciabeckner

Visit the Culture CARES Website → culturecares.com

Explore the Podcast → culturecares.com/podcast

Free Weekly Leadership Insights → culturecares.com → Click Subscribe

🎙️ ENJOY THE SHOW?

If this episode resonated, here’s how you can support:

1. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
2. Leave a review (it helps more nonprofit leaders find the show)

Learn more about Julia Campbell @ https://jcsocialmarketing.com.

Don’t forget to share this episode with a CEO or Executive Director who needs to hear it!