Feeling stretched too thin? Wondering how your nonprofit will survive the next wave of challenges? You’re not alone.

As we head into 2026, nonprofit leaders are asking tough questions: Where is funding going? Why is donor behavior shifting? How can we keep our teams motivated in the face of burnout and uncertainty?

This week, I’m joined by Rob Harter — veteran nonprofit executive, leadership coach, and host of the long-running Nonprofit Leadership Podcast — to explore what’s really happening across the sector, and where the hope lies. Drawing from his decades of experience, his writing on organizational health and leadership, and the hundreds of interviews he’s conducted on the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast, Rob offers a hopeful — but honest — roadmap for social impact organizations navigating change.

🔍 About Rob Harter

Rob is a nonprofit executive professional with over 30 years of experience in leading and building social impact organizations. Rob is known as an inspirational leader with contagious energy and entrepreneurial spirit. He is a frequent speaker and seminar facilitator, and he founded and hosts the “Nonprofit Leadership Podcast”, which has had over 541,000 downloads, is heard in 179 countries and is in the top 1.5% of all podcasts globally according to Listen Notes.

Rob has been a member of and contributor for the Forbes Nonprofit Council. Rob was invited to be part of Harvard Business School’s “Young American Leaders Program”. He also serves on the Utah Advisory Committee for the US Global Leadership Coalition. Rob has chaired the MLK Jr. Commission for Human Rights for the State of Utah and served as the Chair of the Utah Nonprofit Association’s Board as well as serving on the Park City Chamber of Commerce. Rob was voted as the professional “Citizen of the Year” for Park City by the local Rotary club, received the Park City “Chief’s Award for Community Service” and was also recognized as a “Hometown Hero” by Salt Lake Magazine. Most recently, Rob has launched his own Coaching business Rob Harter Coaching and Consulting as a way to invest in and strengthen leaders and individuals to grow both personally and professionally. He is a certified Professional Coach and Certified Enneagram Instructor along with being a Neurofeedback trained technician.

Rob has received a Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate degrees. He loves deep powder skiing, hiking, cycling, reading great books, and traveling to new places. Most of all, Rob loves spending quality time with his amazing wife and family.

🧰 Resources & Links:

• Nonprofit Leadership Podcast: https://nonprofitleadershippodcast.org/
• Rob’s website: https://robharter.com/
• Connect with Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-rob-harter-25457313/

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If you’ve ever wondered whether AI is actually useful for your nonprofit - and how to implement without tech-savvy or overwhelm - this episode is for you.

Joining me are Darian Rodriguez Heyman, social entrepreneur, nonprofit strategist, Heyman also founded AI4NP.org, a national hub for AI education in the social sector, and Cheryl Contee, a pioneering technology entrepreneur and digital transformation expert and Chief Innovation Officer at BrightWorksAI.com and co-author of the new book AI for Nonprofits: Putting Artificial Intelligence to Work for Your Cause,

Darian and Cheryl bring a wealth of insight into how nonprofits can harness AI to work smarter, not harder. AI for Nonprofits is a practical, resource-rich guide based on interviews with 57 nonprofit leaders (including me!) who are successfully leveraging AI to enhance fundraising, streamline operations, and engage supporters more effectively — all while staying grounded in mission, values, and ethics.

Together, we explore the most accessible tools, the smartest use cases, and the common pitfalls to avoid when adopting AI in your organization. Whether you're AI-curious or already experimenting, you'll come away with actionable next steps to help you move forward confidently.

🎧 In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Actionable ways to use AI for donor communications, content creation, and outreach
• The fundamentals of data privacy and compliance every nonprofit must understand
• Top AI tools recommended by experts across the nonprofit sector
• How to avoid the most common mistakes nonprofits make when adopting AI
• How equity and inclusion must factor into AI implementation strategies

🧰 Resources & Links:

• Get the book: AI for Nonprofits

💼 Guest Bio

Cheryl Contee is the Chief Innovation Officer at BrightWorksAI.com. She is a pioneering technology entrepreneur and digital transformation expert. Cheryl is renowned as a trailblazing startup founder and a trusted advisor on innovation & impact. She inspires audiences globally as a leading voice on inclusive entrepreneurship and social enterprise. She has co-authored a bestselling new book called "AI for Nonprofits: Putting Artificial Intelligence to Work for Your Cause" with Darian Rodriguez Heyman sharing insights from over 50 AI experts intended to help nonprofit leaders embrace new tech. She is also a senior advisor for PosterChild.AI and co-founder of Change Agent AI, mission-driven & gamechanging AI powered startups.

Darian Rodriguez Heyman is a seasoned nonprofit leader, fundraiser, and social entrepreneur best known for making complex ideas accessible and actionable. He began his impact journey as Executive Director of Craigslist Foundation, where he launched the Nonprofit Boot Camp — which quickly became the largest nonprofit gathering in the Bay Area. He’s the author of Nonprofit Fundraising 101, editor of the best-selling Nonprofit Management 101, and most recently, co-author of AI for Nonprofits: Putting Artificial Intelligence to Work for Your Cause, a tactical guide featuring insights from 57 nonprofit leaders on how to responsibly and effectively integrate AI into fundraising, marketing, program delivery, and operations.

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"We’re not just telling stories anymore—we’re helping people make sense of the world."

That’s the powerful message behind this week’s episode of Nonprofit Nation featuring Kristen Grimm, founder and strategist of Spitfire Strategies, a leading communications firm that helps nonprofits, foundations, and social changemakers sharpen their voice and deepen their impact.

In this conversation, Kristen introduces the concept of “meaning-making” — the process of helping people interpret what’s happening around them, understand what it means, and decide how to act. With the world experiencing unprecedented levels of uncertainty, polarization, and complexity, Kristen argues that communicators now face a once-in-a-generation opportunity to help people cut through the noise and find clarity, purpose, and direction.

Drawing on her recently published meaning-making blog series, Kristen shares a timely roadmap for nonprofit leaders looking to rise above the chaos and communicate with resonance. You’ll hear about the different phases of meaning-making, how to spot a "meaning-making window" when it opens, and why now is the time to shift from persuasion to perspective-shaping.

🔍 In This Episode, We Discuss:

• What “meaning-making” really is — and why it's vital right now
• Why traditional messaging may fall flat in today’s environment
• The phases of meaning-making: from recognition to resonance
• Tools to assess your organization's readiness to lead with meaning
• Real-world examples of meaning-making strategies in action
• How small or resource-constrained nonprofits can start this work today

💼 About Kristen Grimm

Kristen is the founder of Spitfire Strategies, a public interest firm focused on advancing racial, economic and social justice, protecting the environment and promoting opportunity for all. She has extensive experience running smart communication and campaign efforts that create lasting social change. A hopeful strategist, she believes progress is always possible, setbacks are sources of inspiration and building beyond the choir is where the real work is. She is the mastermind behind Spitfire’s Smart Chart, Planning to Win, Mindful Messaging and Replenishing Trust, thinks fast in a crisis, is deft at drawing phenomenal visionary speeches out of leaders and is someone you want in your corner when you’re ready to go big. When it comes to storytelling, all you need to know is that her last name is Grimm.

🧰 Resources & Links:

• 🔗 Kristen Grimm’s Meaning-Making Series – Spitfire Strategies
• 🔗 Meaning-Making: An Idea Whose Time Has Come and How to Make It Come to Fruition
• 🔗 Meaning-Making: Approaches to Consider
• 🔗 Meaning-Making: Live Examples We Can Watch Play Out

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Social media success isn’t just about posting content and hoping for the best. It's about strategy, audience insight, and internal advocacy.

This was originally a live conversation on LinkedIn.

Listen in to my conversation with Kate Meyers Emery, Ph.D., Senior Digital Comms Manager at Candid and one of the most insightful voices speaking up about what social media professionals really need to succeed.

Kate shares why social media needs to be seen as an organization-wide responsibility, how SMMs can elevate their role beyond “just posting,” and what nonprofits must do to ensure these roles are sustainable and strategic going into 2026.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why social media is a team sport, even if you're the only one on the field
• How to advocate for your work and educate others about its value
• Strategies to build a culture of content collaboration across departments
• What systems and tools need to evolve for long-term sustainability
• What’s ahead in 2026: predictions and priorities for social media teams

About Kate:

With over 14 years of experience, Kate Meyers Emery, Ph.D., has proven track record of using experimentation, data, and creativity to transform complex stories into simple yet compelling content on social media, web, email, and other digital platforms. She is a data nerd who uses her depth of industry knowledge, natural curiosity, and background in anthropology to create innovative, inclusive, and human-centered stories in digital spaces.

Kate has worked with nonprofits, museums, and universities to engage and educate. She is currently the senior digital communications manager at Candid, where she leads the strategy, content production, and analysis of organic social media.

Connect with Kate on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meyersemery/

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💰 What’s a DAF and why should nonprofits - of every size- care about this trend in giving?

My guest this week is Mitch Stein, Head of Strategy at Chariot, a fintech company revolutionizing how nonprofits receive Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) donations. Mitch shows us the growing significance of DAFs - which now hold over $230 billion in charitable assets - and why most nonprofits are still leaving money on the table.

From integrating DAFs into digital fundraising to engaging donors more strategically, Mitch shares actionable insights from the field, including recent findings from Chariot’s DAF Fundraising Report. Whether you're new to DAFs or ready to optimize your approach, this conversation offers clear takeaways for every fundraiser and mission-driven leader.

💡 Together, we explore:

• What Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) are, and why they’re so important now
• Ways nonprofits can integrate DAFs into digital campaigns and donor journeys
• Surprising insights from Chariot’s DAF Fundraising Report
• Why fundraisers may be overlooking DAF donors in their marketing
• Common misconceptions about DAFs
• What’s ahead for DAFs, and how nonprofits can prepare now

💼 About Mitch Stein

Mitch Stein is the Head of Strategy for Chariot - a financial technology company focused on DAF payments. Mitch leads the company's stakeholder engagement and industry-wide initiatives like the DAF Fundraising Report and DAF Day.

Prior to Chariot, Mitch founded a marketplace for nonprofits called Pond, which connected organizations with the best software and services for their mission. Mitch previously spent 7 years as an Investment Banker at Goldman Sachs, where his work included running client strategy for the CEO and serving as a Vice President in the Technology, Media & Telecom deal team.

Mitch is an avid fundraiser for nonprofits himself, having participated in Cycle for the Cause since 2016 and serving as a board member for The LGBT Center of NYC since 2019.

🧰 Resources & Links:

• Chariot’s Website
• DAF Fundraising Report
• DAF Day

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How do you tell stories that not only inform but inspire people to act? In this episode of Nonprofit Nation, I’m joined by Caroline Keylock, co-founder of LookUP, a global storytelling consultancy helping nonprofits, brands, and agencies harness the power of narrative to drive growth, connection, and impact.

Caroline shares her unique perspective drawn from both the nonprofit and commercial sectors, including her work with Wikimedia, Alzheimer’s organizations, and The Communications Network. Her message is clear: in a noisy world filled with apathy and misinformation, storytelling is not a nice-to-have - it’s absolutely essential.

🎧 In This Episode, We Discuss:

• he critical difference between telling your story and telling your audience’s story
• How to structure a story to make it memorable—and actionable
• What nonprofits can learn from entertainment storytelling
• Why story is the key to alignment, clarity, and influence—internally and externally

This is a conversation for communicators, leaders, and change-makers who want their messages to matter, and to move.

💼 About Caroline Keylock

Caroline Keylock is co-founder of LookUP, a storytelling consultancy working with people and organisations to drive growth through the power of story. She spends half her time working with non-profits globally (Wikimedia, Alzheimers, The Communications Network); and the other half working with agencies, media owners, and brands who want to harness their story to give them clarity as to their future goals, get their teams to work together more effectively, or sell what they do more effectively. She believes that storytelling has become the essential skill for organisations working in social good, in a world of apathy and disinformation, and LookUP are increasingly working with companies in this space to help them harness this skill.

🧰 Resources & Links:

• LookUP website
• Follow Caroline on LinkedIn

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What if everything you’ve been taught about fundraising isn’t wrong—but just too safe?

In this episode, I’m joined by Lisa L. Stueckemann, CFRE, author of Fundraising Rebel—a book that’s shaking up how we think about donor relationships, generosity, and what it means to lead with courage in today’s fundraising landscape.

Lisa is a consultant, mentor, and nationally recognized speaker who’s worked with hundreds of nonprofit teams to help them ditch the “donor-centric” buzzwords and build real, lasting connections instead. In a time when donor trust is down and fundraising feels harder than ever, Lisa offers a refreshing—and rebellious—approach to leadership, authenticity, and generosity.

💡 We talk about:

• What it really means to be a fundraising rebel
• How to build donor loyalty in a time of burnout and disconnection
• Why “donor-centered” fundraising may be doing more harm than good
• How to talk about money in ways that feel honest and aligned
• Strategies to lead with courage, not just KPIs

If you’re ready to shake off the guilt, say goodbye to outdated scripts, and fundraise with more freedom—this conversation is for you.

💼 Lisa Stueckemann

Lisa L. Stueckemann, CFRE, is the author of “Fundraising Rebel.” She has over 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. Her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from the University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music and Master of Nonprofit Administration from North Park University provide a unique and creative lens to her fundraising strategy and leadership style. She has on-the-ground experience in annual giving, major gifts, corporate philanthropy, event design, cause-marketing, and communications. She truly enjoys encouraging fundraising and marketing teams and forwarding the sector through teaching, consulting, and mentoring. A sought-after speaker on fundraising and leadership, Lisa regularly speaks at local, state, and national conferences.

🧰 Resources & Links:

• 🔗 Learn more at fundraisingrebel.org
• 📘 Get the book: Fundraising Rebel on Amazon

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What does it take to lead with strength and compassion when your work revolves around trauma, crisis, and healing?

In this episode, I’m joined by Bridgette Stumpf, CEO and Co-Founder, and Lindsey Silverberg, Executive Director at Volare, a nonprofit based in Washington, DC that provides free, trauma-informed legal, advocacy, and therapeutic services to survivors of crime. Formerly known as the Network for Victim Recovery of DC (NVRDC), Volare has grown from a grassroots startup into a $5M organization with national reach.

Bridgette and Lindsey share what it takes to lead in the survivor services space - from building resilient teams and navigating resource scarcity, to advocating for systemic reform and shifting how organizations think about trauma, healing, and justice.

We also talk about how they use storytelling, marketing, and even their own podcast (TraumaTies) to engage with their community while honoring the complexity and sensitivity of the work.

💡 In this episode, we cover:

• What it means to create a truly trauma-informed organization (not just a program)
• How to prevent burnout and build resilience in your team
• Creative strategies for sharing resources and building cross-sector partnerships
• Fundraising and scaling in a challenging environment
• Using social media and storytelling to deepen impact—without retraumatizing
• Why they launched a podcast, and what it’s taught them about leadership and connection

💼 Bridgette Stumpff

Bridgette Stumpf, Esq., is the CEO at Volare (formerly Network for Victim Recovery of DC (NVRDC)), a position she has held since co-founding the organization in 2012. She has over 15 years of experience advocating to ensure those impacted by crime are afforded meaningful rights and access to supportive services to mitigate the negative effects of trauma post-victimization.

💼 Lindsey Silverberg

Lindsey Silverberg is the Executive Director at Volare In this capacity, Lindsey works to ensure seamless delivery of survivor services in the acute crisis response, advocacy and case management, legal, and therapeutic programs. Her responsibilities range from building infrastructure and support for direct service staff, to educating the local and national community about trauma, and thinking big with Volare's CEO on how to help survivors achieve survivor-defined justice. Lindsey joined Volare as one of the first full time staff members in 2012, as an advocate providing hospital accompaniment for sexual assault survivors, attending court, and offering direct advocacy support to survivors of crime. She received her B.A. from the University of Maryland and her M.A. from the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

🧰 Resources & Links:

• 🎧 Check out their podcast: TraumaTies
• 🔗 Learn more: volare-empowers.org

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