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Nonprofit Mission: Impact

Nonprofit Mission: Impact

By: Carol Hamilton Grace Social Sector Consulting LLC
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Nonprofit Mission Impact is the podcast for nonprofit leaders who want to build a better world without becoming a martyr to the cause. Hosted vy Carol Hamilton, nonprofit inclusive strategic planning and evaluation design consultant. On this podcast we explore · How to turn down the static and help you stop working at cross purposes - how to make your organization more effective by increasing the strategic alignment within your organization · All for this is for the purpose of creating greater mission impact.Grace Social Sector Consulting, LLC Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Navigating Nonprofit Careers with Matt Hugg
    Jul 1 2025

    In episode 126 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Matt Hugg discuss the unique landscape of nonprofit careers.

    Together, they explore:

    • what makes nonprofit work meaningful and distinctive, including the opportunities and challenges for those transitioning into or advancing within the sector.

    • how nonprofit professionals can align their skills and passions,

    • how to navigate career shifts, and maintain their connection to mission-driven work.

    This conversation offers nonprofit leaders practical wisdom on supporting their teams and nurturing their own professional journeys.

    Timestamped Highlights:

    [00:9:12] The Uniqueness of Nonprofit Careers

    [00:13:25] Beyond 501(c)(3): The Breadth of the Nonprofit Sector

    [00:07:51] Transitioning from the Private Sector

    [00:15:11] Networking and Defining Your Niche

    [00:18:25] Exploring Support Roles and Vendors

    [00:20:01] The Rise of Nonprofit Education Programs

    [00:22:30] Moving from Volunteer to Staff: A Shift in Expectations

    [00:26:02] Passion, Mission, and Boundaries

    [00:27:20] Dispelling Misconceptions About Nonprofit Organizations

    [00:32:43] Consulting and Group Decision-Making

    [00:36:21] Nonprofit Fundraising: Diverse Skills, Diverse Roles

    [00:40:20] Embracing Nonlinear Career Paths

    [00:41:46] Managing Fundraisers: A Need for Education

    [00:43:20] Staying Grounded in Mission

    Guest Bio:

    Matt Hugg is president and founder of Nonprofit.Courses, an on-demand, eLearning resource for nonprofit leaders, staff, board members and volunteers, with thousands of courses in nearly every aspect of nonprofit work. He’s the author of The Guide to Nonprofit Consulting, and Philanders Family Values, Fun Scenarios for Practical Fundraising Education for Boards, Staff and Volunteers. Hugg has held positions at the Boy Scouts of America, Lebanon Valley College, the University of Cincinnati, Ursinus College, and the University of the Arts. In these, Matt raised thousands of gifts from individuals, foundations, corporations and government entities, working with hundreds of volunteers on boards and fundraising committees, in addition to his leadership responsibilities. Matt has taught fundraising, philanthropy, and marketing in graduate programs at Eastern University, the University of Pennsylvania, Juniata College and Thomas Edison State University via the web, and in-person in the United States, Africa, Asia and Europe, and is a popular conference speaker. He has a BS from Juniata College and an MA in Philanthropy and Development from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota. Mr. Hugg has served on the board of the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Nonprofit Career Network of Philadelphia and several nonprofits.

    Important Links and Resources:

    Matt Hugg

    Nonprofit.Courses

    Focus Search Hub

    Career Focus Search

    DRIVE

    The High Price of Materialism

    Be in Touch:

    ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting and receive the Common Mistakes Nonprofits Make In Strategic Planning And How To Avoid Them

    📚Find the books referred to on Nonprofit Mission: Impact

    👥 Like what you heard? Please share the podcast with a colleague or friend

    🌟 Help more people learn about Nonprofit Mission: Impact by leaving a rating & review.

    😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn

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    50 mins
  • Beyond the Ask: Building nonprofit board champions with Michele Walls
    Jun 17 2025
    In episode 125, of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton talks with Michele Walls. Michele shares her deep well of experience in nonprofit fundraising, communications, and strategic development. They explore: the importance of thoughtful relationship-building, patience, and team collaboration in securing sustainable funding. how fundraising is a team effort and a long game. how to move from reactive panic to strategic action—even amid uncertainty and funding contractions. Episode highlights: 🤝 Fundraising is a Team Sport [08:45] Top fundraising tips: People give to people—leaders must be visible and engaged. Fundraising is a shared responsibility. Relationships take time—there are no shortcuts. 🌱 Cultivating Donors with Care [10:45] Michele walks through the process of moving a new connection into a meaningful donor relationship. Key steps include follow-up, inviting prospects to experience the mission firsthand, and paying attention to readiness cues before making the ask. 🔍 Assessing Capacity and Readiness [14:15] From simple Google searches to full wealth screenings, Michele outlines how to evaluate a donor’s giving potential while staying grounded in ethical relationship-building. 💡 Leading Through Uncertainty [16:45] With funding sources in flux, Michele advises nonprofits to stay calm, stay informed, and deepen relationships with current funders. Direct communication is more important than ever. 🌈 Strategic Diversification [20:45] Diversify, but do it with intention. Michele recommends starting with mid-level donors and using board connections. It's not about doing everything—it's about doing the right next thing. 📣 Boards as PR Champions [23:15] Not every board member needs to be a fundraiser, but every board member should be a storyteller. Sharing the mission builds the foundation for future support. 🧩 What is Fractional Fundraising? [26:45] Michele explains her approach to fractional fundraising: part-time support with full-time expertise. From strategy to grant writing to board coaching, she fills gaps and builds capacity. 🔍 Onboarding with Intention [30:45] Every client engagement begins with deep listening, thoughtful review of materials, and an exploration of what's working, what needs attention, and what priorities are driving fundraising. 🧭 The Question Every Leader Should Ask [33:15] “What can I say no to?” Michele challenges leaders to focus, set boundaries, and recognize that saying no can create space for greater impact. Guest Bio: Michele brings two decades of experience in fundraising, communications, and nonprofit management. Having raised over $30 million for small and mid-sized organizations, she guides nonprofits across arts, education, cultural, and social justice sectors towards stability and growth.Through MW Strategies, Michele supports organizations with $100K-$5M budgets,specializing in fundraising and human resources. She develops data-driven strategies and compelling stories that drive success.Michele excels in major gifts, campaigns, and grants, while bringing expertise in organizational development. She guides organizations through critical phases,emphasizing collaboration and revenue maximization.Michele serves on the boards of CultureWorks Greater Philadelphia and theAssociation of Consultants to Nonprofits. A Philadelphia resident, she holds degrees from the University of Delaware and Drexel University, balancing her professional life with interests in running, cooking, and the city's cultural scene. Important Links and Resources: Michele Walls MW Strategies LLC The National Council of Nonprofits Be in Touch: ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting and receive the Common Mistakes Nonprofits Make In Strategic Planning And How To Avoid Them 📚Find the books referred to on Nonprofit Mission: Impact 👥 Like what you heard? Please share the podcast with a colleague or friend 🌟 Help more people learn about Nonprofit Mission: Impact by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn
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    36 mins
  • Embodied leadership for nonprofits with LeeAnn Mallorie
    Jun 3 2025

    In episode 124 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and LeeAnn Mallorie discuss about navigating leadership from a place of embodiment, resilience, and grace. They explore:

    • how tuning into the body can help leaders make better choices, weather organizational turbulence, and come through crisis with renewed purpose.

    • How our effectiveness and influence are deeply tied to how we relate to ourselves—and that honoring our inner wisdom is not a luxury, but a necessity in today’s climate of uncertainty and change.

    Episode highlights:

    What Is Embodiment and Why It Matters [08:15]

    Resilience in a Time of Chaos [11:15]

    The Power of Letting Go [13:59]

    Balancing Drive with Surrender [17:15]

    Grace as Leadership Range [19:26].

    Leaders Getting in Their Own Way [22:15]

    Co-Creating with What Is [23:26]

    Feeling First, Then Acting [26:58]

    Leading Through Uncertainty [24:01]

    Advice for Those in Transition [29:16]

    A Strategic Shift: Collective Leadership [35:15]

    Guest BIO:
    LeeAnn Mallorie, CEO of Guts & Grace Leadership, began her career as an executive coach in 2006, working with leaders and teams from around the globe. Yet she soon found something was missing—the body. This led her on a personal journey of physical, mental, and spiritual healing, to eventually embrace the feminine side of leadership. Committed to walking her talk, she brings these lessons back to her clients in the corporate, non-profit and government sectors, with surprisingly positive results. Today LeeAnn specializes in bringing feminine wisdom and diverse cultural values into business, as keystone to solving some of our world’s stickiest problems. Using practical embodiment tools, she helps attendees bridge the gap between the hard-driving logical mind and the deeper wisdom of the soul.


    Important Links and Resources:

    LeeAnn Mallorie

    Guts & Grace

    Leading in Motion

    Be in Touch:

    ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting

    💻 Give us feedback on the show

    📚Find the books referred to on Nonprofit Mission: Impact

    👥 Like what you heard? Please share the podcast with a colleague or friend

    🌟 Help more people learn about Nonprofit Mission: Impact by leaving a rating & review.

    😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn

    Show More Show Less
    40 mins

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