In episode 130 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol reflects on five years of podcasting and the sobering state of the nonprofit sector in 2025. While celebrating milestones, she also underscores the challenges nonprofits face amidst unprecedented political attacks, funding cuts, and threats to long-standing principles like nonpartisanship. Despite these challenges, Carol highlights the resilience, innovation, and critical role nonprofits play in society—from filling essential gaps to fueling social movements, strengthening democracy, and sparking innovation. She calls on nonprofit leaders to share their stories, advocate for the sector, and remind their communities why nonprofits matter now more than ever.

Episode highlights:

Carol shares her top five reasons the sector is essential:

1. Filling critical gaps in services and support

2. Driving social movements for justice and inclusion

3. Building social capital and connections in communities

4. Strengthening democracy and civic life

5. Spurring social innovation that reshapes society

• Leverage campaigns like Nonprofits Get It Done to tell the sector’s story

Important Links and Resources:

https://nonprofitsgetitdone.org/

https://www.urban.org/research/publication/what-financial-risk-nonprofits-losing-government-grants

https://www.vera.org/news/trumps-war-on-nonprofits-will-make-us-all-less-safe

https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Yentel-Written-Testimony.pdf

https://www.aam-us.org/2025/06/26/eo-impact-is-there-an-existential-threat-to-nonprofit-status

https://nonprofithub.org/a-brief-history-of-nonprofit-organizations/

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In this episode of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton gives a tribute to nonprofit consulting star and nonprofit governance and fundraising expert Sabrina Walker Hernandez, President & CEO of Building Better Boards, by re-releasing their conversation from 2021. Ms. Hernandez passed away in July 2025 after a long battle with cancer.

Episode highlights:

[00:06:45] Finding Her Why: From Law to Nonprofit Service

[00:13:00] Breaking Down the Fundraising Cycle

[00:18:30] A Mantra for Courage: It’s Not About You

[00:21:15] Helping Board Members Identify Donors: The List Generator

[00:25:55] Cultivating With Authenticity

[00:29:75] Fundraising in Underserved Communities

[00:35:55] Where to Begin: Budget and Strategy

[00:40:30] Innovating Fundraising Approaches

Guest Bio:
Sabrina Walker-Hernandez was the President & CEO of Building Better Boards. She has over 30 years of experience in nonprofit management, fundraising, and leadership. One of Sabrina’s greatest successes was that she increased operation revenue from$750,000 to $2.5 million over an 8-year period as well as being responsible for the planning and operations of a $12 million comprehensive capital campaign in the 3rd poorest county in the United States. She facilitated numerous workshops with hundreds of nonprofit professionals and was a master trainer for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Sabrina gained a certificate in Nonprofit Management by Harvard Business School. She was an active community leader and volunteer in Edinburg, Texas.

Important Links and Resources:

Tributes to Sabrina:

https://texasborderbusiness.com/in-loving-memory-of-sabrina-walker-hernandez/

https://riograndeguardian.com/tributes-pour-in-for-sabrina-walker-hernandez/

https://www.legacychapelsrgv.com/obituaries/sabrina-walker-hernandez

https://www.youtube.com/@SupportingWorldHope

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In episode 128 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Michael Randel joins Carol to explore how psychological safety—often dismissed as a “soft” concept—plays a critical role in nonprofit team performance, learning, and innovation.

They discuss:

• The connection between organizational readiness and the deeper human dynamics that shape effective leadership and collaboration.

• What psychological safety looks like in action,

• Why it’s vital in today’s polarized climate,

• How nonprofit leaders can foster inclusive, high-trust environments where people feel safe to speak up, take risks, and learn from mistakes.

Episode highlights:

Guest Bio:

Michael Randel helps leaders and their teams move through Change and Growth with Calm and Confidence. He developed the RCA Seasons of GrowthTM framework to help people understand and move through the three common phases of change. This allows leaders to navigate the challenges of change and bring about transformational results. With 30 years of experience, Michael works with philanthropic foundations, nonprofit organizations, corporations, and public sector agencies to help them navigate change with success and poise with his expertise in organizational change. The influence and impact of Michael’s work has been recognized with multiple global awards, and his clients include Amnesty International, AstraZeneca, NASA, United Nations, and the World Bank.

Important Links and Resources:

Michael Randel

Randel Consulting Associates

RCA Resources

RCA Resources for Psychological Safety

RCA Solutions

Amy C. Edmonson

The Fearless Organization by Amy Edmonson

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In episode 127 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton speaks with Cat Lazaroff. They talk about her work around engaging white-led and majority-white organizations in meaningful culture change to more inclusive, diverse and equitable cultures.

They explore:

• how nonprofit leaders, especially white leaders, can begin and sustain their own equity learning journeys.

• Privilege, identity, conflict, organizational culture, and the necessity of holding multiple truths.

• how culture transformation isn’t about quick fixes, but rather long-term commitments, courageous relationships, and collective learning.

Episode highlights:

[010:20] Starting with the personal

[14:50] Identity and Bias: What’s Seen, What’s Hidden

[19:50] Lived Experience, Assumptions, and Honoring Multiple Truths

[27:20] Managing Conflict and Holding Space

[31:20] Navel Gazing or Doing the Work?

[36:50] Nuance, Polarity, and Organizational Culture

[42:20] Community, and Expanding Belonging

[45:50] Guilt, Blame, and the Journey for White Leaders

[51:20] Final Advice: Don’t Do This Alone

Guest Bio:
Cat Lazaroff

Cat Lazaroff (she/they) is a white, queer consultant who supports anti-racist culture change at nonprofits and small companies. She specializes in helping other white folks center equity, inclusion, justice, and diversity in their work and their lives.

Important Links and Resources:

Cat Lazaroff

Cat Lazaroff, LLC

Deep democracy: https://deepdemocracyusa.com/

Liberatory Design: https://www.nationalequityproject.org/training/liberatory-design-for-equity

White supremacy culture characteristics: https://www.whitesupremacyculture.info/

Resource Media: https://www.resource-media.org/

Natasha Aruliah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasha-aruliah-75071420/

Tara McMullin: https://whatworks.fyi/

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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.

[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

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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:

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].

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

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📚Find the books referred to on Nonprofit Mission: Impact

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In episode 123 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Josh Hirsch discuss using AI in fundraising and donor engagement.

They explore:

• The evolution of AI, and its potential to enhance how organizations connect with donors.

• How to train AI tools effectively, leveraging data responsibly, and using AI to enhance—rather than replace—human-driven strategy.

• Why nonprofit leaders who embrace AI thoughtfully do not need to fear the technology

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

The Evolution and Role of AI in Nonprofits - [00:010:00]

How Nonprofits Can Use AI Effectively - [00:12:31]

Training AI to Match Your Brand’s Voice - [00:16:51]

Best Practices for AI Implementation - [00:20:31]

Ethical Considerations and Policy Development - [00:25:25]

A Case Study: AI in Action for Donor Engagement - [00:22:00]

Future Trends in AI and Nonprofit Work - [00:27:56]

Final Advice for Nonprofit Leaders - [00:33:02]

GUEST BIO:

Josh Hirsch is an accomplished nonprofit strategist and educator specializing in digital communications and fundraising innovation. With over two decades of experience, Josh has driven impact for organizations through roles such as Director of Mission and Communication at Susan G. Komen Florida and faculty member at The Fund Raising School. He currently serves as Education and Training Strategist at Fundraise Up, where he leads the development of cutting-edge donor engagement initiatives, including the Modern Digital Fundraising Essentials certificate program. Josh is a generative AI expert, leveraging emerging technologies to optimize nonprofit workflows and enhance donor experiences. A dynamic speaker and consultant, Josh is passionate about empowering organizations to overcome barriers to giving and achieve sustainable growth. Connect with him at theaidude.ai or through his AI Dude podcast.

IMPORTANT LINKS & RESOURCES:

Josh Hirsch, MS

Fundraise Up

The AI Dude

Soukup Strategic Solutions, Inc.

The Fund Raising School

Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy

BE IN TOUCH:

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