In this episode, Dr. Rob Harter sits down with Dan Pallotta—renowned author, TED Talk speaker, and social impact provocateur—to discuss what it really takes to solve the world’s biggest problems. Known for challenging the status quo in the nonprofit sector, Dan pushes listeners to think beyond conventional limitations, urging nonprofit leaders and donors alike to reimagine what’s possible when we truly embrace bold, audacious goals.

Dan unpacks his groundbreaking fundraising innovations, including the AIDS Rides and Breast Cancer 3-Day Walks, and dives into key themes from his recent documentary Uncharitable. He emphasizes that nonprofits need to stop playing it safe and start empowering people to explore their own heroism—whether it’s through higher-risk initiatives or rethinking how we define overhead and impact. This episode will inspire you to challenge outdated assumptions and push your organization to dream—and do—bigger.

Key Topics Include:

• The origin and impact of Dan’s fundraising innovations, including the AIDS Rides and Breast Cancer 3-Day events
• Why nonprofits must reframe how they view overhead, salaries, and investments
• The danger of playing it safe: how fear of failure stifles nonprofit innovation
• Exploring the concept of fundraising as a path to individual heroism
• Why bold, time-bound goals are essential for real social impact
• The importance of capital investment and risk-taking in the nonprofit sector
• Insights from the Uncharitable documentary and how it’s shifting donor mindsets

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Dan Pallotta’s Website: DanPallotta.com
• Watch Uncharitable: UncharitableMovie.com
• The Audacious Project: audaciousproject.org
• No Kid Hungry: nokidhungry.org
• Social Current: social-current.org

This Episode is Sponsored By:

• DonorBox

Links to Resources:

• Interested in Leadership and Life Coaching? Visit Rob’s website: RobHarter.com
• Find us on YouTube: Nonprofit Leadership Podcast YouTube Channel
• Suggestions for the show? Email us at nonprofitleadershippodcast@gmail.com
• Request a sample coaching session: Email Rob at rob@robharter.com

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