What if your board meetings were the most energizing hour of your month?

Too often, board meetings become routine report-outs instead of spaces for real governance, strategy, and alignment. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah break down how to design meetings that are inclusive, purposeful, and focused on the conversations only the board can have.

They share practical guidance on naming the purpose of each meeting, building trust and participation, using consent agendas, and strengthening the partnership between the board chair and Executive Director. What if your board adopted Sarah's 30 minutes at 30,000 feet? What would you talk about?

Whether your meetings feel flat or you’re simply ready to raise the bar, this episode will help you rethink what a board meeting can be.

Question to consider before listening:

How would you like board members to leave your board meetings?

Enjoyed this episode? Share it with a friend. Want to request a topic? Email us at nonprofitradioshow@gmail.com.

You can also follow us on these social media channels:

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/nonprofitradioshow
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• Twitter: @smallnonprofits
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/nonprofit-radio-show/

You got this.

This episode was recorded on January 4. As we share it, we’re thinking about the people of Minnesota. At its core, advocacy is about building relationships and standing together around what our communities most need, as Minnesotans have demonstrated these past weeks. We are grateful for their commitment and the work nonprofits do everyday to lift up their own stories.

Advocacy starts with what you already see every day. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah show how small, everyday habits can build your nonprofit's influence without extra time or policy expertise. They explore how to turn frontline insights into action, spread advocacy across your team, and find a rhythm that fits your capacity. You're already advocating for your mission—this episode will help you do it with even more confidence and clarity.

Question to consider before listening:

How could your everyday insights move your mission forward?

Want to dive deeper into everyday advocacy strategies? Our Advocacy for Small Nonprofits page has everything you need to get started.

Enjoyed this episode? Share it with a friend. Want to request a topic? Email us at nonprofitradioshow@gmail.com.

You can also follow us on these social media channels:

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/nonprofitradioshow
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/nonprofitradioshow
• Twitter: @smallnonprofits
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/nonprofit-radio-show/

You got this.

A good thank you letter helps strengthen relationships and keeps donors connected to your work. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah share practical ideas for writing thank you notes that feel genuine and manageable. They talk about how to open a letter in an engaging way, describe impact clearly, and approach thank you writing as a simple, sustainable practice. Whether you’re catching up on letters or looking to improve what you already send, this conversation offers useful guidance for making thank yous more meaningful and effective.

Question to consider before listening:

How do you feel when you receive a thank you note?

Enjoyed this episode? Share it with a friend. Want to request a topic? Email us at nonprofitradioshow@gmail.com.

You can also follow us on these social media channels:

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/nonprofitradioshow
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/nonprofitradioshow
• Twitter: @smallnonprofits
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/nonprofit-radio-show/

You got this.

The board-ED relationship is one of the most powerful partnerships in nonprofit work—when it clicks, everything flows.

In this episode, Nancy and Sarah dig into what makes the board–ED relationship work—and why there’s no one-size-fits-all formula. They explore how the partnership shifts depending on an organization’s stage and an executive director’s needs, share real stories from when things get tricky, and offer practical ways to clarify roles and strengthen communication. If you’ve ever wondered whether your board–ED partnership could use a tune-up, this episode is for you.

Question to consider before listening:

What could your organization accomplish if your board and ED were in sync?

Enjoyed this episode? Share it with a friend. Want to request a topic? Email us at nonprofitradioshow@gmail.com.

You can also follow us on these social media channels:

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/nonprofitradioshow
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/nonprofitradioshow
• Twitter: @smallnonprofits
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/nonprofit-radio-show/

You got this.

As 2025 wraps up, we're reflecting on what inspired us—and what's ahead. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah share five themes shaping nonprofit work right now.

Community coalitions are sparking change. Advocacy is finding its voice. Board governance is having a moment. And new leaders are rewriting the story of what nonprofits really are: the backbone of our communities.

This is about momentum and hope. Whether you're planning your next move or just want to feel connected to something bigger, this conversation will remind you why the work matters—and that you're not doing it alone.

Question to consider before listening:

What's one strength your organization discovered in 2025 that you're excited to grow in the year ahead?

Enjoyed this episode? Share it with a friend. Want to request a topic? Email us at nonprofitradioshow@gmail.com.

You can also follow us on these social media channels:

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/nonprofitradioshow
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/nonprofitradioshow
• Twitter: @smallnonprofits
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/nonprofit-radio-show/

You got this.

Every so often, it’s important to pause and ask: How are we really doing? In this episode of the Nonprofit Radio Show, Nancy and Sarah explore practical ways nonprofit boards and staff can take stock of their organization’s health and direction.

From classic tools like SWOT to strengths-based approaches like SOAR, and from balanced scorecards to simple dashboards and lifecycle models, you’ll hear how these frameworks help teams move beyond gut feelings to evidence-based decisions.

Assessment isn’t about judgment—it’s about clarity. It’s a chance to gather insight, involve more voices, and make sure your organization is focused on what matters most. Whether you’re gearing up for strategic planning, setting next year’s budget, or just need a reset, this episode will help you choose the right tool and use it to guide your next steps.

Question to consider before listening:

What might you learn if your board or staff took a clear-eyed look at how your organization is doing right now?

Enjoyed this episode? Share it with a friend. Want to request a topic? Email us at nonprofitradioshow@gmail.com.

You can also follow us on these social media channels:

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/nonprofitradioshow
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/nonprofitradioshow
• Twitter: @smallnonprofits
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/nonprofit-radio-show/

You got this.

Your budget is more than a spreadsheet. It's a map that guides your organization toward its goals and a mirror that reflects what you truly value. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah explore how to build a budget that aligns with your mission and sets you up for success in the coming year. They discuss why starting with values makes tough decisions easier, compare two approaches to budget building (blank sheet or prior year), and explain why budgeting works best as a team sport with staff and board working together. Whether you're creating your first budget or refining your process, this episode will help you see budgeting as one of your most powerful storytelling tools.

Question to consider before listening:

What does your current budget say about what your organization values?

Enjoyed this episode? Share it with a friend. Want to request a topic? Email us at nonprofitradioshow@gmail.com.

You can also follow us on these social media channels:

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/nonprofitradioshow
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/nonprofitradioshow
• Twitter: @smallnonprofits
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/nonprofit-radio-show/

You got this.

Your board has so much heart for your mission. With a little inspiration, they can play a big role in your year-end fundraising success. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah share eight ways to help your board members get involved in year-end fundraising.

From writing thank-you notes to sharing stories online, you’ll hear how small, personal touches can make a big difference. And the best part? None of it involves asking for money directly—just connecting, sharing, and celebrating your mission.

Listen in for fresh ideas to spark your board’s enthusiasm and make this giving season your best one yet.

Question to consider before listening:

How do you tap into your board’s energy and connections during the giving season?

Enjoyed this episode? Share it with a friend. Want to request a topic? Email us at nonprofitradioshow@gmail.com.

You can also follow us on these social media channels:

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/nonprofitradioshow
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/nonprofitradioshow
• Twitter: @smallnonprofits
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/nonprofit-radio-show/

You got this.