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  • More money and more staff are often seen as the solution to nonprofit burnout and overextension, but this episode challenges that assumption. On this episode of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, host Carol Hamilton explores how organizational growth frequently expands the scope of work rather than reducing individual workloads, leaving staff and leaders just as overwhelmed as before. She encourages nonprofit leaders to reconsider the relationship between capacity and ambition, and to focus on aligning work with realistic organizational resources.

    Rather than assuming growth will solve capacity challenges, nonprofit leaders are invited to:

    Examine the hidden assumption that more staff automatically means less work Consider how organizational ambitions often expand alongside new resources Recognize the additional complexity that accompanies growth Reflect on the full costs of new funding and initiatives Reassess what can realistically be accomplished with current staff and budget Explore the importance of making intentional choices about what not to do Focus on sustainable mission impact rather than continual expansion Address burnout by balancing workload with actual organizational capacity

    Episode Highlights

    00:00 – The Hidden Assumption Behind Wanting More Staff

    02:35 – Why "More Funding and More Staff" Is the Most Common Wish

    03:20 – The Cultural Pressure Toward Growth

    04:15 – Growth Does Not Automatically Reduce Overwhelm

    05:00 – How Work Expands to Match Capacity

    05:35 – The Complexity and Costs of Organizational Growth

    06:15 – Why More Resources Do Not Necessarily Lead to Relief

    06:50 – Keeping the Work Pie the Same Size

    07:20 – Choosing to Do Less

    07:50 – Addressing Burnout Through Organizational Choices

    About your podcast host:

    Carol Hamilton, principal of Grace Social Sector Consulting, helps nonprofits become more strategic and effective through inclusive strategic planning, evaluation design, and organizational assessment. With over 30 years of experience, she brings a practical, human-centered approach that helps organizations align around clear priorities and take meaningful action toward their mission.

    When she is not working with nonprofits to improve their strategy and alignment, you can find her reading a good book, making diary comics, having a dance party in the kitchen, swimming, biking or kayaking on the Anacostia River.

    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

  • Equity work in nonprofits requires more than diversifying leadership pipelines—it calls for organizations to examine how workplace culture, decision-making structures, hiring practices, and everyday interactions continue to reflect broader systems of inequity. Despite our current environment of backlash, these are issues that nonprofits need to continue to grapple with.

    This episode of the podcast Nonprofit Mission: Impact revisits conversations about equity, inclusion, and power in the nonprofit sector, exploring how broader societal systems show up inside nonprofit organizations. Through reflections from a variety of guests, Carol Hamilton and her guests:

    · Examine the emotional toll of assimilation and code-switching,

    · Explore the ways organizational culture often undermines equity efforts even when intentions are good.

    · Highlight practical pathways forward.

    These practical pathways include:

    · deep listening to communities,

    · rethinking hiring and leadership pipelines,

    · embedding equity into organizational strategy rather than treating it as separate work, and

    · cultivating cultures where people can show up more authentically.

    Throughout the episode, Carol Hamilton and her guests emphasize that change requires both systemic attention and everyday interpersonal choices that help people feel seen, heard, and valued.

    Episode Highlights

    Time-Stamped Highlights

    00:00 — Why Equity Work Still Matters

    02:17— Nonprofits Reflect the Larger Culture

    05:00— Understanding the Systems We Inherit

    07:30— Representation, Power, and Listening to Communities

    13:00— The Emotional Toll of Assimilation and Code Switching

    17:00— Why Diversity Without Cultural Change Fails

    21:18— The Hidden Cost of Equity Work

    24:00— Reimagining Executive Search and Leadership Pipelines

    26:24— Embedding Equity Into Strategy and Leadership

    30:29— Building Communities of Support

    31:46— Creating the Future Through Everyday Actions

    About your podcast host:

    Carol Hamilton, principal of Grace Social Sector Consulting, helps nonprofits become more strategic and effective through inclusive strategic planning, evaluation design, and organizational assessment. With over 30 years of experience, she brings a practical, human-centered approach that helps organizations align around clear priorities and take meaningful action toward their mission.

    When she is not working with nonprofits to improve their strategy and alignment, you can find her reading a good book, making diary comics, having a dance party in the kitchen, swimming, biking or kayaking on the Anacostia River.

    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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  • Strategic planning creates the space nonprofit organizations need to move from reactive decision-making toward shared clarity, intentional action, and stronger alignment. In this re-released episode of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, nonprofit strategy consultant Carol Hamilton outlines a comprehensive five-step strategic planning process designed to help organizations engage stakeholders meaningfully, navigate complexity, and create plans that stay alive beyond the final document.

    Rather than treating strategic planning as a one-time retreat or static document, Carol emphasizes:

    Why strategic planning is about alignment and shared understanding—not predicting the future How inclusive engagement builds buy-in and surfaces important perspectives The importance of balancing structure with flexibility in uncertain times Why equity and relationship-centered processes strengthen strategy The role of exploration and imagination before narrowing into priorities How organizations can avoid creating overwhelming "wish list" plans Why regular review processes are essential to keeping plans relevant How strategic planning can create an anchor in complex environments

    Episode Highlights

    [00:00] Why Strategic Planning Still Matters in Uncertain Times
    [02:00] What Strategic Planning Is—and What It Is Not
    [06:00] Why a Retreat Alone Is Not Enough
    [07:30] Step One: Kickoff and Orientation
    [10:00] Step Two: Equity and Stakeholder Engagement in the Discovery Phase
    [12:00] The Value of a Listening Tour
    [13:30] Step Three: Exploration and Imagining Possible Futures
    [15:30] Step Four: Moving from Big Ideas to Strategic Decisions
    [17:00] Why Mission and Vision Work Comes Later
    [18:00] Step Five: Planning, Action, and Operationalizing the Plan
    [20:00] Keeping the Plan Alive

    About your podcast host:

    Carol Hamilton, principal of Grace Social Sector Consulting, helps nonprofits become more strategic and effective through inclusive strategic planning, evaluation design, and organizational assessment. With over 30 years of experience, she brings a practical, human-centered approach that helps organizations align around clear priorities and take meaningful action toward their mission.

    When she is not working with nonprofits to improve their strategy and alignment, you can find her reading a good book, making diary comics, having a dance party in the kitchen, swimming, biking or kayaking on the Anacostia River.

    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

  • Leaning into your humanity as a leader—rather than trying to be a superhero—creates healthier organizations, stronger teams, and more sustainable impact. In this reflective episode of the podcast, Carol Hamilton gathers together a series of "permission slips" shared by past guests: invitations for nonprofit leaders to embrace self-awareness, admit when they don't know the answer, step away for reflection, build leadership in others, and remember that no one person carries the responsibility for solving every challenge alone. The episode offers a thoughtful counterbalance to burnout culture and encourages leaders to cultivate organizations where people can thrive rather than sacrifice themselves for the mission.

    Carol & Guests share:

    The importance of knowing yourself and aligning your values with your organization Recognizing leadership limitations and making space for transitions Why saying "I don't know" can strengthen leadership Creating time for personal retreats and strategic reflection Building leadership capacity across teams instead of carrying everything alone Focusing on collective impact rather than trying to solve every problem individually Imagining a future rooted in connection, well-being, and abundance rather than scarcity Reflecting on long-term vision and sustainability in nonprofit leadership

    Episode Highlights

    [00:03:20] There Is No One Right Way to Lead

    [00:05:00] Leaders Are Human, Not Superheroes

    [00:06:55] The Power of Saying "I Don't Know"

    [00:08:00] Why Leaders Need Personal Retreats

    [00:09:50] Reflection, Vision, and Intentional Planning

    [00:010:35] Build Leaders Around You

    [00:12:05] You Do Not Have to Solve Everything

    [00:13:15] Imagining Abundance Instead of Scarcity

    [00:16:00] Looking Ahead with Intention

    About your podcast host:

    Carol Hamilton, principal of Grace Social Sector Consulting, helps nonprofits become more strategic and effective through inclusive strategic planning, evaluation design, and organizational assessment. With over 30 years of experience, she brings a practical, human-centered approach that helps organizations align around clear priorities and take meaningful action toward their mission.

    When she is not working with nonprofits to improve their strategy and alignment, you can find her reading a good book, making diary comics, having a dance party in the kitchen, swimming, biking or kayaking on the Anacostia River.

    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

  • Inclusive Strategic Planning for Nonprofits: 4 Principles to Build Alignment and Impact

    A more effective approach to strategic planning centers on collaboration, shared ownership, and ongoing learning—rather than a top-down process. By designing planning as an inclusive, strengths-based, and adaptive practice, nonprofit leaders can build real alignment and momentum toward their mission. This episode of Nonprofit Mission: Impact explores four guiding principles that shift planning from a check the box exercise into a meaningful, living process.

    Collaborative by design: Engage stakeholders to build shared direction Strengths-based: Build from what's working to create momentum Strategy for everyone: Insight comes from across the organization Equity-centered: Embed inclusion and cultural humility throughout Built for use: Treat the plan as a living, regularly revisited tool Action-oriented: Use short-term implementation plans, check-ins, and reflection to adapt and move forward

    Highlights

    · Reframing Strategic Planning as a Living Process

    · Principle 1: Collaboration and Shared Understanding

    · Principle 2: A Strengths-Based Approach

    · Principle 3: Strategy Is Not Just for the Top

    · Principle 4: Engagement Builds Buy-In

    · Embedding Equity and Cultural Humility

    · Challenging Traditional, Top-Down Models

    · Avoiding the "Plan on the Shelf" Trap

    · Making Implementation Practical and Manageable

    · Using Reflection Questions to Guide Progress

    · Celebrating Progress Along the Way

    About your podcast host:

    Carol Hamilton, principal of Grace Social Sector Consulting, helps nonprofits become more strategic and effective through inclusive strategic planning, evaluation design, and organizational assessment. With over 30 years of experience, she brings a practical, human-centered approach that helps organizations align around clear priorities and take meaningful action toward their mission.

    When she is not working with nonprofits to improve their strategy and alignment, you can find her reading a good book, making diary comics, having a dance party in the kitchen, swimming, biking or kayaking on the Anacostia River.

    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

  • Creating a healthier, more sustainable nonprofit sector requires shifting away from perfectionism, overwork, and martyrdom toward cultures that prioritize progress, humanity, and realistic expectations. As things fall apart around us, we have the opportunity to reimagine a better sector. In this episode 148, a re-release of episode 104, Carol Hamilton and her guests revisit insights that feel even more relevant in the current context.

    Center equity, inclusion, and cultural humility as foundational—not optional—elements of organizational culture Name and move away from toxic norms like overwork, perfectionism, and martyrdom Focus on relationships and shared leadership rather than isolated effort Embrace progress over perfection through small, meaningful steps Build organizational alignment to reduce friction and increase impact Normalize humanity at work—grace, compassion, and imperfection are part of effectiveness Create environments where rest, reflection, and creativity are possible Advocate for realistic expectations and sufficient resources to match goals Recognize that change happens at multiple levels—from individual choices to organizational practices to sector-wide norms

    Episode Highlights

    00:01 – Framing the Need for a More Humane Nonprofit Sector

    03:00 – 10 Core Lessons on Healthy Organizational Culture

    07:57 – Progress Over Perfection Through Continuous Improvement

    10:44 – The Risk of Over-Collaboration Without Action

    15:20 – Balancing Action and Reflection for Learning

    16:18 – Building Guardrails That Support Being Human at Work

    22:11 – Modeling Empathy, Values, and Continuous Learning

    23:11 – Planning for 85% Capacity to Avoid Burnout and Risk

    27:10 – Using Visual Tools to Align Work and Capacity

    28:27 – Creating Space for Joy, Creativity, and Connection

    34:49 – Strengthening Relationships Across Teams and Boards

    35:47 – Advocating for Resources and Realistic Expectations

    37:04 – Moving Toward a More Sustainable and Human-Centered Sector

    Important Links and Resources:

    Erin Allgood - https://www.allgoodstrategies.com/

    Dr. Orletta Caldwell - https://beyondexisting.com/

    Susan Kahan - https://sapphirefundraisingspecialists.com/

    Sarah Olivieri - https://www.pivotground.com/

    Reva Patwardhan - https://www.greatergoodcoaching.org/

    Pooya Pourak - https://www.matchnice.org/

    Liberating Structures - https://www.liberatingstructures.com/

    About your podcast host:

    Carol Hamilton, principal of Grace Social Sector Consulting, helps nonprofits become more strategic and effective through inclusive strategic planning, evaluation design, and organizational assessment. With over 30 years of experience, she brings a practical, human-centered approach that helps organizations align around clear priorities and take meaningful action toward their mission.

    When she is not working with nonprofits to improve their strategy and alignment, you can find her reading a good book, making diary comics, having a dance party in the kitchen, swimming, biking or kayaking on the Anacostia River.

    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

  • Strategic planning at its best offers nonprofit leaders a way to create clarity, alignment, and shared direction in an increasingly uncertain environment. Unfortunately some have experienced strategic planning processes that felt like a really heavy lift—or even found the process and the resulting plan constraining.

    Episode Highlights

    00:03:00 – Common fears and misconceptions about strategic planning

    00:05:00 – How strategic planning creates alignment and shared direction

    00:07:38 – Planning in times of uncertainty and the reality of disruption

    00:09:00 – The value of structured conversations in uncovering vision and assumptions

    00:10:00 – Setting intentions and direction without predicting the future

    00:10:30 – Reengaging board members through the planning process

    00:11:00 – Creating space to surface and address organizational challenges

    00:12:00 – Breaking down silos and increasing alignment across teams

    00:12:30 – Reducing noise and increasing signal in organizational focus

    00:13:00 – Returning to the "why" of strategic planning

    Resources:

    Scenario planning for nonprofits

    About your podcast host:

    Carol Hamilton, Grace Social Sector Consulting, helps nonprofits become more strategic and effective through inclusive strategic planning, evaluation design, and organizational assessment.

    When she is not working with nonprofits to improve their strategy and alignment, you can find her reading a good book, making diary comics, having a dance party in the kitchen, swimming, biking or kayaking on the Anacostia River.

    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

  • How can nonprofits use podcasting strategically to strengthen community engagement, support learning and evaluation, and build long-term relationships? In episode 146 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, host Carol Hamilton and Andrea Klunder, founder of Creative Imposter Studios discuss:

    how nonprofits can use podcasting intentionally—not as a shiny communications add-on that fizzles after the original project champion leaves the organization, but as a tool that solves real organizational problems.

    How podcasting is a flexible medium that can support learning, evaluation, community engagement, and long-term relationship building.

    Why it's so important to integrate the podcast across communications functions,

    Together they explore why clarity of purpose, sustainability planning, and human-centered storytelling are essential if a nonprofit podcast is going to be worth the investment.

    Episode highlights:

    [00:07:25] – From Arts and Culture to Meaningful Impact [00:09:38] – Why Podcasting Can Work for Nonprofits [00:10:25] – Case Study: Podcasting as Process Evaluation [00:14:04] – Inviting Stakeholders Into the Story [00:16:13] – Common Misconceptions About Nonprofit Podcasts [00:18:55] – The Myth of 'Build It and They Will Come' [00:20:25] – Integration Across Departments Is Essential [00:22:25] – Measuring Success Beyond Downloads [00:23:25] – The Sustainability Challenge [00:25:49] – Podcasting as a Problem-Solving Tool [00:26:24] – Case Study: Museums, Oral History, and Limited-Run Podcasts [00:30:03] – Building Lifetime Engagement [00:36:25] – Mapping the Content Ecosystem [00:39:08] – What Makes a Nonprofit Podcast Successful [00:39:52] – Letting Hosts Be Human [00:45:31] – A Strategic Question for Leaders

    Guest Bio:

    Andrea Klunder is an award-winning podcast producer, story editor, and content director. She is the founder of The Creative Impostor Studios, a boutique agency that helps cultural changemakers create powerful podcasting experiences. Under her leadership, The Creative Impostor Studios and clients have earned national recognition for their inspired impact and distinctive editorial style. Andrea is a sought-after speaker and educator, having led trainings and workshops for institutions such as Community Change, After School Matters, University of Florida Media Institute, and Podcast Movement. Since 2017, Andrea has facilitated a program she designed for neurodiverse high school students in Chicago, called Power Your Story, which was a finalist for the Google Podcasts Creator Program. Andrea's mission is to help your voice shine!

    Important Links and Resources:

    Andrea Klunder

    The Creative Impostor

    After School Matters

    Offer for Nonprofit Mission: Impact listeners

    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

  • The nonprofit sector is under growing pressure, and this episode explores what's at stake while making the case for its essential role in filling gaps, strengthening democracy, building community, and driving social change—grounded in a personal story of impact through The Arc of Montgomery County.

    In this special Podcasthon episode, Nonprofit Mission: Impact host Carol Hamilton situates the nonprofit sector within a broader moment of political and social pressure, naming both the challenges facing the sector and the essential role nonprofits play in society.

    She:
    - reflects on the sector's relative invisibility despite its scale and impact,
    - offers five core reasons nonprofits matter—from filling critical gaps to advancing social innovation.

    Alongside this broader perspective, she grounds the conversation in a personal story, highlighting The Arc of Montgomery County and its impact on her brother's life.

    The episode invites nonprofit leaders to more actively share their stories, advocate for the sector, and recognize their role in strengthening democracy and community.

    Episode Highlights
    [00:00:00] Podcasthon introduction and purpose
    [00:01:00] The scale and visibility of the nonprofit sector
    [00:03:00] Current threats to the nonprofit sector
    [00:04:00] Policy and funding impacts on nonprofits
    [00:05:00] Broader consequences for services and communities
    [00:06:00] Examples of resistance and sector response
    [00:07:00] Trust, visibility, and the need for storytelling
    [00:08:00] Five reasons the nonprofit sector matters
    [00:09:00] Nonprofits fill critical gaps
    [00:10:00] Role in social movements
    [00:11:00] Building social capital and connection
    [00:12:00] Strengthening democracy and civic life
    [00:13:00] Promoting social innovation
    [00:15:00] Recap of the sector's importance
    [00:17:00] Introduction to The Arc of Montgomery County
    [00:18:00] Services, mission, and advocacy of The Arc

    Links and Resources

    Podcasthon 2026

    The Arc of Montgomery County

    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

  • Too many nonprofit and association conferences and convenings are built around logistics and tradition rather than purpose and participation. In episode 144 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Lee Gimpel challenge nonprofit and association leaders to rethink how convenings, conferences, and member events are designed.

    They discuss:

    why too many gatherings feel like a heavy lift that fails to deliver connection, energy, or real value.

    why traditional conference formats fall short—and what leaders can do differently.

    How effective events start with purpose, not logistics, and they are designed to tap the collective wisdom already in the room.

    By centering participation, intentional connection, and simple facilitation shifts, organizations can transform events from passive, draining experiences into energizing spaces that actually advance mission and strengthen community.

    Episode highlights:

    [07:00] A Defining Moment: Why So Many Meetings Fall Flat [09:00] The Core Problem with Traditional Conferences [12:00] Start with Purpose: Asking "Why" (Over and Over) [14:30] Rethinking the Keynote Model [16:45] Participation Over Performance [19:30] Simple Design Shifts That Increase Engagement [22:30] Making Q&A Actually Work [25:30] Blending Content and Connection [31:45] Fixing Networking with Intention [38:30] Why Receptions Often Miss the Mark [41:45] The One Question Leaders Must Ask

    Guest Bio:

    Lee Gimpel helps organizations design and lead meetings, retreats, and conferences that are more connected and productive. He is the founder ofBetter Meetings, a DC-based facilitation, training, and experience design firm that often works on events with a high need for engagement, collaboration, and networking. Clients include theNational Association of Realtors, Conservation International, Sodexo, and WorldBank. A frequent expert contributor toForbeson the topic of meetings, he created theConference Engagement Cards and serves on the board of the Association of Meeting Professionals

    Important Links and Resources:

    Lee Gimpel

    Better Meetings

    Facilitation processes mentioned:

    World Cafe - https://theworldcafe.com/key-concepts-resources/world-cafe-method/

    Fishbowl - 60 Second Tutorial - How to Facilitate Fishbowl

    Peer Consulting - https://contemporaryleadership.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/PLC-Whitepaper.pdf

    Conversation Cafe - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COuFdEouvRQ

    Liberating Structures - https://www.liberatingstructures.com/

    Pechakucha - https://www.pechakucha.com/

    Ignite - https://www.ignitetalks.io/

    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

  • People-centered HR isn't a luxury—it's essential. Learn how nonprofit leaders can build equitable, transparent, and humane people practices that strengthen their organizations, even amid uncertainty and limited resources. In episode 143 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton speaks with Megan Rolfe about:

    what it really means to practice people-centered HR in nonprofit and social-change organizations—especially small teams navigating limited resources, rising uncertainty, and growing demands for equity.

    reframing HR not as a compliance or risk-management function, but as a shared set of agreements about how people work together.

    equitable compensation, including the difference between living and thriving wages, transparency in pay practices, and

    balancing risk, safety and boldness in today's environment

    Throughout, Megan emphasizes progress over perfection, collective responsibility, and the relief that comes from remembering: you don't have to do this all by yourself, all at once, or exactly right.

    Episode highlights:

    [00:08:06] Finding HR by Accident—and Choosing It on Purpose [00:10:05] Why Small Organizations Are Where HR Can Be Transformative [00:12:50] What People-Centered HR Really Means



    [00:14:30] Protecting the Organization Because of the People [00:18:52] Living Wage vs. Thriving Wage [00:21:44] Start Where You Can: Entry-Level Pay Matters Most [00:24:52] Concrete Steps Toward More Equitable Pay—Without New Money [00:29:23] Why Pay Transparency Builds Trust [00:31:07] Navigating Risk, Fear, and "Safety" in Uncertain Times [00:34:15] Scenario Planning for People, Not Just Programs [00:37:030] A Mantra for Leaders Carrying Too Much

    Guest Bio:

    Megan Rolfe provides small social justice organizations with the HR support they need to move work forward and impact change. Having spent 15+ years supporting nonprofits and small businesses focused on making the world a better place, equipping the teams that most need capacity for their vital work holds a special place in her heart


    Important Links and Resources:

    Megan "MR" Rolfe

    Blue Swallow Consulting: Resources including working towards a thriving wage and first steps towards more equitable compensation

    Vega Mala Consulting: includes more resources on equitable compensation

    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

  • Nonprofit organization design is about how an organization works: how decisions get made, how power flows, how people collaborate across boundaries, and how strategy actually gets translated into day-to-day action. In episode 142, of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Jeanne Bell dig deeply into why organization design—often overlooked or reduced to org charts—is actually a missing discipline nonprofits need to truly operationalize their strategy and values.

    They discuss:

    How nonprofits are too often stuck in false dichotomies (flat vs. hierarchical),

    Why too many organizations are burdened by overly complicated compensation systems, and hindered by management team structures that don't reflect how strategy actually needs to happen.

    How by aligning Galbraith's STAR model elements—strategy, structure, processes, rewards, and people, nonprofit organizations can genuinely act on their missions.

    This episode offers nonprofit leaders a grounded, liberating framework for rethinking how their organizations make decisions, how people collaborate, and what it really means to design for impact.

    Episode highlights:

    09:05 | Why the STAR Model Matters in Nonprofit Life 13:20 | A Clear, Shared Definition of Strategy (And Why It's Non-Negotiable) 15:15 | When to Revisit Strategy: The Changing Sociopolitical Context 17:25| Beyond Flat vs. Hierarchical: Designing for Roles, Accountability & Power 20:20 | The Critical Role of Cross-Functional Spaces 23:05 | Stop Creating Ineffective Committees & Task Forces 27:25 | Recommendations vs. Decisions: Be Honest About Power 30:05 | Rewards & Compensation: The Hidden Restraints on Organizational Design 35:35 | Job Descriptions: A Mechanistic Tool Limiting Flexibility 38:20 | Why Management Teams Don't Work (And What to Build Instead) 42:05 | The Question Every Nonprofit Leader Should Ask 44:35 | Closing Reflections

    Guest Bio:

    Jeanne Bell is the co-founder of Just Org Design. She has consulted on nonprofit strategy and organizational change for over 25 years. Jeanne also curates Nonprofit Quarterly's Leading Edge Program, recruiting and presenting nonprofit practitioners advancing more equitable nonprofit leadership practices. Previously, Jeanne led Compass Point Nonprofit Services, one of the country's premier leadership and capacity-building organizations. While serving as CEO, Jeanne also chaired the board of the Alliance for Nonprofit Management, a national association of nonprofit capacity builders and academics. She currently serves on the boards of Community Works and The Resilience Initiative (advisory). She has a Masters in Nonprofit Management from the University of San Francisco. Jeanne loves living in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

    Important Links and Resources:

    Jeanne Bell

    JustOrg Design

    The Missing Discipline: How How Organization Design Can Align and Propel Justice-Committed Nonprofits

    Designing Organizations by Jay Galbraith

    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

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  • Polarization isn't just a political issue—it's a leadership challenge, and this episode examines how nonprofit leaders can respond with presence rather than reactivity.

    In this "Learning Out Loud" episode of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, host Carol Hamilton and guest Danielle Marshall explore how nonprofit leaders can navigate today's polarized environment with greater awareness, empathy, and intention. Together they:

    Explore the tension between "winning" difficult conversations and staying grounded, clarifying purpose, and choosing 'right relationship' over being right.

    Unpack how polarization shows up not just in public discourse, but in workplaces, boardrooms, and personal relationships—and

    Discuss how small, practical practices like pausing, setting intentions, and taking responsibility for impact can help leaders build bridges instead of deepening divides.

    Episode Highlights [00:00:27] Polarization Moves From the Headlines Into Daily Life [00:01:20] Being Right vs. Being in Right Relationship [00:02:28] The Emotional Toll of Polarization [00:03:00] Modeling Constructive Dialogue as a Leader [00:06:18] Polarization Is Everywhere—Even When It's Not Directed at You [00:08:16] Entering Conversations With Awareness [00:09:22] Learning How to Listen Requires Practice [00:11:31] How Social Media Amplifies Division [00:13:00] Conflict Entrepreneurs and the Cost of Engagement [00:15:01] Choosing Curiosity Over Combat [00:16:44] Resetting Mid-Conversation [00:18:25] Owning Your Triggers [00:19:18] Learning From Missteps and Making Repair [00:22:02] Clarifying Meaning Instead of Making Assumptions [00:23:42] Defining Polarization [00:25:12] The Stories We Make About "Those People" [00:27:02] Setting Intentions Before Difficult Conversations [00:30:22] What Does "Right Relationship" Mean? [00:31:42] Accountability Without Punishment [00:34:10] Polarization as a Chasm—and the Skills That Build Bridges [00:35:47] Start With One Practice [00:36:23] Closing Conversations With Care [00:37:24] Begin Where You Are

    Guest Bio:

    Danielle Marshall is an equity strategist and executive coach committed to helping organizations and leaders embed inclusive practices into their operations in meaningful and sustainable ways. As the founder of Culture Principles, she designs tailored strategies that strengthen team dynamics, enhance problem-solving, and cultivate inclusive leadership. Danielle also coaches senior executives to deepen their cultural competencies, fostering greater empathy, effective communication, and equitable decision-making. An ICF-certified Executive Coach and engaging speaker, she brings extensive experience in organizational development, equipping leaders with the skills and confidence to navigate diverse work places with impact and integrity.

    Important Links and Resources:

    Danielle Marshall

    Culture Principles

    Linktree

    Unpacked: Culture Chronicles

    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.

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  • As nonprofit leaders move into 2026, uncertainty no longer feels episodic—it feels constant. Scenario planning offers nonprofit leaders a practical way to navigate uncertainty by shifting from reactive decision-making to clearer priorities, stronger alignment, and more confident, values-aligned choices—even when the future is unpredictable.

    In this episode of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, host Carol Hamilton names the fatigue, overwhelm, and decision paralysis many leaders are carrying after this past year of heightened disruption. She introduces scenario planning as a practical, grounding strategy tool designed specifically for uncertain times. She discusses:

    What scenario planning and is not

    Why it is a tool that is particularly suited to the times we are in

    How scenario planning helps nonprofit leaders regain a sense of agency, clarify what's within their control, and align staff and board around thoughtful, values-aligned responses to multiple possible futures.

    Through clear explanations and client examples, the episode shows how scenario planning can help leaders move from reacting and spinning to steering with intention.

    Episode Highlights 00:00–02:00 | Naming the Reality of Nonprofit Leadership Right Now 02:00–03:20 | Scenario Planning - a tool for the times we are in 03:20–05:00 | What Scenario Planning Is—and Is Not 05:00–06:30 | Why Traditional Planning Often Falls Short 06:30–08:00 | Shifting From Overwhelm to Agency 08:00–09:45 | What the Scenario Planning Process Looks Like 09:45–10:45 | Finding Common Priorities Across Futures 10:45–12:00 | An Invitation to Lead with Intention

    Important Links and Resources:

    Scenario planning services

    Quote from Mariame Kaba From "Read This When Things Fall Apart" Edited by Kelly Hayes

    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.

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  • Explore how nonprofit leaders can cultivate grounded presence, clarify their sphere of control, and stay anchored in mission and values while leading through ongoing uncertainty and disruption.

    As nonprofit leaders continue navigating unprecedented levels of uncertainty, this "learning out loud" episode of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, host Carol Hamilton and guest Danielle Marshall offers a grounded, human-centered exploration of how leaders can steady themselves—and their organizations—amid chaos.

    Drawing on lived experience, strategic frameworks, and resilience practices, the conversation centers on:

    cultivating a grounded presence, clarifying what is within one's sphere of control, and anchoring decision-making in mission, values, and community.

    Rather than offering quick fixes, the episode invites nonprofit leaders to slow down, filter the noise, strengthen boundaries, and choose intentional actions that sustain both personal wellbeing and collective impact over the long haul.

    Episode Highlights

    [00:00–02:05] Regrounding in Turbulent Times

    [04:15–06:39] Grounded Presence as a Leadership Practice

    [06:39–08:23] Chaos Is the Strategy—So Center Your Why

    [08:23–10:19] Filtering the Noise & Choosing Information Wisely

    [12:08–14:44] Resilience Isn't Perfection

    [15:24–17:31] Making Space for Presence

    [19:23–20:41] Scenario Planning & the Sphere of Control

    [21:21–23:32] Don't Reinvent the Wheel—Find the Organizers

    [24:07–25:41] Mission as the Unifying Center

    [26:03–27:57] Agency Over Outrage

    [29:13–31:08] Community Built Before Crisis

    [31:08–33:26] The Power of the Local

    [34:56–36:05] Intentionality Over Fear

    [40:39–42:40] Boundaries as Leadership Responsibility

    [46:03–49:00] Doubling Down on Values

    Important Links and Resources:

    Danielle Marshall

    Culture Principles

    Linktree

    Unpacked: Culture Chronicles

    Draw Together with Wendy MacNaughton

    Guardian US edition).

    Week magazine

    Heather Cox Richardson's Letters from an American on Substack

    How to survive the end of the world podcast with adrienne and Autumn Brown

    The feminist survival project 2025 podcast

    Dear White Women podcast

    On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder which is available in a video series

    The Sum of Us by Heather McGee

    Decluttering Your Leadership by Judy Oyedele

    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

  • Strategy for nonprofits is not a plan to perfect but a human practice—built through care, curiosity, and intentional choices in the face of uncertainty.

    As the year draws to a close, episode 138 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact brings together reflections from a wide range of nonprofit leaders and thinkers, all responding to one central question: What should nonprofit leaders ask themselves to be more strategic?

    Across topics as varied as crisis management, equity, careers, evaluation, organizational design, culture, and innovation, a clear throughline emerges—strategy is deeply human work. Rather than offering abstract frameworks, the episode highlights:

    practical, grounding questions and practices that help leaders navigate uncertainty with clarity, intention, and care.

    An invitation to slow down, resist urgency, tend to themselves and their teams,

    Why it's important to surface assumptions, seek multiple perspectives, and make decisions rooted in both alignment and capacity.

    Together, these reflections offer a steadying guide for leaders facing complexity in the year ahead.

    Episode Highlights Setting the Frame: Strategy Through Reflection and Humanity

    [00:00:00–00:01:13]

    Caring for Basic Needs to Make Better Decisions

    [00:04:10–00:08:01]

    Don't Go It Alone: Expanding Perspective Through Support

    [00:08:01–00:10:31]

    Two Essential Leadership Questions: "What Am I Missing?" and "Tell Me More"

    [00:10:31–00:12:03]

    Surfacing Expectations and Assumptions

    [00:12:03–00:14:27]

    Asking "So What?" to Get to Strategic Impact

    [00:14:27–00:16:45]

    From Individual Practice to Organizational Insight

    [00:17:00–00:18:03]

    Interrogating Organizational Design

    [00:18:03–00:19:00]

    Culture as the Silent Driver of Strategy

    [00:19:00–00:20:33]

    Filtering New Opportunities Through Alignment and Capacity

    [00:20:39–00:21:59]

    Resisting Frantic Urgency in Favor of Sustainable Focus

    [00:22:05–00:24:00]

    Closing Reflection: Strategy as Moment-by-Moment Human Practice

    [00:24:08–00:25:53]


    Important Links and Resources:

    Independent Sector coalition data base

    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

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

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  • How can nonprofit organizations navigate leadership transitions with steadiness and clarity? In episode 137 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton talks with Erin Stratford Owens, a seasoned interim executive director to answer this question. Carol and Erin talk about:

    what makes interim leadership distinct from simply "holding down the fort" — it's a time for honest reflection, system assessment, and preparing the path for what's next.

    how boards and staff can make the most of an interim period,

    the common mistakes to avoid, and why slowing down to plan for sustainability — rather than reacting in urgency — is essential for long-term impact.

    The conversation offers nonprofit leaders a grounded perspective on turning moments of uncertainty into opportunities for renewal and learning.

    Episode highlights:

    [00:08:26] What Interim Leadership Really Is

    [00:11:56] Misconceptions About Interims

    [00:15:21] Avoiding Common Mistakes

    [00:18:46] Setting the Stage for the Next Leader

    [00:20:26] The Board's Crucial Role

    [00:22:41] Building Staff Trust

    [00:25:36] Addressing Systems and Structure

    [00:29:26] What Makes an Interim Successful

    [00:30:56] From Urgency to Sustainability

    Guest Bio:

    Erin Stratford Owens is the founder and CEO of ESO Nonprofit Consulting, specializing in Interim Executive Leadership and coaching for nonprofits and nonprofit leaders in transition. Erin holds a BA in English from UNC-Greensboro and a Master's in Nonprofit Management from The New School's Milano School of Policy, Management and Environment. She is a Certified Interim Executive through Armstrong McGuire Interim Leadership Institute. With 12 years of experience as an in-house nonprofit Executive Director, her extensive interim leadership experience includes guiding organizations through critical transitions at Humane Society of the Piedmont, Partners Ending Homelessness, Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater High Point, Greensboro Farmers Market, and Humane Society of Catawba County. She currently serves as Board Chair for the Guilford County Continuum of Care and as a Steering Committee member of the Guilford Nonprofit Consortium. When not working or volunteering, Erin enjoys spending time with her husband and two kids, two dogs, and a 16-year-old blind kitty cat named Smokie


    Important Links and Resources:

    Erin Stratford Owens

    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.

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  • In episode 136 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton, Elizabeth Engel, and Jamie Notter talk about their new white paper Lean at 10: Culture Eats Methodology for Lunch. Ten years after Engel first explored Lean Startup principles in the nonprofit and association world, she and Notter revisit what's changed—and what hasn't. Carol, Elizabeth and Jamie discuss:

    Why the tools of innovation are accessible, yet the real challenge in adoption lies in organizational culture.

    how competing commitments, fear of failure, and rigid silos can quietly sabotage innovation efforts

    what leaders can do instead to nurture learning, empathy, and experimentation.

    For nonprofit and association leaders navigating rapid change, this conversation offers a candid look at how to build cultures that support innovation—not resist it.

    Episode highlights:

    [00:06:00] Revisiting Lean Startup, 10 Years Later [00:010:50] Defining Lean Startup and Design Thinking [00:011:50] Culture: The Invisible Barrier [00:014:40] When Culture Undermines Innovation [00:19:00] Insight Over Perfection [00:22:00] People Don't Resist Change—They Resist Being Changed [00:24:40] Low Fences, Not No Silos [00:27:00] Listening Beyond the Boardroom [00:30:40] Volunteer Culture Matters Too [00:31:00] The Role of Healthy Conflict [00:37:35] What a Culture Supportive of Innovation Looks Like [00:41:20] From Reactive to Proactive Transparency [00:44:35] The Questions Nonprofit Leaders Should Ask

    Guest Bios:

    Elizabeth Weaver Engel, M.A., CAE, is Chief Strategist at Spark Consulting. For more than 25 years, Elizabeth has helped associations grow in membership, marketing, communications, public presence, and especially revenue, which is what Spark is all about. She speaks and writes frequently on a variety of topics in association management. When she's not helping associations grow, Elizabeth loves to dance, listen to live music, cook, and garden.

    Jamie Notter is a speaker, author, consultant, and culture scientist. His career spans 30 years, with more than a decade of research and practice in the culture field, as well as deep experience in areas like conflict resolution and generations. He desperately wants to make work suck less for everyone, and has written four popular business books, including the award-winning Non-Obvious Guide to Employee Engagement, and his latest release, Culture Change Made Easy. He holds a Master's in conflict resolution from George Mason and a certificate in Organization Development from Georgetown, where he served as adjunct faculty.


    Important Links and Resources:

    Elizabeth Weaver Engel

    https://www.getmespark.com/

    https://www.getmespark.com/blog/

    Jamie Notter

    https://jamienotter.com/

    https://jamienotter.com/research-books/

    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

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  • In episode 135 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton talks with organizational design consultant Julian Chender about how nonprofits can move beyond simple restructuring to intentional organizational design that aligns strategy, structure, and process.

    They discuss:

    how organizational design is not the same as restructuring

    how design choices impact effectiveness, collaboration, and long-term sustainability.

    the pitfalls of designing around personalities,

    the importance of strategic clarity when facing downsizing or merger decisions.

    The conversation offers nonprofit leaders practical insights into building organizations that are resilient, adaptable, and positioned for impact.

    Episode highlights:

    The Why Behind the Work - [00:08:08]

    Defining Organizational Design - [00:13:53]

    Structure, Silos, and Collaboration - [00:14:41]

    Common Mistakes in Nonprofit Design - [00:18:23]

    Balancing Human-Centered Values and Strategy - [00:20:40]

    Downsizing by Design - [00:24:36]

    Participation and Ownership - [00:23:32]

    Benchmarking vs. Mass Customization - [00:30:01]

    Strategic Plans Require Organizational Design - [00:37:40]

    Mergers and Strategic Alliances - [00:41:21]

    Examples of Successful Mergers - [00:44:16]

    The Key Question for Leaders - [00:47:57]

    Guest Bio:

    Julian Chender is the founder of 11A Collaborative, an organization design firm focused on creating healthy society through healthy organizations. In his early years, Julian was an internal consultant at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) under Tony Fauci during the agency's response to the global Ebola and Zika crises. From there, he moved to external consulting, eventually joining Accenture's Operating Model & Organization Design practice shortly after its acquisition of Kates Kesler. Through 11A Collaborative, Julian has consulted to purpose-driven organizations across sectors. He is a Certified Organization Design Practitioner and an ICF-Certified Coach who holds a master's degree in Organization Development from American University and a B.A. in History from Swarthmore College.


    Important Links and Resources:

    Julian Chender

    11A Collaborative

    Organization Design Forum

    Downsizing by Design: A Guide for Nonprofits

    Candid Social Impact Staff Retention survey

    Board Source Purpose Driven Leadership

    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

  • In episode 134 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, host Carol Hamilton welcomes guest Kayla Meyers, founder of Bridgepoint Evaluation, for a conversation about reimagining program evaluation in nonprofits.

    They discuss:

    Why evaluation is not an audit or judgment as it has sometimes been in the past

    It should be a collaborative, curiosity-driven process that opens communication, supports learning, and improves impact.

    How to create right-sized, useful evaluation practices rooted in strategy and driven by purpose.

    How evaluation can be a force for good—helping organizations tell fuller, more meaningful stories about their work and the communities they serve.

    Episode highlights:

    🚩 Evaluation's Troubled History - [00:08:10]

    ❌ From Punitive to Collaborative - [00:13:10]

    💡 Why Smaller Orgs Should Evaluate - [00:16:10]

    🛠️ Start with Strategy - [00:19:10] 🔁 Formalizing Feedback Loops - [00:20:40]

    🍽️ Make It Make Sense - [00:22:10]

    🗣️ Turning Data Into Stories - [00:26:10]

    ❓The One Question Nonprofit Leaders Should Ask - [00:31:50]

    Guest Bio:

    Kayla (Mueller) Meyers is a seasoned program evaluator with over a decade of experience in assessing and improving programs for nonprofits and public organizations. She specializes in evaluation capacity building and mixed-methods program evaluation, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her clients

    Important Links and Resources:

    Kayla Meyers

    Bridgepoint Evaluation

    Bridgepoint Evaluation Newsletter

    Humphrey School of Public Affairs

    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.

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