Nonprofit Everything

Are married couples allowed to serve on a board together? Join us this week as Stacey and Andy dissect this one! Also this week, we talk about how to deal with an employee who needs extra supervision, whether or not salary information is really confidential in a nonprofit, and what to do about an Executive Director who refuses to follow policies clearly written in the employee manual! It's a jam-packed episode thanks to your questions -- you know, the ones you send to Questions@NonprofitEverything.com? Yeah, those! (btw, we found more stickers, so include a mailing address!)

When the finance person shoots down your program idea because "it's not in the budget," what can you do?! There's just one question this week, but it sounds like somebody is calling Andy out! And Stacey and Andy definitely have some thoughts! Thanks for joining us this week, and be sure to send your questions (and new sticker ideas) to questions@nonprofiteverything.com.

What are some ideas to celebrate and appreciate a donor's gift-giving anniversary? Stacy and Andy have some thoughts! Also this week, we talk about how to manage a long-serving employee that no longer seems capable of keeping up with their responsibilities, discuss how to motivate "shell-shocked" staff, and whether or not potential board members should be subject to a background check before being onboarded. Board members being "onboarded" sounds a little silly, but I'll leave it and see if anyone notices. Thanks for joining us this week, and be sure to send your questions in to Questions@NonprofitEverything.com.<...

How on Earth do startup nonprofit ideas get funded? Is there a secret to it? Stacey and Andy have a few ideas! Also this week, we talk about how to manage a catastrophic conflict of interest on the board, and share some tips on how to regain the trust of your staff. Thanks for joining us this week, and please send your questions to Questions@NonprofitEverything.com!

We know that nonprofit staff is always at risk of burnout, but what happens in tiny organizations when the long suffering board chair starts to run out of steam? Stacey and Andy have some thoughts! Also this week, is it good practice to always ask for the maximum grant amount possible? And what's the best way to deal with an employee who is acting up when unsupervised? Thanks for joining us this week, and don't forget to send any questions at all to Questions@NonprofitEverything.com. Know that we appreciate each and every one of you - keep up...

I guess we'll just get this out of the way... Yes, Stacey and Andy answer a question about bylaws. We promise it's interesting, so you'll just have to trust us on this one. And if it's not, then just send us better questions! Also this week, we find out whether fundraising matching campaigns are a good idea, and share some things we wish we had known about nonprofits earlier in our careers. Thanks for joining us this week, and don't forget to send all your nonprofit related questions to Questions@NonprofitEverything.com!

How do we determine whether or not a program is a good fit for our organization? Stacey and Andy have some thoughts. Also this week, we talk about how to graciously handle an overly generous bonus, and what to do if you think someone on your staff has a side hustle. Thanks for joining us this week, and be sure to send your questions to Questions@NonprofitEverything.com.

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How should I handle an overly generous bonus? - [skipto time="0:05"]skip to this question[/skipto]
What's the best way to evaluate a board-derived program...

Is there anything you can do if your annual fundraising event isn't attracting the numbers that you want? Stacey and Andy have some ideas! Also this week, we talk about when direct staff to board communication is okay, and when it can be a problem. Thanks for joining us this week, we really appreciate each and every one of our listeners! Your challenge this week is to send a really good question to Questions@NonprofitEverything.com and we'll appreciate you even more (as if that were possible.)

How do we put a positive spin on our CEO transition? Stacey and Andy have some thoughts. Also this week, a listener calls BS on a food bank's perpetual claim that one dollar can provide three meals. Is that even possible? And if it is, how does the math even work out? (Now you're speaking our love language!) Thanks for joining us this week, and we would love to hear from you: send us a question, a comment, or better yet, a question combined with a comment! You can always reach us at Questions@NonprofitEverything.com.

It’s the one existential question that everyone has been asking for the last 12 months, and *finally* somebody asks Stacey and Andy! Now that federal funding has become unreliable, what are our other options?! Thanks for joining us as we try to tackle that one, as well as questions about paying volunteers as independent contractors, and whether grants should be written in third or first person (which was surprisingly contentious!) We really appreciate you, our listeners, especially when you send us your questions to questions@NonprofitEverything.com!

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If a donor shows up with enough cash, should we change our policies for them? Stacey and Andy have thoughts! Also this week, we talk about whether to vote in new board members while they're present and at their first meeting. Thanks for joining us this week, and please be sure to send your questions to questions@nonprofiteverything.com!

As we watch our average donor age get older and older, how do we start to attract younger donors? Stacey and Andy have some thoughts! Also this week, we talk about how to convince your board of something that they're initially hesitant to endorse, and, just for fun, creepy donor horror stories (Maybe we should have saved this one for a Halloween episode?!) Thanks for joining us this week, and be sure to send any and all questions to Questions@NonprofitEverything.com!

Are traditional strategic plans dead? (Before listening, do you think you can guess what Stacey is going to say?) Join us this week to find out. Also, Stacey and Andy talk about what fairness and parity mean in the context of employee pay. Thanks for sending in your questions, we read every single one and put as many as we can on the podcast. Questions@NonprofitEverything.com is the email address! By the way... Episode 200?!

How are we supposed to keep staff from burning out and quitting when our work increases but our resources decrease? This is a big question and Stacey and Andy will do their best! Also this week, we talk about when and why to record (or not record) in-kind donations into your accounting system. Thanks for joining us this week, and don't forget to send that question you wish your co-worker would ask to Questions@NonprofitEverything.com!

We're over a month into the new year and one listener wants to know what our predictions are for the nonprofit sector in 2026. Stacey and Andy are happy to oblige! And for long time listeners, one prediction is going to be a huge surprise! Thanks for joining us this week, and please send your questions, comments or guest expert requests to Questions@NonprofitEverything.com.

What begins as a simple question about a better option for the SWOT analysis turns into a strategic planning (don't call it that!) extravaganza! Join Stacey and Andy this week as they deconstruct the facilitated planning session and share tips, tricks and some horror stories, too. Thanks for listening, and don't forget to send in questions to Questions@NonprofitEverything.com to keep the podcast rolling.

Just one question this week and it's massive! If we're halfway through the fiscal year and we're not going to come anywhere close to hitting our revenue targets, how should the board go about cutting expenses? Yikes! Stacey and Andy get to the bottom of it, but it took the whole episode. Happy New Year, thanks for listening and supporting us with your questions. We look forward to answering even more in 2026. P.S. Questions@NonprofitEverything.com is the email address.

Can the board request that no staff are present during board meetings? Stacey and Andy have the answer! Also this week, we talk about managing a chatty volunteer that's making it hard to get work done, and have a nice discussion about how to start up a planned giving program. Thanks for joining us this week, and from everyone here at the Nonprofit Everything podcast, we wish you happy holidays! We asked Santa to send us questions to Questions@NonprofitEverything.com, so maybe you can help!?

Upcoming tax law changes mean that there could be a lot of unexpected gifts hitting before December 31st this year. How do we keep windfalls from ratcheting up board expectations for years afterwards? Stacey and Andy have some thoughts! Also this week, we hear from a volunteer who has been treated very badly, and have an actual disagreement about whether or not to use AI to compile notes from a board meeting! Thanks for joining us, and set your "point of action" to remind yourself to send a question to Questions@NonprofitEverything.com!

Wait, now a board member wants us to *not* run like a business? I'm so confused. But Stacey and Andy can help! Also this week, we talk about disengaged board members who refuse to step down, and what kinds of smart questions to ask when vetting bookkeepers and CPAs for your nonprofit. We really appreciate all our listeners (this Thanksgiving we're thankful for you!) As always, send questions to Questions@NonprofitEverything.com.

What legal risks does a person take on when they agree to be a nonprofit treasurer? Stacey and Andy have some thoughts. Also this week, we talk about different generational takes on PTO policies (how exciting!) and some practical advice about who has to keep the random donor swag at their house. Thanks for joining us this week, and do not forget to send any and all nonprofit questions to Questions@NonprofitEverything.com!

I think I'm being forced to retire. Everybody keeps talking about succession planning, but this nonprofit is my baby! Stacey and Andy can definitely help. Also this week, we talk about how to keep your head above water when there is *a lot* going on and all of it is important. Thanks for joining us this week, and don't forget to send all of your nonprofit related questions to Questions@NonprofitEverything.com.

Is it possible to convince a resistant board that a merger is necessary to save the nonprofit from a "long, slow death?" Stacey and Andy have some thoughts. Also this week, a Board Chair faces a tough ethical and financial conflict: A major donor's substantial pledge is contingent on replacing the CEO/ED! What's the right move when the board already has performance concerns? Thanks for joining us this week, don't forget to send your nonprofit-related questions to questions@NonprofitEverything.com.

When you've spent years crafting your vision for the successful nonprofit you've founded, how do you prevent future boards and leaders from screwing it all up? Predictably, Stacy and Andy have a few thoughts. Also this week, we talk about whether or not fractional CFOs are a smart idea, and how they might be best used. Thanks for joining us this week, and don't forget to (please) send your questions (thank you) to questions@NonprofitEverything.com. A Q&A podcast without any Qs wouldn't make much sense, would it?

How should you respond when a board member prospect declines your offer? Is there anything to learn from that experience Join us this week as Stacey and Andy tackle that topic. Also, we talk about how small nonprofit shops get up to speed on all of the posssible planned giving options, and prove that we're not above bribing people with the promise of a picture of a cat. Thanks for joining us this week, and be sure to send your questions to Questions@NonprofitEverything.com!

Is there anything you can you do if your organization has trouble hanging on to volunteeers? Stacy and Andy have some thoughts! Also this week, we talk about whether or not the executive director should have a seat on the board, and go really deep on fair market value, exchange transactions and why silent auctions always underperform. Thanks for joining us this week and be sure to send your questions to Questions@NonprofitEverything.com!

What is the best way to get staff to recognize that they're ambassadors for the organization? Stacey and Andy have some thoughts. Also this week, we talk about how to get an underperforming employee back up to scratch. Thanks for joining us this week, and don't forget to send your questions to Questions@NonprofitEverything.com!

What can you do when cash runs out and you can't even make payroll? Andy and Stacey have some thoughts. Also this week, we find out if it's possible for an executive director to effectively run a nonprofit by remaining in the background, and have a quick chat about outsourced HR. Thanks for joining us this week, and please, please, please, please, please send any nonprofit related questions to Questions@NonprofitEverything.com.

How do you get funder site visits just right? Stacey and Andy have some thoughts! Also this week, we talk about budgeting for grant revenue, and have an interesting discussion about managing end user fraud (and whether it's something you should be worried about at all!) Thanks for joining us this week, and don't forget to send that question that you wish someone else would ask to Questions@NonprofitEverything.com.

Nonprofits are "business on hard-mode," and sometimes this can take a toll on board members and staff. Is there something we can do about burnout in this high-stress environment? Stacey and Andy have some thoughts! Also this week, we talk about good ways to preserve our organization's stories, and discuss the tightrope-walk that is determining the first executive director's salary. Thanks for joining us this week, and please send your questions to Questions@NonprofitEverything.com.

How do nonprofits get better at talking to the media about our mission, programs and needs? Stacey joins guest expert Linda Bridges, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at SafeNest for the answer. Thanks for joining us this week! If you have any time between saving the world and pulling your hair out, please send your questions to Questions@NonprofitEverything.com.

How do you create a fundraising budget from scratch -- is that even possible if you have no past history? Andy and Stacey sure seem to think so! Also this week, we talk about how to officially wind down a nonprofit organization, and if it's possible to convert from a nonprofit to a for-profit. Thanks for your commitment to making the world a better place (and for joining us!) Oh, we also have something for your to-do list: Send a question you *wish* somebody else would ask to Questions@NonprofitEverything.com.

Is it possible (or ethical) to raise unrestricted funds at a program focused event? Stacey and Andy have some thoughts! Also this week, we discuss how a small membership organization can start to raise some cash, and we find out the three things about being a CFO that Andy wants everybody to know. (There weren't three - we counted.) Thanks again for joining us this week, and please don't forget to send any and all questions to Questions@NonprofitEverything.com. Pretty please with sugar on top!

How do we know which state's benefits apply to our remote workers? Andy joins guest expert Randy Marsh, Interim Chief Financial & Operations Officer for the nonprofit ANet to get the answer. Also this week, Stacey has some ideas about how to quiet down a rowdy crowd at a gala. Thanks for joining us this week, and please send any and all nonprofit related questions to Questions@NonprofitEverything.com.

Two of the members on one of our board committees can't stop fighting with each other... who should deal with this? We've definitely got a few ideas. Also this week, Stacey and Andy explore some options for smaller organizations to recognize and help out remote employees. Thanks for joining us this week, and please send your questions to questions@NonprofitEverything.com.

Everybody should have an endowment, shouldn't they? Not so fast -- Andy and Stacey have some thoughts. Also this week, are restaurant marketing fundraisers a good way to make a little money? Thanks for joining us this week, and please, please, please send any and all nonprofit-related questions to questions@NonprofitEverything.com.

Are there any special things we should be considering when former clients want to come back to volunteer? Stacey and Andy have thoughts. Also this week, we discuss whether an organization should have an "overhead target" and if it's appropriate for a financial auditor to suggest a specific number. Thanks for joining us this week, and be sure to send any and all questions (or suggestions!) to questions@NonprofitEverything.com.

We get a lot of requests for one-day corporate volunteering projects, but they take so much effort. How do we make these worth our time? Stacey and Andy have some thoughts! Also this week, we talk about how to manage a founder who has retired to the board, how to politely decline gifts that we shouldn't accept, and whether or not it's a good idea to hire in an executive director from outside the community. Thanks for joining us this week, and be sure to send your questions to questions@NonprofitEverything.com.

With so many options available, what strategies should we use to maximize our marketing efforts -- especially if we don't really have the capacity in the first place? Stacey joins guest expert Lisa Nelsen, Owner, Nonprofit Brand Designer & Copywriter at Coruzzi Communications for a comprehensive answer! Thanks for joining us this week, and don't forget to send your questions to questions@NonprofitEverything.com.

What's the best way to condense the massive impact our organization has into a easily digested social media clip? Stacey and Andy have some thoughts! Also this week, we (kinda) talk about how to find an easy to use accounting package for nonprofit organizations and dig into an uncomfortable story about a board overreacting to a personnel issue. Thanks for joining us this week, and please take the time to send us any and all questions to questions@NonprofitEverything.com. By the way, the show notes have good stuff this week, too.