Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership
Looking for your next nonprofit job? Want to lead a nonprofit organization? Dr. Patton McDowell (www.pmanonprofit.com) brings the best in nonprofit career development to each episode, helping you find the perfect nonprofit opportunity and guiding you along the path to senior leadership in the philanthropic sector. Patton brings 30 years of nonprofit leadership, coaching and consulting experience, and shares best practices for individual and organizational success based on his work with over 250 nonprofit organizations and their staff and board leaders. Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership features more than 120 interviews with nonprofit leaders and philanthropy experts, as well as deep-dive solo episodes and other special editions. Hit subscribe, and accelerate your journey on a nonprofit career path that can change your life. Learn more at: https://www.podpage.com/your-path-to-nonprofit-leadership/
Episodes
366 episodes
366: Stop Writing for Your Organization. Write for Your Donor. (Tom Ahern)
366: Stop Writing for Your Organization. Write for Your Donor. (Tom Ahern)Episode SummaryMost nonprofit communications are, in Tom Ahern’s blunt assessment, built to fail. Not because the work isn’t worthy...
365: The Long Game: Building a Fundraising Career That Lasts (Jim Broschart)
365: The Long Game: Building a Fundraising Career That Lasts (Jim Broschart)Episode SummaryWhat does it take to build a fundraising career that spans decades, and still choose a challenge over comfort wh...
364: What Will Your Donor Remember? (Norman Gildin)
Episode 364: What Will Your Donor Remember? (Norman Gildin)Episode SummaryFundraiser burnout is real — and with average tenure in the profession hovering between two and four years, the sector is ...
363: Your Mission Is Clear. Is Your Story? (Brandy Walker)
Episode 363: Your Mission Is Clear. Is Your Story? (Brandy Walker)Episode SummaryMost nonprofit leaders are skilled at communicating their mission, but far fewer know how to tell their own story, and tha...
362: It’s Never Just the Money: What Donor Psychology Means for Nonprofit Leaders (Marcia Dawood)
362: It’s Never Just the Money: What Donor Psychology Means for Nonprofit Leaders (Marcia Dawood)Episode SummaryMost nonprofit leaders approach fundraising as a logical transaction — make the case, prese...
361: 5 Reasons Your Professional Development Isn't Working (Megan Joseph)
361: 5 Reasons Your Professional Development Isn't Working (Megan Joseph)Episode SummaryMost nonprofit leaders are spending on professional development - and still not seeing results. The workshops get att...
360: The ABCs of Grassroots to Grasstops Community Impact (Tchernavia Montgomery)
360: The ABCs of Grassroots to Grasstops Community Impact (Tchernavia Montgomery)Episode SummaryMost nonprofit leaders understand that community impact requires both frontline relationships and institution...
359: Why Your Board Is Checked Out (and What Actually Re-Engages Them) (Katie Spencer)
359: Why Your Board Is Checked Out (and What Actually Re-Engages Them) (Katie Spencer)SUMMARYWhen nonprofit leaders say their board is disengaged,
358: What Nonprofit Leaders Need Now: Guidance from Four Sector Experts
358: What Nonprofit Leaders Need Now: Guidance from Four Sector ExpertsSUMMARYFor this special multi-state panel, we convened four statewide nonprofit leaders: Ivan Canada, Mariane Asad Doyle, Karen Riorda...
357: Rethinking How Organizations Are Built to Change Lives (Logan Herring)
357: Rethinking How Organizations Are Built to Change Lives (Logan Herring)Episode SummaryFive years after his first appearance on Episode #128,
356: AI Without Overwhelm: 4 Insights Nonprofit Leaders Can Use Now (Mary Gallivan)
356: AI Without Overwhelm: 4 Insights Nonprofit Leaders Can Use Now (Mary Gallivan)Episode SummaryAI is already reshaping how nonprofit teams work, and leaders who avoid it risk falling behind. In this epi...
355: Thinking Differently to Solve Nonprofit Problems (Sarah Tucker)
355: Thinking Differently to Solve Nonprofit Problems (Sarah Tucker)EPISODE SUMMARY:Nonprofit leaders are often expected to solve complex problems with limited resources, increasing pressure, and entrenche...
354: A Lifelong Learning Framework for Nonprofit Leaders (Kelsey Picken)
354: A Lifelong Learning Framework for Nonprofit Leaders (Kelsey Picken)SUMMARYNonprofit leaders are surrounded by professional development options - degrees, certifications, conferences, and creden...
353: Resilience Isn’t Optional: Tools Every Nonprofit Leader Needs Now (Russell Harvey)
Episode 353: Resilience Isn’t Optional: Tools Every Nonprofit Leader Needs Now (Russell Harvey)SUMMARYNonprofit leaders are operating in a world where change is constant - and the pressure to react ...
352: Fundraising That Works: Measure What Matters (Greg Warner)
352: Fundraising That Works: Measure What Matters (Greg Warner)SUMMARYFundraisers often focus on the bottom line—how much money came in—but Greg Warne...
351: Five Finance Skills Every Nonprofit Leader Needs (Stephen Newland)
351: Five Finance Skills Every Nonprofit Leader Needs (Stephen Newland)SUMMARYMany nonprofit leaders step into their roles with deep passion for mission, but far less confidence when it comes to finance. I...
350: What Every Nonprofit Leader Needs to Know About Mergers (André Anthony)
350: What Every Nonprofit Leader Needs to Know About Mergers (André Anthony)SUMMARYThis milestone episode is brought to you by the newly merged Armstrong McGuire...
349: What Funders Want Nonprofit Leaders to Know (Sarah Mann Willcox)
349: What Funders Want Nonprofit Leaders to Know (Sarah Mann Willcox)SUMMARYThis episode is brought to you by TowneBank, whose ongoing support can be a powerful partner for your organization. Learn more at...
348: Holiday Rewind: 4 Ways to Advance Your Nonprofit Leadership
348: Holiday Rewind: 4 Ways to Advance Your Nonprofit LeadershipWhat are you doing - intentionally - to move closer to your nonprofit leadership goals?In this Holiday Rewind of solo episode #159, Patton re...
347: Protecting Your Nonprofit from Fraud (Amy Seintourens)
347: Protecting Your Nonprofit from Fraud (Amy Seintourens) SUMMARYThis episode is brought to you by TowneBank, whose ongoing support can be a powerful partner for your organization, offering financia...
346: Understanding the Science of Generosity (Cherian Koshy)
346: Understanding the Science of Generosity (Cherian Koshy)SUMMARYThis episode is brought to you by TowneBank, whose ongoing support can be a powerful partner for your organization, offering financial exp...
345: The Trust Factor: How to Strengthen Your Strategic Leadership
345: The Trust Factor: How to Strengthen Your Strategic LeadershipSUMMARYThis episode is brought to you by TowneBank, whose ongoing support helps bring meaningful l...
344: Thanksgiving 2025: 7 Reasons to Be Thankful
Thanksgiving 2025: 7 Reasons to Be ThankfulSpecial Edition Show Notes #344This Thanksgiving episode highlights seven standout guests from 2025 - along with their books - plus three bonus titles from Patt...