Tim Barnes and Nathan Ruby public
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The Practice of Nonprofit Leadership was designed for Executive Directors of small to medium sized nonprofits. If you are currently an Executive Director or hope to be one someday this is your spot. Leading an organization can be one of the most fun, exhilarating, rewarding, scary, thankless jobs in the universe. Using a mixture of encouragement, information, stories, and practical tools, hosts Tim Barnes and Nathan Ruby will use their years of nonprofit leadership experience to make your jo ...
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Discover the power of knowing what each donor brings to your nonprofit's table over the long haul. We're unlocking the secrets to calculating the lifetime value of a donor, and why this number is a game changer for your strategic planning and sustained funding. With every monthly donation, be it a humble $30 or more, Nathan will show you how those …
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A recent survey states that a large number of nonprofits have open positions that they cannot fill with qualified candidates. As the Executive Director, could the answer be to recruit your spouse to fill one of those open positions? What might be the pros and cons, when considering this possibility? Listen in, as Tim and Nathan dive into this inter…
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Many things in our organization and world feel like they are out of our control. As much as we try, control is not something we can often exercise. But when it comes to our leadership as nonprofit executive directors, there are a few things we can and should exercise control. These areas are: - My Attitude - My Skillset - My Priorities - My Influen…
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In this episode, we dive into four simple questions you can ask yourself to determine if your organization is ready to consider a capital campaign. Project: Do I have a project that aligns with the reasons people donate: to save or transform lives? We touch on common project types, including new construction, renovations, and expensive equipment pu…
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As a small to medium nonprofit with a small budget, it seems like a good call to try to do things yourself or with the help of volunteers. But are there areas where it actually makes more sense and provides even better value, to hire a professional? We would say most definitely. One of those areas is nonprofit finances. On today's episode, Tim and …
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Ever find yourself intrigued by the potential of artificial intelligence to transform the way we connect with donors and enhance our fundraising efforts? In this episode, Nathan discusses three ways that AI can help improve fundraising efforts: Automate Everyday Tasks: AI is all about simplifying tasks, not complicating them. For instance, using th…
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Whether it’s in person, on line, or someone driving into your parking lot. People make a decision about you and your organization in mere seconds. If they have a negative impression of you or the organization it is incredibly difficult to change their mind later. First impressions matter. In today's episode, Nathan discussed the importance of makin…
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On this episode, Tim and Nathan chat about the best ways small nonprofits can leverage online giving. Some of the tips that they share are: - How to make your donation button impossible to miss and super easy to use. - The importance of a seamless, secure payment process. - Why it's crucial to ensure your donation page is mobile-friendly. - How to …
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Effective leaders aren't always perfect leaders. What often makes them effective is that they take action consistently and with commitment. No matter whether your organization is big or small, consistent action is the key. On today's episode, Tim identifies 5 key actions that every nonprofit executive director should be taking that results in effec…
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"Nobody likes direct mail anymore….sending a direct mail appeal just isn’t going to work." But according to a 2021 study by the Print and Mail Communications Association direct mail has an impressive open rate of 42.2%. Direct mail is still a valuable tool in your tool box for fundraising. Today we are going to go over a simple template on how you …
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Fundraising and making Chili are a lot alike. There is no one way to make chili or to fundraise. But in both cases, having the right ingredients to get started is very important. On today's episode, Tim and Nathan share four key ingredients every nonprofit needs before they can maximize their fundraising. And they explore how to get those ingredien…
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From national to local, one of the most challenging seasons of a nonprofit executive director is leading your organization during a contentious election year. An even greater challenge is when the mission of your organization becomes a significant issue in the political dialogue. On today's episode, Tim and Nathan provide some key actions steps to …
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So what do you do when you have to tell your Board that you fell short of your fundraising goal? Communicating bad news to your Board can be tough, especially when it concerns finances. But as an Executive Director, it's part of the job. On today's episode, Tim and Nathan guide you through the sensitive process of delivering less-than-stellar news …
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With this 2024 Kickoff episode, Season 4 of the Practice of Nonprofit Leadership begins! And what better way to begin then with Tim and Nathan revealing their Three Words for 2024. The concept of Three Words is to select words that will serve as a compass for the year. These words help to direct the individuals focus and energy and also provide an …
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As one year comes to a close and a new year is on the horizon, how should a nonprofit leader prepare for what lies ahead? On today's episode, Tim and Nathan share some of the questions and strategies they use to prepare for a new year. The questions lead them to take a look back and then to look forward. The questions include celebration, honesty, …
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Another year is quickly coming to an end. As preparations are being made for a new year, taking time to review the past year is an important habit to develop. A key question to ask is, "How did my leadership measure up this year?" On today's episode, Tim and Nathan discuss four key areas to consider when reviewing your leadership this year. Sharing…
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Most job descriptions for Executive Directors, contain at least one bullet point that focuses on them representing, connecting, and being visible in the community. How important is this for the organization? On today's episode, Nathan explores several points that should be considered when planning this in your schedule. What are the possible outcom…
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Ready to demystify the world of fundraising metrics? Nathan spends time googling "Fundraising Metrics"; Tim...not so much. But they both know the importance and the cautions with using specific metrics when tracking nonprofit fundraising. On today's episode, Nathan walks us through four key fundraising metrics (Gift Size, Number of New Donors, Cost…
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Have you ever noticed how the simplest 'thank you' can light up your day? On today's episode, Tim and Nathan discuss how gratitude can transform your non-profit organization's culture and amplify your leadership, including the impact on the mental well-being of non-profit leaders, despite the challenges they face. Speaking from experience, the guys…
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Ever feel like you're stumbling in the dark when it comes to budgeting for your non-profit organization? The thought of revenue planning and expense analysis might seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be. In part 2 of our focus on nonprofit budgeting, Tim and Nathan, are here to guide you through this financial labyrinth with clarity and ease. We …
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Ready to supercharge your non-profit's budgeting process? Join us, your hosts Tim Barnes and Nathan Ruby, as we disclose the keys to effective financial planning for non-profit organizations. We guarantee you'll walk away with actionable strategies to align your budget with your organization's mission, identify opportunities, and assess what's work…
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Non-profit leadership is a dynamic journey that requires responsive and strategic decision-making. On today's episode, Tim and Nathan delve into how to discern a crisis and make informed decisions about what's crucial at any given moment. In our candid conversation, we break down three essential points to decide what needs immediate attention versu…
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What if you could discover unusual and profitable sources of donations for your non-profit? This episode is designed to reveal unconventional and exciting sources of donations that move beyond the traditional checkbook giving. With Tim on assignment with his organization, Nathan delves deep into a variety of potential sources such as stocks, donor-…
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How can a small nonprofit's online presence become an effective fundraising strategy? What practical steps can be taken to raise awareness to the work that the organization is doing? What are the benefits and challenges in online fundraising? On this encore episode (ep. 34), we are joined by Christina Edwards, Founder of Splendid Consulting and a m…
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What if the barrier between you and the big gifts is not the donors but your own fear? What does it look like to be bold in your approach to fundraising? On today's episode, Tim and Nathan are focused on helping nonprofit executive directors to develop boldness in fundraising. Sharing from their own experiences, the guys provide 5 ways to add boldn…
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Welcome to Part 2 of Unlocking the Secrets to Effective Direct Mail Fundraising. Once again, Tim and Nathan point out the importance of effective direct mail fundraising for small to medium nonprofits. On this episode, the following points are discussed: Your mailing should include the Impact and Results of your organization Make it easy to take ac…
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Ready to crack the code of direct mail fundraising? Appeal letters are a crucial tool for nonprofit organizations to engage donors and raise funds. But in a busy, media-saturated world, it can be a challenge to grab the attention of current and potential donors. Today's episode is part one of a two-part series focused on the secrets of grabbing the…
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Feeling stuck waiting for motivation to strike? What if the solution to unlock that motivation is simpler than you think? On this episode, Nathan lays out the following regarding Leadership and Motivation: Taking action leads to motivation Procrastination kills motivation Motivation is a result of consistent action To get more information and sign …
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Are you ready to ignite the engine of your nonprofit leadership with the power of momentum? Drawing from the world of sports, their own nonprofit experience, and the experience of others, Tim and Nathan discuss the power of momentum, it's importance, and 5 key elements that are crucial to get and keep momentum in your nonprofit organization. Mentio…
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Can nonprofit staff members also serve as volunteers in the organization at which they work? Good question! Small nonprofits with limited staff and volunteers, often see this as a way to get needed roles filled. But it's complicated! On today's episode, Tim and Nathan dive into what is an important but sometimes murky topic. Important because if no…
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What if one of the secrets to becoming a more effective leader was as simple as prioritizing your physical health? In today's episode, Tim and Nathan unravel their personal journeys towards better health and how it has transformed their leadership skills. They delve into how lifestyle changes and mindset adjustments have helped them achieve their h…
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How do you deal with "Hard Conversations"...Run away, Ignore, or Dive in into them? On today's episode, Tim and Nathan explore 4 keys areas to consider when navigating difficult or uncomfortable conversation. These key areas can provide confidence in dealing with this important area of leadership. These areas are: - Defining hoped for outcomes of t…
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What happens when you finally take the leap after seven long years of dreaming, planning, and talking about launching a podcast? Well, you'll end up celebrating your 100th episode! On this episode,Christina Edwards (Host of The Purpose and Profit Club podcast) joins Tim and Nathan, to celebrate this major milestone. With Christina's help, we peel b…
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Want to unlock the secrets of cultivating a thriving organizational culture that boosts staff engagement, productivity and retention? On today's episode Tim and Nathan uncover four key elements for creating a culture that people genuinely love. From defining your core mission, vision, and values to the crucial role of open communication in fosterin…
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Ready to tackle the first 60 days as a nonprofit executive director? Or maybe you have been in your role for awhile but are feeling stuck or stagnant. On today's episode, Tim and Nathan provide intentional actions a new executive director should take during their first 60 days in the role. They are also the things an Executive Director should keep …
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Is your Life Purpose the same as the purpose of the organization that you lead? On today's episode, Tim and Nathan discuss the importance of discovering your life purpose and how that impacts your personal leadership. Sharing from their own journeys, several concepts are shared...such as understanding the personal uniqueness of life purpose, paying…
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Ever wondered why some non-profits constantly nail their fundraising efforts while others struggle? On today's episode, Nathan is peeling back the curtain on the techniques that make a world of difference. We kick off a fun round of fundraising trivia before diving into four practical strategies to buff up your fundraising game. We'll help you to u…
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Leading a nonprofit is a bit like being in the red zone on a football field? The Red Zone is where teams win or lose, depending on their ability to select and execute plays that move them forward across the goal line. On today's episode, Tim and Nathan discuss nonprofit leadership activities that can make a difference and move the organization forw…
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How important is a website for a nonprofit organization? What information should be on the site and how often should it be updated? What impact can a website have on raising funds for the organization. These questions and more are discussed as Nathan sits down with Sami Bedell-Mulhern, the heart and soul behind First Click. Sami's unique approach t…
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Are you ready to sharpen your leadership skills this summer? No school bus or homework involved, just a fresh perspective on leadership through the lens of elementary math. Join your hosts, Tim Barnes and Nathan Ruby, as they challenge you to add, subtract, multiply, and divide, not numbers, but aspects of your personal and organizational leadershi…
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What if you could become the best version of yourself as a Nonprofit Leader? Dr Jack Groppel, co-founder of the Johnson & Johnson Human Performance Institute and current professor at Judson University, Elgin, IL joins Tim and Nathan on today's episode. His experience in working with world class athletes and sports teams to coaching top business lea…
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Are your nonprofit's new board members prepared for success? On today's episode, Tim dives into 3 key areas that prepare new board members for a successful stint on your nonprofit board. These 3 areas are: - Identifying the Information a New Board Member Should Know - Identifying the Expectations for New Board Members - Implementing a Consistent On…
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Ever wondered how to effectively use lagging and leading indicators within your nonprofit organization? On today's episode, Tim and Nathan provide valuable insights and practical tips to help leaders of small to medium-sized nonprofits improve their decision-making process by paying attention to lagging and leading indicators. Discover how these in…
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Numbers. Especially numbers on a financial statement. Did you realize that numbers tell a story...the story of the priorities, focus, effectiveness, and challenges of an organization. On today's episode, Tim and Nathan dive into the primary financial statements that a nonprofit should have and the story they each tell. Tim breaks down each statemen…
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Golf tournaments, 5ks, or banquets. Are you planning an event for your nonprofit? On today's episode , Tim and Nathan discuss the 3 primary types of nonprofit events and how they best fit with you and your organization. They answer the question as to whether every event is a fundraiser, share the key secret to every event, and provide a "pro tip" a…
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Often the things that are important but not urgent are set aside and forgotten...until it's too late. On today's episode, Tim and Nathan discuss three of those items: Board meeting minutes, Donor notes, and Bylaws. The items are discussed as to their importance and practical steps to keep them updated and ready to use are shared. The Hosts of The P…
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May is Mental Health Awareness Month and today's episode is focused on how Mental Health can impact an Executive Director's leadership. Mental Health expert and national youth speaker, Brittany Richmond, joins Tim and Nathan to discuss his important topic. For more information about Brittany's work or to contact her, you can go here. Mentioned in t…
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On todays episode, Tim and Nathan discuss social media policy and practice with Sabrina Burkiewicz , an independent communication consultant. Some of the topics they explore are: Why does a nonprofit need a defined social media policy and what components should be part of an effective policy? Who is included in the policy and what happens if the po…
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As a follow up to Episode 75 on Delegation, today's episode of PNPL looks at how perfectionism gets in the way of nonprofit leaders ability to delegate. In their discussion, Tim and Nathan provide 4 actions to take that can help stop perfectionism getting in the way of needed delegation. The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership: Tim Barnes…
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Do you feel like your life is just a series of meetings? Do you really need all those meetings when leading a nonprofit? On today's episode, Tim and Nathan dive into "all things meetings". In their discussion they explore the following questions: What are the typical kinds of meetings in a nonprofit? What makes for a successful meeting? How do you …
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