Why More Money or Staff Might Actually Break Your Organization
If a genie handed you $2 million or five new team members today, would it really solve your organization's biggest challenges—or reveal them? In this episode, I unpack a myth that keeps many nonprofit leaders stuck: that more money or people will automatically fix what's hard. Spoiler alert—it doesn’t. Instead, growth amplifies what’s already fragile. I share real-world examples from organizations that scaled quickly and struggled, and help you ask the right questions to prepare for sustainable impact. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the chaos of growth, this conversation will help you see where your systems need to evolve so your organization doesn’t break under the pressure of its own potential.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why more money and people often create new problems, not solve old onesHow to recognize the pressure points that growth exposes in your organizationThree questions to uncover whether your org is ready to scale sustainablyKey takeaways:Growth magnifies weaknesses—it doesn’t fix themBudgeting, funder relationships, and decision-making are often the first things to crackIf everything still depends on you, scaling will eventually burn you outStep-by-step reflection process: Set aside 20 minutes and use these three questions to assess your organization's growth readiness:What decisions would become slower or more political if we doubled in size?Where would things start slipping through the cracks, even with more money or staff?What still depends on me to hold together, and what would happen if I stepped away for 6 weeks?Resources mentioned:[STRONG Assessment (Text STRONG to 66866)] A free self-assessment to diagnose where your organization’s design is weakest. You'll get instant feedback and recommendations to help you start fixing structural gaps right away.Excited to go deeper? Join me next week as I kick off a 4-part mini-series on redesigning your organization for sustainable growth, starting with how to identify your “design deficits.”Want to work together? Apply for the Next Level Nonprofit Accelerator, a high-touch coaching and training accelerator for established organizations that want a smart, powerful playbook for taking their growing organization to the next level. Connect with me! LinkedIn Instagram YouTube
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16:28
3 Ways to Reclaim Your Voice in Funder Meetings
Funder meetings don't have to be scary or disempowering. Instead of walking into funder meetings feeling like you have to prove your work is worthy of support, what if you flipped the script? What if you went from powerless grantee to empowered strategic partner? In this episode of the Nonprofit Mastermind Podcast, I unpack how to show up to these conversations with confidence and strategy — rooted in your role as a thought partner and changemaker. After nearly 30 years in the field and countless funder meetings myself, I’ve learned that real partnership starts with how you lead the conversation. I walk through three practical mindset shifts that can transform your next funder meeting and deepen the kind of long-term support your organization really needs.In this episode, you’ll learn:How to shift from a “pitch” mindset to one of collaborative problem-solvingSpecific questions to ask funders that reposition you as a peer, not a petitionerWhy sharing what you are seeing on the ground builds trust and credibilityWant to work together? Apply for the Next Level Nonprofit Accelerator, a high-touch coaching and training accelerator for established organizations that want a smart, powerful playbook for taking their growing organization to the next level. Connect with me! LinkedIn Instagram YouTube
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14:08
2 Mindset ShiftsThat Are Actually Powerful Growth Strategies
If you’re stuck in the weeds, overwhelmed by your to-do list, or wondering why growth still feels unstable, this episode is for you. I’m sharing the two mindset shifts that have changed everything for me and the nonprofit leaders I coach—moving us from burnout and stagnation to thriving teams, sustainable funding, and scaled impact. These aren’t feel-good platitudes. They’re strategic approaches that rewire how you lead, grow, and build.Let’s talk about what it really looks like to lead differently—so your organization can grow and sustain impact at the same time.🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn:The truth about scarcity mindset in the nonprofit sector—and how it holds your team backWhat it means to shift from “Operator” to “Architect” as your org growsSimple, actionable ways to lead more strategically without burning out💡 Key Takeaways:Abundance is a strategy. Sharing knowledge and resources fuels growth—for everyone.You can’t scale from the weeds. The Operator mindset limits your impact.Your org’s ceiling is your mindset. The biggest barrier to growth is how you see your role.Want to work together? Apply for the Next Level Nonprofit Accelerator, a high-touch coaching and training accelerator for established organizations that want a smart, powerful playbook for taking their growing organization to the next level. Connect with me! LinkedIn Instagram YouTube
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24:21
Why Your Team's Burnout Is a Signal—Not a Symptom
If your team is running on empty and your organization feels like it’s constantly behind, you’re not alone—and it’s not a sign that you need to work harder. In this episode, I unpack what’s really driving burnout and internal chaos: a Design Deficit. I’ll show you how to shift from operating in survival mode to building an organization that can sustainably carry your bold mission.You’ll walk away with a clear, simple framework to strengthen your organization from the inside out—so your growth leads to more impact, not more overwhelm.🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn:Why burnout and disengagement are signs of structural issues, not personal or leadership failureThe 5 areas of organizational design that determine your capacity for sustainable growthA mindset shift that will help you lead with more clarity, calm, and confidence💡 Key Takeaways:Burnout is your early warning system—it’s pointing to a deeper design issue, not a lack of resources.Growth without intentional redesign leads to chaos, not impact.You don’t need to work harder—you need to architect differently.Want to work together? Apply for the Next Level Nonprofit Accelerator, a high-touch coaching and training accelerator for established organizations that want a smart, powerful playbook for taking their growing organization to the next level. Connect with me! LinkedIn Instagram YouTube
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20:39
Why Your Leadership Team Member Is Struggling—and How to Fix It
If you've ever been frustrated by a team member who should be operating at a high level but just… isn’t, you’re not alone. In this episode, I break down a simple but powerful framework called the Leadership Performance Matrix™—a tool I use to help nonprofit leaders pinpoint exactly why someone is underperforming and what to do about it.Instead of jumping to conclusions about someone’s motivation or competency, I walk you through how to diagnose the real root of the problem—whether it’s about clarity, motivation, or ability. This structured approach can help you stop spinning your wheels and start leading with confidence.Whether you’re an Executive Director or managing a small but mighty team, this framework will change the way you think about performance.🔍 In this episode, you’ll learn:The 3-part Leadership Performance Matrix™ for diagnosing underperformanceHow to structure conversations that foster ownership and accountabilitySimple fixes for common gaps in clarity, motivation, and ability💡 3 Key Takeaways:Don’t assume—it’s essential to diagnose performance issues before reacting.Clarity, motivation, and ability are all critical—and each requires a different fix.Leaders thrive when expectations are explicit, roles are aligned, and support is tailored.Want to work together? Apply for the Next Level Nonprofit Accelerator, a high-touch coaching and training accelerator for established organizations that want a smart, powerful playbook for taking their growing organization to the next level. Connect with me! LinkedIn Instagram YouTube
This podcast offers nonprofit founders and leaders a deep-dive into the mindset and key strategies behind launching, scaling, and leading a high-impact nonprofit organization.
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Netherlands