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**Nonprofit SnapCast**

Nonprofit Management isn’t easy. We’re here to help. The Snapcast is a new, interview-based podcast focusing on issues in nonprofit management—from board development, to fundraising, to volunteer management, and everything in between. We hope to inspire you and to illuminate the path to meeting your mission goals.

Latest Episodes:

Humanists Believe In People, with Fish Stark Sep 18, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Nonprofit SnapCast, host Mickey Desai visits with Fish Stark, Executive Director of the American Humanist Association (AHA). Fish shares his journey into humanism, his vision for the movement, and the role nonprofits play in safeguarding democracy, empathy, and human dignity in a rapidly shifting cultural and political landscape.

They discuss what humanism means today, the threats posed by rising authoritarianism, the importance of protecting religious freedom, and how nonprofits can step into advocacy without overstepping legal boundaries. Fish also emphasizes the vital role of empathy in civic life and why fostering meaning, purpose, and community is essential for both individuals and the nonprofit sector.

Key Takeaways

What Humanism Is: Humanism centers on inherent human worth, potential, and responsibility—valuing progress over tradition and people over dogma.
Shifts in the Political Landscape: Stark reflects on entering his role before the 2024 election, expecting one trajectory, and now leading the AHA in defending pluralism and constitutional freedoms in a far more hostile climate.
Nonprofits Under Pressure: From skepticism about NGOs to open attacks on institutions like Sesame Street, Fish explains why nonprofits must resist narratives designed to erode trust in community-based institutions.
The “War on Empathy”: Efforts to discredit empathy as weakness are not supported by research. In fact, empathy strengthens resilience, emotional regulation, and pro-social behavior—qualities vital for healthy societies.
Advocacy Within the Law: Nonprofits can (and should) speak out against harmful policies. While 501(c)(3) organizations cannot endorse candidates, they have the right to criticize government actions and advocate for their missions.
Seeds of Change: Cultural shifts don’t happen overnight. Planting seeds—through storytelling, conversations, and creating community—builds the long-term foundation for transformation.
Meaning & Leadership in Nonprofits: Stark urges nonprofit leaders to focus on helping people connect their work, giving, and participation to a deeper sense of purpose, especially in a world where loneliness and disconnection fuel extremism.

We welcome support of the Nonprofit SnapCast via Patreon. We welcome your questions and feedback via The Nonprofit SnapCast website. Learn more about Nonprofit Snapshot's consulting services.

Hope Doesn't Show Up On Sunny Days, with Adam Olenn Sep 02, 2025

Show notes

Adam Olenn, founder of Rustle and Spark branding agency, meets with Mickey to discuss effective storytelling techniques for nonprofits.

Key Takeaways

Storytelling is crucial for nonprofits to build trust, create emotional connections, and double donations
Never lead with data; start with an emotional story about a single protagonist, then provide supporting statistics
Train all staff and board members to tell authentic stories about the organization's impact
Avoid naming emotions in stories; instead, use vivid sensory details to evoke feelings

Among The Things We Discuss:

The Power of Storytelling for Nonprofits
Storytelling Structure and Techniques
Internal Benefits of Storytelling
Storytelling Resources and Training

We welcome support of the Nonprofit SnapCast via Patreon. We welcome your questions and feedback via The Nonprofit SnapCast website. Learn more about Nonprofit Snapshot's consulting services.

Headhunter Confidential: Kathy Bremer Aug 07, 2025

Show notes

Kathy Bremer of Boardwalk Consulting and Dave Paule of Our Fundraising Search visit the SnapCast to discuss career reinventions and job search strategies. We focus on Kathy's new book "Headhunter Confidential" Key Takeaways

Job seekers should focus on targeted, strategic networking rather than mass applying online
Successful candidates demonstrate cultural fit and provide specific examples of past achievements
Career transitions require understanding your strengths/motivations and translating skills to new contexts
Nonprofits offer meaningful work but may pay less; candidates should align values and demonstrate transferable skills

We welcome support of the Nonprofit SnapCast via Patreon. We welcome your questions and feedback via The Nonprofit SnapCast website. Learn more about Nonprofit Snapshot's consulting services.

Diversifying Nonprofit Revenue Streams Through Mid-Level and Major Gifts Aug 05, 2025

Show notes

Jeff Schreifels of Veritus Group discusses trends and strategies for mid-level and major gift fundraising. Key Takeaways:

Mid-level giving (typically $1,000-$9,999) is a growing focus, bridging small donors to major gifts
Nonprofits should diversify revenue streams, especially those reliant on government/corporate funding
AI can boost efficiency in fundraising, freeing up time for relationship-building
Restructuring development teams for better alignment with donor needs is crucial

We welcome support of the Nonprofit SnapCast via Patreon. We welcome your questions and feedback via The Nonprofit SnapCast website. Learn more about Nonprofit Snapshot's consulting services.

Living Authentically in Challenging Times: An Interview with Journalist Adrianne Murchison Aug 03, 2025

Show notes

This episode of the Snap Cast podcast features an interview with freelance journalist Adrianne Murchison. Murchison discusses her transition to freelance work after being laid off from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and the challenges and opportunities of working as a freelance writer covering local and community issues. The conversation explores how national political themes and policy changes under the Trump administration have impacted local nonprofit organizations and the communities they serve. Murchison shares insights on the need for greater public and political engagement to address these issues, and the importance of cultivating hope, compassion, and authentic connections during challenging times.

We welcome support of the Nonprofit SnapCast via Patreon. We welcome your questions and feedback via The Nonprofit SnapCast website. Learn more about Nonprofit Snapshot's consulting services.

Transitions Pet Care: Keeping Pets and People Together Jun 10, 2025

Show notes

Host Mickey Desai speaks with Beverly Means, founder of Transitions Pet Care, and Jennifer McCormick, a dedicated volunteer with the organization.

About Transitions Pet Care:

A 100% volunteer-run nonprofit organization that helps pet owners facing health challenges keep their beloved animals
Services include free dog walking, litter box maintenance, veterinary care cost coverage, and temporary foster care for pets while owners are hospitalized
Founded in 2020 by Beverly Means after she contemplated who would care for her own pets during a health crisis

Key Insights:

The organization focuses on addressing a critical need: preventing pet surrenders due to temporary human health challenges
Beverly balances running the nonprofit with her full-time job as an auto underwriter by intentionally keeping the organization small and manageable
Jennifer joined as a volunteer after seeing firsthand through her shelter work how many animals are surrendered due to owners' health issues

Volunteer Management Highlights:

The organization maintains clear boundaries for volunteers while providing support when needed
Beverly's background as a social worker in healthcare helps her guide volunteers through challenging situations
Zero tolerance for no-shows, as reliability is essential to the organization's mission

Connect with Transitions Pet Care:

Email: TransitionsPetCare@gmail.com
Website: www.transitionspetcare.org
Instagram: @TransitionsPetCare

Support the Nonprofit SnapCast by finding us on Patreon. Every contribution helps produce more programming that serves the nonprofit sector.

Little Hummingbirds, a Case Study, with Pat Libby and Travis Kemnitz May 06, 2025

Show notes

Pat Libby returns to the SnapCast, bringing with her Travis Kemnitz, Executive Director of the San Diego Bird Alliance. Together, we talk about the work they did together, presenting a case study of their methods and results. Among the topics we discuss:

Strategic Planning - What did the process look like? - What did you learn along the way? - How did the board respond to what you were learning? Were they resistant to change? - What’s happened since the plan was inked?

2. Everyone Needs A Jewish Mother - Lessons Learned as a New Executive Director

How did you two meet? And how did you reconnect?
What are some key lessons you have learned since becoming an ED?
Tips for a new ED or setting a new path for an organization.

We welcome support of the Nonprofit SnapCast via Patreon. We welcome your questions and feedback via The Nonprofit SnapCast website. Learn more about Nonprofit Snapshot's consulting services.

Why do NPO's confuse patronage, corporate partnering and sponsorship? with Maria Perez Apr 29, 2025

Show notes

Maria Perez is the Cause Marketing Consultant. She specializes in helping organizations grow their sponsor-partner initiatives. Among the questions we tackle:

Why cause sponsorship is such an important revenue generation element for NPO's to pursue.
Why do NPO's confuse patronage, corporate partnering and sponsorship?
What are the nuances and why are they important?
Why do brands and companies sponsor?

We welcome support of the Nonprofit SnapCast via Patreon. We welcome your questions and feedback via The Nonprofit SnapCast website. Learn more about Nonprofit Snapshot's consulting services.

Nonprofit Video with Pat Taggart Apr 22, 2025

Show notes

Pat Taggart is the Founder and Chief Creative of SkyBlue Creative, helping many nonprofits effectively use video as part of their communications portfolio. He visits the SnapCast to talk about the right way to create and use video. Among the things we cover:

The biggest hurdle to promoting a non-profit on video is often the reluctance of leadership to put themselves on camera
Tell vs. Compel
What can you film yourself vs. getting help from a pro
How/where to share
Video FAQs for non-profits

We welcome support of the Nonprofit SnapCast via Patreon. We welcome your questions and feedback via The Nonprofit SnapCast website. Learn more about Nonprofit Snapshot's consulting services.

Nonprofits and AI with Colleen Cook Apr 15, 2025

Show notes

Colleen Cook of High Tide returns to the SnapCast to talk about AI. Our conversation covers a wide breadth of knowledge regarding AI, its use and utility to the Nonprofit Sector. Among the things we discuss:

Why nonprofits may be fearful of AI
How my team is using AI
Considerations to make when selecting and using AI
Potential of AI for nonprofit capacity building
Generative AI
Predictive AI
Natural Language Query
Use cases of AI in an organization
How we're thinking about deep AI integration for the nonprofit sector in HighTide

We welcome support of the Nonprofit SnapCast via Patreon. We welcome your questions and feedback via The Nonprofit SnapCast website. Learn more about Nonprofit Snapshot's consulting services.