Mission Impact

In episode 105 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton continues to celebrate her four year podiversary by reflecting on how nonprofits can create healthier and more sustainable organizational cultures. Through a series of guest responses, the episode explores the necessity of fair […]

In this special episode of Mission: Impact, host Carol Hamilton celebrates four years of podcasting and reflects on the lessons learned from her 100+ episode journey. The podcast, aimed at nonprofit leaders striving to build a better world without martyrdom, offers practical advice, deep […]

In episode 103 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton, Tip Fallon, and Stephen Graves explore the nuances of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), exploring the differences between inclusive and equitable leadership. The conversation highlights the importance of not only representation but […]

In episode 102 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Jeff De Cagna discuss the concept of the "duty of foresight," stressing the need for boards to prepare for future challenges. They critique traditional leadership paradigms and promote stewardship as a more inclusive and effective […]

In episode 101 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Michael Randel discuss Michael’s research into nonprofit organizations that received significant funding from Mackenzie Scott’s trust-based philanthropy initiative.  The impact of these transformative gifts on nonprofits,  […]

In episode 100 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton goes solo to celebrate this special 100th episode. She reflects on the insights and lessons learned from her podcasting journey exploring nonprofit leadership and organizational health. Celebrating a significant milestone, she emphasizes […]

In episode 99 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Mary Reeves, PhD discuss: the importance of effective governance in nonprofit organizations.  the transformational experiences board members often undergo the Japanese concept of Ikigai—finding purpose through what you love, […]

In episode 98 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton hosts Danielle Marshall for another learning out loud episode where we do a deep dive into a topic.  Today’s topic is leadership in the nonprofit sector, especially the declining interest in nonprofit leadership as highlighted by the […]

In episode 97 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton, Elizabeth Engel and Shelly Alcorn discuss Why addressing climate change has shifted from a moral imperative to a business imperative for associations and nonprofits How climate change is impacting all sectors and industries now how […]

In episode 96 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Dr Victoria Boyd discuss The misconceptions about starting a nonprofit Why a program logic model is a better place to start for new organizations than a business plan Some of the key questions nonprofit founders need to ask […]

In episode 95 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Emily Taylor discuss the challenges nonprofit CEOs face as they become victims of their own success.  how nonprofit leaders can become disconnected from their community as their organization grows how when an organization is […]

In episode 94 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Rebecca Epstein discuss the article that Rebecca wrote with Mistinguette Smith published in the Nonprofit Quarterly in 2023. Paving a Better Way: What’s Driving Progressive Organizations Apart and How to Win by Coming Together. The […]

In episode 93 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Pooya Pourak discuss the importance of transparent, impact-centric fundraising, the use of technology for efficiency, and the necessity of fair compensation for nonprofit employees. They delve into the nuances of donor engagement, […]

In episode 92 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Patton McDowell explore the multi-generational nonprofit workforce, discussing the unique hurdles and opportunities that come with each stage of a non-profit career—from emerging leaders grappling with gaining practical experience to […]

In episode 91 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and George Weiner discuss the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and the nonprofit sector. They delve into the significance of AI in the sector, emphasizing the need for strategic adoption and policy development. The conversation […]

In episode 90 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton goes solo and talks about: What strategic planning is and is not the five steps to a comprehensive strategic planning process Keys to ensuring your plan gets put into action and stays relevant The five steps are 1. kick off, 2. […]

In episode 89 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Miguel Guadalupe discuss issues of generational engagement in leadership, highlighting the frequent oversight of Generation X and stressing the unique adaptability and valuable perspective that this generation brings to the table. […]

In this enlightening episode, Carol interviews Lisa Hazirjian, a historian turned advocate, as they delve into Lisa’s unexpected journey from academia to the forefront of nonprofit advocacy. Through a candid recount of personal challenges and professional transitions, Lisa shares her […]

In episode 87 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and June Jimenez discuss: Making remote-work work for your organization Juggling the complex decisions facing nonprofit leaders regarding a potential return to physical offices Changing employee expectations We explore the […]

In episode 86 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton joins with Danielle Marshall for another learning out loud episode where we do a deep dive into a topic. Today we focused on cultural competence or cultural humility and talked about ways for people to work on and enhance their cultural […]

In episode 85 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Mala Nagarajan discuss organizational development, compensation structures, and critical discussions within nonprofit organizations. They explore the limitations of market-based compensation, the concept of a thriving wage, and the […]

In episode 84 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Heather Burright discuss: how strategic planning, implementation and staff and volunteer skills development all fit together.  We delve into the critical aspects of strategic planning and its effective implementation. I highlight the […]

In episode 83 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Alexander Lapa delve into the benefits of using a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system like Salesforce for nonprofits. These include improved data management and streamlined processes. Alexander shares his expertise in setting […]

In episode 82 of Mission: Impact, Danielle Marshall and Carol Hamilton have another ‘learning out loud’ conversation where we delve into the evolving landscape of nonprofit work, focusing on key themes:   🔥 Burnout and Beyond: We kickstart the discussion by addressing the […]

In episode 81, Carol Hamilton and Mary Hiland discuss the challenges and strategies of nonprofit executive directors working with their boards. They explore the importance of leaving a legacy and sharing knowledge, and how it inspired Carol to start her podcast, Mission Impact. Mary's […]

In episode 80 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton goes solo to celebrate several of the nonprofits that support and enrich her life.   Nonprofit organizations play a crucial role in enriching our lives and communities in various ways. Carol discusses:   Several organizations that […]

In this podcast episode, Carol Hamilton and Susan Kahan discuss the importance of donor trust and nonprofit accountability. They challenge misconceptions about fundraising, such as the focus on overhead costs and the belief that it is a necessary evil. They argue for reframing negative […]

In episode 78 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton celebrates Mission: Impact’s 3rd anniversary and goes solo to talk about: The rise of the “dream job” How people are reconsidering the role of work and career in their lives The shadow side to pursuing your passion Important […]

In episode 77 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Devon Lawrence discuss How systems can benefit your fundraising work What you can do to make your donors feel appreciated The importance of small gestures in your fundraising strategy Guest Bio: Devon Lawrence is the Founder and […]

In episode 76 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Erin Allgood discuss How it’s not all on your shoulders to fix – even if it can feel that way sometimes. Why each organization does not have to tackle everything – deciding what is the part of the problem that you will work on […]

In episode 75 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Danielle Marshall discuss Our meaning making brains and the stories we make up about each other Challenges that progressive organizations are having with the mismatch in expectations across generations Why a reflexive […]

In episode 74 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and her guest, Veronica LaFemina discuss Why big change initiatives often fail  A map of how to get from A to B may not be sufficient The role of a key leader visibly supporting the change is so key  Why radio silence is a bad […]

In episode 73 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and her guest, Cindy Wagman discuss: The impact social taboos around money have on fundraising Getting to know your donors as real people How to make your donors feel good about their giving   Guest Bio: Cindy Wagman is the […]

In episode 72 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, Lauren Brownstein discuss: How to be well while you are doing good  What passion exploitation is and why it is important to your organization Why self-care is an organization’s responsibility as much as an individual’s […]

In episode 71 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, Dr. Orletta Caldwell discuss: The unique challenges facing African-American-led nonprofits Why no one owns a nonprofit The invisible history of African-American led nonprofits since 1693 Guest Bio: Dr. Caldwell is a […]

In episode 70 of Mission: Impact, Carol goes solo to discuss: Keeping your strategic plan from just sitting on the shelf How approaching planning from a strengths-based perspective brings more joy 4 key questions to ask to keep your plan relevant   Important Links and […]

In episode 69 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, Jeanne Bell discuss: Why internal culture needs to support your external strategy for success How to integrate organizational strategy into implementation How creating interdisciplinary spaces for strategy discussion enhance […]

In episode 68 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, Amanda Kaiser discuss: How to successfully engage members Why value is not the only variable you need to pay attention to How to more effectively set members and volunteers up for success at each stage of engagement Guest Bio: […]

In episode 67 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, Rhea Wong discuss: Why mindset is so important for accidental fundraisers How to fundraise with your donor’s experience in mind  What letting go of your script and your pitch can do for your fundraising efforts Guest Bio: […]

In episode 66 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, Katherine Turner discuss: The intersections between the fields of diversity, equity and inclusion and intercultural communications Some things to consider when working with a global group Moving folks from awareness to action […]

In episode 65 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, Lisa G. Hazirjian discuss: Some common mistakes and misconceptions nonprofits have about policy advocacy Simple steps to take to get to know policy makers better and build relationships How to build a ladder of engagement for your […]

In episode 64 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, Sarah Olivieri discuss: How systemizing your processes can free up time for staff to think bigger How to measure your capacity and be realistic about what is on your organizational docket How to have a productive team meeting Guest […]

In episode 63 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton focuses on healthy organizational cultures with past guests to discuss: why it is important for leaders to invest in themselves,  why paying attention to power dynamics and naming them is key,  and why it's important to realize that it […]

In episode 62 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton looks back with past guests to discuss: What organizational culture is How good feedback contributes to a healthy organization The importance of putting your stated values into action Important Links and Resources: Elizabeth Scott, PhD […]

In episode 61 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, Larry J. Robertson discuss: The fundamentals of nonprofit governance How to find balance between board and staff responsibilities How leading an emotionally intelligent organization contributes to thriving Guest Bio: Larry Robertson […]

In episode 60 of Mission: Impact, Carol goes solo to discuss: The issues people have with strategic planning Why strategic planning is important What are some benefits of investing in strategic planning   Important Links and Resources: Register for the December 15, 2022 Nonprofit […]

In episode 59 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, Hugh Ballou discuss: How to improve the efficiency of your organization’s meetings Why influence is more important than direction when leading The importance of clarity in your communications Guest Bio:Hugh Ballou works with […]

In episode 58 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, Deneisha Thompson discuss: The four pillars of culture change How our culture conditions people to avoid accountability for fear of overreaction What contributes to toxic cultures in nonprofits and how to address them to shift them […]

In episode 57 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, Betina Pflug (Beh-tee-nuh Flug) discuss:  What makes relational intelligence unique  Polarities – what they are and how to manage them Building team dynamics in a virtual workplace Guest Bio:    Betina Pflug is an executive […]

In episode 56 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, Danielle Marshall discuss: Using an equity lens to integrate DEI into all aspects of your work The importance of sharing back next steps to community when you ask for feedback How to reframe resistance Guest Bios: Danielle is an […]

In episode 55 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guests, Dr. Renee Rubin Ross and Christal Cherry discuss: The importance of stressing solutions when educating about DEI How white fragility can prevent the larger issue of a supremacist culture from being addressed Why it is important to […]

In episode 54 of Mission: Impact, Carol celebrates the podcast’s two year anniversary by doing a best of episode about executive leadership transitions. We talk about: the types of transitions that organizations experience, how different leaders approach those transitions,  why it is […]

In episode 53 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, Reva Patwardhan discuss: What leadership coaching entails, including what somatically grounded and trauma-informed coaching is Why leadership coaching is something that every nonprofit leader should consider as part of their […]

In episode 52 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, David Pisarek discuss: How to use a website to grow your organization What calls to action to add to your website How to be consistent and modernize your online presence Guest Bio:David is an award-winning web and digital solutions […]

In episode 51 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, Thomas Anderson discuss: How to approach vision development Why more people are working with founders Why it’s important to pay attention to those weak signals that could impact your organization in the future Guest Bio:Dr. Thomas […]

In episode 50 of Mission: Impact, Carol went solo to discuss: How more staff and funding are not always the answer The misconceptions many nonprofits have around growth Why growth does not necessarily get you out of overwork and overcommitment Important Links and Resources: […]

In episode 49 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, Lewis Flax discuss: How to construct sponsorships to better serve your organization The misconceptions many people have about sponsorships How to create a mutually beneficial organization-sponsor relationship   Guest Bio:Lewis Flax […]

In episode 48 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, Chyla Graham discuss: Why it is key to understand context when you are looking at your organization’s context How to best connect your financial goals to your organizational goals What you need to be mindful of as a board member, […]

In episode 47 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, Julia Campbell discuss: How to effectively incorporate social media into your marketing Misconceptions that organizations have about social media The importance of prioritizing your owned marketing assets Guest Bio:Named as a top […]

In episode 45 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, Carolyn Mozell discuss: Why it is important for leaders and staff have to focus on their sphere of influence How to balance compassion, empathy and accountability How important personal self-care is for maintaining a healthy […]

In episode 45 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, Stu Swineford discuss: How your nonprofit can be more effective in its marketing The importance of going where your audience is rather than asking them to come to you Why it is easier to increase the commitment of current donors […]

This episode is the final part of the Culture Fit project that Carol recorded with her son-in-law Peter Cruz. In this episode, Carol, her cohost Peter Cruz, and their guest Dr. Gia Grier McGinnis discuss: The importance of representation to help BIPOC youth see possibilities Breaking […]

Brief discussion of attempted murder from 26:27 until 26:38   In episode 43 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, Travis Johnson discuss: The benefits that can come with maintaining a podcast How to get started making a podcast The wide variation in what can be done with podcasts […]

In Episode 42 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, Marla Bobowick discuss: The major misconceptions people have about boards and governance How staff and board can shift to shared leadership Why boards need to focus more on the future than just talking about the past   Guest Bio: […]

This episode is part of the Culture Fit project that Carol recorded with her son-in-law Peter Cruz. In this episode, Carol, her cohost Peter Cruz, and their guest Damary Bonilla discuss: The toll that being the sole person of color in a group can take on a person The connections between […]

In episode 40 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guests, Monique Meadows and Terrill Thompson, discuss: What makes up organizational culture Why it is so hard to be open to the possibility of changing that culture How to get lasting change in an organization’s culture Guest bio:Monique […]

In episode 39, Carol Hamilton looks back at the last year and a half of Mission Impact. Using clips from interviews with Tip Fallon, Nyacko Perry, Carlyn Madden, Kristin Bradley-Bull, Keisha Sitney, Rosalind Spiegel, Stephen Graves and Nathaniel Benjamin, she examines: How the nonprofit […]

In this solo episode 38, Carol Hamilton discusses burnout in the nonprofit sector, what possible ways forward are, and how to stay engaged while prioritizing your own health. Important Links: http://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/03/resisting-vocational-awe-during-the-pandemic/  […]

This episode is part of the Culture Fit project that Carol recorded with her son-in-law Peter Cruz. In this episode, Carol, her cohost Peter Cruz, and their guest Ariel Salome discuss: Non-positional leadership and how everyone is a leader in their own right Being an active ally and […]

In episode 36 of Mission: Impact, Carol, her guest, Anne Hilb discuss: How nonprofits can best handle conflict within the organization  What steps can be taken to avoid conflict before it happens How to handle the hurt feelings that can linger in the wake of conflict Guest bio: […]

In episode 35 of Mission: Impact, Carol, her cohost, Peter Cruz, and their guest, Nathaniel Benjamin discuss diversity, equity and inclusion and its intersection with human capital management. This episode is a release of a podcast Carol planned to start with her son-in-law and has many […]

In episode 34 of Mission: Impact, Carol, her guest, Doug Spencer talked about: What branding really is What gets in the way of having a unified message that all your stakeholders are ready to share Why our expertise can actually get in the way of having a clear message Guest bio:Douglas […]

In episode 33 of Mission: Impact, Carol, her cohost, Peter Cruz, and their guest, Stephen Graves discuss diversity equity and inclusion in the health care sector. This episode is a release of a podcast Carol planned to start with her son-in-law and has many transferrable ideas and […]

In episode 32 of Mission: Impact, some of the topics that Carol and her guest, Don Tebbe discussed include: How organizations can best manage transition Why it is important for the outgoing director to take care of themselves How boards might need to change to accommodate a transition […]

In episode 31 of Mission: Impact, some of the topics that Carol and her guest, Sharon Anderson discussed include: What lobbying consists of and how organizations can get involved The constraints placed on lobbying and other ways to help The legislative process and why nonprofits have a […]

In episode 30 of Mission: Impact, some of the topics that Carol and her guest, Hilary Marsh discussed include: What content creation and curation means and how they differ What content strategy entails and how to develop one Why trust across staff departments is so important to a […]

In the special 1-year anniversary episode of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton discussed the following: The benefits of doing strategic planning online and some downsides of in-person strategic planning How to plan in a VUCA world – volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity How […]

In episode 28 of Mission: Impact, some of the topics that Carol and her guest, Peggy Hoffman discussed include: How local nonprofit chapters contribute to the larger organizations What implications the rise of online professional development has for local chapters. Why volunteers and […]

In episode 27 of Mission: Impact, some of the topics that Carol and her guest, Carlyn Madden discussed include: Why small nonprofits can consider working with an executive search firm How to make your search for a new organizational leader as equitable as possible What aspiring future […]

In episode 26 of Mission: Impact, some of the topics that Carol and her guest, Sabrina Walker Hernandez discussed include: How to get comfortable with fundraising The breakdown of the fundraising process Why both introverts and extroverts make good fundraisers Guest Information:Sabrina […]

In episode 25 of Mission: Impact, some of the topics that Carol and her guest, Kristin Bradley-Bull discussed include: How strategic planning helps organizations and the people in them connect back to their “why” How organizations need to listen to the people in the communities they […]

In episode 24 of Mission: Impact, some of the topics that Carol and her guest, Bobbi Russell discussed include: Transitioning back to in person How nonprofits can make accommodations while working from home How investing in systems and organization can help in the long term Guest […]

In episode 23 of Mission: Impact, some of the topics that Carol and her guest, Elizabeth Engel discussed include: The significance of digital transformation for organizations What’s different about digital transformation for associations Avoiding shiny object syndrome in your tech […]

In episode 22 of Mission: Impact, some of the topics that Carol and her guest, Michelle Nusum-Smith discussed include: Pros and cons of starting a nonprofit vs. finding a fiscal sponsor vs. starting a for-profit business Things to consider to be more successful as you apply for grants as […]

In episode 21 of Mission: Impact, some of the topics that Carol and her guest, Andy Robinson discussed include: The importance of leaders being called out The importance of cultivating and grooming your next generation of leaders What founders need to be aware of The importance of having […]

In episode 20 of Mission: Impact, some of the topics that Carol and her guest, Elizabeth Scott discussed include: How organizations have adapted to the pandemic The research Liz completed with the Center for Nonprofit Advancement What changes from the pandemic might organizations retain […]

In episode 19 of Mission: Impact, some of the topics that Carol and her guest, Nancy Bacon discussed include: Learning in nonprofit organizations The best methods nonprofits or associations can use to train their staff How habits and accountability helps people follow through on the […]

In episode 18 of Mission: Impact, some of the topics that Carol and her guests, Shelley Sanner and Alanna McKee discussed include: Trends facing associations, including the need for greater personalization How associations have adjusted to the virtual environment What the future of work […]

In episode 17 of Mission: Impact, some of the topics that Carol and her guest, Wendy Wolff discussed include: How leading a non-profit differs from leading a for-profit business Awareness vs. action Why people are scared of evaluation Assumptions made when working with communities […]

In episode 16 of Mission: Impact, some of the topics that Carol and her guest, Rosalind Spigel discussed include: Organizational values and the best method to decide on them  How to welcome diversity on the board and mitigate microaggressions How to implement values in the day-to-day […]

In episode 15 of Mission: Impact, some of the topics that Carol and her guest, Mary Hiland discussed include: The pivotal executive director – board chair relationship. Why trust is so key and how to build it. How hard giving negative feedback can be, especially to new people in the […]

There is a brief discussion of police brutality in this episode around 16 minutes in. In episode 14 of Mission: Impact, some of the topics that Carol and her guest, Keisha Sitney, discussed include: Why leaders need to be role models for their staff and lead by example Why organizations […]

In episode 13 of Mission Impact, some of the topics that Carol and her guest, Peter Lane, discussed include: How to bring health and wellness training to organizational consulting Why you should hire a health and wellness coach Understanding how others feelings impact your own and vice […]

In episode 11 of Mission: Impact, some of the topics that Carol and her guest, Elizabeth Woolfe, discussed include: The importance of an interim director for organizations The process of transitioning and the strain that puts on an organization The importance of having a plan in place […]

In episode 11 of Mission: Impact, some of the topics that Carol and her guest, Nyacko Perry, discussed include: Addressing accountability of past actions as a method of moving forward Creating a healthy environment with room for employees to care for their mental health The process of […]

Welcome to the Mission Impact Podcast. This week we’re talking to Heather Yandow.     We talked about:  What gets in the way of nonprofits hiring consultants successfully. Why an RFP process is often not the best approach to having a great experience with a consultant. The trends […]

Welcome to the Mission Impact Podcast. This week we’re talking to Carol Vernon   We talked about:  The four typical communication styles. What shows up in communications now that so many teams are working remotely. How people can keep networking even while face to face events are […]

Welcome to the Mission Impact Podcast. This week we’re talking to Becca Bartholomew.     We talked about:  Ensuring all voices are included in planning processes Why it is important for leaders to not only have intelligence but also have emotional intelligence and somatic […]

Welcome to the Mission Impact Podcast. This week we’re talking to Cinthia Manuel.    We talked about:   the challenges nonprofits face in trying to make their services more accessible.  What to think about before getting started with community engagement.   […]

Welcome to the Mission: Impact Podcast. This week we’re talking to Arielle Goodman, Jenny Hegland and Jessica Srikantia.    We talked about:   What this uncertain moment in history could mean for the systems that we live in and           take for […]