Nonprofits Are Messy: Lessons in Leadership | Fundraising | Board Development | Communications

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Joan Garry
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Non-Profit Business Management Education
Audience & Performance Metrics
5.2K - 8.7K listeners Female 4.6 rating 347 reviews 229 episodes USA
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30s Ad: $160 - $201 60s Ad: $194 - $236 CPM Category: Education
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Hosted by Joan Garry, the “Dear Abby” of the nonprofit world, Nonprofits Are Messy is a discussion of the most pressing issues faced by nonprofit leadership. Joan and her guests tackle topics like the overhead myth, the best way to run special events, how to make a big fundraising ask, board-staff relations, and so much more. At times hilarious, uplifting, and frustrating, the stories told in this podcast should feel very familiar to anybody working in a nonprofit today.

Topics include fundraising, leadership development, building a great board, Executive Director / Board relations, communications and messaging, staff management, nonprofit career advice, crisis management, digital marketing, social media, and so much more.

Listen to real stories of nonprofit leaders like you and how they handled the mess. Because the truth is, nonprofits ARE messy. There’s not enough money, too many cooks, and an abundance of passion. Leading nonprofits isn’t easy. This podcast will help.

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Recent Hosts, Guests & Topics

Here's a quick summary of the last 5 episodes on Nonprofits Are Messy: Lessons in Leadership | Fundraising | Board Development | Communications.

Hosts

Joan Garry Glennda Testone

Previous Guests

Amol Sinha
Amol Sinha is a prominent advocate for nonprofit organizations, known for his work in addressing systemic issues affecting the nonprofit sector. He has a background in law and public policy, and has dedicated his career to protecting the missions of nonprofits through strategic advocacy and community engagement.
Glennda Testone
Glennda Testone is a prominent leader in the nonprofit sector, known for her work in advocacy and community engagement. She has extensive experience in nonprofit management and has dedicated her career to supporting marginalized communities. Glennda is recognized for her innovative approaches to leadership and her commitment to social justice.
Mariam Habib
Mariam Habib is a trauma specialist with a focus on mental health and wellness in high-stress environments. She provides guidance on resilience and self-care strategies for leaders in various fields, particularly in the nonprofit sector. Mariam's expertise lies in helping individuals navigate the challenges of leadership while maintaining their well-being.
Tracy Brower

No additional bio available.

Nancy Smith
Nancy Smith is a prominent advocate for disability rights and inclusion. She is the founder of Activating Change, an organization dedicated to promoting accessibility and equity for people with disabilities. With over a decade of experience in nonprofit leadership, Nancy has worked tirelessly to raise awareness about systemic bias and to implement practical solutions that foster inclusive environments. Her work focuses on empowering nonprofits to create spaces that are accessible to all, ensuring that the voices of individuals with disabilities are heard and valued in all conversations.
Tomik Dash
Tomik Dash is a passionate nonprofit leader known for his innovative approaches to community engagement and organizational development. With years of experience in the nonprofit sector, he has successfully led initiatives that empower underserved communities and promote social change.
Laura Carmichael
Laura Carmichael is a dedicated nonprofit professional with a focus on capacity building and strategic planning. She has worked with various small nonprofits to enhance their operational effectiveness and sustainability, ensuring they can continue to serve their communities.
Adrienne McCue
Adrienne McCue is a nonprofit executive with a strong commitment to advocacy and social justice. She has a track record of leading small organizations through challenges and fostering environments that prioritize mental health and well-being among staff.

Topics Discussed

nonprofit sector chaos of 2025 unique harms protect missions action nonprofit leadership sustainability self-care boundaries resilience loneliness remote work connection workplace culture belonging disability ableism accessibility inclusion nonprofits burnout small nonprofits leadership challenges vision impact
Episodes

Here's the recent few episodes on Nonprofits Are Messy: Lessons in Leadership | Fundraising | Board Development | Communications.

0:00 50:18

Ep. 227: Nonprofits in the Chaos of 2025: Whats At Stake And How to Respond

Hosts
Joan Garry Glennda Testone
Guests
Amol Sinha
Keywords
nonprofit sector chaos of 2025 unique harms protect missions action
The nonprofit sector is under attack. But, theres hope. In this episode, Glennda Testone and I talk with Amol Sinha about the unique harms facing nonprofits and how we can all take action to protect our missions.
0:00 49:09

Ep 225: The Secret to Sustainability: Taking Care of Yourself as You Lead

Hosts
Joan Garry
Guests
Glennda Testone Mariam Habib
Keywords
nonprofit leadership sustainability self-care boundaries resilience
Nonprofit leadership can be deeply meaningful—and deeply exhausting. In this powerful conversation, Glennda Testone and trauma specialist Mariam Habib explore what it takes to sustain yourself while serving others. From setting boundaries to building resilience, this episode is a roadmap for leading with purpose and preserving your well-being.
0:00 47:37

Ep 224: Fighting Loneliness In Remote Work with Dr. Tracy Brower

Hosts
Joan Garry
Guests
Tracy Brower
Keywords
loneliness remote work connection workplace culture belonging
Work can be a source of joy and fulfillment—but only if we feel connected. In this episode, Dr. Tracy Brower unpacks why we’re feeling more isolated than ever—and what leaders can do to build workplaces where people actually feel like they belong.
0:00 44:57

Ep 223: Activating Change: Fighting Ableism and Building Accessible Nonprofits

Hosts
Joan Garry
Guests
Nancy Smith
Keywords
disability ableism accessibility inclusion nonprofits
Disability is not a niche issue—it’s a reality for 60 million Americans. Yet, systemic bias and stereotypes continue to exclude people with disabilities from conversations about inclusion. In this episode, Nancy Smith of Activating Change shares practical steps nonprofits can take to build truly accessible and equitable spaces.
0:00 1:00:46

Ep 222: The Joys and Challenges of Leading A Small Nonprofit (with members of the Nonprofit Leadership Lab)

Hosts
Joan Garry
Guests
Tomik Dash Laura Carmichael Adrienne McCue
Keywords
nonprofit leadership burnout small nonprofits leadership challenges vision impact
Three fearless nonprofit leaders share what drives them, how they navigate burnout, and the vision that keeps them going. Tomik Dash, Laura Carmichael, and Adrienne McCue are breaking barriers and sharing their stories that prove that small but mighty nonprofits are changing lives every day.
Ratings
Global:
4.6 rating 347 reviews
USA
4.6 ratings 306 reviews
Canada
4.4 ratings 25 reviews
UK
5.0 ratings 7 reviews
Australia
4.0 ratings 7 reviews
New Zealand
4.0 ratings 1 reviews
Singapore
5.0 ratings 1 reviews
Ireland
0.0 ratings 0 reviews
South Africa
0.0 ratings 0 reviews