The Nonprofit MBA Podcast with Stephen Halasnik

The year 2025 has brought unprecedented turbulence to the nonprofit sector. Political shifts, funding cuts, and widespread economic uncertainty have placed extraordinary pressure on executive directors, boards, and fundraising teams. In a recent episode of the Nonprofit MBA Podcast, host Stephen Halasnik sat down with Marc A. Pitman, founder of the Concord Leadership Group, to unpack the leadership skills and strategies that nonprofit executives need to thrive during these challenging times.

In today’s unpredictable landscape, nonprofit organizations face both unprecedented opportunities and complex challenges. Economic shifts, global crises, and cultural changes have altered the way people give. Yet at the heart of this transformation lies a timeless truth: donors want to feel connected to a cause. That means nonprofit leaders must adapt—by weaving data, storytelling, and human connection into every aspect of fundraising. Stephen Halasnik, co-founder of Financing Solutions, sat down with Tim Sarrantonio of Neon One, a leading nonprofit software company, to explore the future of fundraising. Their conversation revealed that while technology can help organizations thrive, it is ultimately the human element—the story, the relationship, the personal connection—that drives long-term donor support.

Nonprofit leaders often focus on mission statements, fundraising goals, and strategic plans. Yet one of the most influential drivers of success is often underestimated: organizational culture. Culture shapes how employees show up, how teams collaborate, and how communities perceive the nonprofit itself. For nonprofits, where purpose is paramount and turnover can be costly, culture isn’t just a “nice-to-have” — it’s the backbone of long-term impact. In this episode of The NonProfit MBA Podcast, host Stephen Halasnik sits down with Greg Miller of Penmar Human Services to discuss why a strong organizational culture is vital for nonprofits and how leaders can build one.

Financial uncertainty has become the defining challenge for many churches and nonprofit organizations across the United States. With declining attendance, shrinking donations, and rising costs, thousands of religious institutions are questioning their long-term viability. On a recent episode of the Nonprofit MBA Podcast, host Stephen Halasnik, co-founder of Financing Solutions, sat down with Loren Richmond Jr., a pastor, chaplain, and consultant with more than 15 years of experience advising ministries and nonprofits through crisis. Their conversation sheds light on why so many faith-based organizations are struggling—and what practical steps can keep them afloat.

For nonprofits, capital campaigns represent some of the most ambitious and transformative fundraising efforts. They can reshape organizations, expand programs, and create legacies. Yet in today’s climate of economic uncertainty, political polarization, and shifting donor expectations, preparing for a capital campaign can feel daunting. This was the focus of a conversation between Stephen Halasnik, managing partner at Financing Solutions, and Amy Eisenstein, a leading nonprofit fundraising consultant and author.

In today’s nonprofit world, the difference between financial stability and constant budget anxiety often comes down to one deceptively simple practice: donor stewardship. While many organizations focus their energy on acquiring new supporters, the real growth engine lies in keeping the ones they already have. That’s the message fundraising consultant Katherine Lacefield, founder of Just Because Consulting, shared on a recent episode of the Nonprofit MBA Podcast. With a background advising nonprofits across the globe, she’s seen the same pattern again and again: groups that cultivate deep, consistent relationships with their donors—not just during campaigns, but year-round—are the ones that thrive. And surprisingly, she says, building those relationships doesn’t require full-time effort. With the right approach, even one hour a week can make a measurable difference.

When nonprofit organizations draft strategic plans, the expectation is stability. A three-to-five-year vision is meant to guide priorities, operations, and growth. But what happens when the world changes faster than the paper it’s written on? In a recent episode of the Nonprofit MBA Podcast, Stephen Halasnik of Financing Solutions sat down with Marie Palacios, Lead Consultant at Funding for Good, to discuss a subject that’s rapidly gaining urgency: how nonprofits can adapt their strategic plans in a changing reality. “In today’s environment, you have to hold strategy loosely,” said Palacios. “Because the reality you planned for may not be the one you’re living in next quarter.”

In a world where startup ventures are celebrated for their risk-taking, innovation, and scalability, the nonprofit sector often finds itself stifled by outdated funding models, rigid expectations, and chronic underinvestment. But what if we approached nonprofit funding with the same mindset we use to launch tech companies? What if we treated nonprofits not as charity cases, but as mission-driven startups with bold visions, entrepreneurial energy, and the potential to scale? In a recent episode of the Nonprofit MBA Podcast, host Stephen Halasnik of Financing Solutions sat down with Greg Harrell-Edge, nonprofit strategist and former Executive Director of the Harold Robinson Foundation, to explore this provocative question. Their conversation reveals a powerful reframing of how we view nonprofit organizations—and how transformative the sector could become if we embraced a startup-style funding philosophy.

The crises of recent years—be they economic, political, or global health-related—have taught us one thing: the world turns to nonprofits when everything else breaks down. Food banks, housing initiatives, health clinics, and educational programs didn’t close when the world did. Instead, they scaled up. They innovated. They adapted. But while the public relies on them, the financial foundation of many nonprofits remains fragile. And that’s where the conversation between nonprofit lending expert Stephen Halasnik and BlueHub Capital CEO Elyse Cherry begins: not with despair, but with a call for reinvention.

Stephen Halasnik, Managing Partner of Financing Solutions (https://financingsolutionsnow.com/), a leading provider of lines of credit to nonprofits, sat down with Jon Nevett, President and CEO of Public Interest Registry (PIR), to discuss how nonprofit culture is critical to your success on the Nonprofit MBA Podcast.

Stephen Halasnik sits down with Greg Warner, founder of MarketSmart, to dissect the essential role of fundraising performance metrics in nonprofit growth. Their conversation sheds light on the significance of donor behavior data, measuring engagement, and building meaningful relationships with supporters.

In a world where monthly subscriptions have become second nature—from streaming music to meal kits—there’s a quiet revolution unfolding in the nonprofit world. It’s called sustainable giving, and it’s not just a trend—it’s a necessary evolution. On a recent episode of the Nonprofit MBA Podcast, Stephen Halasnik sat down with Dave Raley, founder of Imago Consulting and author of The Rise of Sustainable Giving, to explore how this movement is reshaping the future of charitable donations.

In this episode of the Nonprofit MBA Podcast, host Stephen Halasnik spoke with Bryan Partee, an experienced nonprofit executive and founder of Nonprofit Marketplace. Drawing from more than two decades of frontline leadership and consulting experience, Bryan Partee shared in-depth insights on how nonprofits can strategically build and refine a high-performing grant system.

There’s no doubt, many nonprofits are under intense stress and pressure following current Trump policies. Federal support is shifting. The donation boom of the COVID era is far behind us. And economic headwinds are picking up speed. Now, the big question is, how are nonprofits responding to the economic uncertainty? In today’s podcast, Stephen Halasnik from Financing Solutions (https://financingsolutionsnow.com/) discusses how nonprofits are responding under the Trump administration.

Just like in every aspect of life, the role of mentorship in nonprofit leadership and its impact can not be overstated. When nonprofit leaders truly understand what mentorship is, where to find the right mentors, and the unique power of peer-to-peer (lateral) mentorship, they lay a strong foundation for long-term success. In today’s podcast, Deborah Heiser from The Mentor Project and Stephen Halasnik from Financing Solutions (https://financingsolutionsnow.com/) discuss the benefits of mentorship in nonprofit leadership.

Financial management might not be the most glamorous part of running a nonprofit, hence, many nonprofit leaders tend to overlook it. But it’s one of the most critical. A lot of nonprofits struggle with sustainability, not because they lack purpose or passion, but because they do not pay attention to their financial health. Prioritizing nonprofit financial health means treating financial management as mission work. When you understand your numbers, you lead with purpose, plan with foresight, and serve your community with strength. In today’s podcast, Brooke Lively from Cathedral Capital and Stephen Halasnik from Financing Solution (https://financingsolutionsnow.com/) discuss the numbers all nonprofits always need to pay attention to.

Breaking out of the restricted funding cycle isn’t about chasing bigger checks or fancy strategies. It’s about building an organization that funders believe in and communities rally around. When you start planning with partnership in mind, tell stories backed by solid data, treat your donor data like the treasure it is, and invite funders into honest, ongoing relationships, you set your nonprofit apart. Struggling with restricted nonprofit funding? In today’s podcast, Yanyn San Luis from The Win Woman and Stephen Halasnik from Financing Solutions (https://financingsolutionsnow.com/) discuss breaking the restricted funding cycle: 3 game-changing approaches every nonprofit needs to know.

Marketing strategies for nonprofits don’t have to be complicated or expensive. The key thing is to focus on clarity, consistency, and connection. Make sure your message is strong, use the right tools to amplify your voice, build relationships with media and supporters, and measure what matters. Most importantly, don’t get caught up in trying to do everything at once. Choose one or two marketing strategies that align with your nonprofit’s goals, and start there. In today’s podcast, Leslie Smith from McCormick L.A. Public Relations and Stephen Halasnik from Financing Solutions (https://financingsolutionsnow.com/) discuss no-nonsense marketing strategies and public relations for nonprofits.

Passion draws people to nonprofit work, but strategy keeps them going. The best leaders combine heart with smart decision-making, ensuring their organizations not only survive but thrive. So, if you’re leading a nonprofit (or thinking about starting one), remember that your passion is a powerful tool but only when paired with the right skills and mindset. With the right balance, you can turn good intentions into real, lasting change. In today’s podcast, David Rhode from Dot Dot Org and Stephen Halasnik from Financing Solutions (https://financingsolutionsnow.com/) discuss why passion isn’t enough in nonprofit leadership.

Burnout in the nonprofit world is real. It can lead to disillusionment, frustration, and even losing sight of why you started this work in the first place. But it doesn’t have to be inevitable. Organizations can create environments where staff and volunteers stay motivated and engaged by building a culture of support, prioritizing well-being, and acknowledging the challenges of nonprofit work. In today’s podcast, Jo Stone from The Balance Institute and Stephen Halasnik from Financing Solutions https://financingsolutionsnow.com/) discuss burnout in nonprofits: why it happens and how to prevent it.