640. Policy, Funding, and Talent: 8 Nonprofit Trends Leaders Can’t Ignore (Stacy Palmer)
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Overview
Meet Stacy 🤝, the dynamic CEO of The Chronicle of Philanthropy and a true force for good in the nonprofit sector. In this episode, we explore Stacy's journey from a curious student journalist to a leader transforming the landscape of philanthropy.
Stacy shares her insights on the future of fundraising, the impact of new generations of donors, and the game-changing potential of unrestricted giving. Her thoughts on curiosity and humor as leadership essentials will leave you inspired and ready to tackle challenges with a smile.
Whether you're a nonprofit pro or just passionate about making a difference, this episode is packed with practical strategies, heartfelt stories, and inspiration to fuel your mission-driven journey. Tune in and let's change the world together. 🎧
Learn:
How Stacy's path to CEO reshaped the nonprofit sector.
Why media drives change and moves audiences to action.
How to retain staff in high-burnout environments.
Where resilience leads amidst policy and funding shifts.
Why understanding new donor generations is crucial.
How unrestricted giving transforms nonprofit impact.
Why curiosity and humor are leadership essentials.
Today’s Guest:
“The nonprofits that were able to rebound quickly saw the handwriting on the wall and prepared ahead of time.”
Episode Transcript
Download Full Episode Transcript Here
Episode Highlights
How Stacy's Journey Shaped Philanthropy (02:00)
Why Media Drives Change (10:15)
How to Retain Talent in High-Burnout Environments (18:30)
Where Resilience Leads Amidst Policy Shifts (25:45)
Why Understanding New Donor Generations is Crucial (33:20)
How Unrestricted Giving Transforms Impact (40:50)
The Importance of Curiosity and Humor in Leadership (45:10)
Stacy’s One Good Thing (41:40)
Navigating the Future of Fundraising (50:30)
Powerful Quotes
“We do our best work when we hear from the audience about what they need." - Stacy Palmer
"We need to enjoy the fun, enjoy the play, and relax as best we can." - Stacy Palmer
"Let's remember not to take ourselves so seriously that we run ourselves into the ground." - Stacy Palmer
"We need to find some ways to educate donors about the impact of unrestricted gifts." Stacy Palmer
"The value of general operating support, multi-year support, is crucial for the planning that organizations need to do in this moment." Stacy Palmer
"It's incredibly important to pay attention to what the administration is looking for, but it doesn't mean you have to give up what you're doing." Stacy Palmer
"We have to be able to find ways to lighten it, to laugh with each other, and to step back and take some moments of joy." - Stacy Palmer
Stacy’s One Good Thing: ‘Curiosity is so important. As a journalist, your life is all about curiosity, listening to other people, asking good questions, and really listening hard to them. But the other piece is just to maintain your sense of humor. ’ (41:40)
8 Trends Nonprofit Leaders Can’t Ignore
Increased need for innovation: With government funding cuts, nonprofits must find new ways to finance their operations and innovate in fundraising.
The importance of major gifts: There is now greater potential for major gifts due to increased wealth at the top, but cultivating these relationships is a long-term process.
The anticipated transfer of wealth: A significant transfer of wealth is expected, with new generations of donors having different interests and approaches than previous generations.
The need for general operating and multi-year support: Nonprofits need more flexible, long-term funding to plan effectively and reduce executive burnout.
The challenge of restricted funding and overhead myths: Nonprofits face scrutiny over staff salaries and overhead, and there is a push for more trust-based, unrestricted giving.
Staff retention and professional development: Burnout and turnover are high, so investing in staff growth and creating supportive, family-friendly workplaces is crucial for nonprofit professionals.
Scenario planning and transparency: Nonprofit leaders are increasingly using scenario planning and open communication to navigate financial uncertainty and policy changes.
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