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Lead with Heart | Philanthropy, Nonprofit Leadership, Nonprofit Management & Fundraising
Welcome to the Lead with Heart Podcast, where the heartbeat of philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, and fundraising resonates in every episode. I'm Haley, your host—a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE), Certified Stress Management Coach, Certified EmC trainer, and, most importantly, a recovering nonprofit burnout survivor.
In this empowering space, we invite nonprofit professionals to amplify their voices and unveil the heart behind their missions.
Our mission is clear: to empower, elevate, and engage nonprofit leaders, fostering the growth of healthy, thriving organizations.
Join me and a lineup of inspiring guests as we delve into real stories of Philanthropy, Leadership, Courage, and Empathy. Together, we explore the strategies and practices employed by these remarkable leaders to heal from burnout, propel their missions forward, raise crucial funds, and ultimately, make a lasting impact in the nonprofit world.
Discover the unwavering commitment to making a difference, the resilience required to navigate the challenges of philanthropy, and the innovative approaches to leadership that drive positive change.
Whether you're a seasoned nonprofit professional or just starting your journey, the Lead with Heart Podcast is your go-to resource for insights, inspiration, and actionable strategies to enhance your leadership, elevate your organization, and amplify your impact on the world of philanthropy. Tune in and let the heartbeat of leadership guide your nonprofit journey.
Lead with Heart | Philanthropy, Nonprofit Leadership, Nonprofit Management & Fundraising
E43: Strategies For Reducing Burnout and Turnover in Nonprofits with Patton McDowell, founder of PMA Nonprofit Leadership
Today, on the Lead with Heart podcast, I’m selfishly so excited to have Patton McDowell on the show and to share our conversation with you. We are discussing his path to becoming a leader in the nonprofit sector and the lessons he has learned over his career.
Focusing on why nonprofit leaders often face high turnover, we talk about things like unrealistic expectations, generational shifts, and lack of professional development opportunities.
We chatted about practical tools and resources nonprofit pros can apply to strengthen their skills and experience – such as building a personal board of directors and participating in mastermind groups.
You will walk away after listening to this episode with actionable advice on topics like goal-setting, networking, productivity, and the importance of investing in staff to fulfill organizational missions and retain donors long-term.
In this episode:
- [01:31] Patton's path to nonprofit leadership started with an internship at Special Olympics International
- [04:00] Common reasons for high turnover in the nonprofit sector
- [06:08] Impact of generational shifts and how organizations can support different age groups
- [09:34] How staff retention impacts donor retention
- [11:40] Developing leadership goals and Patton's Vision Framework exercise
- [14:07] Benefits of strategic networking, building a personal board, and participating in mastermind groups
- [16:56] Essential leadership skills and the importance of self-assessment
- [20:28] Tips for improving productivity while avoiding burnout
- [34:34] The importance of identifying and focusing on one's "highest value role" and delegating other tasks to maximize impact
RESOURCES
CONNECT WITH PATTON
As the founder of PMA Nonprofit Leadership, Patton has worked with over 275 nonprofit organizations, providing con
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My book, Sow, Grow, Lead is live on Amazon! It shares my journey of starting a nonprofit in Malawi and offers practical strategies for nonprofit leaders to create real impact.
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CONNECT WITH HALEY
Haley is a CFRE, Stress Management Coach, and EmC trainer. Founder of The Savvy Fundraiser, she brings experience in human services, homelessness, and youth nonprofits. She specializes in EmC, leadership, board development, and fundraising, empowering nonprofit leaders to build thriving organizations.
Instagram: @thesavvyfundraiser
LinkedIn: Haley Cooper, CFRE
Website: thesavvyfundraiser.com
YouTube: thesavvyfundraiser
Produced by Ideablossoms