Nonprofit Mission: Impact is the podcast for nonprofit leaders who want to build a better world without becoming a martyr to the cause.
Interviews of nonprofit experts explore how to make your organization more effective and innovative for greater mission impact.
Hosted by Carol Hamilton, principal, Grace Social Sector Consulting, nonprofit strategic planning and evaluation design consultant.
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When the Stakes Are High: Centering People in Tough Nonprofit Leadership Moments with Melissa Kessler
In episode 131 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Melissa Kessler explore the intersection of communications and organization development, particularly in moments of crisis, transition and change. They talk about
how internal communications can either reinforce or undermine values, strategy, and humanity within an organization.
how to navigate layoffs, restructuring, or organizational shifts with humanity
why how we communicate is just as important as what we decide.
Nonprofits Under Attack: Defending Democracy, Community, and Innovation with Carol Hamilton
In episode 130 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol reflects on five years of podcasting and the sobering state of the nonprofit sector in 2025. While celebrating milestones, she also underscores the challenges nonprofits face amidst unprecedented political attacks, funding cuts, and threats to long-standing principles like nonpartisanship. Despite these challenges, Carol highlights the resilience, innovation, and critical role nonprofits play in society—from filling essential gaps to fueling social movements, strengthening democracy, and sparking innovation. She calls on nonprofit leaders to share their stories, advocate for the sector, and remind their communities why nonprofits matter now more than ever.
Navigating Nonprofit Careers with Matt Hugg
In episode 126 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Matt Hugg discuss the unique landscape of nonprofit careers.
Together, they explore:
what makes nonprofit work meaningful and distinctive, including the opportunities and challenges for those transitioning into or advancing within the sector.
how nonprofit professionals can align their skills and passions,
how to navigate career shifts, and maintain their connection to mission-driven work.
This conversation offers nonprofit leaders practical wisdom on supporting their teams and nurturing their own professional journeys.
Embodied leadership for nonprofits with LeeAnn Mallorie
In episode 124 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and LeeAnn Mallorie discuss navigating leadership from a place of embodiment, resilience, and grace. They explore:
how tuning into the body can help leaders make better choices, weather organizational turbulence, and come through crisis with renewed purpose.
How our effectiveness and influence are deeply tied to how we relate to ourselves—and that honoring our inner wisdom is not a luxury, but a necessity in today’s climate of uncertainty and change.
Building community through nonprofits with James Young
In episode 122 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and James Young discuss the role of community, social innovation, and problem-solving in nonprofit leadership. They explore
how organizations can foster meaningful collaboration,
move beyond traditional silos, and embrace an interdisciplinary approach to tackling complex challenges.
the importance of balancing expertise with curiosity,
strengthening both bonding and bridging social capital, and designing intentional community experiences that drive impact.
Together, they reflect on how associations and nonprofits can evolve to meet the shifting needs of their members and society at large.
Innovation for nonprofits with Leah Kral
In episode 120 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Leah Kral discuss how to foster innovation within nonprofits.
Grounded presence for nonprofit leaders in chaotic times with Danielle Marshall
In episode 117 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol and Danielle Marshall collaborate on another “learning out loud” episode. They discuss the challenges nonprofit leaders face in these chaotic, uncertain and threatening times.
From Peer to Leader: Navigating Nonprofit Leadership Transitions with Asila Calhoun
In episode 111 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol and Asila Calhoun discuss the challenges nonprofits face in staff transitioning to leadership roles, the importance of managing difficult conversations as a vital leadership skill, and effective leadership strategies for remote environments.
Nonprofit leadership teams that work with Kim Romain
In episode 107 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol and Kim Romain discuss the intricacies of leadership in nonprofit organizations, focusing on the unique challenges and opportunities faced by executive teams.
10 Things I have learned about Nonprofits in 100 episodes
In episode 100 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol 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.
Declining interest in Nonprofit Leadership with Danielle Marshall
In episode 98 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol hosts Danielle Marshall for another learning out loud episode. Today’s topic is leadership in the nonprofit sector, especially the declining interest in nonprofit leadership.
The business imperative of facing climate change for associations with Elizabeth Engel and Shelly Alcorn
In episode 97 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol, Elizabeth Engel and Shelly Alcorn discuss why addressing climate change has shifted from a moral imperative to a business imperative for associations and nonprofits.
Building shared nonprofit leadership with Emily Taylor
In episode 95 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol and Emily Taylor explore the challenges nonprofit CEOs encounter as they navigate the pitfalls of success. They highlight how growth can lead to nonprofit leaders becoming detached from their communities, and discuss the risks of an organization becoming overly identified with its CEO.
Navigating power and conflict within nonprofits with Rebecca Epstein
In episode 94 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol and Rebecca Epstein discuss the article that Rebecca wrote - Paving a Better Way: What’s Driving Progressive Organizations Apart and How to Win by Coming Together.
Three stages of nonprofit leadership with Patton McDowell
In episode 92 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol 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.
Don't skip Gen X for nonprofit leadership with Miguel Guadalupe
In episode 89 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol and Miguel Guadalupe discuss issues of generational engagement in nonprofit leadership, highlighting the frequent oversight of Generation X and stressing the unique adaptability and valuable perspective that this generation brings to the table.
![[Re-release] Building a ladder of engagement with Lisa Hazirjian](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66ed856b5f9ebb5299550dbc/1740063055400-33ZTB7JTMVGVHINLT0M5/E88+Updated+Graphics.png)
[Re-release] Building a ladder of engagement with Lisa Hazirjian
In episode 88 or Nonprofit Mission: Impact Carol interviews Lisa Hazirjian, a historian turned advocate, as they delve into Lisa’s unexpected journey from academia to the forefront of nonprofit advocacy.
Celebrating several nonprofits in my life with Carol Hamilton
In episode 80 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol goes solo to celebrate several of the nonprofits that support and enrich her life.
Confronting generational conflicts in nonprofits with Carol Hamilton and Danielle Marshall
In episode 75 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Danielle Marshall explore the narratives we create about one another, the generational mismatches in expectations faced by nonprofits, and how a reflexive anti-leadership attitude from frontline staff overlooks the complexities and realities that nonprofit leaders encounter.
Nonprofit Change Initiatives that Stick with Veronica LaFemina
In episode 74 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol and guest Veronica LaFemina discuss why large change initiatives in nonprofits frequently fail. They emphasize that simply having a roadmap from point A to B is often inadequate.