Professor David Rhode, author of Passion Isn’t Enough: a practical guide for nonprofit leaders, uses the foundation for nonprofit success outlined in his book to advise job seekers. David has coached hundreds of nonprofit CEOs to grow their organizational capacity and scale. He knows that finding the right people and putting them in the right positions is essential. HIs insights will deepen your understanding of the sector overall and help job seekers artfully navigate the interview process.

Listen in as we discuss:

• Key distinctions between larger and smaller nonprofits. Job seekers should be aware of the advantages and pitfalls to both.

• No matter the organization’s size, job seekers want to show hiring managers that they are passionate, able to problem solve, reliable and can provide strong references.

• Nonprofit hiring managers may not be seasoned in hiring. Job seekers can use the interview process to clarify the role including having a clear sense of what success looks like and how their performance will be evaluated.

• Future fundraisers: David reminds us that many of us are already fundraising be it a bake sale or running a 5k for a cause. Leverage non-professional fundraising experience to showcase and hone your skills.

• Looking ahead, the nonprofit sector will need those with skills in social media and AI.

• Most nonprofit careers are not easily mapped from the outset, get started on the journey and build from there.

About the Guest:

David Rhode founded Dot Dot Org where he mentors nonprofit CEOs and helps nonprofit organizations grow their capacity and impact. David is a nonprofit founder; he scaled and ran the global organization for almost 15 years. David's career began in the for profit sector at blue chip companies like Procter and Gamble, H.J. Heinz and others. David is the author of "Passion Isn't Enough: A Practical Guide for Nonprofit Leaders".

He is a Wharton MBA and currently teaches non profit branding and nonprofit consulting at the University of Pennsylvania.

Show Notes:

Stanford Social Innovation Review

Podcast: How to Hire the Right Person Every Time by Brooke Richie Babbage

Nonprofit Hive

Dot Dot Org

Ellen Gifford wants you to find your authentic voice by defining your purpose and understanding your non-negotiables. With these you can define the WHY that will guide your career. She drops fundraising truth bombs and tells us what to do to get out of the rut of being a subject matter expert.

Ellen reserves the right to get smarter and thinks you should too. Having a growth mindset and saying yes to the stuff that scares us makes a difference. She reminds listeners that while people do want to help others grow and develop, it may not be front of mind when they're caught in their own hamster wheel. In every organization, there should be people who are there to champion your professional growth and development - many are specially trained members of the human resources team. And what if your company doesn't have it? You get to be that leader yourself.

Are you thinking of starting your own not-for-profit? On the eve of the 5th anniversary of a nonprofit she founded, Ellen shares that resilience and belief in the mission are linchpins. Take notes from her lessons learned:

a. Know how you will make money; make a business plan

b. Get the IRS designation/legal status ASAP

c. Build relationships. Get to know the people in your community and nationwide.

And when it comes to fundraising-

-With funders, “No means. No, not right now.”

-The staff of funding organizations may not be the decision makers but they are your champions in the room and they want to see nonprofits succeed.

-Stay true to your organization, don’t create or bend programs to fit to a funding application

About the Guest:

Innovative Human Resources executive, coach, business consultant and nonprofit founder with nearly 30 years of leadership experience in the healthcare, insurance, entertainment and hospitality industries.

Ellen has successfully helped both small not-for-profit organizations and multi-billion dollar corporations grow their businesses by advising them on how to execute on business strategies that enable them to outpace their competitors even in times of complex talent landscapes.

Ellen is known for her ability to build highly productive human resources organizations and she does this by empowering others to use their gifts and talents to deliver on high priority business strategies.

When she is not working she loves to travel and discover new sites, eat new food and meet new people. When she visits new places she often goes to the locations that are less traveled so she can gain a more authentic perspective. As a passion project, she runs a professional theatre company that employs artists from all over the world. They perform live theatre in site-specific spaces with a mission to “reimagine live theatre with innovative experiences that bring our community together”.

Ellen earned her MBA degree from Oklahoma Christian University and is a certified Lean Leader, SHRM-certified HR professional, and a Results Based Leadership Institute graduate. Her leadership has earned her the Ultimate Software Innovation Award and recognition from publications such as Becker’s Hospital Review.

Ok, ok it’s not as catchy as No-Shave November or Dryanuary but it’s important…DON’T sit December out, you can make real progress in your job search.

In this episode, for those new to the sector, we take a few minutes to talk through what is happening at the height of giving season and what leaders and hiring managers are thinking about this December including the 🪦“nonprofit killer” bill.

There is no hiring season, nonprofits are hiring now. Each role represents a problem the organization is looking to solve. By the time a position is posted on the organization’s website, it’s almost certain the team has been working beyond capacity. APPLY NOW! You will not be overlooked if you apply in December.

MUST DO: Revamp your elevator pitch for the season. As you reconnect with your oldest pals and loved ones, let your answer to the inevitable question, “so, what are you up to these days?” be filled with your values, your future and the impact you want to make. People who are interested in knowing what you’re up to usually want to help you.

EXTRA CREDIT: Take time in December to be your own coach. Take a break from your plan and look onto your job search with an outsider’s eye to find and fill gaps. These four questions can get you started:

1. Have I identified my values and the impact I want to make on the world? Has that gotten lost in the search process?

2. Have I identified the organizations or job titles that are of interest to me? Where am I sourcing job opportunities? Check out: Idealist.org, Nick Martin, Interested Newsletter, Young Nonprofit Professionals Group 🐘 Don’t forget the power of networking to access the hidden job market.

3. In the past 12 months, which elements of the job search process have I excelled in and which need improvement? Also, who can I enlist to help me with these elements? 📣 Try YouTube for interview questions and answers and tap into your alma mater’s alumni career services.

4. Do I think I can get the job I want? Check your Imposter Syndrome. Practice REAL self-care to stay resilient.

EXTRA EXTRA CREDIT: Dig deeper and listen to the full episodes referenced.

Keep your job search moving in December, 2025-you will thank you.

Episodes Referenced:

Use your North Star to be Value-Add & the First Professional Doctorate in Philanthropic Leadership

Guide to Getting Back to Work

Selectively apply, Ace your interview

Imposter Syndrome Can Wreck your Nonprofit Job Search, Before it Even Starts

Weak Ties, Big Results: How to Network Beyond your Inner Circle (Part 3 of 3)