The Nonprofit Edge

Interim Leadership: A Strategic Bridge for Nonprofits in Transition
Leadership transitions are some of the most vulnerable moments for nonprofit organizations. When an executive leader departs, organizations are often tempted to rush into a replacement hire.
But what if the better answer is to pause?
In this episode of The Nonprofit Edge Podcast, I sit down with Jeffrey Wilcox, CEO of Third Sector Company and founder of the Interim Executives Academy, to explore the powerful role of interim executive leadership.
Jeffrey has helped more than 900 nonprofit organizations across 40 states navigate leadership transitions. His work focuses on helping organizations stabilize during moments of uncertainty while also preparing them for stronger leadership in the future.
One of the most compelling insights from our conversation is that interim leaders are not substitutes or placeholders. Instead, they serve as bridge builders who help organizations move thoughtfully from their past into their future.
In our conversation, Jeffrey explains:
• Why interim leadership is often misunderstood in the nonprofit sector• The difference between crisis interims and strategic capacity building interims• The leadership traits that make interim executives successful• How interim leaders stabilize organizations during difficult transitions• Why development and fundraising departments often benefit from interim leadership• How nonprofits can build a culture of succession planning
Jeffrey also offers a powerful reflection on leadership itself. Some leaders thrive in long-term roles, while others are uniquely suited for short-term “emergency room” leadership environments where organizations need rapid stabilization and clarity.
For nonprofit leaders and board members navigating leadership transitions, this conversation offers important perspective on how interim leadership can strengthen organizations during pivotal moments.

How can nonprofits create deeper, more meaningful relationships with donors in a world filled with communication noise and shrinking attention spans?
In this episode of The Nonprofit Edge Podcast, host Chris Looney sits down with Jeff Kliewer, founder of ViewSpark, to explore how fundraisers can move beyond transactional giving and create transformational donor relationships.
Jeff shares insights from his 30 years in fundraising and discusses how simple, authentic communication can dramatically improve donor engagement, retention, and giving. The conversation highlights why donors crave validation and authenticity, why short real-time updates can be more powerful than polished campaigns, and how nonprofits can leverage technology without losing the human connection.
One of Jeff’s most memorable insights is that donors are looking for “snacks,” short, authentic updates that show the impact of their giving and bring them closer to the mission.
In this conversation, you will learn:
• The difference between transactional and transformational donor relationships• Why authenticity and validation are essential for donor engagement• How short, real-time video updates can strengthen donor connections• Why fundraisers often overthink communication with donors• How technology can help scale personal engagement without becoming impersonal• The importance of showing donors the real impact of their gifts• Practical ways to engage mid-level donors more effectively• How AI and emerging technology may shape the future of donor engagement
Jeff also shares powerful stories about how simple videos, imperfect and unscripted, have helped organizations raise thousands of dollars and deepen donor relationships.
If you are a nonprofit leader, fundraiser, or development professional looking to strengthen donor engagement and build lasting relationships, this conversation is packed with practical insight.
Learn more about Fulcrum Nonprofit Leadership:https://fulcrumleader.com
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In this episode of The Nonprofit Edge, host Chris Looney welcomes Nathan Chappell for a wide ranging and deeply practical conversation about artificial intelligence, leadership, and the future of philanthropy.
Nathan, Chief AI Officer at Virtuous and co author of The Generosity Crisis and Nonprofit AI, has been exploring AI in the nonprofit sector since long before it was mainstream. In this conversation, he explains why leaders can no longer afford to sit on the sidelines.
Key highlights from this episode:
• Why the “generosity crisis” and the reality of fewer donors giving more demand a new approach• The difference between predictive AI and generative AI, and why both matter for nonprofit strategy• How AI is already transforming fundraising through smarter donor identification, engagement based modeling, and personalized stewardship• Why wealth alone is a weak predictor of giving, and what AI reveals about alignment and engagement• Practical ways leaders can use AI as a thought partner to improve strategy, brainstorming, performance reviews, job descriptions, and more• The surprising emotional and productivity benefits leaders experience when using AI as a collaborative tool• Why curiosity is the defining leadership trait in an AI powered future, and how to build a culture that encourages experimentation• Real world examples of nonprofits using AI creatively and ethically to amplify mission impact• The importance of AI governance, acceptable use guidelines, and keeping humans in the loop• Common barriers to adoption, including fear, fatigue, and resistance to change, and how forward thinking organizations are overcoming them
Nathan challenges leaders to stop viewing AI as a novelty or threat and instead see it as a strategic lever for mission advancement. He makes the case that the organizations thriving today are not necessarily spending more money on technology. They are changing the way they think.
Whether you are exploring AI for the first time or looking to scale your organization’s capabilities, this episode offers clarity, encouragement, and a roadmap for leading with insight in an age of exponential change.
Listen in and discover how to position your organization on the right side of the digital divide and at the forefront of nonprofit leadership.

Welcome to The Nonprofit Edge: A Podcast to Promote Purpose in Practice. Each week The Nonprofit Edge features an extraordinary individual that provides valuable and impactful services, helping to transform the capabilities of their nonprofit clients. Join us as we explore a variety of topics, all vital to the success of nonprofit organizations. Learn and grow from the experience and expertise of our featured guests. This week The Nonprofit Edge features Sarah Agee, President of Sterling Search, Inc. The discussion provides an overview of the top 10 best practices for Nonprofit Executive Search. Whether you choose to work with an executive search firm or plan to hire talent on your own, you won't want to miss this conversation. Fulcrum Nonprofit Leadership, the producer of this webinar series, exists to raise up the most effective nonprofit leaders and we invite you to learn more by visiting us on the web at www.fulcrumleader.com.