What really happens when a crisis hits your nonprofit? Spoiler alert: It’s not just about having a binder full of contingency plans.

In this video, I’m diving into what I’ve learned—firsthand and through coaching nonprofit leaders—about leading through the unexpected.

Whether it's a global pandemic, a funding cut, or internal upheaval, how you lead during a crisis sets the tone for your entire organization.

Here’s what I cover:

✔ What actually works when everything feels like it’s on fire

✔ How to keep communication clear, honest, and human

✔ The mindset shifts that helped leaders stay steady under pressure

✔ Real talk on what not to do when stress is high

✔ Best practices you can adopt today—before the next curveball comes your way

No jargon. No buzzwords. Just grounded, tested advice for leaders who want to show up with clarity and courage when it matters most.

Think serving on a nonprofit board is just about showing up to meetings and giving your two cents? Think again.

In this video, I’m tackling some of the most common myths I hear about nonprofit board service—and sharing what it actually takes to be an effective, engaged board member in 2025 and beyond.

Whether you're currently on a board, considering joining one, or leading a nonprofit that's trying to energize its board—this is for you.

I’m breaking down:

✔ Why board service is more than just a résumé booster

✔ The truth about time commitments and responsibilities

✔ What fundraising really means for board members (spoiler: it’s not just asking your friends for money)

✔ How to create a board culture that people actually want to be part of

Board service can be meaningful, rewarding, and fun—but only when the expectations are clear and the myths are cleared out of the way.

After working with hundreds of nonprofit leaders over the years, I’ve seen what works… and what really doesn’t.

This video is a roundup of the hard-won lessons and best practices I’ve gathered from real-world experience in the nonprofit sector—shared with honesty, a little humor, and a whole lot of heart.

Whether you're a seasoned ED, a new board member, or somewhere in between, this is your chance to skip the trial-and-error phase and learn what actually makes the biggest difference in the day-to-day work of leading a nonprofit.

In this video, I’m sharing:

✔ The top leadership habits that make or break teams

✔ What I wish more boards understood from day one

✔ Common traps that burn people out—and how to avoid them

✔ Practical strategies you can apply right now to run smarter, not harder

This isn’t theory. It’s the stuff I talk about in board retreats, strategy sessions, and hallway huddles. If you’re ready to make better decisions, strengthen your leadership, and move your mission forward—this one’s for you.

If I had a dollar for every time a nonprofit leader told me, “We don’t really do branding,” I’d probably have a solid annual fund by now.

Here’s the truth: whether you mean to or not, you are branding your organization through every newsletter, event, social media post, and staff interaction.

So the real question isn’t if you’re doing branding… It’s how intentional you’re being about it.

In this video, I’m breaking down why consistent branding matters for nonprofits and how to get there without hiring a fancy agency.

You’ll learn:

✔ What “branding” actually means (it’s more than your logo)

✔ Why consistency builds trust—with donors, funders, and your own team

✔ How to tighten up your brand across platforms without losing your mind

✔ Easy ways to get started—even if you’re starting from scratch

Branding shouldn’t feel overwhelming or out of reach. You already have the heart—let’s ensure your materials, messaging, and visuals reflect that. 🎯

In this final episode of "Kari's Confessions," Kari Anderson, a seasoned nonprofit executive and principal at Incite! Consulting, explores the power of strategic planning in driving nonprofit success. With 25 years of experience in leadership roles, Kari shares insights on why strategic planning matters, how to overcome common barriers, and tips for creating a plan that serves as a dynamic tool for organizational growth.

Kari discusses the significant role strategic planning plays in increasing fundraising success, improving board-staff relationships, and fostering accountability within nonprofits.

Key Episode Takeaways:

1. What Strategic Planning Is: Learn how strategic planning provides a guiding framework for setting short- and long-term goals, aligning board and staff efforts, and charting a clear path forward for your organization.

2. Benefits and Barriers: Understand the positive impact of strategic planning, from increased revenue to stronger donor confidence, and learn how to address barriers such as time constraints, funding concerns, and scheduling challenges.

3. Tips for Success: Kari offers practical advice on how to make the strategic planning process engaging and effective. From involving stakeholders to creating actionable steps and reviewing progress regularly, she outlines how to ensure the plan remains a living document.

Kari highlights the importance of celebrating wins, maintaining momentum, and involving stakeholders in the planning process. She stresses that while strategic planning may seem daunting, it is an essential investment in the sustainability and growth of any nonprofit.

• Follow Kari on your favorite streaming platforms, including YouTube, Apple, and Spotify.

• For additional resources on organizational storytelling and tools, follow Kari on LinkedIn.

• Visit her website at Incite Consulting Group.

In this episode of Kari's Confessions, Kari Anderson, a seasoned nonprofit executive and principal at Incite! Consulting, delves into the value of using contractors and partners to enhance nonprofit capacity. With over 25 years of experience, Kari offers insights on how to leverage contractors effectively, especially for small and mid-sized organizations facing challenges like limited staff, budgets, and time.

Key Episode Takeaways:

1. Benefits of Utilizing Contractors: Contractors can fill crucial gaps in your organization, especially for roles like marketing, HR, or fundraising. They provide expertise for specific projects without the long-term expense of hiring full-time staff and can help alleviate burnout during busy seasons.

2. Tips for Finding the Right Contractor: Learn how to identify the right fit for your organization by clearly defining the scope of work, gathering project bids, and ensuring cultural alignment. Kari emphasizes the importance of crafting detailed contracts and understanding the legal distinctions between contractors and employees.

3. Roles and Responsibilities: Kari explains the obligations of both contractors and clients, including adhering to agreements, meeting deadlines, and providing the tools and access needed to complete tasks. She highlights the importance of following employment laws to maintain a compliant and ethical relationship.

Kari encourages nonprofits to embrace contractors as a creative way to build capacity, while ensuring compliance with legal and ethical standards. Whether it’s for accounting, seasonal fundraising, or administrative support, contractors can be a game-changer for nonprofits seeking to optimize their operations.

• Follow Kari on your favorite streaming platforms, including YouTube, Apple, and Spotify.

• For additional resources on organizational storytelling and tools, follow Kari on LinkedIn.

• Visit her website at Incite Consulting Group.

In this episode, Kari Anderson, a seasoned nonprofit executive and principal at Incite! Consulting, dives into the importance of donor segmentation for nonprofit organizations. With over 25 years of experience, Kari provides insights into how nonprofits can tailor their communications and build meaningful relationships with donors by segmenting them based on shared interests and characteristics.

Kari highlights the importance of using segmentation to deliver personalized, impactful messages that make donors feel seen and appreciated. She also shares how nonprofits can use segmentation even with limited technology, offering practical tips for success.

Key Episode Takeaways:

1. What Donor Segmentation Is: Learn the basics of grouping donors based on factors such as age, donation history, volunteer involvement, and preferred communication methods. Kari emphasizes how segmentation allows nonprofits to connect with donors on a personal level.

2. Segmenting Without Technology: For nonprofits still using spreadsheets or basic tools, Kari shares simple ways to segment donors without the need for expensive software. She explains how to leverage tags and lists to manage donor communication more effectively.

3. Tips for Success: Kari offers strategies to enhance segmentation efforts, including using personalized email greetings, customizing donation asks, sending quarterly updates on donor impact, and keeping donor databases clean and up to date.

Kari encourages nonprofits to start segmenting donors to increase their return on investment (ROI), improve donor retention, and create a unique donor experience. She stresses the importance of tracking and measuring results to fine-tune the segmentation process over time.

• Follow Kari on your favorite streaming platforms, including YouTube, Apple, and Spotify.

• For additional resources on organizational storytelling and tools, follow Kari on LinkedIn.

• Visit her website at Incite Consulting Group.

In this episode, Kari Anderson, a seasoned nonprofit executive and principal at Incite! Consulting, shares essential tips for building a successful year-end fundraising campaign. With 25 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, Kari highlights the importance of setting realistic goals, customizing donor asks, and making it easy for donors to give.

As year-end approaches, Kari addresses common challenges nonprofits face during this critical fundraising period and provides practical strategies to maximize impact, especially for small to medium-sized organizations.

Key Episode Takeaways:

1. Set a Challenging Yet Attainable Goal: Use data from previous campaigns to set a realistic monetary goal and track other key metrics like total donors, average gift size, and donor retention.

2. Be Specific with Your Ask: Create a clear and tangible call to action that helps donors understand the impact of their contribution. Customizing your asks based on donor history can further enhance engagement.

3. Make It Easy to Give: Ensure your donation process is simple, whether through direct mail or online platforms. Provide multiple giving options, including stock donations or wire transfers, to accommodate all types of donors.

Kari also emphasizes the importance of maintaining consistent communication throughout the year and leveraging storytelling to demonstrate your organization’s impact. She shares tips on engaging your board and staff in the fundraising process, using peer-to-peer fundraising, and securing challenge matches to boost campaign momentum.

• Follow Kari on your favorite streaming platforms, including YouTube, Apple, and Spotify.

• For additional resources on organizational storytelling and tools, follow Kari on LinkedIn.

• Visit her website at Incite Consulting Group.