Podcasts are one of the fastest-growing cultural phenomena in the United States and beyond. As per a recent study on podcast statistics, 144 million Americans have listened to podcasts at least once and 74% of such users have done so to learn something new. Moreover, listeners spend an average of 6 hours and 37 minutes…
![11 Nonprofit Podcasts You Need to Listen To [Updated 2022]](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMTY3IDY1NyIgd2lkdGg9IjExNjciIGhlaWdodD0iNjU3IiBkYXRhLXU9Imh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGZG9ub3Jib3guZmx5d2hlZWxzdGFnaW5nLmNvbSUyRndwLWNvbnRlbnQlMkZ1cGxvYWRzJTJGMjAyMCUyRjExJTJGMjAyMi1KYW5GZWItMy0xLnBuZyIgZGF0YS13PSIxMTY3IiBkYXRhLWg9IjY1NyIgZGF0YS1iaXA9IiI+PC9zdmc+)
Podcasts are one of the fastest-growing cultural phenomena in the United States and beyond. As per a recent study on podcast statistics, 144 million Americans have listened to podcasts at least once and 74% of such users have done so to learn something new. Moreover, listeners spend an average of 6 hours and 37 minutes per week on podcasts they love.
Such magnificent growth of podcasts has offered organizations and individuals a platform to market their expertise to the world. But for nonprofits, social activists, and philanthropists, it is more than that. Podcasts for nonprofits are a means to learn inspiring stories, gain knowledge, discover new trends, and develop skills for consistent growth.
Luckily for nonprofit professionals, there’s no shortage of nonprofit podcasts out there. In this blog, we discuss the top nonprofit podcasts you should listen to for inspiration and growth in 2022 and beyond.
Humans think in stories. Research at Stanford University observed that we remember information more when it is conveyed as part of a narrative “up to 22 times more than facts alone“. And the format of podcasts lends itself to storytelling. The audio content allows us to engage with the content in a different way. What’s particularly great about them is that podcasts are ideal for listening “on the go”.
For example, the daily commute to and from work, usually a mind-numbing time, is great for listening to podcasts. Podcasts offer an opportunity for time optimization and personal and professional growth. They can also be very inspiring – which is great for nonprofit professionals. They can discover similar people/organizations who are striving to bring about goodness in the world, their everyday struggles, challenges, what they’re doing to overcome them, and their stories of success.
There are many reasons why nonprofit professionals should consider listening to powerful nonprofit podcasts:
Here are some of our favorite nonprofit podcasts featuring renowned philanthropists, social innovators, CEOs, and more. Listen and let the stories inspire you.
Where: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud.
The Good to Growth Podcast, formerly known as Hubcast, a podcast by Nonprofit Hub, covers a wide range of topics in the nonprofit world. They will break down data, interview thought leaders, and discuss management strategies in each 20-30 minute episode. From breaking down content posted in article form on their website and recapping webinars, to having conversations with the industry’s most influential thought leaders, host Katie Appold, a nonprofit leader and executive director at Nonprofit Hub, will narrate the way into transforming your organization for good.
This podcast currently owns 80 episodes, primarily focused on the various aspects of nonprofit governance, fundraising, and development goals. This weekly podcast channel is determined to help nonprofits move from good to growth with expert tips, ideas, and insights into the nonprofit world. The episodes aren’t too long and can be the perfect resource for your nonprofit leaders.
Where: Apple Podcasts.
The Business of Giving is hosted by Denver Frederick, who has 40+ years of experience in the philanthropy world. The program explores possible solutions to today’s social problems including global poverty, affordable housing, clean drinking water, and education. Each week, Frederick interviews philanthropists, nonprofit luminaries, and social entrepreneurs that are at the forefront of social change.
The podcast comprises 378 episodes, the latest being in Feb 2022. Denver recently invited Kris Kepler, the CEO of LavaMaeX, to discuss how the organization is helping restore dignity for the unhoused. Nonprofits can not only seek inspiration in such impactful discussions but also discover great platforms to further their cause.
Where: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Buzzsprout, Google Podcasts.
The Nonprofit Podcast shares inspiring stories of people who are changing the world and serving others. Hosted by Jared Polivka, Jena Lynch (Nonprofit Advocate at Donorbox), Cara Augspurger (Fundraising Coach at Donorbox), and Heidi Bianco, this podcast channel is an essential hub of inspiring nonprofit stories. Interviewees include noted thought-leaders, founders, and directors from impactful nonprofits such as Upward Scholars, Movember, Barn Sanctuary, and more.
This podcast channel comprises 11 episodes with the run-time ranging from 15 minutes to over an hour, with new episodes every Thursday. In addition to longer-form stories, it also posts nonprofit spotlights, tips, and tricks. If you’re often motivated by other nonprofits’ stories of struggle and success and are looking to gain from their experience, this podcast is a must for you.
Where: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Audible, Google Podcasts.
The Nonprofit Leadership Podcast: Making Your World Better covers the most critical issues, trends, and opportunities facing nonprofit leaders and those engaged in social innovation. Hosted by Dr. Rob Harter, a nonprofit executive professional with 27 years of experience, this podcast features founders and CEOs of nonprofits. You will hear real stories from experienced leaders about what strategies and practices have made them successful.
The podcast channel currently has 181 episodes. One of the recent ones discusses how to discover and encourage untapped generosity from your current donor base. What this means for you is an immense knowledge base shared and enriched by top leaders of the nonprofit world. Follow for the latest episodes that come out every week.
Where: The Fundraising School App on App Store and Google Play, SoundCloud.
The First Day Podcast from The Fund Raising School is a weekly podcast series dedicated to the advancement of ethical fundraising. Each episode is usually 10-minute long and provides the latest news and research information in philanthropy and fundraising. Some of the popular topics with thousands of plays include Donor Advised Funds, Fundraising Advice for 2022, Major-Gifts Fundraising, Self Care for Fundraisers, etc.
The podcast channel currently has 207 episodes. None of them are more than 20 minutes long and provide compact knowledge on the latest advancements in nonprofit technology and fundraising. Their Donor Advised Funds episode has already hit over 19k plays on SoundCloud. Follow this channel if you prefer short podcasts and want to benefit from the latest nonprofit updates.
Where: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Android.
The Successful Nonprofits podcast hosted by Dolph Goldenburg has episodes that focus on managing your nonprofit’s risk, utilizing social media, using your board most effectively, crypto philanthropy, content marketing, and much more. Each episode features a nonprofit expert. The podcast covers a wide range of relevant topics including nonprofit mergers and promoting diversity and inclusion.
The podcast channel comprises 232 episodes at present. Each week they release one new episode, about 40-minute long, featuring a top nonprofit leader who talks about newer trends in fundraising and philanthropy, marketing, collecting data, recruiting volunteers, onboarding, and more. One such recent episode was about accepting cryptocurrency donations featuring one of the industry experts, Zach Bronstein. Follow this podcast if you’re eagerly looking to learn the newer trends of the nonprofit world and grow your organization accordingly.
Where: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, PlayerFM.
In her podcast, Joan Garry, a professor and nonprofit leadership mentor, covers everything from nonprofit marketing, overcoming fundraising mistakes, leadership, optimism, and just about everything else in between. The podcast delves into real-life scenarios a nonprofit might face. Whether it’s fundraising that interests you, or the board of directors, marketing and communications, team building, leadership, finance, social media, staff management, or even self-care for nonprofit professionals – this nonprofit podcast has got you covered.
This podcast comprises over 150 episodes with an average run-time of 50 minutes for each. One of the latest episodes discusses the secrets of a high-functioning board of directions in nonprofit organizations. While another focuses on retaining top nonprofit talent. Such topics are bound to help leaders and senior nonprofit professionals looking to improve staff and board engagement in their nonprofits.
Where: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast.
Tiny Spark is all about taking a hard look at the business of doing good. The podcast episodes are usually journalistic in nature. They cover topics of philanthropy, nonprofits, international aid, and development. Amy Costello, the show’s host, particularly focuses on providing insights with her guests on the unintended consequences of aid, philanthropy, or charity. Some of their best topics include health equity, climate justice, food rescue heroes, forgotten women in wars, nonprofits seeking language justice, etc.
With 155 episodes not more than 40 minutes long, this podcast is a slightly different take on nonprofit podcasting. Most of their episodes are focused on the research and in-depth analysis of adverse societal situations. But their speakers hail from the nonprofit and philanthropic world and can offer you close insights into the conditions you’d want to improve through your mission.
Where: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Tunein, Stitcher.
The Official Do Good Better Podcast is hosted by Patrick Kirby, a fundraiser, nonprofit expert, author, and event creator, and it interviews leaders and champions of small and medium nonprofits. The focus is to share their success stories and the impact with the world. Some of their episodes are as short as 12 minutes but include insightful topics such as event planning, website marketing, goal-setting in 2022, and more.
The podcast is having 157 episodes and can be a quick go-to place for everyday solutions in the nonprofit world. Every couple of days, they come up with an episode featuring nonprofits and changemakers. Their stories are inspiring and can be helpful for leaders and nonprofit professionals. So if you have about 15 – 30 minutes on your hands, dive right in, follow, and listen to this podcast.
Where: Apple Podcasts.
Impact Boom Podcast is an initiative by Impact Boom, a social-innovation company focused on boosting social impact through programs, events, and inspirational articles. In this podcast, they interview nonprofit leaders, entrepreneurs, social innovators, and educators to seek stories of inspiration and help nonprofits create maximum positive impact. Each of their episodes is no more than 25 minutes long and they discuss possibilities to spark change and address issues in the workplace.
The podcast presently owns about 298 episodes, all meant to scale the growth and impact of nonprofits through storytelling and knowledge sharing.
Where: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher.
Uncharted Ground is a podcast initiative by The Stanford Social Innovation Review that often slices audio recordings of their events into episodes that let you tune in from anywhere in the world. Host Jonathan Levine talks with experts on various topics such as social entrepreneurship, global issues and stories of development, and nonprofit journeys.
This podcast comprises 8 episodes with some of the most eye-opening and daunting societal tales from corners of the world. The episodes have an average run-time of 40 minutes and are released once a month. Stories are at the heart of all the goodness and philanthropic work. Engage in some of the most moving stories and experiences shared by the industry leaders and nonprofit experts in this podcast to draw inspiration from and further your cause.
The list above gives you a list of some of the top nonprofit podcasts that we found particularly beneficial for nonprofits and changemakers. Hopefully, this will help you start out with a phenomenal tool called nonprofit podcasts.
For more nonprofit tips and tricks, check out our nonprofit blog. Subscribe to our newsletter for a curated list of helpful resources delivered to your inbox every month.
Learn about Donorbox, an all-in-one online fundraising solution, and its advanced features on our website here.
Ilma Ibrisevic is a content creator and nonprofit writer. She’s passionate about meaningful work, sustainability, and social movements. If she’s not working, she’s obsessing over coffee or cooking. You can connect with her on Linkedin.
Subscribe to our e-newsletter to receive the latest blogs, news, and more in your inbox.
Ilma Ibrisevic
