Best Nonprofit Podcasts for Fundraising and Social Impact Leaders
If you’re a fundraising or social‑impact leader, tuning into the right podcasts can be seriously helpful when it comes to finding out what’s working and dealing with common challenges.
After all, in the first quarter of 2025, the overall number of donors for nonprofits dropped about 1.3% year‑over‑year, which shows how tight the fundraising environment remains.
The right insights and guidance can help you attract more donors for your cause.
Besides, podcasts are convenient. They give you practical insights while you’re commuting, exercising, or simply carving out break time.
With that in mind, the shows below are hand‑picked to help you sharpen your tactics, grow your leadership, and get ahead of the curve.
Let’s begin.
P.S. Want to drive more revenue to your nonprofit? Starting your own podcast can scale your ROI considerably. Content Allies is here to help with everything from strategy to production and promotion. Our podcast episodes have reached 1.94 million downloads and have an average conversion rate of 10%. Schedule a call and see what we can do for your nonprofit!
Why Are Podcasts Useful for Fundraising and Social Impact Leaders?
Let’s be real: if you're leading fundraising or driving social impact, you're juggling a lot, like donors, staff, strategy, and reporting. Carving out time for professional development usually falls to the bottom of the list.
That’s where podcasts come in.
Podcasts let you learn on the go. For example, according to YouGov Business, about half of podcast listeners say they tune in while doing household chores or while commuting.
This works because there are no courses to register for and no Zoom fatigue.
Whether you're driving to a meeting, out for a walk, or knocking out admin tasks, you can tune into real conversations with sector leaders, hear how others are solving problems similar to yours, and get fresh ideas without losing any time.
They’re also a shortcut to perspective.
As a leader, it’s easy to get stuck in your own organization’s bubble. Podcasts bring in outside voices, from fundraisers at major institutions to grassroots organizers and nonprofit finance experts, all sharing what’s working, what’s changing, and what to watch out for.
And if you’re like 88% of US podcast listeners who say learning is the main reason they listen to podcasts, you’ll appreciate that kind of info.
Besides, unlike branded webinars or reports, the best nonprofit podcasts are honest.
They’re not afraid to talk about what didn’t work, where people struggled, or how they pivoted. That kind of candor is gold when you’re grappling with your own challenges.
TL;DR: The 5 Best Nonprofit Podcasts for Fundraising and Social Impact Leaders
Nonprofit Hub Radio: A go-to for down-to-earth, actionable advice from nonprofit insiders who understand the challenges of fundraising, leadership, and scaling impact.
Rising Voices of Fundraising: The AFP Emerging Leaders Podcast: A refreshingly practical space for early- to mid-career fundraisers learning how to lead, through real stories from emerging changemakers.
A Modern Nonprofit Podcast (by The Charity CFO): Where finance meets fundraising. This podcast gives leaders concrete strategies to align budgets, teams, and mission without the jargon.
Giving With Impact: For leaders who want to master the strategy behind philanthropy, like how funding decisions, donor models, and policy trends shape real-world impact.
CharityVillage Connects: A smart, big-picture look at how social-sector trends, from AI to workforce wellbeing, are reshaping how nonprofits lead, fundraise, and grow sustainably.
10 Best Nonprofit Podcasts Reviewed
Without further ado, let’s see the 10 nonprofit podcasts worth listening to.
1. Nonprofit Hub Radio
Nonprofit Hub Radio is hosted by Meghan Speer, a seasoned nonprofit marketing pro and VP of Nonprofit Hub. This weekly podcast delivers straight talk for nonprofit leaders dealing with the real-world challenges of fundraising, leadership, and organizational growth. Each episode features a different guest from the nonprofit world.
Recurring themes include digital fundraising strategies, fixing internal culture, navigating funding challenges, and building leadership skills that actually scale. Whether it’s an episode on "Being Human at Scale" or digging into workplace transparency, the conversations are down-to-earth and full of real takeaways.
If you're leading fundraising, managing a growing team, or just trying to keep momentum while scaling impact, this one’s worth a regular slot in your podcast queue. It’s practical, accessible, and tuned into the kinds of questions social impact leaders ask every day.
What sets it apart: It’s tailor-made for the nonprofit space. You won’t have to translate corporate advice into nonprofit terms because this show speaks your language from the start.
Pro tip: Want to bring more visibility to your podcast? Consider these LinkedIn strategies to grow your audience.
2. Rising Voices of Fundraising: The AFP Emerging Leaders Podcast
Hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), Rising Voices of Fundraising zeroes in on the up‑and‑coming fundraising and social‑impact leaders. Rather than big names only, it highlights those who are growing into the role, learning the ropes, and tackling real‑world fundraising hitches.
Some common themes include early‑career fundraising tactics, navigating ethics and power dynamics in donor relationships, emerging digital tools (like AI in fundraising), and how to build your leadership muscle as you scale.
For example, one episode features a discussion with award‑winning young fundraisers who share how they increased donor retention by 17% and built a culture of gratitude across departments.
If you’re a fundraising or social‑impact leader, especially if you’re still building your team or personal career path, this podcast offers two big pieces of value:
Practical takeaways you can act on. You’ll hear what emerging leaders are actually doing, from digital storytelling to donor‑power dynamics.
Perspective on your career & leadership growth. It helps you see how to move from just fundraising to leading fundraising: how you build credibility, how you manage relationships, and how you deal with growth.
What sets it apart: This podcast stands out because it’s intentionally geared toward professionals who are between practitioner and leader; the folks who are doing the fundraising now and want to move into more strategic roles. It’s less about what fundraising is and more about how you grow and lead fundraising in the current climate.
3. A Modern Nonprofit Podcast (by The Charity CFO)
A Modern Nonprofit Podcast is a solid fit for fundraising and social‑impact leaders because the conversation dives into what actually works in nonprofit management: budgeting and forecasting, grant strategy, donor engagement, scaling teams, and leadership culture.
For example, one recent episode unpacks how restricted grants can help or hurt your mission depending on how you release them.
What you’ll regularly hear: real talk on financial health (cash flow for nonprofits), nonprofit marketing & branding, team building for mission‑driven orgs, and avoiding burnout while leading big change.
The value is pretty clear:
You’ll pick up actionable insights on financial & operational strategy for nonprofits
You’ll get ideas on how to align your fundraising efforts with finance, leadership, and org culture to make your work more strategic and less reactive
You’ll hear from someone (Tosha) who’s done both the front‑line and infrastructure side, so the advice and wisdom is practical
On the downside, you can’t easily get to the podcast’s transcripts if you want to revisit certain info.
What sets it apart: As the founder & CEO of The Charity CFO, the host brings direct experience in nonprofit finance and growth. The podcast covers that intersection of fundraising, finance, and leadership in a way many simply don’t.
4. Giving With Impact
Hosted by Michael Gordon Voss, publisher of Stanford Social Innovation Review, Giving With Impact is a go-to for leaders who want to understand the strategy behind philanthropy.
Rather than offering broad nonprofit inspiration, it zooms in on how giving actually works by exploring topics like donor-advised funds, giving circles, participatory grantmaking, and the pros and cons of restricted vs. unrestricted funding.
Episodes are typically 20–30 minutes and packed with smart, focused conversations. This show raises great questions and connects funding strategy with real-world issues like climate change, hunger, or tax policy.
It’s especially useful for fundraising leaders who want to think more critically about donor relationships, funding structures, and how to shape giving that fits into long-term goals.
What sets it apart: What makes it stand out is the tight focus on the nonprofit-philanthropy intersection, backed by SSIR’s thoughtful lens. It’s about understanding the kind of money that fuels sustainable change. If you’re advising boards, managing funder partnerships, or just want sharper tools to talk strategy with donors, this is one to queue up.
5. CharityVillage Connects
Hosted by Mary Barroll (President of Canadian non-profit information hub CharityVillage), CharityVillage Connects is a monthly‑release podcast that deals with big‑picture and frontline issues affecting nonprofits in Canada.
It covers leadership, HR issues, DEI, and the changing social‑impact ecosystem through expert interviews and real‑world case studies.
Typical topics include things like: how AI is being used by nonprofits for both operations and donor engagement; what population growth means for service demands; workplace mental‑health and burnout in the social sector; and how power and funding imbalances impact charitable giving.
The value comes from its breadth and practical framing. It helps you:
Spot macro‑trends (tech, demographics, public policy) that will affect your strategy
Hear how leaders are adapting in practices like staffing, leadership culture, and inclusion
Broaden your lens from fundraising only to the organizational and sector‑environment context where you operate
What sets it apart: CharityVillage Connects stands out because it’s specific to the non‑profit world (especially the Canadian context, but many lessons are universal). Besides, the host brings credibility and sector insight through CharityVillage’s long track record. Plus, you’ll appreciate that it explores topics you don’t often hear in purely fundraising‑focused podcasts, like workforce wellbeing, policy shifts, and tech adoption.
6. The Social Impact Leader Podcast
The Social Impact Leader Podcast brings in social entrepreneurs and nonprofit decision‑makers who delve into how they lead, grow, and influence change.
One standout episode is “Marketing for Nonprofits with Vik Harrison.” Here, Vik (co‑founder of Charity Water and founder of “Mission Critical”) breaks down the practical work involved in nonprofit marketing, from creating content to locking in monthly donors to showing up on camera.
You’ll hear topics like: how fundraising and marketing overlap (and why they should), how to build narratives that move donors, and how to take your organization’s story beyond the typical “we saved the world” message into “here’s what you did and how we’ll grow together.”
All this means you’ll get actionable ideas around things like how to tweak donor acquisition, what kind of content to prioritize, and how to mobilize the team behind story and results.
What sets it apart: Unlike some podcasts that stick to broad strategy, this one goes into the details of leadership and execution. It blends compelling guest stories with insights you can use. If you’re in charge of fundraising, overseeing marketing, or steering social impact, this podcast gives you the mindset as well as the roadmap.
7. Small Nonprofit: Fundraising Tips, Leadership Strategies, and Community‑Centric Solutions
Hosted by Maria Rio, a nonprofit consultant, the Small Nonprofit podcast is tailor‑made for people working in smaller nonprofit organizations, especially those who lead fundraising, operations, or social‑impact programs.
In each episode, you’ll hear discussions around topics such as how to:
Build a fundraising plan that actually reflects your capacity (and avoids burnout)
Steer your board into being active fundraisers
Adopt community‑centric fundraising (rather than donor‑centric)
Use tech and storytelling ethically
Run leadership and governance in a values‑driven way
So from our point of view, this podcast delivers three main types of value:
It gives you practical “what to do” advice (not just theory) for small nonprofits with fewer resources or lean teams
It helps you bridge the gap between fundraising, leadership, and community impact by showing you how those areas connect
It’s especially helpful if you’re working in a smaller organization (or team) and want to build sustainable systems rather than chase one‑off wins
What sets it apart: The focus is on smaller organizations and community‑centric models rather than big national nonprofits or purely corporate fundraising strategies. Also, the weekly cadence and real‑world guest mix make it both consistent and relevant.
8. The Nonprofit Leadership Podcast
The Nonprofit Leadership Podcast is hosted by Dr. Rob Harter, a nonprofit‐leadership coach and consultant who also contributes to the Forbes Nonprofit Council.
This podcast delves into the key leadership, strategy, and team‐building issues that nonprofits face. Episodes explore topics like “How Uncertainty Is Impacting Nonprofit Leaders’ Confidence and Decision‑Making”, “Are Fractional Leaders the Solution to Your Staffing Issues?”, and “How to Unlock the Power of Storytelling for Your Nonprofit.”
The benefits of listening to this podcast are:
You’ll hear from experienced nonprofit executives who share concrete leadership practices, which is great if you’re steering teams, managing growth, or working on building a more resilient organization
You’ll get insights into how leadership and culture intersect with fundraising and impact, for example: how team development, staffing models, or storytelling influence donor behavior
The episodes are grounded in real stories and real‑world issues, which makes them practical and relatable rather than abstract
What sets it apart: This podcast is not purely about raising money. It’s about leading a nonprofit organization effectively, from culture to structure to strategy. That makes it especially relevant for leaders who handle multiple areas (like fundraising, operations, and impact) and want a podcast that speaks to the full scope of their role.
9. The Nonprofit Podcast
The Nonprofit Podcast is a weekly show that deals with common and prominent fundraising and leadership challenges you’re dealing with.
You’ll hear episodes on topics like: building a year‑end giving strategy using direct mail and automation, turning one‑time donors into recurring supporters, and how smaller nonprofit teams can lead and fundraise with limited capacity.
As such, you will get practical, action‑oriented tips you can implement right away. The podcast is obviously made for people who are steering fundraising, scaling it, and making strategic decisions.
What sets it apart: This show is hosted by people embedded in the nonprofit sector via their work with Donorbox, a fundraising platform for nonprofits. Besides, it targets the actual day‑to‑day of fundraising and leadership rather than abstraction.
10. Nonprofit Fundraising Podcast
The Nonprofit Fundraising Podcast offers nonprofit fundraising leaders clear, actionable ideas around themes like donor retention tactics and event‑fundraising innovations. It’s focused on improving performance rather than just inspiration.
Episodes dig into real issues such as partnerships with businesses, meaningful donor relationships, or physical and virtual event strategy.
Therefore, you will walk away with specific tactics to try out, whether your organization is small or growing.
What sets it apart: This podcast has a laser focus on practical fundraising mechanics, with a focus on how things should be done rather than telling you what you should believe.
How to Choose the Right Nonprofit Podcast for You
If you're leading fundraising or managing impact at a strategic level, you don't have time to sift through surface-level content.
Here's how to pick a podcast that actually delivers value for your role:
1. Find hosts who understand power dynamics
Fundraising is deeply relational, and sometimes political. Look for podcasts that explore the realities of working with boards, managing up, navigating equity in donor relationships, or handling funder-driven priorities. If a show never talks about power, it’s missing half the story.
2. Choose podcasts that speak to the systems behind fundraising success
A good donor appeal is great, but if the podcast never touches on team culture, CRM usage, financial planning, or leadership structure, it’s not giving you the full picture. The best podcasts help you see how fundraising connects to everything else, like operations, finance, hiring, tech, and community trust.
3. Listen for shows that are honest about burnout, boundaries, and sustainability
This work is intense, especially for leaders. Find voices that acknowledge the emotional and practical strain of leading teams, juggling funding uncertainty, and managing high expectations with limited capacity. If a podcast sounds like a highlight reel, skip it.
4. Watch how they handle buzzwords
If every episode promises to “disrupt” the sector or “revolutionize fundraising,” be skeptical. Look for podcasts that break down big ideas into grounded, doable steps and aren’t afraid to question trends.
If you want to use this info to start a podcast for your own NGO, here’s our advice: look into podcasting costs first and make sure you can invest correctly in the right strategy.
5. Look for lived experience that mirrors your reality
If the hosts and guests only come from large urban organizations, Ivy League institutions, or tech-forward shops, you may not see yourself in their advice. Seek out podcasts that feature leaders from diverse backgrounds, rural organizations, smaller nonprofits, or frontline roles. These voices understand real nonprofit work.
6. Ask: Will this help me lead better, or just do more?
As a leader, you don’t just need more tips. You need perspective, clarity, and tools that help you set direction, coach your team, and build long-term health. The right podcast should support your growth as a strategic leader rather than just give you more work to do.
Power Your Nonprofit Podcast with Content Allies
Whether you’re leading a capital campaign, rethinking your donor engagement model, or navigating internal leadership dynamics, the right podcast can offer real value in real time.
You’ve probably noticed a theme across the podcasts we covered: the most useful insights often come from people working through the same challenges you face. Things like budget constraints, shifting donor expectations, team burnout, unclear data, or scaling impact with limited capacity.
That’s no accident.
Leaders need clarity, context, and ideas you can adapt today, and these podcasts deliver.
If you want to create a similar podcast for your fundraiser or NGO, that’s the main lesson to learn.
Not sure where to start?
Content Allies can help you with strategy, keyword research, talking points, brand awareness, and more. Contact us today, and let’s connect you with the right audience!
FAQ
1. What are the best nonprofit podcasts for fundraising and social impact leaders?
Top shows like The Nonprofit Podcast, Nonprofit Hub Radio, and Rising Voices of Fundraising offer real-world insights on digital fundraising trends, donor cultivation, and community engagement. Listening helps you learn how experienced social change leaders blend storytelling, strategy, and impact measurement.
2. How can a podcast help our nonprofit grow fundraising and donor loyalty?
A well-planned podcast turns your mission into an ongoing story. It supports strategic planning, nurtures donor loyalty, and even highlights donor impact through transparent conversations about progress and results. This strengthens trust and boosts long-term giving.
3. How can we promote our nonprofit podcast to drive donations?
Use digital marketing tactics such as SEO, social media campaigns, and email automation to promote episodes. Align your podcast schedule with year-end fundraising and other campaign strategies to keep your content relevant and actionable.
4. How can a podcast encourage recurring giving and community engagement?
End each episode with stories that connect emotional outcomes to recurring giving. Invite listeners to join your community by sharing feedback or contributing to impact-driven initiatives, creating stronger community engagement and sustained support.
5. What technologies or strategies make nonprofit podcasting more effective?
Adopt modern fundraising technologies that track listener conversions and integrate with your CRM. Pair that with consistent campaign planning and data-driven storytelling to maximize your reach, measure donor impact, and ensure sustainable fundraising growth tactics.