Donald Summers
Conversation Date: May 29, 2024 12pm CST
Listen:
Watch:
Read Overview:
How to Grow Your Nonprofit with a Scalable Strategy: Insights from the Million-Dollar Nonprofit Podcast
If you’re driven to make a difference, to have an impact, and to grow your nonprofit to new heights, then the most important asset you need is a well-executed and scalable strategy. Hi, I’m Tom Kelly, your nonprofit catalyst. You may know me as the CEO of CharityAuctionsToday and DonorBooks, or as the author of The Million-Dollar Nonprofit.
What I help nonprofits achieve is a significant edge and a clear path to substantial growth through strategic fundraising and effective community engagement. And that’s what I’m going to share with you right here on the Million-Dollar Nonprofit Podcast. In each episode, I’ll take you behind the scenes to reveal the strategies, techniques, and tactics of successful nonprofits, helping you avoid common pitfalls and drive your organization forward.
Interview with Donald Summers: A Visionary in Social Impact
In today’s episode, I’m joined by Donald Summers, a visionary in the realm of social impact and the founder and CEO of Altruist Partners. Donald’s firm is dedicated to accelerating the growth and impact of nonprofits and mission-driven organizations worldwide. With a proven track record of helping organizations overcome their toughest challenges, Donald’s insights are invaluable for any nonprofit seeking to maximize its impact.
Donald is also the author of the number one new nonprofit release on Amazon, Scaling Altruism: A Proven Pathway for Accelerating Nonprofit Growth and Impact. His expertise extends beyond the pages of his book, with research and essays featured in prestigious publications like the Stanford Social Innovation Review and The Chronicle of Higher Education.
The Journey to Altruist Partners
Donald’s journey into social impact consulting began with his concerns about the state of the world and the damage caused by finance capitalism. Initially studying art, literature, and religion, Donald transitioned into the business world while becoming certified as a school principal. He discovered the power of business tools and their potential for good, which led to a career in fundraising and ultimately, to the creation of Altruist Partners.
The Challenges of Scaling Nonprofits
Scaling any organization is challenging, and nonprofits face additional hurdles. Donald emphasizes that nonprofits, particularly small to midsize ones, often struggle with inadequate capitalization and sustainable revenue strategies. Many nonprofits rely on subsistence-level fundraising tactics, which limit their growth potential.
Donald’s book, Scaling Altruism, provides a comprehensive end-to-end process for nonprofit leaders, covering performance benchmarking, team alignment, business planning, stakeholder testing, and high-return fundraising strategies. He highlights the importance of disciplined execution and performance metrics for achieving scalable growth.
Organizational Culture and Resilience
A key factor in successful scaling is fostering a positive organizational culture. Donald stresses the need for a growth mindset, psychological safety, and a culture of inquiry within nonprofits. Leaders should seek support from their teams, boards, and mentors, including experienced for-profit entrepreneurs who understand the complexities of scaling organizations.
Leveraging Technology and Effective Practices
While technology can enhance nonprofit operations, Donald advises against relying solely on technological solutions. Instead, nonprofits should focus on fundamental organizational practices, such as sophisticated revenue strategies, relationship-building, and evidence-based service delivery. Technology should support these practices rather than serve as a standalone fix.
Success Stories and Future Vision
Donald shares success stories from his work with the Altruist Accelerator, including the Global Coffee Platform, which aims to improve the livelihoods of coffee farmers worldwide, and Digital Undivided, an accelerator for black and Latino women entrepreneurs. His new accelerator model, which is community-oriented and self-paced, aims to provide affordable and scalable support for nonprofits.
Conclusion
Donald Summers’ journey from fundraising to creating Altruist Partners and the Altruist Accelerator is inspiring. His dedication to improving the social sector through effective business practices and comprehensive support systems is evident. By integrating proven management systems and fostering a growth mindset, nonprofits can achieve substantial and sustainable impact.
For more insights and strategies to grow your nonprofit, visit Tom Kelly’s website. Download free playbooks to start scaling your nonprofit to $1 million in donations and catch new behind-the-scenes insights in the next episode of the Million-Dollar Nonprofit Podcast. Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and encourage others to listen. Here’s to the impact you will make!
Donald Summers
Author, Founder
Donald Summers is the Founder and CEO of Altruist Partners, a social impact advisory firm that accelerates growth and impact for nonprofits and mission-driven organizations across the US and around the world. Altruist has helped hundreds of mission-driven organizations solve their toughest challenges, generate hundreds of millions in new revenue and capital, strengthen their boards, staff, and volunteer teams, and deliver some of today’s most important social change efforts.
Donald is also the Founder and Executive Director of the Altruist Accelerator, the firm’s nonprofit arm that delivers the Altruist Growth and Impact Methodology to ambitious nonprofits and NGOs of all mission types and stages of growth.
He is the author of the #1 New Nonprofit Release on Amazon: Scaling Altruism: A Proven Pathway for Accelerating Nonprofit Growth and Impact, a comprehensive, practical guide for transforming small to mid-size nonprofits into well-funded, high-impact change agents. His research and essays have also been published by the Stanford Social Innovation Review, the Chronicle of Higher Education, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Listen to this episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit with Donald Summers to learn strategies for nonprofit growth.