Insights

What if AI gave you more time for actual relationships?

AI-Enabled Community Engagement Behind almost every nonprofit communication strategy right now is the same problem: not enough time. Teams want to steward donors more…

The Transparency Trap: Should You Tell Your Boss You're Interviewing

When Transparency Falls Flat Consider the fundraiser who finally worked up the courage to tell her boss she was looking. She expected some reaction—maybe concern, maybe a…

"We don't use AI"—But your team already does

Picture this Scenario: In a team meeting, a nonprofit leader tells the team that their organization has “decided not to use AI.” Yet, someone on their team has already used AI to…

Career Planning Like a Pro

When To Stay vs. When To Go There's a difference between being tired and being done. Tired means the work is hard, but it's still stretching you. You're learning. Your scope is…

Burnout Is Expensive. AI Can Help.

AI Can Save Nonprofits Time. Here's How: One of the most interesting things happening in the nonprofit sector right now is that many organizations are quietly using AI already —…

5 Reasons Top ED Candidates Don’t Get Hired

Your Next Move Made Clear This is where strategic support makes a difference. Understanding what boards are really looking for—and how to position your experience in ways that…

The riskiest AI move your board can make: doing nothing

Is your Board asking about AI? One of the challenges many leadership teams face is that board conversations about AI can quickly become polarized. Some board members are…

The Hidden Market for Remote Nonprofit Roles

The Shift Happening Behind the Scenes A useful way to think about today’s remote hiring market is this: The most desirable remote roles often become visible long after…

The Fundraising Cheat Sheet Every Nonprofit Board Needs

Three Fundraising Leadership Models Formula A: Consultant Best suited when an organization needs speed, specialization, or a clearly defined outcome. This model works well when…

When "Golden Handcuffs" Hold Your Career Back

It’s Not Just About Money Golden handcuffs are often associated with compensation. But in practice, they’re broader than that. They can show up as flexibility, stability,…

Why Executive Director Evaluations Go Sideways

By Claudia Sandoval Most boards either avoid evaluating their Executive Director (ED) or run a process they don't fully believe in. It's not hard to see why. You're a volunteer…

Why CSR or Philanthropic Jobs Are Harder to Land Than You Think

What’s Really Going On From the outside, CSR and philanthropy roles can look like a natural extension of fundraising. Inside, they operate very differently. Here are five…

Interview Questions That Reveal Real Executive Leadership

Your Next Move Made Clear Executive Director interviews are not just conversations. They are governance decisions with long-term consequences. The questions a board asks shape the…

Are You Working Hard…But Not Closing Gifts?

Where Major Gift Officers Lose Time (and Momentum) Many Major Gift Officers (MGOs) find themselves pulled into work that feels important — but quietly keeps them from doing the…

When Board Members Become Executive Directors

Risks Begin, plus Long-term Consequences The danger emerges when governance and management blur. A board exists to hire, support, and hold an Executive Director accountable. When…

Stepping Into Executive Leadership Is An Identity Shift

The Shift from Doing to Leading Leadership at the executive level requires a different orientation. It is less about direct execution and more about stewardship. That shift shows…

Leadership Is About Fit — Not Just Talent

Leadership Is About Fit — Not Just Talent Have you ever tried playing with shape puzzles made for kids? You know the kind — bright wooden pieces, each designed to fit in only one…

Ready for a Career Change? Foundations and CSR May Be Closer Than You Think

Expand Your Impact Beyond Direct-Service Nonprofits Many nonprofit professionals reach a moment in their careers when they begin to explore roles beyond direct-service nonprofits…

Your Fundraisers Are Busy. Why Isn’t the Money Moving?

Where Major Gift Officers Lose Time (and Momentum) Many Major Gift Officers (MGOs) are pulled into work that feels important but quietly erodes their ability to do the job they…

Switching Lanes Without Starting Over

The Strategic Takeaway A functional pivot is not a reset. It’s a repositioning move. You are not starting over — you are reframing value. The strongest nonprofit leaders…

Hiring an Executive Director? Make Your Next Hire with Confidence

2. Experience: Hiring a Leader Is Not Hiring a Staff Member Executive Director hiring requires a different lens than staff recruitment. Boards running DIY searches often rely on…

Remote Role + Does Taking a Pay Cut Make Sense?

The Pay Cut Test A pay cut may be strategic only if it delivers a clear, measurable upside. In strong cases, it provides at least one—and often more—of the following: Expanded…

Does your board know what's expected of them?

3. Clarify Funding Expectations Fundraising is often where confusion starts. The solution is to make expectations explicit from the beginning. A “Give-Get” policy is a…

Would You Trade Job Stability for Momentum?

Giving Up a Full-Time Role for Contract Work Part 2: Career Pivot Series At some point in a nonprofit career, many professionals encounter a tempting question: What if I stepped…

Feeling the weight of leadership? Executive Directors, you don't have to go it alone.

1. Start Local — Even if the Missions Differ Begin by connecting with other Executive Directors in your community. Attend events, join local nonprofit roundtables, and don’t…

Is Playing It Safe Still Serving You?

Part 1: When a Career Pivot is Strategic — Not Reactive Career pivots are often misunderstood in the nonprofit sector. Despite the fact that nonprofit careers are rarely linear,…

Consultant or Full-Time Staff? Choose Wisely

Hire a Consultant When You Need Strategy, Speed, Flexibility If the role is new or undefined — and you need someone to help clarify what’s actually required — a consultant is…

2026 Nonprofit Talent Predictions for Job Seekers

2. From Development Directors to Operators Fundraising remains critical, but boards are increasingly prioritizing leaders with operational, strategic, and executional expertise.…

2026 Nonprofit Talent Predictions Leaders Can't Ignore

2. From Development Directors to Operators While fundraising remains critical, boards and funders are prioritizing leaders who excel in operations, strategy and execution. The…

Big Shop or Small Shop? Finding Your Next Nonprofit Fit

Balancing Growth, Autonomy, and Fit Choosing the right role depends not only on organizational size but also on individual goals, stage of life, and desired professional growth.…

Struggling to Retain Talent? Here's How to Fix It

Building a Workplace Where People Stay Retention isn’t just about keeping people — it’s about creating conditions where they want to stay. Pay matters, yes. But so do trust,…

Remote roles are disappearing — here’s how to stay competitive

What Candidates Can Do Right Now 🚫 Don’t: Apply for roles you wouldn’t take just because they’re remote. Assume “hybrid” means the same thing everywhere. Take an onsite…

Don’t let hiring gaps derail your team this fall

Too Much to Carry? How Small Teams Can Avoid Burnout We’ve all done it: walked into CVS for one or two things, decided not to grab a basket, and then — five minutes later — we’re…

Thinking About a “Shift Down”? Read This Before You Make Your Move

Before You Step Away — Try Stepping Back If you’re considering a change, start by having a candid conversation with your current employer. Many organizations would rather retain…

Hidden costs of being "Nonprofit Nice"

The Problem with "Nonprofit Nice" When feedback becomes vague and conflict is avoided, problems don’t go away. They just move underground. Staff grow frustrated but…

Thinking about quitting before the one-year mark?

The Cons Donor continuity concerns.In development, tenure matters. Hiring managers want to know you can stay long enough to steward multi-year relationships. Short stays may raise…

Should your outgoing ED stay — or step away?

The Legacy of Letting Go Healthy organizations recognize that leadership transitions require a clean break. The most important legacy an outgoing ED can leave is not clinging to…

10 Practical strategies to secure a major gifts role.

Breaking Into Major Gifts: 10 Practical Moves for Aspiring Fundraisers With six-figure gifts acting as lifelines for many nonprofits, major gift officers are in high demand—and…

HR questions keeping you up at night?

2. “How do I handle performance issues without damaging relationships?” Nonprofit culture is often built on collaboration and care, which can make difficult conversations even…

The Critical Role of Search and Hiring Committees in Nonprofit Success

Defining the Need Clearly The first responsibility of a hiring committee is to work with organizational leadership to clearly define the role. This means more than updating a job…

The State of Nonprofit Executive Compensation in 2025

Steady but Uneven Growth Median executive compensation has grown steadily over the past five years, with nonprofit leaders earning a median of $137,000 in 2023. While this signals…

How to Talk About Past Employers When it Didn’t End Well

Be Honest- but Tactful If you were fired or let go, own it—but steer clear of over-sharing or using the opportunity to criticize others. Recruiters value candor paired with…

Industry Insights: Pros and Cons of Hiring an ED Internally

The Advantages Organizational Knowledge Internal candidates already understand the culture, operations, and history of the nonprofit. They’ve built relationships with staff,…

Roadmap to Leadership: How to Transition into an Executive Director Role

Step 1: Know Yourself—and Invest in your Growth Strong leadership begins with self-awareness. While management is task-oriented, leadership is values-driven. Understanding your…

Nonprofit Leadership in Transition: What Employers Need to Know

What to Look For in Future EDs Growth Mindset: Effective leaders are self-aware, reflective, and committed to continuous development. They can articulate the “why” behind their…

Mid-Year Check-In: 2025 Hiring Trends—What’s Tracking and What’s Ahead

Mid-Year Check-In: 2025 Hiring Trends—What’s Tracking and What’s Ahead At the start of the year, we shared our top Nonprofit Hiring Predictions for 2025—from a return to proactive…

Building a Future-Ready Nonprofit: Leadership & Capacity

Building Capacity in the Nonprofit Sector Capacity building is essential for nonprofits looking to create sustainable impact and long-term success. By investing in areas like…

Why Are Some Boards Reluctant to Fundraise?

Deep Dive: Are Performance-Based Bonuses Right for Your Nonprofit? Performance-based bonuses are gaining popularity as a tool to motivate teams and reward excellence—but are they…

Why Are Fundraising Skills So Hard to Find—and Expensive?

Why Are Fundraising Skills So Hard to Find—and Expensive—for Nonprofits? Fundraising is the lifeblood of nonprofits, yet finding skilled fundraisers remains a challenge. Here’s…

Maximizing Year End Fundraising Success: Strategic Considerations for Nonprofit Leaders

As the year draws to a close, nonprofit organizations have a unique opportunity to finish strong and amplify their impact. Year-end fundraising isn’t just about meeting goals—it’s…

Making the Transition to Executive Director: A Roadmap for Success

Stepping into the Executive Director (ED) role is a significant milestone filled with challenges. Here’s a roadmap to help you succeed: Embrace Leadership: Set the vision and tone…

Overcoming Unique Challenges of Managing Nonprofit Staff

Managing staff at a nonprofit can be more complex than managing staff at a for-profit organization. The unique challenges nonprofits face when it comes to recruiting, developing,…

Hiring Trends in the Nonprofit Sector 2023

Top Insights and Trends for Executive Recruitment in 2023 As the charity sector continues to evolve, so does the landscape of executive search. In 2023, there are several key…

Let's change the talent recruitment status quo

Hello , We know that to achieve a different result, we need to do things differently - for both ourselves and our clients. So here are a few ways Charity Search Group does things…

Are you ready to go beyond "diversity hiring"?

Hello , Thank you for attending the Beyond Diversity Hiring Webinar on January 20th - we hope the information covered will help your organization thrive in the coming year and…

Executive Director Search Challenges for Small Nonprofits

How Small Nonprofits Can Prepare for an Executive Director Search In many small nonprofits, the Executive Director role is a “whole organization” role. Unl…

Choosing an Executive Search Firm: A Guide for Nonprofits

Choosing an Executive Search Firm: A Nonprofit Board’s Guide By Charity Search Group Executive Search & Leadership Transitions 6 min read Hiring a new Exec…

Deal-Breakers: 4 Reasons Candidates Turn Down Jobs

The fact of the matter is, for any company the process of hiring requires careful consideration, strategy, and a whole lot of work. However, when it comes …

Tips To Securing Major Gifts And Sponsorships

There is no way around it, as a nonprofit, a large portion of your annual revenue comes from securing major gifts and sponsorships. Each donation type, whi…

5 Qualities to Look for When Hiring Executives in Nonprofit Organizations

The success of a nonprofit organization is largely dependent on the quality of its executive team. As such, it is important to take the time to find the ri…

How to Raise Money for Your Nonprofit Organization

According to Giving USA 2019, charitable giving in the United States totaled an estimated $427.71 billion in 2018. This marks a 1.7% increase from 2017. In…

How to Hire an Executive Director for Your Nonprofit Organization

If you are a nonprofit organization looking to hire an executive director, there are a few things you should keep in mind. The ideal candidate will have a …

The Top 3 Peer to Peer Fundraising Organizations

Peer to peer fundraising is a type of fundraising where individuals raise money on behalf of a nonprofit organization. Individuals can do this by creating …

The Best Career Advice for Executives Who Want to Be Successful

As an executive, you have a lot of responsibility. Not only are you responsible for your own career success, but you’re also responsible for the success of…

The Role of Technology in Recruiting

In today’s business world, technology plays a vital role in nearly every aspect of operations. From sales to marketing to customer service, technology has …

Nonprofit talent recruitment: 2023 predictions

2022 saw many organisations growing or recovering staffing levels to pre-pandemic numbers, will the trend continue in 2023? Here are our 2023 predictions f…

5 key strategies to hiring a nonprofit leader

So you have a top executive position to fill, where do you start? Hiring leaders is a tough task, especially in a tight job market. Thousands of seasoned n…

Balancing Passion and Profession: Tips for Hiring in the Nonprofit Sector

Finding the right team members for your nonprofit is often a complex process. Not only are you seeking individuals who possess the necessary professional s…

The Role of Diversity and Inclusion in Nonprofit Leadership

The push for diversity and inclusion is more than just a trending buzzword—it’s an integral part of the progression and growth of any organization, includi…

Succession Planning for Nonprofits: Ensuring Smooth Transitions

Change is inevitable, even for nonprofit organizations. Leaders will retire, change careers, or move on to new opportunities. When this happens, who steps …

The Art of Retaining Talent in the Nonprofit Sector

The nonprofit sector is known for its passionate and dedicated workforce. However, employee retention can be a challenge for many organizations. Staff turn…

Effective Board Engagement: How to Maximize Your Nonprofit’s Governance

A highly engaged board can be a nonprofit’s greatest asset. Board members can offer strategic insight, fundraising assistance, and vital connections to the…

Nonprofit Digital Transformation: Leveraging Technology in Leadership Roles

In today’s digital age, technology has become a vital component in driving success for any organization, and the nonprofit sector is no exception. Leaders …

Personality assessments: Do They have a place in the hiring process?

Soft skills and cultural fit are critical for good hiring decisions. They can also be elusive and hard to interview for. Sometimes, personality or behavior…

2023 In Review

Reflecting on an incredible year of growth, connections, and talent. Thank you to all our partners, candidates, and team members for making 2023 unforgetta…

Webinar - Follow the new leader: Key considerations for leadership transitions

Follow the new leader: Key considerations for leadership transitions Leadership transitions can be a challenging time for any organization, and it's crucia…

Candidate Review - LaVonda Baldwin

As an executive who recently secured a position at a non-profit organization, I cannot speak highly enough of Mariya and the Charity Search Group, the recr…

Overcoming The Challenge Of Continual Fundraising

At Charity Search Group — a recruitment organization dedicated to helping nonprofits — we often hear our clients comment on the issues surrounding fundrais…

Nonprofit Management: 7 Tips For Employee Success

As a leader of a nonprofit, you know firsthand that finding the right employees as well as keeping them can be a challenging task. Yes, the industry can bo…

6 Ways To Have a Successful Digital Fundraiser

Digital fundraising has been on the rise for several years, as we all become more connected through social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Wit…

7 Remote Team Building Ideas to Keep Co-workers Connected

When teams work remotely due to the pandemic or just distance, keeping a sense of community can be difficult. People working from home often experience lon…

Does Your Nonprofit Need a Recruiter?

Managers and executives often have the task of hiring employees. It is often a difficult job because of all the processes and then the new hire doesn’t alw…

Podcast Guest on Fundraising Leadership

Five ways to prepare for senior leadership positions. https://www.fundraisingleadership.org/podcast/fundraising-leadership/episode-68-prepare-leadership/

We are so pleased to co-author this article in the latest issue of Advancing Philanthropy. Swept Under the Rug

The Issue of Diversity in Our Sector. Read the full article here (open link to document: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oQ2nXklmJPH_880HVuGZ7njiveRqfqqL/…

Five key skills to hire for post-pandemic

The new world of fundraising and nonprofit management will also require different skills and qualities to succeed. It is important that we look beyond our …

Top 10 interview questions for your next Director of Development Search

Hiring a senior fundraiser is a big job. When done well, it could mean millions more raised for your organization! Here are some sample interview questions…

How to leverage your event fundraising experience during interviews

The current global pandemic has heavily impacted organizations’ abilities to run fundraising events and this has led to many lay offs and furloughs. For th…