What nonprofit leaders learned in 2025

About this episode

Justin McCord and Ronnie Richard reflect on the key insights and themes from the nonprofit sector in 2025.

In this special edition of the RKD Group: Thinkers podcast, Justin McCord and Ronnie Richard take a step back to reflect on another year of conversations, insights and moments that shaped the podcast, and the nonprofit sector, throughout 2025. Inspired by high-impact conversations, Justin and Ronnie examine what those conversations revealed about the evolving landscape of nonprofit marketing, fundraising, leadership and purpose. Over the course of the episode, four defining themes emerge: the maturation of AI in the sector, the enduring importance of human-centered fundraising, the power of purpose-driven career shifts and the resilience required to navigate constant change. In this conversation, Justin and Ronnie reflect on the year behind them, the lessons surfaced through their guests and even a spilled Topo Chico.

People in this episode

Hosts: Justin McCord, Ronnie Richard

Topics covered

• nonprofit marketing
• fundraising
• leadership
• AI in nonprofit
• human-centered fundraising
• purpose-driven career shifts
• resilience in change

Keywords

• nonprofit
• marketing
• fundraising
• leadership
• AI
• human-centered
• purpose
• resilience
• change

More episodes of RKD Group: Thinkers

• ‘Superfans’ and storytelling: What nonprofits can learn from Brittany Hodak · May 28, 2026 · 38 min
• How Toys for Tots turns seasonal generosity into a year-round monthly giving program · May 14, 2026 · 17 min
• Opening doors to opportunity: A food bank leader’s nonlinear path to impact · April 2, 2026 · 36 min
• ‘Message nerd’ explains what nonprofits get wrong about communication · March 26, 2026 · 38 min
• When play becomes a leadership strategy · March 12, 2026 · 41 min
• From receiving help to leading the mission: A Salvation Army leader’s journey · March 5, 2026 · 36 min