Out of Survival Mode: How Innovation Can Transform Nonprofits

What if the key to nonprofit success isn’t just more funding, but better systems, leadership, and innovation?

In this episode, hosts Dave Raley and Carly Berna sit down with Dan Bentley, Managing Director of Impacto Consulting and host of the Innovate for Impact podcast. 

Dan’s work helps nonprofits break free from “survival mode” and become high-performing, impact-driven organizations. Drawing from both his for-profit background and nearly a decade of consulting in the social sector, Dan shares practical strategies for building resilient, innovative, and empowered teams, especially in the face of limited resources.

Together with Dave and Carly, Dan outlines the critical mindset shifts and organizational changes required to create meaningful, scalable impact.

Key Topics They Cover:

• What “survival mode” looks like in nonprofit organizations,and how to break out of it

• Why resource constraints actually fuel innovation in the nonprofit sector

• The four pillars of innovative organizations:

1. Ambition Focused

2. Creative Leadership

3. Client Centricity

4. Empowered People

• Why “Empowered People” is often the weakest link, and what to do about it

• Lessons nonprofits can teach the for-profit world about adaptability, systems, and solving real-world problems

• The power of systematized innovation and frontline empowerment, with examples from organizations like the Starlight Children’s Foundation

• Dan’s personal journey – from corporate insurance to international travel to founding Impacto Consulting

Plus, don’t miss the lightning round, where Dan shares the most random item on his bucket list, his surprising past in Australian hip hop, and the one cause he’d donate a million dollars to.

Take Action:

• Get to know Dan Bentley.

• Learn more about Impacto Consulting.

• Listen to Innovate for Impact on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

SEASON 6 IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Virtuous

Virtuous believes in increasing generosity through personal donor engagement, no matter the gift size. The Virtuous platform streamlines nonprofit workflows, eliminates back-office tasks, and focuses on the relationships that matter. With their CRM, fundraising, volunteer, and marketing tools, nonprofits can create responsive experiences that build trust and grow impact.

FaithSearch Partners

FaithSearch Partners is an executive search firm for faith-based organizations, dedicated to providing lasting solutions and championing faith-driven leaders. Their mission is to serve their clients and empower them with the right people at the right time to help drive their unique mission of ministry forward.

Imago Consulting

Imago Consulting is an advisory firm that helps nonprofits and businesses grow through innovation. Innovation is the lifeblood of any growing organization. Imago publishes a weekly trends report called The Wave Report – learn more about it and subscribe here.

DickersonBakker

DickersonBakker is a trusted leader in nonprofit fundraising, serving organizations for over 40 years. With thousands of clients nationwide, we’ve helped raise billions of dollars to fuel missions and make meaningful impact. Their expertise spans fundraising, leadership development, and strategic growth, empowering nonprofits to advance their vision.

Avid

Avid is the first-ever fundraising agency in the cloud—giving nonprofits on-demand access to data-driven strategies, personalized donor engagement, and scalable growth. Avid unifies your donor data, delivers ready-to-use playbooks, and helps you drive impact—faster, smarter, and without complexity. Fundraising just got easier.

Share

Share helps Christian nonprofits shine with innovative marketing, digital fundraising, and cutting-edge tools. One of their newest tools, Personify, feels like magic—capturing email addresses from website visitors who didn’t donate so you don’t lose the chance to connect. For listeners of the Purpose and Profit podcast, Share is giving away 400 free credits for Personify! That’s 400 new email addresses from your potential donors for free! Click here to claim your free credits and grow your mission today.

Synergy

At Synergy, they boost your nonprofit's donor engagement through innovative phone-based solutions. Whether it's P2P texting, voice broadcasting, inbound call handling, or mid-level donor engagement, they seamlessly integrate with your existing mail and digital strategies. Their goal is to create a personal connection with your donors, enhancing their commitment to your cause. Let Synergy be your donor engagement team and watch your donor retention and revenue grow.

Special thanks to editor and sound engineer Barry R. Hill and producer Abigail Morse.