Passion Isn’t Enough with David Rhode

Nonprofit Nation with Julia Campbell

In this episode of Nonprofit Nation I’m joined by David Rhode, a seasoned nonprofit founder, consultant, and author whose career has centered on scaling impact for mission-driven organizations. David shares valuable insights from his new book, Passion Isn’t Enough: A Practical Guide for Nonprofit Leaders, a comprehensive resource for nonprofit executives, board members, and emerging leaders. With over two decades of experience in nonprofit leadership, teaching, and consulting, David reveals why passion, while essential, must be paired with strategic and practical leadership skills to drive meaningful change.

Key Topics Covered:

• Why passion alone isn’t sufficient for nonprofit success.
• Key frameworks and practical tools for nonprofit management.
• Tips for balancing vision with operational skill to scale impact.
• Self-care strategies for nonprofit leaders.

Hopes for how Passion Isn’t Enough can empower nonprofit leaders to drive lasting change.
David Rhode Bio:
In 2005, David Rhode founded, led and scaled Pitch In For Baseball and Softball, a nonprofit organization that increased access to baseball and softball for children in under-resourced communities through the donation of equipment and uniforms.

After leaving Pitch In For Baseball and Softball in 2019, David founded Dot Dot Org, a nonprofit consulting firm focusing on CEO mentoring. David teaches Nonprofit Branding and Nonprofit Consulting at the University of Pennsylvania. He is also the Deputy Director at PennPAC, an organization that mobilizes pro bono teams of University of Pennsylvania alumni as consultants to strengthen the nonprofit sector.

He is the author of “Passion Isn’t Enough: A Practical Guide for Nonprofit Leaders”, released in November 2024. He and his family now live in New York City.
David Rhode on LinkedIn
Passion Isn't Enough: A Practical Guide for Nonprofit Leaders

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