Sheela N. Mahajan
78 episodes listed below
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Welcome to the Nonprofit Science Podcast! Nonprofit science is the application of scientific thinking to the advancement of nonprofit missions. On this show, host Sheela N. Mahajan interviews researchers and pulls information from the latest published research to empower nonprofit leaders to grow their impact through science.
Based on 4 episodes we listened to · September 2026
Sheila Mahajan translates nonprofit research into grounded guidance while preserving the limits, context, and practical consequences of the evidence.
The Nonprofit Science Podcast turns published research into practical questions about how nonprofit organizations measure impact, raise funds, and work with partners.
The funder wants proof; Sheila Mahajan helps you ask who will actually use the data.
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Short reviews from the PlayNext desk, based on the episodes we processed.
A careful argument that fundraising value lives in relationships as much as revenue.
Sheila Mahajan makes a steady case that year-end fundraising should be measured by more than dollars alone. Social, relational, and network capital all matter, and the five-tier framework gives that view some structure.
A grounded look at why DAFs change fundraising.
Donor-advised funds come through here as a real fundraising problem, not a side issue. The episode starts with a donor moving a familiar annual gift into a DAF, then uses the sector's numbers to show why nonprofits cannot shrug this off when they plan for revenue.
A sharp, practical look at collaboration that turns nonprofit partnership from slogan into strategy.
Sheila Mahajan talks with Dr. Priyanka Bernice and Pallavi Gupta about collaboration as a practical problem, not a slogan. The episode stays grounded in the way funders often ask for collaboration without defining it, then moves into shared value and collaborative advantage.
A grounded case for making nonprofit data useful, not just abundant.
This episode treats nonprofit measurement as more than a reporting exercise. It argues that teams can see their impact, but still have to explain it to funders, boards, and other stakeholders.
Odd questions, followed patiently down to the incentives.
Brené Brown's long-form conversations linking grief, caregiving, politics, and nonviolence to her vulnerability research.
Sheila Mahajan opens by calling collaboration one of the nonprofit sector’s most overused and misunderstood ideas.
This episode introduces Leah Krall, author of 'Innovation for Social Change', discussing how nonprofits can innovate with limited resources, drawing from her Peace Corps experience and case studies to explore scientific thinking and ethical experimentation in the sector.
The host reflects on key research from 2025 that influenced her thinking on nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and innovation, aiming to help practitioners apply scientific approaches to their work.
This episode segment discusses the limitations of standard donor thank-you practices and introduces a scientific approach to enhancing donor appreciation for non-profits.
This episode explores whether nonprofits should participate in Giving Tuesday, addressing common concerns about competition and donor fatigue while promising insights into why the event works effectively.
Impact measurement starts with a hard question.
This episode introduces a discussion with Sean Hale on rethinking nonprofit financial practices, covering topics like financial literacy, organizational culture, and myth-busting in nonprofit finance.
Host Sheila Mahajan interviews Diana Farias Heinrich about ethical storytelling practices that center the people whose stories are shared, challenging common nonprofit norms.
This episode explores how nonprofits can leverage data from Giving Tuesday to enhance fundraising and impact.
Fundraising can measure more than dollars.
DAFs have moved out of the side-note column.
Host Sheila Mahajan explores research on default donations and behavioral nudges to help nonprofits ethically increase revenue.
Host Sheila Mahajan interviews Dr.
Host Sheila Mahajan discusses new research on the role of emotions in fundraising campaigns, debunking the positive vs.
Sheila Mahajan examines nonprofit ethics through Cassandra Chapman’s survey of 69 professional fundraisers and the competing demands of beneficiaries, donors, and organizations.
The Nonprofit Science Podcast examines why stories outperform number-heavy appeals such as homelessness rising 15% and an 82% housing-placement rate.
The Nonprofit Science Podcast revisits donor segmentation as year-end data collection turns into personalized communication.
Host Sheila Mahajan interviews Dr.
Host Sheila Mahajan interviews Dr.
Host Sheila Mahajan introduces the podcast and discusses research on building authentic relationships with major donors through scientific thinking.
Host Sheila Mahajan interviews Dr.
Host Sheila Mahajan introduces the podcast's mission to apply scientific thinking to nonprofit work and discusses donor thank-you calls during the giving season.