Budgeting is one of the most misunderstood and frustrating parts of nonprofit work, whether you're leading an organization, raising funds, or managing marketing and communications.

In this episode, Spencer Brooks sits down with Jim Carroll, CEO of The diaTribe Foundation, to break down key budgeting misconceptions, explain how different revenue models shape financial decisions, and share strategies for securing more funding.

Whether you’re an Executive Director balancing competing priorities, a fundraiser navigating restricted and unrestricted dollars, or a marketing professional making the case for more resources, this episode will give you the insights you need to approach budgeting with confidence.

About the guest

Jim Carroll is the CEO of The diaTribe Foundation after seven years as the Vice President of Finance and Administration at Common Sense Media and 6 years as the Managing Director of Equality California where he led the team to successfully pass over 70 pieces of legislation to achieve legal equality for LGBT Californians. He also worked at an environmental health organization called The Breast Cancer Fund and at the National office of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. Jim graduated from the University of Florida and lives with his husband, Scott, and his yellow Labrador retriever, Atlas, in San Francisco.

Resources

New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/
Axios: https://www.axios.com/
The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/

Contact Jim

Website: https://diatribe.org/foundation
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-carroll-b4004b6/

Demystifying Nonprofit Budgets: What Every Leader, Fundraiser, and Marketer Needs to Know