Nonprofit Leadership Podcast

Michael Thatcher In this episode, Dr. Rob Harter sits down with Michael Thatcher, CEO of Charity Navigator, to explore how the nation’s largest independent charity evaluator is evolving to better serve donors and nonprofits alike. With over a decade at the helm, Michael shares how his background in technology and impact measurement has shaped Charity Navigator’s shift toward a more comprehensive, 360-degree view of nonprofit effectiveness. From financial transparency and governance best practices to measuring real impact and rebuilding trust in the nonprofit sector, this conversation dives deep into how data-informed giving can strengthen both donor confidence and organizational performance. Whether you’re a nonprofit executive striving for a higher rating or a donor seeking to invest in meaningful change, this episode provides practical insights to help you give—and lead—smarter. Key Topics Include: The mission of Charity Navigator and how it has expanded to rate over 250,000 nonprofits Why overhead is no