NGO Soul + Strategy

091. “$10M Landed in Our Account”—What Nonprofits Must Know About Transformational Gifts and Sudden Growth with Michael Randel

• Tosca Bruno-van Vijfeijken • Season 6 • Episode 91

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What happens when your nonprofit receives a transformational gift—seemingly out of the blue? In this episode, change management expert Michael Randel joins Tosca Bruno-van Vijfeijken to explore what nonprofits can learn from the MacKenzie Scott giving wave. Together, they discuss how to prepare for sudden funding growth, what risks to avoid, and how to communicate wisely during a time of high visibility and high stakes.

Guest Bio

  • Founder and Principal of Randel Consulting Associates
  • Long-standing consultant in nonprofit change management and scaling
  • Researcher on philanthropic giving and leadership dynamics
  • Regular advisor to mission-driven organizations facing major transitions


We Discuss:

  • Michael’s research into nonprofits that received large-scale gifts from MacKenzie Scott
  • Why divisiveness after a big gift was less common than expected
  • How to manage sudden scaling and increase organizational readiness
  • The value of a “quiet phase” in your communication strategy
  • How to plan for the eventual “financial cliff” once funding is spent
  • Why this moment calls for both bold leadership and intentional restraint


Quotes:

“One day, 10 million dollar suddenly landed in our bank account.”
“Should we be careful what we wished for?”

Resources: