Episode Details

Explore how cause-driven giving, advocacy, and innovation are reshaping nonprofits in 2025 and beyond. Tune in to listen to Micheal Thatcher from Charity Navigator.

In this conversation, Holly Rustick speaks with Michael Thatcher, CEO of Charity Navigator, about the evolving landscape of nonprofit evaluation and philanthropy. They discuss the launch of new funds, trends in giving, and the importance of advocacy in the nonprofit sector. 

Michael shares insights on how giving patterns are changing, particularly among younger generations, and the impact of recent legislative changes on nonprofits. 

The conversation emphasizes the need for community engagement and the critical role of nonprofits in addressing societal needs.

Holly and Michael also discuss how to work with Charity Navigator for developing a free will and how to create a legacy with your assets to nonprofits. 

Takeaways

• Charity Navigator evaluates over 240,000 nonprofits.
• The platform helps donors find the best nonprofits for their causes.
• Younger generations prioritize causes over organization names.
• The launch of Causeway allows donors to contribute to specific causes.
• Anonymous donations are increasing, making donor engagement challenging.
• Advocacy is crucial for the nonprofit sector’s survival.
• Legislative changes are impacting nonprofit funding and operations.
• Community engagement enhances the effectiveness of philanthropy.
• The need for nonprofit services is growing, not diminishing.
• Nonprofits play a vital role in the social safety net.

About Micheal Thatcher

Michael leads Charity Navigator in its efforts to make impactful philanthropy easier for all by increasing the breadth and depth of evaluation methodologies to facilitate ratings coverage of substantially larger numbers of charities and expand how the information engages new and existing audiences. Prior to joining Charity Navigator Michael spent more than fifteen years with Microsoft, the last ten of which, as their Public-Sector Chief Technology Officer responsible for technology policy initiatives and engagements with governments and academic leaders in Asia, the Middle-East and Africa. Michael’s eclectic background includes years at sea conducting oceanographic research with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, composing music and dancing internationally as the co-founder and co-director of Dance Music Light. He has held various board positions within the nonprofit and tech sector, holds several patents in enterprise systems management and has a degree in Music from Columbia University in New York. 

His guiding mantra: Follow your heart – Use your head – Make a difference

Connect with Micheal Thatcher

• Charity Navigator
• mthatcher@charitynavigator.org

Links Mentioned

• Charity Navigator
• Grant Professional Mentorship

OTHER RESOURCES:

• Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox.  https://grantwritingandfunding.com/
• Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/
• Grant Professio