“Training is the first thing to get cut when money’s tight—and the last thing we should ignore.” —Tosha Anderson
The Hidden Cost of Poor Training
In a nonprofit world defined by high turnover, tight budgets, and relentless mission work, training is too often an afterthought. We wait for a crisis, then scramble to “train” our way out of it.
In a recent episode of A Modern Nonprofit Podcast, Tosha Anderson talks with Dr. Carrie Graham about how nonprofit leaders can flip the script on professional development and build training programs that actually work—without blowing the budget.
The ERA Method: Engagement, Retention, Application
Dr. Carrie’s ERA training method is a simple but powerful framework:
Engagement:
Stop entertaining. Start connecting. Effective training begins with asking people how they relate to the topic—not just telling them what to do.
Retention:
Jargon and acronyms don’t help anyone. If your team doesn’t understand the information, they can’t retain it.
Application:
Real success shows up after the session. Does your team know how to apply what they’ve learned to their work, a week—or a year—later?
Why Nonprofits Struggle with Training
Dr. Graham outlines three reasons nonprofit training fails:
- Limited resources
- Lack of strategic intent
- Confusion about who owns the training process
Nonprofits often reserve professional development for the executive director or program leads. But your volunteers, board members, and junior staff need guidance too. Training without strategy leads to inconsistent results and missed opportunities for growth.
What Good Training Looks Like
The key isn’t perfection—it’s intentionality.
Good training:
- Starts with asking what staff need, not assuming
- Includes structured follow-up and evaluation (not just smiley face surveys)
- Doesn’t end when the conference does—participants report back, teach others, and apply what they’ve learned
“If your organization’s training strategy is ‘we’ll figure it out,’ then you’re not doing it well.” —Dr. Graham
Start with This
Dr. Graham recommends nonprofit leaders begin by asking team members: What do you need to perform your job with excellence?
From there, you can build a strategic development plan that balances operational demands with long-term growth.
📥 Download her free Training Assessment at DrCarrieGraham.com and start transforming how your nonprofit approaches learning.
Connect with Dr. Carrie Graham
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drcarriegraham
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drcarriegraham
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcarriegraham
Website: https://www.drcarriegraham.com
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