We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jarrett Ransom. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jarrett below.

Jarrett, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you take vacations? Why or why not?

Absolutely! I’m a big believer in vacations—and even mini “vacations” like midday naps to recharge.

As business owners, we need to operate on a full tank, not just fumes. I’m a strong advocate for self-care and have dedicated extensive work to this topic, including 40 podcast episodes and a white paper on balancing wellness with professional and personal demands. (Have a listen to the episodes here: https://nonprofitnerdimpactunleashed.buzzsprout.com/2306053)

Last summer, I took a sabbatical to travel across Europe with my family. Before leaving, I carefully prepared my clients for my absence and relied on my virtual assistant to keep things running smoothly. Thanks to her support and my pre-trip planning, I was able to be fully present during my travels while having complete confidence that my business and clients were in good hands.

Jarrett, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Based in Phoenix, AZ, I have dedicated my career to empowering nonprofits nationwide. Since founding The Rayvan Group in 2009, I have worked exclusively with mission-driven organizations, specializing in strategic planning, interim leadership, and fractional fundraising support to help them achieve long-term sustainability and resilience.

As President & CEO of The Rayvan Group, I guide nonprofits in developing multi-year strategic plans—helping them not only address immediate challenges but also establish a roadmap for 3, 5, or even 10 years into the future. My expertise in interim leadership ensures stability during leadership transitions, keeping organizations on track with their mission and goals. Additionally, through fractional fundraising support, I help nonprofits strengthen their fund development strategies, maximize donor engagement, and secure critical funding to sustain and expand their impact.

With multiple certifications, including being a Certified Trainer for Fundraising Academy at National University, a Certified Interim Executive Transition Leader, and a Grant Writing Certificate holder, I bring a deep well of expertise to every organization I work with. Over the years, I have successfully helped nonprofits—from startups to multi-million-dollar organizations—raise millions annually to fuel their missions and serve their communities.

Beyond consulting, I share my knowledge and insights as the host of Nonprofit Nerd®: Impact Unleashed, a podcast where I explore wellness, leadership, and sustainability with nonprofit professionals nationwide. I’m also a professional speaker, event host, and emcee, helping nonprofits elevate their fundraising events and drive meaningful change.

At my core, I am passionate about helping nonprofits build stronger, more resilient organizations. Whether through strategic planning, leadership transitions, or fundraising support, my goal is to provide the guidance, tools, and expertise nonprofits need to thrive today and for years to come.

Let’s connect and make an impact together!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Not long ago, I was living paycheck to paycheck, struggling to make ends meet, and had no cushion for the unexpected. There were times I didn’t know how I would make it through, but I refused to let those struggles define me. What kept me going was my belief in the possibility of a better future—not just for myself, but for my family.

Along that journey, I found myself as a recipient of support from many local nonprofits, helping me meet basic needs during some of my toughest times. Some of those same organizations that once helped me get by have hired me for my professional expertise, and this has come full circle in a truly profound way. It’s an incredible feeling to be able to represent these organizations not only from a personal perspective, having experienced their impact firsthand, but also as a professional lending my expertise to help them thrive.

Today, I run a successful business, travel with my family, and support nonprofits with the knowledge and insight I’ve gained over the years. This transformation is a testament to resilience, and it’s something I want for you, too. I am deeply passionate about the social impact sector, and I want you to know that the life you dream of—one of purpose, stability, and meaning—is absolutely possible.

If I can overcome the odds, so can you. I’m here to support your success and your excellence because I believe you can create a life of impact and fulfillment just like I have.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn was my definition of success. For a long time, I thought success was measured by how many employees I had and how much money I was making. Early in my career, I believed that the more employees I managed or the bigger the paycheck, the more successful I was. I equated larger teams and higher earnings with achievement and fulfillment.

But over time, I realized that this traditional definition of success didn’t actually bring me the happiness or satisfaction I thought it would. I was constantly chasing numbers, and I began to feel overwhelmed, burned out, and disconnected from what truly mattered to me.

Today, I define success much differently. It’s not about the size of the team or the figures in the bank account; instead, I measure success by the freedom and flexibility I can build into my life. For me, success is now about having the ability to design a life that allows me to create meaningful experiences with my family—whether that’s traveling, spending quality time together, or simply having the space to be present in the moment.

This shift in mindset has made all the difference in how I approach both my personal and professional life. It’s about balance, fulfillment, and creating the lifestyle that truly reflects what I value most. And I want others to realize that success is personal—there’s no one-size-fits-all. It’s about what brings you peace and joy and aligning your life to those values.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.therayvangroup.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nonprofit_nerd/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NonprofitNerd/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jrransom/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk6uMOj2A_tf2SzkDLVpt8Q
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/jarrettransom_nonprofitnerd/_created/
  https://www.nonprofitnerdschool.com
  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jrransom/