The Truth About Nonprofits No One Talks About | Michael Connelly

Guest: Michael Connelly, Managing Director of CPR Group, EO Queensland Member since 2024 Host: Linh Podetti, EO Sydney Member since 2022 and Owner of Outsourcing Angel What if the biggest problem with nonprofits… is how they think about money? In this episode of the EO Business Podcast, Linh Podetti sits down with Michael Connelly, Managing Director of CPR Group, to unpack the truth about nonprofit business models — and why so many purpose-driven organisations struggle to grow. Michael shares his journey from starting a music school as a young entrepreneur to helping thousands of nonprofits become stronger, more sustainable businesses. From governance and strategy to mindset and leadership, this conversation is packed with practical insights for anyone building a purpose-driven organisation. You’ll also hear: • Why “not for profit” doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make money • The real reason nonprofits stay stuck in survival mode • How to shift from doing everything yourself to true leadership • The surprising human impact behind poorly run organisations • Why Michael wants to “die with nothing in the tank” This episode is for entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone who wants to build a business that creates real impact. ⏱ Timestamps 00:00 Intro 00:45 Michael’s early entrepreneurial journey 03:08 How CPR Group started 05:24 The biggest misconception about nonprofits 08:01 Challenges working with nonprofits 11:32 Why mindset matters more than funding 13:44 Scaling a family business 18:51 The hidden human impact of bad leadership 20:46 Why leaders must stop “doing everything” 24:57 Working with family successfully 27:28 How EO changed Michael’s perspective 35:25 Staying positive and purpose-driven 37:26 What’s next: speaking & scaling impact 42:59 “Die with nothing in the tank” philosophy 46:43 Final reflections ABOUT MICHAEL Michael Connelly is the Managing Director of CPR Group and a specialist in helping not-for-profits become stronger, more sustainable businesses. With nearly 30 years of experience, he works with councils, universities, and community organisations to improve governance, strategy, and performance. Passionate about purpose-driven impact, Michael is known for challenging the misconception that nonprofits shouldn’t make money, and for empowering leaders to think more entrepreneurially so they can better serve their communities. CONNECT WITH MICHAEL Website: https://cprgroup.com.au/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nfpmichael/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nfpmichael/ -------------------- ABOUT EO Entrepreneur's Organization (EO) is a global business network of 18,000 + influential business owners in over 220 chapters across 76 countries. We offer world-class events that encompass engaging entrepreneur and business stories, skills-specific workshops, and exciting social gatherings. Our mission is to drive both business and personal growth through peer-to-peer learning, providing support for the holistic entrepreneur experience covering business, family, community, and personal aspects. As a not-for-profit organization, all our funds directly contribute to member benefits. If you're a business owner with revenues ranging from US$250k to US$1m, you can join our Accelerator Program. If your revenues exceed US$1m, you can join the main EO Program in your nearest local chapter. To join or find out more about your nearest chapter, visit https://www.eonetwork.org/why-join/apply-for-membership-form. For further information, please contact: Podcast Host Linh Podetti: linh@outsourcingangel.com.au General Inquiries: support@eonetwork.org.au EO Sydney: www.eosydney.com.au EO Global: https://hub.eonetwork.org/ EO Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneursOrganization -------------------- ABOUT THE HOST Linh Podetti is the CEO and Founder of Outsourcing Angel, a Sydney-based company that helps to create jobs for people in the Philippines while creating freedom for business owners around the world. Outsourcing Angel provides Systemise & Scale Up Services as well as Recruitment of Virtual Assistants to help business owners grow a business that doesn't rely on them. Linh has been an active member of EO Sydney since June 2022, and she actively seeks out opportunities to promote and uplift fellow entrepreneurs. Business Website: www.outsourcingangel.com Personal Website: https://www.linhpodetti.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@360degreesuccesslife Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linhpodetti/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/linh.podetti/