85% Retention Rule: Building an A-Team Culture that Thrives (with CEO Kelly Dunkin)

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Culture is never neutral. It’s either strengthening your mission or quietly eroding it.


In this episode of Nonprofit CEO SPARK, Marcia Beckner sits down with Kelly Dunkin, President & CEO of Colorado Gives Foundation, to unpack what it really takes to build a high-performing, inclusive culture that delivers measurable results.


Under Kelly’s leadership, Colorado Gives Day generated $56.5 million for 4,600 nonprofits—in a year when many organizations were navigating funding uncertainty and sector-wide stress. 


The secret isn’t hustle. It’s alignment.


Kelly shares how an intentional focus on culture—supported by clear agreements, defined values, and an 85% retention benchmark—has shaped hiring decisions, leadership behavior, and long-term performance.


This conversation is both strategic and deeply human. 


You’ll hear lessons on letting go of defensiveness, building staff-led culture systems, and why retention is one of the most overlooked leadership metrics in the nonprofit sector.


In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why an 85% retention goal can transform how you hire, develop, and retain top talent
• How to use monthly pulse surveys and inclusion metrics to keep a real-time culture scorecard
• A simple, no-cost way to gather meaningful staff input and begin strengthening trust
• What it looks like to “go slow to go fast” when building sustainable fundraising momentum
• How to stop taking feedback personally and lead with curiosity instead

If you’re leading a team of 10–100 paid staff and want stronger alignment, better morale, and results that don’t depend on burnout, this episode is your roadmap.


Ready to reset your leadership? Learn more about Marcia’s Burnout to Boundaries Strategy Session at CultureCARES.com.


Marcia Beckner helps nonprofit executives lead with confidence and create healthy, thriving workplace cultures, especially during times of growth and change.


After nearly 20 years in the nonprofit sector, she’s seen far too many talented, hard-working leaders burn out and walk away.


It doesn’t have to be this way.


Nonprofit CEO SPARK is your invitation to pause, pivot, and reignite your energy so you can lead with clarity, courage, and balance.


Feeling exhausted and on the edge of burnout?


Grab my free guide - 4 Strategies for Nonprofit CEOs to Reduce Burnout, Unify Your Team & Build a Culture That Lasts. Go to https://culturecares.com/guide (https://culturecares.com/guide/) .


If this episode resonated, I invite you to join my Tuesday newsletter. Each week I share the podcast topic, practical leadership insights, and occasional special offers and event invitations designed to help you lead with clarity without burning out.


If you know another nonprofit leader who could use this support, please pass it along. And if you’d ever like to connect directly, you can reach me at https://culturecares.com (https://culturecares.com/) .