The Nonprofit Plug with Dr. Sharon R. Elefant

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In this episode, Joe Crane sits down with Dr. Sharon R. Elefant, Founder and CEO of The Nonprofit Plug, to discuss the critical intersection of military service and nonprofit entrepreneurship. Drawing from her deep roots in the veteran community—including her work with the VA health system and AMVETS—Dr. Sharon addresses the common “red tape” and business gaps that often hinder mission-driven leaders. She highlights the necessity of viewing a nonprofit as a “business with a cause,” emphasizing that sustainability requires a clear revenue model and a narrowly defined problem to solve. From exploring the benefits of fiscal sponsorship to implementing efficient infrastructure, Dr. Sharon provides a professional roadmap for veterans looking to transition from a passion for service to a high-impact, scalable organization.

Episode Resources:

https://thenonprofitplug.com/

About Our Guest

Dr. Sharon R. Elefant is a nationally recognized nonprofit strategist, educator, and community advocate, serving as the Founder and CEO of The Nonprofit Plug LLC and The NonprofitPlug Foundation Inc. With over a decade of experience in nonprofit leadership, compliance, financial management, grant writing, and capacity building, she has supported the formation and sustainability of hundreds of nonprofit organizations across the country. Dr. Sharon has helped nonprofits collectively secure over $15 million in funding, manage millions in assets, and transition founders into paid executive leadership roles. Her work centers on demystifying the nonprofit ecosystem, grant readiness, fiscal sponsorship, donor cultivation, and compliance, so mission-driven leaders can focus on impact without burnout. In addition to consulting, Dr. Sharon is a professor of business administration, a frequent speaker, and a trusted advisor to grassroots and scaling organizations alike. Her approach blends strategy, transparency, and real-world application, making her a sought-after guest for podcasts focused on social impact, leadership, entrepreneurship, and nonprofit growth.

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Veteran On the Move podcast has published 600 episodes. Our listeners have the opportunity to hear in-depth interviews conducted by host Joe Crane. The podcast features people, programs, and resources to assist veterans in their transition to entrepreneurship.  As a result, Veteran On the Move has over 7,000,000 verified downloads through Stitcher Radio, SoundCloud, iTunes and RSS Feed Syndication making it one of the most popular Military Entrepreneur Shows on the Internet Today.