Stephen Halasnik, Managing Partner of Financing Solutions, a leading provider of lines of credit to nonprofits, sat down with Jon Nevett, President and CEO of Public Interest Registry (PIR), to discuss how nonprofit culture is critical to your success on the Nonprofit MBA Podcast.
Summary
Why Culture Isn’t Just a Buzzword: How One Nonprofit Found Success by Putting People First
When Jon Nevett stepped into his role as President and CEO of Public Interest Registry (PIR), he wasn’t just inheriting a job—he was inheriting a legacy. PIR isn’t your average nonprofit. As the operator behind the .org domain, they serve more than 11 million organizations worldwide, powering the digital identities of mission-driven groups across the globe.
But while the scope of PIR’s work is vast and technical—converting domain names into internet-recognized IP addresses—it’s the organization’s internal culture that has become its most powerful asset.
The Overlooked Engine of Success
Culture in nonprofits is often misunderstood or undervalued. Yet, as Nevett passionately argues, it’s one of the most important factors in an organization’s success. “Some people say culture eats strategy for lunch. I don’t buy that,” he says. “Because I think a strong culture is part of your strategy.”
When he took over at PIR, the organization had gone through a period of leadership instability. The culture wasn’t broken—but it wasn’t fully formed either. Nevett brought in not just structure and vision, but a philosophy: culture and mission must be intertwined. Employees who feel supported, respected, and valued are more productive, more creative, and more committed to the mission.
Building a “People-First” Culture
So what does culture really look like at PIR? For starters, there’s a sharp focus on empathy, flexibility, and individual well-being. After COVID, the organization adopted a hybrid work model that includes mandatory in-office collaboration days and flexible hours to accommodate personal lives.
“I made every one of my daughter’s soccer games,” Nevett says proudly. “And I want that for my team too.”
At PIR, core office hours (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) are protected for collaboration. Outside of that, employees can design their schedules around what works best for them. The result? High morale, minimal turnover, and sky-high workplace satisfaction—98% of PIR employees rated it a “great place to work” in the last survey.
Culture as a Strategic Investment
This isn’t just altruism. It’s smart leadership.
Happy employees don’t leave. And when they stay, organizations save money, time, and energy on recruitment and retraining. That retention creates stability, which then drives better outcomes across the board—from smoother operations to stronger mission execution.
“You can have all the right strategies in place,” Nevett explains, “but if your team isn’t on board, if they’re burnt out or undervalued, you’re going to fall short.”
PIR’s culture has become its competitive edge—and its secret weapon in fulfilling its broader nonprofit mission.
Empowering the Mission Through Domain Stewardship
PIR isn’t just managing domain names. It’s stewarding a digital ecosystem for the world’s most mission-driven organizations. In that spirit, the .org domain isn’t treated as a business product—it’s treated as a community resource.
“We see ourselves like a museum bookstore,” Nevett says. “We sell .org domains to support the broader community.”
Proceeds from domain sales go directly to the Internet Society, PIR’s parent organization, which uses the funds to advance internet access, safety, and governance around the world. From helping communities with limited connectivity to sponsoring global digital safety initiatives, the work PIR supports touches millions.
Championing Ethical Tech
PIR’s commitment to integrity goes far beyond internal culture or funding nonprofits—it’s actively pushing the tech industry to do better. Recently, they partnered with the Internet Watch Foundation to combat child sexual abuse material online.
Even though PIR already had the cleanest record among domain registries, they weren’t satisfied with just maintaining that standard—they wanted to lift the entire industry. So they began sponsoring access to alerts and tools for other registries that lacked them, helping extend protections beyond their own customer base.
“We want to make the whole internet better, not just our slice of it,” says Nevett.
Celebrating the .org Community
In addition to technical infrastructure and advocacy, PIR celebrates the organizations that use .org through its annual .ORG Impact Awards. One notable recipient? The Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation, which started by helping Filipino children who had to swim to school. With a single
yellow boat, they began paddling kids to safety—and have now expanded to 5,000 boats and even built schools in remote areas.
“These are the types of organizations that define what .org is all about,” Nevett says.
A Culture of Gratitude
At the heart of PIR’s success is a philosophy rooted in gratitude and recognition. Whether it’s structured employee surveys, open Q&A sessions at all-hands meetings, or simply saying “thank you,” the organization operates with a deep understanding that human connection is foundational to long-term success.
Nevett quotes Teddy Roosevelt: “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” For him, that sums up leadership—and culture—in a nutshell.
Culture by Design, Not Default
Nevett’s approach to leadership didn’t come from a textbook. It came from experience—good and bad. “I’ve worked at an 80,000-person company. I’ve done a four-person startup,” he says. “I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t.”
When he co-founded a startup, he and his co-founders spent hours not just talking about what the company would do, but how it would feel. They chose to prioritize culture before even launching.
“Every company has a culture,” he explains. “The question is whether you’ve defined it intentionally or whether it just happened.”
At PIR, it’s very much by design.
The Broader Challenge Nonprofits Face
While PIR is a nonprofit, its challenges—and opportunities—mirror those of many mission-driven organizations. And Nevett’s insights extend beyond his own team.
He acknowledges that the nonprofit sector faces unique pressures, from unstable funding to emotionally intense missions. Add political and economic uncertainty—like fluctuating tax laws or government shutdowns—and the load becomes even heavier.
“Right now, many nonprofits are holding their breath,” he says, referencing current legislative proposals that may impact charitable deductions. If those changes pass, individual donations could drop dramatically.
Collaboration as a Lifeline
One silver lining in difficult times? Increased collaboration. Just as they did during COVID,
nonprofits are again leaning into partnerships, pooling resources, and sharing knowledge to weather the storm together.
“None of us have a crystal ball,” Nevett says. “But what we do have is each other. We can strengthen the sector by supporting each other.”
Advice for Leaders on Culture
What if your organization hasn’t yet developed a strong culture? Nevett’s advice: Start with the fundamentals.
“You don’t have to replicate our culture,” he says. “Every organization is different. But what’s universal is treating people well, showing empathy, and investing in your team—not just with money, but with intention.”
Leaders should ask themselves: Are we transparent? Are we expressing gratitude? Are we empowering our people to feel ownership of the mission?
Culture Isn’t a Perk—It’s a Strategy
Nevett closes with a simple but profound reminder: culture isn’t a “nice to have.” It’s the engine behind everything a nonprofit sets out to do. When your team is strong, connected, and cared for, your impact multiplies.
“Culture doesn’t just help your mission,” he says. “It is your mission—in action, every day.”
About Our Guest, Jon Nevett, From Public Interest Registry
Jon Nevett is the President and CEO of Public Interest Registry (PIR), the nonprofit behind the .ORG domain with over 11 million registrations worldwide. A leader in the domain, tech, and nonprofit industries, Jon is a nationally recognized voice on internet safety. He co-founded Donuts Inc., managing one of the world’s largest domain portfolios, and served on the Obama Administration’s Online Safety and Technology Working Group. Jon received his JD from Harvard Law School and exemplifies a leadership style that prioritizes employee happiness. His people-first approach drives PIR’s success by fostering a supportive and mission-driven workplace.
About Stephen Halasnik and Financing Solutions
Stephen Halasnik is the host of The Nonprofit MBA Podcast and Managing Partner of Financing Solutions. Since 2012, Financing Solutions has been the largest provider of lines of credit to nonprofits in the US. A line of credit is like an emergency business loan for nonprofits that can be used whenever needed.
