Meet Courtney. A fierce advocate and changemaker bringing comfort, connection, and care to families fighting cancer. At just 23, she turned her pain into purpose, founding Culinary Care after experiencing firsthand the impact of a meal during her dad’s battle with lung cancer. Fast forward 11 years, and her Chicago-based nonprofit has delivered over 40,000 free meals spreading hope, easing loneliness, and creating a sense of belonging 🍲We’re talking about lessons learned while founding an org, leaning into advocacy, and the power of community — all with actionable tips along the way. Tune in!

Meet Dr. Tim. He’s the founder and CEO of Higher Purpose Co., a nonprofit driving economic justice for Black communities in Mississippi. He’s sharing all about their transformative work in community education, business support, and innovative capital access. They’re building intergenerational wealth, shifting harmful narratives, and empowering community voices through strategic collaborations with major funders. This convo is a must-listen for anyone fired up about creating equitable, lasting change in their community 🎧

Meet Sarah and Angie. These visionary leaders from Sunbeam Family Services in Oklahoma City are sharing how they’ve woven trauma-informed, strength-based principles into every part of their org. From rethinking fundraising and storytelling to centering community relationships with intentional language and deep listening, they’re showing how nonprofits can truly build a culture of care (that’s filled with hope!). Tune in to discover how to embed these transformative principles into your own work.

Meet Laura. She's the visionary behind LottoLove—the lottery where everyone wins. It’s a first-of-its-kind way to make giving more joyful and accessible through scratch-off tickets🍀 Join us as Laura dives into the power of collective giving and why she’s on a mission to make giving part of our everyday lives. Plus, she’s sharing how LottoLove has earned major media attention through authenticity and humanity. Tune in for an episode full of inspiration, innovation, and maybe a little luck.

Meet Sarita and Martín. Sarita is the VP of U.S. Programs, and Martín is the VP of International Programs at the Ford Foundation. They're pulling back the curtain on the Ford Foundation's work that disrupts inequality in all its forms. Get ready as they dive deep into their journeys, the values shaping their work, and the innovative strategies they’re using to build impactful coalitions across the U.S. and around the globe. 🌍 If you're fired up about building a fairer world, this episode will challenge and inspire you to reimagine what’s possible! 💭

Meet Sudha. She’s the Executive Director of the South Asian Council for Social Services (SACSS), an org that’s been a lifeline for immigrant and underserved communities in New York for nearly 25 years. SACSS offers free, wrap-around services (in 20 languages!) covering housing, food security, healthcare, job skills, and more, all evolving to meet the changing needs of the community. Tune in for a story of resilience, hope, and community strength 💪

Meet Shelley. She brings 30 years of leading entertainment and tech businesses to the Singleton Foundation for Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship, where she serves as CEO. Shelley shares how the foundation is redefining financial and entrepreneurial education with storytelling, engaging games, and innovative tools. From creating business plans to building productive habits, these resources make learning about money fun and accessible for all ages. 💸🎮 Tune in to hear how this org scales impact through media, helping people reach their full potential and create a brighter future!

Meet Ami. He’s an idealist committed to building a more connected, idealistic, and compassionate world🌍 He’s the founder and executive director of Idealist.org, which supports over 150,000 organizations and more than 1 million registered users, with 1.4 million monthly visitors💻 Tune in for a moving conversation about the power of grassroots movements, empowering young people, and seeing the shared humanity in all people. 

Meet Gloria. She is alive today because of one four-lettered word: hope. And she’s on a mission to leverage her life for the good of others so that they too would choose hope and choose to live💙 Alongside her team at Hope Booth, they’re transforming old telephone booths into immersive, evidence-based experiences that spread hope, offer mental health care, and connect people to vital resources. Tune in to hear this incredible story of resilience and the life-changing power of hope✨

Meet Michael. He has dedicated his career to social justice by reducing barriers and expanding opportunity for children and families in underserved communities, like those where he grew up. He’s the CEO of AmeriCorps, the federal agency that connects people and organizations through service and volunteering to tackle the nation's most pressing challenges, with over 200,000 AmeriCorps members serving in 40,000 locations across the United States. Michael is sharing his incredible personal journey and the story of AmeriCorps’ 30-year legacy of transforming lives and communities💪Tune in to celebrate the power of volunteerism with us🎉

Meet Becky. On the 23rd anniversary of 9/11, she’s sharing a raw account of Tuesday's Children's mission and their ever-evolving efforts to support communities still affected by 9/11 and military losses. This heartfelt conversation sheds light on the unending journey of grief and healing, and the crucial role of standing by families as their needs change over time. Discover how they transform pain into purpose—not as a platitude, but as an essential path toward resilience and hope.

Meet Maya. She’s a kindness champion, mental health advocate, and thoughtful human, and she’s obsessed with thank you cards💌She’s the president of Thoughtful Human, an eco-friendly greeting card company. These unique cards, founded by Ali O'Grady in 2017, plant seeds of empathy, offering genuine support during life's toughest moments. Tune in as we discuss the power of small acts of human connection and the ripple effect they create🫶

Meet Rick. He’s the President and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. St. Jude is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. The hospital's success is rooted in a journey marked by innovation and philanthropy. The fabric of humanity is woven with stories of resilience and one place that's abundantly clear within the walls of St. Jude. Rick guides us through the poignant stories of families who, in the face of adversity, have found strength and hope. Today’s episode is all about community and collective generosity. We couldn’t ask for a better topic for the 500th episode of the We Are For Good podcast. Tune in for a conversation that’ll leave you asking, “If not us, then who?"

Meet Erin. She’s the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Louisiana, the region’s largest donor and volunteer-supported mentoring network. Despite facing four federally named natural disasters in less than a year, Erin and her team remained resilient and unwavering in their commitment to the community. In a surprising turn of events, a mysterious email led to a $1.1 million donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott🎁 Erin used this gift to launch the Big Defender Fund, securing the future of youth mentoring programs in her community, no matter the challenges Mother Nature throws their way🌩️ Erin shares valuable lessons for nonprofit leaders on thriving in turbulent times, seeking help amidst chaos, and rebuilding organizations to be stronger and more resilient than ever💪 Prepare for some touching stories – you won't want to miss this one! 

Meet Heather. As a breast cancer survivor herself, she knows firsthand what many women (and men) really need during their cancer battle: help with the everyday tasks. That’s where Pink Ribbon Good comes in. Through doorstep delivery of healthy meals, peer support, rides to and from treatment and a community ready to care for clients every step of the way. Every 90 seconds someone is diagnosed with breast cancer🎗️💕Pink Ribbon Good makes sure that no one travels this road alone. Tune in to hear Heather’s moving personal experiences and how they have shaped the life-changing work she does today.

Meet Steve. He’s a stand-up comedian, podcast host and founder. You’ve probably seen him on YouTube, where his videos have a whopping 215 million view🎤 He’s also the chairman and founder of Steel City Arts Foundation which provides mentorship, equipment, housing and workspace to comedians in Pittsburg. From starting with a $2,000 scholarship fund to pioneering an online comedy club that generated over $1.5 million for comedians during the early days of COVID-19, he's throwing out the old playbook about what philanthropy can look like. He was even nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for his philanthropic work within the comedy community. Get ready for this comedy-infused episode that's equal parts laughter and inspiration😆

Meet Lin. This relentless, practical idealist is focused on building a more compassionate world through her work as an actuary, consultant and nonprofit leader. She believes that community-based financial resilience can be a safeguard against the uncertainty our society is facing around the world💰 She’s the founder of Money Health Collective, a financial well-being community that is now serving people in 20+ countries🌎 Money can be hard to talk about, but when discussed in community we can reconsider our mindsets and beliefs and find new possibilities. Tune in to explore the interconnectedness of money, health and philanthropy.

Meet Maya. At 22 years old, she experienced a life-altering “moment of obligation” in India as she witnessed a teacher surrounded by students learning to read and write on a bustling train platform. That experience led her to found the Global Fund for Children which has invested over $60 million in over 1000 community-based organizations impacting more than 11 million children and youth🌎

Maya's remarkable journey also led her to bring her entrepreneurial mindset to The Society of Science & the Public, an organization with a history spanning over a century. There, she's reshaping the dynamics of donor relationships, introducing innovative programs, and ensuring that every child who aspires to be a scientist can realize that dream. But that's not all—Maya is also an award-winning children's book author with more than 20 titles to her name, including "Children from Australia to Zimbabwe," which has reached over 5 million readers worldwide 📚Join us for an inspiring conversation with this exceptional founder and leader.

Meet Jehán. Her journey took her from editing travel guidebooks in San Francisco to founding a nonprofit that creates holistic programs for women and children in Nepal, empowering them to build their own pathways out of poverty. Tune in to hear a case study of what happened when Sunsar Maya committed to a year-long stewardship plan through personalized attention, Chai with Me events and leveraging technology to automate donor engagement. You won't want to miss Jehán’s inspiring story which we know will give you some pep in your step to make a difference in the world🌎

We’re wrapping up Small But Mighty: How Small Nonprofits are Raising Big Dollars in our Givebutter Friday series with an inspirational case study. As a small organization, hosting fundraising campaigns can feel daunting. It’s typical to wonder... How do we get enough supporters? Who will fundraise on our behalf? What happens if we don’t reach our goal? Where do we even begin? Jon, Becky and Floyd Jones have been breaking down how small organizations raise BIG funds through grassroots fundraising. In Part 3, we’re chatting with Martice Sutton, the founder and executive director of Girls Going Global, a pipeline program to greater opportunities for girls. Tune in to hear from a small org making a BIG global impact🌎