496. Thriving in Turbulent Times + Building a Future-Ready Organization -Erin Davison
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!
492. Shortchanged: Why and How Those Driving Important Change are Coming Up Short - Monique Parker and Taylor Johnson
Meet Taylor and Monique. They are the dynamic duo behind the Shortchanged podcast, which is now part of the We Are For Good network🙌 Hearing their stories, from their unique personal journeys to their passion for community building, it’s clear why they found each other in the We Are For Good community. Their heart for the nonprofit sector is their reason for asking more of it. They’re sharing how they uncover and untangle the structures built to accelerate good, but too often slow it down. These two heartwired leaders are changing the world and we’re here for it👏Tune in to get a sneak peek at what’s in store for Season 2 of the Shortchanged Podcast🎙️
490. Stop Soldier Suicide's Work to Support Veterans' Mental Health - Crystal Clark
Meet Crystal. We first met her on LinkedIn where she slid into our DM and just filled our cups to the brim with her kindness☕️ She then quickly became an unofficial member of the We Are For Good hype squad📣 Beyond being a devoted listener, she takes her passion for learning and growing to the next level by sharing insights with her team. We’re exploring Crystal's journey, from her roots as a teacher to her work at Stop Soldier Suicide, which has been fueled by a lifelong commitment to building community. Stop Soldier Suicide is on a relentless pursuit of innovation to reduce veteran suicide. Their team is constantly evolving by trying new things, learning from data and creating groundbreaking initiatives to save lives. Tune in to meet this driving force behind positive change💪
489. Associate Boards + Engaging the Next Generation in Your Mission - Nelvin Johnson
Meet Nelvin. He’s a self-defined hopeless optimist with an unshakeable belief that things will get better💪He’s part of the We Are For Good community and finds ways to be a trailblazer listening to the podcast. With over a decade of experience in financial services, he went all in and jumped to a career where he can build more compassionate communities of care, generosity, trust, and innovation. He fits right in as the Development Officer at The Bowery Mission, a New York organization that has been a beacon of hope for those in need for over a century. In addition to his incredible story, Nelvin is sharing his valuable insights for nonprofits considering building an Associate Board, illustrating how it can amplify their impact 🤝 Tune in to get excited about inviting the next generation into your work.
487. Level the Playing Field by Breaking Bias and Fostering Inclusion - Dena Williams
Meet Dena. She’s a staunch advocate for more diversity, equity and inclusion in all aspects of our lives. Her advocacy work began at just 16 years old when she was a volunteer for a Black and Brown LGBTQ youth HIV outreach program in the inner cities of Connecticut. From leading employee resource groups in both corporate and nonprofit settings to making history as the first Black CEO and board chair of the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles, she has consistently broken barriers. Today, Dena continues to shape the DEIA landscape through her impactful consultancy work. Tune in, and uncover ways to create inclusive communities where everyone can express their truth.
486. Unlocking Your Working Genius for Innovation + Impact - Dave Raley
Meet Dave. He’s an expert in sustainable innovation🚀 helping nonprofits and businesses create profitable growth. He’s the founder of Imago Consulting, the author of a weekly trendspotting report called 🌊The Wave Report, and the co-founder of the Purpose & Profit Podcast with co-host Carly Berna. On the podcast today, he’s guiding us through the Working Genius framework sharing how it can enable effective collaboration and foster innovation. We’re also diving into how the subscription economy has opened doors for nonprofits to tap into recurring revenue models. Get ready to work in a new way filled with joy and growth. Tune in for insights into how you can elevate collaboration🤝 and innovation⚡ in your workplace.
485. Saving Time + Engaging Your Rabid Fans: Automation Tips from SODA - Nicole Nidea
Meet Nicole. Her passion for educating others about organ donation started in 2015💚 That passion has continued to grow as she helped lead the original Student Organ Donation Advocates (SODA) chapter at Washington University in St. Louis 🎓 She then Nicole joined the SODA National Team in 2020 as the volunteer Director of Development and the next year their first full-time employee. This small but mighty team leans into automation to support more than 50 chapters and 20 community partnerships across the country 🤖 She’s sharing lessons learned along the way about how automation can transform an organization with everything from donor engagement to internal processes.
484. Empowering Equity: Navigating Leadership, Justice and Power in Nonprofits - Mia Henry
Meet Mia. She’s the Founder and CEO of Freedom Lifted, a company that supports justice-centered leadership development through online learning, training, and coaching. Mia has more than 20 years of experience in organizational leadership, group facilitation, intergenerational community organizing, and history education. Drawing from her personal experiences and deep-rooted family legacy in civil rights activism in the U.S. Deep South, Mia is sharing her wisdom on justice-centered leadership. We delve into the core components of power and its potential to create more just and equitable communities. Don't miss this empowering conversation rooted in abundance.
483. When One Nudge Changes Everything: Meet Pink Ribbon Good - Heather Salazar
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.
482. A Deep Dive into Nonprofit Mergers and Acquisitions - Danielle Steer
Meet Danielle. She has supported 77 Minnesota-based companies that have created 405 jobs and raised $20M+ in funding since 2018💰 She recently led Lunar Startups, Minneapolis-St. Paul’s first early-stage accelerator for Black, Indigenous, People of Color, LGBTQ, women and non-binary founders, to be successfully acquired by ConnectUP! Institute which was formerly a “competitor” of Lunar’s. She’s taking us on a deep dive into the world of nonprofit mergers and acquisitions🤝 This isn’t just a last-ditch effort when an organization has exhausted all other options. She’s sharing the strategy behind her acquisition decision, its immediate benefits to Lunar's communities and offering insights for nonprofit leaders navigating economic volatility. With a strategic approach, a nonprofit merger is an innovative approach to delivering more streamlined services AND funding vehicles to the community📈
481. Collective Giving: Harnessing the Power of Shared Resources - Emily Rasmussen
Meet Emily. From dancing on the stage as a ballerina🩰 to developing microfinance and fair trade programs in India, her story is winding and inspiring. Now, she’s the founder and CEO of Grapevine 🍇, which gathers like-minded people to donate to a common cause. She’s on a mission to democratize giving, championing collective philanthropy and harnessing the power of shared resources. In an era marked by the rise of crowdfunding campaigns, mutual aid societies, and changes in traditional nonprofit models, generosity undergoing a transformation. Giving circles offer yet another avenue for people to support the causes close to their hearts. Join us for a deep dive into the power of shared values and collective action, as we explore how individuals can come together to create a profound impact🌍
479. Fundraising AI: The Opportunity, The Ethics + Why It Matters Right Now - Mallory Erickson, Meena Das, and Nathan Chappell
Meet Mallory, Nathan and Meena. They’re the guiding hands in the Fundraising.AI movement + upcoming summit. The Fundraising.AI Global Summit will be the largest gathering of nonprofit and for-profit professionals and organizations to explore the role of Responsible AI in fundraising. On the podcast, they’re unpacking the data and ethical considerations that come with AI, and discuss how inclusivity and transparency can help foster trust and drive innovation in the nonprofit sector. This episode paints a picture of an AI-powered future for nonprofits, highlighting both the exciting opportunities and the pivotal challenges that lie ahead🤖
478. Using Data to Power a More Generous World -Woodrow Rosenbaum
Meet Woodrow. He’s the Chief Data Officer at GivingTuesday, where he has been instrumental in shaping the global generosity movement and has led ground-breaking research and analysis of individual giving behaviors📊🔍 He spearheads the GivingTuesday Data Commons, an international collaboration involving over 100 partners in 50 countries🤝 On the podcast, he’s sharing his insights into the power of data-driven decision-making, dispelling myths about competition and highlighting the nuances of using AI in our current giving landscape. Don’t miss this timely conversation!
474. Navigating Through Burnout: Insights and Effective Strategies to Break the Burnout Cycle - Diaris Alexander
Meet Diaris. As the Founder of Inwellth, she supports mission-driven high achievers in achieving more nourishing habits so that they can sustainably lead their lives with more passion, purpose and impact. Burnout is a pervasive issue affecting individuals across various sectors, especially those in high-stress, mission-driven roles. Diaris is sharing strategies for breaking the burnout cycle advocating instead for transparency and the creation of fairer, healthier work environments. Don't miss out on this eye-opening discussion👀
473. Journey to Self-Care: Embracing Ease and Abundance - Jennifer Mulholland and Jeff Shuck
Meet Jennifer and Jeff. They’re the co-leaders of Plenty, where they help leaders leave behind the mindset of scarcity and develop a mindset of abundance to create fulfillment, impact and profit. This conversation is a challenge for all of us to embrace abundance. Jennifer and Jeff invite us to recognize that we are enough right now, with enough to go around. Plus, they’re sharing their insights on leadership exploring the importance of self-awareness, alignment and intentionality. If you feel stuck in a mindset of scarcity, this episode is for you💙
471. Launching a Nonprofit + Foundational Strategies for Lasting Change - Tiffany Allen
Meet Tiffany. She’s the CEO and Founder of Boss on a Budget, where she’s built an online community of over 15,000 people who use her products and teaching to launch their nonprofit dreams. Her mission is to bring more visibility to black-owned, small, and new nonprofits by helping them own their power, and harness their personal and professional expertise to create organizations that will change their communities and eventually, the world🌎 Tiffany's passion for this sector is infectious as she urges founders to recognize their unique value, believe in their power, and leverage their lived experiences. Don’t miss this episode if you’re looking to start a nonprofit that meets the needs of your community💙
469. Case Study: How a Podcastathon Has Raised $2.2M for St. Jude Through Community Fundraising - Stephen Hackett
Meet Stephen. He’s the co-founder of Relay FM, an independent podcast network for people who are creative, curious and maybe even a little obsessive🎙️Stephen combined his love for podcasting with his personal connection to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, which led to the creation of the Relay FM Podcastathon. Since 2019, this initiative has raised more than $2.2 million for St. Jude❤️ He’s sharing his invaluable insights into partnership strategies and the art of forging genuine connections with your audience. This is a story about community, collective giving and a great source of inspiration as we are gearing up for GivingTuesday and end-of-year campaigns🎁
467. The Founder‘s Journey: Transforming Comedy with Innovation + Community - Steve Hofstetter
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😆