On a recent episode of The Charity Charge Show, host Grayson Harris sat down with Amanda Navarro, Executive Director of Convergence Partnership, to discuss how the organization is reshaping how philanthropy works by shifting decision-making power to communities and frontline organizations.

Their approach challenges many traditional grantmaking norms, from eliminating competitive grant applications to replacing written reports with storytelling through podcasts.

Here is a closer look at how Convergence Partnership is working to advance health equity across the United States.

On this episode of the Charity Charge Show, host Grayson Harris speaks with Elisabeth Jackson, CEO of Bridge Over Troubled Waters, an organization that has spent decades supporting homeless and runaway youth in Boston.

The conversation explores the scale of youth homelessness, the services Bridge provides, and how nonprofits can create long-term pathways for young people to move from crisis to stability.

Katie shares how The Arc balances advocacy and direct services, navigates state and federal budget pressures, and builds long-term sustainability while staying rooted in dignity and community inclusion.

About The Arc of Howard County

Part of the broader national network of The Arc, The Arc of Howard County provides:

• Advocacy for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
• Community-based housing and residential support
• Employment assistance and job coaching
• Skill-building and community integration services

The organization supports individuals across approximately 30 properties throughout Howard County, helping people live, work, and participate fully in their communities.

This is not light work. It is urgent, complex, and deeply human. And it requires more than just good programming. It requires strong operations, honest fundraising, and a community that understands what it actually costs to keep the doors open.

Serving Survivors Since 1974

The Hope and Healing Survivor Resource Center has served Northeast Ohio since 1974.

The organization supports survivors across Summit and Medina Counties with a full spectrum of services, including:

• 24-hour crisis hotline
• Emergency shelter
• Counseling and clinical services
• Court and legal advocacy
• Hospital accompaniment during forensic exams
• Prevention education in schools and community spaces

Every service is free. That is not negotiable.

As Teresa explained, survivors should not have to pay to recover from a crime committed against them. Whether someone calls at 3:00 a.m. or 3:00 p.m., they are met by trained professionals ready to respond through a trauma-informed lens.

This is both crisis response and long-term healing. And it requires serious infrastructure.

On this episode of The Charity Charge Show, host Stephen Garten sits down with Doc Hendley, founder and CEO of Wine to Water, to talk about the real story behind the organization, how it grew from a tip jar at a bar to serving millions of people, and what it takes to lead and scale a mission-driven nonprofit for more than two decades.

Doc does not dress it up. He talks about mistakes, hard lessons, and why most nonprofits stay stuck under $2M in annual revenue. He also lays out what changed when Wine to Water stopped acting like a typical nonprofit and started building diversified revenue streams like a business.

On this episode of the Charity Charge Show, we sat down with Claudia Aguirre, President and CEO of Baker Ripley, a $700 million nonprofit organization serving the Houston region. What followed was an honest conversation about disruption, scale, funding realities, collaboration, and what it truly takes to build an institution that lasts.

Founded in 1907 by Alice Graham Baker as part of the Settlement House Movement, Baker Ripley was built on proximity to community.

Today, its mission remains clear:

Provide resources, education, and connection to vulnerable communities.

The organization helps neighbors:

• Earn
• Learn
• Belong
• Be well

Through programs including:

• Head Start and early childhood education
• Workforce development
• Immigration services
• Entrepreneurship support
• Youth STEM initiatives
• Senior programs
• Utility and housing assistance

Scale matters here. Baker Ripley operates with:

• $700 million annual budget
• 98% public funding
• $200–300 million in support services annually
• Approximately $15 million in private and foundation funding used largely for innovation

Claudia describes the model this way:

But if you run a nonprofit long enough, you learn a hard truth.

The moment you need insurance is the moment it is too late to start thinking about it.

In this episode of the Charity Charge Show, host Stephen Garten sits down with Pamela Davis, Founder and CEO of the Nonprofits Insurance Alliance, a nonprofit insurer that serves roughly 26,000 to 27,000 nonprofits across California and 32 additional states. Pamela shares how a graduate school thesis turned into a 35 year mission, why traditional insurance markets fail nonprofits, and what new and small organizations need to know before a claim ever happens.

Episode highlights

Pamela Davis is the founder and CEO of the Nonprofits Insurance Alliance, a group of two nonprofit insurers built specifically to serve 501(c)(3)s. One entity insures nonprofits in California and the other insures nonprofits in 32 other states.

Together, the organizations serve about 26,000 to 27,000 nonprofits and have grown to roughly $1 billion in assets.

Stephen and Pamela also dig into the practical side of nonprofit coverage, what to buy first, how underwriting works for small budgets, and why advocacy has become a crucial part of keeping the nonprofit sector insurable.

Louie shares his journey from institutional investor and impact investing leader to nonprofit CEO, and how that financial discipline is now shaping SAY San Diego’s strategy. The conversation covers revenue diversification, reserve policy design, social enterprise models, mental health innovation, and what responsible risk-taking looks like in the nonprofit sector.

If you are a nonprofit executive, board member, or impact investor thinking about long term sustainability, this episode is worth your time.

About SAY San Diego

Founded in 1971, SAY San Diego has grown from one employee to more than 500 staff members serving approximately 45,000 San Diegans each year.

Key program areas include:

• After school programs serving 4,000 students daily
• Mental health services at 26 school sites
• Support for young mothers from pregnancy through early childhood
• Fatherhood engagement programs
• Community advocacy and education

With annual revenue near $30 million, SAY San Diego operates at a scale most nonprofits never reach.

What You Will Learn in This Episode

• Why nonprofits should aim to generate positive margins
• The importance of unrestricted capital
• How to calculate a true rainy day reserve
• Why holding real estate is not always the best strategy
• How to diversify revenue beyond grants and contracts
• What investment risk looks like inside a nonprofit
• How to structure social enterprise investment opportunities
• Why mental health funding needs long term endowment solutions

Key Topics Covered

1. Transitioning from Finance to Nonprofit Leadership
Louie explains how his background in institutional investing and impact finance shaped his approach to leadership at SAY San Diego.

2. Revenue Diversification in a Volatile Funding Environment
With federal and state funding uncertainty, Louie shares how SAY is building independent, self-sustaining revenue streams.

3. Rethinking Reserves and Asset Allocation
A practical discussion on how CEOs and CFOs should scenario plan, define real operating risk, and segment reserves intentionally.

4. The Boba Wellness Model
A bold social enterprise concept where SAY acquires boba shops that operate as businesses during the day and convert into youth wellness spaces at night.

5. Intellectual Property as a Revenue Strategy
How a community safety initiative evolved into a licensing and IP opportunity that can scale nationally.

6. The Wellspring Initiative
A $2 million mental health endowment designed to fund 1,300 therapy sessions per year in perpetuity for students who need care beyond what school districts cover.

On this episode of The Charity Charge Show, host Grayson Harris sits down with Peter Navario, CEO of HealthRight International and professor of health economics at New York University, to discuss what it takes to deliver sustainable healthcare solutions for marginalized communities, both globally and here in the United States.

From community-based mental health programs to new funding platforms designed to rethink global health financing, this episode explores what it means to build systems that last.

Guest: Peter Navario
Title: CEO, HealthRight International | Professor of Health Economics, NYU
Topics Covered:

• The mission and history of HealthRight International
• The “triangle” model: community, community health workers, and primary care systems
• Addressing mental health through peer-led, evidence-based interventions
• Why traditional one-on-one therapy is not scalable
• The impact of foreign aid cuts on global health organizations
• How HealthRight is diversifying revenue and launching a direct investment platform
• The need for a better dialogue between funders and implementers

About Peter Navario

Peter Navario serves as CEO of HealthRight International and is a professor of health economics at NYU.

With decades of experience in global health and development, he brings both academic insight and field-based leadership to his role. Under his leadership, HealthRight has focused on strengthening community-based care models and building more sustainable funding mechanisms for long-term health system resilience.

Founded in 1988 by Paul Newman, the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp was created to give children with serious illnesses something they are too often denied: the chance to simply be kids. More than three decades later, the organization is serving thousands of children and families across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, and in 2025 it is opening a second residential camp location in Maryland.

This conversation goes beyond the headline of expansion. It digs into the origin of the camp’s name, the magic of its programs, Hilary’s 25-year journey from counselor to executive leader, and the careful work required to scale without losing the soul of the mission.

John brings more than five decades of experience as a member of IEEE, the world’s largest professional technical organization with more than 500,000 members across 190 countries. His journey from student member to foundation president offers rare insight into leadership, donor engagement, and the discipline required to sustain impact at scale.

What the IEEE Foundation Actually Does

While IEEE is widely known for advancing technology, standards, and professional development, the IEEE Foundation operates as its philanthropic partner. The Foundation supports nearly 300 funds that power scholarships, awards, education programs, and initiatives designed to use technology for the benefit of humanity.

At its core, the Foundation exists to strengthen and extend IEEE’s mission by mobilizing philanthropy. It funds programs that create real social impact, from education access to humanitarian technology projects around the world.

The conversation covers rapid growth, community partnerships, disaster response, and what is ahead in 2026.

Key Topics Covered

• Why accessible restrooms remain a major barrier to participation
• The difference between ADA compliant and universally designed facilities
• How Momentum Refresh units exceed ADA standards
• Growth from local pilots to national mega events
• Data, testimonials, and community trust as drivers of scale
• Partnerships with cities, counties, and major event organizers
• Expansion plans including manufacturing, franchising, and emergency response

Growing Up in the System

Rob did not come to foster care as an advocate. He came as a child who lived it.

He entered foster care because of abuse, not neglect. Cigarette burns on his body are reminders he still carries at 59 years old. Like many children in the system, he became a number, a file, a case. When he aged out at 18, he joined the tens of thousands of young people who are pushed out with no safety net. Within 24 hours, most become homeless. Rob was one of them.

He survived addiction, multiple suicide attempts, and repeated psychiatric hospitalizations. At 24, after nearly dying from an overdose, he made a decision that changed everything. He chose forgiveness. Not to excuse what happened, but to take his life back.

That decision did not make him a hero. It made him accountable.

The Numbers We Do Not Like to Talk About

During the episode, Rob challenges some of the most commonly repeated foster care statistics and explains why many of them understate the reality.

Here is what stands out:

• More than 400,000 children are in foster care in the United States.
• Roughly 23,000 youth age out every year.
• New homelessness counts show over 80 percent of people experiencing homelessness were touched by foster care at some point.
• Former foster youth are far more likely to experience PTSD than combat veterans.
• Only about 8 percent earn a four year college degree. That number improved recently, but it is still unacceptable.

Rob makes one point very clear. If a child enters foster care, society has already failed.

Founded in 1907 and rebranded in 2015, the Center for Transforming Lives has evolved into a comprehensive, two generational organization serving families across the Fort Worth and Tarrant County region. Carol shares how the organization pairs housing stability, early childhood education, clinical counseling, and economic mobility services to address the root causes of poverty rather than its symptoms.

Key themes from the conversation

A two generational approach to breaking poverty
Carol explains why working with mothers and children at the same time is critical for lasting impact and how trauma informed care shapes every program they offer.

Affordability and housing instability
With single mothers earning a median income of $33,000 per year and spending more than half of their income on rent, Carol outlines why rising housing, childcare, and food costs create a pipeline to homelessness and how early intervention changes outcomes.

Prevention over crisis response
The episode dives deep into why preventing homelessness is far more effective and less costly than responding after families are displaced. Carol shares real data showing how keeping families housed reduces long term costs related to healthcare, education, and social services.

Building efficient public nonprofit partnerships
Carol details how the Center for Transforming Lives partners with healthcare providers, local government, and community organizations to deliver services more efficiently. From mobile health clinics to rent and utility assistance programs, these collaborations lower costs while expanding access.

The power of a nonprofit hub model
The organization’s new campus serves as a community anchor, offering healthcare access, drop in childcare, coworking space, and meeting facilities that foster collaboration among nonprofits, small businesses, and workforce partners.

Listening directly to the people served
Carol shares why monthly “Coffee with Carol” sessions have become one of her most valuable leadership practices and how participant feedback drives program design and trust.

Looking ahead to workforce development
Looking toward 2026, Carol discusses plans to pilot vocational training partnerships paired with free childcare to help parents transition into high wage, in demand jobs in fields like healthcare, welding, and electrical work.

As we move through 2025 and look toward 2026, the landscape of philanthropy is shifting rapidly. Bennett shares his expertise on the critical importance of nonprofit transparency, the "evolving" nature of accountability standards, and how organizations can navigate a world where AI bots may soon outnumber humans.

Key Takeaways

• The Power of Accreditation: Give.org focuses on a 20-standard evaluation process covering governance, finances, and privacy.
• The Information Gap: A startling 2025 survey revealed that only 32% of Americans were aware of federal grant reductions. Nonprofits must proactively educate their donors rather than assuming they know the challenges.
• The "Founder Syndrome" Risk: Bennett discusses the importance of objective governance and why the transition from a founder-led "passion project" to an adult, governed organization is vital for long-term survival.
• AI Policy is Non-Negotiable: With the rise of generative AI, nonprofits need clear policies on oversight and accuracy verification to maintain trust.

Key Discussion Points

• The Roots of a Global Movement: Joe Kendrick recounts the 1844 founding of the YMCA by George Williams in London and how that original vision of "hope and grace" translates to modern-day Oklahoma.
• The Business of Mission: Lacey Kendrick breaks down the unique nonprofit model of the YMCA: balancing membership dues (earned revenue) with philanthropy to ensure no one is turned away due to an inability to pay.
• Cause-Driven Leadership: How the organization incentivizes mission-alignment among 1,500+ employees, ensuring the "C" (Christian principles) remains the foundation of their service.
• Tackling Community Deserts: A look at the YMCA’s bold expansion plans for 2026, focusing on providing childcare and food security in underserved Oklahoma metros.
• The Power of Storytelling: Moving beyond "gym and swim" to share transformative stories of social mobility and family stability.

From a "Two-by-Four" Realization to a National Movement

Luke’s journey didn't start in a boardroom; it started with a simple observation in Kimberly, Idaho. While looking for ways to get local youth away from their screens and into service, Luke discovered a family in his own backyard whose children were sleeping on the floor.

What began as a one-time project to build a few beds has scaled into a massive operation. Today, SHP has over 400 chapters across 47 states and four countries. In 2026 alone, they are on track to build nearly 100,000 beds.

Innovation in the Nonprofit Model: Your Mission is Your Fundraiser

One of the most profound takeaways from Luke’s strategy is how SHP flipped the traditional nonprofit funding model on its head. Instead of diverting energy into "spaghetti feeds" or gala dinners, SHP makes the mission itself the revenue driver through Corporate Team Building.

• The Problem: Corporations want to give back but struggle to find scalable, organized, and impactful volunteer opportunities.
• The Solution: SHP provides "turnkey" build events. Companies like Lowe’s, Ford, and Google sponsor the materials and bring their employees to build the beds.
• The Result: The company gets a high-impact team-building experience, and the nonprofit gets 100% mission-aligned funding.

Avoiding "Mission Creep"

As a senior strategist, I find Luke’s discipline regarding Mission Creep to be a masterclass for any social impact leader. When you enter a home and see a family in need, the temptation to provide clothes, food, or toys is immense. However, Luke insists on a singular focus: Beds.

By staying "mile-deep and inch-wide," SHP ensures their operations remain efficient, their branding stays clear, and their impact is measurable. This discipline is what allows them to maintain a 96% efficiency rate, ensuring nearly every dollar donated stays in the local community to build beds.

How You Can Get Involved

The need is staggering—roughly 3% of children in any given community are sleeping without a bed. Here is how you can join the SHP family:

1. Raise Awareness: Child bedlessness is an "unknown" crisis. Share this episode to help shine a light on the issue.
2. Volunteer or Donate: Visit SHPBeds.org to find a local chapter. You can donate specifically to your city, ensuring your impact is felt at home.
3. Start a Chapter: If your community lacks an SHP presence, the organization provides full training, tools, and initial funding to help you lead the charge.

"No kid sleeps on the floor in our town." It’s a bold mission, but with leaders like Luke Mickelson and the power of community-driven data, it’s a goal that is within our reach.

In Episode 143 of the Charity Charge Show, Stephen Garten sits down in person with Paula Bookidis, CEO of Girl Scouts of Central Texas, to talk about what the public rarely sees. Yes, the cookie program is a powerhouse. But the real story is how Girl Scouts builds courage, confidence, and character through a leadership experience that blends entrepreneurship, STEM, outdoors, and life skills
.

Girl Scouts of Central Texas serves more than 12,000 members across 46 counties, runs with about 75 full-time staff, and relies on roughly 10,000 adult volunteers. It is a serious operation, and it runs on a model many nonprofits talk about but few actually execute: sustainable earned revenue tied directly to mission outcomes.

Founded by combat veterans, Veterans Community Project provides transitional housing through tiny home villages and delivers wraparound services without restricting who qualifies for help. Rebecca shares how the model works, why saying no to certain funding is sometimes necessary, and how long term, generational impact starts with stable housing.

This is a grounded conversation about dignity, collaboration, and doing the work the right way.

What We Cover

• How Veterans Community Project was founded by veterans who saw system failures firsthand
• Why many veterans do not qualify for traditional VA services and how VCP fills that gap
• The tiny home village model and why transitional housing works
• What makes the St. Louis project unique, including its outreach center
• How veterans move from crisis to permanent housing
• Why VCP limits certain government funding to protect its mission
• The importance of collaboration across nonprofits and agencies
• Measuring success through long term and generational outcomes
• How individuals, funders, and communities can get involved

Key Takeaways

• Veteran homelessness is not limited to those living on the street. Couch surfing and unstable housing count too.
• Eligibility rules exclude many veterans from existing services. VCP serves all veterans, regardless of discharge status or length of service.
• Fully furnished tiny homes remove one of the biggest barriers to permanent housing.
• Case management is personalized. There is no one size fits all approach.
• Funding should support the mission, not dictate it.
• Stable housing creates ripple effects that impact families for generations.

They cover the Sierra Club’s focus on three “existential crises”: biodiversity loss and extinction, climate instability, and the growing disconnect between people and nature. Dan shares how outings and community-based outdoor programming build long-term public support for conservation, why public lands can be common ground across politics, and how the organization thinks about large-scale systems change through policy and impact investing.

The conversation closes with practical leadership insights on building high-functioning boards, setting clear goals, and sustaining personal resilience in hard seasons.

Key topics covered

• The origin story of TGR Foundation (1996) and Tiger Woods’ family values of “sharing and caring”
• The post 9/11 shift toward education and deep community investment
• What a “Learning Lab” is, and why it is not a school or a drop-in center
• Program pillars: STEAM, health and well-being, career and college readiness
• Why TGR added the “A” in STEAM, creativity and curiosity in the AI era
• Scaling responsibly: standardization, tech infrastructure, and measurement before expansion
• How TGR measures outcomes, including durable (soft) skills
• Partnerships: how to say no, avoid mission creep, and use guiding principles
• Earned revenue and sustainability through TGR Live events
• Leadership lessons and building an engaged board that understands nonprofit economics
• How listeners can volunteer and support the Learning Labs

TGR Foundation timeline and growth

• 1996: Foundation launched as Tiger turns pro
• Early years: Golf clinics and introducing golf to youth from under-resourced communities
• Post 9/11: Tiger refocuses foundation on education and invests deeply in his hometown community
• Anaheim Learning Lab: First flagship model, 35,000 sq ft, operating for 20 years
• Philadelphia Learning Lab: Opened April 1, 30,000 sq ft on Cobbs Creek campus
• Planned expansion:
  • Los Angeles: Early 2027 (Lulu’s Place campus)
  • Atlanta: Later 2027 (with proximity to Atlanta Technical College)
  • Augusta: Early 2028 (in partnership with Augusta National)

What makes the Learning Lab model different

• Structured programming, not a hangout
• Free access for kids and families
• Multiple delivery formats:
  • School field trips (plus teacher professional development)
  • After school programming (critical hours for youth safety)
  • Summer camps (preventing summer learning loss)

The conversation makes the case for better communication, collective organizing, and specific reforms like multi-year, general operating support and funder pledges. It also tackles boards, donor dynamics, and why the sector needs bigger imagination and bigger asks.

What you will learn

• Why nonprofits often feel forced to “sound fine” to funders even when things are not fine
• How risk aversion and overhead fixation distort how nonprofits operate
• Why collective action, open letters, and naming bad behavior can move funders
• The case for multi-year funding and general operating support
• Why nonprofit boards are frequently ineffective and how governance could be reimagined
• How wealth and power dynamics shape fundraising, especially for orgs led by marginalized communities

Key takeaways

• Nonprofits often tell funders half-truths because the power imbalance is real.
• Many funders are risk-averse and unintentionally punish honesty.
• Better communication is necessary, but collective organizing is stronger than going it alone.
• Multi-year funding and general operating support are the practical fixes that matter most.
• “Crappy funding practices” waste nonprofit time and should be called out.
• Boards can be effective, useless, or mission-destructive. Too many fall into the last two categories.
• The sector needs bigger imagination and bigger asks, not tiny grants with giant expectations.

Takeaways

• Melissa Lagowski founded Big Buzz Idea Group to support nonprofits.
• Nonprofit leaders often wear many hats and face burnout.
• Self-care is crucial for nonprofit leaders to avoid burnout.
• Collaboration among nonprofits can lead to greater impact.
• Nonprofits should run like businesses to be successful.
• AI can assist in fundraising and donor personalization.
• Asking questions is key to building relationships.
• Nonprofits need to identify their top supporters for effective fundraising.
• Strategic planning is essential for nonprofit growth.
• Consultants should be chosen carefully to avoid pitfalls.

She shares insights into the challenges faced by nonprofits, particularly in staffing and funding, and highlights the strategies InAlliance employs to empower individuals towards independence.

The conversation also touches on Andrea's personal journey within the organization and the significance of aligning mission and values in decision-making.

Most nonprofits do not have the budget, staff, or technical expertise to keep up with the rapid pace of technology. Yet they are expected to operate with the same level of digital strength that well funded companies enjoy. Marnie explains how TechSoup steps into this reality and why nonprofit technology support is far more than software discounts. It is about stability, trust, community strength, and clear pathways for organizations to adopt technology that actually fits their mission.

The conversation emphasizes the need for trust with donors, the significance of self-care, and the value of recognizing and nurturing talent within the organization. Renee also highlights the successes of DePaul and encourages listeners to get involved in their local communities.

But there is another part of life that rarely makes it into care plans or team meetings: intimacy and sexual health.

In this episode of The Charity Charge Show, we sit down with three leaders who are changing that reality:

• Gillian Gulan, OTR/L, Occupational Therapist and creator of the Adaptive Intimacy Lab at MetroHealth
• Marcia Meermans, Philanthropy Officer at the MetroHealth Foundation
• Mark Bogosian, Director of Engagement at the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation

Together, they walk through the story of how a simple but honest patient question, a brave idea, and a strong funding partnership led to one of the most unique quality of life projects in the country.

Matt breaks down how the organization responded to the recent SNAP shutdown, what it really costs families to survive in Indian River County, and why dignity, data, and partnerships sit at the core of their model. He also shares how their Success Training Employment Program (STEP) moves adults with serious barriers into steady jobs and keeps them employed through year long success coaching.

About United Against Poverty, Indian River County

United Against Poverty (UP) was founded 23 years ago in Florida by a husband and wife team who wanted to move beyond traditional food bank models. Their goal was simple and hard edged. Give people real agency, not dependency.

Today, the Indian River County campus in Vero Beach serves roughly 750 adults per day through:

• The Member Share Grocery Program, offering about 70 percent savings on groceries and household essentials
• Crisis and navigation services that connect families to the right supports
• Workforce development programs that focus on emotional intelligence, job readiness, and long term retention
• On site partner organizations that share space to better support the same community

Membership is free for anyone at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty level, recognizing that the true cost of living in the area is far above older 200 percent thresholds.

He explains how JLL supports nonprofits and public institutions with real estate strategy, why culture and preparation matter, and what effective nonprofit boards should actually be doing.

About Herman Bulls

 Herman Bulls is an International Director and Vice Chairman at JLL, where he has spent more than 35 years helping senior executives and institutions solve complex real estate challenges. He serves as Vice Chairman of the Board at USAA, Chairman of the Board at Fluence Energy, and sits on the boards of Host Hotels and Comfort Systems USA. Herman is also Vice Chair of the Board of the American Red Cross and Vice Chair of the West Point Association of Graduates, after a distinguished career as an Army officer and finance professor at West Point.

Bethany breaks down how the organization serves people across five counties in Oregon and two cities in California through three core pillars: affordable housing, retail and manufacturing, and homeless and emergency services. She explains what success looks like for her team, how they maintain an "all hands on deck" culture across 600+ employees, and why servant leadership and internal promotion are central to their model.

The conversation covers collaboration with local government and agencies, the launch of the Schlis Resource Center, the Cascade Alliance program for helping other nonprofits build earned revenue, and how Bethany evaluates new opportunities and donor proposals against mission, capacity, and long term impact.

Jamie shares her transition from the business world to the nonprofit sector, emphasizing the significance of building strong relationships with board members and navigating mission creep. The conversation also highlights the importance of collaboration among nonprofits and the exciting future plans for the Boys and Girls Club.

Renee shares her personal journey from intern and volunteer to executive director, and explains how the organization uses harm reduction, collaboration, and community voice to guide its mission and expansion, including the launch of the new Lavender Network LGBTQ Health and Wellness Center.

Gottfried takes listeners into the early days of USGBC, the doubt that nearly stopped the movement, and the stubborn persistence required to turn a simple idea into a global force. The episode is part biography, part masterclass, and part call to action for founders who know their work matters but feel the weight of the climb.

Amy shares insights on how the foundation supports the community, adapts to change, and plans for the future, emphasizing the importance of individual giving and local involvement.

About Charity Charge

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

Laura reflects on how the organization has transformed from its origins as an orphanage into a comprehensive provider of mental health care, family stabilization supports, and community based services. She gives an honest look at the pressures facing nonprofits today, the rising need for mental health services, and the realities of leading through uncertainty. She also outlines how her team is preparing for the future with a focus on empowerment, collaboration, and long term sustainability.

With 21 sites across the south and west sides of the city, CYC provides early learning, out of school time, teen programs, and mentoring that follow young people from 15 months through college and into adulthood. Tina shares her personal 30 year journey at CYC, how the organization has responded to shifting funding landscapes, and why collaboration, mental health, and workforce development are central to their work today.

About Charity Charge

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

Karl shares how Hope Ignite’s innovative approach—one that follows students from fifth grade through college or trade school—is helping young people overcome barriers, combat imposter syndrome, and build lasting confidence in their ability to succeed.

About Charity Charge

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

Listen for

• What a high-barrier shelter is and why Stephen Center keeps campus safe and sober
• How case management and outreach drive an 82 percent positive exit rate from shelter
• The difference between affordable and low-income housing and why the latter is critical
• Why criminalizing encampments fails and how Omaha pivoted to a 6-month pilot focused on services
• The role of low-barrier partner Siena Francis House in the local ecosystem
• Stephen Center’s plan to double men’s and women’s beds and add 19 non-congregate family rooms
• A candid look at SNAP cuts, rising turn-aways (4,128 to date), and the need for system-level investment

About Charity Charge

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

Robert shares how the Clubs are serving nearly 40,000 young people and families through nine club locations, centered on three core pillars: academic support, health and wellness, and workforce readiness. He also explains their recent decision to make membership cost free for all youth, why they see young people as Boston’s future talent pipeline, and how bold civic leadership, strong teams, and deep community partnerships are driving real change.

About Charity Charge

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

Brad shares how St. Vincent de Paul is stepping up to provide rent and utility assistance, food and clothing, and free medication for individuals and families on the verge of homelessness. He also dives deep into the importance of collaboration among nonprofits, the challenges of sustaining services with limited resources, and how the Cincinnati community continues to rally together in times of crisis.

About Charity Charge

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

The conversation highlights the importance of effective communication with constituents and donors, strategies for staff retention, community collaboration, and future plans for the organization. The episode emphasizes the need for nonprofits to adapt to community needs and maintain a culture of trust and transparency.

About Charity Charge

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

Episode Highlights

• Mission in one line: Help people fight their cases from a position of freedom and keep their lives stable while they wait for court.
• The problem: More than 500,000 people sit in jail on any given day because they cannot afford bail.
• What The Bail Project does: Posts bail for free, sends court reminders, provides transportation, and connects people to resources when and where needed.
• Why it matters: Pretrial jail time destabilizes jobs, housing, and family life. Supporting people to return to court protects stability and improves outcomes.
• Milestone ahead: Nearly 40,000 clients bailed out. About one third of those cases were dismissed, which points to significant unnecessary jail time.
• Practical proof: Simple tools such as reminders and rides reduce failures to appear and downstream warrants.

About Charity Charge

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

This conversation explores how governments and nonprofits can align around shared goals, co-design better funding models, and foster systems that measurably improve people’s lives.

Key Topics Discussed

• Transforming Public Systems:
  How Third Sector partners with local and state governments to make public funding more responsive to community needs.
• Outcomes-Focused Approach:
  Why measuring long-term improvements in people’s lives—rather than activity counts—is the true measure of success.
• Government & Community Collaboration:
  How government agencies are learning from nonprofits and adopting human-centered design practices to improve outcomes.
• Case Study — Los Angeles County:
  A powerful example of how Third Sector worked with the Department of Youth Development to rewrite contracting processes, giving small community-based organizations better access to public funding.
• Scaling Successful Models:
  Lessons from LA now being replicated in counties like Cuyahoga (Cleveland) and Cook (Illinois), showing how philanthropy and nonprofits can drive systemic change.
• Advice for Nonprofits:
  Practical steps for nonprofit leaders to identify government partners, build relationships, and align around shared North Star goals.
• Shared Goal Setting in Action:
  How Third Sector helped the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative uncover root causes behind low college completion rates—and redesign funding to include wraparound supports like childcare and transportation.

About Charity Charge

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

About Charity Charge

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

He shares success stories of children who have transformed their lives through the program, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with local NGOs and empowering local change makers. Jesse outlines the future vision of Christ's Hope International, aiming to create sustainable partnerships and a generational impact in the communities they serve.

About Charity Charge

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

About Charity Charge

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

Lori shares her personal journey in the nonprofit sector, highlighting the need for volunteers and the challenges of navigating competition for funding. The conversation concludes with valuable lessons on collaboration and the importance of focusing on the humanitarian mission.

About Charity Charge

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

About Charity Charge

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

Juan shares insights from his 14-year journey at Build Change, from his early days as a project manager in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake to leading the organization’s next chapter as CEO. He discusses how Build Change empowers local communities to retrofit and rebuild safer homes, why partnerships and flexibility are key to long-term success, and how the organization is expanding its impact into new regions like Africa.

About Charity Charge

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

She emphasizes the need for a culture of excellence and the significance of understanding the backend operations to make informed decisions. The conversation concludes with ways for the community to get involved and support the fight against hunger.

Takeaways

• Harvest Hope Food Bank covers a 20-county area in South Carolina.
• The organization distributed over 30 million pounds of food last year.
• Collaboration with partners is essential for food distribution.
• Efficiency in operations is crucial for nonprofit success.
• Automation helps free up staff for more impactful work.
• Understanding the backend business is vital for decision-making.
• Creating a culture of excellence requires continuous improvement.
• Team collaboration is key to effective decision-making.
• Community involvement is necessary to address hunger issues.
• Educating the public on hunger's root causes is important. 

About Charity Charge:

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

Scott discusses the increasing demand for services, the importance of effective communication and storytelling, and shares success stories of individuals who have transformed their lives through the program.

He also reflects on his transition into leadership and emphasizes the significance of collaboration in the nonprofit sector. The conversation concludes with an invitation to the upcoming 40th anniversary event, Party for Change.

Quick takeaways

• St. John’s serves 200+ women and their children across multiple campuses each day.
• Model includes safe housing, childcare, behavioral health, education, and job training.
• Results include family reunification, stable employment, and long-term housing.
• Collaboration, clear storytelling, and measurable outcomes drive community support.
• 40th anniversary milestone celebrated at Party for Change on October 11, 2025, in Sacramento.

About Charity Charge:

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

He also shares lessons from his first year as CEO, including how to manage a leadership transition at a legacy nonprofit and why running with a business mindset is essential for mission success.

About Brandon

Brandon Williams is the Chief Executive Officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis, where he leads a network of programs serving more than 18,000 youth across the region. A former NFL player turned business and community leader, Brandon brings a unique blend of athletic discipline, corporate experience, and leadership coaching to the nonprofit sector.

Before joining the Boys & Girls Clubs, Brandon played in the NFL after graduating from the University of Wisconsin, then spent nearly a decade as a sports broadcaster with Big Ten Network, ESPN, and FOX. His professional journey also includes roles at Anheuser-Busch in innovation marketing and as Vice President of Team Business for the St. Louis Battlehawks. He has also served as a leadership and life coach, helping organizations build culture and accountability through practical team development frameworks.

Since taking on the CEO role, Brandon has focused on expanding the Club’s impact through career readiness, mental health support, and economic mobility initiatives for youth. Under his leadership, the organization has strengthened community partnerships, elevated brand awareness, and invested in modernizing its programs and facilities.

Brandon holds an MBA from Lindenwood University and is passionate about helping young people discover their “it factor” — intelligence, intangibles, and toughness — to achieve success in any path they choose.

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

Beth shares how WEAVE’s vision — When Everyone Acts, Violence Ends — calls on individuals and organizations alike to take tangible action, from education to advocacy. She also reflects on her nearly three decades of leadership at WEAVE, the organization’s growth from a $1.8 million to an $11 million nonprofit, and how their values-driven approach sustains both trust and transformation.

Key Topics Covered

• WEAVE’s New Vision: Why “When Everyone Acts, Violence Ends” emphasizes community action over passive awareness.
• Intervention & Prevention: From housing and legal aid to youth education and bystander training in bars, salons, and workplaces.
• Leadership & Growth: Beth’s 20+ year journey from development director to CEO and WEAVE’s expansion into new programs and advocacy.
• Funding with Integrity: Navigating uncertain funding landscapes through transparency, community trust, and values-based communication.
• Community Engagement: How partnerships with schools, businesses, and civic organizations drive prevention efforts.
• Living the Values: Keeping survivor-centered care and empathy at the core of daily operations and long-term strategy.

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

Crystal shares insights into the needs of the epilepsy community, the importance of seizure recognition training in schools, and her personal journey within the organization. The conversation highlights upcoming events for Epilepsy Awareness Month and emphasizes the significance of adaptability in nonprofit leadership.

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

Key takeaways

• Gatesway is developing The Villages of Rose Hill, a fully integrated community that will include 300+ affordable housing units for neurodiverse and neurotypical residents living side by side.
• Employment is framed as life fulfillment, pairing community jobs with individualized supports and new enrichment programs for those not yet in the workforce.
• Trust comes from transparency. Regular progress updates and clear impact reporting have strengthened donor engagement and accelerated capital projects.
• Sustainability requires diverse revenue streams, not reliance on a single funder or government line item.
• Centering people with I/DD in public processes can shift outcomes. Self-advocacy at a city council meeting helped secure approval for an affordable housing development.

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

Jordan shares insights from his experience with the Veritas Schools and his consulting firm, Alfred Nguyen, emphasizing the need for clear messaging and brand strategy in the nonprofit sector. The conversation highlights the significance of hospitality in creating a welcoming environment for community members and donors.

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

Vanessa shares insights on the challenges faced by the agricultural community, the importance of health and nutrition education, and the role of technology, particularly AI, in the future of nonprofits. The conversation emphasizes the significance of collaboration, resilience, and innovative thinking in addressing community issues.

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

She shares insights from her journey into nonprofit leadership and emphasizes the importance of team management and collaboration. The conversation also highlights upcoming events and the exciting future plans for the Godman Guild.

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

Karen previously served as an executive director, spent a decade in tech and venture capital, and serves on boards ranging from small nonprofits to institutions with multi-billion-dollar endowments. She holds a Series 65 and leads Infinite Giving’s work across 41 states.

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

Lee shares insights from their background in philanthropy and the significance of measuring impact through both quantitative and qualitative data. The conversation also highlights the importance of building relationships with corporate sponsors and the organization's future aspirations for inclusivity and community involvement.

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

Patrick shares insights on the evolving technology needs of nonprofits, the challenges of cybersecurity, and the role of AI in enhancing organizational efficiency. The conversation also highlights the importance of data analytics and practical advice for nonprofits to improve their operations and security measures.

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

He shares insights from his journey in the nonprofit sector, the evolving landscape of philanthropy post-COVID, and the significance of nurturing donor relationships. Rashun emphasizes the need for a supportive organizational culture to retain staff and concludes with advice for fellow nonprofit leaders.

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

Cordell’s career has spanned philanthropy, policy, leadership development, and international convenings. At the core of his work is one mission: connecting people across cultures, sectors, and geographies to spark collaboration and impact.

From his leadership of Aspen’s Project on Belonging to the Festival of the Diaspora’s global gatherings, Cordell champions cross-cultural connection and mentorship. In this conversation, he offers candid insights on the future of philanthropy, the urgent need for efficiency in nonprofits, and how humility in leadership can transform organizations.

He also unpacks why mergers may be the survival strategy nonprofits need, why funders should be bolder with long-term bets, and why partnerships with local governments often unlock new levels of sustainability.

Highlights from the Conversation

• Philanthropy should be more risk-taking. Foundations are too often risk-averse, forgetting that their role is catalytic, not conservative.
• Not every nonprofit needs to exist. Duplication drains resources. Funders can and should incentivize mergers and collaborations.
• Efficiency is survival. Leaders must be willing to cut, restructure, and refocus to protect the mission.
• Partnerships matter. Local government and community foundations are critical allies for long-term sustainability.
• Leadership is about humility. Creating upwardly mobile experiences for staff, retaining talent, and being willing to admit mistakes are all essential.
• Global belonging. The Festival of the Diaspora creates spaces for cross-cultural collaboration, highlighting innovation from often-overlooked leaders.

About Charity Charge:

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

Patrick shares insights into YAP's holistic approach, which includes family support and community engagement, and highlights the organization's impressive success rates. As YAP celebrates its 50th anniversary, Patrick discusses the challenges faced by nonprofits in the current landscape and offers advice for future preparedness, emphasizing the importance of integrating digital strategies to reach and support youth effectively.

About Charity Charge:

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

Shane shares how Kids Alive delivers holistic, identity-based, trauma-informed care across multiple countries, why donor relationships must be partnerships, and how nonprofit leaders can sharpen their niche by listening first.

About Charity Charge:

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

About Charity Charge:

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

The result: organizations can reach the biggest screen in the home with precise targeting and measurable outcomes—often at a price similar to social ads.

In a recent Charity Charge Show conversation, Johns unpacked how AdGood works, why CTV belongs in a nonprofit media mix, and what’s next, including the new AdGood Nonprofit Media Fund to cover media costs for organizations with little to no budget.

About Charity Charge:

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

Takeaways

• Ned's journey into the nonprofit sector was unplanned.
• TechTown's mission focuses on breaking cycles of intergenerational poverty.
• Access to capital is a significant challenge for entrepreneurs.
• Non-dilutive funding is crucial for underserved founders.
• Philanthropic support is essential for TechTown's operations.
• Nonprofits often operate more efficiently than for-profits.
• Organizational culture is key to retaining talent in nonprofits.
• TechTown has a professional services network to support entrepreneurs.
• Technology consolidation can improve nonprofit efficiency.
• Visitors to Detroit will find a vibrant community and emerging tech scene.

About Charity Charge:

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

About Charity Charge:

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

Dr. Chisholm emphasizes the need for nonprofits to balance business acumen with their charitable missions, advocating for a sustainable future for organizations like Step Forward.

About Dr. Jacklyn Chisholm

A lifelong learner, Dr. Chisholm is a Harvard Business School alumna with additional executive education credentials from the Harvard Kennedy School, Wharton School, and Cornell University. She holds a B.A. in Medical Anthropology, M.A. in Psychological Anthropology, and a Ph.D. in Psychological Anthropology with a focus in Educational Anthropology from Case Western Reserve University.

Dr. Chisholm has broken barriers throughout her career, including as the first Vice President of Planning and External Affairs at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, where she led the $13 million construction of its Library and Archives. At Case Western Reserve University, she was the first to hold multiple pioneering roles, including Associate Vice President for Community Partnerships and Director of Community Relations.

Her work has earned widespread recognition, including the Crain’s Cleveland Business Notable Leader in Philanthropy, Smart Business Progressive Woman Award, YWCA Woman of Achievement, and the Council for Opportunity in Education National TRIO Achiever Award, among many others. A proud Leadership Cleveland alumna, Dr. Chisholm continues to be a trailblazer in education, advocacy, and transformational leadership.

About Charity Charge:

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

About Charity Charge:

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

Robert discusses the significance of building trust, creating pathways for education and employment, and the future initiatives aimed at empowering youth. His insights reflect a commitment to collaboration and community engagement, highlighting the transformative impact of nonprofits.

About Charity Charge:

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

He also explores the balance between commercial innovation and philanthropic impact, highlighting the need for facilities and resources to support survivors and those in need.

About Charity Charge:

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

From early lessons at Boys & Girls Clubs and the YMCA to guiding an organization that manages 3,000+ units across 68 properties, Jeff shares how “housing is our vehicle, people are our business.”

Key Takeaways

• Lead as a listener. Early leadership roles taught Jeff to be an authentic, “listen-first” leader who values collaboration and invests in people.
• Operate to amplify impact. Mission-first requires strong operations—budgets, partnerships, and efficiencies that make programs sustainable.
• Housing is community infrastructure. CCI’s work extends beyond buildings to convening partners, advocating for residents, and bringing wraparound services on-site.
• Hope is in the momentum. With housing elevated in local, state, and federal conversations—and strong community partners—solutions are within reach.
• Better together. Scarcity mindsets hold nonprofits back; ecosystems of partners help families thrive and attract the next generation of talent.

About Charity Charge:

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

Justin shares insights on balancing mission and administration, engaging the board, and diversifying funding sources. The conversation also touches on the role of storytelling in fundraising, collaboration with other nonprofits, and the impact of technology and AI in the sector. Justin emphasizes the need for nonprofits to adapt to changing landscapes and the importance of community involvement in achieving their missions.

About Charity Charge:

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

About Charity Charge:

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

Generosity is shifting, not shrinking, and organizations that focus on relationships, recurring giving, and volunteer engagement are outperforming the sector.

About Our Guest

Ann Fellman leads marketing at Bloomerang, a nonprofit giving platform that brings together donor CRM, fundraising (online, offline, events, auctions), and volunteer management in one place. Bloomerang’s goal is simple: help nonprofits raise more—money, time, and community support—by making it easier to build lasting relationships.

Episode Snapshot

• Generosity is growing. Individual giving remains the largest slice of the pie and has increased year over year. Don’t let negative headlines drive your strategy—follow the data.
• The “meaty middle” matters. Mid-level and first-time donors can become a predictable revenue engine with a thoughtful recurring giving strategy.
• Volunteers are super-supporters. Treat volunteer time as an on-ramp to deeper engagement; volunteers often become major donors and planned givers.
• Planned giving is changing. As the Great Wealth Transfer accelerates and more family foundations adopt spend-down policies, proactive relationship-building is essential.
• Make it easy to give. Donation page UX and integrated tools can materially lift conversion (Ann cited ~30% conversion lift for customers optimizing with Bloomerang’s fundraising tools).
• Data + empathy = durable growth. Segment by life stage, align asks to donor capacity and timing (yes, market cycles influence larger gifts), and communicate impact clearly.

About Charity Charge:

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

Amanda also shares insights on emergency preparedness, team engagement, and her transition into leadership, emphasizing the need for kindness and staying true to the mission in uncertain times.

About Charity Charge:

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

Takeaways

Dr. Ruttenberg transitioned from the music industry to focus on neurodiversity.
Feebex was inspired by his daughter Phoebe's experiences with autism.
The wearable technology aims to help individuals navigate sensory sensitivities.
Cultural sensitivity is crucial in addressing autism in diverse communities.
Community engagement can drive systemic change in non-profit work.
The importance of lived experience in non-profit board members.
Education is key to understanding and supporting neurodivergent individuals.
Advocacy for invisible differences is essential in society.
Collaboration with the community enhances the effectiveness of non-profits.
Personal experiences can lead to innovative solutions in the non-profit sector.

About Charity Charge:

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

About Charity Charge:

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

What began as a college passion project in a dorm room has grown into a national nonprofit organization that operates in over 350 hospitals and communities.

In this episode of the Charity Charge Nonprofit Spotlight Series, we speak Kylee to explore the origins of A Moment of Magic, how it evolved through the pandemic, the power of volunteer-led chapters, and the crucial role of community in keeping the mission alive.

About Charity Charge:

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

In this episode of the Charity Charge Show, we sit down with Camille Kesler, Executive Director of AMIS, to discuss how the organization welcomes students from across the globe and connects them with local volunteers.

Drawing on her decades of leadership in both corporate and nonprofit sectors—including roles with Rebuilding Together Atlanta, Junior League of Atlanta, and more, Camille brings an empathetic, entrepreneurial, and strategic approach to AMIS.

The conversation dives into the value of cross-cultural relationships, the challenges of running a lean nonprofit, the art of board governance, and the deeper impact of hospitality as a tool for peacebuilding.

About AMIS Atlanta

Founded in 1978 by Dr. Fahed Abu Akhel, an international student from Palestine, AMIS was created with a vision: that every international student studying in Atlanta should feel welcomed, supported, and valued.

What started as a ministry rooted in local churches has evolved into a non-religious 501(c)(3) organization that partners with volunteers and students of all backgrounds.

At its core, AMIS provides friendship, hospitality, and cultural connection. Through programs like the Amigo one-on-one friendship match, annual welcome receptions, and Thanksgiving dinner placements, AMIS helps international students feel at home—and in doing so, fosters mutual understanding and global goodwill.

About Charity Charge:

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

About Charity Charge:

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

A Mission Born from Personal Loss

Courtney’s story began in 2006, when she lost her father to lung cancer. During his treatment, neighbors and friends brought meals to her family every day. Those meals provided more than nourishment, they brought comfort, normalcy, and moments of joy during a painful time.

Years later, after graduating college, Courtney found herself asking a simple but profound question: What about families who don’t have that kind of support network? That question planted the seed for Culinary Care.

The nonprofit launched in Chicago with a simple vision: combine culinary excellence with human care to deliver meals that restore dignity and community to patients facing cancer treatment.

About Charity Charge:

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

Her organization, Generation1.ca, has grown into a thriving professional community that equips immigrants with the tools, networks, and opportunities they need to succeed in a new country.

With more than 2,000 members and a mission grounded in education, inclusion, and collaboration, Generation1.ca is helping transform the newcomer experience in North America.

In our conversation, Arundati shares how her personal journey shaped her leadership, why storytelling remains at the heart of her work, and how her team is building a future where immigrant voices are not only heard but celebrated.

From transformative summer camps to innovative new housing programs, Valieria and her team are helping young people not just survive, but thrive as they transition into adulthood.

About The RennerVation Foundation

Founded by actor Jeremy Renner alongside his sister Kim Renner (a child welfare professional) and a team of dedicated leaders, The RennerVation Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing safe spaces, life skills, and supportive programs for foster and at-risk youth.

Their values—integrity, accountability, empowerment, compassion, inclusivity, respect, collaboration, innovation, and excellence—are the foundation for everything they do.

Whether it’s through summer camps, Christmas celebrations, or ongoing wraparound services, their programs are built to meet children and young adults where they are and help them discover their purpose and joy.

About Charity Charge:

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

More Than a Rescue Mission

Wasteless's approach goes beyond simply collecting and distributing food. They've developed a multi-faceted strategy to maximize their impact.

• Food Rescue: This is the heart of their operation. They divert surplus food from retailers, restaurants, and other sources, ensuring that perfectly good food doesn't end up in a landfill.
• Neighborhood Nourishment: Wasteless transforms rescued food into nutritious meals and distributes them through mobile markets. This innovative model brings healthy food directly to communities that have limited access to it.
• Education: They also host classes and provide practical tips to help individuals reduce their own food waste at home. This educational component empowers people to be part of the solution, creating a ripple effect of positive change.

About Charity Charge:

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

At the heart of monday.com’s humanitarian efforts is a simple but powerful mission: helping aid organizations respond faster and more effectively.

The Emergency Response Team (ERT) provides pro bono support to nonprofits and humanitarian agencies, creating custom workflows and digital tools that streamline everything from:

• Needs assessments in the field, with real-time dashboards for decision-making
• Aid distribution systems to track inventory and deliveries
• Volunteer coordination tools to safely onboard, assign, and manage large numbers of community helpers

By transforming processes that once relied on spreadsheets, emails, or WhatsApp, monday.com enables frontline responders to operate with clarity and efficiency, even amid chaos.

About Charity Charge:

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

Krista shares how the transition of Classy into GoFundMe Pro combines the best of both platforms—offering robust fundraising tools with the global reach of GoFundMe’s donor network. The discussion covers recurring giving, community engagement, and how nonprofits can claim their free GoFundMe pages to boost visibility.

What is GoFundMe Pro?

GoFundMe Pro is a complete fundraising platform designed to help nonprofits grow their support base and achieve their fundraising goals. From customizable campaigns to peer-to-peer events and corporate giving integrations, the platform enables organizations to meet supporters where they are and inspire more contributions.

Key Platform Features:

• Recurring Giving: Encourage consistent monthly support.
• Branded Donation Forms: Keep your campaigns visually consistent and mobile-friendly.
• Peer-to-Peer Fundraising: Empower supporters to fundraise on your behalf.
• Comprehensive Dashboard: View giving history, track campaign progress, and analyze trends.

 About Charity Charge:

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

Whether you're a local food pantry or a national nonprofit network, this episode is packed with actionable insights on leveraging technology to fundraise smarter, build recurring revenue, and deepen donor relationships.

Takeaways

• Angela transitioned from GoDaddy to GiveWP to support nonprofits.
• GiveWP offers a comprehensive suite of fundraising tools for nonprofits.
• Customization options in GiveWP enhance donor engagement.
• Nonprofits are increasingly relying on community support for funding.
• GiveWP integrates with various external systems for donor management.
• The onboarding process for nonprofits is user-friendly and supportive.
• Large organizations need interconnected systems for data management.
• GiveWP supports multiple languages and currencies for global reach.
• Recurring donations are vital for nonprofit financial health.
• Effective communication is key to building community support.

About Charity Charge:

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

Shilpa discusses the organization's impact, growth strategies, and the importance of diversifying revenue sources. She also reflects on her transition from the corporate world to running Surge full-time, highlighting the challenges and rewards of nonprofit leadership.

Takeaways

• Surge for Water focuses on Water Plus: water, sanitation, hygiene, and menstrual health.
• Shilpa's childhood experiences in India inspired her to address water inequity.
• Community ownership is essential for sustainable solutions.
• Women's leadership is prioritized in Surge's approach.
• The organization has impacted nearly 800,000 people through various projects.
• Surge is moving towards a model of enterprise to sustain its initiatives.
• Diversifying revenue sources is crucial for nonprofit growth.
• Building a strong team and board is vital for organizational success.
• Shilpa emphasizes the importance of planning before transitioning to full-time nonprofit work.
• The fear of leaving a stable job can be overcome with careful planning and passion.

About Charity Charge:

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

Joe and Stephen also explored the incredible diversity within the nonprofit world—from small community organizations to large institutions with complex financial structures. Despite their differences, they all share the need for better back-office systems that are affordable, intuitive, and mission-aligned.

Key Takeaways from the Episode:

✅ Araize’s FastFund software is built specifically for nonprofit accounting, payroll, and fundraising.
✅ It enables organizations to produce FASB-compliant financial reports and segregate funds properly.
✅ SaaS offers reliability, security, and access flexibility for nonprofit teams.
✅ Araize provides free onboarding and live support from experts in nonprofit finance.
✅ Effective financial systems help nonprofits build donor trust and long-term sustainability.

About Charity Charge:

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

Takeaways

Nonprofits can access $10,000 monthly in Google Ads for free.
Google Ad Grants help nonprofits increase visibility and donor acquisition.
Content on the nonprofit's website is crucial for ad performance.
AI is changing the landscape of digital marketing for nonprofits.
Successful nonprofits often require multiple engagements before donations.
Nonprofit Megaphone manages Google Ad Grants for various organizations.
Effective marketing strategies include understanding audience needs.
Tracking conversions is essential for measuring success.
Nonprofits should focus on user journeys to convert visitors.
Maintaining eligibility for the Google Ad Grant requires adherence to performance standards.

About Charity Charge:

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

He explains how Dollar Four automates the application process for patients, the challenges of funding through philanthropy, and the importance of partnerships in expanding their reach. The conversation also touches on the legal aspects of medical debt, the potential for new revenue models, and the future vision for the organization.

Takeaways

• Dollar Four created a database of every hospital in the country.
• The organization eliminated $6.9 million in medical debt in April.
• Funding is fully through philanthropy, with no earned revenue model.
• The impact of Dollar Four is measurable and clear to donors.
• Hospitals are motivated to avoid bad press regarding charity care.
• Partnerships with other organizations can enhance outreach.
• There is a significant amount of medical debt within communities.
• The organization aims to enforce policies that hospitals are required to have.
• Focus on providing value to the community to attract donors.
• Future growth plans include raising $20 million over the next four years.

About Dollar For

Dollar For is a national non-profit organization dedicated to tackling the widespread issue of medical debt in the United States. Recognizing that medical debt is a leading cause of financial hardship and even bankruptcy for millions, they focus on a solution that often goes unnoticed and underutilized: hospital charity care.

Their core mission is to make charity care – which nonprofit hospitals are mandated by the Affordable Care Act to provide to lower-income patients – known, easy to access, and fairly applied. Dollar For acts as an advocate for patients, empowering them to navigate the often complex process of applying for financial assistance.

They achieve this through a multi-pronged approach:

• Direct Patient Service: Utilizing technology, Dollar For has developed a system that includes a custom database of hospital policies, a simple eligibility screener, automated application completion, and patient advocates who guide individuals through the process. This direct support has resulted in significant medical debt relief for thousands of patients.
• Systemic Change Advocacy: Beyond individual cases, Dollar For actively works to hold hospitals accountable and push for broader policy changes. They leverage media attention and their unique understanding of both the written policies and their real-world application to inform policy and advocate for improvements in charity care access. Their efforts have already influenced regulations and hospital practices across several states.

In essence, Dollar For bridges the gap between patients struggling with medical bills and the often-obscure avenue of charity care. By simplifying the application process and advocating for systemic improvements, they strive to alleviate the financial burden of medical crises and ensure that a health emergency doesn't lead to financial ruin. Their work has demonstrably reduced stress, improved health outcomes, and enhanced financial stability for the patients they serve.

Stephen and Lisa Van Dusen talk about innovating quickly during the COVID-19 pandemic and trust based philanthropy.

Van Dusen has dedicated her career to helping build thriving communities through philanthropy, advocacy, entrepreneurship and media, bringing more than 30 years of cross sector experience to the Palo Alto Community Fund.

Previous to joining the Palo Alto Community Fund, Van Dusen was Chief Relationship Officer at Silicon Valley Social Venture Fund (SV2) where she led innovation and learning initiatives that deepened awareness, engagement and giving to address social and environmental challenges in Silicon Valley and globally.

Her accomplishments include expanding and diversifying SV2’s donor community, introducing field-leading impact investing and spearheading advocacy program offerings.

Van Dusen, who has lived in Palo Alto for 35 years, has held a variety of professional and civic leadership positions, including launching two groundbreaking local media ventures—Cable Communications Cooperative of Palo Alto (Cable Co-op) and Palo Alto Online.

She revived and co-led Leadership Palo Alto and created and hosted First Person, a video interview series featuring Silicon Valley trailblazers. In addition to her experience as a social entrepreneur, Van Dusen brings expertise in sales, marketing and communications with the Palo Alto Weekly and other organizations.

She has served on a variety of nonprofit boards including, Palo Alto Art Center, Planned Parenthood (Golden Gate), WINGS Guatemala and in numerous civic leadership roles. She has been recognized extensively, including as a Silicon Valley Women of Influence, TEDx speaker, Leadership Midpeninsula Senior Fellow and California College of the Arts Leading by Design Fellow.

Lisa Van Dusen on trust based philanthropy:

In June 2019, our board signed off on a strategic plan that was committing to trust based philanthropy meaning that instead of the dollars that were raised each year going into our endowment that the default would be for the funds to go out the door and pass through grants to nonprofit organizations in our community.

Our donors could still specify if they wanted their contribution to go to our endowment but the default would be to get the money out to the organizations making a difference in our community.

We believe this would lead to a deeper connection and knowledge exchange with our community, organizations, and other leaders, to connect us with what is going on. I also see it as investing in ourselves as an organization, which I think is really significant.

We had great support for this initiative and met our three year plan goal in the first year. Trust base philanthropy is at it's core saying, "here is money, we trust you as an organization to know how to deploy it best." If that is to pay your staff, then that is what you should do, or it's to keep your lights on, use the money for whatever you need.

With our strategic plan we are fundamentally choosing, who we who we are betting on as an organization, and trusting them to do what they need.

Stephen and Georges Benjamin talk about what APHA learned from the COVID pandemic, APHA's role in shaping American healthcare policy over the past 150 years, and the importance of having financial reserves in place.

Georges C. Benjamin is known as one of the nation’s most influential physician leaders because he speaks passionately and eloquently about the health issues having the most impact on our nation today.

From his firsthand experience as a physician, he knows what happens when preventive care is not available and when the healthy choice is not the easy choice. As executive director of APHA since 2002, he is leading the Association’s push to make America the healthiest nation.

Georges Benjamin, Executive Director of American Public Health Association, on the importance of having financial reserves:

We try to be fiscally conservative and have multiple revenue streams and live with in our resources each year. Of course COVID is stressor on those financial goals. That's one of the reasons we have reserves is so that you can go into them when times are hard. The last couple of years, we've had to go into reserves a little bit, because times are hard.

But we were able to do that because every year we were able to take any surplus revenues that came in and put them in the bank. Having a good savings account is important. However, I also think it's important that people figure out what's important for you to do and focus your mission - then put your resources behind that focused mission.

For us, if it hurts people or kills people, the public health community has a role in it, but we can't solve all the problems. Instead we try to solve the problems that we think are important for us directly and then we partner with others who have the strength to tackle other problems.

We don't really care who gets the credit, we care that the mission gets done. We hold ourselves accountable to the mission getting done as our main measure of success.

Interested in listening to the full episode and hearing more from other nonprofits? Check out more episodes here.

Stephen and Grant Trahant talk about what it takes to build a business or nonprofit from the ground up, reflect on what Stephen's learned from 100 conversations, and the unifying power of listening to and spending time with others.

Since 2013, Causeartist has been read in 150+ countries. Over this time Grant has interviewed 700+ social entrepreneurs, impact investors, and impact ventures from around the world.

The mission has always been to highlight innovations within ethical fashion, regenerative farming, climate tech, fair trade products, impact investing, and sustainable travel.

He also hosts the Disruptors for GOOD podcast and the Investing in Impact podcast.

Connect with Grant on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Grant on listening to others and seeing what truly unites us:

One advantage I get from talking to people around the world is that I experience that no matter where you are, no matter where you live, people still want the same thing for themselves, for their communities, and for their kids.

Whatever it may be their level of passion is the same. Whether they're from India, Southeast Asia, Delaware, Toronto, or Mexico City, wherever it may be, everybody's problems are pretty similar.

It could be dealing with mental health or dealing with economic issues, although different places approach problems and issues differently there are always people trying to solve them.

We're unified in trying to solve problems together on all continents and cities around the world.

About Causeartist

causeartist – [cause-artist] noun. a person who uses their talents and skills to impact the world.

Since 2013, Causeartist has been read in 150+ countries. Over this time I have interviewed 700+ impact entrepreneurs, impact investors, and impact ventures from around the world.

Causeartist is a global community of social entrepreneurs, builders, creators, and conscious consumers, who believe business can positively impact the world.

Stephen and Vicki Burkhart talk about More Than Giving's work with nonprofits to provide the staffing they need, the importance of a living strategic plan, and the four critical things for nonprofit success.

Vicki Burkhart is founder and CEO of the More Than Giving Company. She has 30+ years of experience in the nonprofit arena as an Executive Director, nonprofit executive and consultant.

After earning a B.A. and M.Ed. from Penn State, Vicki advanced to hold leadership positions in development and donor relations, including serving as the VP of Advancement at the MCP Hahnemann School of Medicine. At the same time, she was serving several nonprofits as their Executive Director.

Collectively, these roles gave her extensive, hands-on experience with major gift cultivation (including personally closing multimillion-dollar gifts), board development and strategic planning, membership development, organizational development, and volunteer management.

In 1999, Vicki founded More Than Giving with the goal of delivering innovative solutions to help more volunteer-driven nonprofits achieve sustainability and growth.

Vicki on the four critical things for nonprofit success

There are four things that I think are critical to a successful nonprofit:

1. A strategic plan - It's usually the first thing I ask for when I engage with a new client. All of the organizations that I lead, as an Executive Director have active strategic plans. By active I don't mean strategic plans that you do and put on the shelf and look at you know once a year. I mean, strategic plans that actually navigate the direction and path for the nonprofit, where you make decisions based on your plan, you look at revenue generation and leadership succession based on your plan. The strategic plan is a document that I think no matter how large or small the nonprofit is, is critical to that success.
2. Finding the right board - I intentionally use the word right because boards that I have worked with evolve, just like the nonprofit evolves. The founding board may be replaced by what I like to call the transition board a few years in, this transition board can then allow you to start separating operations from corporate responsibility. It defines the role of the board and the board's committees a little bit more and that of what staff does. Then the transition board shifts as the organization matures and starts to move into a more corporate board. It's important for nonprofit organizations to spend time finding the right people to sit on each of these boards. For the founders board looks very different than a corporate board.
3. Maintaining and building capacity - It's important that a nonprofit has the people and resources to support the growth of the organization. This gets back to, our paradigm shift in staffing and being able to have the right technology in the right infrastructure needed to support the growth of the organization.
4. Internal support - With the right internal support your professionals and your volunteers can focus on the work that they need to do. That's where you want someone who's sitting on your board making visits to prospective donors and you don't want them sitting in the office just doing light bookkeeping or sending out acknowledgement letters. Organizations really have to look at, if you get this much of volunteer time, how can that best be used?

Their passion is to amplify the strengths of nonprofits—so ALL people and communities flourish. Stephen and Nancy Long talk about the resilience of nonprofits during the COVID-19 pandemic, 501 Commons recent reports regarding nonprofit employee compensation, and common mistake nonprofits make with grants.

Nancy Long is the Executive Director of 501 Commons. 501 Commons addresses the national problem of nonprofits having limited access to the expertise they need to optimize their organization. The organization provides consulting, contracted services, and other forms of support.

This allows organizations to have the technology, data, management, fundraising, finance, and human resources expertise they need.

Before becoming executive director of 501 Commons, Nancy worked in health care as the Vice President of Strategy and Organizational Development at Group Health Cooperative. Nancy was on the health care reform policy staff for the Washington Health Services Commission.

She served as the Director of Marketing for the Basic Health Plan. She developed groundbreaking research to promote health insurance to diverse communities and implemented community-based outreach that resulted in unprecedented participation and diverse enrollment.

As the Director of Quality for the Washington State Hospital Association, she represented hospitals on regulatory matters and led a quality of care research project with rural hospitals.

As the Director of Marketing & Community Services at Pacific Medical, she led the effort to create the Cross-Cultural Health Care Program, which has done breakthrough work on culturally and linguistically accessible health care.

Nancy has a BA in social psychology (University of Texas), and a master’s from the Evans School (University of Washington), where she was also a lecturer, teaching nonprofit leadership and management.

Stephen and John Lux talk about John's unique career path, Film Florida's mission to support the film industry in Florida, and the challenges in showing value to individual members in a large membership based organization.

John has been the Executive Director for Film Florida since June 2016 and manages the day-to-day operations of the organization after spending 20 years working in the industry.

John is responsible for Film Florida operations, marketing, membership recruitment and finance. In addition to his other responsibilities for Film Florida, John is a social media enthusiast and has been handling the Film Florida social media strategy and day to day management of the website since 2014.

In previous roles John has been responsible for operations, finance and marketing positions including day-to-day operations (including all project proposals and budgets), finance (POs, APs, ARs, cash flow planning, etc.), and marketing strategies (social media, award submissions, press releases, communication with media, etc.).

John started in operations for the Walt Disney Company and helped Orlando-based IDEAS transition from Disney to an independent corporation and was instrumental in the transformation and growth of the company for 18 years.

After graduating from Purdue University, John worked in the live entertainment industry managing a staff of 300+ for an outdoor music and entertainment venue in the Chicago area before moving to Florida to join Disney where he received Disney’s rare and highly respected Partners In Excellence award.

His strong Chicago roots are reflected in his undying passion for college football, especially his alma mater, the Purdue Boilermakers and his home town teams, Blackhawks, Bears, Bulls, White Sox, Cubs and Northwestern University.

Jeff Mazur is an experienced executive with a proven record of leading nonprofit organizations through growth and strategic change. Presently heading LaunchCode, a high-impact workforce and economic development organization with an acute focus on helping regions flourish via technology education, civic partnership and corporate engagement.

Jeff Mazur on embracing a learning mindset:

What I've learned is that the longer I do this work, the less and less I know, and that that's actually a good thing that I should want to be true. I want to be comfortable with not knowing as a leader, because as we do more, and as we grow, there are new things that I ultimately am responsible for making decisions about that are entirely unexplored in the prior history of the organization and my tenure with it. So I don't know the answers to those new things but that's okay. Learning the answers and coming up with what we think as a team would be the best solutions is the highest order work that I can do in the organization. That was honestly somewhat surprising to discover, because the assumption might be "Well, in the first year, you're going to find some things that you never did before. In the second year, you're going to kind of get it down. Then the third or fourth or fifth year it's all old hat" And But I've found that not to be true. If it were true, it would be a signal to me that I, and we as leaders, weren't pushing the organization to do enough new things or to change itself and evolve or figure out how to test the edges of the space that we work in.

As executive director of the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO), a non- profit worldwide scientific and educational organization of amateur and professional astronomers, Stella Kafka utilized a combination of talent, skills, and scientific accomplishments that she now brings to her new role as AMS executive director. Kafka obtained her B.S. degree in physics at the University of Athens, Greece, and a master’s and Ph.D. in astronomy, with a double minor in physics and geophysical sciences from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. After completing her Ph.D., Stella held a series of prestigious postdoctoral positions and fellowships, first at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile, where she received the National Optical Astronomy Observatory Excellence Award, then at IPAC/Caltech, and finally as a NASA Astrobiology Institute Fellow at the Carnegie Institution of Washington. Stella also brings with her a wealth of managerial experience. In addition to serving as the director of two research and mentorship programs for undergraduates while in Chile, Stella managed editorial, marketing, financial, business development, operations, and production aspects of journals at the American Institute of Physics (AIP). As a journal manager at AIP, Stella successfully oversaw the launch of a new journal and served as a liaison between publishing and research communities. On top of her research and management abilities, Stella brings an international perspective to her work. After growing up in Greece, she obtained a Proficiency Diploma in the French language (she has one in English, too), pursued higher education in the United States, and worked and traveled in South America (including Chile, Argentina, and Brazil). Stella is fluent in Greek and English and speaks Spanish and French. Stella enjoys interacting with people of every age and background and has honed her communication skills through mentoring students, classroom teaching, and lectures to professional and public audiences. And then, like all good communicators, she knows when to stop and listen.

Stella Kafka on in person meetings fueling powerful brainstorm sessions and problem solving:
At some point in trying to understand a solution to a problem, it requires a little bit of getting out of your comfort zone and discussing aspects of science that maybe you don't know very well. I find that is much easier when speaking in person than it is virtually. I think that COVID made us more efficient and more accessible in terms of utilizing different methods of communication and increasing inclusivity. However, we're still trying to replicate those in depth, in person experiences and online technology is just not there yet. I'm not really sure what the end result will be, maybe we will actually come up with some kind of visors and virtual working places that will bridge the gap we are currently dealing with. That is our challenge. Although we aren't all the way there yet, I really like the increased efficiency and the fact that we can actually do things much faster using virtual technology.

Katie’s nonprofit career includes a variety of leadership roles for human service, foundation, and publishing-related nonprofits as well as many volunteer roles. Under Katie’s leadership, nonprofit organizations have developed new programs related to free healthcare, affordable and accessible housing and literacy programs for K-12 students. In her first Executive Director role, Katie increased the annual revenue of the organization she led by 300% and received the top grant prize in the nation for affordable housing through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis. Today, she leads Do More Good, the parent organization of Nonprofit Hub and Cause Camp which collectively serve more than 50,000 nonprofits throughout North America. Her educational background includes an undergraduate degree in business administration and a masters degree in nonprofit leadership. Katie is the past board president of Gracious Grounds, a housing organization serving individuals with disabilities. She is an active member of the Grand Rapids Young Nonprofit Professionals, the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, Cause Network, the Lakeshore Nonprofit Alliance and the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Katie Appold on the struggles nonprofits are facing in transitioning to a digital fundraising model and Cause Camp:

I would say the largest challenge that we're seeing organizations face is a transition to majority digital communication and fundraising. Pre-pandemic in person events like galas, golf outings, and one on one coffee meetings with donors were still happening. Thankfully, those things are coming back, and they're coming back strong, which is wonderful. But over the two years when the pandemic was at its peak, people really had to communicate digitally, and nonprofits had to raise their support digitally. So we're seeing a lot of organizations who are doing the right things, but they need to tweak and perfect and test and learn how to do them better.

Our solution is that we've built this year's Cause Camp's speaker list to address a lot of those issues that we see nonprofits facing. This year we have Dana Snyder, the gal who was the driving force behind Movember, talking about how you can take your mission and make it an online movement. We will also have Nathan Hill talking about how you can communicate to donors why they should give to your mission digitally? Because if you have no other way to connect with a donor other than email, it's crucial to know what you can say and do in that email to 1) make them open it and 2) connect with them in your message. Chris Hammond will also be talking about how nonprofit leaders need a strong personal network to build a strong organization, which I think is something that is often overlooked. Chris is going to talk about how to create that personal network digitally using tools like LinkedIn and connecting with people via text and email to keep relationships strong. Additionally, we have Mark Ostach, who's talking about hybrid work environments for nonprofits and how to make teams thrive.

Erin Mote is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of InnovateEDU. In this role, Erin leads the organization and its major projects including technology product development, work on data interoperability and data systems, and an urban education Fellowship for new educators. She leads the organization’s work on creating uncommon alliances to create systems change - in special education, talent development, and data modernization. An enterprise architect, she created, alongside her team, two of InnovateEDU’s signature technology products - Cortex, a next-generation personalized learning platform, and Landing Zone - a cutting-edge infrastructure as a service data product.

Erin is also the co-founder of Brooklyn Laboratory Charter School with her husband Dr. Eric Tucker. She is a recognized leader in technology, mobile, and broadband and has spent much of her career focused on expanding access to technology in the US and abroad. She has led ground-breaking initiatives, including scaling wireless communications to the developing world, developing global and national strategic technology plans, and working with the country’s leading technology companies. Erin has served in an advisory capacity to the White House/OSTP’s US Ignite Initiative, the Obama Administration’s Global Development Innovation Policy, the State Department’s TechCamp program, and the Obama Administration’s intra-agency process for Rio 2.0 and Rio+20. Erin served as the founding Chief of Party for the USAID Global Broadband and Innovations Alliance – a $19.5 million global technology expansion project. Erin has served in senior positions with CHF International and Coulter Companies after starting her career as the Director of External and Strategic Relations for Arizona State University. A recognized leader in alliance building, Erin serves in an advisory capacity for several leading international organizations including Digital Promise, SXSWedu Launch, XPrize, and the Barbara Bush Foundation. She is an Aspen Institute Socrates scholar and a proud alumnus of the University of Michigan.

Erin Mote on creating expertise throughout organizations:

We also believe it's really important to create expertise. Oftentimes one of the things that we'll do is sponsor other leaders to be able to participate in conversations so that it's not always the CEO of an organization that we're inviting to the table. We might invite somebody who's more junior or somebody who hasn't yet had that opportunity to share their voice. This particularly impacts women and people of color. One of the things that we do is stipend folks to participate in some of our projects where we'll be working on large scale infrastructure. We provide a stipend because usually they can only get permission to participate because they're bringing revenue into the organization. It's important for us to always be asking, "how do we expand the social circle we operate in to further increase our alliance building work?"

Interested in listening to the full episode and hearing more from other nonprofits? Check out more episodes here [maxbutton id="3" url="https://www.charitycharge.com/charity-charge-podcasts/" text="Charity Charge Show" ]

Terry Beswick (he/him) has been executive director of the GGBA since October 15, 2021. At the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in San Francisco, he advocated for HIV/AIDS research and treatment with ACT UP, Project Inform, the Human Rights Campaign and the White House Office of HIV/AIDS Policy. After the advent of effective treatments for HIV, Beswick worked as a journalist for the Bay Area Reporter and other LGBTQ community publications. More recently, he spearheaded a successful campaign to preserve the Castro Country Club for the queer recovery community in San Francisco, co-founded the Castro LGBTQ Cultural District and co-chaired the LGBTQ Cultural Heritage Strategy. Beswick was a Community Grand Marshal for the 50th Anniversary San Francisco LGBTQ Pride Parade and Celebration in 2020 and served as Executive Director of the GLBT Historical Society from 2016 to 2021.

Terry Beswick on creating sustainable change with a diverse community:

If there's anything that I've learned throughout my career, it's that the LGBTQ community is kind of a misnomer. Since we're a collection of different communities and subcultures and what brings us together are our gender and sexuality differences from the "Norm" and the experiences that we've had around that. Therefore, bringing all these different communities and cultures together to have impact on creating change is often a challenge. What I've learned is that listening and collecting people's ideas to navigate the differences of opinion and approach is always important to overcoming the challenge of community organizing. San Francisco is notorious for being extremely divided around the best approach to effecting change and I think that listening allows the space for any new idea to emerge from the people who are most directly affected. That way the affected communities feel ownership over the solution. Directing things from on high has never worked, in terms of creating sustainable change.

Interested in listening to the full episode and hearing more from other nonprofits? Check out more episodes here [maxbutton id="3" url="https://www.charitycharge.com/charity-charge-podcasts/" text="Charity Charge Show" ]

David Street is a native of Washington, D.C. and has over 13 years of grassroots organizing and engagement experience. He also serves as the Strategic Director of Next Gen Leadership for Bread for the World. Outside of his work in the organizing space, Street also serves as the Executive Director for P.E.N. (Promote, Enrich and Nurture) DMV, a non-profit that specializes in mentoring and social media training with high school students and aspiring leaders living in Washington, D.C. Street received his Bachelors in Political Science from North Carolina A & T State University and holds a Masters in Theology from Wesley Theological Seminary.

David Street on starting a nonprofit:

It took me about a year to get my nonprofit off the ground; because I interviewed people who had already set up nonprofits, who were already in a similar space, and I just asked a whole bunch of questions. I did about 8-10 interviews with people who had small to medium sized nonprofits. I've been working in nonprofits all my life so I was able to tap into the vast set of knowledge that my colleagues have. I also did other types of research, along with bringing people together and asking questions. After this year of research, we then filed the paperwork and all the other legal aspects. Since we took the time beforehand we already knew what our mission was going to be and who from that advisory board during the planning process would transfer into the board of directors. In that time we also had acquired seed funding, so it wasn't just like we only existed on paper, we had actually acquired some funding from a couple of local churches. I would advise others to do their homework, reach out to people and don't just jump in there; figure out if you have a niche and if there isn't a niche, create one.

Dr Noeen Malik is a nuclear medicine scientist (expertise: drug discovery and PET/CT imaging), a published author, a business strategist, the Executive Director of Public Affairs at GIANT (Global Immunization Action Networking Team; with WHO-UN), California, and a Research Scientist in MIPS at Stanford School of Medicine. Recently, she founded a small pharma-consultancy firm, Scientudio Inc. Scientudio launched a hands-on business internship program designed to impart to students and early-career phase scientists the relevant skills-set to thrive in the industrial sector. As an executive director of public affairs and infrastructure committee member of GIANT, she works together with WHO/UN in collaboration with 20 countries globally to bring awareness about immunization/vaccines. The volunteer work she does includes human rights activism with Amnesty International, IRC, and IYC-UN and fundraising for SOS Children’s Village. Besides, her philanthropy venture, "Endorse Hope", which focuses especially on under-developed countries to support their efforts in building up their internal capacity. She is also a cartoonist designing the Science Myths Playing Deck: Concept and artwork, science illustrator & communicator. Being a scientist, her duties revolve around managing bench work to preclinical evaluations to cGMP production of clinical radiopharmaceuticals and facilitating the commercialization of innovations. In her spare time, she loves photography, cartooning, hiking, and kayaking.

Dr. Noeen Malik on Endorse Hope and Great Lakes Peace Center Global Welfare Campaign providing sanitary pads to girl children:

The problem there is that girls who are going to school cannot afford branded sanitary pads that are either reusable or disposable. What they have to do during their menstruation days is stay at home. With needing to stay home each month these girls get far behind in their curriculum. Sometimes schools do support them by providing extra teaching assistance, but of course, the teachers are also working on limited salaries so they cannot provide that much extra assistance. Then what happens is these girls ultimately either drop out of school to earn money or sit at home during their menstruation days and fall further behind in their education. This Global Welfare Campaign supports the Great Lakes Peace Center who actually distributes the sanitation kits from school to school. They teach the girls how to make their own homemade, hygienic reusable sanitary pads and these kits are good for one year, greatly supporting the girl's in their pursuit of education.

Interested in listening to the full episode and hearing more from other nonprofits? Check out more episodes here [maxbutton id="3" url="https://www.charitycharge.com/charity-charge-podcasts/" text="Charity Charge Show" ]

Thomas Canavan is the Executive Director of the National Law Enforcement Museum and beginning in late 2019 began refocusing the Museum into what it is today…a place that honors the history and heroism of law enforcement officers. Thomas leads the Museum’s operations which includes exhibitions, education, outreach, and fostering strategic partnerships, all of which focuses on telling the story of American law enforcement.

Thomas is an accomplished non-profit professional with leadership expertise in developing exhibitions as well as educational and outreach programs that focus on building thriving communities. His experience includes establishing collaborative program environments; development and oversight of innovative educational programming; and cultivating strategic partnerships and alliances between local government, corporate sector, and nonprofit organizations. He holds a Master of Science, Arts Administration from Boston University and a Bachelor of Arts, Studio Art from the University of Maryland.

Thomas Canavan on using social media to bring communities and law enforcement together:

After the death of George Floyd, there was a lot of unrest around the country, and the relationship between communities and law enforcement, in certain places, was very strained. In this environment we as an organization we were thinking about our platform, and the connections that we have to the law enforcement community as a whole and wanted to see if it were possible to pull together best practices within that community on a national level. We ended up creating CALEB (Community Alliances and Law Enforcement Bulletin Network) a national bulletin board, where we invited people to post what works in their communities to see if we could make something positive happen. Once we had collected a lot of ideas, we saw that a lot of engagement was happening in other parts of the country. Overall we wanted to create a social media platform that was built and designed so that the law enforcement community and the public could come together to have a dialogue about what's working in their communities. We want to help pull all this information for the benefit of engagement with law enforcement who are really busy, working long hours in long stretches of days in a row. CALEB is a really great project and we're hoping that more people will hear about it and start to participate.

Nora Super is the executive director of the Milken Institute Center for the Future of Aging. In this role, Super provides strategic direction for two primary focus areas: Healthy Longevity and Financial Wellness. In 2020, Super launched the Milken Institute Alliance to Improve Dementia Care, which seeks to transform and improve the complex health and long-term care systems that people at risk for and living with dementia must navigate. Super is a respected thought leader, frequent speaker, and prolific writer on healthy longevity and the economic and social impact of global population aging. From 2014 to 2016, Super served as the executive director of the White House Conference on Aging, where she received wide recognition for her nationwide efforts to improve the lives of older Americans. She has also held leadership roles at the US Department of Health and Human Services, AARP, Kaiser Permanente, and USAging.

Nora Super on the importance of involving those with lived experiences in policy creation:
It's important to us to always make sure that we have people with lived experience as part of all the policy decisions we have. We make many policy recommendations and we want to make sure in all those conversations that we have someone who's living with dementia themselves or a caregiver of someone who's living with dementia to give us their real experience and feedback. This input stress tests the policies because sometimes people in government or research institutions think a policy will work on the ground but the people who are living with this may see issues we didn't so they will tell us, this makes a difference to them, or no. We get a lot of good feedback about what's too complicated, what's helpful, what they wish they had known earlier and those comments help drive our work.

Robert Freiri is the Executive Director of Gateway Center of Monterey County. He has been a nonprofit Executive Director for 23 years including seven years as Habitat for Humanity's Executive Director and seven years as the Executive Director of Chamberlain’s Children Center. Robert has also been a Nonprofit Manager for 35 years.

Robert Feiri on sustaining motivation in challenging times:

I think that what always kept me going is the focus on our mission, to make sure that even if it's been a tough day or we didn't win that day, that we're still on track to succeed at our mission and meet the needs of our clients. For me, when it's been a rough day I make sure that before I leave, I'll walk into the residential facility and spend 20 minutes with one or two of the residents. That always reminds me why I'm here and why we all do the good work that we do. That's what recharges me more than anything so that I can be ready to go and hit the challenges the next day. In the end it's really about the people that you serve and if you're doing a good job with that, your batteries will stay charged.

Jason holds a B.S. in Finance from Georgia State University and an MBA in Finance and Economics from the New York University, and joined GiveDirectly from a long string of Private Equity and Venture Capital backed technology companies, most recently Imbellus, Inc. and has served in a variety of CFO, COO, and Chief Innovation Officer roles. Jason started his career with a short stint at the US Department of the Treasury and a decade at McKinsey & Company.

Jason on GiveDirectly's commitment to financial transparency:
We make the claim, "90 cents of every dollar you give us goes into the hand of a recipient, unconditionally" and we've done an amazing job historically, providing transparency into that claim. However, about six months ago, in the context of the UN putting a call out to Elon Musk for $6 billion to help with a food program. There was a conversation about transparency, and proving that if Elon was to give $6 billion, it's not going to be run off by middlemen or spent on things other than what it was intended for. Elon Musk coined the term open source accounting which I think is a very good idea. This discourse sparked our team to ask ourselves the question, "Are we as transparent as we could be?" and ultimately, "Is there any reason that we wouldn't give audit rights to all of our stakeholders, donors, recipients, and governments we operate with to let them examine the books the same way that we would an investor?" After discussing internally it took 24 hours for the entire executive team to say, "Yes, we want to put all of our audit papers out publicly. We want to create a system where anybody can explore our transaction data and not only know where the 10% which doesn't go to recipients ends up." Now we're actively working on this open source accounting with our AWS partners to create a data exploration tool where anybody can go and look at how we spend our money, which recipients the money goes to, the salaries of the executive team and our staff, and what vendors we choose to do certain things. Also, should you happen to be a particular donor, we're shooting towards a world in which you can track your specific dollars, all the way through our system, to specific recipients on the other end. For example, we told you your money is going into Rwanda, so we want to show the 230 people that got your money and their stories of what they did with the money. This will also include accountability where we say, 1% of the money was lost to fraud, and one percent is pretty good, but still we didn't run that program perfectly. This will give donors the ability to make an educated choice on whether to give to us again, and whether to trust us with their money.

Holly Wissmann leads AFP's major gifts program and has helped grow the individual giving program from $500,000 to $3 million annually, serving more than 2,600 students on their path to becoming first-generation college graduates. Having experienced the transformative impact of higher education on her own family, Holly is honored to have the opportunity to pay forward that gift every day, serving on a team dedicated to educational equity and partnering with students and families to realize their college dreams. Prior to joining the Breakthrough family in 2013, Holly served for seven years at ZACH Theatre, where she was on the team responsible for the Topfer Theatre Capital Campaign. A proud graduate of The University of Texas at Austin and Terry Scholar alumna, she holds a B.B.A. in Marketing and B.A. in Dance and serves on the Terry Foundation Alumni Advisory Board. In her 11 years as an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Holly has served in a variety of volunteer and leadership roles, including Philanthropy Day Chair and current President of the Greater Austin Chapter. In her personal time, she performs with East Austin-based, AZTLAN Dance Company, her artistic home for 16 years, and loves spending time with her partner, Fabian, and their fur babies, Xochi, Xico, and Ivan.

Janet Torres works as Chief Executive Officer at The Literacy Coalition of Central Texas, who are celebrating their 20th anniversary. Janet is a proven leader with an outstanding track record of public service, business and programmatic acumen, and the ability to bring people together. With over 20 years of public service as a legislative attorney, policy advisor, she has held various senior management positions in government/community engagement with global nonprofits such as the Wildlife Conservation Society, The New York Botanical Garden, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and most recently as Executive Director of The Kindness Campaign. Torres holds a B.A. in Political Science, Economics and Public Administration from Fordham University, and a J.D. from Boston University School of Law.

Janet Torres on why vulnerability is an important leadership skill:

I find that as a leader, I think you're always tempted to say, "I'm fine, everything's great." To give this outward impression of strength and that you know what you're doing. Even though sometimes you're really thinking, "I'm terrified. I don't know if I'm making the right decision or I'm just going to make a decision because I'm going to have to make a decision." What I think is important when talking about self care and burnout is that I've started practicing radical vulnerability with my board and my team, where it's okay for me to say, "You know what, I'm feeling burnt out." or "You know what? I may not have all the answers and I get scared too sometimes." That's been a game changer for us. It's scary to do because sometimes I think leaders may be afraid to be vulnerable since they're thinking that doing so will end with people respecting them less because they admit they don't have all the answers. I disagree with that. I've found that radical vulnerability as a leadership skill has actually benefited me and has humanized me to my staff and my board members; which then allows me to empathize and work with them more closely because they're open to being vulnerable in return.

In 2003, Rebecca Warren Powers lost her brother and, as a result, founded Impact Austin, a collective giving organization that brings women and their financial resources together to make a profound impact in Central Texas. Rebecca has received multiple awards recognizing her leadership and speaks nationally along with mentoring women in cities across the US as they form their own collectives. Rebecca is well-known in Austin, Texas, for her philanthropic passion and empowering women to help others. She graduated from the University of Richmond with a B.S. in Business Administration in 1976 and worked as a sales rep for IBM for 14 years before retiring to raise her children. Rebecca and her husband live in Austin, Texas. They have two grown children, a wonderful son-in-law, and one perfect grandson.

Rebecca on what she learned when letting go of Impact Austin:

I always said that the day, the pain of running Impact Austin, was more than the joy that I got from it was the day it was time for me to retire because that meant what I loved doing and what I was good at doing was no longer what Impact Austin needed. When I did step down it was time for us to hire someone because no one was going to do what I did as the founder for free and work all those hours which meant that we became a different kind of organization, we had an employee, and that transition was messy. We had several missteps in that and it was hard for me to let go of my baby, but it was never my intention for Impact Austin to be "Rebecca's Impact Austin"; it needed to be the community. However, it was hard for me to let go of it when I didn't feel like it was able to blossom and fly on it's own. In hindsight, I should have let go a little easier than I did. Luckily I always had good people around me who called me to attention, and that's what you need is for people who are tough saying, "This isn't your place anymore. This is what we need, and this is how we're going to move forward." I was grateful for the people who told me that. Now I know Impact Austin is thriving without me because there are members now who are like, "I've heard of Rebecca Powers but I'm not sure I've ever seen her or if I just know the name." Which to me is like, "Yay, I'm not seen as an influence, and keeping my thumb on the organization." But it's hard to let go of your baby, I think it was harder to let go of Impact Austin than to let each of my kids go off to college.

Kim Langbecker has more than twenty years of experience working in the social sector as an Executive Director, Event Producer and Strategic Development Consultant. Her ED experience includes Terra Conservation Initiative, and two non-profits which she founded: Indigenous Land Rights Fund and Journey to the Heart. Prior to her work in the world of social change, Kim enjoyed nearly 20 years in the music business as a promotion executive, working with five major labels. No matter where her journey has taken her and for as long as she can remember, she has been drawn to Indigenous cultures. Kim believes very strongly that now more than ever we have much to learn from our Indigenous brothers and sisters. Kim lives with her partner and a variety of wild creatures who frequent their home in the hills above Santa Fe, NM.