The Charity Charge Show - Nonprofit Podcast

Latest Episodes:

From At-Risk Youth to Community Builder: Robert Santana on Mentorship, Change, and Scaling Impact Sep 19, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Charity Charge Show, Robert Santana, CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, shares his journey from a challenging upbringing to leading a nonprofit organization. He emphasizes the importance of mentorship, innovative approaches to community challenges, and the evolution of leadership roles in nonprofits.

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.

---------------------------

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.

(Nonprofit Spotlight) Dr. Trei McMullen - SYOTOS Foundation Sep 18, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Charity Charge Non-Profit Spotlight Series, Matt Bradshaw interviews Dr. Trey McMullen, who shares his journey from military service to founding the SYOTOS Foundation. Dr. McMullen discusses his experiences in various nonprofit sectors, including human trafficking and sexual assault, and emphasizes the importance of community support and mentorship for vulnerable populations.

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:

---------------------------

Navigating the Challenges of Affordable Housing - Jeff Eysaman, CEO of Christopher Community (CCI) Sep 17, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Charity Charge Show, we sit down with Jeff Eysaman, CEO of Christopher Community (CCI), to talk nonprofit leadership, collaboration, and the future of affordable housing in Central and Western New York.

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:

---------------------------

(Nonprofit Spotlight) East Boston Social Centers Sep 16, 2025

Show notes

In this nonprofit spotlight, host Matt Bradshaw speaks with Justin Pasquariello, the CEO of East Boston Social Centers. They discuss Justin's journey into the nonprofit sector, the mission and impact of East Boston Social Centers, and the importance of understanding community needs.

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:

---------------------------

(Nonprofit Spotlight) Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR) Sep 15, 2025

Show notes

In this nonprofit spotlight, we speak with Stacey Charpentier, the Executive Director of the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR). We discuss Stacey's journey in the nonprofit sector, the mission of CCAR, and the challenges faced in nonprofit leadership, particularly regarding funding. Stacey shares insights on the importance of community support, transparency in leadership, and innovative solutions like the new Coachally platform for recovery coaching. The conversation emphasizes the need for ongoing advocacy and the positive impact of recovery support services.

About Charity Charge:

---------------------------

The Myth of Declining Generosity: Insights from Bloomerang CMO Ann Fellman Sep 12, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Stephen sits down with Ann Fellman, CMO at Bloomerang, to unpack what’s actually happening in charitable giving and how nonprofits can raise more—consistently. Drawing from the latest Giving USA data and Bloomerang’s vantage point across tens of thousands of organizations, Ann argues that the “decline in generosity” narrative is a myth.

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

“Generosity is alive and well—and growing. When we build genuine relationships and make giving easy, nonprofits raise more.” — Ann Fellman

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:

---------------------------

(Nonprofit Spotlight) Amanda Paktinat, Interim CEO of the American Red Cross of Colorado and Wyoming Sep 11, 2025

Show notes

In this conversation, Amanda Paktinat, the interim CEO of the American Red Cross of Colorado and Wyoming, discusses the organization's local impact, misconceptions about its services, and the importance of community support. She highlights the role of volunteers, the evolution of fundraising, and the significance of building strong donor relationships.

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:

---------------------------

(Nonprofit Spotlight) The importance of community engagement and cultural sensitivity in non-profit work: Dr. David Ruttenberg Sep 10, 2025

Show notes

In this conversation, Dr. David Ruttenberg shares his journey from the music industry to founding a company focused on creating wearable technology for neurodivergent individuals. He discusses the personal motivations behind his work, particularly his experiences as a parent of a neurodivergent child. Dr. Ruttenberg also highlights the importance of community engagement and cultural sensitivity in non-profit work, particularly in the context of the FAU Center for Autism. He emphasizes the need for education and advocacy to support individuals with invisible differences.

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:

---------------------------

Hope for Haiti: Building Generational Impact Through Storytelling and Collaboration Sep 09, 2025

Show notes

In the latest episode of the Charity Charged Show, we sit down with Skyler Badenoch, CEO of Hope for Haiti, to explore the organization’s mission and its far-reaching impact in southern Haiti. With over 35 years of experience serving Haitian families, Hope for Haiti continues to transform lives through education, healthcare, clean water, and economic development.

About Charity Charge:

---------------------------

How A Moment of Magic Brings Joy to Hospitalized Children Sep 05, 2025

Show notes

Sometimes, one small moment can transform a life. That’s exactly what happened to Kylee McGrane-Zarnoch, founder and executive director of A Moment of Magic, when a personal experience with hospitalized loved ones inspired her to start visiting pediatric patients dressed as a princess.

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:

---------------------------