We Are For Good Podcast - The Podcast for Nonprofits

Latest Episodes:

489. Associate Boards + Engaging the Next Generation in Your Mission - Nelvin Johnson Nov 20, 2023

Show notes

Meet Nelvin. He’s a self-defined hopeless optimist with an unshakeable belief that things will get better💪 He’s part of the We Are For Good community and finds ways to be a trailblazer listening to the podcast. With over a decade of experience in financial services, he went all in and jumped to a career where he can build more compassionate communities of care, generosity, trust, and innovation. He fits right in as the Development Officer at The Bowery Mission, a New York organization that has been a beacon of hope for those in need for over a century. In addition to his incredible story, Nelvin is sharing his valuable insights for nonprofits considering building an Associate Board, illustrating how it can amplify their impact 🤝 Tune in to get excited about inviting the next generation into your work.
Today’s Guest
Nelvin Johnson, Development Officer, The Bowery Mission
Episode Highlights

Nelvin’s story and journey to where he is today (3:40)
Overview of The Bowery Mission (14:00)
Engaging Young Professionals in Your Mission: The Bowery Mission’s Associate Board (19:00)
Why should nonprofits build an associate board? (22:00)
Mindsets Nelvin is bringing to his work (33:00)
A powerful moment of philanthropy in Nelvin’s life (35:00)
Nelvin’s One Good Thing: Don’t be afraid anymore. (41:00)
How to connect with Nelvin and The Bowery Mission (42:00)

For more information + episode details visit: weareforgood.com/episode/489.

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We Are For Good is joining forces with GB to host in-person hackathon meetups on Friday, Oct. 2, in New York, Seattle, LA, Denver, and Indianapolis, so you can build alongside other nonprofits in the community.

Learn more and save your free spot today.

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488. Harnessing AI for Good: AI in the Nonprofit Sector - Justin Spelhaug and Erik Arnold, Microsoft Nov 15, 2023

Show notes

Meet Erik and Justin. These tech visionaries from Microsoft's Tech for Social Impact team are peeling back the layers of AI's transformative potential in the nonprofit sector. From its potential in donor engagement and fundraising to enhancing program effectiveness, AI can amplify the impact of nonprofit organizations. Erik and Justin are sharing their advice on getting started with AI tools and highlighting the importance of responsible and ethical adoption of these emerging technologies🤖While technology is central to the discussion, the human element remains paramount. AI can be a co-pilot helping nonprofit leaders make an even bigger impact. Tune in so you can meet this AI moment without fear and maybe even with excitement 🤗

💡Learn

A look at AI’s impact on nonprofits overall
Case studies of nonprofit orgs using AI
Tips and tools for getting started with AI

Today’s Guests

Justin Spelhaug, Vice President & Global Head and Erik Arnold, Chief Technology Officer, Microsoft's Tech for Social Impact

Episode Highlights

Justin and Erik’s story and journey to where they are today (3:00)
Microsoft Tech for Social Impact Overview (6:00)
What opportunity exists for nonprofits today (10:00)
AI’s impact on Fundraising, Donor Engagement and Programs (13:00)
Following Responsible AI Principles (20:00)
Common challenges nonprofits might face when adopting AI (31:00)
Where can nonprofits get these resources (40:00)
Building community around AI for nonprofits (41:00)
Powerful stories of philanthropy in Justin and Erik’s lives (43:00)
Justin’s One Good Thing: Have a growth mindset. (48:00)
Erik’s One Good Thing: Think about how you need to train yourself, train your team, and how it’s going to impact your donors. (48:45)
How to connect + learn more (50:00)

For more information + episode details visit: weareforgood.com/episode/488.

Join us at The Spread!

Givebutter's biggest innovation event of the year is here — The Spread, built entirely around co-creating with nonprofits like yours. 💛

Learn more and save your free spot today.

Say hi 👋
LinkedIn / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Twitter

487. Breaking Unconscious Bias and Fostering Inclusion: A Conversation with Dena Williams Nov 13, 2023

Show notes

Meet Dena. She’s a staunch advocate for more diversity, equity and inclusion in all aspects of our lives. Her advocacy work began at just 16 years old when she was a volunteer for a Black and Brown LGBTQ youth HIV outreach program in the inner cities of Connecticut. Her career has included leading employee resource groups for corporations and nonprofits, becoming the first Black CEO and board chair of the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles, and now, she continues to shape the DEI landscape through her consultancy. Tune in, and uncover ways to create inclusive communities where everyone can express their truth.
💡 Learn

How to build cultures of belonging
Tips for counteracting unconscious bias
Cornerstones of workplace engagement that create vibrant workplaces

Today’s Guest
Dena Williams, Founder, Dena Williams Consulting
Episode Highlights

Dena’s story and journey to where she is today (3:30)
Creating communities of belonging (8:20)
The difference between equity and equality (15:00)
Unconscious bias (19:00)
3 Drivers of Employee Engagement (24:00)
1. Psychological Safety
2. Psychological Availability
3. Psychological Meaningfulness
A powerful story of philanthropy in Dena’s life (28:00)
Dena’s One Good Thing: Self-care. Do it. (32:00)

For more information + episode details visit: weareforgood.com/episode/487.

Join us at The Spread!

Givebutter's biggest innovation event of the year is here — The Spread, built entirely around co-creating with nonprofits like yours. 💛

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486. Unlocking Your Working Genius for Innovation + Impact - Dave Raley Nov 08, 2023

Show notes

Meet Dave. He’s an expert in sustainable innovation🚀 helping nonprofits and businesses create profitable growth. He’s the founder of Imago Consulting, the author of a weekly trendspotting report called 🌊The Wave Report, and the co-founder of the Purpose & Profit Podcast with co-host Carly Berna. On the podcast today, he’s guiding us through the Working Genius framework sharing how it can enable effective collaboration and foster innovation. We’re also diving into how the subscription economy has opened doors for nonprofits to tap into recurring revenue models. Get ready to work in a new way filled with joy and growth. Tune in for insights into how you can elevate collaboration🤝 and innovation⚡ in your workplace.

💡 Learn

Working Genius Overview + Implementation
How to build sustainable innovation within orgs
Insights into creating recurring revenue models

Today’s Guest
Dave Raley, Consultant, Speaker, Writer and Founder, Imago Consulting
For more information + episode details visit: weareforgood.com/episode/486.

Join us at The Spread!

Givebutter's biggest innovation event of the year is here — The Spread, built entirely around co-creating with nonprofits like yours. 💛

Learn more and save your free spot today.

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485. Saving Time + Engaging Your Rabid Fans: Automation Tips from SODA - Nicole Nidea Nov 06, 2023

Show notes

Meet Nicole. Her passion for educating others about organ donation started in 2015💚 That passion has continued to grow as she helped lead the original Student Organ Donation Advocates (SODA) chapter at Washington University in St. Louis 🎓 Nicole then joined the SODA National Team in 2020 as the volunteer Director of Development and the next year their first full-time employee. This small but mighty team leans into automation to support more than 50 chapters and 20 community partnerships across the country 🤖 She’s sharing lessons learned along the way about how automation can transform an organization with everything from donor engagement to internal processes.

💡 Learn

Overview of Student Organ Donation Advocates (SODA)
Case Study: automation to scale impact
Tips for young professionals entering the nonprofit sector

Today’s Guest
Nicole Nidea, Program Director, Student Organ Donation Advocates (SODA)

For more information + episode details visit: weareforgood.com/episode/485.

Join us at The Spread!

Givebutter's biggest innovation event of the year is here — The Spread, built entirely around co-creating with nonprofits like yours. 💛

Learn more and save your free spot today.

Say hi 👋
LinkedIn / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Twitter

484. Empowering Equity: Navigating Leadership, Justice, and Power in Nonprofits - Mia Henry Nov 01, 2023

Show notes

Meet Mia. She’s the Founder and CEO of Freedom Lifted, a company that supports justice-centered leadership development through online learning, training, and coaching. Mia has more than 20 years of experience in organizational leadership, group facilitation, intergenerational community organizing, and history education. Drawing from her personal experiences and deep-rooted family legacy in civil rights activism in the U.S. Deep South, Mia is sharing her wisdom on justice-centered leadership. We delve into the core components of power and its potential to create more just and equitable communities. Don't miss this empowering conversation rooted in abundance.

💡Learn

An overview of equity and justice work
The impact of power dynamics within an organization
Ways to make your organizations more just and equitable

Today’s Guest
Mia Henry, Founder + CEO, Freedom Lifted

Episode Highlights

Mia’s story and journey to where she is today (3:35)
Equity and justice in organizations (8:30)
Advancing justice and equity (16:30)
How power factors into creating a just workplace (25:00)
Four layers needed to improve power dynamic (37:10)
A powerful moment of philanthropy in Mia’s life (44:35)
Mia’s One Good Thing: Don't be afraid to talk about power, to address it, and be reminded that there is enough for all of us. (48:00)

For more information + episode details visit: weareforgood.com/episode/484.

Join us at The Spread!

Givebutter's biggest innovation event of the year is here — The Spread, built entirely around co-creating with nonprofits like yours. 💛

Learn more and save your free spot today.

Say hi 👋
LinkedIn / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Twitter

483. When One Nudge Changes Everything: Meet Pink Ribbon Good - Heather Salazar Oct 30, 2023

Show notes

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

💡Learn

History + overview of Pink Ribbon Good
Lessons learned from founding an org
How to lean into partnerships

Today's Guest
Heather Salazar, CEO + President, Pink Ribbon Good
For more information + episode details visit: weareforgood.com/episode/483.

Join us at The Spread!

Givebutter's biggest innovation event of the year is here — The Spread, built entirely around co-creating with nonprofits like yours. 💛

Learn more and save your free spot today.

Say hi 👋
LinkedIn / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Twitter

482. A Deep Dive into Nonprofit Mergers and Acquisitions - Danielle Steer Oct 25, 2023

Show notes

Meet Danielle. She has supported 77 Minnesota-based companies that have created 405 jobs and raised $20M+ in funding since 2018💰 She recently led Lunar Startups, Minneapolis-St. Paul’s first early-stage accelerator for Black, Indigenous, People of Color, LGBTQ, women and non-binary founders, to be successfully acquired by ConnectUP! Institute which was formerly a “competitor” of Lunar’s. She’s taking us on a deep dive into the world of nonprofit mergers and acquisitions🤝 This isn’t just a last-ditch effort when an organization has exhausted all other options. She’s sharing the strategy behind her acquisition decision, its immediate benefits to Lunar's communities and offering insights for nonprofit leaders navigating economic volatility. With a strategic approach, a nonprofit merger is an innovative approach to delivering more streamlined services AND funding vehicles to the community📈

💡Learn

An overview of nonprofit mergers + acquisitions
The value of strategic planning
Solutions to streamline resources

Today’s Guest

Danielle Steer,Founding Executive Director, Lunar Startups + Managing Partner, Tundra Ventures
For more information + episode details visit: weareforgood.com/episode/482.

Join us at The Spread!

Givebutter's biggest innovation event of the year is here — The Spread, built entirely around co-creating with nonprofits like yours. 💛

Learn more and save your free spot today.

Say hi 👋
LinkedIn / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Twitter

481. Collective Giving: Harnessing the Power of Shared Resources - Emily Rasmussen Oct 23, 2023

Show notes

Meet Emily. From dancing on the stage as a ballerina🩰 to developing microfinance and fair trade programs in India, her story is winding and inspiring. Now, she’s the founder and CEO of Grapevine 🍇, which gathers like-minded people to donate to a common cause. She’s on a mission to democratize giving, championing collective philanthropy and harnessing the power of shared resources. In an era marked by the rise of crowdfunding campaigns, mutual aid societies, and changes in traditional nonprofit models, generosity undergoing a transformation. Giving circles offer yet another avenue for people to support the causes close to their hearts. Join us for a deep dive into the power of shared values and collective action, as we explore how individuals can come together to create a profound impact🌍

💡Learn

How community-based giving is different from crowdfunding
Why the current fundraising climate calls for the democratization of giving
The importance of partnerships that jumpstart progress

Today’s Guest
Emily Rasmussen, Founder + CEO, Grapevine
For more information + episode details visit: weareforgood.com/episode/481.

Join us at The Spread!

Givebutter's biggest innovation event of the year is here — The Spread, built entirely around co-creating with nonprofits like yours. 💛

Learn more and save your free spot today.

Say hi 👋
LinkedIn / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Twitter

480. How Smart Tech is Changing Fundraising + How to Harness Its Power for Your Mission (Replay) - Nejeed Kassam Oct 20, 2023

Show notes

Meet Nejeed. He empowers nonprofits with AI-powered technology while also highlighting the positive impact that adopting smart technology WILL have on the sector. Friends, technology can be simple AND revolutionary. Believe us, this is the convo you've been waiting for to get jazzed about your data! 🤩
💡Learn: