Future Nonprofit

Many leaders build for today. Strategic leaders build for tomorrow.Steve Woodworth is one of those rare leaders who’s spent his life focused on legacy—measuring success not just by what happens during his time, but by what’s made possible for those who come after.“Did I set the organization up for the next generation to do even more than what we've done in my generation of leadership?”—Steve WoodworthSteve is a longtime leader in faith-based nonprofit marketing and organizational development. From early innovation at World Vision to building Masterworks, he has spent his career helping nonprofits create deep, meaningful, and sustainable impact. Most recently, he is also the author of Lost in Transition: Lessons from the Most Disastrous and Successful Ministry Successions.Today, Steve is navigating a pivotal succession at Masterworks, gradually moving from his position as CEO to an advisory role.In this conversation, he shares:Timeless principles for nonprofit marketing (many of which he learned while running cable TV programs for World Vision in the ‘80s!)How he’s navigated a years-long succession process in MasterworksWhy a “toe in the water” testing method is strategic for nonprofitsHow he schedules time for mentorship of his teamSteve is a leader with decades of wisdom to share around leadership and innovation. I (Ted) was honored to hear a portion of that wisdom in this episode.Find links to resources mentioned and key takeaways in the show notes for this episode: www.futurenonprofit.com/steve-woodworth

How do you fight global sex trafficking? With a global solution. Jeremy Vallerand (Atlas Free) shows how networked partnerships, not duplication, drive faster, measurable impact against exploitation.Jeremy founded Atlas Free to strengthen what already works: resourcing effective local partners instead of reinventing programs. Today, Atlas Free supports a global network focused on ending sexual exploitation and meeting urgent needs.In this episode, Jeremy shares:His unexpected road to founding Atlas FreeHow to utilize a network approach to leadershipAnd his challenging take on doing justice with mercyJeremy offers a new nonprofit model built on collaboration, showing us how building strong partnerships and treating others with dignity can lead to sustainable, collective change. Jeremy’s contagious conviction will challenge your thinking about mercy, fuel your own passion for justice, and give you a new perspective on how we bring change to the world.Find links to resources mentioned and key takeaways in the show notes for this episode: www.futurenonprofit.com/jeremy-vallerand

“What we're trying to do is build a forged family for people that have been despised, outcast, lost and forgotten, and pushed to the furthest fringes of society.”—Alan GrahamBefore you truly see an issue, you only know part of the story. But once you develop empathy for the people it affects, you can’t unsee its importance.That’s what happened for Alan Graham, who has now dedicated nearly three decades of his life to supporting his houseless neighbors in Austin, TX.Alan is the Founder & CEO of Mobile Loaves and Fishes, a Christian nonprofit that has been empowering their community into a lifestyle of service since 1998. In that time, they’ve served over 6.5 million meals and helped more than 470 neighbors move from the streets into permanent homes.In this episode, Alan shares:His personal journey of faith that led him to start Mobile Loaves and FishesWhy we should have compassion for those who find themselves without supportThe value in heart-to-heart solutionsAnd why nonprofits should stick with new initiatives longer than we often doFor Alan, the purpose of his life and the work he’s dedicated to is quite simple: To love God and love his neighbor. This conversation will bring you right back to the roots of your own work, reminding you of the simple truths that truly fuel your vision. Listen in!Find links to resources mentioned and key takeaways in the show notes for this episode: www.futurenonprofit.com/alan-graham

Bob Dalton, an entrepreneur and social designer, discusses his mission-driven companies, Sackcloth & Ashes and LOCL, focusing on localism and community impact. He emphasizes the importance of building trust on a local level to combat challenges from influencer culture and content overload. Bob shares insights on creating mission-aligned teams, the dual role of AI in community building, and the need for resilience in leadership. His vision encourages nonprofits to reclaim human connections and prioritize meaningful, local interactions.

“And the way things are looking in Ukraine, even if the war stops today, it's going to take decades to rebuild and rebuild lives.”—Yuriy BoyechkoIn 2016, Yuriy Boyechko founded Hope for Ukraine to serve the underserved—children impacted by HIV/AIDS, families in extreme poverty, and people with disabilities who had little access to care. But when Russia invaded in 2022, Yuriy and his team had to adapt quickly.This conversation explores how Hope for Ukraine continues to deliver real-time impact in one of the world’s most complex crises, and what the rest of us in the nonprofit world can learn from their speed, transparency, and relentless clarity of purpose.In this conversation, you’ll hear:Why funding often follows impact, not visionHow Hope for Ukraine adapts in real time to meet urgent needsThe power of radical transparency in donor engagementHow witnessing his father’s arrest (for being a pastor in the Soviet Union) shaped Yuriy’s sense of missionIn many ways, Hope for Ukraine is an example for all of us in the nonprofit sector as they are creating a true community around a mission for volunteers, donors, and staff. Yuriy’s grit, determination, and confidence in the face of so much need is a true inspiration. Listen in!See our key takeaways and links mentioned in the show notes for this episode: https://www.futurenonprofit.com/yuriy-boyechko/

How do you honor a 200-year legacy without losing relevance for today?That’s the question Dr. Jennifer Holloran has been asking since becoming the first female president of American Bible Society in 2024.In this episode, Jennifer shares how her leadership was shaped by hardship, faith, and an openness to follow where God was leading, even when the path wasn’t clear. From rebuilding an organization in transition to empowering the people around her, Jennifer’s story truly is a masterclass for nonprofit leaders navigating change.In this conversation, you’ll hear:How a challenging family life solidified her passion for the steady foundation of ScriptureWhy she believes leaning into tension is a crucial part of leadershipThe vision ABS has for the future of Bible engagement around the worldIf you’re leading through transition or wrestling with the balance of honoring legacy and casting vision, Jennifer’s story will give you valuable perspective. Listen in!See our key takeaways and links mentioned in the show notes for this episode: https://www.futurenonprofit.com/jennifer-holloran/

“When you understand the humans and the interests, needs, desires, and context within which they function, you can design systems that reflect those needs.” - Amy AndersonHow do you innovate within a system that has been stagnant for years?This is the question that guides Amy Anderson’s work as Executive Director of RESCHOOL Colorado—a nonprofit committed to creating an equitable education system where students can learn everywhere, ensuring all young people have access to diverse and meaningful learning opportunities.For any nonprofit leader, innovation can feel incredibly challenging. It's hard enough to devise a solution to a need and then build it to scale. But once that system is established, it can become even more difficult to lead change within it.In this conversation, you’ll hear:Honest reflections on the challenges of scaling a nonprofitInsights about balancing organized systems with bold changeAnd direction on how to build systems that are responsive to current needsIf you’re wrestling with the big questions around scaling your nonprofit, leading change within established systems, and achieving the adaptability you need to reach the next level, this episode is for you.See our key takeaways and links mentioned in the show notes for this episode: https://www.futurenonprofit.com/amy-anderson/

“If you're a positive adult who can offer support, there's a huge impact. 86% of our kids quadruple their literacy learning rate.” - Michelle CurrenSometimes the most meaningful journeys in life are unexpected, aren’t they?When Michelle Curren set out to change the world, she didn’t see herself helping kids learn to read in her hometown of Chico, CA. She thought she’d be actively combatting sex trafficking in other countries.But through an interesting and unexpected journey, she came to understand that one of the most effective ways to help a child succeed in life is simply to help them read. Today, Michelle is the CEO and Executive Director of Reading Pals, a growing nonprofit devoted to rewriting kids’ stories by helping them tap into the power of reading.In this conversation, you’ll hear:How you can combat donor and volunteer apathy through communityThe impact of making it easier to volunteerHonest reflections on whether to scale your nonprofitAnd why it’s important to protect your priorities in leadershipIf you’re looking to reframe the way you define a direction and cast vision for the future of your organization, this episode is one you don’t want to miss.Find our key takeaways and any resources mentioned during the episode in the show notes: www.futurenonprofit.com/michelle-curren

“So many people are not voicing their power.” - Holly SmithsonWhat if your biggest strength is the thing you’ve been told is your greatest weakness?In this episode, Ted sits down with Holly Smithson, CEO of Athena, a global leadership platform dedicated to fast-tracking women in STEM (short for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). This is an incredible organization that is partnering with some of the nation’s top corporations by strengthening their executive pipeline, fostering cultures of innovation and impact, and accelerating workforce readiness for the future economy.Holly shares how a childhood spent watching news with her dad and idolizing Carol Burnett sparked a lifelong passion for storytelling and advocacy. She walks us through her journey—from Capitol Hill to a cancer diagnosis—and how embracing vulnerability, authenticity, and innovation became central to her leadership.You’ll hear how Holly’s nonprofit, Athena, grew from a regional incubator into a global confidence lab, why innovation is a critical skill for nonprofits, and how “embracing your power” can fuel stronger impact and more confident leadership.Whether you're navigating growth, burnout, or a call to lead more authentically, Holly’s story is a powerful invitation to something better.Want our key takeaways from this conversation? Take a look at the show notes for this episode: https://www.futurenonprofit.com/holly-smithson/

“There was no real mechanism for measuring what we meant when we said build trust… Who was creating the surveys? What was the methodology? What were the metrics assessing relationships?” - Meme StylesYou use data every day.In the stories you tell donors.In the statistics you share on social media.In the decisions you make about the future of the organization.But data-informed decision-making goes deeper than just collecting numbers and drawing conclusions from them.Meme Styles, our guest today, reminds us that we need to be asking some important questions: Where did these numbers come from?How do we know they are trustworthy and accurate?How biased or unbiased are the sources of that data or the methodology we’re utilizing?From running a lunchroom advocacy campaign as a third grader to sitting on panels with city officials in Austin, TX, Meme has always been a force for change. And in 2015, she founded MEASURE, a nonprofit data advocacy organization working to eliminate social disparities in health, education, economics, and criminal justice—one dataset at a time.In this episode, Meme shares how data can either reinforce inequities or drive systemic change, how data bias can show up in nonprofits, why community is the best form of technology, and the most impactful decision Meme says she’s made in her leadership.If you’re a nonprofit leader committed to equity, dignity, and visionary leadership, this conversation is for you.Want our key takeaways from this conversation? Take a look at the show notes for this episode: https://www.futurenonprofit.com/meme-styles/