Future Nonprofit

“We're tackling the crisis of food insecurity, but we're also tackling this epidemic of disconnection. And we're building bridges and building connections that people are just craving right now.” –Dan ZaudererWhat if joy fed more than just the soul? What if it could fill a parking lot with a hundred volunteers, rescue pallets of unpurchased food, and drive it city-wide to families in need?It’s no fantasy. In the Bronx and Greater New York City, it’s happening.For Grassroots Grocery founder Dan Zauderer, what started as a single community refrigerator has exploded into a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors, full of genuine fun, memories shared, and countless families fed.What he’s found? The joy just keeps on growing.In this episode, Dan shares:The serendipitous makings of Grassroots Grocery and its growth from a single community refrigerator to a thriving nonprofitWhy he thinks joy and connection are the reason for his volunteer waitlistHow he uses technology to create a more human experienceWhat he’s learning about boundaries and growth in mutual aid leadershipFind links to resources mentioned and key takeaways in the show notes for this episode: https://www.futurenonprofit.com/dan-zauderer/*This episode includes a clip from an interview originally aired on the TODAY Show. That content is the property of NBCUniversal Media, LLC and is used here for informational purposes only. For the full segment, click here.

“I do not believe that nonprofits live in a separate world. I believe that they live in the same world [as every other brand].” –Jim MoriartyNonprofits aren’t operating in a separate marketplace than for-profits. They’re competing for the same attention, trust, and loyalty as every other brand.Jim Moriarty, brand strategist and former CEO of the Surfrider Foundation, believes this is the case—positing that both sectors are after the same consumer attention, and that both are doing real good in the world.With vast experience in both sectors, Jim thinks nonprofits can learn a thing or two from for-profit brands about evaluating performance, building trust, and clarifying your mission.In this episode, Jim shares:Why the lines are blurry between for-profits and nonprofits for consumersWhy Nike’s mission to make sports accessible to all is actually a core part of their modelWhat nonprofits can learn from brands about building consumer trust and competency in delivering on their promiseHow a clear narrative, real-world activation, and constant feedback can accelerate momentumFind links to resources mentioned and key takeaways in the show notes for this episode: https://www.futurenonprofit.com/jim-moriarty/

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