We Are For Good Podcast - The Podcast for Nonprofits

How do you fund what matters when everything feels urgent—and uncertain? In this episode of our Hold Fast series, we sit down with Hali Lee—philanthropy innovator, author of The Big We, and founding partner of Radiant Strategies—for a candid conversation on funding with heart, courage, and community at the center. Hali shares hard-earned wisdom from building collective giving movements like the Asian Women Giving Circle and Donors of Color Network, reminding us that generosity flows through relationships, not just resources. Together, we explore how nonprofits can build trust-based funding relationships, embrace smart shifts toward diversification, and create spaces of belonging that inspire action. ❤️If you’ve been craving practical strategies and soulful encouragement for navigating power imbalances, donor shifts, and fundraising burnout—this episode is your invitation to pause, reflect, and root deeper. You'll hear:Why now is the moment for individuals—and for belongingBuilding trust without losing yourselfSmall teams, smart shifts: diversifying without burning outCollective giving models for grassroots growthEpisode Highlights: The Importance of Relationships in Philanthropy (02:55)Navigating Urgency and Trust in Nonprofits (05:59)The Future of Philanthropy: Inclusivity and Collaboration (09:01)Collective Generosity vs Big Philanthropy (12:11)Connecting Through Shared Experiences (22:39)The Power of Community and Belonging (24:06)Grassroots Movement for Collective Action (26:03)Finding Joy in Connection (30:43)Empowering Individuals to Create Change (32:37)Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/619Join us at ImpactUp: Movement on July 10th!It’s a free, one-day virtual event for changemakers who are ready to move their mission forward. You’ll walk away with real, practical tools—like how to use your data to spark action, how to craft a clear and compelling elevator pitch, and how to create messaging that actually moves people.Grab your free spot at weareforgood.com/impactup 🥳 Thank you to our partners 🩵Big gratitude to Givebutter, RKD Group, DonorDock, Feathr, Whiteboard and Sowen for their partnership in growing the Impact Uprising. If you’re searching for a new CRM, tech tool, brand partner, direct mail partner, or impact strategist— we’d love for you to start with our trusted recs. We’ve vetted them so you don’t have to. Head to weareforgood.com/recs to learn more.Support the showBecome a Member and Get All-Access to Everything We Are For Good!Experience the Impact Uprising Membership by We Are For Good: an ecosystem to learn, connect + grow in the power of a value-aligned community. Members gather monthly with Jon + Becky at exclusive members-only meetups + get video access to all new podcast episodes in an ad-free experience + so much more! Learn more + join us at weareforgood.com.Say hi👇LinkedIn / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Twitter

Policies aren’t just paperwork—they’re culture in action. In this episode of Gather at the Well, Lindsey Fuller and Marisol Pineda Conde invite us to rethink how policies are created—and more importantly, who they’re really for.Together, they pull back the curtain on their own journey from outdated handbooks to building intentional, people-first policies rooted in trust, care, and collaboration. With warmth, wisdom, and a whole lot of heart, they break down a five-step process that transforms policy-making from a check-the-box task into a powerful tool for psychological safety and team well-being.You’ll hear stories, real talk, and tangible steps to design policies that reflect your values, center lived experience, and actually support the humans behind the work. Whether you're growing a startup, leading a nonprofit, or shaping culture in your school, this convo will leave you equipped—and inspired—to build better, together.You’ll walk away with:A five-step process for policy creationHow to balance organizational needs with human needsActionable strategies for policy implementation Episode Highlights: Defining Human-Centered Policies (02:18)The Importance of Policies in Organizations (03:44)Identifying Policy Gaps and Needs (06:08)Feedback Mechanisms for Policy Development (10:06)Challenges in Implementing Policies (13:45)Opportunities for Policy Improvement (16:19)Accountability and Leadership in Policy (19:31)Roadmap to Human-Centered Policy Creation (25:51)✨ Affirmations:I am an attuned listener and a responsive leader.When we know better, we do better.Even if I feel overwhelmed to tackle policy creation, I can take the first step by noticing what's needed and asking for help.I'm not alone. I don't have to do this on my own.I honor that feeling. I know it will pass.I honor my overwhelm. This moment can pass.I honor my self-doubt. This feeling will pass.👉 Explore the Full Episode Shownotes Support the showBecome a Member and Get All-Access to Everything We Are For Good!Experience the Impact Uprising Membership by We Are For Good: an ecosystem to learn, connect + grow in the power of a value-aligned community. Members gather monthly with Jon + Becky at exclusive members-only meetups + get video access to all new podcast episodes in an ad-free experience + so much more! Learn more + join us at weareforgood.com.Say hi👇LinkedIn / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Twitter

When strategy feels like a moving target, how do you hold fast to what really matters?In today’s episode, Ori Carmel shares how to hold fast to your true mission when everything feels uncertain, and how our quick decisions might be holding us back. 👀Tune in to hear:🤔 Understanding decision-making systems📈 How to connect data to meaningful narrative📍 Defining your unique organizational "why"This episode is a game-changing eight-step framework for measuring what REALLY matters. We're talking beyond vanity metrics, cutting through the noise, and getting crystal clear on your organization's unique purpose. 🎧Episode HighlightsFinding Your True North (04:10)Visioning for Nonprofits (06:34)Understanding Decision-Making Systems (09:00)Navigating Complexity in Nonprofit Decisions (12:40)Navigating Crisis in Philanthropy (20:53)Metrics that Matter: Impact vs. Activity (24:46)Framework for Impact Measurement (26:57)The Importance of Organizational Reflection (30:56)Resources for Social Impact Success (39:02)Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/618Resources Mentioned:"Man's Search for Meaning" by Victor Frankl“Thinking Fast and Slow" by Daniel Kahneman""Higher Ground" by Allison Taylor (2024)Sowen’s Social Impact Report Join us at ImpactUp: Movement on July 10th!It’s a free, one-day virtual event for changemakers who are ready to move their mission forward. You’ll walk away with real, practical tools—like how to use your data to spark action, how to craft a clear and compelling elevator pitch, and how to create messaging that actually moves people.Grab your free spot at weareforgood.com/impactup 🥳 Thank you to our partners 🩵Big gratitude to Givebutter, RKD Group, DonorDock, Feathr, Whiteboard and Sowen for their partnership in growing the Impact Uprising. If you’re searching for a new CRM, tech tool, brand partner, direct mail partner, or impact strategist— we’d love for you to start with our trusted recs. We’ve vetted them so you don’t have to. Head to weareforgood.com/recs to learn more.Support the showBecome a Member and Get All-Access to Everything We Are For Good!Experience the Impact Uprising Membership by We Are For Good: an ecosystem to learn, connect + grow in the power of a value-aligned community. Members gather monthly with Jon + Becky at exclusive members-only meetups + get video access to all new podcast episodes in an ad-free experience + so much more! Learn more + join us at weareforgood.com.Say hi👇LinkedIn / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Twitter

Meet Ali, the CEO of GreenLight Fund and former leader of Fresh Lifelines for Youth. He joins us to share how his lived experience fuels his commitment to equity-driven leadership and community transformation. 🩵In this conversation, Ali unpacks GreenLight Fund’s unique model for scaling evidence-based nonprofits into new cities—and what it means to center community voice in every step. He speaks candidly about navigating leadership transitions, anchoring in values like justice and generosity, and why listening to those closest to the challenges is key to building lasting solutions. You'll hear timely insights for leading through change and striving for deeper, more sustainable impact. 🎧Episode HighlightsAli Knight’s Journey and Lived Experience (04:39)Understanding the Greenlight Fund Model (06:21)Hyper-Local Solutions to Community Needs (08:42)Navigating Local Contexts for Impact (11:23)Empowerment Through the Selection Advisory Council (14:00)Real-World Impact: Success Stories from Greenlight (20:22)Values that Anchor Leadership in Turbulent Times (25:29)Moments of Philanthropy and Community Trust (28:58)Ali’s One Good Thing: Listening to the Community (32:01)Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/617Join us at ImpactUp: Movement on July 10th!It’s a free, one-day virtual event for changemakers who are ready to move their mission forward. You’ll walk away with real, practical tools—like how to use your data to spark action, how to craft a clear and compelling elevator pitch, and how to create messaging that actually moves people.Grab your free spot at weareforgood.com/impactup 🥳 Thank you to our partners 🩵Big gratitude to Givebutter, RKD Group, DonorDock, Feathr, Whiteboard and Sowen for their partnership in growing the Impact Uprising. If you’re searching for a new CRM, tech tool, brand partner, direct mail partner, or impact strategist— we’d love for you to start with our trusted recs. We’ve vetted them so you don’t have to. Head to weareforgood.com/recs to learn more.Support the showBecome a Member and Get All-Access to Everything We Are For Good!Experience the Impact Uprising Membership by We Are For Good: an ecosystem to learn, connect + grow in the power of a value-aligned community. Members gather monthly with Jon + Becky at exclusive members-only meetups + get video access to all new podcast episodes in an ad-free experience + so much more! Learn more + join us at weareforgood.com.Say hi👇LinkedIn / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Twitter

In this episode of our Hold Fast series, we’re leaning into what it really means to lead with purpose—especially when the weight of funding pressures feels unrelenting. Iara Peng joins us for a heart-opening conversation that invites nonprofit leaders to breathe a little deeper and reimagine funding as a partnership, not just a transaction.With compassion and clarity, Iara offers a vision for building trust-based relationships rooted in alignment and shared purpose. You’ll walk away with practical ways to pause the hustle, reclaim time for strategic thinking, prioritize fewer but better-aligned funders, and lean into storytelling as a spacious, powerful tool. It’s the reminder we all need: you are already enough. Your work matters. And there’s a more intentional, more human way forward. 💛Homework:What originally called me to this work?Where do I feel most alive and aligned in my work right now?What does it look like for me to lead with trust and not fear this week?Bonus: at your next team or board meeting, bring one of those questions and invite reflection.Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/616Join us at ImpactUp: Movement on July 10th!It’s a free, one-day virtual event for changemakers who are ready to move their mission forward. You’ll walk away with real, practical tools—like how to use your data to spark action, how to craft a clear and compelling elevator pitch, and how to create messaging that actually moves people.Grab your free spot at weareforgood.com/impactup 🥳 Thank you to our partners 🩵Big gratitude to Givebutter, RKD Group, DonorDock, Feathr, Whiteboard and Sowen for their partnership in growing the Impact Uprising. If you’re searching for a new CRM, tech tool, brand partner, direct mail partner, or impact strategist— we’d love for you to start with our trusted recs. We’ve vetted them so you don’t have to. Head to weareforgood.com/recs to learn more.Support the showBecome a Member and Get All-Access to Everything We Are For Good!Experience the Impact Uprising Membership by We Are For Good: an ecosystem to learn, connect + grow in the power of a value-aligned community. Members gather monthly with Jon + Becky at exclusive members-only meetups + get video access to all new podcast episodes in an ad-free experience + so much more! Learn more + join us at weareforgood.com.Say hi👇LinkedIn / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Twitter

Sustainable leadership is not about being identical—it’s about being aligned.In this episode of Gather At The Well, co-leaders Lindsey and Marisol pull back the curtain on the real work of co-leadership—what it takes to align, recalibrate, and lead with intention. They share how they’ve built a leadership model rooted in alignment, trust, and professional authenticity at The Teaching Well. From weekly syncs and systems audits to somatic check-ins and tough conversations, they offer practical tools and honest reflections on what it takes to lead together with intention. You'll hear how they navigate misalignment, build psychological safety, and stay grounded in shared values without sacrificing individuality.This is a masterclass in shared leadership, psychological safety, and critical hope—rooted in love, truth, and a belief that we are stronger when we lead together.Tune in to hear:🤝 How co-leaders (and leadership teams) can align their values, decision-making styles, and leadership approaches 📆 Practical tools and rituals for co-leadership alignment, like weekly syncs and systems audits❤️ How to navigate misalignment with curiosity, care, and honest conversationEpisode OverviewTone-Setting (1:00)Building a co-leadership relationship: creating unified vision, establishing psychological safety, and discussing values alignment (6:00)Alignment and calibration practices + weekly meeting structures (12:00)Dots and Squeezes Somatic Practice (16:00)Lindsey and Marisol’s six core co-leadership values (23:00)Homework + Critical Hope (32:00)Explore the Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/theartofmulticalibrationSupport the showBecome a Member and Get All-Access to Everything We Are For Good!Experience the Impact Uprising Membership by We Are For Good: an ecosystem to learn, connect + grow in the power of a value-aligned community. Members gather monthly with Jon + Becky at exclusive members-only meetups + get video access to all new podcast episodes in an ad-free experience + so much more! Learn more + join us at weareforgood.com.Say hi👇LinkedIn / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Twitter

In this special episode of our Hold Fast series, we’re bringing you a replay from our March members-only meetup featuring nonprofit legal and operational powerhouse, Scott Curran.As the former Chief General Counsel for the Clinton Foundation, Scott has navigated massive change and complexity — and he joined us to help you do the same. In this timely conversation, Scott walks us through the essential operational steps every nonprofit should be taking to prepare for a period of federal upheaval and uncertainty.We cover everything from accounting and legal, to HR, leadership development, and board structure — with actionable takeaways you can put into practice right away. It’s grounding, insightful, and exactly the kind of clear-headed guidance we all need right now.✨ Want to be part of conversations like this in real time? Join our membership for just $30/month and never miss a member meetup again.Join us at ImpactUp: Movement on July 10th!It’s a free, one-day virtual event for changemakers who are ready to move their mission forward. You’ll walk away with real, practical tools—like how to use your data to spark action, how to craft a clear and compelling elevator pitch, and how to create messaging that actually moves people.Grab your free spot at weareforgood.com/impactup 🥳 Thank you to our partners 🩵Big gratitude to Givebutter, RKD Group, DonorDock, Feathr, Whiteboard and Sowen for their partnership in growing the Impact Uprising. If you’re searching for a new CRM, tech tool, brand partner, direct mail partner, or impact strategist— we’d love for you to start with our trusted recs. We’ve vetted them so you don’t have to. Head to weareforgood.com/recs to learn more.Support the showBecome a Member and Get All-Access to Everything We Are For Good!Experience the Impact Uprising Membership by We Are For Good: an ecosystem to learn, connect + grow in the power of a value-aligned community. Members gather monthly with Jon + Becky at exclusive members-only meetups + get video access to all new podcast episodes in an ad-free experience + so much more! Learn more + join us at weareforgood.com.Say hi👇LinkedIn / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Twitter

Today, instead of our regular episode, we wanted to share an episode from a podcast hosted by Tulaine Montgomery, the CEO of the venture philanthropy New Profit. She’s also a dear friend, a We Are For Good podcast alum, and brilliant thought leader we trust and follow to lead with conviction and heart. In Say More with Tulaine Montgomery, she talks to people who are dedicated to making the world a better place, all while taking care of themselves and supporting each other. While she normally interviews changemakers, she also records solo episodes where she looks back at her previous interviews. How we can undertake challenging work as changemakers while also savoring the beauty of relationships, laughter, and joy? In this episode, Tulaine explores the joy in changemaking: why it's important and how to sustain it. Tune in. 🎧Helpful Links:Subscribe to Say More with Tulaine Montgomery on Apple or SpotifyListen to Episode 378 - Unlocking the Impact of Proximate Leadership - Tulaine MontgomeryJoin us at ImpactUp: Movement on July 10th!It’s a free, one-day virtual event for changemakers who are ready to move their mission forward. You’ll walk away with real, practical tools—like how to use your data to spark action, how to craft a clear and compelling elevator pitch, and how to create messaging that actually moves people.Grab your free spot at weareforgood.com/impactup 🥳 Thank you to our partners 🩵Big gratitude to Givebutter, RKD Group, DonorDock, Feathr, Whiteboard and Sowen for their partnership in growing the Impact Uprising. If you’re searching for a new CRM, tech tool, brand partner, direct mail partner, or impact strategist— we’d love for you to start with our trusted recs. We’ve vetted them so you don’t have to. Head to weareforgood.com/recs to learn more.Support the showBecome a Member and Get All-Access to Everything We Are For Good!Experience the Impact Uprising Membership by We Are For Good: an ecosystem to learn, connect + grow in the power of a value-aligned community. Members gather monthly with Jon + Becky at exclusive members-only meetups + get video access to all new podcast episodes in an ad-free experience + so much more! Learn more + join us at weareforgood.com.Say hi👇LinkedIn / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Twitter

The world is changing—fast. As a nonprofit leader, how do you hold fast to your mission when everything feels uncertain? In this episode of our new Hold Fast series, we’re joined by Brooke Richie Babbage, founder of Bending Arc Consulting and host of the Nonprofit Mastermind Podcast, to break down what real resilience looks like in practice.Brooke introduces her powerful framework for building a resilient organization—one that doesn’t just survive uncertainty but thrives through it. She shares the three core elements of resilience (Strategic Clarity, Capacity, and Capital) and walks us through her 4-step process for designing organizations that are strong, adaptable, and built to last.If you’re leading a small team with limited capacity, feeling overwhelmed by uncertainty, or struggling to scale your impact, this episode is for you. You’ll walk away with practical, actionable steps to stabilize and grow your organization.Plus, Brooke’s “One Good Thing” will change the way you think about resilience in your daily work.Tune in to learn: ✅ What resilience really means for nonprofit organizations ✅ How to build clarity, capacity, and capital—even with a small team ✅ A step-by-step approach to designing a resilient, high-impact nonprofit ✅ How to move from feeling stuck to executing with confidenceLet’s build something that lasts. Listen now. 🎧✨What's your nonprofit's growth stage? Take Brooke's quiz to find out!Join us at ImpactUp: Movement on July 10th!It’s a free, one-day virtual event for changemakers who are ready to move their mission forward. You’ll walk away with real, practical tools—like how to use your data to spark action, how to craft a clear and compelling elevator pitch, and how to create messaging that actually moves people.Grab your free spot at weareforgood.com/impactup 🥳 Thank you to our partners 🩵Big gratitude to Givebutter, RKD Group, DonorDock, Feathr, Whiteboard and Sowen for their partnership in growing the Impact Uprising. If you’re searching for a new CRM, tech tool, brand partner, direct mail partner, or impact strategist— we’d love for you to start with our trusted recs. We’ve vetted them so you don’t have to. Head to weareforgood.com/recs to learn more.Support the showBecome a Member and Get All-Access to Everything We Are For Good!Experience the Impact Uprising Membership by We Are For Good: an ecosystem to learn, connect + grow in the power of a value-aligned community. Members gather monthly with Jon + Becky at exclusive members-only meetups + get video access to all new podcast episodes in an ad-free experience + so much more! Learn more + join us at weareforgood.com.Say hi👇LinkedIn / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Twitter

How do we stay steady when we need it most?In this episode of Gather At The Well, Lindsey explores what it means to hold fast — to your values, your purpose, and your inner knowing. Through grounding somatic practices, personal reflections, and the rhythms that keep her team at The Teaching Well aligned, she offers a framework for leading with clarity and care.This episode is full of tools to help you slow down, tune inward, and lead from a place of steadiness. You’ll walk away with: 🧘‍♀️ Somatic practices you can use in real time 📅 Weekly, quarterly & annual rhythms for aligned leadership 🔁 The “Keep, Stop, Start” framework for intentional reflection 🫶 A reframe for what it really means to be resilientBecause holding fast isn’t about freezing — it’s about showing up, soft and steadfast, again and again. “You’re here in this moment. You’re holding fast.”✨Episode Highlights: Tone-setting: Staying steady when you need it most (1:00)Somatic Practice: Grounding Exercise (4:00)What does it mean to “Hold Fast”? (7:00)Strategies for staying grounded (10:11)Weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual alignment strategies for you and your team (13:00)Somatic Practice: Anchor yourself in moments of unrest (15:00)Creating collective resilience (19:59)Somatic Practice: Gaze stabilization (26:00)Self-Care and community support (29:46)Advice for the busy leader + personal resilience strategies (36:00)Homework: Find 3 ways to tend to self - one somatic, one self care, and one socialCritical Hope: Holding fast doesn’t mean freezing. It means showing up as the change leader that you are.Full Episode ShownotesSupport the showBecome a Member and Get All-Access to Everything We Are For Good!Experience the Impact Uprising Membership by We Are For Good: an ecosystem to learn, connect + grow in the power of a value-aligned community. Members gather monthly with Jon + Becky at exclusive members-only meetups + get video access to all new podcast episodes in an ad-free experience + so much more! Learn more + join us at weareforgood.com.Say hi👇LinkedIn / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Twitter