Agents of Nonprofit

In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit, I speak with Tammy Kyte of GiveWise, a digital platform that’s reshaping how Canadians approach charitable giving through donor-advised funds (DAFs). From stock donations to crypto, GiveWise is making generosity more flexible, accessible, and joyful—for both donors and the charities they support.Topics We Cover:What donor-advised funds (DAFs) are—and how they work for everyday donors, not just the wealthyHow GiveWise partners with financial advisors to manage investments like Apple stock within donor accountsThe various funding options for DAFs, including property, crypto, and complex assetsWhy reducing reliance on credit card donations can increase impact for smaller charitiesHow charities benefit from the platform without needing to sign up or change existing systemsSuccess stories showing how the platform supports donors of all income levelsTo Learn More and Connect with Tammy:GiveWise.caSupport the show

In this powerful and compassionate episode of Agents of Nonprofit, I sit down with Loretta Turner, a wellness educator and nonprofit advocate, to explore how nonprofit organizations can create sustainable, people-centered work cultures. Together, we dive into the roots of burnout, the importance of embedding care into organizational strategy, and how reimagining nonprofit careers as fulfilling, equitable paths can transform the sector for the better.Topics We Cover:Loretta’s personal journey from psychology and yoga to nonprofit serviceWhy self-accountability is essential to personal well-beingCommon signs of organizational burnout—and how to recognize deeper red flagsThe shared responsibility of leaders and staff in creating a culture of careA holistic definition of well-being drawn from the Robert Wood Johnson FoundationWhy wellness must not be a substitute for fair pay in the nonprofit worldThe case for viewing nonprofit careers as legitimate, long-term professionsA vision of wealth, wage equity, and sustainable futures for nonprofit workersTo Learn More and Connect with Loretta:Fund the PeopleNonprofit Finance Fund - Full Cost ProjectDo Good Leadership CollectiveRobert Wood Johnson FoundationSupport the show

In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit, I'm joined by Daniel Francavilla to explore the intersection of marketing, storytelling, and nonprofit success. We discuss the critical role of strategic messaging, thought leadership, and authentic storytelling in helping organizations connect with their audience and drive real change.Topics We Cover:How a high school nonprofit project sparked Daniel’s passion for social impactThe challenges of running a nonprofit and the lessons learned along the wayTransitioning from design and advertising to nonprofit marketing consultingThe importance of clear messaging and branding for nonprofitsWhy thought leadership matters and how nonprofit leaders can leverage itThe rise of authentic, unpolished content and why it resonates with modern audiencesStorytelling as a powerful tool for donor engagement and community buildingHow transparency and vulnerability can build trust and strengthen nonprofit impactTo Learn More and Connect with Daniel:TheGoodGrowth.companyPersonal Branding GuideDanielDoes.coDaniel Francavilla on LinkedInSupport the show

In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit, I sit down with Khalid Cannon to discuss how sports and community mentorship can help children of incarcerated parents break free from societal stigma. Through long-term mentorship, structured funding, and a business-minded approach, the organization ensures kids have the opportunity to thrive beyond their circumstances.Topics We Cover:Khalid Cannon’s personal journey from Alabama to Yale and how his upbringing influenced his passion for giving backThe impact of incarceration stigma on children and how it affects their opportunities and future prospectsHow Put Me In provides financial support to young athletes to cover sports-related expensesThe importance of long-term mentorship in shaping the success of children from underserved communitiesThe emotional and measurable success stories that highlight the deep impact of the programTo Learn More and Connect with Khalid:PutMeIn.orgPut Me In! on LinkedInSupport the show

In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit, I sit down with Carmen Reis to explore the critical role of training in nonprofit success. The conversation also delves into AI’s growing influence in nonprofit education and the long-term benefits of investing in professional development.Topics We Cover:Why specialized training is essential for nonprofit professionalsThe best approach to training employees: onboarding vs. ongoing learningHow investing in training can actually improve employee retentionThe role of volunteers and board members in nonprofit trainingCertifications vs. real-world experience: Which matters more?How Pharo Academy is bridging the nonprofit knowledge gap with over 100 coursesMaking training accessible across Canada and the U.S.The future of AI in nonprofit training and educationTo Learn More and Connect with Carmen:Pharo Academy WebsiteHello@PharoNonprofit.comSupport the show

In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit, we welcome Maria Rio to explore Community-Centric Fundraising (CCF)—a fresh, equity-driven approach to fundraising that prioritizes the needs of the community over individual donors. Maria breaks down the ten principles of CCF, compares it to traditional donor-centric models, and shares actionable insights for nonprofits looking to make the shift.Topics We Cover:Maria’s journey into the nonprofit worldWhat Community-Centric Fundraising (CCF) means and why it mattersThe key differences between donor-centric and community-centric modelsThe ten principles of CCF and how nonprofits can apply themThe origins of CCF and its evolution over the past eight yearsThe benefits of adopting a community-driven approach to fundraisingChallenges and misconceptions about transitioning to CCFThe future of nonprofit fundraising and where CCF is headedTo Learn More and Connect with Maria:Maria Rio on LinkedInThe Small Nonprofit PodcastGoFurtherTogether.caNonprofit AF BlogThe ten principles of Community-Centric FundraisingSupport the show

In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit, host Alexander Lapa speaks with Nagi Alsubai, founder of Peer Minds, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting mental health in the Middle Eastern, North African, and South Asian (MENASA) communities. Nagi shares his personal journey, from struggling with mental health stigma to creating a peer mentorship program that fosters open conversations and real change. Tune in to hear how mentorship, lived experience, and strategic partnerships are shaping a new approach to mental wellness.Topics We Cover:The inspiration behind Peer Minds and the need for culturally specific mental health supportHow stigma and cultural expectations impact mental health in MENASA communitiesThe power of mentorship and lived experience in overcoming mental health strugglesThe role of pop culture, including Avatar: The Last Airbender and Boy Meets World, in shaping mentorship modelsHow Peer Minds is creating safe spaces for Arab and South Asian men to discuss mental healthThe challenges and rewards of running a grassroots nonprofit organizationStrategies for building partnerships and expanding reach in the nonprofit sectorThe evolving role of virtual and in-person mentorship in supporting mental wellnessTo Learn More and Connect with Nagi:PeerMinds.org@PeerMindsMentors on Instagram@Peer-Minds on LinkedInE-Mail Nagi@PeerMinds.orgAvatar: The Last Airbender (TV series)Boy Meets World (TV series)Support the show

How can nonprofits build stronger, long-term donor relationships? In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit, I sit down with Leigh Sandison, founder of Real Path, to discuss the importance of modernizing donor engagement strategies. Leigh shares insights from her journey in both corporate and nonprofit sectors, highlighting the gaps she noticed in fundraising approaches. She explains why many organizations struggle with donor retention, how outdated assumptions hinder fundraising success, and what nonprofits can do to build more effective, data-driven donor relationships.Topics We Cover:Leigh Sandison’s career journey from Macmillan Cancer Support to founding Real PathThe common mistakes nonprofits make when mapping the donor journeyWhy many fundraising strategies are based on internal assumptions rather than real donor insightsHow qualitative research, like donor interviews, can reshape engagement strategiesThe challenges of donor segmentation and why nonprofits often attract the same demographicsThe cost of acquiring new donors vs. retaining existing ones – and why retention is keyStrategies for calculating and increasing donor lifetime value (LTV)Hidden costs of donor acquisition and why nonprofits need to track their true fundraising expensesTo Learn More and Connect with Leigh:Email Leigh@RealPath.caRealPath.caLeigh Sandison on LinkedInSupport the show

The nonprofit sector is facing a major HR crisis, with high turnover rates and a shortage of experienced professionals. In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit I speak with Cindy Wagman about the root causes of these challenges and explores innovative solutions like fractional fundraising. Whether you're a nonprofit leader, consultant, or industry professional, this episode provides actionable strategies to strengthen your organization and retain top talent.Topics We Cover:Cindy's journey from volunteering to nonprofit consultingWhy nonprofits struggle to hire and retain skilled professionalsThe hidden costs of hiring underqualified staff for key rolesHow leadership gaps contribute to high turnover ratesThe impact of poor mentorship and training on nonprofit employeesWhat fractional fundraising is and how it benefits small organizationsThe difference between fractional consulting and traditional consultingTips for managing workload, setting boundaries, and choosing the right clients as a consultantTo Learn More and Connect with Cindy:FractionalFundraising.coNonprofitFractionals.comCindy Wagman on LinkedInSupport the show

In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit, I'm joined by Sharon Lee, a nonprofit leader with over 20 years of experience. With the Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, Sharon challenges outdated industry practices and embraces innovative strategies to increase engagement and funding. Topics We Cover:How Sharon’s unexpected career shift led her to nonprofit workThe importance of questioning outdated practices in nonprofit organizationsInnovative fundraising strategies that move beyond traditional methodsThe power of storytelling and advocacy in driving systemic changeOvercoming resistance when introducing new ideas in nonprofitsSustainable community projects and how they empower local populationsServant leadership and its role in creating lasting impactThe future of nonprofit leadership and the importance of ongoing developmentTo Learn More and Connect with Sharon:CPFF.caInfo@CPFF.caSharon Lee on LinkedInSupport the show