Agents of Nonprofit

In this inspiring episode of Agents of Nonprofit, I sit down with Francesca Frederick to explore her unique path from aspiring dancer to nonprofit fundraiser—and now, tech startup CEO. Francesca opens up about how her early arts background led her to fall in love with the purpose-driven world of fundraising. From exploring different sectors to co-founding Grantyd, a platform that automates grant writing, she shares how curiosity and adaptability fueled her journey. The conversation dives into how AI and automation can support, not replace, the human side of fundraising, offering insights for professionals navigating this evolving space.Topics We Cover:Francesca’s unexpected transition from professional dance to nonprofit fundraisingThe benefits of being a “hopper” across different fundraising roles and sectorsWhy exploring niche areas can unlock new professional opportunities in nonprofitsThe founding story behind Grantyd and how tech emerged from a personal needStrategies for blending empathy with automation in the grant writing processHow to assess personal and organizational workflows for greater efficiencyThe importance of self-assessment in tech adoption—without falling into decision paralysisBalancing the promise of AI with the irreplaceable human elements of fundraisingTo Learn More and Connect with Francesca:Grantyd WebsiteFrancesca on LinkedInSupport the show

In this inspiring episode of Agents of Nonprofit, I speak with Amina Mohamed, founder of Cameras For Girls, about her transformative work empowering women in East Africa through photography and ethical storytelling. Drawing from her personal journey as a Ugandan refugee turned filmmaker, Amina shares how a single trip back to Uganda led to a grassroots movement that equips women with the skills, tools, and confidence to become storytellers, journalists, and agents of change. This is a must-listen for anyone interested in gender equity, storytelling ethics, and sustainable nonprofit impact.Topics We Cover:How Amina’s background in storytelling and refugee experience led to founding Cameras For GirlsThe ripple effect of teaching photography as a path to employment and self-expressionPartnering with journalism schools in Africa to close the practical training gap for womenWhy ethical storytelling is a radical act in nonprofit and development sectorsThe harm of traditional NGO language and why terms like “empower” can be problematicReal-world examples of participatory photography that honour consent and agencyHow equipment—from point-and-shoot to mirrorless cameras—can transform accessWhy changing the lens means changing the power dynamic in storytellingTo Learn More and Connect with Amina:Cameras For Girls WebsiteCameras For Girls LinkedInCameras For Girls on InstagramSupport the show

 In this insightful episode of Agents of Nonprofit, I welcome Rohit Mehta, founder of Do Good Funding, to discuss the challenges nonprofits face in today’s funding landscape. Rohit exposes the flaws of commission-based grant writing, explains how his team brings transparency and long-term strategy to the process, and offers expert advice on navigating the current economic and political hurdles. The conversation also dives into the role of AI—both its pitfalls and potential—in the future of grant applications.Topics We Cover:Rohit's "superhero origin story" and early introduction to fundraisingThe ethical problem with commission-based grant writingHow Do Good Funding offers a transparent, hourly-rate modelThe current challenges in nonprofit funding (2025 economic & political climate)The growing wealth gap and its impact on charitable donationsWhy applying to ineligible grants wastes time and damages credibilityHow AI is both a risk and a resource in grant writing and prospectingPredictions for the future: AI-driven grant matchmaking and reduced need for traditional applicationsTo Learn More and Connect with Rohit:Do Good FundingSupport the show

In this thought-provoking episode of Agents of Nonprofit, I sit down with Elena Yunusov, founder of the Human Feedback Foundation and former AI advocate at RBC’s Borealis AI lab. Together, we explore the crucial role nonprofits can play in steering artificial intelligence toward ethical, responsible, and human-centered outcomes.Topics We Cover:Why Elena left corporate AI to start the Human Feedback FoundationHow nonprofit organizations can shape the future of ethical AIThe flawed logic behind data hoarding and the AGI obsessionThe “tobacco industry” warning for irresponsible AI developmentWhat responsible AI really means beyond nice-sounding principlesWhy “humans in the loop” is more than just a safety net—it’s a necessityHow Human Feedback Foundation mentors students to build values-first techThe hidden dangers of synthetic data and AI’s impact on human relationshipsTo Learn More and Connect with Elena:Elena Yunusov on LinkedInHumanFeedback.ioSupport the show

In this heartfelt and tactical episode of Agents of Nonprofit, I speak with Kel Haney, a fundraising coach who champions the old-school power of the phone call. She breaks down why personal calls still work, even in the age of declining answer rates, and how nonprofits can use warm outreach to foster lasting donor relationships. From crafting compelling voicemails to replacing rigid scripts with conversational frameworks, Kel’s approach is rooted in empathy, authenticity, and action.Topics We Cover:Why phone calls still matter in the digital ageThe power of “warm calls” vs. cold calls in donor outreachCrafting voicemails that donors actually want to hearHow follow-up emails can reinforce your message and drive actionBest practices for caller ID, remote work tools, and hybrid systemsReplacing scripts with flexible messaging frameworksHow thank-you calls and donor stewardship can lead to major giftsTo Learn More and Connect with Kel:KelHaney.com8 Phrases Not To Use in Fundraising5 Tips for Building Your Mid-Level Donor RelationshipsKel Haney on LinkedInSupport the show

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