Agents of Nonprofit

 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

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