The Business of Giving

My guest today believes that the greatest barrier to nonprofit fundraising success isn’t money—it’s clarity. Kevin L. Brown is the co-founder of Mighty Ally and the author of Fundable & Findable: The Brand-New Way to Fix Your Nonprofit Fundraising. In this conversation, Kevin explains why most organizations are stuck in a donor-chasing cycle and what it takes to become truly fundable and findable.If your organization has ever struggled to articulate why you exist or raise the resources you need, this episode may just shift your entire approach.

What if your supporters could step inside your story—feel it, not just hear it?In this episode of The Business of Giving, I speak with Chip Giller, co-founder of Agog, a groundbreaking philanthropic initiative helping nonprofits explore immersive storytelling through XR, or extended reality.  From Human Rights Watch to Harlem youth programs, Chip’s work is proving that the future of nonprofit communication isn’t just visual—it’s emotional, embodied, and unforgettable.If you’re rethinking how your organization moves hearts and drives action, this is a conversation you can’t miss.

This is The Business of Giving. I’m your host, Denver Frederick. Today, we’re joined by Jon Kane, President and CEO of CCS Fundraising, a global leader in strategic fundraising consulting. With a career spanning McKinsey, Goldman Sachs, and his own advisory firm, Jon has tripled CCS’s size since 2016, blending for-profit expertise with nonprofit impact. So let’s get started with Jon Kane.

Welcome to The Business of Giving, where we explore the leaders and ideas shaping the future of social impact.Today, I’m delighted  to welcome Jennifer Sirangelo, President and CEO of Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service.Jennifer is leading a movement to double volunteerism in the United States by 2035. But her vision goes beyond numbers—it’s about helping people rediscover meaning, connection, and purpose. Here’s how she puts it:Get ready for a conversation about reimagining service as a cultural force that heals, unites, and transforms.

Welcome to The Business of Giving, where we spotlight the people and ideas transforming philanthropy and social impact! Today, I’m thrilled to introduce Josh Birkholz, CEO of BWF, the powerhouse consultancy that’s been sparking transformative change since its iconic work on the Statue of Liberty restoration. Josh is a pioneer in data-driven fundraising strategy, co-author of BeneFactors, and one of the most influential voices championing bold, mission-first approaches in modern philanthropy.In this episode, you’ll discover how to build momentum in uncertain times, leverage donor data effectively, and lead with courageous clarity—essential insights for navigating 2025’s economic challenges. So Let’s get started.

What if philanthropy had a profession—real credentials, ethical standards, and trusted training—just like law or finance? Right now, it doesn’t. But my guest today is changing that.Dien Yuen is the founder of Daylight Advisors, and she’s leading a bold effort to professionalize philanthropic advising by training 10,000 certified experts to guide donors through meaningful, values-aligned giving. In this episode Dien shares why this work is urgent—how shifting wealth, changing demographics, and donor expectations demand a new kind of advisor.We’ll also explore how collaboration and coaching are unlocking the billions sitting idle in donor-advised funds. If you care about the future of giving, this conversation will open your eyes—and maybe your wallet.

What happens when the aid system meant to protect the world’s most vulnerable……vanishes overnight?Earlier this year, the abrupt freeze in USAID funding sent shockwaves through the global nonprofit community. Refugee shelters closed, food distribution stopped, and hospitals ran out of medicine. But even before this crisis, one organization was quietly rewriting the rules of international philanthropy—putting power into the hands of local leaders and reimagining what aid could look like.That organization is GlobalGiving, and at its helm is Victoria Vrana, a veteran systems thinker and relentless advocate for community-led change. As the organization’s CEO, she’s navigating one of the most consequential disruptions to global aid in decades.I mean, shockwave is the right term. I mean, I think it’s like tectonic plates in our sector have shifted really forever.In this episode, Victoria talks about the real-time impact of the funding collapse, what it reveals about the fragility of traditional aid systems, and why GlobalGiving’s founding vision—connecting private capital directly to grassroots leaders—is more urgent than ever.It’s a pivotal moment for the sector—and one that calls for bold leadership.

What happens when the very institutions designed to serve the public are systematically dismantled? Max Stier, President and CEO of the Partnership for Public Service, has dedicated over two decades to strengthening the federal government. But recent events have posed unprecedented challenges to this mission. In this episode, Max discusses the profound impacts of recent administrative changes on federal agencies, the resilience of public servants, and the critical importance of maintaining a trustworthy and effective government. He also outlines the Partnership’s adaptive strategies to continue supporting civil servants and engaging the public amidst these challenges.

In a moment when critical global health programs are under threat due to sweeping USAID cuts, two organizations are stepping up. The Life You Can Save and Founders Pledge have teamed up to launch the Rapid Response Fund, directing urgent philanthropic capital to the highest-impact, evidence-based interventions. Joining us today are Jessica LaMesa, Co-CEO of The Life You Can Save, and David Goldberg, Co-Founder and CEO of Founders Pledge.As David explains, “The heart shouldn’t really decide how we give. It should bring us to give, but the head should be the one that helps us to figure out what to give to.”In this episode, we’ll explore how these organizations are using evidence, speed, and collaboration to fill urgent funding gaps—and how their work might just reshape how philanthropy responds to a global crises.

At Goodwill Industries, the mission isn’t just about thrift stores—it’s about unlocking human potential through work and learning, especially for those society often overlooks. Today, I’m joined by Steve Preston, CEO of Goodwill Industries International, a leader who’s taken his experience from Wall Street to Washington and now to one of North America’s biggest nonprofits.In this episode, we’ll dive into how Goodwill walks alongside people facing barriers, adapts to a changing job landscape, and redefines impact—one life at a time. Stay tuned for a conversation that’s as inspiring as it is insightful.