Future Nonprofit

"We have every intention of being as additive as possible to this space. I think change in general is uncomfortable, and I think in nonprofit work there can be an aversion to change and aversion to risk. And as much as possible, it's our job to show why we are not something to be afraid of." – Ben CollierMany nonprofits are launched in response to a pressing problem. Yet so many struggle to address those problems effectively. The key to nonprofit success lies in their ability to offer viable solutions rather than simply managing the problem. That’s the mindset that drives Ben Collier's work at FarmLink, an innovative organization bridging the gap between the food waste and hunger in the US.Each year, 40% of food grown in the US goes to waste. At the same time, 34 million Americans face food insecurity. Food banks play a crucial role in addressing hunger. But their capacity is limited. That's where FarmLink is stepping in, connecting surplus produce with those in need. By adding a simple step to the process chain, FarmLink is helping end both food waste and insecurity.In this bonus Camp Redwood Sessions episode, Ben Collier shares how FarmLink was founded out of a pandemic-era passion project—and the transformations it has experienced to turn it into a thriving nonprofit. Ben also reflects on his personal growth as a young CEO and the organization’s steep learning curves over the past few years. We’ll learn how FarmLink fits into the food conservation cycle and how they’re working to put a stop to the social stigma around food accessibility and solve hunger in America.Contents1 - FarmLink’s origin and pandemic-era roots2 - Transitioning from a college project to a nonprofit foundation3 - Ben’s leadership experience and evolution4 - How FarmLink fits into the food donation ecosystem5 - Ben’s outlook on change and innovation in the industry6 - FarmLink’s philosophy on social stigma around food assistanceLinksHistoric AgencyThe Farmlink ProjectBen Collier on LinkedInAbundance: The Farmlink StoryCulture Built My Brand

"It's always so important to me that there has to be a thing to do, right? It has to be empowering. Folks are more aware, but there's a level of fatigue, and there's also a level of disempowerment in that knowledge. So that’s the challenge: Making sure that folks aren't just aware, but that they feel like there's something they can do." - Nash SheardIn nonprofit work, raising awareness around your cause is essential. But awareness is only the first step. The ultimate goal is to inspire action that leads to lasting change.That’s precisely what Nash Sheard aims to achieve at the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), a nonprofit advocating for civil liberties in the digital security and privacy sectors. For over 30 years, EFF has held ground as frontrunners in the field. Yet as technology continues to play an increasingly significant role in our lives, it makes security and regulation more vulnerable than ever… and making their cause even more pressing.In this episode, Nash shares compelling stories from his early days as an activist that led him to the nonprofit world. You’ll hear him describe how his firsthand experiences taught him the power of collaboration, what it means to be a true advocate, and the importance of empowering others to take action. We’ll delve into the history of EFF, exploring its founding and the ongoing fight for digital security in a rapidly evolving world. Tune in for Nash’s take on building trust and perseverance to develop a lasting connection with your audience that inspires lasting results. Contents1 - Nash’s introduction to advocacy and protesting2 - First activist groups and introduction to digital security3 - History of EFF and current activism4 - Nash and EFF’s definition of advocacy5 - Audience empowerment and cultivating trust6 - Nash’s advice on diversity and inclusion LinksHistoric AgencyThe Electronic Frontier FoundationNash Sheard on LinkedInJohn Perry Barlow's EFF Blog PostCulture Built My Brand

"As nonprofits, we are often our own worst enemies because we live in these echo chambers. I think so often where we just talk the way we talk to the people that already talk the same way as us. And we miss making the biggest difference and tackling the biggest problems because we only want to talk to the people that want to talk just like us." - Thaddaeus NicholsWhen it comes to tackling the biggest global problems, there's a celebrated proverb that's strikingly noteworthy: "If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together."That mindset guides Thaddaeus Nichols' work at International Justice Mission (IJM), an organization that combats trafficking and slavery, violence against women and children, and abuse of power. To help accomplish this, Thaddaeus is reaching millions of potential donors and activists. How? By harnessing partnerships. And, with the help of the NFL and passionate and committed football players, he’s even taken IJM’s message to the Super Bowl.In this episode, you’ll hear Thaddaeus’ origin story. He shares how lessons he learned in childhood instilled in him an unwavering commitment to care for the poor and powerless—a legacy he continues to build on as Vice President of Partner Programs at IJM. You’ll also hear how solving global issues is a communal effort that takes more than one organization—and how harnessing partnerships helps build empathy, leverage scale, and create impact.Contents1 - A unique and formative upbringing2 - Joining International Justice Mission3 - Partnerships: Pathway to scale4 - NFL Super Bowl partnership5 - Harnessing engagement in the workplace6 - How to get started and scale partnershipsLinksHistoric AgencyInternational Justice MissionThaddaeus Nichols LinkedInSuper Bowl AdCulture Built My Brand

Future Nonprofit is back for Season 2, featuring a new lineup of visionary nonprofit leaders plus nonprofit-adjacent experts navigating the rapidly changing world and scaling social impact with innovation, boldness, and empathy. Check out the trailer for the upcoming season.

The organizations that we work with are structured and operating for where they used to be, not where they are today, much less where we're heading. And in today's pace of change, we as leaders have to be operating and structuring our organizations… for where we're going—not just for where we are today, much less for where we used to be.  – Ted VaughnProducer and Historic co-founder Mark Miller is back with host Ted Vaughn to offer their top 10 books every nonprofit leader should read.Pulling titles written by leaders in nonprofit, business, and brain science, Mark and Ted share stories, anecdotes, and top tips from books on psychology, behavior design, human-centered design thinking, and more. Discover how to design experiences that turn one-time donors into repeat givers, use storytelling to improve staff operations, and help your nonprofit leverage technology and constant change to create the change that the world needs.

“There's a younger generation of donors who really don't see themselves as much a donor as they do generous and wanting to stand for certain values. And so their contribution… is an expression of the injustice that they want to fight and their perception of themselves of being that: the fighter for justice and equality in the world.” – Mark MillerNonprofit leaders share a collective sigh of relief when the clock hits midnight on December 31. The year-end push is over, and you’re ready for a fresh start.But how can you make sure this year is different—even better—than the last? How do you prepare for a pace of change that is guaranteed to speed up, faster than ever? You can set your team up for your best year yet by studying up on emerging nonprofit trends and making a plan to stay ahead of the curve. In this special Trends episode, Future Nonprofit producer and Historic cofounder and partner Mark Miller offers a primer on 9 emerging trends to keep watch for in 2024. From changes in donor giving patterns to making your message stand out in a noisy election year, discover how you can gear up for the year ahead.Trend 1: Focus on Service DesignTrend 2: Nonprofits Investing in Brand MarketingTrend 3: Disruptive MessagingTrend 4: Trained AI ModelsTrend 5: Investment in Employee ExperiencesTrend 6: Donor Personalization and CustomizationTrend 7: Casual and Social GivingTrend 8: Speed of Decision-MakingTrend 9: Going Beyond Impact Stories

Thank you for an amazing Season 1 of Future Nonprofit!We will be taking a break for the holidays and returning in 2024 with Season 2.

"I think this is when it hit me there must be a lot more ideas, innovation, and startups out there that could actually make a difference and could be transforming the way we're looking at the world, but they never have a chance.” - Bernhard KowatschGreat ideas are only the beginning. Without the right conditions and opportunities for success, many innovative and potentially game-changing ideas never may never come to fruition. That’s what Bernhard and his team at the World Food Programme Innovation Accelerator work to avoid.His time at the World Food Programme began as the Head of Business Innovation, and after stepping away to build his start-up Share The Meal, he returned to the WFP to build and serve as the Head of Innovation Accelerator, the world’s biggest social impact startup accelerator. With a background in business consulting at BCG and successful leadership of Share The Meal, Bernhard Kowatsch leverages his extensive experience to support innovative ideas across the globe with the focus of ending world hunger. In this episode, Bernhard will impart valuable insights on establishing a robust startup foundation, seamlessly integrating innovation into established organizations, and crafting compelling messages to secure funding and support.Contents1 - BCG, WFP, and Share The Meal2 - Building a foundation for success: Advice rapid fire3 - How to market innovations and earn funding4 - The WFP Innovation Accelerator’s impactLinksHistoric AgencyBernhard Kowatsch | LinkedInWFPWFP Innovation AcceleratorShareTheMealHow solar-technology enhances the livelihoods of women smallholder farmers in India: S4S IndiaCulture Built My Brand

"Society throws up a lot of hurdles to people really trying to do it the right way, right? We, and the rest of society, should knock down those hurdles, but also give space so that people can thrive.” - Tom VozzoSuccess has everything to do with circumstance. Tom Vozzo believes that with the right support and opportunity, everyone has the ability to do good in them. His commitment to wanting to do good for others is what drove him to the nonprofit space after a nearly three-decade career in the for-profit world. As the CEO of Homeboy Industries, Tom and his dedicated team focus on the rehabilitation and re-entry of gang members through transformative programs. Through firsthand experience, he has witnessed the profound effect of offering empathy and fresh opportunities to individuals facing challenges. This empathetic approach stands as a foundational pillar in Homeboy's remarkable success as an organization.In this episode, Tom delves into the fusion of his corporate expertise with his unwavering commitment to investing in people. He shares insights on overcoming the scarcity mindset and imparts valuable advice for leaders in both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors. Contents1 - Tom’s corporate experience2 - Joining Homeboy3 - Overcoming the scarcity mindset4 - Building a supportive culture5 - Balancing business and compassion6 - Advice to leadersLinksHistoric AgencyHomeboy IndustriesThe Homeboy WayThomas Vozzo - Chief Executive Officer - Homeboy Industries | LinkedInCulture Built My Brand

"There is a decent chance that this works, and then if it works, and that if it can be what the vision and the promise is, then for our mission, which is to pioneer solutions to end global homelessness, it's actually irresponsible for us not to try it.” - Brett HaglerWhen age-old problems aren’t being solved by current practices or aren’t keeping up with the rate at which they are growing, new solutions are needed. But new solutions require innovative ideas and a perfect balance between boldness and being calculated to pull them off.Brett Hagler and his team at New Story think they have struck that balance. Their mission is to end global homelessness. To achieve this, they've conducted a rigorous analysis of what works and what doesn't within this space currently and developed a short list of things to be reimagined through New Story. Among the innovations to come from that approach has been their groundbreaking 100% funding model.In this episode, we're joined by Brett Hagler, the CEO and Co-Founder of New Story, as he shares insights into his "just go do it" mindset, offers advice on embracing "unreasonable" endeavors, and unveils the model that New Story has built to usher innovation into a pressing and rapidly escalating world issue.Contents1 - Brett’s “just go do it” origin (1:47)2 - How New Story started (7:52)3 - Developing New Story’s key goals (12:53)4 - The 100% model (15:14)5 - Listening to feedback from his team (19:01)LinksHistoric AgencyNew StoryNew Story | "No Small Dreams" (Documentary Film)Innovation - New StoryBrett Hagler - CEO, Co-Founder - New Story | LinkedInCulture Built My Brand

“Your leadership might be a burn victim of failed innovation, which is: we want to say that we're for innovation, but we want 99 percent of all of the things that we try to work at 10, 000%. And that's just not how it works.” - Mark MillerInnovation is a big buzzword in the nonprofit space right now. But it doesn’t have just to be a buzzword. While the word feels new and trendy, the act of innovation has always been what drives the industry forward. And any organization can be at the forefront of that drive into the future if they’re intentional about it.Over the past seven episodes of Future Nonprofit, we have brought you various stories of innovative nonprofits and organizations and learned from their paths, but in this episode, we’re going to slow things down and go right to the basics.Mark Miller, producer and co-founder of Historic joins host Ted Vaughn to break down five of the biggest trends in the nonprofit space and gives you practical tips on how to move with those trends.Trends1 - Taking Bigger Risks Through Structured Testing (1:29)2 - Branded Monthly Giving Programs (6:02)3 - Taking Gen Z Seriously (10:03)4 - Leveraging Your Brand to Diversify Revenue (13:25)5 - Workers Leaving the Nonprofit Sector (17:31)LinksHistoric AgencyCulture Built My BrandMore Insights

"Still, you saw those moments of person-to-person care and outreach that really do illuminate what it means to be a Southwest Airlines warrior, and that is that we're in this together. We're going to take care of each other and we're going to figure out how to get out of this.” - Linda RutherfordTough times fall on all organizations. Whether it be from mistakes made within, unpredictable storms or financial events, and even pandemics… things can happen. And when they do, having a strong foundation of good culture and a committed team is going to make all the difference.Southwest Airlines has spent its nearly six decades of existence building and maintaining a strong and healthy culture in its workplace. But the major winter storm of December 2022 put that culture to the ultimate test. When everything was going wrong, they were fortunate that their people were able to pull them through to the other side.In this episode, Linda Rutherford, Chief Administration Officer of Southwest Airlines, shares the behind-the-scenes story of their storm experience. We'll gain insight into how their culture carried them through and we’ll offer valuable lessons on fostering resilience through culture within all organizations.Contents1 - Linda’s journey to Southwest (1:55)2 - Southwest’s focus on culture (5:58)3 - When the storm hit (7:39)4 - How culture led them through (17:22)5 - What they learned from the experience (19:14)6 - How to build and maintain culture over time (22:05)LinksHistoric AgencySouthwest AirlinesWinter Storm 2023Action Plan | Travel Disruption | Southwest AirlinesLinda Rutherford - Dallas, Texas, United States | Professional Profile | LinkedInCulture Built My Brand

"I looked into it and couldn't believe it, like I felt like a freaking chump because I had been paying medical bills for all of these people that would've been eligible for free or reduced care if I would've known about these programs." - Jared WalkerSo many organizations get caught with their heads down, hyper-focused on what they’re doing, that they don’t realize there is often a better way. Sometimes being innovative just means taking a step back and putting yourself in spaces to find the answers that already exist. That’s exactly how Jared Walker took Dollar For from small community fundraising to a national medical debt-killing organization. Jared’s journey relied on educating himself, actively engaging in learning environments, and, most importantly, placing trust in others. These strategies led to multiple crucial and pivotal decisions that radically changed the company, and in one instance, catapulted the organization from a local to national scale literally overnight.In this episode, Jared will recount the pivotal moment in his life that ignited his passion for the cause. He will also share how he embraced education and sought assistance from those around him, resulting in an exponential increase in Dollar For's reach. We'll also explore how embracing learning experiences and expertise from others is vital in setting organizations up on a path to success via adaptation and trust.Contents1 - Starting an educational journey (1:38)2 - Dollar For 1.0: Crowdfunding (3:37)3 - Discovering Charity Care (9:31)4 - The TikTok video (11:17)5 - Scaling up and trusting others (15:19)6 - Community and the future of Dollar For (24:34)LinksHistoric AgencyDollar ForWhat Is Charity Care? – Dollar ForThe TikTok VideoJared Walker - Founder at Dollar For

“You also want to avoid this culture of ‘innovation is this shiny magic bullet’. No. That's also a culture that we want to demystify. Innovation is ways of thinking, ways of doing, and of course ways of achieving concrete, tangible results (and) outcomes –impact at scale.”Adaptation is essential to innovation. Growing up in Togo, West Africa, Laté Lawson-Lartego worked a summer job as a community volunteer, exposing him early on to the disparities happening in his backyard. As more of the industry opened up to him, he began to realize the systematic problems stifling the field’s progress. Inspired to expand his knowledge, Laté continued to travel and grow his educational portfolio, but rising political unrest in Togo unexpectedly forced him to flee his home country.The sudden departure caused Laté to develop a new, invaluable skill: the ability to adapt and progress amid risk and uncertainty. From there, hard work, combined with his wealth of knowledge, led him to his position as Chief Innovation Officer at Oxfam, where he develops leadership strategies to best build and support innovation within the organization.In this episode, Laté tells us more about how his work and personal experiences allowed him to find the balance between taking leaps of faith and being overly strategic in order to cultivate and grow innovation.Contents1 - Discovering divides2 - Laté’s first innovations 3 - Building Room For Innovation at large organizations4 - Embracing failure5 - Balancing controlled failure and pushing the boundariesLinksHistoric AgencyOxfam WebsiteLaté Lawson-Lartego on LinkedIn

Liquid Death is more than just a beverage company. As CEO Mike Cessario puts it, their product is entertainment just as much as it is drinks. And while they are a for-profit company, their passionate commitment to the cause of “killing” plastic pollution has been vital to their success. Building a likable brand with an authentic charitable message isn't easy, but Liquid Death has mastered the art of being genuinely impactful while maintaining its cool factor. It's not just about flashy graphics and catchy ads; it starts from within and their work with others. That’s where Lance Blair comes in.Lance is Liquid Death’s Head of Nonprofit Partnerships. In this episode, we'll discover how this incredibly successful and trendy water brand achieves their philanthropic goals, their strategy for captivating and inspiring communications, and how nonprofits can leverage the growing trend of companies giving back to make a positive impact on our world.Contents1 - Lance meets Liquid Death (3:16)2 - More than just drink products (5:59)3 - Sincerity in the cause (10:12)4 - Maintaining a culture of passion (17:12)5 - The future of for-profit charitable goals (22:43)LinksHistoric AgencyLiquid DeathLance Blair - Head of Nonprofit Partnerships Liquid Death | LinkedInThe Rise Of Liquid Death | Full InterviewDeath to PlasticTimewaster 5000 – Liquid Death

"Whenever we're trying a new thing, if we're going into a new product, if we're going into a new marketplace, –whatever it is, we are running it through that grid; How are we being generous in this space? How are we being humble in this space? How are we being unifying?" - Michael McDonaldTruly satisfying work requires self-fulfillment. During a successful career in the hospitality industry, Michael McDonald was confronted with a welcomed opportunity to extend and challenge his work, but after a series of unplanned hurdles in his personal life, he stepped back to reevaluate what he wanted to gain from the future of his career.Reconnecting with his past, Michael ventured into the nonprofit space to create something relatable and helpful for those with similar experiences. This endeavor would turn into The Bible Project, a digital platform that produces educational animations of Bible stories. In this episode, Michael tells his story, and shares the ways in which the core values he established in the hospitality industry carry over into the nonprofit space, and how they continue to influence the culture, growth, and success at The Bible Project. Contents1 - International Restaurateur (1:21)2 - Crowdsourcing at The Bible Project (4:49)3 - Building partnerships (14:37)4 - Building a strong internal culture (18:57)5 - Cultivating innovation (21:26)LinksHistoric AgencyThe Bible Project WebsiteThe Bible Project on YoutubeMichael McDonald on LinkedIn

"Where things fall apart is in the system design. It's in the how. It's not that the people are lazy. It's not that they're stupid, it's not that they're not trained well. It's not that the plan is flawed, –it's that we are working in complexity and there is no attention paid to how we are actually going to work differently." - Rodney EvansInnovation comes from boldness. Too often, companies and organizations seek out innovative solutions without building the groundwork to make those ideas possible. Building that groundwork starts with workplace structure and culture.Rodney Evans, co-host of Brave New Work, grew frustrated with corporate culture stifling success in the workplace, so she quit and started coaching businesses on how to do better.In this episode, she shares her story, and gives us her best tips on how to create a thriving and sustainable culture of innovation in any workplace.ContentsChapter 1 - Quitting (1:57)Chapter 2 - Symptoms and Solutions (10:38)Chapter 3 - Innovation and Adaptation (13:29)Chapter 4 - Overcoming Hesitancy to Experiment (21:01)Chapter 5 - Budgeting Innovation (22:26)Chapter 6 - Maintaining the Innovation Mindset (24:47)LinksHistoric AgencyBrave New Work PodcastThe ReadyRodney Evans on LinkedIn

" There was a need to be able to humanize the North Korea issue, the North Korean people, and how we define success of redefining North Korea, rebranding North Korea. It's that when we go out and you ask somebody, when you think about North Korea, what's the first thing you think about that? It could be a specific story of a North Korean person. It was a memoir. They read somebody's experience." - Hannah SongStories change us. They have an unparalleled ability to move and inspire us, especially when they are personal and authentic. For Hannah Song, the CEO of Liberty in North Korea (LiNK), the stories of individuals affected by North Korea's oppressive regime were the catalyst for her to join LiNK and fight for their freedom.In this episode, Hannah shares her journey to discovering the true value of storytelling, and how she's using it to bring hope and change to those suffering in North Korea. Discover the art of storytelling as a tool for advocacy and social change, and how you can use it to amplify your organization's impact. ContentsChapter 1 - Hannah’s Beginnings (1:57)Chapter 2 - What LiNK Does (10:38)Chapter 3 - North Korea in the Media (13:29)Chapter 4 - Connecting with Gen Z (21:01)Chapter 5 - Making People the Brand (22:26)Chapter 6 - The Resilience of Community (24:47)Chapter 7 - The Future of LiNK (26:46)LinksLiberty in North KoreaThe Aquariums of Pyongyang: Ten Years in the North Korean Gulag by Kang Chol-Hwan | GoodreadsHistoric Agency

Today's nonprofits require innovation, boldness, and reinvention to keep up with our rapidly changing world. Join host Ted Vaughn, Partner at Historic and author of "Culture Built My Brand," as he interviews industry giants, visionary disruptors, and nonprofit-adjacent experts who are reshaping the nonprofit landscape. Gain valuable insights, be inspired by real stories of transformation, and discover actionable takeaways to build the nonprofit of the future. Introducing... Future Nonprofit.