Nonprofit Nation with Julia Campbell

What does it really take to build a thriving community in the nonprofit sector?On this episode, I’m joined by Jon McCoy and Becky Endicott, co-founders of We Are For Good, a global nonprofit community and podcast dedicated to helping nonprofit professionals learn, grow, and lead with purpose. Through their platform, Jon and Becky have helped thousands of fundraisers and nonprofit leaders connect with one another, share ideas, and navigate a rapidly evolving sector.We explore why community building has become such a critical need for nonprofit professionals, the biggest shifts happening in fundraising and communications today, and why storytelling and narrative power are more important than ever.Jon and Becky share what they’ve learned from hundreds of conversations with nonprofit leaders, along with practical insights for organizations that want to strengthen their communities, communicate more effectively, and inspire supporters through authentic stories.Whether you're a nonprofit leader, fundraiser, or communicator, this conversation offers thoughtful perspective on how connection and narrative can help move the sector forward.💼 About Jon McCoy and Becky EndicottJon McCoy and Becky Endicott are nonprofit leaders, storytellers, and community builders on a mission to spark an Impact Uprising—helping people do more good, together. They’re the co-founders of We Are For Good, a global ecosystem for nonprofit professionals and social impact leaders that blends storytelling, learning, community, and activation around one simple belief: What starts here, ripples.They're the hosts of the We Are For Good Podcast, where they have hosted nearly 700 conversations with fundraisers, philanthropists, and some of the most generous humans on the planet—sharing fresh mindsets, practical tools, and real talk for the messy middle of doing good.Beyond the podcast, they’ve built a global community for nonprofit leaders to connect, collaborate, and grow—online and through quarterly ImpactUp local gatherings around the world. Their free community app brings together 3,500+ changemakers from across the globe and is available in the App Store so the community can go with you wherever you go. They also host the We Are For Good Summit, a high-energy, hope-filled experience designed to help leaders find clarity, momentum, and community for the year ahead. 🔗 Resources & Links: Website: https://www.weareforgood.com/Podcast: We Are For Good PodcastCommunity: The We Are For Good CommunityTake my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

Only 5% of the population say they would consider fostering. How can tech solutions and community based engagement increase this number? That’s the focus of this episode of Nonprofit Nation, where I talk with Ben Sand, TEDx speaker, nonprofit founder, and CEO of The Contingent. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Portland, Oregon, The Contingent partners with government agencies, nonprofits, and businesses to accelerate impact in foster care, education, and leadership development. Its mission is bold: empower leaders and mobilize communities to solve local problems using the same data-driven strategies that power the world’s most successful companies.At the heart of The Contingent’s work is the Air Game: A proprietary digital mobilization strategy designed to recruit volunteers and foster parents at scale. In a world where only 5% of people say they would consider fostering, identifying and engaging that audience is both an art and a science.Through its Every Child Initiative, The Contingent has:Engaged over 12,000 individuals exploring foster parentingPrepared 7,000+ families to begin the foster care processMobilized more than 31,000 volunteers to support children and familiesBen’s TEDx talk, Harnessing Technology to Transform Foster Care, challenges the sector to ask: if the largest organizations in the world use data to reach the right audience, why aren’t we doing the same for our most pressing social challenges?This episode is a powerful reminder that while ideas are everywhere, solutions that truly work for those experiencing the problem are priceless.💼 About Ben SandBen Sand grew up in Spokane, Washington, is the son of a single mother, and one of six siblings. He always roots for the underdog. Ben is CEO of The Contingent (www.thecontingent.org), a national venture nonprofit designed to empower leaders and mobilize community for the common good. Alongside a robust workforce development portfolio, The Contingent runs Every Child, an initiative spreading across the country to mobilize volunteers and foster families to care for kids in crisis. The Contingent has won national awards for the innovative use of data and technology.🔗 Resources & Links: Ben’s TEDx Talkhttps://thecontingent.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-sand-91a48711/ Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

Technology has transformed nearly every sector, but foundations have often lagged behind. What would it look like if grantmaking systems were designed with nonprofits in mind?In this episode, we speak with Maya Kuppermann, Co-Founder and CEO of Temelio, a modern grants management software platform serving small to mid-sized foundations. Drawing on her experience across nonprofit leadership, family philanthropy, software, and strategic consulting at McKinsey & Company, Maya shares how technology can reduce administrative burdens, improve funder–grantee relationships, and unlock more equitable access to funding.We explore the intersection of tech and the nonprofit sector, the promise and risks of AI in grantmaking, and why better data systems can lead to more effective philanthropy. Maya also discusses how foundations can rethink their processes to better serve the communities they aim to impact.💼 About Maya KuppermanMaya Kuppermann is the Co-Founder and CEO of Temelio, a modern grants management software company serving the small to mid-sized grantmaking market. Her career spans diverse sectors, including nonprofit leadership, family philanthropy, software, and strategic consulting with McKinsey & Company. Maya has worked with hundreds of funders to implement Temelio's modern grantmaking software and is passionate about the impact of effective technology tools in the nonprofit sector. Maya holds a BA in Human Biology, Education, and Dance from Stanford University. When not leading Temelio, she volunteers with local nonprofits, hosts dinner parties for family and friends in New York, and spends Sundays going on long walks while listening to podcasts (she is a big fan of Ezra Klein, the NYT Daily podcast).🔗 Resources and LinksVisit Temelio's WebsiteTake my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

Trust is one of the most essential elements of nonprofit work. But in today’s climate of polarization, fear, and institutional skepticism, trust in institutions is decimated, and nonprofit leaders are navigating challenges unlike any we’ve seen before.In this episode, Erica Pelletreau joins us to discuss the Trust Playbook, a framework for trustbuilding in moments of fracture. We explore the 7 Steps to Trustbuilding, grounded in brain science and communications research, and examine what it means to practice the discipline of trust - early communication, moral seriousness, humility, and a refusal to look away from what people are actually experiencing.This conversation is not about finding the perfect words. It’s about building steady, values-based communication systems that strengthen trust inside organizations and across communities.If you’re leading in uncertain times and looking for practical tools to communicate with clarity and care, this episode offers actionable guidance you can use immediately.Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

Creating digital content is easier than ever, but turning that content into real-world action is where many nonprofits struggle. With crowded feeds and shrinking attention spans, organizations must find new ways to cut through the noise and truly mobilize their communities.In today's, I welcome Kiara Williams, founder of Digital Movement Media and Treuse Cinema and co-founder of Warriors in the Garden. Kiara is a movement builder, strategist, and storyteller whose work connects digital storytelling with real-world community impact.Kiara shares her Digital to Action Framework, a powerful approach designed to help nonprofits move beyond posting online and instead create strategies that inspire participation, organize communities, and drive measurable change.We also explore Kiara’s unconventional leadership journey—from organizing thousands of people during the 2020 racial justice movements to building purpose-driven ventures focused on storytelling, entrepreneurship, and community impact.💡 Key TopicsWhy many nonprofit digital campaigns struggle to inspire real actionThe Digital to Action Framework and how it helps turn digital engagement into impactUsing storytelling and content creation to mobilize communitiesBuilding trust and authenticity with online audiencesThe difference between engagement metrics and meaningful community actionHow nonprofits with limited resources can build powerful digital movementsKiara’s journey from grassroots organizing to movement-driven entrepreneurshipPractical strategies for turning digital storytelling into community mobilization💼 About Kiara WilliamsKiara Williams is the Founder of Digital Movement Media and Treuse Cinema, and co-founder of Warriors in the Garden. She is a movement builder, strategist, and storyteller focused on using digital media to drive community engagement and social impact.At just 20 years old, Kiara helped organize thousands of people during the 2020 racial justice movements in New York City. Today, she continues to bridge digital strategy, storytelling, and organizing to help movements, nonprofits, and communities translate online momentum into real-world action.Now based in Detroit, Kiara is building purpose-driven ventures while studying environmental science and championing bold, authentic conversations around entrepreneurship, activism, and unconventional leadership paths. Her work has been featured in Vogue UK, NPR, The New York Times, and VICE News.🔗 Resources & Links🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/its-kiara-williams-/Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

In today’s nonprofit sector, transparency isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a strategic lever for equity, credibility, and access to resources. Amid growing scrutiny, shifting donor expectations, and declining federal funding, nonprofits must find new ways to build trust and demonstrate value.In this timely and essential episode of Nonprofit Nation, I welcome Brittany Hall, Senior Director of Equitable Access at Candid, to discuss how nonprofits can use Candid’s Seals of Transparency to strengthen their public profiles, build donor trust, and unlock critical funding—especially for smaller, underfunded, and BIPOC-led organizations. With the launch of the new 2026 Seals, Candid is doubling down on accessibility, shared data standards, and transparency as public infrastructure for the sector.Brittany also shares insights from Candid’s recent blog post, Meeting This Moment: Helping Nonprofits That Lost Federal Funding, and explains how Candid is adapting its tools and strategy to support organizations hit hardest by changing funding flows.Whether you're a nonprofit leader, fundraiser, or funder, this episode will challenge you to see transparency not as compliance—but as a powerful tool for systemic change.💡 Key Topics:What the Candid Seals of Transparency are—and what they are notWhy transparency leads to increased funding and stronger donor relationshipsHow nonprofits can use Seals to reduce administrative burdenAddressing trust gaps for BIPOC-led and under-resourced organizationsCandid’s response to widespread loss of federal fundingHow funders can use shared data standards to ease burdens on nonprofitsWhat equitable access to infrastructure really looks like💼 About Brittany HallBrittany Hall is Senior Director of Equitable Access at Candid, a nonprofit dedicated to making the social sector more efficient, equitable, and effective by sharing information about foundations and nonprofit organizations. She is spearheading efforts to identify and overcome barriers faced by historically underrepresented groups in accessing funding by providing nonprofits with equitable access to the networks, skills, and resources necessary for them to effectively carry out their missions. Above all, her work is centered in ensuring that all nonprofits, regardless of their background, have fair and equitable access to funding, enabling them to deliver sustainable impact and advance community trust, opportunity, and overall quality of life.Brittany currently serves as the chair of the board of directors for the Contemporary Arts Network (CAN) Foundation, an organization dedicated to building sustainable careers for the creative class through artist development, arts education, and public art projects, while strengthening communities through the arts.🔗 Resources & Links: 🔗 Candid’s Seals of Transparency🔗 Claim or update your nonprofit profile🔗 Blog: Meeting This Moment – Helping Nonprofits That Lost Federal Funding🔗 Candid BlogTake my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

What if the biggest barrier to your fundraising success isn’t your strategy or your donor list — but your workplace culture?In this insightful episode, I sit down with Marcia Beckner, a nationally recognized nonprofit founder, CEO mentor, culture strategist, and host of the Nonprofit CEO SPARK podcast. Marcia is the creator of the Culture CARES® Framework, a proven model for helping nonprofit leaders build healthy, inclusive, and empowering organizational cultures where everyone can thrive — and where fundraising can flourish.Marcia shares her powerful personal journey, beginning with a life-altering ovarian cancer diagnosis in her 20s that led her to found MyLifeLine Cancer Foundation. Under her leadership, the organization grew nationally and eventually merged with a global nonprofit, reaching over 300,000 cancer patients and families.Today, Marcia works with mission-driven leaders across the country to tackle a commonly overlooked truth: your culture is your growth engine. Without alignment, even the best fundraising strategies fall flat. But when leadership, values, and strategy are united? Teams thrive. Revenue grows. Burnout fades.💡 You’ll learn:Why fundraising breakthroughs don’t happen without cultural alignmentHow to recognize and repair cultural misalignments in your organizationThe essential components of the Culture CARES® FrameworkPractical leadership shifts that reduce burnout and unlock momentumHow inclusive cultures drive both mission and moneyMarcia’s personal story of resilience, reinvention, and impact — and how it shaped her leadership philosophyWhether you're an executive director, fundraiser, or board leader, this episode offers a fresh, energizing perspective on what it really takes to build sustainable, thriving nonprofits.💼 About Marcia BecknerMarcia Beckner is the Founder & CEO of Culture CARES®, a consulting firm that helps nonprofit executives lead with confidence, unify their teams, and build inclusive cultures. She created the Culture CARES® Framework, a practical, proven approach to healthy workplace cultures. After being diagnosed with ovarian cancer at age 27, Marcia founded MyLifeLine Cancer Foundation in 2007 with a vision to transform the cancer experience through connection and community. She led its national growth and successful merger with the Cancer Support Community, expanding its impact to more than 300,000 cancer patients and families.Today, Marcia guides nonprofit leaders through executive coaching, mentoring, and strategic advisory services. Her clients have included the Epilepsy Foundation, Colorado College, Colorado Nonprofit Association, Beryl Institute, The Art Garage, Pepper’s Senior Dog Sanctuary, The Collaborative of the SCFD in Denver, and many more. Her passion is helping organizations build healthy, empowering, and inclusive cultures where all staff can thrive.🔗 Resources and Links🌐 Website: www.CultureCARES.com🎙️ Podcast: Nonprofit CEO SPARK📚 Book: You Are Meant for Great Things🧡 MyLifeLine Cancer Foundation: www.MyLifeLine.orgLinkedIn Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

Social Media for Social Good Academy is OPEN for enrollment! Class starts Feb 23 so don't delay - sign up now! Social media is not slowing down. But here’s the good news: you do not need to do everything. In this episode of Nonprofit Nation, I’m breaking down what’s actually working right now, and what you can safely ignore. Because 2026 is not the year to chase every shiny object. It’s the year to get focused. I'm talking about: Short-form videoEngagement signalsStorytelling that convertsSmart AI usePlatform-specific strategyAnd building community beyond campaignsIf you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, this episode will help you simplify.Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

Workplace giving is one of the most underused tools in a fundraiser’s toolkit—but it’s also one of the most powerful.More than 26 million U.S. employees have access to workplace giving programs, and in 2024, they donated an estimated $3 billion to nonprofits. With corporate matches included, the average employee gift totaled $1,744. That’s a major opportunity!In this episode, we’re talking about why workplace giving is so much more than a matching gift: it’s a strategic lever for building stronger donor relationships, deepening community partnerships, and expanding your reach to younger, purpose-driven supporters.My guest is Matt Nash, Executive Director of The Blackbaud Giving Fund, which has disbursed more than $1.6 billion to over 195,000 nonprofits around the world. He’s also a former senior leader at Fidelity Charitable and brings decades of insight into donor behavior, corporate philanthropy, and what’s next for fundraising.💡 Together, we explore:How workplace giving is evolving, and what nonprofits need to know heading into 2026What’s changing in the expectations of employees, companies, and donorsHow to make the most of matching gift programs and workplace donationsFive concrete ways to turn workplace giving into long-term donor engagementWhy this channel is a key strategy for reaching and retaining younger donorsWe also highlight a real-world example from Note in the Pocket, a North Carolina nonprofit that doubled its corporate volunteer hours between 2022 and 2024. When a hurricane hit, their workplace giving partnerships paid off in a big way—one company stepped in with space, funding, and logistical support to help keep their back-to-school programs on track. It’s a powerful reminder that the relationships you build through workplace giving don’t just boost donations—they build resilience.This episode will give you a roadmap to strengthen your workplace giving strategy—and head into the new year ready to grow.🔗 Links & Resourceshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-nash/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-blackbaud-giving-fund/https://www.facebook.com/BlackbaudGivingFundhttps://www.instagram.com/blackbaudgivingfund/Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

In this episode, Julia Campbell discusses the evolving landscape of nonprofit social media management in 2026. She shares insights on the challenges faced by social media managers, including low engagement rates and the importance of community building.Julia provides five essential tips for effective social media management, emphasizing the need for time management, mental health breaks, and the acceptance of imperfection in content creation. She encourages listeners to advocate for themselves within their organizations and highlights the significance of marketing as part of the nonprofit mission.Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts