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#118: How to Navigate Non-Profit DeFunding & STILL Build a Multi-Million Dollar Organization (Sandee Kastrul, i.c. Stars) (VAULT)


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Meet Sandee Kastrul, founder of i.c.stars, the multi-million dollar nonprofit that’s redefining what impact looks like in 2025.

While nonprofits across the country are facing massive funding cuts, Sandee didn’t wait for a lifeline, she built a business. From bootstrapping during the dot-com bust to securing Fortune 500 partnerships, Sandee created a scalable, revenue-generating model rooted in community and driven by strategy.

In this episode, Sandee breaks down how she turned mentorship into a retention tool, created a talent pipeline backed by 100+ CIOs, and positioned i.c.stars as a high-value solution in a market that often treats nonprofits like afterthoughts.

💡 Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:

  • How to Build a Flywheel That Funds Itself: Why Sandee created daily tea sessions with CIOs that led to millions in long-term support.
  • How to Sell to Fortune 500s (Even With an 18-Month Sales Cycle): Her exact approach to landing 6-figure sponsorships from enterprise brands.
  • How to Monetize Your Mission: How 20-person intern cohorts generated real revenue by building tech for major brands.
  • How to Make Mentorship a Retention Strategy: Why companies now fight to get their employees involved—and how it helps their bottom line.
  • How to Pitch With Power (Not Pity): The messaging shift that turned i.c.stars into a business partner instead of a charity case.


📄 If you’re ready to activate AND incorporate the learnings from each episode with the tools and templates you can implement to get it done, subscribe to our Growth Playbooks for weekly, actionable frameworks and strategies to help you scale smarter—no fluff, just results. 👉 Join the Growth Playbooks: shegetsshitdone.com/join


OTHER EPISODES TO CHECK OUT:

  • From DEI to Dollars: How to Position Your Brand for Impact & ROI with Crystal Foote HERE.
  • How to Scale & Prioritize Impact with Bianca Tylek HERE
  • How Grassroots Grew a $4 Million Community-Driven Business with Sloane Davidson HERE


🚀 Want to Get Sh!t Done in Your Business? Start Here:


  • 🧭 Take the Free Traction Quiz: Feeling stuck or scattered? Discover your next best move to gain traction based on where you are and where you're headed.👉 Take the Quiz HERE
  • 📊 Use Our Free Traction Tracker: Create your quarterly growth plan with our proven frameworks, KPI templates, and expert strategy guides. 👉 Download the Tracker HERE


🔥 Work With Us: Get Hands-On Support to Hit Your Goals


  • 💼 The Get Sh!t Done Business Growth Community: Join a results-driven founder community focused on scaling with support, strategy, and accountability. 👉 Join the Membership HERE
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