Simone Gordon is a single mother of a severely autistic son and the founder of the Black Fairy Godmother Organization which helps marginalized black and brown families. To date, Simone has helped over 500 families and has housed more than 122. In this episode, we talk about the broken parts of the nonprofit sector and why we need to stop putting people in boxes and really listen to their needs. Simone’s journey is tied to her own experience in the sector and it poses important questions about the role the sector can play in customized support for individuals, ways to connect donors with recipients, and how to listen to the needs of individuals and let them define what support looks like for them. Join this real and raw conversation with The Black Fairy Godmother to get an inside look at her work and walk away with some great takeaways for how to run your next grassroots campaigns.

Episode highlights: 

(02:39) - Simone’s quest for assistance and the shortcomings in the nonprofit sector

(05:52) - A new discourse around helping women  

(09:04) - A recent story of inspiration 

(12:56) - The tension between covering salaries for paid staff and using fundraising dollars to go straight to beneficiaries 

(14:59) - The different ways you can sponsor and support a family today!

(16:53) - How Simone currently operates the organization and her dreams of the future 

(20:21) - Simone’s suggestions for anyone who wants to start grassroots fundraising like her. Being aware of the ups and downs of being an impact leader: Financial stress and self-care. 

(21:05) - The need for a holistic assistance service: Tips for anyone who wants to help & what’s missing from organizations. 

This episode is a part of a mini-series on What Funders Want thanks to our incredible sponsors at Givebutter. To learn more about how you can get started on Givebutter, head on over to givebutter.com/mallory.