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In this episode of Built for Good, host Kian Alavi sits down with Dr. Jason Clay, Senior Vice President, Markets & Food and Executive Director of the Markets Institute at the World Wildlife Fund, to explore how food systems impact climate change and biodiversity, and what we can do to create a more sustainable future.
Dr. Clay shares insights on sustainable agriculture, innovation, consumer choices, and the systemic changes needed to build healthier and more resilient food systems.
In this episode, we explore:
Explore World Wildlife Fund: https://www.worldwildlife.org/
Explore Mazlo: https://www.mazlo.com/
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to the episode and guest Dr. Jason Clay
00:37 - Overview of the food system's impact on climate and biodiversity
02:09 - The challenge of feeding a growing population sustainably
03:52 - Growing up on a Missouri farm and early decision-making skills
06:29 - How farm life teaches responsibility and responsibility in food choices
08:46 - The urgency of systemic change in agriculture and food production
10:56 - Addressing global water and land challenges through regional solutions
13:14 - The importance of biodiversity for crop pollination and climate resilience
15:17 - Food's dual role as a greenhouse gas emitter and sink
17:03 - How nature-based solutions can sequester carbon
18:04 - California's water crisis and implications for agriculture
20:46 - When might a global food crisis emerge without intervention?
22:29 - Innovations: regional food hubs, local processing, and crop diversification
25:28 - Supporting local and seasonal foods in American diets
28:12 - The importance of transparency in food production and supply chains
31:49 - Tackling food waste and improving storage practices
35:40 - The influence of policy, education, and systemic change
40:35 - Strategies for individual consumers to support sustainable food systems
44:36 - The role of corporations and incentives in transforming agriculture
50:04 - Infrastructure investments and smallholder inclusion
55:18 - The importance of data, collaboration, and shared learning across sectors
59:37 - Creating community and cooperative models for equipment and labor sharing
62:53 - Viewing food production through a kaleidoscope of possibilities
65:09 - How to start becoming informed and involved as consumers
66:36 - Final messages: supporting local, seasonal choices, and staying informed
Summary
(If you want to hear Part 1 of Kian Alavi’s conversation with Oliver Hack, be sure to check out the previous episode.)
In this episode of Built for Good, host Kian Alavi continues his conversation with Oliver Hack, Director of Fiscal Sponsorship at Social Good Fund, for a conversation about creativity, leadership, innovation, and the realities of building sustainable organizations in the nonprofit sector.
Oliver shares his perspective on creating space for creativity, encouraging courageous leadership, and building systems that allow teams and mission-driven leaders to thrive. He explores the role of fiscal sponsorship in helping people turn their ideas into meaningful work while emphasizing the importance of studying the problem, understanding the business and revenue model, and making thoughtful decisions before starting a nonprofit.
The conversation also dives into the importance of community and collaboration within the fiscal sponsorship field, the value of saying “yes” more often, and how leaders can balance passion with risk, sustainability, and long-term impact. Oliver discusses why organizations sometimes need to adapt their strategies without losing sight of their core purpose, and why courage, flexibility, and resilience are essential for navigating challenging times.
From fostering innovation to making smart strategic choices, Oliver offers practical insights for nonprofit leaders and community builders looking to create lasting impact.
Soundbites:
"Innovation in the nonprofit sector is rare, but it's crucial to push beyond what's there and above where you think you can."
"Leadership requires earning the right and having the courage to make hard choices in a highly regulated environment."
"Institutional funders need to seed nonprofit endowments to ensure long-term sustainability and allow for strategic decisions."
"The nonprofit sector is about community coming together to solve community issues, and trust is essential."
"Encouraging an environment of creativity and rewarding it is key to solving problems in innovative ways.
Links:
Get the book "The Jewish Gospels": https://www.amazon.com/Miles-Davis-Autobiography-Orange-Press/dp/1595584684
Explore Social Impact Commons: https://www.socialimpactcommons.org/
Explore Schulman Consulting: https://schulmanconsulting.com/
Explore Social Good Fund: https://www.socialgoodfund.org/
Explore Mazlo: https://www.mazlo.com/
Timestamps:
0:00 - Hook
0:16 - Introduction To Built To Good
0:47 - Introduction To Oliver Hack
02:20 - Funding Creativity
03:44 - Navigating Nonprofit Funding and Creativity
06:46 - The Importance of Rest and Creative Thinking
09:40 - The Four-Day Work Week: A New Perspective
12:17 - Understanding Fiscal Sponsorship and Its Challenges
16:58 - Building Community in Fiscal Sponsorship
20:22 - Innovation in Nonprofit Sector: Saying Yes More
23:19 - The Role of Passion in Nonprofit Leadership
26:48 - Evaluating Nonprofit Ideas: The Importance of Research
32:09 - The Reality of Nonprofit Startups
37:41 - Strategic Decision Making in Nonprofits
47:39 - Courage and Adaptability in Nonprofit Leadership
In this episode of Built for Good, host Kian Alavi sits down with Oliver Hack, Director of Fiscal Sponsorship at Social Good Fund, for a powerful conversation about nonprofit leadership, financial sustainability, innovation, and the courage required to lead through challenging times.
Drawing from decades of experience across philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, and fiscal sponsorship, Oliver shares practical insights on building strong teams, understanding your organization’s financial position, and creating systems that allow organizations to grow beyond any one individual.
Kian and Oliver also explore the unique challenges of the nonprofit business model, the responsibility of nonprofit boards, the importance of investing in people, and why organizations need more flexibility and financial reserves to navigate difficult moments. The conversation closes with a powerful discussion about creativity, experimentation, and pushing beyond what already exists to create meaningful innovation in the nonprofit sector.
Get the book "The Jewish Gospels": https://www.amazon.com/Miles-Davis-Autobiography-Orange-Press/dp/1595584684
Explore Social Impact Commons: https://www.socialimpactcommons.org/
Explore Schulman Consulting: https://schulmanconsulting.com/
Explore Social Good Fund: https://www.socialgoodfund.org/
Explore Mazlo: https://www.mazlo.com/
Soundbites:
Soundbite 1: Nonprofit Leadership Insight: Highlight a moment where the speaker discusses the importance of mentorship and leadership qualities.
Soundbite 2: Challenges in Nonprofit Sector: Focus on a segment discussing financial challenges and the need for sustainable business models.
Soundbite 3: Innovation and Creativity: Capture a part where the speaker talks about fostering creativity within constraints.
Soundbite 4: Role of Boards: Select a portion discussing the responsibilities and impact of effective board members.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Hook
00:22 - Introduction to Built For Good
00:53 - Introduction to Oliver Hack and the episode's theme
02:30 - History between Oliver and Kian
04:10 - The importance of organizational legacy and culture
7:15 - Financial literacy as a cornerstone of nonprofit leadership
9:16 - Challenges faced by nonprofits in a turbulent economy
12:16 - Rethinking revenue models and the irrational nonprofit business
15:16 - The critical role of business background in social sector success
18:15 - The capacity of boards and how to improve their impact
21:16 - Using endowments and reserves to weather financial crises
24:20 - The power of giving nonprofits more room to innovate
27:16 - Courage and confidence for nonprofit leaders
30:15 - Managing the human side: relational work and dealing with friction
33:00 - The importance of intentional onboarding and continuous learning
37:16 - The value of creative experimentation and learning from constraints
41:16 - Supporting staff well-being through rest and intentional time off
46:15 - Ending
In this episode of Built for Good, host Kian Alavi sits down with Gene Takagi, Principal of NEO Law Group. Gene Takagi shares deep insights into fiscal sponsorship, its models, challenges, and the future of nonprofit governance. This conversation explores how to standardize understanding, improve advocacy, and build a resilient sector.
Key discussion topics include the importance of Models of fiscal sponsorship (Model A and C), Legal and ethical considerations in fiscal sponsorship, and Strategies for sector organization and advocacy.
Explore New Law Group: https://www.neolawgroup.com
Explore Mazlo: https://www.mazlo.com/
Sound Bites
"We need a common language to avoid confusion."
"Community building is the future of sector resilience."
"Are we a Starbucks or McDonald's model?"
"Funders should invest more in sector education."
"Public trust and legal compliance are vital."
Disclaimer
This topic may contain legal materials and information intended solely for educational and informational purposes. Nothing contained herein constitutes legal advice, nor does it create an attorney-client relationship. For legal advice regarding your specific situation, please consult a qualified attorney.
Chapters
00:00 Listen First Then Come Up With A Solution
0:20 Built For Good Introduction
0:51 Gene Introduction And Background
1:40 Acknowledging Each Other Work
2:43 Understanding Fiscal Sponsorship
7:27 Challenges and Misunderstandings in Fiscal Sponsorship
13:24 The Need for Stronger Advocacy and Education
21:23 Language and Communication in Fiscal Sponsorship
31:16 Funding and Support for Fiscal Sponsorship
34:18 The Evolution of Fiscal Sponsorship Guidelines
38:40 Community Engagement in Fiscal Sponsorship
40:48 Understanding Fiscal Sponsorship Models
48:52 Innovations in Fiscal Sponsorship
53:22 Legal and Compliance Challenges
59:17 Building Public Trust and Accountability
01:06:01 Legal Support for Nonprofits
01:13:29 The Future of Nonprofits and Community Building
1:18:38 Ending
In this episode of Built for Good, host Kian Alavi sits down with Shannon Moe, founder of SMC Scribes. Shannon shares the evolution of SMC Scribes, a nonprofit consulting and grant writing organization focused on social justice nonprofits. The organization helps teams strengthen funding strategies, improve storytelling, and build sustainable infrastructure so they can better serve their communities.
She discusses her background in frontline community work, including early experience with Haight-Ashbury Free Medical Clinics and later work in nonprofit leadership, activism, and hospitality through Revolution Cafe in San Francisco. These experiences shaped her approach to social impact work and her belief in grassroots, place-based organizing.
A key focus of the conversation is how SMC Scribes operates as a team-based grant writing and strategy organization rather than a single consultant model. Shannon explains how the team breaks down RFPs, conducts research, performs equity reviews, and ensures that nonprofit language reflects the authentic voices of staff and program participants.
The discussion also explores the growing crisis in nonprofit funding. With federal cuts, increased competition for foundation grants, and the rise of AI-generated applications, nonprofits are facing increasingly low success rates. Shannon emphasizes the importance of authenticity, relationships with funders, and leading with success rather than deficit-based narratives.
A major theme is the disconnect between frontline staff and executive-level decision-making in nonprofits. Shannon highlights how misalignment often leads to unrealistic grant deliverables and operational strain, especially when program teams are not involved in funding design and proposals.
The episode also covers the increasing importance of data infrastructure in nonprofits. Shannon discusses how many organizations struggle with fragmented spreadsheets, manual reporting systems, and lack of capacity for data management. She advocates for funders to invest in administrative infrastructure, not just program costs, to ensure real impact measurement is possible.
Another key topic is collaboration within the nonprofit ecosystem. Shannon encourages organizations to move away from competition and instead form partnerships, co-apply for funding, and build shared strategies to strengthen collective impact.
The episode closes with reflections on leadership, sustainability, and purpose. Shannon emphasizes the importance of staying mission-aligned, listening to communities, and building systems that center frontline knowledge and lived experience.
This episode is especially valuable for nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, grant writers, and anyone interested in building stronger, more collaborative systems for social impact.
Explore SMC Scribes: https://smcscribes.com/
Explore Mazlo: https://mazlo.com
About Mazlo: Mazlo helps fiscal sponsors automate fund management, enforce compliance, and reduce financial risk, all without disrupting your existing systems or workflows.
Timestamped Overview
00:00:29 Why moment and early work in frontline nonprofits
00:01:25 Activism culture and San Francisco influence
00:04:16 Revolution Cafe and transition into nonprofit work
00:05:27 Founding and evolution of SMC Scribes
00:05:54 Team-based grant writing model explained
00:08:13 Using authentic nonprofit voice in storytelling
00:10:01 Assessing funding history and donor ecosystems
00:11:55 Crisis in nonprofit funding and 2% success rates
00:12:50 Leading with success instead of deficit framing
00:14:04 Humanizing homelessness and lived experience stories
00:17:15 AI and the flood of grant applications
00:18:16 Rethinking grantmaking through relationships
00:19:27 Infrastructure gaps in nonprofit operations
00:21:47 Collaboration vs competition in nonprofit sector
00:23:00 “No systemic change without the frontline”
00:24:09 Disconnect between leadership and program staff
00:28:59 Executive director isolation and burnout
00:31:12 Why nonprofits are harder than traditional businesses
00:31:49 Importance of better data systems
00:33:16 AI tools for nonprofit reporting and operations
00:34:36 Funders need to support administrative costs
00:36:26 What separates thriving vs surviving nonprofits
00:37:31 Relationship building with funders
00:39:56 Reducing fear around AI in nonprofits
00:41:24 Advice to younger self
00:42:06 Community, purpose, and long-term fulfillment
#nonprofit #socialimpact #fundraising #leadership #grantwriting #communitybuilding #philanthropy #socialjustice #impact #collaboration
In this episode of Built for Good, host Kian Alavi sits down with Manny Hernandez, CEO of The Diabetes Link. Manny shares the evolution of The Diabetes Link, a nonprofit focused exclusively on young adults living with diabetes. The Diabetes Link provides community, clinically validated guidance, and culturally relevant resources so that no young adult living with diabetes has to face these transitions alone.
He discusses how the organization has expanded across major U.S. cities including New York, Los Angeles, and Boston, while also growing internationally through online communities and university chapters in Canada. A key focus of the conversation is how The Diabetes Link empowers young adults to connect with peers facing similar challenges, reducing isolation and creating long-term advocacy leaders within the community.
A central theme throughout the episode is disciplined focus in nonprofit leadership. Manny explains why organizations must clearly define their core strengths, avoid mission drift, and intentionally partner with specialized organizations—particularly in policy advocacy. Rather than expanding into adjacent areas like obesity, The Diabetes Link prioritizes staying within its expertise while collaborating with external partners who bring deeper domain knowledge.
The conversation also explores the shifting funding landscape for nonprofits. With reductions in federal funding, increased competition for foundation grants, and the rise of AI-assisted grant writing, Manny highlights the growing importance of trust, transparency, and long-term relationships with funders. He also outlines how The Diabetes Link diversifies its funding through corporate partnerships, foundation grants, individual giving, and emerging earned-income strategies such as content licensing and referral-based revenue models.
A powerful story from the episode centers on a student-founded chapter at Columbia University. A young woman living with diabetes builds a campus community from the ground up, which later becomes a lifeline for another student recently diagnosed. Their connection transforms both of their lives and ultimately leads them into advocacy roles within the broader diabetes community.
The episode closes with reflections on leadership and personal growth, emphasizing humility, clarity, and the importance of listening more than speaking. Manny underscores that sustainable impact comes from staying aligned with mission, building strong relationships, and being willing to say no to opportunities that pull organizations off course.
This episode is especially valuable for nonprofit leaders, funders, and anyone interested in building mission-driven organizations grounded in clarity, collaboration, and community empowerment.
Explore The Diabetes Link: https://thediabeteslink.org/
Explore Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition (DPAC): https://www.diabetespac.org/
Timestamped Overview
00:25:03 Building youth communities across cities and universities
00:25:31 Expansion into Canada and global online community
00:26:23 Expanding into community colleges and trade schools
00:27:09 Workforce readiness and long-term youth impact
00:28:20 Collaboration as the foundation of nonprofit success
00:29:02 Staying in your lane and recognizing core strengths
00:30:21 Partnering for policy advocacy impact
00:31:43 Example: connecting youth to insulin policy advocacy partners
00:33:19 Columbia University student-led chapter story begins
00:35:05 Newly diagnosed student finds community support
00:36:14 “Life is never going to be the same for them”
00:37:00 Funding mix: corporate, foundations, and industry support
00:40:49 Nonprofit funding pressures and increasing competition
00:42:09 Earned income: licensing and referral models
00:45:09 Expense discipline and mission focus
00:47:42 Relationships as the core of fundraising success
00:50:49 The importance of saying no to misaligned funding
00:53:16 Advice to younger self: listen more, speak less
#nonprofit #socialimpact #leadership #fundraising #communitybuilding #healthcare #diabetesawareness #youthdevelopment #collaboration #impact
In this episode of Built for Good, host Kian Alavi sits down with Michael Sheldrick, Co-founder of Global Citizen. Michael shares his journey from a struggling student in Australia to leading one of the world’s most impactful advocacy organizations focused on ending extreme poverty.
The conversation explores how Global Citizen was built by turning awareness into action—mobilizing millions of people through campaigns, partnerships, and cultural moments like large-scale concerts. Michael breaks down the power of bold, audacious goals and why clarity of mission, not perfection, is what drives momentum.
Key themes include overcoming apathy, the importance of taking action without having all the answers, and the concept of “policy entrepreneurship”—how individuals outside of government can influence real policy change. Michael also discusses the growing challenges of loneliness, declining civic engagement, and the need for “radical connection” to rebuild trust and collective action.
The episode also dives into how Global Citizen is evolving—leveraging technology, AI, and new funding models to increase transparency and efficiency in philanthropy. Michael shares insights into their latest global campaign tied to the World Cup, aiming to raise $100 million for education and literacy initiatives.
This episode offers actionable insights for community builders, nonprofit leaders, and anyone looking to create meaningful impact—showing that change starts with small actions, clear goals, and the willingness to begin.
Explore Global Citizen: https://www.globalcitizen.org/
Get the book From Ideas to Impact by Michael Sheldrick: https://www.amazon.com/Ideas-Impact-Playbook-Influencing-Implementing/dp/1394202342
Explore the World Happiness Report 2025
https://worldhappiness.report/news/world-happiness-report-2025-people-are-much-kinder-than-we-expect-research-shows
Donate to the Global Citizen Education Fund: https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/projects/fifa-global-citizen-education-fund/
Timestamped Overview
00:00 The importance of meaningful action and living with purpose
01:16 Introduction to Michael Sheldrick and Global Citizen
02:30 Early life, academic struggles, and a pivotal turning point
05:03 First exposure to global inequality and desire to create impact
05:38 Founding Global Citizen and early campaign experiments
07:17 The power of ambitious goals and taking action without certainty
09:10 Clarity over perfection: why bold ideas attract support
10:47 Early campaigns and mobilizing support through storytelling
12:42 Overcoming paralysis and the importance of simply starting
14:51 Understanding “policy entrepreneurship” and influencing change
18:46 How individuals can shape policy outside of government
20:06 Apathy, youth disengagement, and the loneliness epidemic
24:58 Declining civic engagement and the need for community spaces
27:04 Radical connection and making generosity visible
29:02 Building community to move from despair to hope
30:25 Global Citizen’s World Cup campaign and $100M education goal
33:58 Ensuring transparency and impact in philanthropy
36:29 Using AI and technology to scale funding and accountability
39:25 Building trust and reducing friction in nonprofit funding
40:19 Navigating stakeholder alignment and managing trade-offs
41:38 “Pragmatic idealism” and creating change through collaboration
In this episode of Built for Good, host Kian Alavi sits down with John Roussel, Co-founder and CEO of Colorwave. John shares the founding story of Colorwave, launched during the uncertainty of 2020 with a mission to close the wealth gap by connecting underrepresented professionals to opportunities within venture-backed startups.
Key discussion topics include the importance of networks in accessing startup careers, how storytelling and positioning impact hiring outcomes, and the structure of Colorwave’s fellowship model. John explains how the program equips participants with startup literacy, relationship-building skills, and direct exposure to hiring companies. He also discusses evaluating risk tolerance when transitioning into early-stage companies and the differences between startup environments.
The conversation also touches on adapting to changes in DEI funding, shifts in the venture ecosystem, and the growing influence of AI on hiring and workforce development. John highlights Colorwave’s focus on alumni leadership, partnerships, and upskilling initiatives to expand economic mobility. This episode provides actionable insights for professionals looking to break into startups, nonprofit leaders, and organizations focused on inclusive talent pipelines.
Explore Colorwave: https://www.thecolorwave.org/
Explore Mazlo: https://www.mazlo.com/
Timestamped Overview
00:00 Founding Colorwave during 2020
05:02 Launching the first fellowship cohort
06:05 Scaling nationally through remote programming
10:21 The power of relationships in startup hiring
14:11 How the Colorwave fellowship works
17:52 Economic mobility and compensation outcomes
20:53 Storytelling and positioning for startup roles
22:03 Evaluating risk tolerance in career moves
24:38 Adapting to changes in tech and funding
26:43 Community-led growth and alumni leadership
29:17 AI upskilling and future workforce strategy
#leadership #networking #network #socialimpact #founders #nonprofit #venturecapital
In the season finale of Built for Good, host Kian Alavi sits down with Erin Bradrick, an attorney and principal at NEO Law Group, to dive deep into the complexities and challenges facing nonprofits today. Erin Bradrick shares her personal journey from litigator to nonprofit legal expert and offers practical advice for nonprofit leaders—especially for those just getting started or looking to strengthen compliance practices.
The discussion covers critical differences between for-profit and nonprofit legal requirements, the layers of compliance nonprofits face, and the increasing pressure many organizations feel around risk mitigation. Erin Bradrick unpacks what compliance means in practical terms, why nonprofits often face greater regulation than their for-profit counterparts, and how recent trends—such as heightened regulatory scrutiny and looming legislative threats—are impacting the sector.
The conversation also tackles hot topics like donor-advised funds (DAFs), the evolving landscape of big philanthropy, and the importance of nonprofits staying mission-focused amid uncertainty. Listeners will leave with actionable insights on maintaining organizational integrity, preparing for regulatory changes, and harnessing the power of collaboration within the nonprofit community.
nonprofitlawblog.com
https://www.neolawgroup.com/
Timestamped Overview
00:00 Intro & Erin’s Background
03:49 Leap of faith into law
09:23 Starting a nonprofit key considerations
11:27 Charity Compliance Requirements Overview
15:08 State AGs Charity Regulation Trends
18:29 Nonprofits Balancing Risk and Mission
21:21 Nonprofit Resource Allocation Challenges
26:09 IRS Data-Driven Audit System
28:37 Algorithm Transparency and Bias Concerns
33:31 Nonprofits Mission Over Entity
37:21 Nonprofit leadership and philanthropy concerns
39:13 DEI Order Targets Foundations
42:19 Nonprofit Foundation Rules Explained
44:26 Donor Advised Fund Nuances
50:12 DAF Donor Considerations Summarized
51:30 Nonprofit Legal Compliance Expertise
In this episode of Built for Good, host Kian Alavi sits down with Ajani Husbands, Vice President & Senior Counsel at Build Up Companies and the Campbell Law Firm, to explore his multifaceted journey from his Caribbean roots to diplomatic service, law, and nonprofit leadership. Ajani shares powerful stories from his upbringing in Barbados, international diplomatic work, and efforts to support grassroots movements and community organizations.
Their discussion encompasses the challenges of movement building in hostile environments, the importance of lived experience and diversity in philanthropy, and how organizations like Build Up Inc. and the Campbell Law Firm are working to streamline nonprofit operations so leaders can focus on impactful work. Ajani explains the value of fiscal sponsorship, capacity building for BIPOC- and women-led organizations, and the shift towards collaborative, equitable philanthropy.
Listeners will gain insights on overcoming structural barriers, starting and scaling nonprofit projects, and practical tips for effective advisory relationships. The conversation emphasizes purposeful work, optimism in challenging times, and the critical importance of empowering communities to lead change. Helpful links to Ajani’s documentary and projects are included in the show notes.
Explore Ajani’s alcohol brand, 1966 Rum: https://www.drink1966.com/
Fiscal Sponsorship: 6 Ways to Do it Right
Book by Gregory L. Colvin
Timestamped Overview
00:00 Intro & Ajani’s Background
06:29 Diplomat to Lawyer Journey
09:47 Journey from Law School to Practice
10:55 Brave Nonprofit Legal Advisory Services
14:19 Discovering Diplomacy Through Friendship
18:11 Legal Support for Social Impact
23:14 Fiscal sponsorship simplified
25:03 Capacity Building Support Services
29:50 Decolonizing philanthropy discussions
31:24 Harriet Tubman Grant Skit
35:14 Streamline collaboration in philanthropy
39:16 Facilitating change through collaboration
42:33 Fundraising Challenges and Support
45:38 Choosing fiscal sponsor or independence
49:06 Intentional Innovation for Nonprofits
50:32 Decolonizing Philanthropy Focused Efforts
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