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

In this episode, host Kian Alavi sits down with Lisa Burger, Executive Director of Independent Arts and Media. Lisa shares her winding journey from law to arts management, breaking down the ins and outs of fiscal sponsorship—a lifeline for many small nonprofits and grassroots projects. The conversation explores the various models of fiscal sponsorship, including legal, financial, and practical implications for project leaders and fiscal sponsors.

Lisa gives real-world advice for nonprofits considering offering fiscal sponsorship, explaining key lessons learned around financial systems, HR management, compliance, and the importance of trust in sponsor-project relationships. The episode also explores common challenges, the importance of mission alignment, and the shift towards transparency and stability in the nonprofit sector, particularly in arts and media. Lisa rounds out the discussion with her personal motivations, current trends, and practical tips for potential applicants.

Connect with Lisa Burger & Independent Arts & Media
www.artsandmedia.net

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Fiscal Sponsorship: 6 Ways to Do it Right
Book by Gregory L. Colvin

Connect with Schulman Consulting
https://schulmanconsulting.com/

Timestamped Overview
00:00 Intro & Lisa’s Winding Path: Law to Advocacy
04:30 Nonprofit Leadership Journey
07:14 Restructuring Toward Mission Fulfillment
11:34 Fiscal Sponsorship and IRS Compliance
14:24 Fiscal Sponsorship Models Key Responsibilities
16:07 Managing Growth in Fiscal Sponsorships
20:30 Adapting Growth to Legal Changes
23:22 W2 costs and budgeting
26:18 Tracking Reporting and Relationships
29:04 Learning Financial Oversight Systems
33:54 Conflict Over Payments and Termination
36:09 Fiscal Sponsor Fund Control Explained
38:51 Streamlining training and onboarding
44:20 Fiscal sponsorship upheaval persists
46:25 Finding the Right Fit

In this episode of Built for Good, host Kian Alavi sits down with Michael Pace, founder and CEO of Social Good Fund—one of the nation’s most impactful nonprofits supporting grassroots changemakers. Michael shares his personal journey: the frustrations that inspired him to create Social Good Fund, how he intentionally lowered barriers to fiscal sponsorship, and the driving philosophy at the heart of his work—helping others shine their light into the world.

The conversation explores key learnings for emerging and established nonprofits, including the importance of building the right team, leveraging technology for greater impact, and prioritizing self-care to prevent burnout. Michael and Kian also discuss leadership values, the evolving fiscal sponsorship landscape, current sector challenges, and the power of nonprofit collaboration in times of uncertainty.

Michael’s inspiring stories, especially from seeing Social Good Fund’s real world impact in African communities, remind us of the direct and often unseen change nonprofits spark every day. This is a must-listen for anyone interested in nonprofit leadership, social innovation, and building resilient, mission-driven teams.

Timestamped Overview
00:00 Intro & Michael’s Background
05:26 Creating Community Support Initiative
08:08 Cultivating Joy and Positive Influence
10:54 Building Social Good Fund Origins
16:14 Building the Right Team
18:26 Finding Leadership Within
23:38 Navigating Technological Advancements Alone
24:14 Pioneering Real-Time Financial Access
28:04 Tech Adoption Challenges in Organizations
30:35 Creating Secure Work Environments
34:12 Burnout and Self-Reflection
39:36 Commitment to Community-Driven Culture
43:20 Unity in Adversity: Collaborative Resilience
44:32 Grounded Humanity Amidst Technology
50:13 Clean Water Access Transforms Village
51:27 Transformation Through Social Good Fund
54:56 Gratitude for Rare Insights

In this episode of Built for Good, host Kian Alavi sits down with Sunita Mohanty, CEO and co-founder of Vibrant Practice, to explore the intersection of AI, healthcare, and social impact. Sunita shares her journey from a product leader at Meta to founding Vibrant, an operating system designed for modern, independent medical practices focused on functional and integrative medicine.

The conversation delves into the challenges clinicians face with disconnected workflows and manual processes and how Vibrant leverages vertical SaaS and AI to streamline operations while maintaining quality, security, and human connection. Sunita highlights the importance of thoughtful AI integration—keeping a “human in the loop”—and addresses critical issues like patient data security, privacy, and AI bias.

Sunita and Kian also discuss the implications of AI for nonprofit and social impact organizations, the societal shifts in workforce roles, and the balance between passion and strategy when building solutions that matter. Sunita’s insights offer actionable advice for community builders, entrepreneurs, and anyone considering how to thoughtfully apply AI in mission-driven work.

Timestamped Overview

00:00 Intro & Sunita’s Background

03:20 The Challenge of Personalized Medicine

07:08 AI Enhances Doctor-Patient Interaction

11:11 2025: Year of AI Agents

14:03 Healthcare Data Collection and Security

17:41 Biased AI in Healthcare Data

21:27 AI with Expert Guidance

24:33 Building Expertise Without Junior Roles

27:18 Balancing AI Efficiency and Quality

30:14 Follow Passion, Not Doubts

34:07 Optimism and Realism

In this insightful episode of Built for Good, host Kian Alavi sits down with Elena Chavez Quezada, a leader in philanthropy and social impact who has shaped policy and practice across nonprofits, government, and foundations. Elena shares her inspiring journey from growing up in New Mexico to navigating roles at Tipping Point, the Aspen Institute, the California Governor’s Office, and now, co-leading Starwise Solutions. The conversation dives deep into challenges facing philanthropy and nonprofits: power dynamics, the mechanics of moving money, and the persistent disconnect between funders and operators.

Elena discusses hard-to-solve issues—like risk aversion in funding, overcomplicated reporting processes, and operational struggles within nonprofits. Drawing from real stories, including a transformational intervention with Canal Alliance, she highlights the game-changing power of trust, radical transparency, and authentic relationships. The episode also explores fiscal sponsorships, the complexities they introduce for both funders and grantees, and how leveraging tech and operational excellence can streamline impact.
Listeners will walk away with actionable insights on building candid partnerships, navigating funding mechanics, fostering continuous improvement, and embracing failure as a pathway to growth.

Timestamped Overview
00:00 Intro & Elena’s Background
04:35 Bridging Policy and Ground Realities
07:14 Government-Philanthropy Collaboration Strategies
10:43 Philanthropy's Power Dynamics Dilemma
14:53 Vulnerability in Funder-Nonprofit Conversations
17:29 Building Trust in Funding Relationships
21:14 Emergency Grant Saves Vulnerable Service Organization
25:53 Philanthropy's Risk Aversion
27:05 Funder Concerns with Fiscal Sponsorship
30:25 Challenges in Due Diligence Process
36:16 Seizing Opportunities with Fiscal Sponsorship
39:02 Community Partnerships with Government
41:42 Optimizing Nonprofit Financial Data
44:22 Philanthropy's Shift Towards Risk and Innovation
48:49 Radical Transparency in Relationships
50:34 Navigating Early Challenges in Building

In this inaugural episode of Built for Good, host Kian Alavi sits down with Nick Hudson, Executive Director of Entertainment to Effect Change (E2AC), a nonprofit transforming the way social impact content is made and funded. Nick shares the journey of E2AC’s rapid growth, from a handful of fiscally sponsored projects to over 150, and discusses early challenges, lessons learned, and the unique value of specialized fiscal sponsorship. 

The conversation highlights the changing landscape of content consumption, the essential role of philanthropy in funding documentaries and campaigns, and how E2AC connects creatives, causes, and funders to maximize impact.

Nick provides a behind-the-scenes look at successful projects like the documentary "Deliver Us" and the revitalization of the historic Malvern Cinema, which now serves as an inclusive, community-driven space. 

Listeners will learn about the power of fiscal sponsorship to accelerate mission-driven work, the importance of making fundraising infrastructure accessible, and how allyship and innovation can create sustainable models for community engagement and storytelling. Funders, filmmakers, and nonprofit leaders alike will find inspiration and practical insights in this episode.

Built for Good launches on Tuesday, August 19th. Subscribe now to hear the first episode as soon as it drops!