Non-Profit North Stars with Jim Eskin

On this episode of Jim Eskin's Nonprofit Northstars, host Jim Eskin welcomes Avi Zimmerman, founder and CEO of Sector 4 Strategy, to explore how collaboration across sectors can unlock new opportunities for social impact. From comparing nonprofit cultures in Israel and the United States to rethinking philanthropy, measuring meaningful outcomes, and giving with greater purpose, Avi shares why lasting change starts with passion, intentionality, and partnerships that go beyond traditional boundaries.

Discover how to move beyond conventional thinking, turn generosity into measurable impact, and help build a better world—one purposeful action at a time. ⭐

#NonprofitNorthstars #Philanthropy #NonprofitLeadership #SocialImpact #PurposeDrivenGiving

What if changing the story could change the system?

In this episode of Jim Eskin's Nonprofit Northstars, Jim sits down with Amanda Navarro, Executive Director of Convergence Partnership, to explore the powerful connection between narrative, health equity, philanthropy, and community leadership.

Amanda explains why lasting change requires more than policy reform—it requires challenging the narratives and mindsets that shape who has access to health, wealth, opportunity, and power. She also shares how communities can reclaim their stories, strengthen their collective voice, and drive meaningful change from the ground up.

From healthcare inequities and the rising cost of medications to trust-based philanthropy and community narrative power, this conversation offers an inspiring look at how nonprofit leaders can help build a healthier, more equitable future.

Listen in and discover why the stories we tell can shape the systems we live in.

#NonprofitNorthstars #NonprofitLeadership #HealthEquity #SocialImpact #Philanthropy #CommunityPower #NarrativeChange #Nonprofits

In this episode of Non-Profit North Stars with Jim Eskin, Jim welcomes Mikey Weinstein, founder and president of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF). Weinstein discusses his organization's work advocating for religious freedom and church-state separation within the U.S. military, including the concerns brought to MRFF by service members and others seeking assistance. The conversation explores Weinstein's family tradition of military service, the challenges surrounding religious freedom in the armed forces, his experiences with nonprofit leadership and fundraising, and how supporters can contribute their time, talent and treasure to MRFF's mission.

In Episode 28 of Non Profit North Stars, Jim Eskin sits down with acclaimed author and journalist Janice Kaplan for an inspiring conversation about gratitude, happiness, purpose, and the power of perspective.

From writing her first book in fourth grade to becoming the editor-in-chief of Parade and interviewing some of the world's biggest names, Janice shares the curiosity and passion that have guided her remarkable career. She also explores how gratitude, our bodies, and the way we interpret life can profoundly influence our happiness—and why bringing joy with us matters no matter our circumstances.

For nonprofit leaders, Janice offers a powerful reminder: people want to feel appreciated. A thoughtful, personalized thank-you—sometimes as simple as a handwritten note—can make a lasting difference in donor relationships.

Tune in for an uplifting conversation about living with gratitude, embracing possibility, serving others, and making the most of every day.

🎧 Listen to the full episode and discover why Janice Kaplan is truly a Non Profit North Star.

Discover the inspiring journey of Rhanda Luna, a beacon in nonprofit leadership. In this episode of Nonprofit North Stars, host Jim Eskin celebrates the selfless dedication of individuals guiding nonprofits with passion and purpose. Dive into Rhanda Luna's impressive career as she shares insights from her two decades of fundraising expertise and groundbreaking doctoral research on trauma-informed leadership.

Key Takeaways:

- Understand how sustainability and healthy organizational culture can combat burnout in the nonprofit sector.

- Learn strategies to empower non-professionals in overcoming the fear of fundraising.

- Explore unique challenges faced by women leaders and how they navigate them.

Tune in for an engaging conversation that sheds light on creating thriving environments within mission-driven organizations.

www.jimeskinpodcast.com

Episode 26 of Jim Eskin's Nonprofit North Stars spotlights Scott Marshall, President & CEO of Semester at Sea's Institute for Shipboard Education. From a shipboard campus that visits 8–10 countries per voyage to "cohorts of distinction" (Engineering at Sea and an AI certificate track), Scott shares how immersive global learning builds purpose-driven leaders. We dig into student selection and diversity, scholarships (including ~$5M/year in aid), alumni impact, and practical ways to support this North Star organization.

Tune in to hear how Semester at Sea turns curiosity into courage—and education into impact.

🎧 Listen: jimeskinpodcast.com • Apple Podcasts • Spotify • Amazon Music #NonprofitNorthStars #SemesterAtSea #GlobalEducation #StudyAbroad #NonprofitLeadership #Storytelling #Fundraising #NorthStarLeaders

Angela R. Lewis is a former professional basketball player, author, entrepreneur and leadership coach. Standing 6'1" since age 12, Angela knows what it's like to stand out and find your place in the world. With over 1,000 points scored in both high school and college, professional experience overseas, and having coached more than 500 athletes, Angela brings authentic experience to her storytelling. She is the author of The Game Changing Assist: Six Simple Ways to Choose Success, Post Moves: The Female Athlete's Guide to Dominate Life After College, and A Ball and A Chance, a children's book that celebrates confidence, culture, and courage through sport. Angela also demonstrates her passion as Head of Customer Success at SpeakerHUB, a platform that allows leaders to increase visibility through podcasts, press and speaking engagements.

Angela is the creator of the 6V Leadership System for Athletes — a framework designed to help athletes grow from the valley to victory by strengthening their voice, vision, values, and more. She helps teams and individuals develop the mindset needed to be successful. From the hardwood courts of college and professional basketball to global teams her journey has always centered on leadership, connection, and impact.

As a former athlete and coach, she learned how to lead under pressure, build trust, and inspire performance. Those lessons became the foundation for every role she's played — whether training athletes to communicate with confidence, building partnerships that strengthen communities, or launching businesses that help others amplify their voice. In the non-profit sector, she has led more than 20 strategic partnerships with schools, corporations, and community organizations, creating programs that deliver measurable outcomes for youth and emerging leaders.

For More Episodes, visit:

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Episode 25 of Jim Eskin's Nonprofit North Stars spotlights Whitney Solcher, CIO/Partner at Ulrich Investment Consultants. With 20+ years in institutional investing, Whitney breaks down how nonprofits at every stage—from first-time endowments to $100M+ funds—can tighten their IPS, smartly add alternatives, and tap into the $84T great wealth transfer. She also demystifies DAFs (they're not just for the ultra-wealthy), shares how to build referral pipelines with advisors and attorneys, and connects her nationally ranked equestrian precision to portfolio discipline.

If you care about sustainable impact, don't "go it alone." Learn how fiduciary partners, clear rules of the road, and next-gen donor engagement (Millennials/Gen Z) can lift your mission.

🎧 Listen: jimeskinpodcast.com • Apple Podcasts • Spotify • Amazon Music #NonprofitNorthStars #Endowments #Fiduciary #DAFs #PlannedGiving #WealthTransfer #NonprofitFinance #BoardGovernance #Impact

In this powerful new episode of Jim Eskin's Nonprofit North Stars, Jim sits down with Graeme Watt, a visionary leader bridging the for-profit and nonprofit worlds. Together, they unpack how nonprofits can embrace bold storytelling, digital innovation, and human-centered connection to rise above the noise.

From learning risk-taking from the business world to rediscovering empathy in the age of AI, this conversation explores the future of fundraising, marketing, and mission-driven leadership.

👉 Tune in to learn how your organization can stand out, tell its best story, and flourish in our fast-changing digital landscape.

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts!

A college education has never been so essential as it is in today's complex, fast-changing and technology driven workplace. You must have the capacity to be a lifelong learner. The Student Expedition Program (STEP College-Prep) launched in 2004, an innovative college access and leadership program for low-income Arizona high-school students is opening huge doors of opportunity.

While only 14% of low-income students earn a college degree, an awesome 96% of STEP scholars are attending or have graduated college. Dr. Tracy Baynes is the Founder and CEO. Building on her 25 years of teaching and expedition leadership experience reinforced by a firm belief that learning in an unfamiliar and challenging environment is a transformative experience, she has evolved a mission to help high school students broaden their horizons and consider college options well beyond what they had heard was possible.

Let's learn how Dr. Baynes has empowered thousands of young men and women to defy the odds and achieve brighter futures.

www.jimeskinpodcast.com