Nonprofits On A Mission

Lindsay Gilbert from Connor's Climb Foundation stops by to talk about how a small but mighty team is tackling suicide prevention across New Hampshire, from training teachers and students to empowering high schoolers to lead the charge in their own communities.

AJ Hebert cofounded Roca Kidz Club in Manchester, NH back in 2011, what started as a summer program feeding 30 kids on Thursday nights has grown into a thriving, faith based youth organization serving hundreds of children across three locations. In this episode, AJ shares the origin story, the power of relationship driven programming, and his ambitious vision for bringing Roca to cities nationwide.

Sarah sits down with Sue Centner and Lorrie Belinsky from the Community Alliance for Teen Safety (CATS), a New Hampshire nonprofit born from tragedy that has spent 30 years championing youth safety through grassroots community building, advocacy, and education. Sue and Lorrie share how CATS has evolved from a seatbelt law campaign in the '90s to launching student-led safety clubs and a community expo, while offering candid fundraising wisdom: it's all about relationships.

Bethany Cottrell, the inaugural Executive Director of Families Flourish Northeast, a groundbreaking new organization in New Hampshire working to close a critical gap in recovery services for pregnant and parenting people facing substance use disorder.

Luke Mickelson was just a farm kid from Idaho who built one bunk bed for a family in need and accidentally launched Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a national nonprofit that has delivered over 100,000 beds to children sleeping on floors. In this episode, Luke joins Sarah to share the story behind the movement and gets candid about "founder syndrome", the painful reality of building something so big it starts to feel like it's leaving you behind.

Corinne Benfield, Executive Director of Stay Work Play, a NH-based 501(c)3 nonprofit focused on attracting and retaining young talent (ages 18-40) in New Hampshire through programming, employer partnerships, and policy advocacy. Corinne discusses her experience leading the organization, highlighting growth in community engagement, stakeholder relationships, and policy work at the state level as the most rewarding parts of her tenure.

Polly Towner, Executive Director of the Manchester Community Music School, discussed her background in music education and the school's mission to make music accessible for everyone through diverse programs, 48 faculty members, and a strong music therapy department.

Tim Smith-Gerding of Blackbird Collective discusses his consulting work with nonprofits, focusing on strategic planning for organizations like Stay Work Play, and emphasizing the critical need for collaboration and shared administrative services among smaller nonprofits to improve efficiency and attract larger donors.

Al Cantor, Owner of Alan Cantor Consulting, discusses key issues like the growing role of Donor Advised Funds and private foundations, advising nonprofits to proactively integrate conversations about the distribution of these funds into their planned giving strategies.

Granite United Way President and CEO Nichole Martin Reimer discusses her first year in the role, highlighting the organization's work as a community connector through responsive grantmaking, 211, and major initiatives like the opioid abatement fund, while offering advice to nonprofit leaders on donor and board engagement, and the importance of connection and self-care.