On The Ground

$500K to $25 Million: How Feiro Marine Life Center Funded a 13,000 Sq Ft Rebuild

Discover how Melissa Williams transformed the Feiro Marine Life Center from a small community museum into a $25 million funded marine education hub. Learn the strategic partnerships, fundraising tactics, and resilience that powered their growth despite setbacks, and gain insights into making impactful organizational leaps.

Key Topics:

• Melissa Williams shares her transition from Chicago's Shed Aquarium to Feiro and her nonprofit journey

• The unique "David and Goliath" story of raising $25 million for Feiro's new aquarium
• Building strategic partnerships, including NOAA collaboration, to elevate project credibility
• Navigating federal funding allocations and private fundraising from $500,000 to $25 million
• Overcoming challenges with a major project reimagining and managing a six-year delay
• Cultivating donor relationships through tours, events, and impact storytelling
• Strategies for rural organizations to leverage community support and major gifts
• The importance of perseverance and self-care during long fundraising campaigns

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction & Feiro's location
00:19 - Melissa's background, incl. Shed Aquarium
01:12 - Feiro's growth into a $25M project
01:39 - Early excitement and community ties
03:17 - Visitor experience: tide pools & exhibits
04:43 - Plans for the new 2028 center
05:52 - Scaling the facility for growth
07:01 - Deciding to launch a capital campaign
07:58 - Securing federal funds & NOAA partnership
09:44 - State/federal funding & grant challenges
10:15 - From $500K budget to $25M raised
11:12 - Hiring a development director
12:02 - Feasibility study & donor cultivation
14:41 - Volunteer engagement & outreach
15:32 - Setbacks and reimagining the plan
16:54 - Keeping the team motivated
17:39 - Melissa's resilience strategies
19:48 - Earned revenue: 30% to 70%
21:29 - Donor cultivation, urgency & matching funds
22:39 - Rural fundraising challenges
23:37 - Giving, connections & pledge management
24:54 - Momentum through perseverance
26:01 - Advice for leaders with big visions
27:12 - Connect with Melissa & Feiro
28:36 - Closing thoughts & appreciation

Resources & Links:

• The Kipos Group Website
• Schedule a Discovery Call with James
• Connect with James Misner on Linkedin

Connect with Melissa:

• The Feiro Marine Life Center's Official Website
• Connect with Melissa Williams on Linkedin

Discover how technology and AI are transforming nonprofit work, enhancing donor relationships, and increasing efficiency in this insightful conversation with David Blyer, CEO of Arreva.

Main Topics:

• The evolution of technology in nonprofits over 25 years
• Challenges with disconnected systems and integration
• The role and future of AI in fundraising and donor management
• Building trust and protecting donor data with AI
• Practical steps for nonprofits to adopt new tech with limited resources

In this episode:

• David Blyer shares his journey from software entrepreneurship to solving nonprofit data challenges
• The importance of integrated systems in donor engagement and fundraising
• How AI can streamline communication, improve donor retention, and enhance decision-making
• Key considerations for responsible AI use, including donor data privacy
• The future of technology in nonprofits, including AI embedded into daily operations
• Practical advice for nonprofits on adopting technology within budget constraints

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and David Blyer’s background in nonprofit technology

01:12 - Early career and transition into solving nonprofit data problems

02:38 - Identifying the gap: disconnected nonprofit systems

03:57 - How Arreva simplifies donor management for nonprofits

06:42 - Current challenges nonprofits face with multiple systems

08:00 - The importance of timely communication for donor retention

09:56 - Impact of delayed donor communication on giving behavior

11:22 - The role of technology in building trust and relationships

13:00 - Retention statistics and the importance of stewardship

14:26 - Overcoming resource limitations for technology investment

15:48 - The significance of integrated all-in-one solutions

18:10 - Practical steps to streamline nonprofit operations and data management

19:12 - Engaging the board for technology approval

20:36 - How nonprofits can fund technology using existing resources

21:28 - The current state and potential of AI in nonprofits

22:18 - The practical benefits and risks of AI adoption today

23:45 - AI in crafting communication, fundraising, and donor insights

25:38 - Using AI responsibly to protect donor privacy

26:47 - Data protection principles with AI in nonprofit contexts

29:28 - The future of technology and AI in nonprofits over the next decade

30:25 - How AI will enhance fundraisers and personalize supporter engagement

33:03 - The ongoing importance of trust and relationships in fundraising

34:20 - Arriva’s unique offerings and how they improve nonprofit data systems

36:39 - Connecting with David Blyer and Arreva

37:09 - Final thoughts: technology as an enabler for mission-driven work

Resources & Links:

• The Kipos Group Website
• Schedule a Discovery Call with James
• Connect with James Misner on Linkedin

Connect with David:

• Arreva Official Website
• Connect with David Blyer on Linkedin

How the Okanagan Science Center Leads with Community and Innovation

Join us as Dione Chambers, director of the Okanagan Science Center, shares her journey from chemistry and nanotechnology to leading a beloved community science hub. Discover how she navigates fundraising, community engagement, and innovation in a small-town setting.

Main Topic:

• Transitioning from science to nonprofit leadership
• Creative funding strategies during challenging times
• Leveraging digital platforms for education and revenue
• Leading through crisis: fire and pandemic responses
• Building community support for capital campaigns

In this episode:

• Dione's career path from nanotech to nonprofit leadership
• The role of traveling exhibits and unique programs at a small science center
• How moving online during COVID opened new revenue streams
• Lessons learned from managing a fire and operational disruptions
• Strategies for community engagement and communication
• Practical advice for leaders: building teams and prioritizing fundraising

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introducing Dione Chambers and the Okanagan Science Center's unique story

00:21 - The location and community context of the Okanagan Valley 01:08 - Dione's transition from chemistry and nanotech to nonprofit leadership

01:33 - How her diverse experiences shape her approach to managing the science center

02:28 - What visitors experience at the science center, including exhibits and animal displays

03:00 - The popularity of axolotls and other unique science experiences

04:27 - Funding structures and revenue strategies, including moving online 05:09 - Deep dive into the center’s online platform and educational offerings

06:08 - The role of web-based programs for school groups and community

07:05 - Supporting teachers with accessible resources

07:35 - Looking ahead: fundraising plans and engaging community support

08:22 - The upcoming $10 million capital campaign and early donor engagement

09:38 - The importance of dedicated fundraising focus for nonprofit leaders

09:57 - Challenges faced with the canceled science festival and lessons in crisis management

12:52 - Navigating the fire emergency and restoring community trust 15:44 - The 'plant bingo' event as a creative response during closures 17:16 - Community resilience and communication during crises

18:51 - Marketing lessons learned from the fire and signage challenges 20:43 - The importance of multi-channel communication in busy community environments

22:50 - Leadership lessons: building teams, delegating, and self-care 24:00 - Connecting with Dione and the Okanagan Science Center for further engagement

Resources & Links:

• The Kipos Group Website
• Schedule a Discovery Call with James
• Connect with James Misner on Linkedin

Connect with Dione Chambers:

• Okanagan Science Center Official Website
• Connect with Dione Chambers on Linkedin

Transforming Attitudes and Building Communities: How Kupenda Promotes Disability Inclusion and Breaks Down Stigma

Cynthia Bauer of Kupenda shares her journey from wildlife biology to leading a global movement against disability stigma. Learn how strategic partnerships, grassroots work, and smart measurement tools drive lasting change worldwide.

In this episode:

• Cindy's story and Kupenda's origins

• How disability stigma is rooted in cultural beliefs
• Scaling impact through local partner organizations
• Key partnerships (World Hope International, World Relief)
• Faith and community leaders' role in reducing stigma
• Fundraising lessons: skip capital campaigns, build long-term relationships
• Measuring impact, from workshops to community ripple effects
• Lessons from unsuccessful initiatives like teacher training
• Integrating disability into development and social justice
• How philanthropic funding is allocated today

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro to Cynthia and Kupenda

00:21 - Cindy's story, discovering stigma in Kenya

01:36 - Kupenda's accidental founding

02:55 - From basic aid to root causes

03:34 - Faith and community leaders shifting beliefs

04:36 - What Kupenda does today; meaning of the name

05:57 - Engaging influencers for inclusion

06:27 - Scaling via local partnerships

07:37 - Early fundraising, hiring a development director

09:14 - Government/foundation funding & measurement

10:53 - Demonstrating impact through studies, stories

11:46 - Lessons from teacher-training setbacks

12:28 - Influencing others without direct implementation

13:03 - Building disability-inclusive development models

14:19 - Partnerships in Sierra Leone and Malawi

15:56 - Reach: working with 27+ organizations

16:51 - Storytelling and communicating impact

18:02 - Measuring stigma reduction, transformation

22:27 - Case story: a mother and her children

23:45 - Lessons from failed quick fixes, segregated education

26:01 - Fundraising pitfalls: capital campaigns, one-off events

28:51 - Mindset shift during crises like COVID-19

29:20 - Cindy's vision for Kupenda's next decade

31:09 - Disability as a shared development lens

32:52 - State of philanthropic giving to disability causes

33:33 - Impact of shifting perceptions, systemic inclusion

34:16 - How to connect with Cynthia and Kupenda

Resources & Links:

• The Kipos Group Website
• Schedule a Discovery Call with James
• Connect with James Misner on Linkedin

Connect with Cindy:

• Kupenda Official Website
• Documentary: Climbing Kilimanjaro with Kids with Disabilities
• Unlikely Gifts Podcast
• Connect with Cynthia Bauer on Linkedin

Growing Hope Globally: Connecting Communities for Global Food Security

In this episode, Kaitlyn from Growing Hope Globally shares how local farming initiatives in the U.S. create global impact, supporting farmers in developing countries and fostering international unity.

Main Topic:

• Origin and evolution of Growing Hope Globally
• Community-wide farming projects and their global effects
• Rural-urban partnerships across the U.S.
• The importance of land and acreage in farming success
• Challenges and opportunities in rural farming communities
• Strategies for expanding and sustaining global impact

Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction to Growing Hope Globally's mission
00:42 – The story behind its founding
01:07 – How local farmers support global hunger solutions
01:35 – The model of local crop growth and community involvement
02:01 – Impact of donations and community participation
02:28 – Long-term effects on farmers overseas
03:26 – The community aspect and volunteerism
04:17 – The power of grassroots farming and urban communities
05:13 – Examples of urban-rural partnerships and their benefits
05:49 – Stories of global farmer connections
06:42 – Building relational communities and global understanding
07:40 – Shared farming priorities worldwide
08:06 – Beyond donations: seeing each other as human beings
08:35 – Scale of impact from Midwest communities
09:04 – The community as a "knitting circle for men"
09:14 – Importance of rural-urban partnerships in fractured times
09:42 – How nonprofits foster community engagement
10:11 – Kaitlyn's journey and farming background
10:26 – Her transition into leadership at Growing Hope
11:11 – Reflections on leadership and community impact
11:32 – Growth and fundraising challenges amid economic fluctuations
12:53 – Current economic impacts on farming and nonprofit funding
13:20 – Staying true to the farming community's core identity
14:20 – Creative fundraising ideas (tournaments, dining events)
15:15 – Balancing traditional farming models with innovation
16:17 – Why acreage and land size are crucial for farm projects
17:06 – Case example of land sharing among farmers
18:03 – Relationship between land size, equipment, and profitability
18:47 – The significance of scale in farming success
19:15 – Future goals and geographic expansion
20:21 – Migration and economic stability through community investments
21:49 – How to learn more: website, social media, starting your own project
23:12 – The power of small beginnings in fighting hunger
23:40 – Final thoughts on collective impact and connection

Resources and Links:

• The Kipos Group Website
• Schedule a Discovery Call with James
• Connect with James Misner on Linkedin

Connect with Kaitlyn:

• Growing Hope Globally Website

• LinkedIn Kaitlyn

From Nurturing Nurses to Transforming Lives: The Hopes Walks Journey

Discover how a nurse’s volunteer work evolved into a global movement eliminating clubfoot disability, transforming thousands of lives across multiple countries. Join us as Scott Reichenbach shares the inspiring story behind Hope Walks, strategic growth, and the power of faith and community in health initiatives in this episode:

• Scott Reichenbach’s background in nursing and how it led to founding Hope Walks
• The transformative power of simple medical treatments for clubfoot
• The strategic growth from a small program to a multi-million dollar international organization
• Key tactics used to scale impact amid global health challenges
• The importance of trusted team leadership and trusting community expertise
• Future plans to reach 60,000 children by 2030 and expand into India
• Lessons learned from early fundraising efforts and organizational pivots
• How addressing stigma transforms communities and promotes inclusion

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to Scott Reichenbach and the origin story of Hope Walks
02:30 - The connection between personal faith, health, and service in global contexts
05:12 - The impact of simple treatments like casting in curing clubfoot
09:05 - Cost analysis: How $500 transforms a child's life from disability to mobility
13:04 - Organizational growth: Scaling from initial funding to a $5.7 million budget
15:45 - Strategies behind fundraising success and building sustainable support
18:25 - Addressing disability stigma and promoting inclusion through healthcare
21:19 - Lessons from early organizational failures and how trusting the team made a difference
23:24 - The vision for expanding access to care in 15+ countries by 2030
25:07 - The emerging opportunity in India: how prayer, partnerships, and persistence paid off
26:32 - How listeners can learn more and support Hope Walks’

mission

Resources & Links:

• Kipos Group
• Schedule a Call

Connect with Scott Reichenbach:

• Hope Walks on LinkedIn
• Hope Walks

Adaptive Show Notes for "Leading with Innovation and Humanity at Easterseals" Podcast Episode

Join us as Kendra Ennis Davenport, President and CEO of Easterseals, shares how the organization serves over 1 million people annually by blending tradition with innovation, storytelling with impact, and optimism with realism. Discover how Easterseals navigates funding gaps, scales care, and advocates for disability awareness with heart and ingenuity.

Main Topics:

• The evolution and ongoing innovation at Easterseals over 107 years
• Creative models for adult disability services, including the open-air PIAT center
• Fundraising strategies that humanize and elevate adult programs
• The power of storytelling and participant agency in advocacy
• Leaders' resilience in challenging nonprofit environments
• Building a national brand movement similar to breast cancer awareness
• Strategies for smaller nonprofits to scale impact and grow support

In this episode:

• Kendra shares how Easterseals combines its rich heritage with innovative service delivery
• An inside look at the open-air adult day program in Southern California
• The importance of storytelling and participant consent in advocacy campaigns
• Lessons learned from a failed gaming program and pivoting with transparency
• How to foster positivity and resilience in nonprofit leadership
• Strategies to grow awareness and support for disability issues through example organizations like Susan G. Komen
• Practical advice for small nonprofits to step out of comfort zones and expand their impact

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to Easterseals and its impact on over a million individuals annually

00:31 - Kendra's background and vision for sustaining innovation over 107 years

01:56 - The juxtaposition of tradition and innovation at Easterseals

03:19 - Innovative adult day services — open-air centers and personalized care models

05:00 - The story of the PIAT open-air adult day center in Southern California

07:05 - Fundraising challenges and human storytelling for adult programs

09:15 - Engaging veteran stories to highlight resilience and purpose

11:56 - Maintaining positivity despite national funding challenges

14:49 - How Easterseals continues to evolve and celebrate long-term impact

16:58 - The importance of storytelling, authenticity, and participant agency

22:51 - Lessons learned from a failed gaming program and pivoting with transparency

22:58 - Crafting stories that balance honesty with emotional connection

28:40 - The role of personal stories in advocacy and fundraising success

33:31 - Building a national awareness movement for disability akin to breast cancer campaigns

34:00 - Advice for small nonprofits aspiring to grow impact

38:02 - Connecting with Easterseals and future leadership initiatives

Resources & Links:

• Kipos Group
• Schedule a call

Connect with Kendra:

• Kendra Ennis Davenport - LinkedIn
• Easterseals

From $7,000 to $800,000: How North Bay Transformed Its Fundraising Strategy

Discover how North Bay, a 17-year-old outdoor education organization, shifted from negligible fundraising to confidently raising nearly $800,000 annually. Jen Foy shares her journey, strategies, and lessons learned to inspire nonprofit leaders to rethink their funding models and systems.

In this episode:

• The storytelling power of cohesive messaging in fundraising
• How North Bay identified and invested in foundational partnerships
• The importance of starting small with systems and processes
• Strategies for building a community presence and recognition
• Lessons learned from failed outreach efforts
• The role of team culture and leadership in risk-taking and learning
• Practical steps to grow a donor list from scratch
• The concept of 'learning labs' for continuous improvement
• The significance of 'day in the life' visits for engagement
• Future fundraising plans and expanding donor pipelines

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction: The mission to change nonprofit funding perceptions
01:51 - Jen Foy’s background and North Bay's vision
02:58 - Challenges faced: organizational burnout and funding crises
04:09 - The fundraising vacuum: initial small donations and reliance on grants
05:32 - Entering a new era: from $7,000 to $800,000 in annual revenue
10:00 - Building foundation and corporation partnerships: starting points
11:11 - The decision to invest in fundraisers: making a strategic leap
12:46 - Overcoming fear: why investment was a necessity
13:46 - Navigating community perception and awareness gaps
15:11 - Why North Bay focused on corporate and foundation funding
16:51 - Setting up effective systems: KPIs, tracking, and iteration
18:13 - Embracing imperfect systems: starting small and scaling
19:10 - The 'day in the life' visits approach and its impact on engagement
21:37 - Lessons from failures: email campaigns and event turnout
23:13 - Reflecting and learning: debriefs and team culture
26:17 - Leadership principles fostering a collaborative, risk-tolerant team
27:14 - Next steps: expanding the donor base and future growth
28:24 - Final advice: start small, take risks, and learn fast

Resources & Links:

• The Kipos Group Website
• Book a discovery Call with James M.

Connect with Jen Foy:

• LinkedIn

Connect with James Misner:

• LinkedIn

In this episode of On the Ground with James Misner, James sits down with Calla Parker and Matt Soerens to unpack how World Relief mobilized a rapid, faith-driven response—raising $10 million in just 90 days and housing 3,998 refugee families.

This conversation goes beyond the numbers. Calla and Matt share what it looked like to navigate sudden policy shifts, respond to urgent human need, and lead through uncertainty while staying grounded in mission. They also reveal the behind-the-scenes strategy—how advocacy, storytelling, and donor engagement came together to fuel one of the most critical fundraising efforts in recent history.

The podcast features a conversation with John Molineux, CEO of Love Justice International, focusing on the organization's impactful mission and efficient fundraising strategies. John shares his journey to founding Love Justice and the birth of its preventative solution. The discussion also delves into the scaling of transit monitoring, tenacity and resilience in fundraising, maximizing impact and efficiency, translating program skills to fundraising, donor engagement and impact, and the future of Love Justice International.