In this episode of the Charity Charge Nonprofit Spotlight Series, we sit down with Ned Staebler, President and CEO of TechTown. They discuss Ned's journey into the nonprofit sector, the mission of TechTown in supporting entrepreneurs in Detroit, and the challenges faced by small business owners, particularly in accessing capital. Ned shares insights on nonprofit funding, the importance of organizational culture, and the role of technology in enhancing efficiency.

Takeaways

• Ned's journey into the nonprofit sector was unplanned.
• TechTown's mission focuses on breaking cycles of intergenerational poverty.
• Access to capital is a significant challenge for entrepreneurs.
• Non-dilutive funding is crucial for underserved founders.
• Philanthropic support is essential for TechTown's operations.
• Nonprofits often operate more efficiently than for-profits.
• Organizational culture is key to retaining talent in nonprofits.
• TechTown has a professional services network to support entrepreneurs.
• Technology consolidation can improve nonprofit efficiency.
• Visitors to Detroit will find a vibrant community and emerging tech scene.

About Charity Charge:

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

In this nonprofit spotlight, we speak with Courtney Sanders, the executive director of Blue Star Families' Chicagoland chapter. They discuss the organization's mission to support military and veteran families, the challenges these families face, and the initiatives being implemented to foster community connections. Courtney shares her personal journey into nonprofit leadership and highlights the importance of building relationships within the community to enhance support for military families.

About Charity Charge:

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

In this episode of the Charity Charged show, Dr. Jacklyn Chisholm, president and CEO of Step Forward, discusses the organization's mission to empower low-income families towards self-sustainability. She shares insights on transforming organizational culture, the importance of trust in leadership, and the challenges of navigating funding in the nonprofit sector.

Dr. Chisholm emphasizes the need for nonprofits to balance business acumen with their charitable missions, advocating for a sustainable future for organizations like Step Forward.

About Dr. Jacklyn Chisholm

A lifelong learner, Dr. Chisholm is a Harvard Business School alumna with additional executive education credentials from the Harvard Kennedy School, Wharton School, and Cornell University. She holds a B.A. in Medical Anthropology, M.A. in Psychological Anthropology, and a Ph.D. in Psychological Anthropology with a focus in Educational Anthropology from Case Western Reserve University.

Dr. Chisholm has broken barriers throughout her career, including as the first Vice President of Planning and External Affairs at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, where she led the $13 million construction of its Library and Archives. At Case Western Reserve University, she was the first to hold multiple pioneering roles, including Associate Vice President for Community Partnerships and Director of Community Relations.

Her work has earned widespread recognition, including the Crain’s Cleveland Business Notable Leader in Philanthropy, Smart Business Progressive Woman Award, YWCA Woman of Achievement, and the Council for Opportunity in Education National TRIO Achiever Award, among many others. A proud Leadership Cleveland alumna, Dr. Chisholm continues to be a trailblazer in education, advocacy, and transformational leadership.

About Charity Charge:

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

In this conversation, we interview Rick Dahlseid, CFO of Janus, a nonprofit organization dedicated to addiction treatment and recovery in the Bay Area. Rick discusses the organization's history, its trauma-informed care approach, and the importance of reducing stigma around addiction. He shares insights into his role as CFO, the significance of diversifying funding sources, and the value of collaboration among nonprofits. The conversation emphasizes the need for community support and engagement in addressing addiction issues.

About Charity Charge:

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

In this episode of the Charity Charge Show, Robert Santana, CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, shares his journey from a challenging upbringing to leading a nonprofit organization. He emphasizes the importance of mentorship, innovative approaches to community challenges, and the evolution of leadership roles in nonprofits.

Robert discusses the significance of building trust, creating pathways for education and employment, and the future initiatives aimed at empowering youth. His insights reflect a commitment to collaboration and community engagement, highlighting the transformative impact of nonprofits.

About Charity Charge:

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

In this episode of the Charity Charge Non-Profit Spotlight Series, Matt Bradshaw interviews Dr. Trey McMullen, who shares his journey from military service to founding the SYOTOS Foundation. Dr. McMullen discusses his experiences in various nonprofit sectors, including human trafficking and sexual assault, and emphasizes the importance of community support and mentorship for vulnerable populations.

He also explores the balance between commercial innovation and philanthropic impact, highlighting the need for facilities and resources to support survivors and those in need.

About Charity Charge:

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

In this episode of the Charity Charge Show, we sit down with Jeff Eysaman, CEO of Christopher Community (CCI), to talk nonprofit leadership, collaboration, and the future of affordable housing in Central and Western New York.

From early lessons at Boys & Girls Clubs and the YMCA to guiding an organization that manages 3,000+ units across 68 properties, Jeff shares how “housing is our vehicle, people are our business.”

Key Takeaways

• Lead as a listener. Early leadership roles taught Jeff to be an authentic, “listen-first” leader who values collaboration and invests in people.
• Operate to amplify impact. Mission-first requires strong operations—budgets, partnerships, and efficiencies that make programs sustainable.
• Housing is community infrastructure. CCI’s work extends beyond buildings to convening partners, advocating for residents, and bringing wraparound services on-site.
• Hope is in the momentum. With housing elevated in local, state, and federal conversations—and strong community partners—solutions are within reach.
• Better together. Scarcity mindsets hold nonprofits back; ecosystems of partners help families thrive and attract the next generation of talent.

About Charity Charge:

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

In this nonprofit spotlight, host Matt Bradshaw speaks with Justin Pasquariello, the CEO of East Boston Social Centers. They discuss Justin's journey into the nonprofit sector, the mission and impact of East Boston Social Centers, and the importance of understanding community needs.

Justin shares insights on balancing mission and administration, engaging the board, and diversifying funding sources. The conversation also touches on the role of storytelling in fundraising, collaboration with other nonprofits, and the impact of technology and AI in the sector. Justin emphasizes the need for nonprofits to adapt to changing landscapes and the importance of community involvement in achieving their missions.

About Charity Charge:

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

In this nonprofit spotlight, we speak with Stacey Charpentier, the Executive Director of the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR). We discuss Stacey's journey in the nonprofit sector, the mission of CCAR, and the challenges faced in nonprofit leadership, particularly regarding funding. Stacey shares insights on the importance of community support, transparency in leadership, and innovative solutions like the new Coachally platform for recovery coaching. The conversation emphasizes the need for ongoing advocacy and the positive impact of recovery support services.

About Charity Charge:

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

In this episode, Stephen sits down with Ann Fellman, CMO at Bloomerang, to unpack what’s actually happening in charitable giving and how nonprofits can raise more—consistently. Drawing from the latest Giving USA data and Bloomerang’s vantage point across tens of thousands of organizations, Ann argues that the “decline in generosity” narrative is a myth.

Generosity is shifting, not shrinking, and organizations that focus on relationships, recurring giving, and volunteer engagement are outperforming the sector.

About Our Guest

Ann Fellman leads marketing at Bloomerang, a nonprofit giving platform that brings together donor CRM, fundraising (online, offline, events, auctions), and volunteer management in one place. Bloomerang’s goal is simple: help nonprofits raise more—money, time, and community support—by making it easier to build lasting relationships.

Episode Snapshot

• Generosity is growing. Individual giving remains the largest slice of the pie and has increased year over year. Don’t let negative headlines drive your strategy—follow the data.
• The “meaty middle” matters. Mid-level and first-time donors can become a predictable revenue engine with a thoughtful recurring giving strategy.
• Volunteers are super-supporters. Treat volunteer time as an on-ramp to deeper engagement; volunteers often become major donors and planned givers.
• Planned giving is changing. As the Great Wealth Transfer accelerates and more family foundations adopt spend-down policies, proactive relationship-building is essential.
• Make it easy to give. Donation page UX and integrated tools can materially lift conversion (Ann cited ~30% conversion lift for customers optimizing with Bloomerang’s fundraising tools).
• Data + empathy = durable growth. Segment by life stage, align asks to donor capacity and timing (yes, market cycles influence larger gifts), and communicate impact clearly.

About Charity Charge:

Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.