Summary

In this conversation, John Mark Vanderpool and Julie Davitz discuss the importance of impact marketing and measurement, exploring how Plus Media Solutions is revolutionizing the way organizations engage with their audiences. They delve into the challenges of storytelling in media, the need for clear calls to action, and the innovative features of Plus Media that allow for real-time engagement and data collection. Through case studies and practical examples, they highlight the significance of understanding impact goals and the strategies necessary for effective campaigns.

Get Julie's Media Campaign Checklist:

https://40014997.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/40014997/Plus%2BMedia%2B-%2BContent%2BImpact%2BChecklist.pdf

Takeaways

- Impact marketing focuses on measuring the effectiveness of campaigns.

- Storytelling in media often lacks a clear call to action.

- Plus Media Solutions engages viewers through interactive content.

- Real-time data collection is crucial for measuring impact.

- Understanding impact goals is essential for successful campaigns.

- Clicks and likes are not enough; meaningful engagement matters.

- Innovative features of Plus Media enhance audience interaction.

- Case studies demonstrate the effectiveness of Plus Media's approach.

- The future of impact marketing relies on data-driven strategies.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Impact Marketing

04:07 The Role of Plus Media Solutions

07:05 Engaging Audiences Through Storytelling

09:43 Measuring Impact and Engagement

12:41 Case Studies: Success Stories

15:28 Innovative Features of Plus Media

18:31 Addressing Social Issues Through Media

21:35 The Importance of Data in Campaigns

24:07 Creating Effective Impact Strategies

26:49 Conclusion and Future Outlook

Keywords

impact marketing, impact measurement, storytelling, audience engagement, nonprofit, Plus Media Solutions, case studies, campaign strategies, data analytics, social impact

In this conversation, Carly Berna, the Fundraiser-in-Residence at Virtuous CRM, discusses the importance of effective fundraising strategies and the insights from the latest benchmark report. The conversation covers key metrics such as donor retention, average gift sizes, and the significance of recurring giving.

Carly emphasizes the need for nonprofits to adopt a data-driven approach to fundraising, highlighting the importance of understanding acquisition costs and lifetime value. The discussion also touches on the challenges faced by nonprofits in diversifying their donor portfolios and adapting to economic conditions. Ultimately, Carly encourages nonprofits to remain resilient and focused on their mission, leveraging data to make informed decisions for growth.

Access The Virtuous Benchmark Report: https://virtuous.org/resource/nonprofit-benchmark-report-2025/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Virtuous and Fundraising Expertise

04:04 The Importance of Benchmarking in Nonprofits

06:47 Key Metrics from the Benchmark Report

09:26 Donor Retention Strategies and Insights

12:04 The Role of Recurring Giving in Nonprofit Revenue

15:00 Acquisition Costs and Donor Lifetime Value

18:11 The Economics of Growth in Nonprofits

29:03 Understanding Lifetime Value (LTV) in Nonprofits

33:08 Acquisition Costs and Break-Even Analysis

38:03 The Role of High Net Worth Donors

38:40 Portfolio Balance in Fundraising

43:28 Diversifying Acquisition Channels

47:29 The Importance of Metrics in Nonprofit Growth

50:58 Encouragement for Nonprofit Professionals

Keywords

fundraising, nonprofit, donor retention, benchmark report, recurring giving, acquisition costs, lifetime value, donor engagement, Virtuous, social impact

In this episode of The Social Impact Solutions Podcast, we dive into the intricacies of strategic planning and project management for nonprofit leaders with expert Stacye Brim. We explore practical tools like scenario planning to navigate uncertainty, emphasizing the importance of aligning strategic plans with financial realities. Stacye shares insights on creating actionable strategic plans that don't just gather dust but drive real change. We discuss how project management can enhance organizational efficiency and ensure that strategic initiatives meet their intended outcomes. Whether you're grappling with budget constraints or aiming to stay values-aligned amid shifting landscapes, this episode offers valuable strategies to keep your nonprofit on track. Join us as we uncover how to transform visionary plans into tangible results, ensuring your mission thrives even in challenging times.

In this episode of the Social Impact Solutions Podcast, Lauren Vanderpool is joined by Ori Carmel and Sophie Blondeau of Sowen to explore the complex world of nonprofit impact measurement—and how organizations can move from fragmented data and fuzzy definitions to clarity, alignment, and transformation.

Drawing on their experience advising nonprofits and for-purpose organizations across the globe, Ori and Sophie deliver a candid, thoughtful, and practical conversation on the real challenges of impact measurement in 2025.

Takeaways

- Measuring impact is essential for nonprofits to demonstrate their effectiveness.

- Understanding your organization's mission and vision is crucial for impact measurement.

- A clear theory of change helps organizations focus on their goals.

- Stakeholder mapping is vital for understanding different perspectives on impact.

- Fragmented data is a common challenge for organizations, but progress is possible.

- Short-term metrics are important for tracking progress, but long-term impact is the ultimate goal.

- Centralized data systems could enhance impact measurement but come with challenges.

- Organizations should embrace a data maturity model to assess their capabilities.

- Creating sustainable solutions requires a multi-faceted approach.

- Engaging in conversations about impact measurement can lead to valuable insights.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Nonprofit Impact Measurement

08:34 Defining Impact in the Nonprofit Sector

14:13 The Importance of Theory of Change and Logic Models

20:25 Stakeholder Mapping and Its Role in Impact Measurement

26:18 Challenges of Fragmented Data in Nonprofits

35:28 Exploring Central Data Repositories in Social Impact

40:19 Stakeholder Perspectives on Data Sharing

41:38 The Role of Centralized Data in Health and Human Services

43:28 Lessons from COVID-19: Data Sharing in Crisis

49:02 Balancing Short-Term Metrics with Long-Term Change

01:00:03 Key Takeaways for Nonprofit Leaders

In this inspiring episode of the Social Impact Solutions Podcast, John Mark Vanderpool sits down with David Simms, former Bain consultant, White House Fellow, nonprofit board leader, and founder of Talanton, to unpack how jobs—not microloans—hold the key to tackling extreme poverty at scale.

David shares his extraordinary journey from high-powered consulting and turnaround leadership to faith-driven impact investing across East Africa.

Together, they explore:

- Why small problems attract small checks—and how big vision brings big capital.

- How Talanton's innovative fund model is creating tens of thousands of jobs in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi.

- The limitations of microfinance and why scaling small-to-mid-sized businesses is a more effective poverty-fighting strategy.

- How catalytic capital, hope, and data-backed decision-making drive real impact.

- The deeper meaning of sustainability—beyond profit, to lasting human transformation.

Whether you're a nonprofit leader, a social entrepreneur, or simply passionate about lasting impact, this episode will challenge how you think about development, scale, and the power of investing in people.

👉 Learn why good jobs are the most powerful form of social change—and how smart, scalable capitalism can be used for good.

Takeaways

- Small medium enterprises create 70% of jobs in developing countries.

- Mid-sized companies are crucial for economic growth.

- Scaling businesses is essential for job creation.

- Job creation can lift people out of poverty.

- SMEs play a vital role in community development.

- Investing in mid-sized companies can drive innovation.

- Economic policies should support the growth of SMEs.

- Entrepreneurship is key to sustainable development.

- Collaboration between government and SMEs is necessary.

- Empowering SMEs can lead to broader economic stability.

Chapters

00:00 The Journey Begins: From Corporate to Impact Investing

04:40 Turning Points: The Role of Faith and Service

07:54 Innovating for Change: The Microfinance Model

10:36 Breaking Ceilings: Challenges in Life Insurance

13:45 Thinking Big: Attracting Capital for Global Solutions

16:37 Creating Jobs: The Talanton Model

19:51 Scaling Success: The Impact of Talanton

22:45 Comparing Models: Microfinance vs. Talanton

24:15 Unlocking Economic Growth to Alleviate Poverty

30:50 The Role of Capitalism in Development

36:36 Sustainability and Social Impact in Business

43:34 Inspiration for Mission-Driven Leaders

What if 20% of your donors are driving 80% of your revenue—and you're not even looking at them?

In this episode of the Social Impact Solutions Podcast, John Mark Vanderpool sits down with Kaitlin Windle, founder of Apt.io, a platform transforming how nonprofits track financial, fundraising, and impact data. Kaitlin brings the rare combo of investment banker precision and nonprofit grit to help you streamline reports, break down silos, and align your whole team around the KPIs that actually matter.

You’ll learn:

- Why “pace” is the most overlooked but critical fundraising metric

- How to ditch expensive busywork and double down on what’s working

- What donor segmentation reveals about sustainability (and where you’re wasting time)

- The power of monthly board-ready dashboards to drive strategy and confidence

- Why small nonprofits should ignore the omnichannel myth

If you're a nonprofit leader tired of flying blind and want to drive funding with focus—this episode is your blueprint.

🎧 Plus: Download Apt's free KPI Checklist at apte.io

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Apt and Nonprofit Data Solutions

04:25 The Importance of Data Accessibility in Nonprofits

08:36 Challenges in Nonprofit Data Management

14:33 Breaking Down Silos for Operational Sustainability

20:46 The Role of KPIs in Nonprofit Strategy

26:55 Key Performance Indicators for Fundraising Success

32:47 Leveraging Donor Data for Growth

39:34 Streamlining Efforts for Greater Impact

47:20 Conclusion and Future Insights

In this episode of The Social Impact Solutions Podcast, titled "Making Impact Measurable: How to Track What Really Matters," I explore the vital role of impact measurement in the nonprofit sector. I am joined by Sherry Cheney-Jones, founder and CEO of Sure Impact, who shares her expertise on using data to drive meaningful change. We discuss the importance of defining success indicators and utilizing technology to streamline impact tracking. Sherry emphasizes that impact is not just about numbers served or funds raised, but about quantifiable changes in lives and circumstances. Tune in to learn how nonprofits can leverage data to enhance their mission and secure funding in a competitive landscape.

If you’ve ever struggled with the time-consuming, soul-crushing work of grant writing, you’re not alone—and this episode is for you. On today's episode, Mark Reith shares how Cadenza helps nonprofits reclaim their time, reduce burnout, and dramatically increase funding success by streamlining the grant process through AI. (https://www.getcadenza.ai/)

From eliminating monotonous research tasks to grounding AI in your organization's unique data, Mark explains how Cadenza isn't just another chatbot—it’s your grant-writing copilot. We also talk about the future of nonprofit fundraising, the human-in-the-loop principle, and why AI doesn’t replace people—it empowers them.

Mark Reith is a California-based entrepreneur with a background in computer engineering, AI, and analytics. He’s the Co-founder and CEO of Cadenza, a platform designed to help nonprofits find, apply for, and win more grant funding using cutting-edge AI tools. Passionate about solving real-world problems through technology, Mark created Cadenza after seeing firsthand how inefficient and frustrating the grant process can be—even for well-resourced teams.

Episode Highlights

- Why most nonprofit staff burn out doing repetitive grant work—and how AI can help

- The core challenges of finding and applying for grants in 2025

- How Cadenza uses your website and documents to customize grant recommendations

- “Human-in-the-loop” AI: striking the balance between automation and authenticity

- Why AI won't take your job—but it should take the worst parts of it

- How scaling impact often requires scaling funding through better grant strategy

Time Stamps

00:00 – Motivation Mismatch in Nonprofits

00:43 – Podcast Introduction

01:12 – Meet Mark Reith & Cadenza

02:17 – Mark’s Background

05:47 – Why Grants Are Hard

07:38 – The Scarcity Problem

09:06 – Discovery Challenges

11:20 – Burnout and Repetition

12:21 – Grants Drive Scale

14:00 – Cadenza’s Live Grant Matching

15:28 – How Cadenza Learns About You

17:38 – AI vs Static Platforms

18:46 – Human-in-the-Loop AI

20:32 – Match Scores Explained

23:04 – Grounded AI in Your Data

25:07 – Building Trust with Citations

27:32 – Real-World Use Case

28:32 – Applying with Cadenza

30:45 – Built-In Project Management

33:09 – AI as an Assistant

35:36 – Ethical Use of AI

37:11 – The AI Grant Race

38:52 – Focus on Quality & Speed

39:43 – Learn More About Cadenza

🔗 Connect with Lisa Foster

✅ Take the EQ Quiz and explore leadership resources: lisadfostercoach.com

✅ Read Lisa’s latest articles:

• LinkedIn Articles

• Forbes Contributor Page (https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbescoachescouncil/people/lisadfoster/)

✅ Want help with culture, silos, or team leadership? Reach out to Lisa directly for a conversation—no pressure, just support. (https://lisadfostercoach.com/)

What happens when a mission-driven entrepreneur scales a company to hundreds of employees—and then dedicates her life to helping others do the same? In this episode, we sit down with Lisa Foster, a seasoned social entrepreneur turned leadership coach, who shares her powerful journey from building a global business to empowering purpose-driven teams through emotional intelligence and culture-first leadership.

We dive into the unique leadership challenges in the nonprofit space, why mission-blindness can derail even the most passionate teams, and how one-on-one meetings (done right) can transform your organization. Lisa breaks down practical, research-backed strategies for building cohesive, high-performing teams—without burning yourself out or micromanaging.

Whether you're a nonprofit leader, social entrepreneur, or people-first CEO, this conversation is packed with actionable insights to help you build a culture worth bragging about.

Takeaways

- Lisa Foster started her journey as a high school English teacher before becoming a social entrepreneur.

- Emotional intelligence is crucial for successful leadership and organizational growth.

- Nonprofits often prioritize mission over the well-being of their team members, leading to burnout.

- One-on-one meetings are essential for building trust and understanding within teams.

- Effective management training should focus on listening and empowering employees to solve their own problems.

- Creating a positive team culture can significantly enhance productivity and morale.

- Leaders should be aware of their organizational culture and how it impacts employee performance.

- Regular feedback and open communication are key to maintaining a healthy work environment.

- Empathy and ethics in leadership can lead to better outcomes for organizations.

- Continuous learning and adaptation are vital for personal and organizational success.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Lisa Foster's Journey

02:01 The Birth of a Social Enterprise

05:10 The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership

08:03 Common Pitfalls in Nonprofit Leadership

10:53 Individualized Coaching for Nonprofit Leaders

14:06 The Difference Between Coaching and Counseling

17:12 Building Collaborative Teams

19:56 Defining Purpose and Values in Organizations

23:33 Navigating Political Disruption with Core Values

27:13 Breaking Down Silos for Team Empowerment

28:12 The Importance of Organizational Culture

31:31 Mastering One-on-One Meetings

38:14 Empowering Teams Through Problem Solving

45:03 Building a Culture of Trust and Growth

51:38 sportsRecreation-transition-high.wav

Keywords

social entrepreneurship, leadership development, emotional intelligence, nonprofit management, team culture, coaching, mission-driven organizations, effective communication, problem-solving, organizational growth

In this conversation, Lauren and John Mark Vanderpool discuss the critical aspects of communicating social impact for nonprofits. They explore the challenges faced by organizations in measuring and conveying their impact, the importance of utilizing data effectively, and strategies for engaging stakeholders through various communication channels. The discussion emphasizes the need for nonprofits to go beyond mere output metrics and focus on outcomes and long-term impacts to foster trust and enhance fundraising efforts. In this conversation, Lauren and John Mark Vanderpool discuss the importance of capturing both qualitative and quantitative data for effective impact measurement in nonprofits. They emphasize the need for storytelling to convey the impact of programs, the significance of impact reports as foundational documents, and the challenges organizations face in communicating their impact. The discussion also touches on the role of AI in assisting smaller organizations with data collection and report generation, while stressing the importance of authenticity in storytelling.

Takeaways

- Communicating social impact is essential for nonprofit success.

- Nonprofits often struggle with measuring and communicating their impact.

- Trust and transparency are built through effective impact communication.

- Younger generations prioritize quantifiable social change.

- Impact data can significantly enhance fundraising capabilities.

- Outputs are important, but outcomes reflect true impact.

- Effective communication strategies include using data and storytelling.

- Email campaigns should consistently highlight impact metrics.

- Win hearts with stories, win minds with metrics.

- Impact reports highlight true change being created.

- Tell the truth, avoid fake stories.

- Communicate your real impact effectively.

Chapters

00:00

Introduction to Impact Communication

03:06

Challenges in Communicating Nonprofit Impact

05:58

The Importance of Impact Data

09:00

Understanding Outputs vs. Outcomes

12:13

Effective Communication Strategies

15:08

Utilizing Email Campaigns for Impact

17:54

Highlighting Impact on Fundraising Pages

20:56

Addressing Common Questions on Impact Measurement

33:02

Capturing Internal Data for Impact Measurement

34:26

The Power of Qualitative Stories

39:46

Combining Quantitative and Qualitative Data

45:45

The Importance of Impact Reports

54:20

Understanding Impact Reports vs. Annual Reports

01:00:41

Challenges in Communicating Impact

Keywords

nonprofit, impact communication, fundraising, impact measurement, social impact, donor engagement, nonprofit challenges, impact data, outputs, outcomes, impact measurement, qualitative data, storytelling, nonprofit, impact reports, fundraising, donor engagement, social impact, data collection, communication strategies