What does it mean to truly center community in philanthropy? 

Meet Rachel D’Souza, Founder and Chief Purpose Officer of Gladiator Consulting. 🤝 A leading voice in the Community-Centric Fundraising (CCF) movement, Rachel shares her perspective on systems change in resource development, balancing donor expectations with equity, and how to drive long-term systems change over short-term solutions.

In this moment of unprecedented challenge for social impact orgs, Rachel offers a roadmap for survival, collaboration, and meaningful change. Nonprofit leaders need a new approach—one that centers community, embraces vulnerability, and dismantles outdated systems. Listen in for bold insights, real talk, and a call to action for the future of fundraising. 🎧

 Key Takeaways:
✔ What Community-Centric Fundraising is and why it matters
✔ How nonprofits can own their narrative in donor conversations
✔ Creative approaches to self-funding and collaboration in the sector

Resources Mentioned: 

• Community Centric Fundraising website
• Follow Rachel D'Souza's work through Gladiator Consulting
• Connect with Tosha Phonix, Executive Director of A.C.R.E.S.

Learn more: www.weareforgood.com/episode/613 

Thank you to our partners 🩵

Big gratitude to Givebutter, RKD Group, DonorDock, Feathr, Whiteboard and Sowen for their partnership in growing the Impact Uprising. If you’re searching for a new CRM, tech tool, brand partner, direct mail partner, or impact strategist— we’d love for you to start with our trusted recs. We’ve vetted them so you don’t have to. Head to weareforgood.com/recs to learn more.

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Experience the Impact Uprising Membership by We Are For Good: an ecosystem to learn, connect + grow in the power of a value-aligned community. Members gather monthly with Jon + Becky at exclusive members-only meetups + get video access to all new podcast episodes in an ad-free experience + so much more! Learn more + join us at weareforgood.com.

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Meet Tes 🤝— The Founder + Chief Gathering Office at Gather Better.

Join us for this episode where we dive into the art of intentional gathering with Tes. She’s passionate about creating meaningful spaces that spark impact and support well-being—and she’s sharing her roadmap to help us do it better. 🙌

Tes shares her go-to approach for hosting gatherings with heart—from defining your “why” and setting a thoughtful agenda to adding special touches, guiding with care, and closing with intention. She reminds us that the world needs more reflective leadership and offers easy, meaningful ways to make people feel seen and connected. 💛

Tune in and get ready to rethink how you gather people together. 🎧 

💡Learn: 

• Why traditional meetings often lack purpose—and the importance of intentional gathering
• The 5-step Gathering Framework and how to continuously improve your approach to bringing people together
• How to embrace practices that foster reflective leadership
• How to explore practical innovations to create moments of real connection and insight

Episode Highlights

• Tes Cohen’s Journey and Philosophy (02:32)
• The Five Steps to Impactful Gatherings (06:01)
• The Power of Intentional Gathering (12:05)
• Transforming Nonprofit Events (19:55)
• The Essence of Authentic Team Building (24:37)
• Creating Meaningful Gatherings (30:05)
• Measuring Success in Gatherings (35:01)
• The Power of Storytelling (40:32) 
• Have a weekly meeting with yourself where you can reflect (31:54) Tes’s One Good Thing

Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/612

Thank you to our partners 🩵

Big gratitude to Givebutter, RKD Group, DonorDock, Feathr, Whiteboard and Sowen for their partnership in growing the Impact Uprising. If you’re searching for a new CRM, tech tool, brand partner, direct mail partner, or impact strategist— we’d love for you to start with our trusted recs. We’ve vetted them so you don’t have to. Head to weareforgood.com/recs to learn more.

Support the show

Become a Member and Get All-Access to Everything We Are For Good!
Experience the Impact Uprising Membership by We Are For Good: an ecosystem to learn, connect + grow in the power of a value-aligned community. Members gather monthly with Jon + Becky at exclusive members-only meetups + get video access to all new podcast episodes in an ad-free experience + so much more! Learn more + join us at weareforgood.com.

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When the weight of the world feels nonstop, slipping into survival mode can feel like the only option. But what if there’s a different way—one that’s rooted in honesty, resilience, and real, grounded hope?

Welcome back to Gather at the Well, hosted by Lindsey Fuller, Executive Director of The Teaching Well. In this episode, Lindsey dives into the practice of cultivating critical hope—a powerful mindset that helps human-centered leaders stay resilient and rooted amidst change.

Join us for Episode 2, as Lindsey breaks down ways we can hold space for challenges while still believing in possibility. Think: duality declarations, everyday rituals to re-center your mindset, and showing up with truth and compassion. You’ll walk away with tangible strategies to cultivate hope as a daily leadership practice. Live now 🎧

Episode Highlights

• Somatic Practices for Change Leaders (05:44)
• Inspiration vs. Leadership (13:11)
• Cultivating Critical Hope (23:04)
• Practical Exercises for Leaders (39:20)

(Critical Hope Statements) Affirmations:

• Critical hope asks us to sit with the wholeness of life and the full range of human experience.
• It’s complex. It’s uncertain. It’s the willingness to hold duality—to recognize that two things can be true at once.
• Critical hope means honoring our histories and traditions, while also embracing freedom and imagining new futures.
• It’s about grounding ourselves in reality, while still believing in possibility.
• It’s the audacity to keep going.
• So be audacious. Keep showing up—not just for the mission, but for your team’s morale, their well-being, their hope.
• There is a path forward. And you don’t have to walk it alone.

Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/cultivatingcriticalhope

Support the show

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Experience the Impact Uprising Membership by We Are For Good: an ecosystem to learn, connect + grow in the power of a value-aligned community. Members gather monthly with Jon + Becky at exclusive members-only meetups + get video access to all new podcast episodes in an ad-free experience + so much more! Learn more + join us at weareforgood.com.

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Meet Maggie 🤝—CNN Hero of the Year in 2015, humanitarian, activist, CEO and co-founder of the BlinkNow Foundation.

In this heart-opening conversation, Maggie takes us on a journey of purpose and possibility—from the humble beginnings of BlinkNow to a movement that now includes over 175 team members serving thousands of children, women, and community members in Nepal. You’ll hear stories of redefining family, lifting up the most vulnerable, and recognizing the sacred wisdom our children carry. ✨

This episode is equal parts grounding and inspiring—and a beautiful reminder that change begins when we choose to care deeply and act boldly. Tune in today 🎧

💡Learn: 

• The power of love, empathy, and creating a nurturing environment for children to thrive
• Strategies for building a holistic, community-driven approach to addressing complex social issues like poverty and lack of access to education
• The importance of listening to and empowering local communities, rather than imposing outside solutions
• How to design systems that care for the whole community

Episode Highlights: 

• The Evolution of BlinkNow Foundation (9:11)
• Community-Centered Approach to Empowerment (15:05)
• Lessons from Children and the Call to Action (21:03)
• Empowering Communities Through Youth Engagement (24:49)
• The Journey of Documentary: Love and Loss (30:41)
• Key Metrics for Engagement Strategies (22:54)
• The Importance of Storytelling in Philanthropy (30:04)
• Maggie’s One Good Thing: Look at a child’s face today (39:52) 

Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/611

Thank you to our partners 🩵

Big gratitude to Givebutter, RKD Group, DonorDock, Feathr, Whiteboard and Sowen for their partnership in growing the Impact Uprising. If you’re searching for a new CRM, tech tool, brand partner, direct mail partner, or impact strategist— we’d love for you to start with our trusted recs. We’ve vetted them so you don’t have to. Head to weareforgood.com/recs to learn more.

Support the show

Become a Member and Get All-Access to Everything We Are For Good!
Experience the Impact Uprising Membership by We Are For Good: an ecosystem to learn, connect + grow in the power of a value-aligned community. Members gather monthly with Jon + Becky at exclusive members-only meetups + get video access to all new podcast episodes in an ad-free experience + so much more! Learn more + join us at weareforgood.com.

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Meet Beth, Founder of Beth Saunders Associates and creator of MapMoveMeasure—a practical framework that helps nonprofits build stronger, lasting relationships with supporters. 🤝

In this episode, Beth shares her journey from corporate banking to the nonprofit world and explores how a mindset shift can transform our work. She highlights the power of focusing on potential and abundance, rather than scarcity or limitations. 💛 Beth also dives into the human side of giving—how to move beyond data points and see the person behind the donation to build more meaningful connections. 🎧 Listen now!

💡Learn: 

• How reframing challenges as opportunities helps us see beyond transactions to deeper impact
• Ways to engage supporters by clarifying vision, inviting them into the journey, and measuring connection
• How storytelling and purpose-driven work can spark powerful transformation
• Practical ways to measure engagement beyond dollars—like tracking how recently, how often, and how meaningfully supporters interact.

Episode Highlights: 

• Activating Supporters for Engagement (01:09)
• Beth’s Journey to Nonprofit Consulting (03:01)
• Understanding Engagement and Data (06:57)
• The Power of Abundant Thinking (11:02)
• MapMoveMeasure Framework Explained (15:52)
• Key Metrics for Engagement Strategies (22:54)
• The Importance of Storytelling in Philanthropy (30:04)
• Look up and notice the big picture (32:10) Beth’s One Good Thing

Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/610

Thank you to our partners 🩵

Big gratitude to Givebutter, RKD Group, DonorDock, Feathr, Whiteboard and Sowen for their partnership in growing the Impact Uprising. If you’re searching for a new CRM, tech tool, brand partner, direct mail partner, or impact strategist— we’d love for you to start with our trusted recs. We’ve vetted them so you don’t have to. Head to weareforgood.com/recs to learn more.

Support the show

Become a Member and Get All-Access to Everything We Are For Good!
Experience the Impact Uprising Membership by We Are For Good: an ecosystem to learn, connect + grow in the power of a value-aligned community. Members gather monthly with Jon + Becky at exclusive members-only meetups + get video access to all new podcast episodes in an ad-free experience + so much more! Learn more + join us at weareforgood.com.

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Meet Caylee, Co-Founder and Executive Director of RestoreOKC. Caylee joins us to share how she and her team have taken a radically different, community-led approach to addressing complex, systemic issues in their city. It's a powerful case study on how data can be a helpful tool (but not the driver), how grassroots programs are transforming access to education, jobs, and housing, and how meaningful partnerships are key to lasting change. 🤝

Their work has sparked sustainable, community-led development that’s been recognized with state and national awards—including Caylee being named USA Today’s Oklahoma Woman of the Year. ⭐ This one is a must-listen for anyone passionate about driving systemic change and building more just, thriving communities. 🎧 Live now!

💡Learn: 

• RestoreOKC’s “people, place, practice, policy” framework for community-led change
• The importance of centering community voice and lived experience in program development
• How partnerships and collaboration help address complex, systemic challenges
• Practical tips for self-care as a nonprofit leader

Episode Highlights: 

• Caylee Dodson's Journey and Formative Experiences (2:54)
• RestoreOKC's Community-Led Approach (13:00)
• How RestoreOKC leverages partnerships and collaborations to address systemic issues (22:00)
• Place-Based Approaches to Community Development (30:19)
• Self-Care in Nonprofit Leadership (39:37)
• A Powerful Moment of Philanthropy in Caylee's Life (35:00)
• Caylee's One Good Thing: Be a presence of radical warmth and hospitality. (37:00)

Explore the Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/609

Thank you to our partners 🩵

Big gratitude to Givebutter, RKD Group, DonorDock, Feathr, Whiteboard and Sowen for their partnership in growing the Impact Uprising. If you’re searching for a new CRM, tech tool, brand partner, direct mail partner, or impact strategist— we’d love for you to start with our trusted recs. We’ve vetted them so you don’t have to. Head to weareforgood.com/recs to learn more.

Support the show

Become a Member and Get All-Access to Everything We Are For Good!
Experience the Impact Uprising Membership by We Are For Good: an ecosystem to learn, connect + grow in the power of a value-aligned community. Members gather monthly with Jon + Becky at exclusive members-only meetups + get video access to all new podcast episodes in an ad-free experience + so much more! Learn more + join us at weareforgood.com.

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It’s easier to disengage with your work culture, release expectations, and vent about your dissatisfaction. What’s harder, but more rewarding, is being part of a morale turnaround effort. ❤️ Collective care is the way forward.

Welcome back to Gather At The Well, hosted by Lindsey Fuller, Executive Director of The Teaching Well. This conversation and series is a call to collective care, inviting us to build work cultures we don’t have to heal from. 

Join us for Episode 1, as we explore the power of human-centered leadership to create thriving, sustainable work cultures. Lindsey shares concrete strategies for operationalizing your values, elevating "culture keepers" on your team, and implementing policies that retain top talent. Live now 🎧

Episode Highlights

• Somatic Practice (3:00)
• The Importance of Human-Centered Policies (4:15)
• Human-Centered Leadership and Stress Management (9:00)
• Somatic Practice (9:50)
• Understanding Stress and Resilience (10:55)
• Human-Centered Policies and Team Dynamics (13:45)
• Defining Human-Centered Leadership (15:15)
• Creating Support Work Environments (22:01)
• Empowering Change Agents (29:21)
• Homework for Human-Centered Leadership (36:30)

Affirmations

• I prioritize my peace and safety.
• I may feel unsure but I have agency.
• I deserve a healthy workplace.
• When I am able, I lean towards solutions.
• I am a part of something bigger.
  
  

Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/human-centered-leadership

Support the show

Become a Member and Get All-Access to Everything We Are For Good!
Experience the Impact Uprising Membership by We Are For Good: an ecosystem to learn, connect + grow in the power of a value-aligned community. Members gather monthly with Jon + Becky at exclusive members-only meetups + get video access to all new podcast episodes in an ad-free experience + so much more! Learn more + join us at weareforgood.com.

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Meet Bellamy. 🤝 She’s known for her roles in hit shows like Scandal, Prodigal Son, and Promised Land, but Bellamy's passion extends far beyond the screen - she is also a dedicated ambassador for international humanitarian organization CARE. 🧡

Tune in to hear more about CARE’s holistic, community-driven approach to sustainable development, and a glimpse into Bellamy’s new limited podcast series, She Leads with CARE. 🎧  

From Vietnam to Ukraine to Tanzania, community leaders join Bellamy to share their life experiences to show how local empowerment programs are changing lives.Listen to our full conversation with Bellamy at the links in the comments. And be sure to listen + subscribe to She Leads with CARE, launching tomorrow. ✨

💡Learn: 

• How Bellamy's own experiences shaped her heart for service and advocacy.
• The inspiring origins of CARE and their unique approach to empowering communities.
• The ripple effect of empowering women and girls, uplifting entire communities.
• Practical ways you can get involved and make a difference.

Episode Highlights: 

• The Impact of CARE: Transforming Lives Globally (02:59)
• Empowering Women: The Heart of CARE’s Mission (06:01)
• Connecting Through Stories: The Power of Shared Humanity
• The Importance of Engagement and Connection (22:22)
• Finding Inspiration in Kindness (27:05)
• The Impact of Philanthropy and Generosity (28:33)
• Curiosity as a Path to Connection (32:19)

Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/608

Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/p0bihgwNOQV4BrflHkpceHdkY2o?utm_source=copy_url

Thank you to our partners 🩵

Big gratitude to Givebutter, RKD Group, DonorDock, Feathr, Whiteboard and Sowen for their partnership in growing the Impact Uprising. If you’re searching for a new CRM, tech tool, brand partner, direct mail partner, or impact strategist— we’d love for you to start with our trusted recs. We’ve vetted them so you don’t have to. Head to weareforgood.com/recs to learn more.

Support the show

Become a Member and Get All-Access to Everything We Are For Good!
Experience the Impact Uprising Membership by We Are For Good: an ecosystem to learn, connect + grow in the power of a value-aligned community. Members gather monthly with Jon + Becky at exclusive members-only meetups + get video access to all new podcast episodes in an ad-free experience + so much more! Learn more + join us at weareforgood.com.

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We are so thrilled to share that Gather At The Well - a limited series in partnership with our friends at The Teaching Well produced by We Are For Good Studio is back! 

Every other week - right here in the We Are For Good podcast feed, you can gather with us at this well, as we learn from Lindsey Fuller, the Executive Director of The Teaching Well.

This new 11 part series is all about creating human centered policies and building resilient organizations in the face of uncertainty and change. 

This isn’t just a podcast series—it’s a movement to reimagine how we relate to our work. And I think you’ll love it as much as we do.

It’s time to build work cultures we don’t have to heal from.

Now here’s a glimpse of what’s to come in this series - Episode 1 Launches Next Wednesday 🥳 Learn more here!

Support the show

Become a Member and Get All-Access to Everything We Are For Good!
Experience the Impact Uprising Membership by We Are For Good: an ecosystem to learn, connect + grow in the power of a value-aligned community. Members gather monthly with Jon + Becky at exclusive members-only meetups + get video access to all new podcast episodes in an ad-free experience + so much more! Learn more + join us at weareforgood.com.

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Meet Hali, the Founding Partner of Radical Strategies, founder of Asian Women Giving Circle and co-founder of Donors of Color Network. 🤝 Named to Forbes’ 50 Over 50: Impact in 2021, Hali Lee is reshaping philanthropy for the twenty-first century. In this episode, she shares her journey—from growing up as the child of Korean immigrants to the lasting influence of her freedom fighter grandfather—while championing the power of collective giving. 

Tune in to start rethinking traditional philanthropy and embrace community-driven change. 🎧

P.S Hali Lee’s newest book, The Big We, drops tomorrow! ✨ Packed with powerful stories of everyday Americans taking action together, it shows how small efforts can spark big civic change.

💡Learn:

• Transforming cultural traditions into meaningful philanthropic action.
• Harnessing personal stories and relationships to build a more inclusive community.
• Practical strategies for nonprofit professionals to deepen connections with donors.
• Reimagining philanthropy and civic engagement to empower everyday people, not just the wealthy elite.

Episode Highlights

• The Importance of Collective Giving (6:10)
• Critique of Billionaire Philanthropy (8:55)
• The Call to Action for Collective Change (17:54)
• Practical Steps for Fundraisers (22:50)
• One Good Thing: Inviting Connection and Join Something (32:20) 

Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/607

Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/DsRPhwUCP7p2Z3cfkrMXesT9gQw?utm_source=copy_url

Thank you to our partners 🩵

Big gratitude to Givebutter, RKD Group, DonorDock, Feathr, Whiteboard and Sowen for their partnership in growing the Impact Uprising. If you’re searching for a new CRM, tech tool, brand partner, direct mail partner, or impact strategist— we’d love for you to start with our trusted recs. We’ve vetted them so you don’t have to. Head to weareforgood.com/recs to learn more.

Support the show

Become a Member and Get All-Access to Everything We Are For Good!
Experience the Impact Uprising Membership by We Are For Good: an ecosystem to learn, connect + grow in the power of a value-aligned community. Members gather monthly with Jon + Becky at exclusive members-only meetups + get video access to all new podcast episodes in an ad-free experience + so much more! Learn more + join us at weareforgood.com.

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