Nonprofit Build Up (A. Nicole Campbell)

This week on the Nonprofit Build Up, we are discussing general support funding. This episode was recorded as the very first episode from our Fast Build Friday series, a web-series where we quickly build what you know about infrastructure design in the nonprofit sector.  

You may hear us talk a lot about general support funding or flexible funding on the Nonprofit Build Up podcast. Many leaders in the nonprofit sector, some of whom we have had as guests, are speaking out about how crucial general support funding is for creating sustainable and effective organizations. Nic made our first Fast Build Friday video about this topic as a 2020 trend for the nonprofit sector. But we did not want general support funding to simply be a trend, and this episode explains why. 

Dorian Burton’s passion for shifting the conversation in the sector from a deficit-based framework to an asset-rich framework comes through so clearly during our conversation. He shares practical advice for nonprofits and funders on how to begin the shift from charity to justice.

In this episode, Dorian focuses on how funders can and should listen to, work alongside, and partner with communities they’re serving in order to problem solve and also about how to ensure that those communities can create ways to be self-sustaining. This conversation inspires us to reflect on sustainability models, how we can create them on our own, and community partnership in order to change the way we address the root causes of inequity.

This episode was inspired by Nic’s conversation with a nonprofit CEO where they talked a lot about how nonprofits and philanthropies often focus on innovation as an outcome or a specific point in time. The conversation really made us reflect.

In the nonprofit sector, we often hear the word, innovation, but we do not talk as much about how an organization “becomes innovative.” And we struggle with determining how to fund innovation or defining innovation in the first place.

In this episode, Nic encourages us to dissect this topic; this episode explains the first of two building blocks about infrastructure and innovation. This first building block is meant to raise questions for you about how you think about and pursue innovation.

This week on the Nonprofit Build Up, we are discussing transitioning from concept to public charity. This episode was recorded as an episode from our Fast Build Friday series, a web-series where we quickly build what you know about infrastructure design in the nonprofit sector.   

In this episode, you will hear the first of two key considerations for transitioning to public charity status. The first consideration, which is critical, is to determine if you should, in fact, be a charitable entity. If you skip this step and go straight to assuming you should be a public charity simply because you want to have social impact, you will lose out on a lot of the vision and mission setting that is critical for building infrastructure and will likely be in an inappropriate entity, both of which will ultimately have an impact within the communities you serve. 

Do you know what strengthens fundraising and development efforts?

Knowing your organization's infrastructure.

And we have seen organizations with a firm grasp on their organizational infrastructure needs fare considerably better than organizations that are unaware.

Why should you think about building infrastructure when you are fundraising or engaged in development?

In this episode, Nic gives you 3 reasons why you need to pay critical attention to your infrastructure if you want to secure funding; all based on her time as counsel with a fundraising nonprofit and global funders as well as her work as an advisor to nonprofit organizations globally.

How are you using infrastructure in your fundraising and development efforts?

This week's guest on the Nonprofit Build Up is Dr. Randal Pinkett. Randal is an entrepreneur, speaker, author, and scholar, and a leading voice in business, technology, diversity and inclusion. He is the co-founder, chairman, and CEO of his fifth venture, BCT Partners, a multimillion-dollar research, training, consulting, technology, and data analytics firm headquartered in Newark, NJ.  

Randal really highlights the role of for-profit companies that are focused on social impact and the role that the for-profit sector can play in building and supporting equity. He offers advice to nonprofits and funders on the role of infrastructure and how to leverage big data to better understand and support stakeholders in determining community needs.

Before we start, we encourage you to ask yourself a couple of questions. Does it really matter how you build your infrastructure? Does how you build your infrastructure determine whether you can say, “No,” to a grant?

In this episode, Nic shares the second of three indicators of infrastructure strength that are connected to an organization’s ability to say, “No,” to funding – brave infrastructure building.

When you have the ability to say, “No,” it indicates that you are unapologetically building a strong foundation and infrastructure to support your work, which is what our communities need.

This week on the Nonprofit Build Up, Nic is talking with Shawn Dove. Shawn was the founding Chief Executive Officer of the Campaign for Black Male Achievement or CBMA, a national membership organization committed to improving the life outcomes for Black men and boys. Under Shawn’s leadership, CBMA leveraged more than $212 million in national and local funds for Black Male Achievement, and has grown to include nearly 6,000 individual and 3,000 organizational members across the U.S.

Shawn shared so many rich insights during this conversation and we wanted everyone to receive those insights so we broke this conversation into two parts. Make sure to listen to last week's episode, Episode 18, for a full bio and more leadership wisdom.

Welcome to the Nonprofit Build Up, hosted by A. Nicole Campbell. Discover insights from nonprofit and philanthropy leaders about assessing and building better organizational infrastructure, programmatic strategies, and challenging traditional sector approaches on how to support some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.

Nic is passionate about using her legal training, operations and strategy expertise, and knowledge of nonprofit law to think creatively to transform the way organizations work and learn from their work. Now, on the Nonprofit Build Up podcast, she brings that same dedication and passion to help nonprofits and philanthropies consistently and sustainably support the marginalized and vulnerable communities they serve.

The Nonprofit Build Up provides fundraising and development ideas, program strategy, innovative thinking, organizational structuring, and grant-making policies and practices for the sector to help you transform the way you and your organization work. For nonprofits, securing funding for work and operations, making better grants, designing stronger programs, and strengthening organizational infrastructure can be daunting while also trying to effect change in the communities they serve. And philanthropies can be challenged with how to support their grantees to create sustainable outcomes for the marginalized communities they serve. The bottom line is if you are struggling with how to build capacity and scale your impact, you are diverting your focus from the communities that need you.

Start the power shift. Here. Now. Join Nonprofit Build Up with A. Nicole Campbell today.

This week on the Nonprofit Build Up, Nic is speaking with Jamie Lieberman. Jamie is the owner and founder of Hashtag Legal: a "go-to" legal firm that allows business owners to be well informed about next steps, while feeling empowered to embrace what having a strong legal side can do for financial success.

Jamie has a deep commitment to making legal accessible and regularly speaks about these matters, the art of negotiation, and entrepreneurial topics at leading industry events such as Alt Summit, Podcast Movement, and FinCon and as an expert source for media like Digiday, Business Insider and Forbes.

As an experienced entrepreneur and practicing lawyer for over 15 years, Jamie understands the unique needs of business owners at different stages in their organization’s growth.

This week on the Nonprofit Build Up, Nic is speaking with Jonathan Soto. Jonathan is a community organizer, advocate, and mobilizer who is now running to represent the people of the Bronx’s 82nd Assembly District. He has dedicated his life to serving his community and has helped center the needs of some of the most vulnerable — leading AOC’s Homework Helpers Program which provided free tutoring to 500 students, organizing with workers to advocate for living wages, and more. 

Having over a decade of experience in law, urban planning, human rights advocacy, government administration, and other facets of work that directly impact the people of his community, Jonathan understands the need for transformative change that starts with brave leadership.

This week on the Nonprofit Build Up®, Nic is talking with Asta Petkeviciute and Thaddeus Squire of Social Impact Commons. Social Impact Commons is a nonprofit organization created to meet the evolving needs of the fiscal sponsorship community. SIC is building the first national network and community of practice, advancing management commons as a model of equitable and inclusive resource sharing for the nonprofit sector aka a next-generation approach to fiscal sponsorship.

This week on the Nonprofit Build Up, Nic is speaking with Doug Nelson, President & Managing Director of Discovery Group — a boutique consulting company working with orgs on issues related to governance, planning, and execution and a vision to bring together a group of talented and compassionate leaders. Doug is not only a leader, he is also award-winning in the areas of governance, culture, advocacy, and innovative granting, and he has raised nearly $1 billion for organizations in Canada and the United States.

This week on the Nonprofit Build Up®, Nic is continuing the conversation with Asta Petkeviciute and Thaddeus Squire of Social Impact Commons about equity in fiscal sponsorship. 

Social Impact Commons is a nonprofit organization created to meet the evolving needs of the fiscal sponsorship community. SIC is building the first national network and community of practice, advancing management commons as a model of equitable and inclusive resource sharing for the nonprofit sector aka a next-generation approach to fiscal sponsorship.

Over the next two weeks on the Nonprofit Build Up®, Nic is talking with DeAnna Hoskins, President and CEO of JustLeadership USA also known as JLUSA. DeAnna Hoskins has been at the helm of JLUSA since 2018. A nationally recognized leader and dynamic public speaker, she has been committed to the movement for racial and social justice, working alongside those most impacted by marginalization for over two decades. DeAnna leads from the perspective that collective leadership, advocacy for justice with reinvestment, and bold systems change are only possible when those who are most harmed are provided the tools and resources to demand change. You will not want to miss these episodes.

Over the next two weeks on the Nonprofit Build Up®, Nic is talking with DeAnna Hoskins, President and CEO of JustLeadership USA also known as JLUSA. DeAnna Hoskins has been at the helm of JLUSA since 2018. A nationally recognized leader and dynamic public speaker, she has been committed to the movement for racial and social justice, working alongside those most impacted by marginalization for over two decades. DeAnna leads from the perspective that collective leadership, advocacy for justice with reinvestment, and bold systems change are only possible when those who are most harmed are provided the tools and resources to demand change. You will not want to miss these episodes.

As nonprofits, we need to be responsive to the people’s needs at the moment while tackling the bigger structural issues as well. This is a powerful message that this episode’s guest can never overemphasize. Over the next two weeks for a special two-part series, Nic is talking with Sherrilyn Ifill, the seventh and current President and Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund (LDF), the nation's premier civil rights legal organization. This interview was recorded back in May 2020, when the country contended with both a pandemic and growing racial and social justice movements. Which, two years later, is still pressing on in addition to the war in Ukraine and inflated markets worldwide.

This week on the Nonprofit Build Up, we are continuing with the recast our very first episode of the Nonprofit Build Up. This week, you will hear the second part of Nic's conversation with Sherrilyn Ifill, President of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.

You can jump back to part one of the conversation to learn more about Sherrilyn's expertise, major accomplishments, and the transformational work of the Legal Defense Fund. Get ready to dive into the second part of Nic's conversation with Sherrilyn Ifill, where they discuss how funders can support nonprofit sustainability and more.

This week on the Nonprofit Build Up, Nic is talking with Yvonne Moore, the Managing Director of Moore Philanthropy and President of Moore Impact. 

Yvonne has over 25 years of experience in the government, civil society, and philanthropic sectors to their work in providing strategic and tailored philanthropic advisement and solutions to families, individuals, and institutions. Prior to launching Moore Philanthropy, Yvonne was the Chief of Staff to filmmaker and philanthropist Abigail E. Disney where she oversaw the family’s network of media, philanthropic and advocacy organizations. She ran the family’s private foundation, provide advisement on their personal philanthropic giving, both charitable and political, and led their expansion into international giving in 2008. 

This week on the Nonprofit Build Up, Nic is continuing the conversation with Yvonne Moore, the Managing Director of Moore Philanthropy and President of Moore Impact. Yvonne has over 25 years of experience in the government, civil society, and philanthropic sectors to their work in providing strategic and tailored philanthropic advisement and solutions to families, individuals, and institutions. Jump into part two of Nic's conversation with Yvonne, where they discuss how funders can approach funding organizations they do not know and reframing risk.

his week on the Nonprofit Build Up, we are discussing holding grant makers accountable for equity and inclusion. This episode was recorded as an episode from our Fast Build Friday series, a web-series where we quickly build what you know about infrastructure design in the nonprofit sector.  

In this episode, Nic shares the first of two recommendations for holding grant makers accountable by requiring them to share what they have done or are doing about equity in their grant making. It is the first part of a two part series.

This week on the Nonprofit Build Up, we are continuing the discussion about holding grant makers accountable for equity and inclusion. This episode was recorded as an episode from our Fast Build Friday series, a web-series where we quickly build what you know about infrastructure design in the nonprofit sector.  

In this episode, Nic shares the second recommendation to hold grant makers accountable - ensure they "put their money where their mouth is." It is the second part of a two-part series.

Over the next two weeks, we are recasting one of our very first episodes of the Nonprofit Build Up as a two-part series. In this episode, you will hear the first part of Nic's conversation with Susan Burton, a leader in the criminal justice reform movement, founder of A New Way of Life Reentry Project, and outspoken voice to end mass incarceration. Susan shares why she founded A New Way of Life, shines a light on the policies and practices that encourage mass incarceration, and offers advice for leaders and organizations for building infrastructure and investing in their communities. 

Susan Burton’s life story is incredibly powerful. She is a leader in the criminal justice reform movement, the founder of A New Way of Life Reentry Project, and an outspoken voice to end mass incarceration. Over the next two weeks, we are recasting one of our very first episodes of the Nonprofit Build Up as a two-part series. In this episode, you will hear the second part of Nic's conversation with Susan Burton, a leader in the criminal justice reform movement, founder of A New Way of Life Reentry Project, and outspoken voice to end mass incarceration. Susan shines a light on the policies and practices that encourage mass incarceration and offers advice for leaders and organizations for building infrastructure and investing in their communities. 

Over the next two weeks at the Non Profit Build Up, we will be exploring advocacy through grantmaking to charities and social welfare organizations. This week’s episode is an information-packed session led by Build Up’s CEO (and Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors’ General Counsel), A. Nicole Campbell, and RPA’s Senior Vice President and Corporate Secretary, Renee Karibi-Whyte. This presentation was originally recorded as a webinar in March 2022. It is the first part of a two-part series.

Nic provides guidance on how to support and structure grants to projects and programs containing advocacy, form successful partnerships within organizations engaged in advocacy, and engage in grant making to (for-profit and nonprofit) organizations engaged in advocacy. You won’t want to miss it.

This week at the Non Profit Build Up, we will be exploring advocacy through grantmaking to charities and social welfare organizations. This week’s episode is the second part of a two part series of an information-packed session led by Build Up’s CEO (and Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors’ General Counsel), A. Nicole Campbell, and RPA’s Senior Vice President and Corporate Secretary, Renee Karibi-Whyte. This presentation was originally recorded as a webinar in March 2022. It is the second part of a two-part series. Nic provides guidance on how to support and structure grants to projects and programs containing advocacy, form successful partnerships within organizations engaged in advocacy, and engage in grant making to (for-profit and nonprofit) organizations engaged in advocacy. You won’t want to miss it.

Over the next two weeks at the Non-Profit Build Up, we will be exploring the contracting process and how to engage in “Values-based Contracting for Grantmakers [while] Ensuring Alignment, Preserving the Partnership and Protecting Ownership”. This week’s episode is part one of a two-part informative session led by Build Up’s CEO (and Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors’ (RPA) General Counsel), A. Nicole Campbell, and moderated by RPA’s Senior Vice President and Corporate Secretary, Renee Karibi-Whyte. This presentation was originally recorded as a three-part webinar series in February 2022.

In addition to providing guidance on value-based contracts, Nic also addresses common concerns, discussing how to build trust throughout the contracting process, and exploring the potential risks of using standard templates without customization. You won’t want to miss it.

Over the next week at the Non-Profit Build Up, we will be exploring the contracting process and how to engage in “Values-based Contracting for Grantmakers: Ensuring Alignment, Preserving the Partnership and Protecting Ownership”. This week’s episode is part one of a two-part informative session led by Build Up’s CEO (and Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors’ (RPA) General Counsel), A. Nicole Campbell, and moderated by RPA’s Senior Vice President and Corporate Secretary, Renee Karibi-Whyte. This presentation was originally recorded as a three-part webinar series in February 2022.

In addition to providing guidance on value-based contracts, Nic also addresses common concerns, discusses how to build trust throughout the contracting process, and explores the potential risks of using standard templates without customization.

Over the next two weeks at the Non-Profit Build Up, we will be exploring the context and common concerns on “Cross-Border Grantmaking: Due Diligence and Legal Considerations for Global Grantmaking”. This week’s episode is part one of a two-part information-packed session led by Build Up’s CEO (and Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors’ General Counsel), A. Nicole Campbell, and moderated by RPA’s Senior Vice President and Corporate Secretary, Renee Karibi-Whyte. This presentation was originally recorded in April 2022. This is a two part series.

Nic provides an overview of the global giving landscape; reviews definitions and descriptions of expenditure responsibility and equivalency determination, which are concepts that arise frequently within cross-border grant making; and reminds us about compliance considerations to keep in mind when making international grants. You won’t want to miss it.

This week at the Non-Profit Build Up, we will be exploring the context and common concerns on “Cross-Border Grantmaking: Due Diligence and Legal Considerations for Global Grantmaking”. This week’s episode is part two of a two-part information-packed session led by Build Up’s CEO (and Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors’ General Counsel), A. Nicole Campbell, and moderated by RPA’s Senior Vice President and Corporate Secretary, Renee Karibi-Whyte. This presentation was originally recorded in April 2022. This is a two part series.

Nic provides an overview of the global giving landscape; reviews definitions and descriptions of expenditure responsibility and equivalency determination, which are concepts that arise frequently within cross-border grant making; and reminds us about compliance considerations to keep in mind when making international grants. You won’t want to miss it.

Over the next two weeks at the Non-Profit Build Up, we will be exploring the context and common concerns on “Managing Risk for Equitable Grant Making”. This week’s episode is part one of a two-part panel discussion originally recorded at the PEAK 2022 Conference. Moderated by Build Up’s CEO, A. Nicole Campbell and in conversation with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Deputy Director, Melanie Brown, JustLeadershipUSA's President and CEO DeAnna Hoskins, and Herald Advisor’s Principal, Aleesha Taylor. This presentation was originally recorded in March 2022. This is a two-part series.

Nic, Melanie, DeAnna, and Aleesha dive into the practice of progressive grantmaking, the inequities that traditional grantmaking have on the marginalized communities it aims to serve, and how to align the definition of risk with an organization’s appetite for risk. You won’t want to miss it.

This week at the Non-Profit Build Up, we will be exploring the context and common concerns on “Managing Risk for Equitable Grant Making”. This week’s episode is part two of a two-part panel discussion originally recorded at the PEAK 2022 Conference. Moderated by Build Up’s CEO, A. Nicole Campbell and in conversation with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Deputy Director, Melanie Brown, JustLeadershipUSA's President and CEO DeAnna Hoskins, and Herald Advisor’s Principal, Aleesha Taylor. This presentation was originally recorded in March 2022. This is a two-part series.

Nic, Melanie, DeAnna, and Aleesha dive into the practice of progressive grantmaking, the inequities that traditional grantmaking have on the marginalized communities it aims to serve, and how to align the definition of risk with an organization’s appetite for risk. You won’t want to miss it.

During this week and next at the Nonprofit Build Up, a two-part series solocast by Build Up Companies’ CEO and Managing Attorney, A. Nicole Campbell is a reflective and thought-provoking perspective on what it means for organizations, philanthropies, and grassroots movements to have “Legal Capacity as Capacity Building."

Recent events such as the overturning of Roe vs. Wade, the mass shootings across America, and other recent tragedies have shown the importance of institutions needing to have the capacity to build bravely. In this episode, Nic dives into the direct role that legal capacity has to build an organization in a way that lasts. You won’t want to miss it.

This week at the Nonprofit Build Up, a two-part series solocast by Build Up Companies’ CEO and Managing Attorney, A. Nicole Campbell is a reflective and thought-provoking perspective on what it means for organizations, philanthropies, and grassroots movements to have “Legal Capacity as Capacity Building."

Recent events such as the overturning of Roe vs. Wade, the mass shootings across America, and other recent tragedies have shown the importance of institutions needing to have the capacity to build bravely. In this episode, Nic dives into the direct role that legal capacity has to build an organization in a way that lasts. You won’t want to miss it.

Over the next two weeks at the Nonprofit Build Up, Nic is talking with Nancy Murphy, Founder and President of CSR Communications on “Leading within Organizational Change”. Nancy has designed and implemented sustainability, community engagement, and philanthropic strategies for companies such as UPS and Johnson Controls, and nonprofit organizations, including W.K. Kellogg Foundation and Annie E. Casey Foundation.  

Nancy will be sharing insights on leading, supporting, strategizing, and re-energizing big change initiatives, especially given the current climate. You won’t want to miss it.

This week at the Nonprofit Build Up, Nic is talking with Nancy Murphy, Founder and President of CSR Communications on “Leading within Organizational Change”. Nancy has designed and implemented sustainability, community engagement, and philanthropic strategies for companies such as UPS and Johnson Controls, and nonprofit organizations, including W.K. Kellogg Foundation and Annie E. Casey Foundation.  

Nancy will be sharing insights on leading, supporting, strategizing, and re-energizing big change initiatives, especially given the current climate. You won’t want to miss it.

This week on the Nonprofit Build Up, we are making the case for general support funding. This episode was originally recorded as a webinar with Angelyn Frazer-Giles, Executive Director of the National Network for Justice. Angelyn was previously featured on the Nonprofit Build Up Episode 9- Increasing Access for Grassroots Organizations.

You will hear us talk a lot about general support funding or flexible funding on the Nonprofit Build Up podcast, including Episode 22 - General Support Funding with A. Nicole Campbell.  Many leaders in the nonprofit sector are speaking out about how crucial general support funding is for creating sustainable and effective organizations. And we agree. This episode goes a little deeper into discussing why the majority of funding is not general support and what the delays are that slow down general support grants from becoming the default grants of the sector.

This week on the Nonprofit Build Up, we are making the case for general support funding. This episode was originally recorded as a webinar with Angelyn Frazer-Giles, Executive Director of the National Network for Justice. Angelyn was previously featured on the Nonprofit Build Up Episode 9- Increasing Access for Grassroots Organizations.

You will hear us talk a lot about general support funding or flexible funding on the Nonprofit Build Up podcast, including Episode 22 - General Support Funding with A. Nicole Campbell.  Many leaders in the nonprofit sector are speaking out about how crucial general support funding is for creating sustainable and effective organizations. And we agree. This episode goes a little deeper into discussing why the majority of funding is not general support and what the delays are that slow down general support grants from becoming the default grants of the sector.

As nonprofits, we need to be responsive to the people’s needs at the moment while tackling the bigger structural issues as well. This is a powerful message that this episode’s guest can never overemphasize. Over the next two weeks we will be recasting a special two-part series, Nic is talking with Sherrilyn Ifill, the seventh and current President and Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund (LDF), the nation’s premier civil rights legal organization. This interview was recorded back in May 2020, when the country contended with both a pandemic and growing racial and social justice movements. Which, two years later, is still pressing on in addition to the war in Ukraine and inflated markets worldwide. Listen in and learn about the immense power of being responsive as we close out the month focused on Leading within Change. 

As nonprofits, we need to be responsive to the people’s needs at the moment while tackling the bigger structural issues as well. This is a powerful message that this episode’s guest can never overemphasize. Over the next two weeks we will be recasting a special two-part series, Nic is talking with Sherrilyn Ifill, the seventh and current President and Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund (LDF), the nation’s premier civil rights legal organization. This interview was recorded back in May 2020, when the country contended with both a pandemic and growing racial and social justice movements. Which, two years later, is still pressing on in addition to the war in Ukraine and inflated markets worldwide. Listen in and learn about the immense power of being responsive as we close out the month focused on Leading within Change. 

Over the next two weeks on the Nonprofit Build Up®, Nic is talking with DeAnna Hoskins, President and CEO of JustLeadership USA also known as JLUSA. DeAnna Hoskins has been at the helm of JLUSA since 2018. A nationally recognized leader and dynamic public speaker, she has been committed to the movement for racial and social justice, working alongside those most impacted by marginalization for over two decades. DeAnna leads from the perspective that collective leadership, advocacy for justice with reinvestment, and bold systems change are only possible when those who are most harmed are provided the tools and resources to demand change. You will not want to miss these episodes.

This week on the Nonprofit Build Up®, Nic is talking with DeAnna Hoskins, President and CEO of JustLeadership USA also known as JLUSA. DeAnna Hoskins has been at the helm of JLUSA since 2018. A nationally recognized leader and dynamic public speaker, she has been committed to the movement for racial and social justice, working alongside those most impacted by marginalization for over two decades. DeAnna leads from the perspective that collective leadership, advocacy for justice with reinvestment, and bold systems change are only possible when those who are most harmed are provided the tools and resources to demand change. You will not want to miss these episodes.

Over the next two weeks on the Nonprofit Build Up®, Nic is talking all things cultural competence, leadership, and effective teams. 

Originally published on the Stacking Your Team (SYT) podcast with Team and Leadership Coach and SYT Podcast Host Shelli Warren of Biz Chix, Nic deep dives into what cultural competence means, its competitive edge, and its significance when embodied not only across teams but in leadership positions as well. You will not want to miss these episodes.

This week on the Nonprofit Build Up is part two of a two-part series led by Build Up's CEO and managing attorney, Nic Campbell, and moderated by Shelli Warren of Biz Chicks, Team and Leadership Coach, and Stacking Your Team podcast host.

You can jump back to part one of the conversation to learn more about defining culturally competent leadership where Nic is talking about all things cultural competence, leadership and effective teams. Originally published on October 4th, 2022, Nic continues to explore what cultural competence means, its competitive edge in business and its significance when embodied not only across teams but in leadership positions as well. 

As nonprofits, we need to be responsive to the people’s needs at the moment while tackling the bigger structural issues as well. This is a powerful message that this episode’s guest can never overemphasize. In this special two-part series, Nic is talking with Sherrilyn Ifill, the seventh and current President and Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund (LDF), the nation’s premier civil rights legal organization. This interview was recorded back in May 2020, when the country contended with both a pandemic and growing racial and social justice movements. Which, two years later, is still pressing on in addition to the war in Ukraine and inflated markets worldwide. Listen in and learn about the immense power of being responsive and other lessons and information born out of decades in service of the people.

As nonprofits, we need to be responsive to the people’s needs at the moment while tackling the bigger structural issues as well. This is a powerful message that this episode’s guest can never overemphasize. Nicole Campbell brings in Sherrilyn Ifill, the seventh and current President and Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund (LDF), the nation’s premier civil rights legal organization. 

In this conversation, Sherrilyn talks about the work they are doing at LDF and how it is transforming the lives of countless discriminated and disadvantaged members of the Black community. She also shares her advice for nonprofits and philanthropies to build better. Listen in and learn about the immense power of being responsive and other lessons and information born out of decades in service of the people.

Over the next two weeks on the Nonprofit Build Up®, Nic is talking with Yvonne Moore, the Managing Director of Moore Philanthropy and President of Moore Impact. Yvonne has over 25 years of experience in the government, civil society, and philanthropic sectors to their work in providing strategic and tailored philanthropic advisement and solutions to families, individuals, and institutions. Prior to launching Moore Philanthropy, Yvonne was the Chief of Staff to filmmaker and philanthropist Abigail E. Disney where she oversaw the family’s network of media, philanthropic and advocacy organizations. She ran the family’s private foundation, provide advisement on their personal philanthropic giving, both charitable and political, and led their expansion into international giving in 2008. These episodes are profound.

Over the next two weeks on the Nonprofit Build Up®, Nic is talking with Yvonne Moore, the Managing Director of Moore Philanthropy and President of Moore Impact. Yvonne has over 25 years of experience in the government, civil society, and philanthropic sectors to their work in providing strategic and tailored philanthropic advisement and solutions to families, individuals, and institutions. Prior to launching Moore Philanthropy, Yvonne was the Chief of Staff to filmmaker and philanthropist Abigail E. Disney where she oversaw the family’s network of media, philanthropic and advocacy organizations. She ran the family’s private foundation, provide advisement on their personal philanthropic giving, both charitable and political, and led their expansion into international giving in 2008. These episodes are profound.

Nic talks with DeAnna Hoskins, President and CEO of JustLeadership USA also known as JLUSA. DeAnna Hoskins has been at the helm of JLUSA since 2018. A nationally recognized leader and dynamic public speaker, she has been committed to the movement for racial and social justice, working alongside those most impacted by marginalization for over two decades. DeAnna leads from the perspective that collective leadership, advocacy for justice with reinvestment, and bold systems change are only possible when those who are most harmed are provided the tools and resources to demand change. You will not want to miss these episodes.

Nic talks with Nancy Murphy, Founder and President of CSR Communications on “ Leading within Organizational Change”. Nancy has designed and implemented sustainability, community engagement, and philanthropic strategies for companies such as UPS and Johnson Controls, and nonprofit organizations, including W.K. Kellogg Foundation and Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Nancy will be sharing insights on leading, supporting, strategizing, and re-energizing big change initiatives, especially given the current climate. You won’t want to miss it.

Nic talks with Nancy Murphy, Founder and President of CSR Communications on “ Leading within Organizational Change”. Nancy has designed and implemented sustainability, community engagement, and philanthropic strategies for companies such as UPS and Johnson Controls, and nonprofit organizations, including W.K. Kellogg Foundation and Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Nancy will be sharing insights on leading, supporting, strategizing, and re-energizing big change initiatives, especially given the current climate. You won’t want to miss it.

Over the next two weeks, we are recasting one of our very first episodes of the Nonprofit Build Up as a two-part series. In this series, you will hear Nic’s conversation with Susan Burton, a leader in the criminal justice reform movement, founder of A New Way of Life Reentry Project, and outspoken voice to end mass incarceration.

 Susan shares why she founded A New Way of Life, shines a light on the policies and practices that encourage mass incarceration and offers advice for leaders and organizations for building infrastructure and investing in their communities. 

In this two-week series, we will be exploring the context and common concerns on “Managing Risk for Equitable Grant Making”. This week’s episode is part one of a two-part panel discussion originally recorded at the PEAK 2022 Conference.

Moderated by Build Up’s CEO, A. Nicole Campbell and in conversation with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Deputy Director, Melanie Brown, JustLeadershipUSA’s President and CEO DeAnna Hoskins, and Herald Advisors Principal, Aleesha Taylor. This presentation was originally recorded in March 2022. This is a two-part series.

Nic, Melanie, DeAnna, and Aleesha dive into the practice of progressive grantmaking, the inequities that traditional grantmaking has on the marginalized communities it aims to serve, and how to align the definition of risk with an organization’s appetite for risk. You won’t want to miss it.

In this two-week series, we will be exploring the context and common concerns on “Managing Risk for Equitable Grant Making”. This week’s episode is part one of a two-part panel discussion originally recorded at the PEAK 2022 Conference.

Moderated by Build Up’s CEO, A. Nicole Campbell and in conversation with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Deputy Director, Melanie Brown, JustLeadershipUSA’s President and CEO DeAnna Hoskins, and Herald Advisors Principal, Aleesha Taylor. This presentation was originally recorded in March 2022. This is a two-part series.

Nic, Melanie, DeAnna, and Aleesha dive into the practice of progressive grantmaking, the inequities that traditional grantmaking has on the marginalized communities it aims to serve, and how to align the definition of risk with an organization’s appetite for risk. You won’t want to miss it.

This week on the Nonprofit Build Up®, Nic is talking with Asta Petkeviciute and Thaddeus Squire of Social Impact Commons. Social Impact Commons is a nonprofit organization created to meet the evolving needs of the fiscal sponsorship community. SIC is building the first national network and community of practice, advancing management commons as a model of equitable and inclusive resource sharing for the nonprofit sector aka a next-generation approach to fiscal sponsorship.

This week on the Nonprofit Build Up®, Nic is talking with Asta Petkeviciute and Thaddeus Squire of Social Impact Commons. Social Impact Commons is a nonprofit organization created to meet the evolving needs of the fiscal sponsorship community. SIC is building the first national network and community of practice, advancing management commons as a model of equitable and inclusive resource sharing for the nonprofit sector aka a next-generation approach to fiscal sponsorship.

In this recast of the Nonprofit Build Up, Nic is speaking with Doug Nelson, President & Managing Director of Discovery Group — a boutique consulting company working with organizations on issues related to governance, planning, and execution and a vision to bring together a group of talented and compassionate leaders. Doug is not only a leader, but he is also award-winning in the areas of governance, culture, advocacy, and innovative granting, and he has raised nearly $1 billion for organizations in Canada and the United States.

On this recast of the Nonprofit Build Up, we’re talking with Geoffrey Canada. Geoff is a leading advocate for children and an innovator in the field of education. He created the Harlem Children’s Zone, a birth-through-college network of programs that today serves more than 13,000 low-income students and families in a 97-block area of Central Harlem in New York City. The unprecedented success of the Harlem Children’s Zone has attracted the attention of the media and leaders around the world.

In this episode, Geoff shares tremendous insight, knowledge, and practical advice for everyone listening, helping us to build and lead bravely.

This week on the Nonprofit Build Up, we are recasting a conversation Nic has with Jamie Lieberman. Jamie is the owner and founder of Hashtag Legal: a “go-to” legal firm that allows business owners to be well informed about "When does a Nonprofit Need a Lawyer?" while feeling empowered to embrace what having a strong legal side can do for financial success.

Today's podcast is focused on giving you a preview of our upcoming Fall programming as we'll be taking Summer Break from June through the end of our Summer here in the US and coming back with new episodes in the Fall. 

We have lots of exciting conversations underway. Some include previewing the work of the entities within the Build Up Companies - Build Up Advisory Group, The Campbell Law Firm, and Build Up, Inc. - and others focused on centering our infrastructure work with brave nonprofits and philanthropies and historically marginalized communities. We also have interesting topics impacting leaders from historically marginalized communities, including discussing systemic barriers to equitable compensation as well as Black-centered leadership within organizations, just to name a few of these topics.

We hope you have a great Summer break and we'll be back on the airwaves soon.

In this week's episode of the Nonprofit Build Up, "The Nonprofit Sector, Reimagined", Nic speaks with Vu Le, Founder of the Nonprofit AF blog, which focuses on nonprofit hot topics for nonprofit leaders. Tune in to this episode to hear Nic and Vu speak candidly about the philanthropic sector, including fundraising power dynamics, philanthropic trends, and rethinking the way the nonprofit sector shows up when working to support historically marginalized communities.

In this week's episode of Nonprofit Build Up, "Re-envisioning the Way We Work in the Nonprofit Sector," Nic speaks with Cassie Haynes, former Co-Executive Director and Co Founder of Resolve Philly, and Jean Friedman- Rudovsky, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Resolve Philly, whose work centers on improving how misrepresented communities are covered by the media. In this episode, Nic, Cassie, and Jean discuss Resolve Philly's work, the impetus for why the organization was created, essential changes to help the nonprofit sector evolve, and the power of people-centered infrastructure in the sector.

In this week’s episode of Nonprofit Build Up, we share part one of a two part episode, “Build Up, Inc.’s Black-led Fiscal Sponsorship” where Nic speaks with Amanda Nasinyama, Director of Strategic Initiatives, and Ajani Husbands, Vice President of Strategic Planning and Senior Counsel, of Build Up Companies, working with Build Up, Inc. a member organization that is a public charity and operates as a fiscal sponsor and capacity builder.

In this episode, Nic, Amanda, and Ajani discuss Build Up, Inc.’s work, the impetus for the organization's creation, and the fiscally sponsored projects it serves. They also explore what sets BUI's mission apart, as they focus on providing capacity building support to brave women and Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC)-led organizations, networks, and collectives. 

In this week’s episode of Nonprofit Build Up, we share the final conversation for 2023 as we close for the holidays and return in the new year.

This part two of a two part episode, “Build Up, Inc.’s Black-led Fiscal Sponsorship” includes Nic speaking with Amanda Nasinyama, Director of Strategic Initiatives, and Ajani Husbands, Vice President of Strategic Planning and Senior Counsel, of Build Up Companies, working with Build Up, Inc. a member organization that is a public charity and operates as a fiscal sponsor and capacity builder.

In this episode, Nic, Amanda, and Ajani continue to discuss Build Up, Inc.’s work, the impetus for the organization's creation, and the fiscally sponsored projects it serves. They also explore what sets BUI's mission apart, as they focus on providing capacity building support to brave women and Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC)-led organizations, networks, and collectives.

To read about our speakers, check out their bio and transcript for this conversation here. 

Today’s episode of The Nonprofit Build Up Podcast is part 1 of a 2 part conversation titled “Drowning in Black Genius with Marcus Littles and A. Nicole Campbell” is a personal favorite. And while this topic could be discussed any time of the year we wanted to be sure that while the world is celebrating Black History this month, we can allow them to also pay attention to the literal present day genius of Black folks as well. In today’s episode Marcus Littles, Founder and Senior Partner, at Frontline Solutions discusses his organization’s evolution over the last 18 years. Frontline Solutions, while a management consulting firm, was never intended to be just that. This Black-founded and led company is comprised of a diverse team of activists, scholars, advocates, coaches, strategists, and artists. They draw on these multifaceted perspectives and lived experiences to engage with organizations in the journey toward their boldest, most expansive visions. Tune in to learn more about how Frontlines continues to build and support an ecosystem that is "Drowning in Black Genius."

Marcus Littles, Founder and Senior Partner

A strategist and visionary, Marcus has been instrumental in directing philanthropic investment at the intersection of race and gender. In 2005, he founded Frontline to advise philanthropists on a multi-billion-dollar investment in Gulf Coast recovery in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Since then, Marcus has led Frontline in reimagining the role of “consultant” and becoming an integral part of the racial justice ecosystem.

Marcus is passionate about connecting with members of his network to leverage individual and collective assets to create a more equitable world. Over the course of his career, he has pursued racial justice in several sectors, including government, philanthropy, and education. In 2016, Marcus was named one of Living Cities’ 25 Disruptive Leaders Who Are Working to Close the Racial Opportunity Gaps, alongside Ta-Nehisi Coates and Angela Glover Blackwell.

Marcus is a visiting scholar at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. He serves on the boards of The Beautiful Project, Brotherhood Sister Sol, and School Justice Project, as well as the advisory boards of Communities for Just Schools Fund and the Alliance for Boys and Men of Color. A native of Mobile, Alabama, Marcus is a graduate of Auburn University. He holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Delaware.

Transcript forthcoming. 

Today’s episode of The Nonprofit Build Up Podcast is part 2 of a 2 part conversation titled “Drowning in Black Genius with Marcus Littles and A. Nicole Campbell”. While this topic could be discussed any time of the year we wanted to be sure that while the world is celebrating Black History this month, we can allow them to also pay attention to the literal present day genius of Black folks as well. In today’s episode Marcus Littles, Founder and Senior Partner, at Frontline Solutions continues to discuss his organization’s evolution over the last 18 years. Frontline Solutions, while a management consulting firm, was never intended to be just that. This Black-founded and led company is comprised of a diverse team of activists, scholars, advocates, coaches, strategists, and artists. They draw on these multifaceted perspectives and lived experiences to engage with organizations in the journey toward their boldest, most expansive visions. Tune in to learn more about how Frontlines continues to build and support an ecosystem that is "Drowning in Black Genius."

Marcus Littles, Founder and Senior Partner:
A strategist and visionary, Marcus has been instrumental in directing philanthropic investment at the intersection of race and gender. In 2005, he founded Frontline to advise philanthropists on a multi-billion-dollar investment in Gulf Coast recovery in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Since then, Marcus has led Frontline in reimagining the role of “consultant” and becoming an integral part of the racial justice ecosystem.

Marcus is passionate about connecting with members of his network to leverage individual and collective assets to create a more equitable world. Over the course of his career, he has pursued racial justice in several sectors, including government, philanthropy, and education. In 2016, Marcus was named one of Living Cities’ 25 Disruptive Leaders Who Are Working to Close the Racial Opportunity Gaps, alongside Ta-Nehisi Coates and Angela Glover Blackwell.

Marcus is a visiting scholar at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. He serves on the boards of The Beautiful Project, Brotherhood Sister Sol, and School Justice Project, as well as the advisory boards of Communities for Just Schools Fund and the Alliance for Boys and Men of Color. A native of Mobile, Alabama, Marcus is a graduate of Auburn University. He holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Delaware.

Today's Non Profit Build Up podcast episode as we sit in conversation with the one and the only Nic Campbell, our incredible Founder, CEO, and Managing Attorney. In today's episode we discuss all things 4 Day Work Week (4DWW). 

From October 2023-January 2024, Build Up has been piloting a 4DWW. In part 1 of 2 part episode, Nic and I discuss how the 4DWW is just one component of the Build Up’s identity as a learning organization to create opportunities for learning and development for each team member as well as within the Build Up framework. Further we discuss how the 4DWW also underscores the importance of a people-centered infrastructure within Build Up that recognizes rest and a rejuvenized team as critical infrastructure components.

We hope that this conversation invites you to consider how can you position yourself for success to transition to your version of a 4DWW. 

You don't want to miss this episode. 

Today's Non Profit Build Up podcast episode as we sit in conversation with the one and the only Nic Campbell, our incredible Founder, CEO, and Managing Attorney. In today's episode we discuss all things 4 Day Work Week (4DWW). 

From October 2023-January 2024, Build Up has been piloting a 4DWW. In part 1 of 2 part episode, Nic and I discuss how the 4DWW is just one component of the Build Up’s identity as a learning organization to create opportunities for learning and development for each team member as well as within the Build Up framework. Further we discuss how the 4DWW also underscores the importance of a people-centered infrastructure within Build Up that recognizes rest and a rejuvenized team as critical infrastructure components.

We hope that this conversation invites you to consider how can you position yourself for success to transition to your version of a 4DWW. 

You don't want to miss this episode. 

Today's Non Profit Build Up podcast episode is an insightful conversation with Dr. Aleesha Taylor, a leading voice in philanthropy and nonprofit leadership. We delve into the transformative work being led by Dr. Taylor, with a spotlight on Herald Advisors, a firm she founded after her impactful tenure at the Open Society Foundations.

In this episode, Dr. Taylor shares the genesis of Herald Advisors and how it emerged from her deep desire to facilitate initiatives that profoundly impact communities. We discuss the complex interplay of philanthropic funds, the power dynamics within organizations, and the systems-level changes needed to truly effect lasting impact.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in systems change, strategic philanthropy, and the intricacies of nonprofit leadership. Dr. Taylor’s insights challenge us to think critically about how we can better support communities through authentic, accountable, and impactful philanthropy.

Don’t miss this conversation that will inspire you to reconsider how you engage with the sector. 🎧

Dr. Aleesha Taylor, Principal, Herald Advisors

Dr. Aleesha Taylor is passionate about marshaling resources to benefit vulnerable communities and address pervasive social problems. She has over 20 years of experience leading at the intersection of education, philanthropy, and international development. Aleesha is the Founder and Chief Strategist of Herald Advisors, a boutique strategic advisory firm that helps clients maximize their impact through thought partnership, organizational capacity building, program and strategy design, and leadership and team development. Herald Advisors works with a global range of philanthropies, nonprofit organizations, and networks to strengthen teams and programs and develop sound fundraising and partnership strategies. Sample clients and projects include:

Gender at the Center Initiative: Designed partnership and governance arrangements for the multistakeholder initiative to advance gender equality across eight African countries.

Lever for Change: Impact Partner leading efforts to strengthen diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice across finalists’ proposals for awards ranging from five to one hundred million (USD).

Education.org (formerly Insights for Education): Served as Interim Chief Technical Officer, establishing MOUs with the Government of Kenya and USAID and designing national and global strategies to increase the availability and use of relevant data for decision-making.

Chemonics: Provides design and implementation support for USAID-funded education projects.

Comic Relief-US: Positioned entity to leverage $23 million investment from Salesforce for global programs that address intergenerational poverty.

She is the former Deputy Director of the Open Society Foundations’ global education program, where she managed a team across five countries to implement a global grantmaking portfolio and advanced priorities and partnerships on behalf of the foundations’ Chairman and President. Aleesha was central to the creation of the Private Sector/Foundations constituency of the Global Partnership for Education’s Board of Directors and served as its representative on the Board’s Financial Advisory Committee, which channeled $1.2 billion in grant funding to developing country governments during her tenure.

Aleesha was a Lecturer in International Educational Development at Columbia University’s Teachers College, where she also completed her doctoral studies. She also holds degrees in psychology from Spelman College and the Graduate Faculty for Political and Social Sciences of the New School for Social Research. She has written numerous articles and chapters and is the Co-Editor of Partnership Paradox: The Post-Conflict Reconstruction of Liberia’s Education System, Foreword by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Today’s episode of The Nonprofit Build Up Podcast is part 2 of our deep dive into "Transformative Philanthropy" with Dr. Aleesha Taylor, founder of Herald Advisors. Dr. Taylor passionately shares how Herald Advisors was born from her relentless drive to create real, lasting change in communities.

In this episode, she breaks down the intricate challenges of philanthropic funding, internal power structures, and the bold, systems-level shifts needed to achieve meaningful impact. If you're serious about driving systems change, strategic philanthropy, and effective nonprofit leadership, this episode is essential listening.

Dr. Taylor’s insights will push you to think critically about how we can truly support communities with accountable, authentic, and impactful philanthropy.

Dr. Aleesha Taylor, Principal, Herald Advisors

Dr. Aleesha Taylor is passionate about marshaling resources to benefit vulnerable communities and address pervasive social problems. She has over 20 years of experience leading at the intersection of education, philanthropy, and international development. Aleesha is the Founder and Chief Strategist of Herald Advisors, a boutique strategic advisory firm that helps clients maximize their impact through thought partnership, organizational capacity building, program and strategy design, and leadership and team development. Herald Advisors works with a global range of philanthropies, nonprofit organizations, and networks to strengthen teams and programs and develop sound fundraising and partnership strategies. Sample clients and projects include:

Gender at the Center Initiative: Designed partnership and governance arrangements for the multistakeholder initiative to advance gender equality across eight African countries.

Lever for Change: Impact Partner leading efforts to strengthen diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice across finalists’ proposals for awards ranging from five to one hundred million (USD).

Education.org (formerly Insights for Education): Served as Interim Chief Technical Officer, establishing MOUs with the Government of Kenya and USAID and designing national and global strategies to increase the availability and use of relevant data for decision-making.

Chemonics: Provides design and implementation support for USAID-funded education projects.

Comic Relief-US: Positioned entity to leverage $23 million investment from Salesforce for global programs that address intergenerational poverty.

She is the former Deputy Director of the Open Society Foundations’ global education program, where she managed a team across five countries to implement a global grantmaking portfolio and advanced priorities and partnerships on behalf of the foundations’ Chairman and President. Aleesha was central to the creation of the Private Sector/Foundations constituency of the Global Partnership for Education’s Board of Directors and served as its representative on the Board’s Financial Advisory Committee, which channeled $1.2 billion in grant funding to developing country governments during her tenure.

Aleesha was a Lecturer in International Educational Development at Columbia University’s Teachers College, where she also completed her doctoral studies. She also holds degrees in psychology from Spelman College and the Graduate Faculty for Political and Social Sciences of the New School for Social Research. She has written numerous articles and chapters and is the Co-Editor of Partnership Paradox: The Post-Conflict Reconstruction of Liberia’s Education System, Foreword by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

In this special episode of the Build Up podcast, we’re celebrating five years of growth, evolution, and impact at the Build Up Companies with Katy Thompson, the very first employee and now the Director of Global Operations and Culture. Katy joins our Founder, CEO, and Managing Attorney of The Build Up Companies, Nic Campbell, to reflect on the journey of BUC, from its early days to the global presence it holds today. 

Katy shares her unique perspective, having started as the Executive Assistant, and now leading operations and culture across the organization. Together, Nic and Katy discuss the challenges and triumphs of growing a small, dynamic team, maintaining strong relational connections, and embodying the core values of being brave, ever-learning, relational, and striving for excellence. 

The conversation dives into pivotal moments that shaped BUC’s path, including how brave innovation and a commitment to excellence have driven their success. They explore how these values will guide BUC’s next five years and beyond. 

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in leadership, organizational growth, and the intricacies of building a value-driven and people-centered company culture. Tune in to hear insights from Katy and Nic on how to create lasting impact in a constantly evolving sector.  

In this special episode of the Build Up podcast, we’re celebrating five years of growth, evolution, and impact at the Build Up Companies with Katy Thompson, the very first employee and now the Director of Global Operations and Culture. Katy joins our Founder, CEO, and Managing Attorney of The Build Up Companies, Nic Campbell, to reflect on the journey of BUC, from its early days to the global presence it holds today.

Katy shares her unique perspective, having started as the Executive Assistant, and now leading operations and culture across the organization. Together, Nic and Katy discuss the challenges and triumphs of growing a small, dynamic team, maintaining strong relational connections, and embodying the core values of being brave, ever-learning, relational, and striving for excellence.

The conversation dives into pivotal moments that shaped BUC’s path, including how brave innovation and a commitment to excellence have driven their success. They explore how these values will guide BUC’s next five years and beyond.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in leadership, organizational growth, and the intricacies of building a value-driven and people-centered company culture. Tune in to hear insights from Katy and Nic on how to create lasting impact in a constantly evolving sector.

Katy Thompson, Director of Global Operations and Culture

Katy Thompson is passionate about sparking positive change globally. She holds a BS in Intelligence and National Security and an MS in Environmental Studies from Point Park University and has had diverse professional experiences that have taken her around the globe. Throughout her studies and career, Katy has focused on connecting food security and national security, sustainability, and innovation, finding simple solutions to serve as powerful tools for social and economic development. Katy firmly believes that building effective organizations with robust infrastructure is the key to making a measurable impact.

At Build Up, Katy is responsible for managing The Build Up Companies’ processes and operations around the globe. She directs a portfolio of projects to strengthen the Companies’ internal infrastructure, and ensures that systems, processes, and policies are in place to support internal operations as well as our clients’ work.

Outside of the office, Katy is a 200-Hour Registered Yoga Teacher, specializing in yoga for addiction and recovery. When she is not working or on her yoga mat, you can find her getting lost in a good book.

In this episode of Non Profit Build Up Podcast, we dive into the key components of creating an innovative grant-making fund with our Vice President of Strategic Impact and Principal, Hayley Smith. Hayley joins our Founder, CEO, and Managing Attorney, Nic Campbell to explore strategies for overcoming limited resource allocation, including the importance of getting your internal infrastructure in order before experimenting with new grant-making methods. We also discuss how to promote innovation funds, attract high-quality proposals, and foster critical partnerships with those most impacted by grant funding—like potential grantees, community members, and partner organizations. 

Join us as we examine how to define priority funding areas, evaluate project success, and ensure an innovation fund remains effective and relevant over time. Whether you're a funder, nonprofit leader, or simply interested in reshaping resource allocation for greater impact, this conversation is for you! 

Two weeks ago, we shared part 1 of our conversation on the Non Profit Build Up Podcast. Now, we're excited to present part 2! In this episode, our Vice President of Strategic Impact and Principal, Hayley Smith, continues the discussion with our Founder, CEO, and Managing Attorney, Nic Campbell. We delve deeper into creating an innovative grant-making fund, overcoming limited resource allocation, and the significance of establishing a solid internal infrastructure before trying new grant-making methods. We also cover promoting innovation funds, attracting high-quality proposals, and building essential partnerships with potential grantees, community members, and partner organizations.

Join us as we continue on defining priority funding areas, evaluate project success, and ensure an innovation fund remains effective and relevant over time. Whether you're a funder, nonprofit leader, or simply interested in reshaping resource allocation for greater impact, this conversation is for you! 

🎧 Tune in now to catch part two of this inspiring conversation: https://lnkd.in/eQtDX372

In this episode of the Non-Profit Build Up Podcast, we explore the critical role of fiscal sponsorship in justice reform with special guest Jennifer Toon. Jennifer, Executive Director for Lioness JIWA and a powerful advocate for system-impacted women, joins our Founder, CEO, and Managing Attorney, Nic Campbell, to discuss how fiscal sponsorship creates capacity and provides essential support for justice-impacted communities. 

Together, they dive into the unique challenges and opportunities of building infrastructure, securing funding, and sustaining advocacy work. Jennifer shares her personal journey, offering insights into why trauma-informed leadership is essential and how fiscal sponsorship can be a pathway to amplify the voices and efforts of marginalized communities. 

Join us as we unpack strategies for developing sustainable support structures, fostering partnerships, and navigating the complexities of justice reform funding. Whether you're a nonprofit leader, funder, or advocate looking to better understand the impact of fiscal sponsorship, this conversation is for you! 

Jennifer Toon, Project Director for Lioness: JIWA

Jennifer Toon is a passionate prison abolitionist. As a formerly incarcerated woman, her experience with the criminal legal system began at age 15 when she was adjudicated under Texas determinate sentencing laws. Her conviction started a long journey through 27 years of criminal justice involvement. Jennifer has been published in The Texas Observer, The Marshall Project, The Guardian and is also the co-host of On the Rec Yard: Women’s Prison Podcast. As the Project Director for Lioness, Jennifer aspires to use her lived experience to bring attention to the often-forgotten voices of other system-impacted women, youth, and people with disabilities. She lives in Austin, Texas with her cat Taylor, who embodies the mischievous energy of Taylor Swift.

In this episode of the Non-Profit Build Up Podcast, we explore the critical role of fiscal sponsorship in justice reform with special guest Jennifer Toon. Jennifer, Executive Director for Lioness JIWA and a powerful advocate for system-impacted women, joins our Founder, CEO, and Managing Attorney, Nic Campbell, to discuss how fiscal sponsorship creates capacity and provides essential support for justice-impacted communities. 

Together, they dive into the unique challenges and opportunities of building infrastructure, securing funding, and sustaining advocacy work. Jennifer shares her personal journey, offering insights into why trauma-informed leadership is essential and how fiscal sponsorship can be a pathway to amplify the voices and efforts of marginalized communities. 

Join us as we unpack strategies for developing sustainable support structures, fostering partnerships, and navigating the complexities of justice reform funding. Whether you're a nonprofit leader, funder, or advocate looking to better understand the impact of fiscal sponsorship, this conversation is for you! 

🎧 Tune in here at our website https://buildupcompanies.com/podcast/ or on Apple and Spotify Podcasts. 

In this episode of the Nonprofit Build Up Podcast, we delve into the transformative concept of decolonizing fiscal sponsorship with Build Up Inc. team members Ajani Husbands, Vice President of Strategic Planning and Senior Counsel, Amanda Nasinyama, Director of Strategic Initiatives, and Chioma Amaechi, Program Associate. Together, with the President of BUI, Nic Campbell they reflect on the past year’s accomplishments, share valuable insights, and discuss how centering cultural relevance and equity has reshaped their approach to supporting BIPOC-led projects and initiatives. 

From onboarding impactful projects to leading thought-provoking discussions at national conferences, the team explores their commitment to creating inclusive, flexible, and collaborative fiscal sponsorship models. They share their experiences supporting grassroots organizations, addressing systemic inequities, and building sustainable infrastructure for long-term success. 

Join us as we unpack how Build Up Inc. is driving systemic change through their innovative pillars of decolonization, fostering trust, and empowering leaders to achieve meaningful impact. Whether you’re a nonprofit leader, funder, or advocate, this episode will leave you inspired to reimagine fiscal sponsorship for equity and justice. 

In this episode of the Nonprofit Build Up Podcast, we delve into the transformative concept of decolonizing fiscal sponsorship with Build Up Inc. team members Ajani Husbands, Vice President of Strategic Planning and Senior Counsel, Amanda Nasinyama, Director of Strategic Initiatives, and Chioma Amaechi, Program Associate. Together, with the President of BUI, Nic Campbell they reflect on the past year’s accomplishments, share valuable insights, and discuss how centering cultural relevance and equity has reshaped their approach to supporting BIPOC-led projects and initiatives. 

From onboarding impactful projects to leading thought-provoking discussions at national conferences, the team explores their commitment to creating inclusive, flexible, and collaborative fiscal sponsorship models. They share their experiences supporting grassroots organizations, addressing systemic inequities, and building sustainable infrastructure for long-term success. 

Join us as we unpack how Build Up Inc. is driving systemic change through their innovative pillars of decolonization, fostering trust, and empowering leaders to achieve meaningful impact. Whether you’re a nonprofit leader, funder, or advocate, this episode will leave you inspired to reimagine fiscal sponsorship for equity and justice. 

This week on the Nonprofit Build Up, Nic is speaking with Andrew Schulman. Andrew is the founder and a principal at Schulman Consulting: America’s only consulting and advisory firm exclusively focused on the fiscal sponsorship sector, guiding dozens of clients – fiscal sponsors and sponsored projects, large and small – in overcoming a variety of challenges.

This week on the Nonprofit Build Up, we’re talking Veta Richardson. Veta is President and CEO of the Association of Corporate Counselor (ACC), the world’s largest professional association for in-house counsel. With more than 43,000 members spanning 85 nations and staff located in North America, Asia, Australia, and soon, Europe, ACC offers a global voice and thought leadership for the in-house community.

Veta is widely recognized for corporate governance leadership, having been named to the prestigious Directorship 100 list four times. Previously, as executive director of the Minority Corporate Counsel Association , Veta was widely recognized for thought leadership in the areas of diversity and inclusion and advised hundreds of Fortune 1000 companies and multinational law firms to establish and strengthen their diversity and inclusion programs. 

This week on the Nonprofit Build Up, we’re talking with Geoffrey Canada. Geoff is a leading advocate for children and an innovator in the field of education. He created the Harlem Children’s Zone, a birth-through-college network of programs that today serves more than 13,000 low-income students and families in a 97-block area of Central Harlem in New York City. The unprecedented success of the Harlem Children’s Zone has attracted the attention of the media and leaders around the world. 

In this episode, Geoff shares tremendous insight, knowledge, and practical advice for everyone listening, helping us to build and lead bravely.

Susan Burton’s life story is incredibly powerful. She is a leader in the criminal justice reform movement, the founder of A New Way of Life Reentry Project, and an outspoken voice to end mass incarceration. And in this episode, she shares why she founded A New Way of Life, shines a light on the policies and practices that encourage mass incarceration, and offers advice for leaders and organizations for building infrastructure and investing in their communities. 

Susan’s advice is so incredibly transparent, honest, and powerful. It encourages us to rethink what it means to have vision, how to invest in marginalized communities, and how to build sustainably. We encourage you to listen and absorb all of the information Susan shares about how we can each write and appreciate a new narrative. 

In this episode, Nic explores the connection between infrastructure and the ability to say, “No,” to a grant. She shares the first of 3 indicators of infrastructure strength that are connected to an organization’s ability to say, “No,” to funding – revenue diversification.

Being terrified of even the thought of saying, “No,” to a sizable grant is often an indicator of a weakened infrastructure, namely insufficient revenue diversification. Revenue diversification feeds your sustainability. And your sustainability impacts the way you serve vulnerable communities.

Diversifying your revenue often strengthens both your ability to say, “No,” and your infrastructure.

When you think of innovation, do you also think about accountability? Do you think you need accountability in your infrastructure in order to innovate?

In this episode, Nic shares the second building block about infrastructure and innovation – true innovation requires accountability. Having built organizational infrastructure for years now, Nic sees accountability as the element that heavily contributes to sustained innovation. And sustained innovation transforms worlds and lives.

This week on the Nonprofit Build Up, we’re continuing our conversation about general support funding. This episode was originally recorded as a webinar with Angelyn Frazer-Giles, Executive Director at the National Network for Justice.

In this episode, Nic gets technical and discusses how to request general support grants and how to structure these awards to nonprofits and social-impact entities. Angelyn and Nic also address how to build relationships and trust and redefine risk to effectively transition to general support.

This week on the Nonprofit Build Up®, Nic is talking with Eric Ressler, Founder and Creative Director of Cosmic, a social-impact creative agency with a mission to help organizations that aim to move humanity forward fulfill their goal by refining their approaches towards design and communications. He has substantial experience with brand and digital-based strategies and has worked on projects on a national *and* international scale.

Listen in as Eric shares insight on how to use storytelling and branding to not only communicate your organization's mission, but also connect with those who can work with your organization to help create meaningful impact.

This interview is a must-listen for leaders who want to build robust organizations carefully and are interested in seeing the global perspectives that are present within the sector in order to build big-bet organizations that are community-led and focused. Amanda has a strong track record for the successful development and implementation of new business and project ventures. You’ll see this expertise, her deliberateness, and thoughtfulness come through in our conversation as well. Her responses will make you rethink value and appreciate the importance of reflection in your work. 

As Amanda shares in our conversation, let’s reimagine what’s possible. 

Many for-profit companies are getting involved in supporting change, *especially* throughout the holiday season; and it's something your organization might be interested in!

Do you know which you one(s) should be working with? How to strengthen your partnership(s)? How to remain compliant with nonprofit laws while partnering with a for-profit company?

Having structured many of these partnerships, Nic knows that regardless of the amount of leverage or resources you bring to a partnership, you should control key aspects of the partnership.

In this episode, Nic talks about how to successfully form a corporate partnership; sharing 2 considerations to help guide how you engage with corporate partners.

Strong partnerships can have strong impact and change the narrative and course for so many communities. So, let's make sure they are built well.

What do you think about corporate partnerships?

This week on the Nonprofit Build Up, we’re talking with Ricardo Castro, the Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary of the International Rescue Committee. This conversation was recorded last year in 2020 when we were at the height of an international health crisis...that we’re still finding our way through. Ricardo is captivating in how he speaks about IRC’s work and how IRC is responding to yet another crisis and helping countries around the world. He also talks about how essential it is for nonprofits to share their stories and to consider and illustrate the impact of their interventions. He also points out how funders need to be more flexible and adaptable in what they require of grantees in moments of crisis and how the sector should focus less on process and more on support. 

Ricardo also discusses the importance of funding infrastructure development to ensure that all organizations, including grassroots organizations, can share the important stories of marginalized communities. This conversation encourages us all to reflect on how we can adapt to the needs of the moment and how we can thoughtfully build more resilient organizations. 

This week on the Nonprofit Build Up, we are defining infrastructure. This episode was recorded as an episode from our Fast Build Friday series, a web-series where we quickly build what you know about infrastructure design in the nonprofit sector.

There are so many definitions of infrastructure floating around. And since we use the term ‘infrastructure’ frequently throughout this podcast, we wanted to take a moment and provide insight on how we define it. Once we have defined infrastructure, we need to build it stronger and faster because communities are counting on us.

Angelyn Frazer-Giles is honest and compelling in how she speaks about the work of NNJ and how they’re staying true to their mission. She talks about how to support grassroots organizations, leanly-staffed organizations, and organizations engaged in direct services work in the criminal justice space. 

In this episode, Angelyn shares her advice for nonprofits to remain true to their mission and goals to continue to show up for the communities they’re serving instead of pivoting for short-term returns. And she discusses the role of philanthropy in increasing access for grassroots organizations that have been traditionally excluded from conversations. This conversation encourages us all to reimagine what the sector and society could become if we placed big-bets on grassroots organizations.

The idea of a free press and protection of investigative journalism is so critical, and Kay Murray’s role ensures that much-needed information is shared within society. 

In this episode, Kay talks about the role that journalism plays in ensuring that marginalized voices are heard. She shares her perspective on what’s currently happening in journalism, the impact on small nonprofit news organizations, and changes on the horizon within the sector. She gives advice to nonprofits and funders on how to navigate the uncertainty and unrest that was at play last summer, and, in many ways, is still at issue now.

During our conversation, you’ll hear Kay say that, “There is still room for innovation.” And that is why this conversation is so powerful. It encourages all of us to keep experimenting, to keep building, and to keep supporting nonprofit growth, particularly the growth of news organizations, to become sustainable.

Jean Lee is clear and compelling in how she speaks about MCCA’s work and how they’re being creative and responsive during the crisis. She also talks about the importance of thinking outside-the-box, appreciating the diversity of the nonprofit ecosystem, and reflecting on the reason why your organization exists in order to better serve the communities you work with.

During this conversation, Jean asks the question, “How can we improve our communities to show humanity, to show kindness?” Such a powerful question. It forces us to think about how we can continue to support organizations that will allow us not to go back to a time that was unacceptable to those of us who are committed to social justice.  

This conversation encourages us to use the moment we’re in to not only focus on surviving, but to use our leadership to improve our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in order to build thriving communities. 

This week on the Nonprofit Build Up, we are continuing to share practical recommendations for nonprofits for surviving the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. This second part of the discussion was originally recorded as a webinar in March 2020 to address the difficult questions that surfaced as a result of the crisis.

In this episode, Nic shares funding conversation fundamentals that nonprofits can use during and post-crisis. You will hear Nic talk about crisis funding conversations, key funding elements, amending grant agreements, and innovative funding tools. All are critical to nonprofit sustainability.

This week on the Nonprofit Build Up, we’re talking with Lawrence Mendenhall. Lawrence is the Chief Operating Officer of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the 32,000-member association for America’s eye surgeons, where he leads the Academy’s communications, memberships, marketing, finance, technology, facilities, security, and corporate services functions. 

Lawrence has held operational and legal leadership roles for philanthropies ranging from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation to Humanity United, a startup human rights foundation created by eBay’s founder. Earlier in his career, he spearheaded The Pew Trusts’ change from domestic grantmaking foundation to international operating nonprofit as well as its successful effort to save Philadelphia’s Barnes Foundation. 

Over the next two weeks on the Nonprofit Build Up, we are discussing grant making. This week we are focusing on making grants to organizations that are not US public charities. This episode was recorded as an episode from our Fast Build Friday series, a web-series where we quickly build what you know about infrastructure design in the nonprofit sector.   

In this episode, you will hear 3 key recommendations that will help funders and these organizations sustain a movement, ideas, and change. We will also provide a link to a previous Fast Build Friday episode about effectively working with intermediary organizations, which may be another way to fund these organizations, in the show notes. 

This week on the Nonprofit Build Up, we are discussing infrastructure considerations for nonprofit or social-impact start-ups. This episode was recorded as an episode from our Fast Build Friday® series, a web-series where we quickly build what you know about infrastructure design in the nonprofit sector.

We think a compelling vision and strategy is at the core of sustainability for nonprofit and social-impact startups. Many of the guests from past episodes of the Nonprofit Build Up would agree that you cannot transform outcomes or sustainably build without both. It is a topic we have discussed extensively. Still, should a startup really spend considerable time creating a compelling vision and strategy when it has to attract funding and resources from donors, partners, and supporters to survive in those early stages?

In this episode, you will hear the first of two fundamental infrastructure considerations for nonprofit or social-impact startups. Nic shares why you need a compelling programmatic vision and strategy in order to build a strong infrastructure and a sustainable organization.

This week on the Nonprofit Build Up, we’re talking with Carol Baldwin Moody, President and CEO of Legal Momentum, The Women’s Legal Defense and Education Fund. Carol has developed a reputation for her outstanding efforts to fight for equality. Her work specifically focuses on educational, economic, and gender equality. She's widely recognized for her broad regulatory experience, domestically and internationally. With a strong focus on organizational culture, her specialties include global risk management, regulatory compliance, and corporate governance. 

Carol’s passion and expertise are so clearly illustrated in this episode as she speaks about the work of Legal Momentum and its focus on providing support during the inequities of the pandemic. She also shares practical advice for nonprofits and funders about the power of prevention in social justice and the importance of shifting from an ecosystem of competition to collaboration within the sector. This conversation is going to encourage you to embrace new ways of working and collaborating within the nonprofit sector.

This week on the Nonprofit Build Up, Nic is talking with Sarah Shanley Hope. Sarah is the VP of Brand + Partnerships at The Solutions Project following seven years as the organization’s first Executive Director. Under Sarah’s leadership, the organization transformed its mission and culture to center racial and gender equity, launched the field’s first and only award-winning intermediary climate and equity fund, and grew a celebratory, collaborative and inclusive movement for 100 percent clean energy.

Sarah has held executive or leadership roles at the Alliance for Climate Education, Green For All, Cargill and Best Buy over her 15+ years of experience in brand strategy and social change.