What does it look like to hold fast and move forward—at the same time?

In this heart-filled wrap-up of our ImpactUp series, Jon + Becky reflect on eight powerful lessons that emerged from this season’s conversations around resilience, clarity, and building momentum in times of uncertainty.

From grounding ourselves in community to embracing the unknown, you’ll walk away with practical takeaways and a renewed sense of purpose. We talk about the power of story, the strength in showing up authentically, and how we can all anchor ourselves in values—especially when the world feels wobbly.

This one’s a love letter to nonprofit leaders, social impact folks, and anyone navigating change with heart. 💛

✨ You’ll learn:

• Why uncertainty isn’t something to fear—but something to move with

• How to build resilience personally + organizationally

• Why trust, community, and connection are the real growth strategies

• The kind of storytelling that fuels generosity and movement

Come get inspired—and reminded you’re not alone. Let’s keep moving forward, together.✨ Join us July 10 for ImpactUp: Movement!

We’re leaning into the theme Hold Fast—and exploring how community becomes our anchor in the midst of change. 💛

In this heart-filled episode, we’re joined by four of our Impact Up meetup hosts who are building something special in their corners of the world—from Denver to DC, Calgary to Caracas. Together, they’re proving that authentic connection and intentional gatherings can create real, lasting impact.Through their stories, we explore what it means to lead with love, embrace vulnerability, and foster trust in community spaces. These leaders remind us that gatherings aren’t about numbers—they’re about creating safe, brave spaces where quality conversations can unfold.

You’ll hear from:
Crystal Clark (Washington, DC), on showing up with love, even when the mission is heavy.Lisa Gareau (Calgary), on designing experiences that invite vulnerability, creativity, and courage.Bart Lillie (Denver), on how simple acts—like remembering a name—can deepen trust and belonging.Keicy Cabrera (Caracas), on building global community through WhatsApp and heart-led leadership.Together, they unpack what it means to hold fast to one another, create intentional gatherings, and fuel a global movement grounded in authenticity and care.If you’ve ever wondered how real change begins—it starts with community. And this episode is proof. ✨

Meet Heather Mason, Founder + CEO of Caspian Agency and Impact Lounge. 🤝

Heather is the creative force behind some of the world’s most powerful gatherings, from Skoll World Forum to Sundance activations, and she’s here to share what makes events not just successful but deeply meaningful. 💭

In this episode, we explore how intentional design, storytelling, and a deep sense of purpose can transform any gathering into a catalyst for change. Whether you’re planning a summit, workshop, or community meetup, Heather reminds us it’s not about doing more, it’s about doing it with heart. 💛

This convo will shift how you think about convening. 🎧 Tune in and walk away ready to gather with more purpose, clarity and impact.

Meet Mike, CEO of BuildGood 🤝. He’s here to share a thoughtful, grounded approach to fundraising in uncertain times.

In this episode, we dig into why “Today’s growth comes from today’s donors” isn’t just a clever phrase—it’s a mindset shift. From the game-changing nine-word email to the fundraising flywheel and the power of donor celebration, Mike’s sharing practical strategies that can turn transactional giving into transformational relationships.

He also offers insight into identifying multi-year supporters and using donor surveys to surface major gift potential—reminding us that growth doesn’t have to come from starting over, but from going deeper with the people already in your corner.

With a gentle reminder that consistency is key, Mike uses the analogy of gardening to illustrate how small, steady actions build trust over time. And in a world leaning into automation, he makes a compelling case for the enduring power of human connection.

Tune in for thoughtful insights and practical strategies to deepen donor relationships and fundraise with more intention. 🎧

Meet Obiekwe “Obi” Okolo, storyteller, creative director + culture alchemist. 🤝

In this episode of Hold Fast, we’re slowing down to explore the deep, healing power of story with Obi Okolo—visionary creative and founder of Bittersweet Creative. Born in Lagos, raised in Texas, and rooted in purpose, Obi invites us into a conversation about crafting stories that don’t just meet metrics—but move hearts.

From launching his own coffee brand to championing narratives that center identity, belonging, and truth, Obi reminds us that storytelling isn’t just a strategy. It’s soul work. It’s how we make meaning, deepen connection, and imagine new futures.

Your story isn’t a marketing tool—it’s an invitation to be seen, to feel, and to dream bigger.

🎧 Tune in and join us for one of the most heart-expanding conversations of the season.

Meet Alex, President and CEO of Newman’s Own Foundation. 🤝 100% of profits from Newman’s Own products go toward helping children facing adversity. With over $600 million donated to date, the Foundation continues Paul Newman’s bold vision of business as a force for good. Alex is also the author of The Answer Is You, a guide to living with impact.

In this episode, Alex shares how the 100% for Purpose model is reshaping philanthropy through community-led giving, tackling child food insecurity, and uplifting young changemakers.

Tune in to hear powerful stories of impact and learn how small actions can create real change. It’s a reminder that generosity starts wherever you are—and that we all have a part to play. 

How do you fund what matters when everything feels urgent—and uncertain? In this episode of our Hold Fast series, we sit down with Hali Lee—philanthropy innovator, author of The Big We, and founding partner of Radiant Strategies—for a candid conversation on funding with heart, courage, and community at the center. 

Hali shares hard-earned wisdom from building collective giving movements like the Asian Women Giving Circle and Donors of Color Network, reminding us that generosity flows through relationships, not just resources. Together, we explore how nonprofits can build trust-based funding relationships, embrace smart shifts toward diversification, and create spaces of belonging that inspire action. ❤️

If you’ve been craving practical strategies and soulful encouragement for navigating power imbalances, donor shifts, and fundraising burnout—this episode is your invitation to pause, reflect, and root deeper. 

In this Hold Fast episode, Ori Carmel invites us to slow down and rethink how we measure impact - not for the sake of data, but to create real, lasting change. Inspired by Thinking, Fast and Slow, Ori challenges us to move beyond vanity metrics and focus on what truly matters.

It’s part strategy session, part soul check-in packed with humor, heart, and practical wisdom. Whether you’re leading a team or aligning your daily work with a bigger mission, this conversation will leave you feeling grounded, encouraged, and equipped to lead with intention.

You’re not here to just check boxes. You’re here to create change. It’s your reminder and roadmap for doing just that. ✨

Meet Ali, the CEO of GreenLight Fund and former leader of Fresh Lifelines for Youth. He joins us to share how his lived experience fuels his commitment to equity-driven leadership and community transformation. 🩵

In this conversation, Ali unpacks GreenLight Fund’s unique model for scaling evidence-based nonprofits into new cities—and what it means to center community voice in every step. He speaks candidly about navigating leadership transitions, anchoring in values like justice and generosity, and why listening to those closest to the challenges is key to building lasting solutions. You'll hear timely insights for leading through change and striving for deeper, more sustainable impact. 🎧

In this episode of our Hold Fast series, we’re leaning into what it really means to lead with purpose—especially when the weight of funding pressures feels unrelenting. Iara Peng joins us for a heart-opening conversation that invites nonprofit leaders to breathe a little deeper and reimagine funding as a partnership, not just a transaction.

With compassion and clarity, Iara offers a vision for building trust-based relationships rooted in alignment and shared purpose. You’ll walk away with practical ways to pause the hustle, reclaim time for strategic thinking, prioritize fewer but better-aligned funders, and lean into storytelling as a spacious, powerful tool. It’s the reminder we all need: you are already enough. Your work matters. And there’s a more intentional, more human way forward. 💛

In this special episode of our Hold Fast series, we’re bringing you a replay from our March members-only meetup featuring nonprofit legal and operational powerhouse, Scott Curran.

As the former Chief General Counsel for the Clinton Foundation, Scott has navigated massive change and complexity — and he joined us to help you do the same. In this timely conversation, Scott walks us through the essential operational steps every nonprofit should be taking to prepare for a period of federal upheaval and uncertainty.

We cover everything from accounting and legal, to HR, leadership development, and board structure — with actionable takeaways you can put into practice right away. It’s grounding, insightful, and exactly the kind of clear-headed guidance we all need right now.

The world is changing—fast. As a nonprofit leader, how do you hold fast to your mission when everything feels uncertain? In this episode of our new Hold Fast series, we’re joined by Brooke Richie Babbage, founder of Bending Arc Consulting and host of the Nonprofit Mastermind Podcast, to break down what real resilience looks like in practice.

Brooke introduces her powerful framework for building a resilient organization—one that doesn’t just survive uncertainty but thrives through it. She shares the three core elements of resilience (Strategic Clarity, Capacity, and Capital) and walks us through her 4-step process for designing organizations that are strong, adaptable, and built to last.

If you’re leading a small team with limited capacity, feeling overwhelmed by uncertainty, or struggling to scale your impact, this episode is for you. You’ll walk away with practical, actionable steps to stabilize and grow your organization.

Plus, Brooke’s “One Good Thing” will change the way you think about resilience in your daily work.

Tune in to learn:
✅ What resilience really means for nonprofit organizations
✅ How to build clarity, capacity, and capital—even with a small team
✅ A step-by-step approach to designing a resilient, high-impact nonprofit
✅ How to move from feeling stuck to executing with confidence

Let’s build something that lasts. Listen now. 🎧✨

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 nonprofits, 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

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 🎧