Nonprofits don’t get enough credit for being hard. All the challenges of running a business, plus the added complexity of fundraising, donor management, and proving impact to people who want numbers. The founders in this section have built organizations that tackle real problems. And they’ve done it without the luxury of a profit motive making every decision simple.
These interviews cover the full nonprofit landscape. Education. Healthcare. Environmental. Social services. Arts. Advocacy. The organizations that fill the gaps where business and government fall short. Which is a lot of gaps.
The founders here are honest about the challenges. Fundraising fatigue. Board dynamics. The tension between overhead and impact. The constant pressure to do more with less. And the moments that make it all worth it, which tend to be quieter than the challenges.
You’ll find insights on nonprofit leadership, grant writing, community engagement, measuring impact, and the art of telling a story that makes people care enough to act. If you’re running a nonprofit, thinking about starting one, or working in the social impact space, these conversations offer perspective you won’t find in a management textbook.
[quote style=”boxed”]Live in California sooner. The entrepreneurial spirit is contagious, particularly in and around San Francisco.[/quote] Bridgett Luther comes to the Institute with a long history of involvement in environmental…
Meet Bridgett Luther – President of Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute
[quote style=”boxed”]Persistence. What we are trying to do has its own unique set of challenges, so it’s all about not letting up until we make progress. I’ve always been passionate…
[quote style=”boxed”]Don’t try and do everything on your own. Get advice from people who are knowledgeable on areas you are not. Hire people to take care of things that are…
[quote style=”boxed”]To believe in yourself, your project, your organization, and your worth, your dreams and your hope because no one else will. I don’t know how many times I heard…
[quote style=”boxed”]With passion and determination. I learned pretty early on that my greatest advantage is being willing to slug it out in any circumstance.[/quote] Geoff Weathersby is a recent graduate…
[quote style=”boxed”]I’d have worked with more discipline in the beginning, and with more focus which projects to take on, so as to have developed better momentum. And I’d have certainly…
Darius Shirzadi was born in New York City on July 14, 1972 to Evelyn and Faramarz Shirzadi. He grew up in Staten Island, New York until he was six years…
[quote style=”boxed”]…through creativity, design and a good programmer, you can truly change the world.[/quote] Russ Stoddard got bit with the entrepreneurial bug back in the lemonade stand days, and he…
[quote style=”boxed”]Everyone doesn’t need to start new companies or nonprofits. Sometimes the best solution is to join in and contribute to something that already exists.[/quote] Christian Gray was born and…
[quote style=”boxed”]In order to be successful, you must stay focused and confident that your ideas will one day change the world. I continue to use my passion to help me…
Meet Ralph Greenberg – Founder of The Key For Hope Foundation
[quote style=”boxed”]I worked nights for 8 years and learned that my body enjoys life much more when I live on a day schedule. I was afraid to take a day-shift…
[quote style=”boxed”]Great ideas deserve time, focus, criticism and iteration.[/quote] Josh Nesbit is the CEO of Medic Mobile, a nonprofit company using low-cost, mobile technology to create health systems that save…