In this episode of the Lead With Heart Podcast, I sit down with Nick Cooney, the founder and Managing Partner at Lever VC, a trailblazing early-stage venture capital fund focused on food tech, ag tech, and sustainable food innovation that is changing the game.

Together, we explore the interplay between venture capital and philanthropy that, if done well, can reshape the future of food. We dive into the world of impact investing, sustainable food systems, and the power of action-driven philanthropy. You'll also learn how to overcome your internal barriers and start helping others today.

In this episode:

• [01:55] How Nick started blending venture capitalism and philanthropy
• [06:01] How to overcome the barriers to a more sustainable food system
• [08:28] What nonprofits can do to advocate for a  better food system
• [12:14] What the ideal sustainable food system looks like
• [13:58] Two innovations that will reshape how the world eats
• [16:16] How investments and philanthropy can make food accessible for all
• [19:11] Nick's latest book and the high cost of inaction
• [21:25] Some internal barriers we face to helping others
• [26:44] Three strategies to start building your charitable muscles today
• [32:43] Choose how you use money for greater impact

Discover Nick's books, including his latest, What We Don't Do.

Send Haley a suggestion or request via text HERE!

My book, Sow, Grow, Lead is live on Amazon! It shares my journey of starting a nonprofit in Malawi and offers practical strategies to help nonprofit leaders turn visions into reality, and create meaningful impact

As the fundraising engine of choice for over 80,000 organizations in 90+ countries, Donorbox’s easy-to-use fundraising tools help you raise more money in more ways. Seamlessly embed a customizable donation form into your website that reduces donor drop-off with a 4x faster checkout, launch a crowdfunding or peer-to-peer campaign, sell event tickets, raise funds on the go with Donorbox Live™ Kiosk, and much more. Learn more at donorbox.org

The EmC Masterclass by Dr. Lola Gershfeld will help you enhance your communication skills to raise more revenue for your mission. This groundbreaking Emotional Connection process has been integrated into top universities’ curriculum and recognized by international organizations. Use code LEADWITHHEART to enjoy a -10%.

CONNECT WITH HALEY
Haley is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), Stress Management Coach, and EmC trainer. She founded The Savvy Fundraiser, a nonprofit consulting and coaching business, and has experience with nonprofits in human services, homelessness, and youth sectors. Specializing in EmC, leadership, board development, and fundraising, Haley is dedicated to empowering nonprofit leaders to create thriving organizations.
Instagram: @thesavvyfundraiser
LinkedIn: Haley Cooper, CFRE
Website: thesavvyfundraiser.com

Produced by Ideablossoms

I'm excited to welcome Ben Williamson to the Lead With Heart Podcast. Ben is  the Director of Recruitment at Ambitious Impact, a dynamic organization, reshaping how we identify and support the next generation of nonprofit leaders. He works with their Charity Entrepreneurship program, an incubator for nonprofits, where he helps people move from good intentions to real-world impact.

 Ben brings a refreshingly honest and insightful perspective to the table from hard-earned lessons of starting and shutting down a charity that wasn't delivering results, to focusing on what really matters to create impact, to spotting the unexpected qualities that make founders thrive.

In this episode:

• [02:45] How Ben found his own way to create social impact
• [05:12] Why Ben is focusing on international development
• [07:12] Ben's journey to building a nonprofit in West Africa
• [10:46] Navigating the vast cultural differences around family planning
• [16:03] Ben's brave decision to shut down his nonprofit
• [21:06] What founders must keep in mind when starting a nonprofit
• [24:40] Measuring what really matters in delivering real change
• [33:17] The traits behind excellent nonprofit founders
• [36:53] Advice for aspiring nonprofit founders to take the first step

Learn more about Charity Entrepreneurship, the incubator for nonprofits

Send Haley a suggestion or request via text HERE!

My book, Sow, Grow, Lead is live on Amazon! It shares my journey of starting a nonprofit in Malawi and offers practical strategies to help nonprofit leaders turn visions into reality, and create meaningful impact

As the fundraising engine of choice for over 80,000 organizations in 90+ countries, Donorbox’s easy-to-use fundraising tools help you raise more money in more ways. Seamlessly embed a customizable donation form into your website that reduces donor drop-off with a 4x faster checkout, launch a crowdfunding or peer-to-peer campaign, sell event tickets, raise funds on the go with Donorbox Live™ Kiosk, and much more. Learn more at donorbox.org

The EmC Masterclass by Dr. Lola Gershfeld will help you enhance your communication skills to raise more revenue for your mission. This groundbreaking Emotional Connection process has been integrated into top universities’ curriculum and recognized by international organizations. Use code LEADWITHHEART to enjoy a -10%.

CONNECT WITH HALEY
Haley is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), Stress Management Coach, and EmC trainer. She founded The Savvy Fundraiser, a nonprofit consulting and coaching business, and has experience with nonprofits in human services, homelessness, and youth sectors. Specializing in EmC, leadership, board development, and fundraising, Haley is dedicated to empowering nonprofit leaders to create thriving organizations.
Instagram: @thesavvyfundraiser
LinkedIn: Haley Cooper, CFRE
Website: thesavvyfundraiser.com

Produced by Ideablossoms

In this episode of the Lead with Heart Podcast, I’m honored to welcome someone I've known my whole career, Sara Garske, the principal and founder of Elwood Advisors. With over 25 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, she works with nonprofits, foundations, and individual philanthropists to create sustainable and impactful giving and fundraising strategies.

We explore trust-based philanthropy, ways to engage and empower different generations in their philanthropic journey, and more. So, whether you're an individual donor, part of a foundation, or part of a nonprofit, you will find practical strategies that will help you create greater impact.

In this episode:

• [02:44] Sara's 25+ year journey of thriving in philanthropy
• [06:27] What philanthropy is really about
• [07:18] What the role of a philanthropic advisor looks like
• [08:10] Help family foundations evolve past checkbook giving
• [11:07] How trust-based philanthropy can lead to greater impact
• [12:42] Ways nonprofits can build trust with family foundations
• [15:21] Strategies to navigate different generations' giving priorities
• [20:45] Transparency is critical for nonprofits
• [23:52] Effective ways to engage the next generation
• [26:54] Serving nonprofits and foundations with Elwood Advisors
• [29:02] Anyone can be a philanthropist

Catch up with my talk with Jenn Klein in episode 24 of Lead With Heart.

CONNECT WITH SARA

LinkedIn: Sara Garske

Website: elwoodadvising.com

Send Haley a suggestion or request via text HERE!

My book, Sow, Grow, Lead is live on Amazon! It shares my journey of starting a nonprofit in Malawi and offers practical strategies to help nonprofit leaders turn visions into reality, and create meaningful impact

As the fundraising engine of choice for over 80,000 organizations in 90+ countries, Donorbox’s easy-to-use fundraising tools help you raise more money in more ways. Seamlessly embed a customizable donation form into your website that reduces donor drop-off with a 4x faster checkout, launch a crowdfunding or peer-to-peer campaign, sell event tickets, raise funds on the go with Donorbox Live™ Kiosk, and much more. Learn more at donorbox.org

CONNECT WITH HALEY
Haley is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), Stress Management Coach, and EmC trainer. She founded The Savvy Fundraiser, a nonprofit consulting and coaching business, and has experience with nonprofits in human services, homelessness, and youth sectors. Specializing in EmC, leadership, board development, and fundraising, Haley is dedicated to empowering nonprofit leaders to create thriving organizations.
Instagram: @thesavvyfundraiser
LinkedIn: Haley Cooper, CFRE
Website: thesavvyfundraiser.com

Produced by Ideablossoms