In this episode, we spotlight Yolanda Valenzuela, Executive Director of Kim’s Angels Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Kim Rapier and Glenn Verrett, which has donated over $100 million to nonprofits worldwide. Yolanda shares how her deep nonprofit experience helps allocate resources, foster collaboration, and support organizations in times of need. From rapid disaster response to surprise donations, she reveals the foundation’s impactful giving strategies.

Key Takeaways:

• Collaborative Giving: Kim’s Angels requires nonprofits to work together, creating a network of shared resources.
• Diverse Impact: The foundation supports a wide range of causes globally, making funding decisions carefully.
• The Joy of Giving: Surprise donations and personal connections amplify the foundation’s impact.
• Sustainable Fundraising: Nonprofits must diversify funding and maximize event profitability.
• Rapid Response Philanthropy: Their immediate $2M commitment to the Uvalde tragedy demonstrates their swift, direct approach to giving.

Don’t miss this episode on the power of giving and community-driven change! 🎧

In this inspiring episode of Non-Profit North Stars with Jim Eskin, we spotlight Cody Knowlton, President and CEO of the Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio. Since 2012, Cody has led the foundation in awarding grants to nearly 100 nonprofits annually, impacting healthcare, food security, and faith-based initiatives. With a background in higher education fundraising, Cody brings a unique perspective on both sides of philanthropy—soliciting and granting funds. He shares insights into the challenges of fundraising, the foundation’s most impactful grants, and how faith and strategy drive their mission.

Key Takeaways:
Fundraising vs. Grantmaking: Cody reflects on his years in fundraising and grantmaking, explaining why soliciting gifts is often more challenging than deciding who receives funding.
✅ The Power of Strategic Giving: The foundation has awarded over $100 million in grants while growing its endowment from $150M to $270M, showing the impact of responsible financial stewardship.
✅ Transformative Grants: Learn about the foundation’s first $1M grant to UT Health’s Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s, setting a precedent for high-impact giving.
✅ Faith as a Guiding Principle: The foundation’s mission is deeply rooted in faith, ensuring their work supports not just health initiatives but also the greater good of the community.

Tune in to hear how Cody and the Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio are making a lasting difference, one grant at a time.

In this episode of Non-Profit North Stars with Jim Eskin, we spotlight Larry Kosow, Principal and Treasurer of Venture Tape, whose lifelong passion for philanthropy and Boston University has shaped his extraordinary journey. A dedicated BU alumnus with a deep family legacy at the university, Larry has played a pivotal role in supporting BU’s storied hockey program, including funding the university's TV broadcast booth in memory of his father.

Larry shares the story of his family's immigration, perseverance, and entrepreneurial success—how his grandfather's journey through Ellis Island and his father's service in World War II led to a deep-rooted commitment to education and philanthropy. He also dives into his love for BU hockey, his involvement with the Friends of BU Hockey, and how sports became a bridge between his family's values and his philanthropic efforts.

✅ Family Legacy & Philanthropy – How generational values shaped Larry’s commitment to giving back.
✅ The Power of Education – The impact of BU on Larry’s life and why he continues to support its programs.
✅ Building Community Through Sports – How Larry’s involvement in BU hockey helped forge a lasting legacy.
✅ Lessons in Business & Nonprofits – Insights from Larry’s entrepreneurial journey and how they translate to nonprofit success.
✅ Giving Back With Purpose – The importance of philanthropy in creating lasting change.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation about leadership, legacy, and the power of community.

In this episode of Non-Profit North Stars, host Jim Eskin sits down with Dr. Susan Korbel, founder of Core Research, to discuss the crucial role market research plays in the nonprofit sector. With over three decades of experience, Dr. Korbel has helped countless organizations—both public and private—make informed decisions that maximize their impact. From strategic planning to feasibility studies, she shares how nonprofits can apply research to stretch their resources and better fulfill their missions.

This insightful conversation sheds light on how nonprofits can leverage data to navigate today’s challenges, optimize fundraising efforts, and drive meaningful change.

• Research Fuels Impact – Nonprofits benefit from data-driven decisions just as much as for-profit businesses, particularly in strategic planning and fundraising.
• Measuring Success Can Be Complex – Unlike for-profit organizations that focus on financial ROI, nonprofits must evaluate mission-driven outcomes, which can be harder to quantify.
• Stretching Resources is Essential – With limited funding, nonprofits must maximize every dollar, making market research an invaluable tool for effective decision-making.
• Women in Leadership – Dr. Korbel shares her journey as a female entrepreneur and the importance of mentoring other women in business.
• The Power of Collaboration – Research and fundraising go hand in hand, and strong partnerships between researchers and nonprofit leaders can enhance long-term sustainability.

Tune in to hear how nonprofits can make smarter, more strategic choices in a world where every decision matters.

In this special 17th episode of Non-Profit North Stars with Jim Eskin, we are joined by Caroline Schumacher, CEO of the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF), to explore how ASF is nurturing the next generation of STEM leaders and innovators. With a mission rooted in the legacy of America's pioneering astronauts, ASF is propelling the United States toward sustained global leadership in technology and innovation. Carolyn shares the foundation's inspiring history, the rigorous selection process for scholars, and her vision for reigniting public enthusiasm for space exploration.

Key Takeaways:

1. Mission-Driven Leadership: Discover how ASF identifies and supports the brightest STEM talent to ensure continued U.S. leadership in technology and innovation.
2. The Legacy of Risk-Taking: Learn how the courage and vision of America’s astronauts continue to inspire generations of scientists, engineers, and innovators.
3. Building Confidence Through Recognition: Hear how ASF scholarships not only provide financial support but also instill life-changing confidence in young scholars.
4. Education and Perseverance: Explore the role of educators and mentors in overcoming challenges and encouraging students to pursue STEM careers.
5. The Future of Space Exploration: Gain insights into the importance of public enthusiasm and investment in space exploration, from the Moon to Mars.
6. The Power of Storytelling: Understand how personal stories of scholars and astronauts inspire others to aim higher and persevere in their journeys.

Tune in for an uplifting episode celebrating bold leadership, innovation, and the pursuit of excellence in STEM and beyond.

In this inspiring 16th episode of Non-Profit North Stars with Jim Eskin, we spotlight Kevin L. Brown, Founding Partner and CEO of Mighty Ally, a global force in nonprofit strategy and branding. Speaking from Malaysia, Kevin shares the story behind his new book,

Fundable & Findable The Brand-New Way to Fix Your Nonprofit Fundraising, a labor of love born from years of consulting, training, and community-driven research with 340+ nonprofits in 51 countries.

Kevin unpacks his bold Fundable/Findable Framework, explaining how nonprofit leaders can finally escape the starvation cycle and stop the endless donor chase.

Whether you’re leading a grassroots initiative or scaling a global nonprofit, this episode offers real, actionable insights for leaders ready to rethink the way they grow their missions.

• The Nonprofit Starvation Cycle is Real: Most nonprofits operate in survival mode, stuck in an endless loop of fundraising just to stay afloat.

• Fundraising Alone Can’t Fix Fundraising: Kevin argues that the traditional donor chase model is broken, and a deeper strategy is needed.

• The Fundable/Findable Framework:

  • Fundable: Showing donors why you exist, what you do, who will do it, where you're going, how to get there, and when it will be done.

  • Findable: Occupying a distinct space in the minds of your ideal funders, and routinely communicating your promises to them.

• Your Brand Is More Than a Logo: Brand clarity means aligning your theory of change, strategic plan, positioning strategy, and marketing communications in a sequential, thoughtful way.

• Democratizing Access to Expertise: Kevin's mission is to make these tools available to nonprofits of all sizes — not just the big ones with budgets for consultants.

• If 'Brand' Sounds Too Corporate… Call it identity, clarity, unity, or direction — what matters is that you do the work to define and share your mission in a compelling way.

🌐 Learn more about Kevin’s work and explore the Fundable/Findable Framework at: fundablefindable.org

In this thought-provoking 15th episode of Non-Profit North Stars with Jim Eskin, we sit down with Sally Bryant, CEO of the Bryant Group, to tackle the critical issue of fundraiser retention in the nonprofit sector. With decades of expertise in recruiting and coaching advancement professionals, Sally offers actionable strategies for building strong organizational cultures, hiring smarter, and investing in leadership development.

Join us as we delve into the causes behind the high turnover rates among fundraisers, the importance of creating a culture of philanthropy, and how exceptional leadership can transform organizations and careers. Nominated by Alexander H. Jones, PhD, MBA, Sally is a true North Star whose wisdom and guidance continue to shape the future of nonprofit fundraising.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Retention Crisis: Explore why 51% of fundraisers plan to leave their nonprofit within two years and how organizations can address burnout and turnover.
2. Three Pillars of Retention: Learn Sally’s framework of “Be Better, Hire Better, Invest Better” to create a workplace fundraisers want to stay in.
3. Leadership Development: Discover why investing in leadership training and mentorship is vital for retaining and promoting high-performing fundraising professionals.
4. Culture of Philanthropy: Understand the importance of integrating philanthropy into the organization’s core mission and the role of leadership in fostering this culture.
5. Gender and Diversity in Fundraising: Gain insights into the evolving composition of the fundraising workforce and the need for greater diversity at all levels.
6. Leadership’s Role in Higher Education: Hear why supporting institutions of higher learning is critical and how effective leadership shapes the future of education.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation packed with actionable advice for nonprofit leaders and professionals committed to creating lasting impact.

In this heartfelt episode of Non-Profit North Stars with Jim Eskin, we are joined by Mitzi Perdue, an extraordinary humanitarian and advocate for Ukraine. From her deep involvement in providing mental health support through the "Healing Hidden Wounds" project to her visionary approach to global philanthropy, Mitzi shares the inspiring story of her journey. With her unique perspective as a writer, activist, and fundraiser, Mitzi sheds light on the importance of thinking big and making a meaningful impact, even in the face of overwhelming challenges.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Role of Mental Health in Crisis: Learn about Mitzi’s “Healing Hidden Wounds” initiative and how innovative methods are being used to provide emergency psychological aid to victims of war crimes in Ukraine.
2. Tackling Human Trafficking: Understand the pervasive dangers vulnerable populations face in war zones and Mitzi’s work to bring awareness and solutions to this crisis.
3. Philanthropy in Action: Discover how Mitzi connects her passion for global issues with sustainable fundraising strategies and what lessons she shares for effective nonprofit leadership.
4. The Power of Partnerships: Explore how collaboration with organizations like the United Nations could scale impactful projects across the globe.
5. Leadership Lessons from Life: Gain insights from Mitzi’s reflections on humility, mentorship, and the wisdom of her late husband, Frank Perdue.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about global humanitarian efforts, leadership, and making a lasting impact. Tune in for an inspiring conversation with a true North Star.