Chicks Who Give a Hoot

In this episode, they chat about: what it really looks like to run a growing literacy nonprofit behind the scenes the overlap between nonprofit leadership, entrepreneurship, and problem-solving common misconceptions about nonprofit staffing and operational costs why literacy and childhood wellbeing are deeply connected how trauma-sensitive learning environments impact student success building emotional safety and confidence before academic progress the realities children in foster care and low-income communities face in school systems why small nonprofits often have deep community relationships and impact how businesses and entrepreneurs can support nonprofit organizations beyond donations creating human-first spaces where children feel safe enough to learn and grow   Resources + Links: Learn more about the Azura Literacy at www.azuraliteracy.org Follow Allyse on LinkedIn: Allyse Hazeltine   Grow your brand, income, and impact! Learn more on our website ellyandnoracreative.com Connect with Sara on Instagram | @sarachamberscreative @ellyandnoracreative For show notes, resources, and more, visit Chicks Who Give a Hoot Follow along with the podcast on Instagram | @chickswhogiveahoot Get a Free Brand Audit → www.ellyandnoracreative.com/brand-audit   Show Notes: This episode features Allyse Hazeltine, Executive Director of Azura Literacy, recorded live at the 2026 Chicks Who Give a Hoot Live Event as part of a special three-episode nonprofit leadership series. Allyse shares what it really looks like to build and lead a growing literacy nonprofit focused on serving children in low-income and foster communities across Arizona. In this conversation, Allyse opens up about the day-to-day realities of nonprofit leadership, balancing tutoring logistics, curriculum development, partnerships, fundraising, grants, and volunteer coordination while leading a small but deeply committed team. She also addresses common misconceptions about nonprofit work, including the idea that meaningful organizations should operate entirely on volunteer labor or without operational overhead. The episode also dives into the deeper "why" behind Azura Literacy's mission. Allyse shares a powerful story about a young foster student struggling with reading confidence and how creating emotional safety, trust, and individualized support completely transformed her relationship with literacy. Through that experience, Allyse explains why Azura Literacy centers a trauma-sensitive, human-first approach to learning rather than treating children like one-size-fits-all students. Azura Literacy is a Mesa-based nonprofit focused on helping children in low-income and foster communities build literacy skills, confidence, and long-term academic success through personalized reading support and trauma-informed tutoring.   00:00 About Allyse Hazeltine 00:42 Welcome to the Show 01:59 Why Allyse Does This 02:52 Nonprofit Reality Check 04:42 How Entrepreneurs Can Help 06:40 Mary's Literacy Breakthrough 08:57 Human First Tutoring Model 10:00 Applause and Closing

In this episode, they chat about: the realities of nonprofit leadership and problem-solving misconceptions about nonprofit work and staffing how the YMCA supports communities beyond fitness programs balancing leadership, boundaries, and community care supporting nonprofits through time, talent, and treasure values-based leadership and learning when to say 'no'   Resources + Links: Learn more about Lighthouse for Hope at www.lighthouseforhope.org Follow them on Instagram: Learn more about the Valley of the Sun YMCA at www.valleyymca.org Follow them on social media:LinkedIn Blake ZickafooseValley of the Sun YMCAInstagram | @vosymca   Grow your brand, income, and impact! Learn more on our website ellyandnoracreative.com Connect with Sara on Instagram | @sarachamberscreative @ellyandnoracreative For show notes, resources, and more, visit Chicks Who Give a Hoot Follow along with the podcast on Instagram | @chickswhogiveahoot Get a Free Brand Audit → www.ellyandnoracreative.com/brand-audit   Show Notes: This episode features Blake Zickafoose, recorded live at the 2026 Chicks Who Give a Hoot Live Event as part of a three-episode panel series. Blake is a nonprofit executive who has served communities through the YMCA since 2013 across three different states. Known for her values-first leadership style and commitment to community impact, she shares the realities of leading mission-driven organizations while balancing constant problem-solving, team leadership, and community care. The conversation explores the misconceptions people often have about nonprofit work, the importance of boundaries in leadership, and what it really means to "wear all the hats" inside a nonprofit organization. Blake also shares how the YMCA goes far beyond being just a gym, offering programs and services focused on youth development, healthy living, childcare, aquatics, and community support. Blake discusses the importance of supporting nonprofits through time, talent, and treasure, as well as the value of community involvement through advisory boards and volunteering. She also reflects on values-based leadership and why saying "no" is sometimes necessary to protect both staff and the communities nonprofits serve. The Valley of the Sun YMCA is a nonprofit organization rooted in Christian principles that has served communities across Arizona since 1892. Its mission is to build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all through programs focused on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The YMCA provides a wide range of services including childcare, health and fitness programs, youth sports, camps, and community engagement initiatives designed to strengthen individuals and families.    00:00 About Blake Zickafoose 00:34 Welcome to the Show 01:51 Nonprofit Reality Check 02:50 Wearing 100 Hats at the Y 04:11 TTT: Treasure, Time, and Talent 06:10 Values Based Leadership 06:36 When 'No' Is Best 07:43 Serving Community Not Ego 08:18 Support and Closing

In this episode, they chat about: the day-to-day realities of running a nonprofit as a small two-person team common misconceptions about nonprofit work, staffing, and fundraising the emotional and financial realities families face during childhood cancer treatment how Hannah's own cancer journey inspired Lighthouse for Hope why community support can change the trajectory of a family's experience providing practical support through grocery cards, household essentials, and peer connection supporting siblings, parents, and caregivers alongside pediatric patients the impact of the Hope Families and Holidays for Hope programs creating transformative experiences through the Illuminate Retreat for young women in treatment how entrepreneurs and communities can support nonprofits beyond donations   Resources + Links: Learn more about Lighthouse for Hope at www.lighthouseforhope.org Follow them on Instagram:Hannah Cobley @hannahdcobLighthouse for Hope @lighthouseforhope   Grow your brand, income, and impact! Learn more on our website ellyandnoracreative.com Connect with Sara on Instagram | @sarachamberscreative @ellyandnoracreative For show notes, resources, and more, visit Chicks Who Give a Hoot Follow along with the podcast on Instagram | @chickswhogiveahoot Get a Free Brand Audit → www.ellyandnoracreative.com/brand-audit   Show Notes: This episode features Hannah Cobley, Founder and Executive Director of Lighthouse for Hope, recorded live at the 2026 Chicks Who Give a Hoot Live Event as part of a three-episode panel series. Hannah shares the realities of leading a small but growing nonprofit organization, from balancing fundraising, events, volunteer coordination, and family support to navigating the misconceptions people often have about nonprofit work and staffing. The conversation also dives deeper into the personal story that inspired Lighthouse for Hope. After facing leukemia as a young adult, Hannah witnessed firsthand how many families navigate cancer treatment without adequate support, community, or financial stability. She opens up about seeing children attend treatment alone, families living out of their cars, and parents forced to choose between work and being present during treatment. Hannah shares how those experiences shaped Lighthouse for Hope's mission to ensure no family fights alone through practical, emotional, and community-based support. She discusses the organization's core programs, including Hope Families, Holidays for Hope, sibling support events, peer support gatherings for moms, and the Illuminate Retreat for young women undergoing cancer treatment. Lighthouse For Hope is a Phoenix-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting families navigating childhood cancer and blood disorders. What began as Hannah's deeply personal mission has grown into a trusted organization providing financial assistance, emotional support, peer connection, and hope to vulnerable families across Arizona and beyond.   00:00 About Hannah Cobley 00:35 Welcome to the Show 01:52 Nonprofit Reality Check 03:42 Funding and Support Gaps 04:44 Hannah's Cancer Story 07:15 Lighthouse Programs 09:56 Applause and Call to Give