Empower Hour

Planning a nonprofit event is more than menus and timelines. It is about designing an experience that moves people to give. In this episode, St. Jude’s ALSAC Senior Advisor and Events Planner, Molly Fitzpatrick Moore, shares practical ways to turn any budget into a mission-driven moment that donors remember. We dig into curated guest lists, experiential luxury without overspend, volunteer playbooks, AI for planners, and themes that connect to your story.   Listen in, take notes, then steal Molly’s templates and tactics for your next event.

What does it take to deliver four semi-truck loads of lifesaving medical supplies every week to clinics and hospitals around the world? Dr. Douglas Jackson shares how Project C.U.R.E. grew from a family garage effort to one of America’s most impactful global health nonprofits. We dig into volunteer-first leadership, Starbucks-style operations for quality control, donor transparency, and a data mindset that makes reporting easier for partners and staff. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Project C.U.R.E. and Dr. Douglas Jackson 02:45 The Family Story and the First Shipment 05:30 Measuring Lives Touched and Needs Assessments 08:48 Structure and Logistics: Why “Company-owned stores” 11:14 Volunteer Recruitment and Retention 16:23 Financial Management and Transparency 23:00 Fundraising Strategies and Local Ownership 32:01 Branding the Cure Programs: Cargo, Clinics, College, Kits 35:45 Donations, Partnerships, and In-kind Supply Chains 37:04 Humanitarian Work Without Burning Out 40:15 Storytelling That Sustains Donors and Teams 43:34 Measuring Outcomes When Records Are on Paper 46:24 Data Dashboards and Report-as-a-Service 50:15 Treating Donors and Volunteers as Customers 53:22 Business Skills in Nonprofit Leadership 56:14 Practical Advice Nonprofit Leaders Can Use Now You’ll learn A warehouse and logistics model that scales without sacrificing quality How to center volunteers so retention becomes your advantage Why responsibility must come with authority when you delegate What real transparency looks like for fundraising and reserves How to brand multi-program work so donors understand the offer Practical ways to measure outcomes and deliver ready-to-use impact reports

Entrepreneur and creative leader Eli Rubel joins Carina Martin to share hard-won marketing lessons that nonprofits can use right away. After the 2021 downturn, Eli went from peak profit to a sudden $200K monthly loss, then rebuilt and now runs successful agencies focused on mission-driven work. This conversation is a practical tour of donor segmentation, message testing, smart use of AI, and storytelling that moves people to act.

Leadership expert Dr. Cheryl Lovell shares 35+ years of wisdom on transforming nonprofit teams through strengths-based leadership. Learn how to identify and leverage your team's hidden talents, prevent burnout through strategic delegation, and build authentic leadership even as an introvert. Discover why your greatest strength can become your weakness and how to embrace failure as "First Attempt In Learning." Perfect for nonprofit leaders looking to revolutionize their approach to team development and organizational effectiveness. Host: Carina Martin Guest: Dr. Cheryl Lovell Series: Empower Hour Discover: How to find what's RIGHT with your team using CliftonStrengths Why your strengths can become liabilities when overused The power of authentic leadership for introverts Building trust as a measurable organizational asset Creating a "strengths calendar" for strategic effectiveness Why failure is just your "First Attempt In Learning" Practical delegation strategies to prevent burnout

Join Empower Hour host Carina Martin for an inspiring conversation with Amy Sherman, Vice President of Public Affairs at Junior Achievement Rocky Mountain, as she shares how innovative financial education is transforming young lives across Colorado and Wyoming. Key moments:  0:00 Introduction & Amy's Journey  6:15 Understanding Junior Achievement's Mission  12:30 The Economic Literacy Colorado Merger  18:45 Making Financial Education Engaging  25:30 Dream Accelerator & Finance Park Programs  32:15 Legislative Efforts for Financial Education  38:40 Building Community Partnerships  45:20 Leadership Lessons & Personal Growth  52:30 Work-Life Balance & Avoiding Burnout Learn about: How Junior Achievement is making financial education accessible and fun The successful merger of two educational nonprofits Innovative approaches to teaching financial literacy The importance of making financial education a graduation requirement Real success stories of students finding their path Practical advice for nonprofit leaders and working parents Whether you're an educator, parent, nonprofit leader, or someone passionate about financial literacy, this episode offers valuable insights into creating lasting change through education.

Join Empower Hour as host Carina Martin sits down with Mayor Guyleen Castriotta of Broomfield, Colorado to explore the powerful intersection of government and nonprofit collaboration. Drawing from her unique experience as both a public servant and former nonprofit worker, Mayor Castriotta shares invaluable insights on building effective partnerships that serve community needs. Key topics covered: 00:00 Introduction to Guyleen Castriotta and Her Journey 02:53 The Role of Nonprofits in Community Development 05:42 Challenges Faced by Nonprofits 08:13 Collaboration Between Government and Nonprofits 10:44 Funding and Grant Application Insights 13:26 Impactful Nonprofits in Broomfield 16:09 Health and Safety Initiatives 18:49 Regional Collaboration and Shared Challenges 21:30 Common Mistakes in Grant Applications 24:08 Resources Beyond Funding for Nonprofits 27:48 Community Support and Nonprofit Collaboration 31:03 Government's Role in Nonprofit Sustainability 33:09 Representation and Diversity in Local Government 35:34 Qualities of Effective Nonprofit Leadership 37:36 Housing Challenges and Nonprofit Involvement 40:28 Future of Nonprofits and Government Partnerships 43:25 Personal Passion for Community Development 47:22 Balancing Public Service and Personal Life   Learn about: Strategies for nonprofits to effectively partner with local government Innovative approaches to addressing housing and health needs Tips for accessing government resources beyond direct funding Building inclusive community services Real examples of successful government-nonprofit partnerships   Mayor Castriotta shares practical advice for nonprofit leaders while offering a transparent look at how local government can support community organizations. Whether you're a nonprofit leader, public servant, or community advocate, this episode provides actionable insights for creating meaningful change through collaboration.

In this premiere episode of Empower Hour, host Carina Martin sits down with Lisandra Gonzales, CEO of Cradle to Career Colorado, to explore how collective action can transform communities and create lasting social change. Key moments:  0:00 Introduction & Welcome  5:15 Understanding Collective Action  12:30 The Seven Critical Milestones  18:45 Youth Voice & Civic Influencers  25:30 Direct Services vs. Systems Change  32:15 Data-Driven Decision Making  38:40 Building Business Partnerships  45:20 Lessons Learned & Success Stories  52:30 Future of Collective Impact Discover: How the Strive Together framework aligns community efforts Why data measurement is crucial for systemic change Real success stories of community transformation Strategies for engaging business partners The role of youth voices in creating change How to overcome common collaboration challenges Whether you're a nonprofit leader, educator, or community advocate, this episode provides practical insights into creating meaningful change through collective action. Learn how communities can work together to ensure every young person has the opportunity to thrive from cradle to career.