Big heart, bold strategy: lessons from the Boys & Girls Club

Did you catch the Emmy Awards? The big winner was the Boys and Girls Club, which got more than a few moments in the spotlight — receiving a generous donation and a few lighthearted mentions from presenters.  For any nonprofit, that kind of national visibility is a gift. What doesn’t make headlines, though, is the hard work happening every day.  As the largest youth-serving organization in the country — with nearly 6,000 locations nationwide — Boys and Girls Clubs faced a daunting challenge during COVID: keeping kids engaged, connected, and supported. Shanna Warren’s chapter met that challenge and came out stronger. “The numbers after the pandemic have superseded our numbers before the pandemic.” In this episode, Shanna joins Counterintuity CEO and Creative Strategist Lee Wochner to talk about her journey with the Boys and Girls Club. She shares how her team has expanded the organization’s reach while staying true to its mission of mentorship. Here’s what you’ll take away from their conversation: Leadership under pressure: How the bold decision to keep the club open during the pandemic led to stronger membership and new funding opportunities Smart growth: How Shanna’s team expanded beyond pre-pandemic numbers with a new main clubhouse and 32 satellite sites, including a program for deaf and hard-of-hearing children Serious business: Shanna’s perspective on running a nonprofit with both heart and strategy Tune in to learn how your nonprofit can provide hope and opportunity for your community, too, even if you don’t get a starring role on the Emmy Awards.