Nonprofits On A Mission

AJ Hebert cofounded Roca Kidz Club in Manchester, NH back in 2011, what started as a summer program feeding 30 kids on Thursday nights has grown into a thriving, faith based youth organization serving hundreds of children across three locations. In this episode, AJ shares the origin story, the power of relationship driven programming, and his ambitious vision for bringing Roca to cities nationwide.

Sarah sits down with Sue Centner and Lorrie Belinsky from the Community Alliance for Teen Safety (CATS), a New Hampshire nonprofit born from tragedy that has spent 30 years championing youth safety through grassroots community building, advocacy, and education. Sue and Lorrie share how CATS has evolved from a seatbelt law campaign in the '90s to launching student-led safety clubs and a community expo, while offering candid fundraising wisdom: it's all about relationships.

Bethany Cottrell, the inaugural Executive Director of Families Flourish Northeast, a groundbreaking new organization in New Hampshire working to close a critical gap in recovery services for pregnant and parenting people facing substance use disorder.

Luke Mickelson was just a farm kid from Idaho who built one bunk bed for a family in need and accidentally launched Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a national nonprofit that has delivered over 100,000 beds to children sleeping on floors. In this episode, Luke joins Sarah to share the story behind the movement and gets candid about "founder syndrome", the painful reality of building something so big it starts to feel like it's leaving you behind.

Corinne Benfield, Executive Director of Stay Work Play, a NH-based 501(c)3 nonprofit focused on attracting and retaining young talent (ages 18-40) in New Hampshire through programming, employer partnerships, and policy advocacy. Corinne discusses her experience leading the organization, highlighting growth in community engagement, stakeholder relationships, and policy work at the state level as the most rewarding parts of her tenure.

Polly Towner, Executive Director of the Manchester Community Music School, discussed her background in music education and the school's mission to make music accessible for everyone through diverse programs, 48 faculty members, and a strong music therapy department.

Tim Smith-Gerding of Blackbird Collective discusses his consulting work with nonprofits, focusing on strategic planning for organizations like Stay Work Play, and emphasizing the critical need for collaboration and shared administrative services among smaller nonprofits to improve efficiency and attract larger donors.

Al Cantor, Owner of Alan Cantor Consulting, discusses key issues like the growing role of Donor Advised Funds and private foundations, advising nonprofits to proactively integrate conversations about the distribution of these funds into their planned giving strategies.

Granite United Way President and CEO Nichole Martin Reimer discusses her first year in the role, highlighting the organization's work as a community connector through responsive grantmaking, 211, and major initiatives like the opioid abatement fund, while offering advice to nonprofit leaders on donor and board engagement, and the importance of connection and self-care.

Lara Quiroga, Owner and President of Larksparre Consulting, discusses her extensive background in early childhood education and nonprofit work before founding her own consulting firm in June 2024 to provide strategic planning, grant writing, and project management services to nonprofits.

Samantha Swaim, Founder of Swaim Strategies, discusses the evolution of fundraising events, emphasizing the shift from auctions to direct mission-based giving like the paddle raise, and highlights her company's work in consulting and producing hybrid events.

Becky Kates from Becky Kates Development Consulting discusses her work helping organizations with development, focusing on fundraising as building relationships, and emphasizes the crucial need for nonprofits to invest in infrastructure, technology, and staff.

Lindsay (Messina) Perreault, Executive Director of Austin17House, discussed the New Hampshire nonprofit's mission as a youth and family community center, detailing its hands-on programs, daily operations including providing dinner, and its success in helping troubled youth and fostering community engagement.

Jen Miller, Director of Development and Partnerships at Nashua PAL discusses her ten-year tenure and the organization's mission to empower youth through diverse programs. She shares impactful success stories, fundraising strategies, and emphasizes the importance of community support and self-care in the non-profit sector.

Chris Duhaime discusses his businesses, Pivot Creative and Flexhub Offices, and his work with nonprofits like Best Buddies New Hampshire, emphasizing the importance of marketing and board alignment for fundraising success.

Beth Dever, Executive Director of the Circle Program, discusses her nonprofit's mission to support disadvantaged rural girls through camp and mentorship. She also shares organizational goals, including a college readiness initiative, a van purchase, and the challenge of meeting the girls' increasing needs for resources.

White Mountain Science, Inc. is a New Hampshire-based STEM education nonprofit, led by Executive Director Jeremy Knowlton, that brings project-based learning and teacher coaching to over 50 rural schools. 

Bonnie Angulas, Library Director and Founding Board Member of the Mont Vernon Library Charitable Foundation, details the challenging but ultimately successful five-year journey to fund and build a new, accessible Daland Memorial Library in Mount Vernon, which is on track to open around January 2026.

Tricia Brannen, Executive Director of YouthWell, discusses the organization's mission to improve youth mental health in New Hampshire, highlighting the importance of developing relationships, early intervention education, and the inspiring work of YouthWell Voices. She shares personal and professional insights, emphasizing the need to reduce mental health stigma and amplify young people's voices. YouthWell is exploring the idea of developing a youth mental health app. Your feedback will help them design a tool that is useful, safe, and engaging. The survey is anonymous. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1T_URzohfpDEHnUSpz1rf3PodXcptC78Z9SKOgFLzYeY/viewform?edit_requested=true

Javan Van Gronigen, founder of Donately, discusses his journey from the agency world to creating a fundraising platform and digital agency focused on the nonprofit sector, emphasizing a holistic approach to fundraising and marketing. He encourages organizations to embrace consistency and leverage technology and AI to enhance their efforts.

Gene Martin, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute, discusses his background in the nonprofit sector and government service, and the institute's mission to promote economic well-being for New Hampshire residents through independent research and analysis.

Jackie Walker, Executive Director of Lucy's Love Bus, discusses the charity's mission to provide joy and relief from pain for families of children with cancer in New England through integrative therapies and quality-of-life improvements. She also shares insights on fundraising, the importance of resilience, and the organization's future goals, including expanding group programs and offering Spanish-facilitated sessions.

Peter Saliba, Executive Director at the Mayhew Program, discusses the organization's history, mission, and future goals. The Mayhew Program, founded in 1893, provides a tuition-free summer camp and year-round mentoring for economically disadvantaged boys in New Hampshire.

Sandy Pelletier, President and CEO of Gateways Community Services, reflects on her 40-year journey with the organization, which has grown from serving 50 individuals to nearly 3,000 across New Hampshire, offering a wide range of support for people with disabilities, elders, and veterans.

Caitlin McCormick Small, Executive Director of Project Adventure, discusses the organization's nationwide work in education, mental health, and leadership development, primarily using adventure-based tools like ropes courses.

Kerri Whalen, Executive Director of Ironstone Farm, discusses the therapeutic benefits of equine-assisted services for individuals of all ages and abilities, highlighting the intuitive nature of horses in helping people with physical, emotional, cognitive, and mental challenges.

Jennie Halstead, Executive Director of My Breast Cancer Support, discusses the organization's mission to provide financial and emotional support to breast cancer patients and their families in New Hampshire and Southern Maine. She shares her personal journey as a breast cancer survivor and how it led her to join the organization in 2012, eventually becoming Executive Director in 2014.

Robert MacKinnon, Director of Partnerships at Kindsight, discusses the evolution of iWave into Kindsight. He highlights the benefits of iWave's philanthropic wealth screening tool, emphasizing its ability to help small to mid-sized organizations identify and engage high-potential donors through custom fields, actionable results, and continuous live updates.

Michelle O'Malley, CEO of The Webster House, discusses the organization's mission to provide a safe home for children aged 8-18 who have experienced neglect or abuse, and their focus on community engagement, fundraising, and staff support.

Susan Howland, the Vice President of Community Relations and Development at the Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester, shares her extensive fundraising experience and discusses important initiatives like suicide prevention and community collaboration.

This week on the Nonprofits on a Mission podcast, Sarah answers some questions about the upcoming Major Gifts Mastery cohort. Even if your data's a little messy or your schedule is a bit full, this mastermind is an absolute must for any nonprofit leader who wants to increase individual giving this Fall!

In this episode, Sarah talks about our upcoming Major Gifts Mastery cohort, a 10-week course with the goal to get more meetings with well aligned supporters of your organization.

Jeremy Wirths, Chairman of the New Hampshire Working Dog Foundation, discusses the organization's mission to provide grants to police departments for K9 units, stemming from his personal experience with an explosive detection dog in the Army.

Jennifer Ufkin, President and CEO of Cornerstone VNA, discusses her 23-year career with the organization, transitioning from an RN to her current leadership role, where she focuses on addressing challenges like federal and state funding cuts and leveraging technology for efficiency.

Diane Fitzpatrick, CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Manchester, discusses the organization's evolution, its impact on children and families, and the upcoming Mark Stephens Community Center. She highlights the importance of partnerships, community involvement, and self-care for leaders in the nonprofit sector.

Tamara Varner, Marketing Manager at Greater Giving, discusses her journey from client to employee, highlighting how Greater Giving empowers nonprofits with technology for impactful fundraising events and stressing the importance of human connection alongside AI tools.

Paul Dann, President and CEO of the North American Family Institute (NAFI), discusses NAFI's extensive services across nine states and its focus on creating a supportive culture for both employees and those they serve. He also shares insights on navigating uncertainty in the nonprofit sector.

Hannah Stohler, Executive Director of Marguerite's Place, discusses the organization's work supporting families experiencing homelessness through transitional housing, childcare, and empowerment programs. She highlights success stories, volunteer opportunities, and the organization's current focus on expansion, capital campaigns, and strategic growth while maintaining a supportive culture.

Deanna Hoying, Executive Director of Symphony NH, discusses her background as a musician and arts administrator, emphasizing music's impact on daily life and the unique experience of live performances. She highlights Symphony NH's partnerships and current challenges, and also sharing personal and organizational goals for the future.

Alissa discusses the network's role in supporting 17 accredited programs across the state that work with youth involved in the justice system. The program's focus on community-based alternatives to formal court processes, utilizing restorative justice, motivational interviewing, and positive youth development.

Madeline Brooks, Executive Director of On Belay, discusses the organization's mission of providing free adventure programs for children who have a loved one with cancer, emphasizing the importance of connection, resilience building, and fun.

Jason Champion, VP of National Partnerships at Winspire, discusses his background transitioning from interior design and HGTV to the non-profit sector and how Winspire creates unique travel experiences to help nonprofits raise funds at events. He shares anecdotes about his experiences hosting events, interacting with donors, and the high level of service Winspire provides.

Doug Leclerc is the Program Director for Bring It, an after-school program in Manchester that aims to serve vulnerable students with activities like academic support, soccer, dance, and arts and crafts, while also teaching them important social skills like manners.

Patricia Mellor, CEO of Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains, discusses the organization's efforts to build girls' courage, confidence, and character, highlighting challenges, recent awards for innovation and diversity, and the importance of civic engagement. She also emphasizes the need for volunteers and the positive impact of the Girl Scout cookie program.

Angelica Ladd, Communications Manager at the NH Center for Nonprofits, discusses the center's work strengthening nonprofits through leadership, collaboration, and education, highlighting their recent advocacy efforts, educational opportunities, and upcoming events like the conference and NH Gives.

Tyler Jones, Events and Outreach Coordinator at Volunteer NH, discusses role supporting volunteerism in New Hampshire. He also discusses connecting volunteers with opportunities through Get Connected, Volunteer NH's online platform that matches volunteers with nonprofits and their opportunities, allowing individuals to search by location, organization, or cause.

Ailie Byers of Alpenglow Fundraising, a professional fundraising auctioneer and consultant. She discusses her approach to fundraising, emphasizing mission-driven events, building community, and creating lasting energy for nonprofits.

Doug Barry, CEO of the Humane Society for Greater Nashua, discusses the organization's mission, including a large-scale animal rescue and their current project to build an affordable veterinary clinic. He highlights the importance of community support, partnerships, and expanding services beyond adoptions to meet community needs.

Susan Stover, Executive Director of Victoria's Victory Foundation, discusses the organization's mission to empower people with spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries by providing resources, scholarships, and support services, inspired by founder Victoria Arlen's personal journey of overcoming a locked-in state and regaining mobility.

Abbey Harlow, from Harlow Nonprofit Consulting and the Association of Nonprofit Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Northern New England. Abby discusses her work with nonprofits, focusing on strategy, fundraising, and communications. She also talks about AFP Northern New England, mentioning the upcoming Spring Conference in Nashua, New Hampshire, on April 8th-10th.