The Social Impact Solutions Podcast

Social Impact Solutions

Too many organizations struggle to prove the good they’re doing in a way that inspires donors, partners, investors, and communities to take action. Join Lauren and John Mark Vanderpool as they share how you can measure and market your impact to create more meaningful change today. Each episode delivers practical strategies, expert insights, and inspiring stories to help you overcome these hurdles, raise more funding, and amplify your mission. Whether you’re leading a nonprofit, heading up a CSR initiative, or simply passionate about making the world a better place, the Social Impact Solutions Podcast is your go-to resource for actionable advice on measuring and marketing your impact. Tune in, take notes, and let’s create a world where your work speaks for itself.

  1. Aug 11

    The Library Network Turning Mission Into Momentum

    In this episode of the Social Impact Solutions Podcast, Co-Founder John Mark Vanderpool sits down with Jonna Ward to highlight the incredible collaborative work being done with clients of Social Impact Solutions. This series shines a light on the organizations and leaders Social Impact Solutions has worked alongside, offering listeners a behind the scenes glimpse into the mission-driven partnerships helping strengthen communities. In this conversation, Jonna shares the mission and impact of the Library Support Network, an organization dedicated to supporting public libraries through fundraising, peer connection, and sector-wide collaboration. She explores why public libraries matter so deeply, the challenges they face, and how fundraising and community support can transform the role libraries play in society. If you’re interested in nonprofit strategy, public library advocacy, or the power of mission driven partnerships, this episode offers an inspiring look at how collective support can make a lasting difference. Episode Resources: - Take the FREE Non-profit Fundraising Quiz Today! https://www.fundraisingquiz.org/ Episode Chapters - 00:00 Introduction to the Library Support Network - 02:06 Jonna Ward's background and the founding of the Network - 05:09 The importance of public libraries in trust and community - 07:57 Challenges faced by library foundations and how to address them - 11:59 Building a networked organization for impact - 15:58 Fundraising strategies and diversifying revenue - 20:00 The role of libraries in lifelong learning and social connection - 24:05 Impact measurement and benchmarking in library support - 27:57 The future of public libraries and community support

    The Library Network Turning Mission Into Momentum
  2. Jul 28

    The Future of Fundraising: How AI Is Transforming Nonprofits with Virtuous

    In this episode of The Social Impact Solutions Podcast, we explore the transformative role of AI in nonprofit fundraising with Carly Berna from Virtuous. Join us as we delve into how AI is reshaping the landscape of fundraising by addressing common pain points for nonprofits, enhancing donor engagement, and revolutionizing data management. Carly shares her insights on the importance of technology adoption, the responsive fundraising model, and the need for change management in nonprofit organizations. Discover how AI-driven tools can empower fundraisers, streamline processes, and ultimately foster greater generosity in our communities. Tune in to understand the future of fundraising and how your organization can leverage these innovations to create meaningful impact. Episode Resources: Check out Virtuous: https://virtuous.org/ Take a FREE fundraising quiz: https://www.fundraisingquiz.org/ Episode Chapters: - 00:00 Introduction to Carly Barnett and Virtuous - 01:03 The importance of technology in nonprofit fundraising - 02:00 Lessons from a nonprofit leader's tech transformation - 03:23 Change management and AI in nonprofits - 04:20 Virtuous' evolution and investment in technology - 06:01 Key features of Virtuous platform and integrations - 07:28 Using AI to create personalized fundraising pages - 08:53 Virtuous' mission to grow generosity through tech - 09:36 Saving time with Momentum and AI tools - 11:01 The human element in data-driven fundraising - 12:36 The future of AI and fundraising in three years - 13:35 Prompting and natural language interfaces for data access - 15:13 Behavioral data and responsive fundraising - 16:39 Engaging donors through behavioral insights - 17:24 Who benefits most from Virtuous? - 18:40 Organizations ready for digital transformation - 20:37 Cultural impact of tech change in nonprofits - 21:07 The role of data and process optimization - 22:34 Governance, security, and ethical AI use - 26:06 The future of headless CRM and AI prompts - 28:06 Personalized, micro-targeted fundraising strategies - 29:14 Empowering fundraisers with technology - 30:20 The importance of secure, compliant data systems - 32:14 The evolution toward precision philanthropy - 33:00 Closing remarks and future outlook

    The Future of Fundraising: How AI Is Transforming Nonprofits with Virtuous
  3. Jul 14

    Building Sustainable Capacity: How Venture 1:9 Helps Nonprofits Grow with Dr. Jonathan Roe

    In this episode of the Social Impact Solutions Podcast, Dr. Jonathan Roe shares practical insights from his journey in church nonprofit leadership, focusing on sustainable growth, effective fundraising, and capacity building through Venture 1:9. Learn how microgrants, intentional fundraising, and strong leadership can help nonprofit organizations create greater impact with clarity and confidence. Episode Resources: - Explore Venture 19 Free Trainings: Venture19.org - Take a FREE fundraising quiz from Social Impact Solutions: https://www.fundraisingquiz.org/ Episode Chapters - 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Jonathan Roe and Venture One Nine - 01:59 Dr. Roe's background in faith-based nonprofits and leadership journey - 03:59 The importance of lean operations and resource stewardship - 06:06 How Venture One Nine supports nonprofits through free training and grants - 07:58 Focus areas: fundraising, leadership, and strategic planning - 10:13 Microgrants program: structure, impact, and success stories - 13:08 Common challenges faced by nonprofits: leadership, strategy, funding - 15:03 The importance of leadership health and sustainability - 16:50 The power of messaging and explaining your organization’s purpose - 18:50 The microgrant challenge: raising funds and building momentum - 21:57 Results and impact: return on microgrants and fundraising growth - 25:00 Shifting mindsets around fundraising and generosity - 27:00 The role of accountability, peer learning, and cohort support - 29:02 Building relationships with donors and supporters - 30:56 Final thoughts: collaboration, impact, and ongoing growth

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Too many organizations struggle to prove the good they’re doing in a way that inspires donors, partners, investors, and communities to take action. Join Lauren and John Mark Vanderpool as they share how you can measure and market your impact to create more meaningful change today. Each episode delivers practical strategies, expert insights, and inspiring stories to help you overcome these hurdles, raise more funding, and amplify your mission. Whether you’re leading a nonprofit, heading up a CSR initiative, or simply passionate about making the world a better place, the Social Impact Solutions Podcast is your go-to resource for actionable advice on measuring and marketing your impact. Tune in, take notes, and let’s create a world where your work speaks for itself.