Fund the People: A Podcast with Rusty Stahl

Fund the People
  • 4.8 (32)
  • NON-PROFIT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Fund the People: A Podcast with Rusty Stahl

Our show offers you transformative (yet pragmatic) ideas, data, and tools to help you invest in the nonprofit workforce. This unique show invites you into fun, provocative conversations with a diverse network of funders, nonprofit leaders, authors, intermediaries, and government leaders. Your host, Rusty Stahl, who founded Fund the People in 2014, is the foremost advocate for the U.S. nonprofit workforce. Our mission? To maximize investment in America's nonprofit workforce to drive equity, effectiveness, and endurance across the sector.

  1. When Staff Thrive, Communities Thrive: A Nonprofit Wage Revolution

    6 DAYS AGO

    When Staff Thrive, Communities Thrive: A Nonprofit Wage Revolution

    In this episode of the Fund the People podcast, host Rusty Stahl interviews Nneka Payne, Executive Director of Choose 180, a Seattle-area nonprofit that transforms oppressive systems and supports young people's healing and development. Payne shares her personal journey from experiencing the juvenile legal system firsthand to leading an organization that provides alternatives to prosecution and incarceration for youth. Choose 180 has grown from one program to eight, expanding from court-based diversion to include mental health services, gun violence prevention, and other support services. The conversation focuses on Choose 180's groundbreaking decision to establish a minimum salary floor of $70,000 (now $73,000) for all employees, up from previous wages that hovered around $45,000-$50,000. This transformation occurred rapidly - within 4-6 weeks - during the pandemic, driven by staff advocacy and leadership's commitment to addressing financial stress among employees. The organization worked with compensation consultants and engaged their board to make this significant change, despite the uncertainties of nonprofit funding. The results of this wage increase have been transformative for both staff and program participants. The organization has actually grown its staff from about 20 to 32 people, while maintaining strong program outcomes. Choose 180 has also expanded its employee benefits to include wellness stipends, homeownership education, and other resources. Nneka emphasizes that when staff aren't burdened by financial stress, they can focus more fully on serving participants, leading to better outcomes and stronger community impact. Go to our website for a transcript of this episode and links to the resources discussed in the episode. You can find all the episodes of this podcast plus our blog, toolkit and other resources on our website, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fundthepeople.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. And we invite you to learn from all the amazing past guests of Fund the People - A Podcast with Rusty Stahl at ⁠⁠⁠⁠fundthepeople.org/ftp_podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠.

    59 min
  2. Not For Profit, Not For Cheap: California Nonprofit Workers Fight for Fair Pay

    JAN 22

    Not For Profit, Not For Cheap: California Nonprofit Workers Fight for Fair Pay

    In this illuminating episode of the Fund The People podcast, Geoff Green, CEO of the California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofits), provides a masterclass on the economic and political power of California's nonprofit sector. Green explains how nonprofits, as the fourth-largest employer in California with 1.2 million workers, are often tasked with addressing the "externalized costs" of both business and government - from poverty wages to environmental degradation - yet are chronically underfunded and undervalued in policy discussions. The conversation delves into the critical challenges facing nonprofit workers, including delayed government payments, inadequate overhead rates, and the fact that 22% of nonprofit workers struggle to make ends meet. Green discusses CalNonprofits' legislative efforts to reform government contracting and shares a promising new Los Angeles initiative that ensures wage equity across public, private, and nonprofit sectors. He emphasizes that for every $20 of public expenditure, there is only $1 of charitable funding - highlighting why nonprofits must build political power to influence how public dollars are spent rather than simply providing services on the cheap. Key Points: Learn why nonprofits are California's fourth-largest employer and how they're transforming their economic power into political influence Discover why "working on the cheap" hurts both nonprofit workers and the communities they serve Get an insider's perspective on recent legislative wins and ongoing battles to reform government contracting with nonprofits Understand the complex relationship between labor unions and nonprofits, and innovative solutions for wage equity across sectors Hear about new research showing how Trump-era tax changes resulted in $20 billion less in charitable giving, and what this means for the sector. Go to our website for a transcript of this episode and links to the resources discussed in the episode. You can find all the episodes of this podcast plus our blog, toolkit and other resources on our website, ⁠⁠⁠⁠fundthepeople.org⁠⁠⁠⁠. And we invite you to learn from all the amazing past guests of Fund the People - A Podcast with Rusty Stahl at ⁠⁠⁠fundthepeople.org/ftp_podcast⁠⁠⁠.

    47 min
  3. When Politicians Call Nonprofits “Thugs” and “Sleazebags,” What Will You Do?

    JAN 15

    When Politicians Call Nonprofits “Thugs” and “Sleazebags,” What Will You Do?

    When politicians and elected officials try to brand nonprofits as “thugs,” “sleazebags,” and “terror-supporting orgs”, will you freeze? Take flight? Or stand up and fight back? In this episode, you’ll get: Tips on how the incoming Trump Administration may behave toward philanthropy and the nonprofit sector, and some important ways your organization can prepare and respond; An overview of what FTP did for nonprofit workers in 2024, how we’ll build on that work in 2025, and how you can plug-in; and You’ll get a sneak peak of what’s up next on FTP Podcast S7 There’s a lot going on in our country right now: A transition of power to what may be the most anti-nonprofit administration in history; the death and funeral of President Jimmy Carter; and the devastating wildfires in Southern California. It’s a mind-boggling moment.  But as leaders of the nonprofit workforce, we have to keep our heads on straight and keep our hearts regulated. We make civic life possible. And when government and business fail, we fill in the missing pieces. America needs philanthropy and the nonprofit sector to be strong and enduring now and this year and in the coming years. In the first half of this solo episode, Rusty shares three ways the Trump Administration may behave toward nonprofits and philanthropy, and offers three recent examples that inform these assumptions. He implores listeners and the entire sector to not just prepare to defend and protect our own organizations, but to speak out in defense of the entire sector, and to communicate boldly and proudly about the value of the sector and our workforce for our economy, democracy, and communities.  In the second half of the episode, Rusty updates you on what Fund the People did for the nonprofit workforce in 2024, and how we will keep this work going in 2025. And he ends with a sneak peak of some of the upcoming guests and topics in the next set of episodes in Season 7 of the Fund the People Podcast. Go to our website for a transcript of this episode and links to the resources discussed in the episode. You can find all the episodes of this podcast plus our blog, toolkit and other resources on our website, ⁠⁠⁠fundthepeople.org⁠⁠⁠. And we invite you to learn from all the amazing past guests of Fund the People - A Podcast with Rusty Stahl at ⁠⁠fundthepeople.org/ftp_podcast⁠⁠.

    49 min
  4. Investing in Fair Pay: Unlocking the Value, Process, and Costs for Nonprofit Workers

    12/18/2024

    Investing in Fair Pay: Unlocking the Value, Process, and Costs for Nonprofit Workers

    Pay equity is a critical factor in attracting and retaining talent in the nonprofit sector, and organizations need to address pay disparities to ensure their long-term sustainability.    Our guest today is Sally Loftis, Managing Director of Loftis Partners, who discussed pay equity and the importance of investing in staff. We talk about the challenges faced by nonprofits in attracting and retaining talent, emphasizing the need for competitive pay and benefits that reflect the rising cost of living.    We also discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the nonprofit workforce and the need for organizations to adapt to the changing needs of their employees. Ongoing feedback mechanisms and a commitment to understanding the systemic needs of employees are essential for creating a workplace culture that is not just equitable, but also sustainable. Go to our website for a transcript of this episode and links to the resources discussed in the episode. You can find all the episodes of this podcast plus our blog, toolkit and other resources on our website, ⁠⁠⁠fundthepeople.org⁠⁠⁠. And we invite you to learn from all the amazing past guests of Fund the People - A Podcast with Rusty Stahl at ⁠⁠fundthepeople.org/ftp_podcast⁠⁠.

    49 min
  5. Responding to Threats to Civil Society

    12/11/2024

    Responding to Threats to Civil Society

    On this episode of the Fund the People Podcast (S7:E4), you’ll get a bird’s eye view of the threats to nonprofits, civil society, and social movements around the world. And you’ll hear how one global funder has responded. Our guest today is Jamaica Maxwell, the Civil Society and Leadership Director at the David and Lucile Packard Foundation.  We discuss the challenges faced by civil society globally, including shrinking civic space and threats to individuals and organizations working on critical issues like climate change and reproductive rights.  She shares how the Packard Foundation’s efforts to respond to these threats, and how the Foundation’s work has evolved from using an ‘organizational effectiveness’ frame to a more holistic approach to supporting civil society, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of leaders, organizations, networks, movements, infrastructure, and civic space. Go to our website for a transcript of this episode and links to the resources discussed in the episode. You can find all the episodes of this podcast plus our blog, toolkit and other resources on our website, ⁠⁠fundthepeople.org⁠⁠. And we invite you to learn from all the amazing past guests of Fund the People - A Podcast with Rusty Stahl at ⁠fundthepeople.org/ftp_podcast⁠.

    53 min
  6. Coaching Black Women Leaders in White Nonprofit Spaces

    12/04/2024

    Coaching Black Women Leaders in White Nonprofit Spaces

    In this episode, you’ll garner an important perspective on the nonprofit and philanthropic community from a professional coach who helps Black women executive leaders navigate the white spaces of our sector.  Guest Kelli King-Jackson reflects on the impact of racial politics on organizational culture. We discuss the need for nonprofits to adapt to a changing workforce, including generational differences in communication styles. And we talk about how foundations can be more responsive to the needs of grantees and embrace rapid change. For more resources, check out our show notes page at https://fundthepeople.org/coaching-black-women-leaders/

    39 min
  7. Breaking News: This Journalist Covers Funding for the Nonprofit Workforce

    11/20/2024

    Breaking News: This Journalist Covers Funding for the Nonprofit Workforce

    In this episode, you'll get a free-wheeling, big picture view of how organized philanthropy does and does not address issues impacting the nonprofit workforce. Inside Philanthropy journalist Dawn Wolfe writes about how funding for living wages and other fundamental matters related to nonprofit staffing. Why should we all be 'following the money'? Why should the hiring crisis not have come as a surprise to anybody? How are the sector's funding practices actually hurting the groups they are trying to help? Why do funders have incredible influence that they're not using right now? What can you do if you want to be a 'worker-friendly' funder? If a nonprofit speaks up about their challenges with grants, do they get labelled as problematic? We discuss these questions and more. Links to these and more resources are found on our podcast's show notes page.

    31 min
  8. Do Funders Understand the Nonprofit Burnout Crisis?

    11/13/2024

    Do Funders Understand the Nonprofit Burnout Crisis?

    As the nonprofit workforce crisis evolves into 2025, how funders respond to nonprofit burnout, compensation, recruitment, and retention challenges will be more important than ever. After a summer and fall hiatus, we’re back with a brand-new season of Fund the People’s Podcast, featuring insightful guests and valuable resources to help you invest in the nonprofit workforce!  Even though we haven’t been publishing, we've been busy behind the scenes! At the start of this episode, you’ll get a sneak-peek into some of the things we’ve been working on. Then we dive into new research from the Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) with major takeaways and commentary on the state of the nonprofit workforce. Our guest is Elisha Smith Arrillaga, Ph.D., Vice President of Research at CEP. She shares her journey into social change work, and offers valuable insights on the research findings. We explore two important studies: A survey of nonprofit executives examining “the state of nonprofits in 2024,” with a focus on employee and executive burnout. A survey of foundation professionals, exploring grantmaker attitudes and responses to nonprofit burnout. Fund the People was honored to be part of the research rollout in Summer 2024. We were featured as a resource in one of the CEP reports. Rusty was interviewed for an article about the research. And we contributed a guest post on the CEP blog. In 2023, we hosted a session at CEP’s conference to share examples of how funders can respond to nonprofit burnout, and invited the foundation CEOs who were our panelists - Jamie Allison, Desiree Flores, and Jennifer Roller - to share their work on a special podcast mini-series. Links to these and more resources are found on our podcast's show notes page at https://fundthepeople.org/funders-understand/.

    1h 4m
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4.8
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About

Our show offers you transformative (yet pragmatic) ideas, data, and tools to help you invest in the nonprofit workforce. This unique show invites you into fun, provocative conversations with a diverse network of funders, nonprofit leaders, authors, intermediaries, and government leaders. Your host, Rusty Stahl, who founded Fund the People in 2014, is the foremost advocate for the U.S. nonprofit workforce. Our mission? To maximize investment in America's nonprofit workforce to drive equity, effectiveness, and endurance across the sector.

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