Federal funding for nonprofits is in flux.

A recent White House memo led to a freeze on funding, only for a federal judge to put it on hold. Meanwhile, key public health datasets disappeared, with some now being reinstated.

What does this mean for nonprofits relying on federal support?

In this episode, we break down the latest legal battles, agency shifts, and what nonprofits can do to stay ahead.

Skip Ahead:

(01:15) The funding freeze—where things stand now

(02:13) The datasets that were removed (and partially restored)

(03:21) What these changes mean for federal grants and contracts

(05:10) How nonprofits can advocate and prepare for more uncertainty

Building strong university-community partnerships isn’t easy.

Power imbalances, competing goals, and trust issues can get in the way, turning good intentions into missed opportunities.

So how can nonprofits and universities work together more effectively?

In this episode, Roger and I sit down with Toye Watson, Director of Community Impact at UNC Charlotte, to unpack the common challenges and share how to create partnerships that truly work.

Skip Ahead:

(00:52) Why communities are looking beyond government solutions and what that means for partnerships.

(05:10) What UNC Charlotte’s urbanCORE is trying to accomplish.

(11:23) The reason some collaboration efforts don’t work out.

(16:37) The first thing nonprofits should do if they want to build university partnerships

(24:32)  What’s different about a partnership with local nonprofit versus a city government and how you might approach those differently

(29:01) How urbanCORE supported the Three Sisters Market, a food collaborative in West Charlotte

Connect with Toye Watson and learn more about urbanCORE.

• Learn more about the Data-Driven Leadership Series (The Strategist, The Analyst, The Storyteller)

  
  

  Read the full show notes HERE.

In the first weeks of the new administration, a series of executive orders have introduced significant policy changes affecting nonprofits.

These cover areas like diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), gender and LGBTQ+ rights, international aid, and immigration.

It raises critical questions about compliance, funding stability, and long-term program sustainability.

In this episode, Drew breaks down what these changes mean for nonprofit organizations connected to these areas and how they can adapt.

Skip Ahead:

(01:21) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

(04:03) Gender, sexual orientation, and LGBTQ+ services.

(07:59) International aid, environmental initiatives, and immigration.

(09:59) What can nonprofits do to adapt.

Read the full show notes HERE.

Funders want proof that your programs are efficient and impactful.

But pulling together data to show your impact feels challenging when you don’t have the tools, systems, or extra staff to make it happen.

Your team is likely piecing together metrics with limited capacity, resulting in reports that fall short and reinforce the cycle of underfunding.

Today’s episode is about breaking that cycle.

We’ll show you how to make the most of data  to create a roadmap that  communicates your value and drives sustainable growth for your organization.

 And we'll also talk about the tools and concepts that we cover in our upcoming online course, The Strategist.

Skip Ahead:

(04:26) Culture of data

(6:06) Assessing needs

(7:59) Impact plan

(10:46) Implementation

(12:20) Evaluation

(14:20) Organizational buy-in

Learn more about the upcoming courses at www.commongooddata.com/courses

Read the full show notes HERE.

Trauma and resilience are being talked about more in helping professions, yet what’s often overlooked is how human service organizations can become more trauma-informed and resilient.

Is another trauma training really the answer, or is there something deeper that needs to shift within organizations themselves?

I’m joined by Brett Loftis, a human rights attorney and child advocate who has spent his career working with children in the court system, many of whom have experienced severe trauma.

In 2018, Brett founded the Center for Trauma Resilient Communities, where he helps organizations across the country embed trauma recovery and community resilience into their systems and practices.

If you’re in a leadership position or just want to understand more about how trauma shows up in organizations, I learned a lot from Brett’s wisdom, and I know you will too.

Skip Ahead:

(04:08) How Crossnore supports youth facing adversity.

(06:52) What Brett believes new professionals need to know to effectively assist vulnerable youth.

(11:20) What challenges organizations typically face around becoming trauma-informed.

(13:45) Why addressing the personal experiences of helping professionals is essential to show up and do this work over a career.

(16:08) What it looks like to measure an organization’s readiness for trauma-informed practices.

(18:04) The surprises leaders uncover from doing organizational assessments.

(27:28) What makes for a good partnership, according to Brett.

Connect with Brett and learn more about Crossnore Communities for Children and Center for Trauma Resilient Communities.

Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a successful data-driven leader?

In this episode, we’re diving into the three roles every data-driven leader must play and how mastering them can drive your organization forward.

Drew explains the three essential roles of a data-driven leader: the strategist, the analyst, and the storyteller. He shares how these roles help leaders make informed decisions, communicate data effectively, and drive strategic initiatives.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to break free from the cycle of reactive leadership and start building a sustainable, impact-driven organization.

Skip Ahead:

(01:47) Why long-term success lies not just in making decisions, but in understanding why you’re making them. (The Strategist)

(09:23) How to uncover hidden patterns buried in data and turn them into a clear, actionable vision. (The Analyst)

(15:57) How the best leaders use stories to shape their vision and inspire their teams. (The Storyteller)

Every day, millions of people in our communities face an impossible situation. They’re stuck in a gap—unable to afford health insurance but also not qualifying for federal assistance. It’s a harsh reality, leaving many with nowhere to turn when they need care the most.

In Cabarrus County, North Carolina, the Community Free Clinic is stepping up to fill that gap. Led by Laura Lyerly, the clinic provides not only vital healthcare services but also a data-driven approach to understanding and meeting client needs.

In today’s episode, Laura shares how her team supports those who fall through the cracks, tracks their impact with data, and builds meaningful partnerships to amplify their work.

Skip Ahead:

(00:37) What is a typical patient at the Community Free Clinic and how do the barriers they face reflect larger systemic issues in healthcare.

(03:35) What are the less visible challenges—beyond cost—that prevent people from seeking care.

(10:14) How does the Community Free Clinic use data to understand the health care needs of their community.

(13:24) How does the clinic evaluate its success.

(19:28) What successes has Laura found in building partnerships that create a continuum of care across all healthcare services.

(21:50) What policy changes would Laura like to see to better support their patients.

In a quiet Irish town in 1985, coal merchant Bill Furlong faces a life-altering choice: maintain the status quo or risk everything to do what’s right.

This is the heart of Claire Keegan’s Small Things Like These, a novella that feels like it was written for anyone who’s ever faced an ethical dilemma in their work or life.

In this holiday episode, you’ll hear the quiet but powerful lessons this story holds for nonprofit leaders like you. Whether you’re fighting for funding, advocating for change, or simply trying to show up every day for your community, you’ve likely felt the tension between doing what’s easy and doing what’s necessary.

Skip Ahead:

(02:01) What a coal merchant in 1980s Ireland has to teach us about courage, compassion, and standing up to injustice

(04:19) How do the quiet, often overlooked moments in nonprofit and public sector work mirror acts of bravery in Small Things Like These

(06:28) What ripple effects could your smallest, most courageous actions have in the year ahead

Resources Mentioned:

• Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan