In this episode of the Unfiltered Nonprofit Podcast, we sit down with Jessie Card, Executive Director of Youth Ottawa, to discuss how nonprofits can move beyond grant dependency and adopt a social enterprise mindset. Under Jessie’s leadership, Youth Ottawa transformed its funding model—growing from 0% earned revenue in 2018 to 18% of total revenue generated through paid programming with school boards. This shift has not only strengthened the organization's sustainability but also reinforced its impact, proving that nonprofits can thrive by thinking like businesses while staying mission-driven.

Jessie shares how his own experiences with learning challenges inspired him to empower youth through skills development, media literacy, and entrepreneurship. He discusses the crucial role of prevention—investing in young people early yields long-term benefits, with research showing every $1 spent on youth programs can save $5 to $7 in future social costs. Youth Ottawa's innovative approach actively involves young people in shaping and delivering programming, ensuring they gain leadership experience and economic opportunities while driving community change.

Beyond financial sustainability, Youth Ottawa has created flagship initiatives like the RBC 21 Under 21 Awards and the Mars Charity Golf Classic, which not only recognize and celebrate young changemakers but also serve as key revenue streams to fund impactful programs. Jessie’s insights challenge traditional nonprofit mindsets, emphasizing that organizations must embrace sales, marketing, and business acumen to survive and scale their missions.

This conversation is a must-listen for nonprofit leaders looking to innovate their funding models, maximize social impact, and turn financial challenges into opportunities. If you’re navigating similar struggles, this episode provides actionable insights on how to leverage partnerships, rethink revenue strategies, and build a financially resilient nonprofit.

In this episode of The Unfiltered Nonprofit Podcast, Susan Ingram, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa, shares how her leadership helped turn a small idea into a thriving social enterprise. Thrive Select Thrift started with just three clothing bins and a $5,000 investment in 2015. Today, it has grown into a successful thrift store that has diverted over 1.5 million pounds of clothing from landfills, generated nearly $500,000 in revenue, and provided 4,448 hours of job training for youth. Beyond raising funds, Thrive Select Thrift has become a key part of their mission, offering mentorship and a safe space for young people to learn and grow.

Susan’s leadership played a big role in making this happen. With a background in operations and business, she brought practical skills to the nonprofit world, combining strong planning with a “start small” approach. She credits partnerships with organizations like RBC and a supportive board of directors for helping her overcome challenges. Susan also shares how nonprofits often shy away from risks, but by taking small, thoughtful steps—like piloting with a few bins before opening a store—she was able to build confidence in the project and make it work.

For Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa, Thrive Select Thrift is more than just a revenue stream. The store provides a physical space for the community to connect with their mission, meet the youth they support, and see their impact firsthand. Susan explains how this has helped showcase their work, which is often hard to “see” since mentorship relationships happen privately. The store also gives young people real-world job training, helping them build skills and a sense of belonging that will stay with them long after their time in the program.

Are you looking for new ways to support your nonprofit’s mission and diversify your revenue? What small steps could you take to test an idea and build toward something bigger? This episode is full of insights for nonprofit leaders ready to take the leap into social enterprise.

What does it take to advocate for 65,000 grain farmers across Canada? In this episode of the Unfiltered Nonprofit Podcast, we sit down with Kyle Larkin, Executive Director of Grain Growers of Canada, to explore the realities of nonprofit leadership and advocacy in a constantly shifting political landscape. Representing farmers who produce 70% of Canada’s grain exports, Kyle shares how his team works tirelessly on Parliament Hill to address issues that directly impact Canadian agriculture.

We discuss Kyle’s journey into nonprofit leadership, his strategies for aligning advocacy with government priorities, and the importance of adapting to change—whether it’s in policies, leadership, or public focus. One standout success Kyle shares is his role in creating the third-ever national college in Canada for intellectual property agents, a multi-year achievement that highlights the power of persistence and collaboration.

Kyle also opens up about the challenges he faced as a young leader, including overcoming age-related biases early in his career. His advice? Trust your expertise and stay confident, even in uncertain times.

If you’ve ever wondered how political change impacts nonprofits—or how to stay focused when the ground shifts beneath you—this episode is packed with actionable insights and real-world lessons. Tune in to learn how advocacy evolves and why it matters for everyone