Give Better Get Better

Community foundations are unique in many ways. Not exactly mission-driven nonprofits, and not a typical financial institution, our organizations can be hard to explain. However, like most companies or organizations, our internal culture and capacity significantly influence our effectiveness in pursuing our external mission. That connection is the focus of our next series: Inside & Out.This series starts with Shell Berry, President & CEO of the Community Foundation for the Central Savannah River Area in Augusta, GA. She explains how she sent from ballet to business school, and how her experience as an investment banker helps in her current role. Shell then describes how a strategic focus on what they should be doing helped their staff "learn to say no" and how that significantly enhanced their ability to pursue their mission in the community. She offers great insights we can all apply.Give Better Get Better is presented by Embolden, serving community foundations of all sizes across the country since 1998. Learn more about their content and consulting services at embolden.com.

This special episode features a creative way that one community foundation has built pride and connection around a major athletics event.Listen in as Josh talks with Jessica Martin, President and Executive Director of the Greater Salina Community Foundation. She explains her uncommon path from selling cabinets to community foundation leadership, her organization's focus on planned giving, and the "Match Madness" event they host each year around this time that connects nonprofits, youth, volunteers, and donors to build up nonprofit endowed funds.Give Better Get Better is presented by Embolden, serving community foundations of all sizes across the country since 1998. Learn more about their content and consulting services at embolden.com.

As the icy grip of winter begins to fade we are wrapping up our Snowbird Series. We hope you're enjoying these conversations with community foundation leaders to learn how part-time residents shape their work.This week, Josh welcomes the first repeat guest in the history of the podcast! Kristi Knous, President of the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines shares a brief recap of their work in 2025, then dives into how they engage donors who are spending time in warmer climates. She describes their event strategy and an innovative approach to partnering for maximum reach. She also explains how their work with Snowbirds has translated into broader efforts to engage and educate prospective donors across their community.

This week's installment in our Snowbird Series takes us across Lake Michigan from last week and all the way across the state of Michigan. Jackie Hanton, Vice President at the Community Foundation for St. Clair County, introduces us to her corner of the world, shares her path from trust officer to community foundation leadership, the investments they are making in rural recreational assets, and their secret to keeping Snowbird connected when they are soaking up the sun.

Welcome back to our Snowbird Series on seasonal residents with homes in more than one community. We hope you're enjoying these conversations with community foundation leaders to learn how part-time residents shape their work.This week, Josh welcomes Bret Bicoy, President & CEO of Door County Community Foundation (the "thumb" of Wisconsin). Bret explains why local residents are "protective of bein what we are," how geography exacerbates their workforce housing shortage, and why it might be a good thing when community foundation leaders are "all a little annoyed" with each other. And don't miss Bret's wish for a bumper crop of something surprising!

Our Snowbird Series, an exploration of donors who make their home in more than one community, continues to think about how these residents influence the work of place-based philanthropies like community foundations.Next, we head to the Rockies to meet Erica Snow, President & CEO of Aspen Community Foundation. Erica shares her path from being a mental health professional to a community foundation, discusses her organization's work on funding loss and affordable housing, their unique approach to engaging donors in multiple seasons, and the importance of patience for cultivating seasonal residents.

Welcome back to the Snowbird Series, our deep-dive on donors who call more than one community home. We're asking community foundation leaders how the Snowbirds in their communities drive their work.Next up, Josh welcomes Chris Sawin, President & CEO of Outer Banks Community Foundation on the North Carolina coast. Chris explains how his background in music contributes to his career in philanthropy, the unique mix of issues driving his work in a community built around tourism, and the specific kind of professional advisor at the center of his donor outreach.

Our focus on seasonal residents (with homes in more than one community) continues! We're asking community foundation leaders how the Snowbirds in their communities drive their work.Next in the Snowbird Series, Josh talks to Eileen Connolly-Keesler, President & CEO of Collier Community Foundation (centered on Naples). Eileen shares how leading a community foundation in Wisconsin lead her to working in Florida, her organization's work on housing and environmental issues, and realities of life in her community that motivate donors to give in support of their neighbors.