As CEO of The Kipos Group, James Misner has spent years in the trenches with nonprofit leaders. "On the Ground" brings those conversations to you—unfiltered insights by nonprofit leaders, for nonprofit leaders.
Real Leaders. Real Challenges. Real Solutions.
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70% From Cookies: How Girl Scouts of West Central Florida Is Rebuilding Revenue
Season 1 · Episode 25
Tuesday, September 22, 2026 • Duration 35:47
Mary Pat King on Leading Girl Scouts of West Central Florida Through COVID, Hurricanes, and Growth
James Misner talks with Mary Pat King, CEO of Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, about her journey from PR and youth programs to leading a major nonprofit through a pandemic. They discuss the organization's structure, the challenges girls face today, and the tough financial and staffing calls needed to keep the mission going.
Mary Pat shares how she stepped into the CEO role in March 2020, the influence of her father's legacy on her career path, and why she believes Girl Scouts builds purpose, skills, and lasting friendships over a 10-year journey. They also cover membership trends, hurricane recovery, funding, and shared leadership.
Key topics
Her path from PR to youth program leadership (Safe Kids Worldwide, American Diabetes Association, National PTA)
Earning her CAE credential before applying for the CEO role
Becoming CEO just as the pandemic hit
How the organization is structured (troop leaders, service units, volunteers, staff, Girl Advisory Board)
Why Girl Scouts is more than "cookies, crafts, and camps"
Today's girls: screen use, social comparison, mental health, risky behavior
00:00 – Introduction 00:31 – Career path: PR to nonprofit leadership, father's influence, earning CAE, landing the CEO role 02:49 – Becoming CEO in March 2020, leading through the pandemic shutdown 03:09 – Girl Scouts beyond "cookies, crafts, and camps"; org structure (troop leaders, service units, staff, camp) 10:58 – State of girls today: screens, mental health, social comparison, gender differences online, AI 17:23 – Membership trends, hurricane disruption, and recovery 20:23 – Funding model and the role of cookies 21:38 – Staffing cuts and sustainability challenges 23:14 – Leadership decisions: executive team, Working Genius framework, shared leadership, and avoiding the trap of doing it all yourself 30:30 – Long-term goals and how to connect with Mary Pat
$54 Million Over 40 Years: How Trees for the Future Made Carbon a Crop
Season 1 · Episode 24
Tuesday, September 15, 2026 • Duration 36:34
How Trees Helps Smallholder Farmers Build Prosperity and Restore Land
James Misner speaks with Cate from Trees about how a nature-based organization uses regenerative agriculture, trees, and local leadership to help smallholder farmers in East Africa improve soil health, diversify crops, and strengthen livelihoods. They also discuss why climate work is inseparable from people, how carbon markets fit into nonprofit revenue, and what happens when partnerships are not the right scaling strategy.
Key Topics
Cate shares her career path from advertising to public health, consulting, and Trees, where her work combines curiosity, persuasion, community, and mission.
Trees uses trees as a starting point to support regenerative agriculture with smallholder farmers in Africa.
Its mission is twofold: restore land and unlock prosperity for farmers.
Cate explains farmer-led, locally rooted delivery, including informed consent and community-based support.
Farmers move from monocropping and degraded soils to diversified farms with 4–5 crops in year one and 12–15 by year three.
The model improves food security, dietary diversity, composting, pest management, savings, and market access.
Village savings and loans help farmers save, lend, and reinvest in their farms and communities.
Cate and James discuss why framing climate work through people makes funding more compelling.
Trees adapts its approach to local soil, education, markets, and gender norms across Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.
Cate explains why Trees moved away from broad partnerships when they began affecting quality and capacity.
The conversation closes with how carbon credits can generate additional revenue for farmers and Trees while requiring verification and long-term permanence.
Timestamps
00:00 — Opening the conversation and Cate’s career path
03:10 — What Trees is and why trees are only the starting point
06:07 — How smallholder farmers experience the program
$400 Million in Tax Credits: How NeighborWorks Capital Funds 250 Nonprofits
Season 1 · Episode 23
Tuesday, September 8, 2026 • Duration 36:14
How NeighborWorks Capital Uses Nonprofit Lending to Expand Affordable Housing
James Misner talks with Jim Peffley of NeighborWorks Capital about the affordable housing crisis, how community development financial institutions work, and the power of collaboration across the nonprofit housing sector. Jim shares his path from growing up in affordable housing to leading an institution that helps nonprofit developers access capital. They discuss the scale of the housing shortfall, how NeighborWorks Capital is structured, and why the network's collective strength gives smaller developers more leverage with investors.
Key topics
Jim shares how Brookview Apartments shaped his views on housing.
His path went from banking to housing finance to affordable housing investing.
They discuss the affordable housing continuum, from public housing to homeownership.
Jim describes the scale of the housing shortage and its pressure on families.
More housing alone isn't enough if it's unaffordable or blocked by zoning.
NeighborWorks Capital is a nonprofit CDFI lending to housing developers.
It finances land acquisition, infrastructure, and construction.
The organization borrows close to $100 million a year, with $400 million in tax credits.
The NeighborWorks network collectively rivals major for-profit developers.
Jim explains organizing developers to negotiate better terms with investors.
A failed Fannie Mae effort taught him to listen closely to customers first.
Intelligent risk-taking is essential in mission-driven leadership.
He closes by encouraging orgs to connect with local NeighborWorks members.
Timestamps
00:39 - Jim's path into affordable housing 01:33 - From banking into housing finance 03:41 - Today's affordable housing landscape 04:55 - Scale of the housing shortfall 06:30 - Housing insecurity's effect on opportunity 07:58 - Why more homes isn't the whole solution09:13 - Who NeighborWorks Capital serves10:56 - Types of financing it provides11:51 - Why banks invest in it12:56 - How the nonprofit model sustains itself14:48 - Annual borrowing and lending scale15:23 - Tax credit investments and capital stack16:40 - Affordable units the network produces17:10 - Why collective bargaining power matters18:18 - NeighborWorks nonprofits as innovators19:26 - How scale advantages leave smaller groups behind22:19 - Listening as a superpower with funders23:44 - Why new partnerships require flexibility25:44 - Advice for frontline organizations27:01 - Why NeighborWorks members are the right partners28:43 - The collaborative culture of the CDFI space29:28 - What NeighborWorks Capital hopes to change next31:02 - Headwinds facing affordable housing33:40 - Where to find Jim and NeighborWorks Capital
Asking for Money for a Need They Don't Have: Empower Girls Camp's Fundraising Fix
Season 1 · Episode 22
Tuesday, September 1, 2026 • Duration 30:35
Therese Tetzel on Building Empower Girls Camp to Change Girls’ Trajectories
James Misner talks with Therese Tetzel, founder of Empower Girls Camp, about leaving a 30-year corporate career to build a research-informed program that helps shy or at-risk girls develop confidence and resilience. They also discuss why short, consistent donor updates beat broad, generic appeals.
Key topics
Empower Girls Camp aims to deeply impact a small group of girls rather than many superficially.
Therese left a 30-year corporate career after questioning its purpose, sparked by tutoring Sifa, a young refugee who couldn't read — Sifa's first camp became the turning point.
Serves girls 9–11 who are shy, withdrawn, or facing hardship at home — a "precision intervention disguised as a STEM camp."
Selection uses a 12-point counselor questionnaire and a scoring system built with a child psychologist.
Therese designed the program using her corporate product-development background, planning it out on butcher paper.
Lessons learned: not every parent says yes, so a response plan was needed; in fundraising, local relationships and short, frequent donor updates beat long newsletters.
Donors want to see impact, not a sales pitch — regular updates build trust.
Vision: keep adding schools and girls yearly, aiming for 20 schools.
Timestamps
00:00 - Why nonprofit missions differ from corporate ones 00:28 - Meet Therese Tetzel and Empower Girls Camp 00:59 - Leaving corporate America after asking "What am I doing here?" 02:28 - Meeting Sifa and discovering the power of tutoring 03:10 - Teaching a six-year-old refugee to read in a month 04:07 - The first camp experience that changed everything 05:47 - From one camper to a broader model 06:17 - Launching a nonprofit with no prior experience 07:59 - Building the model from the American Camp Association study09:26 - "Precision intervention masquerading as a STEM camp"10:13 - Identifying the girls most likely to benefit11:12 - The 12-point questionnaire and selection process12:21 - Building the process on butcher paper13:17 - Using school data to predict enrollment14:14 - Parent permission, photo releases, vaccination records15:27 - What didn't work: assuming every parent would say yes17:10 - Fundraising lessons: local giving matters most18:26 - Why sales skills don't translate to fundraising19:27 - Donor communication needs to happen often20:24 - Short, frequent updates over long newsletters21:34 - Keeping the cause front and center for donors23:14 - Donors want impact, not merchandise24:46 - Showing outcomes multiplies donor joy25:10 - Milestones can also lead to grants26:16 - Growth plans: more schools, girls, funding27:37 - How to connect with Therese28:17 - Why the organization is uniquely focused
30% From Program Revenue: How Helping Up Mission Funds a One-Year Recovery Program
Season 1 · Episode 21
Tuesday, August 25, 2026 • Duration 50:24
Helping Up Mission, Baltimore, and a life shaped by serving people in crisis
James Misner talks with Daniel Stoltzfus, CEO of Helping Up Mission in Baltimore, about the personal calling that led him into addiction recovery and homelessness work, the mission’s 140-year history, and how it navigates changing policies while staying focused on trust, relationships, and transformation. Daniel also shares how a life-changing experience at age 19 shaped his path, along with insights on Baltimore’s recovery, nonprofit leadership, succession, and sustainable funding.
Key Topics
Daniel’s calling began at 19 on the Relief Bus in NYC.
Isaiah 58 shaped his view of service and vocation.
Helping Up Mission was founded in Baltimore in 1885.
Its original mission included women and children.
The mission expanded to women and children in 2020.
Daniel sees this growth as returning to its roots.
Baltimore shows both deep need and real renewal.
Overdoses, crime, prayer, and partnerships shape the city.
Daniel supports housing, harm reduction, and recovery together.
Recovery depends on trust, relationships, and readiness.
Timestamps
00:00 - Daniel’s introduction and why this matters 00:52 - Mission service and street addiction in NYC 03:12 - The moment in Maria Hernandez Park that changed his life 04:20 - Isaiah 58 and his call to service 05:42 - 30 years in addiction, homelessness, and poverty work 07:16 - Helping Up Mission’s founding in 1885 08:42 - Historic board minutes and early mission language 10:05 - Expanding from men’s shelter to recovery and women’s services 11:33 - Discovering the founder lived near today’s campus 13:15 - Why rescue missions emerged during economic crises 15:12 - What early records reveal about resilience 16:36 - Emergency funds, near closures, and faith18:20 - Why Baltimore is often misunderstood19:19 - Street outreach and active addiction20:15 - Overdose deaths and the people behind the numbers22:14 - A vision for Baltimore’s recovery24:09 - Prayer, churches, leaders, and the city26:32 - Succeeding a long-tenured CEO32:41 - Housing first, harm reduction, and recovery34:36 - 12-step and Christ-centered recovery37:21 - Narcan and going beyond harm reduction39:39 - Why strong nonprofits embrace paradox40:27 - What failed: oversimplifying with a hotline41:26 - Telling client stories with dignity and consent42:55 - Building diversified nonprofit revenue45:03 - Helping Up Mission’s next 5–10 years47:39 - Connecting with Daniel and Helping Up Mission
372 Missionaries in 71 Countries: How Global Outreach Grew Retention Doing Things That Don't Scale
Season 1 · Episode 20
Tuesday, August 18, 2026 • Duration 33:39
Building Bridges and Moving Hearts with Josh Yerkes: Stories, Funding, and Mission Impact
In this conversation, Josh Yerkes Vice President of Development at Global Outreach International—shares how storytelling, unscalable donor engagement, and documentary filmmaking fuel the organization's mission to send missionaries worldwide. Discover the power of personal touches in fundraising, the challenges of donor retention, and innovative ways to inspire support for global missions.
Key Topics:
The role of faith-based organizations in international missions
The importance of storytelling in donor engagement and fundraising
How documentary films can energize mission-focused giving
Lessons learned from fundraising failures and setbacks
Strategies for building long-term donor loyalty
The significance of personal, experiential touches in supporter relationships
Effective use of social media and video content to tell compelling stories
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to Josh Yerkes and Global Outreach International
00:39 - What Global Outreach does annually—mission, support, training
01:10 - Josh’s background as a missionary kid and career transition into nonprofit leadership
03:15 - The path from YMCA leadership to global missions and fundraising
06:44 - The storytelling approach and its impact on fundraising success
07:14 - The influence of personal stories and experiences in donor relationships
09:12 - Using sensory memories like chlorine smell to craft compelling stories
10:20 - How Global Outreach funds its mission: impact, partnership, and broad-spectrum investing
$1.6M to $2.5M in One Year: How Junior Achievement Grew by Fixing the Product Mix
Season 1 · Episode 19
Tuesday, August 11, 2026 • Duration 32:11
Empowering Future Leaders: Junior Achievement, AI, and the Future of Nonprofit Storytelling
Join us as James Misner sits down with Kim Morgan, President of Junior Achievement of Greater Fairfield County, to talk about preparing young people for the future through financial literacy, experiential learning, and career readiness. Kim also shares how her nonprofit team is using AI to work smarter, strengthen grant writing, and create more effective storytelling that puts donors and audiences first.
In this episode:
How Junior Achievement uses experiential learning to teach financial literacy, entrepreneurship, communication, and critical thinking
Why students need hands-on experiences to build confidence and prepare for real-world success
Kim’s path to Junior Achievement after 18 years at United Way and a two-year career break
What it means to return to leadership refreshed, focused, and not burnt out
How Kim’s team adopted AI for grant writing, communications, and strategic planning
Why AI should be treated as a coworker that supports, not replaces, people
The role of storytelling in fundraising and why the donor should be the hero
How Finance Park, BizTown, and Dream Accelerator are shaping the next phase of growth
Timestamps:
00:00 - James introduces Kim Morgan and Junior Achievement of Greater Fairfield County
00:27 - What Junior Achievement is and how it connects learning with experiences
01:38 - Kim’s view of today’s students and the confidence gap in financial literacy
04:20 - How Kim became leader of Junior Achievement of Greater Fairfield County
05:19 - Her years at United Way and what she learned from the role
$500K to $25 Million: How Feiro Marine Life Center Funded a 13,000 Sq Ft Rebuild
Season 1 · Episode 18
Tuesday, August 4, 2026 • Duration 29:38
$500K to $25 Million: How Feiro Marine Life Center Funded a 13,000 Sq Ft Rebuild
Discover how Melissa Williams transformed the Feiro Marine Life Center from a small community museum into a $25 million funded marine education hub. Learn the strategic partnerships, fundraising tactics, and resilience that powered their growth despite setbacks, and gain insights into making impactful organizational leaps.
Key Topics:
Melissa Williams shares her transition from Chicago's Shed Aquarium to Feiro and her nonprofit journey
The unique "David and Goliath" story of raising $25 million for Feiro's new aquarium
Building strategic partnerships, including NOAA collaboration, to elevate project credibility
Navigating federal funding allocations and private fundraising from $500,000 to $25 million
Overcoming challenges with a major project reimagining and managing a six-year delay
Cultivating donor relationships through tours, events, and impact storytelling
Strategies for rural organizations to leverage community support and major gifts
The importance of perseverance and self-care during long fundraising campaigns
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction & Feiro's location 00:19 - Melissa's background, incl. Shed Aquarium 01:12 - Feiro's growth into a $25M project 01:39 - Early excitement and community ties 03:17 - Visitor experience: tide pools & exhibits 04:43 - Plans for the new 2028 center 05:52 - Scaling the facility for growth 07:01 - Deciding to launch a capital campaign 07:58 - Securing federal funds & NOAA partnership 09:44 - State/federal funding & grant challenges 10:15 - From $500K budget to $25M raised 11:12 - Hiring a development director 12:02 - Feasibility study & donor cultivation 14:41 - Volunteer engagement & outreach15:32 - Setbacks and reimagining the plan16:54 - Keeping the team motivated17:39 - Melissa's resilience strategies19:48 - Earned revenue: 30% to 70%21:29 - Donor cultivation, urgency & matching funds22:39 - Rural fundraising challenges23:37 - Giving, connections & pledge management24:54 - Momentum through perseverance26:01 - Advice for leaders with big visions27:12 - Connect with Melissa & Feiro28:36 - Closing thoughts & appreciation
Technology Isn’t the Mission: How to Stop Losing Donors to Disconnected Systems
Season 1 · Episode 17
Tuesday, July 28, 2026 • Duration 40:05
Discover how technology and AI are transforming nonprofit work, enhancing donor relationships, and increasing efficiency in this insightful conversation with David Blyer, CEO of Arreva.
Main Topics:
The evolution of technology in nonprofits over 25 years
Challenges with disconnected systems and integration
The role and future of AI in fundraising and donor management
Building trust and protecting donor data with AI
Practical steps for nonprofits to adopt new tech with limited resources
In this episode:
David Blyer shares his journey from software entrepreneurship to solving nonprofit data challenges
The importance of integrated systems in donor engagement and fundraising
How AI can streamline communication, improve donor retention, and enhance decision-making
Key considerations for responsible AI use, including donor data privacy
The future of technology in nonprofits, including AI embedded into daily operations
Practical advice for nonprofits on adopting technology within budget constraints
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction and David Blyer’s background in nonprofit technology
01:12 - Early career and transition into solving nonprofit data problems
02:38 - Identifying the gap: disconnected nonprofit systems
03:57 - How Arreva simplifies donor management for nonprofits
06:42 - Current challenges nonprofits face with multiple systems
08:00 - The importance of timely communication for donor retention
09:56 - Impact of delayed donor communication on giving behavior
11:22 - The role of technology in building trust and relationships
$10 Million With 6 Staff: How the Okanagan Science Centre Is Building a Campaign
Season 1 · Episode 16
Tuesday, July 21, 2026 • Duration 26:10
How the Okanagan Science Center Leads with Community and Innovation
Join us as Dione Chambers, director of the Okanagan Science Center, shares her journey from chemistry and nanotechnology to leading a beloved community science hub. Discover how she navigates fundraising, community engagement, and innovation in a small-town setting.
Main Topic:
Transitioning from science to nonprofit leadership
Creative funding strategies during challenging times
Leveraging digital platforms for education and revenue
Leading through crisis: fire and pandemic responses
Building community support for capital campaigns
In this episode:
Dione's career path from nanotech to nonprofit leadership
The role of traveling exhibits and unique programs at a small science center
How moving online during COVID opened new revenue streams
Lessons learned from managing a fire and operational disruptions
Strategies for community engagement and communication
Practical advice for leaders: building teams and prioritizing fundraising
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introducing Dione Chambers and the Okanagan Science Center's unique story
00:21 - The location and community context of the Okanagan Valley 01:08 - Dione's transition from chemistry and nanotech to nonprofit leadership
01:33 - How her diverse experiences shape her approach to managing the science center
02:28 - What visitors experience at the science center, including exhibits and animal displays
03:00 - The popularity of axolotls and other unique science experiences
04:27 - Funding structures and revenue strategies, including moving online 05:09 - Deep dive into the center’s online platform and educational offerings
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06:08 - The role of web-based programs for school groups and community
07:05 - Supporting teachers with accessible resources
07:35 - Looking ahead: fundraising plans and engaging community support
08:22 - The upcoming $10 million capital campaign and early donor engagement
09:38 - The importance of dedicated fundraising focus for nonprofit leaders
09:57 - Challenges faced with the canceled science festival and lessons in crisis management
12:52 - Navigating the fire emergency and restoring community trust 15:44 - The 'plant bingo' event as a creative response during closures 17:16 - Community resilience and communication during crises
18:51 - Marketing lessons learned from the fire and signage challenges 20:43 - The importance of multi-channel communication in busy community environments
22:50 - Leadership lessons: building teams, delegating, and self-care 24:00 - Connecting with Dione and the Okanagan Science Center for further engagement
