In this episode of The Charity Charge Show , Stephen Garten and co-host Grayson Harris talk with Krista Lamp , Senior Director of Nonprofit Communications at GoFundMe , about how technology, storytelling, and strategic engagement can help nonprofits raise more funds and connect with supporters. Krista shares how the transition of Classy into GoFundMe Pro combines the best of both platforms—offering robust fundraising tools with the global reach of GoFundMe’s donor network. The discussion covers ...
Aug 12, 2025•54 min•Ep. 109
In a recent episode of The Charity Charge Show , guest host Grayson Harris sat down with Angela Blake, Senior Product Manager at GiveWP , to explore the future of nonprofit fundraising tools. With a background in WordPress product development and a passion for empowering mission-driven organizations, Angela shared how GiveWP is shaping the way nonprofits build communities, manage donors, and scale their impact—all from within their WordPress website. Whether you're a local food pantry or a natio...
Aug 05, 2025•27 min•Ep. 108
In this episode of the Charity Charge Show, Stephen Garten interviews Shilpa Alva, founder and executive director of Surge for Water . Shilpa shares her journey of founding the nonprofit, inspired by her childhood experiences in India. Surge for Water focuses on providing comprehensive water solutions, emphasizing community ownership and women's leadership. Shilpa discusses the organization's impact, growth strategies, and the importance of diversifying revenue sources. She also reflects on her ...
Jul 22, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 107
In a recent episode of The Charity Charge Show , host Stephen Garten sat down with Joe Scarano, the founder of Araize and creator of FastFund , a cloud-based nonprofit financial software platform. With over three decades of experience in the nonprofit tech space, Joe brings deep insight into what makes nonprofit financial operations distinct—and how purpose-built tools can make all the difference. Joe and Stephen also explored the incredible diversity within the nonprofit world —from small commu...
Jul 15, 2025•36 min•Ep. 106
In this conversation, Stephen Garten and Abby James discuss the importance of Google Ad Grants for nonprofits, how Nonprofit Megaphone helps organizations leverage this program, and the impact of AI on nonprofit marketing. They explore various strategies for maximizing the $10,000 monthly grant, share success stories from different nonprofits, and emphasize the need for effective content and user journeys to convert leads into supporters. Abby also explains the business model of Nonprofit Megaph...
Jul 08, 2025•37 min•Ep. 105
In this episode of the Charity Charge Show we chat with Jared Walker, the founder of Dollar For , to discuss the organization's mission to alleviate medical debt through a comprehensive database of hospital charity care policies. He explains how Dollar Four automates the application process for patients, the challenges of funding through philanthropy, and the importance of partnerships in expanding their reach. The conversation also touches on the legal aspects of medical debt, the potential for...
May 07, 2025•36 min•Ep. 103
In Episode 102 of the Charity Charge Show, Stephen talks to Lisa Van Dusen , Executive Director of Palo Alto Community Fund , whose mission is to focus on the unique needs of our community and channel charitable giving of local donors to effective organizations that improve the quality of life for everyone in Palo Alto, East Palo Alto and Menlo Park. Stephen and Lisa Van Dusen talk about innovating quickly during the COVID-19 pandemic and trust based philanthropy. Van Dusen has dedicated her car...
Nov 08, 2022•39 min•Ep. 104
In Episode 101 of the Charity Charge Show, Stephen talks to Georges Benjamin, Executive Director of American Public Health Association (APHA), whose mission is to improve the health of the public and achieve equity in health status. Stephen and Georges Benjamin talk about what APHA learned from the COVID pandemic, APHA's role in shaping American healthcare policy over the past 150 years, and the importance of having financial reserves in place. Georges C. Benjamin is known as one of the nation’s...
Oct 27, 2022•36 min•Ep. 103
In Episode 100 of the Charity Charge Show, Stephen talks to Grant Trahant , Founder of Causeartist and RefiJobs . His mission is to show that everyone — from shoppers and professionals to entrepreneurs and investors — can change the world by making decisions that benefit the people and places around them. Interested in listening to the full episode and hearing more from other nonprofits? Check out more episodes here. Stephen and Grant Trahant talk about what it takes to build a business or nonpr...
Oct 12, 2022•37 min•Ep. 100
In Episode 99 of the Charity Charge Show , Stephen talks to Vicki Burkhart, CEO of The More Than Giving Co ., whose mission is to give nonprofits with visionary leaders and compelling missions an affordable, on-demand staffing solution to supplement the bandwidth and skillsets of their volunteer force. Stephen and Vicki Burkhart talk about More Than Giving's work with nonprofits to provide the staffing they need, the importance of a living strategic plan, and the four critical things for nonprof...
Sep 28, 2022•30 min•Ep. 102
In Episode 98 of the Charity Charge Show , Stephen talks to Nancy Long, Executive Director of 501 Commons , whose mission is to serve nonprofits as experts, innovators, and partners. Their passion is to amplify the strengths of nonprofits—so ALL people and communities flourish. Stephen and Nancy Long talk about the resilience of nonprofits during the COVID-19 pandemic, 501 Commons recent reports regarding nonprofit employee compensation, and common mistake nonprofits make with grants. Nancy Long...
Sep 14, 2022•33 min•Ep. 101
John LuxIn Episode 97 of the Charity Charge Show , Stephen talks to John Lux , Executive Director of Film Florida , a not-for-profit entertainment production association for Florida's film, TV, production & digital media industry. Stephen and John Lux talk about John's unique career path, Film Florida's mission to support the film industry in Florida, and the challenges in showing value to individual members in a large membership based organization. John has been the Executive Director for F...
Aug 31, 2022•35 min•Ep. 100
In Episode 96 of the Charity Charge Show, Stephen talks to Jeff Mazur, Executive Director of LaunchCode , whose mission is offering free tech education and job placement opportunities to bring new people from all backgrounds into the tech field and reshape the way employers think about hiring. Stephen and Jeff Mazur talk about LaunchCode's impact on providing people with the skills to enter a career in tech, creating a sustainable revenue stream to facilitate growth within a nonprofit, and the i...
Aug 17, 2022•34 min•Ep. 99
In Episode 95 of the Charity Charge Show, Stephen talks to Stella Kafka, Executive Director of the American Meteorological Society (AMS) , whose mission is to advance the atmospheric and related sciences, technologies, applications, and services for the benefit of society. Stephen and Stella Kafka talk about the pros & cons of switching to a virtual meeting model, joining an organization from an outsiders perspective, and AMS's mission to use science to keep people safe. As executive directo...
Aug 03, 2022•34 min•Ep. 98
In Episode 94 of the Charity Charge Show , Stephen talks to Katie Appold, Executive Director of Do More Good & Nonprofit Hub , whose mission is to create and curate content to help nonprofits do more good. Stephen and Katie Appold talk about Cause Camp (September 14-15, 2023), the struggles nonprofits are facing transitioning to a digital fundraising model, and creating great nonprofit boards. Katie’s nonprofit career includes a variety of leadership roles for human service, foundation, and ...
Jul 20, 2022•24 min•Ep. 97
In Episode 93 of the Charity Charge Show, Stephen talks to Erin Mote, Executive Director of InnovateEDU , whose mission is to eliminate the opportunity gap by accelerating innovation in standards aligned, next generation learning models and tools that serve, inform, and enhance teaching and learning. Stephen and Erin Mote talk about creating expertise throughout organizations by including diverse leaders in discussions, giving and receiving social capital to uplift others, and finding the 80% th...
Jul 06, 2022•35 min•Ep. 96
In Episode 92 of the Charity Charge Show, Stephen talks to Terry Beswick, Executive Director of GGBA, whose mission is to champion opportunity, development, and advocacy for our LGBTQ+ & Allied business community. Stephen and Terry Beswick talk about Terry's career in activism and the importance of listening to diverse communities so that strategies are informed by a wide range of lived experiences. Terry Beswick (he/him) has been executive director of the GGBA since October 15, 2021. At the...
Jun 22, 2022•36 min•Ep. 95
In Episode 91 of the Charity Charge Show, Stephen talks to David Street, Strategic Director Next Gen Organizing of Bread for the World , whose mission is to be a collective Christian voice urging our nation's leaders to end hunger at home and abroad. Stephen and David Street talk about the mission of Bread for the World, Street's work with adolescence and social media through his nonprofit P.E.N. (Promote, Enrich and Nurture) DMV, and the process of setting up a new nonprofit. David Street is a ...
Jun 08, 2022•25 min•Ep. 94
In Episode 90 of the Charity Charge Show, Stephen talks to Dr. Noeen Malik, CEO & Founder of Scientudio Inc., whose mission is bridging the gaps in Global Welfare program under Endorse Hope, community wellbeing is at the forefront of what they're working towards together. Scientudio believes that a single action can make a difference in society, and collaborative actions can greatly impact the world. Stephen and Dr. Noeen Malik talk about her background and extensive experience working with ...
May 25, 2022•25 min•Ep. 93
In Episode 89 of the Charity Charge Show, Stephen talks to Thomas Canavan, Executive Director of National Law Enforcement Museum, whose mission is to honor the role of law enforcement, in service to society, by recognizing the sacrifices and valor of law enforcement, educating the community, and making it safer for those who serve. Stephen and Thomas Canavan talk about the effect of COVID-19 on the National Law Enforcement Museum and how CALEB (Community Alliances and Law Enforcement Bulletin Ne...
May 11, 2022•35 min•Ep. 92
In Episode 88 of the Charity Charge Show, Stephen talks to Nora Super, Executive Director of the Milken Institute Center for the Future of Aging, whose mission is to help people build meaningful lives, in which they can experience health and well-being, pursue effective education and gainful employment, and access the resources required to create ever-expanding opportunities for themselves and their broader communities. Stephen and Nora Super talk about the importance of support for our aging po...
Apr 27, 2022•48 min•Ep. 91
In Episode 87 of the Charity Charge Show, Stephen talks to Robert Feiri, Executive Director of Gateway Center of Monterey County, whose mission is to serve adults with Developmental Disabilities by fully supporting their individual rights and choices, and empowering them to live full and productive lives with dignity and independence within the community. Stephen and Robert Feiri talk about sustaining motivation through challenging times, breaking old habits to bring future successes, and the im...
Apr 14, 2022•22 min•Ep. 90
In Episode 86 of the Charity Charge Show, Stephen talks to Jason Watters, CFO of GiveDirectly, whose mission is letting donors send money directly to the world’s poorest households. They believe people living in poverty deserve the dignity to choose for themselves how best to improve their lives — cash enables that choice. Stephen and Jason Watters talk about GiveDirectly's innovations in technology to increase efficiency of donations from donor to recipient, the importance of financial transpar...
Mar 30, 2022•38 min•Ep. 89
In Episode 85 of the Charity Charge Show, Stephen talks to Holly Wissmann, Director of Philanthropy of Breakthrough Central Texas & President of AFP Greater Austin Chapter , whose mission is to facilitate ethical and effective philanthropy in Central Texas. The members of the Greater Austin Chapter represent a cross-section of professionals who serve the diverse nonprofit organizations of the Austin community. Stephen and Holly Wissmann talk about Association of Fundraising Professionals (AF...
Mar 16, 2022•27 min•Ep. 88
In Episode 84 of the Charity Charge Show, Stephen talks to Janet Torres, CEO of Literacy Coalition of Central Texas , whose mission is to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty through holistic literacy services. Stephen and Janet talk about the importance of connecting with staff members while working remotely and why radical vulnerability is a key leadership skill. Janet Torres works as Chief Executive Officer at The Literacy Coalition of Central Texas, who are celebrating their 20th ann...
Feb 16, 2022•50 min•Ep. 87
In Episode 83 of the Charity Charge Show, Stephen talks to Rebecca Powers, Author of Trust Your Cape & Founder of Impact Austin , whose mission is to cultivate and expand the knowledge, passion, and generosity of their members to make a positive impact by developing strong relationships and leveraging the power of collective giving. Stephen and Rebecca Powers talk about her new book Trust Your Cape that chronicles her journey of starting, building, leading and then letting go of Impact Austi...
Feb 03, 2022•41 min•Ep. 86
In Episode 82 of the Charity Charge Show , Stephen talks to Kim Langbecker, Executive Director of the Sacred Fire Foundation , with the mission to ensure the continuance of Indigenous wisdom traditions and to expand awareness of how and why these worldviews and their embodied values are crucial to modern society . Stephen and Kim discuss her unique background, working with indigenous communities, and her hopes for a post-pandemic world. Kim Langbecker has more than twenty years of experience wor...
Jan 19, 2022•26 min•Ep. 85
In Episode 81 of the Charity Charge Show , Stephen talks to Brad Voss, Executive Director of Made in the Streets , whose mission is to love and serve children from the streets of Nairobi, Kenya - meeting their physical, emotional & spiritual needs; loving them fully; equipping them to earn a living & sending them out to a new life. Brad and Stephen talk about fundraising, seeing donors as a customer, and the benefits and drawbacks of running an NGO in Kenya from an office in Texas. Brad ...
Jan 05, 2022•34 min•Ep. 84
In Episode 80 of the Charity Charge Show , Stephen talks to Jim Starr, president and CEO of America’s Charities , which inspires employees and organizations to support the causes they care about. Stephen and Jim discuss corporate giving and new trends in fundraising. An accomplished leader with more than 30 years of experience and a proven track record in the nonprofit and healthcare sectors, Jim has served in national and field executive leadership roles with multi-million dollar revenue and ex...
Dec 22, 2021•35 min•Ep. 83
In Episode 79 of the Charity Charge Show , Stephen talks to George Weiner, Founder and CEO (or Chief Whaler) of Whole Whale , a digital agency that leverages data and tech to increase the impact of nonprofits and for-benefit companies . George and Stephen discuss digital advertising and its benefits for nonprofits, plus the 2021 Nonprofit Advertising Benchmark Study . Prior to Whole Whale, George was the CTO of DoSomething.org. Over the course of 7 years, he managed the platform overhaul of DoSo...
Dec 08, 2021•27 min•Ep. 82
