This month, Randi is joined by Katie Strickler to talk about her route to the Community Foundation by way of AmeriCorps. In her time so far, Katie has built a more robust scholarship program in addition to many other projects and accomplishments!
Jul 25, 2025•15 min•Ep. 82
This month, Randi and Sara share their "origin story" - details about how they met and how their lives have come full circle together. And with the recent heat wave, they're looking forward to some cool summer events!
Jun 25, 2025•23 min•Ep. 81
It's the grant-giving season, and Randi and Sara are talking all about how those grant funds are managed and allocated at the Community Foundation. Plus, stay tuned til the end to find out what they're looking forward to in June!
Jun 04, 2025•21 min•Ep. 80
This month, as local and regional school districts prepare for budget votes, Randi and Sara talk about the numbers behind these budgets. Why do they go up and down and how are taxes factored in?
May 05, 2025•26 min•Ep. 79
Randi and Sara share some of the most fun activities from the Community Foundation office over the past couple of months. Listen and take some ideas for your own office!
Mar 25, 2025•17 min•Ep. 78
In what has organically become a 3-part series, Randi is back to talk with Sara about getting through hard times. This topic is particularly aimed at nonprofit organizations that are feeling uncertain. And there's still lots to look forward to in the coming weeks!
Feb 25, 2025•15 min•Ep. 77
"The Sara and Katie Show" kicks off 2025 by talking about a book by Katherine May called Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times. As always, at the end they share what they're looking forward to in the new year ahead.
Jan 31, 2025•17 min•Ep. 76
This episode features Sara and Katie talking about Seasonal Affective Disorder (aka 'SAD') and some of the things we can do to break out of the winter slump. Heading into the holidays, they also talk about what they're most looking forward to before the end of 2024. Happy listening, happy holidays, and happy New Year to all!
Dec 17, 2024•12 min•Ep. 75
Randi and Sara are back in the basement to record in person and talk about the upcoming election. What will you find on the ballot and how can you participate as an informed voter? Also, we're all looking forward to FLX Gives beginning November 14!
Oct 29, 2024•17 min•Ep. 74
Elaine Smith recently returned from her 3-month sabbatical, which was made possible by a grant from the Community Foundation. She joins Randi to talk about how it went and what she's looking forward to now that she's back at work.
Sep 27, 2024•22 min•Ep. 73
This month, we revisit a back-to-school conversation from 3 years ago. Randi and Sara are enjoying the last of summer vacation, but it's still important to check in on scholarship processes at the Foundation. Happy August!
Aug 25, 2024•17 min•Ep. 72
In this episode, Randi goes solo to talk about the differences between 501c3, 501c4, and PAC organizations - and how or whether they are allowed to publicly discuss politics. In today's climate, there are very important distinctions to understand. And what can we all look forward to in the coming months?
Jul 24, 2024•18 min•Ep. 71
In this June episode of the Good Works Podcast, Randi and Sara are meeting to talk about meetings; how to run them more effectively, cancel them when necessary, and when the meeting could have been an email. Plus there are lots of fun things to look forward to this summer!
Jun 25, 2024•21 min•Ep. 70
Based on feedback from grantees and supporting foundation research, some changes are coming to the Community Foundation's annual grant cycle. Tune in as Randi and Sara discuss what's new - and what they love - about supporting Southern Finger Lakes nonprofits each year.
May 28, 2024•13 min•Ep. 69
Randi is joined by Karah Sheahan, Office Manager at the Community Foundation, to help put a voice to the name! Karah shares some of her favorite qualities about the work culture and talks about what she's looking forward to in the coming weeks.
Apr 30, 2024•9 min•Ep. 68
In this meta episode of The Good Works Podcast, Randi and Sara update their podcast audience on some of their favorite other podcasts - including " If All Else Fails " by North Country Public Radio and " Up And Vanished " by Tenderfoot TV.
Mar 25, 2024•22 min•Ep. 67
Randi talks with Sara about the importance of legal immigration into New York State, especially as jobs become more difficult to fill. They discuss the difference between asylum seekers and "illegal" immigrants. And as always, listen to the end to find out what they're looking forward to this month!
Feb 27, 2024•22 min•Ep. 66
Following the Buffalo Bills playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, Sara and Randi discuss how sports play a role in community-building. From professional teams to little league and recreation, there are lots of opportunities to connect over athletics. Stay til the end to find out what Sara and Randi are looking forward to in the coming weeks!
Jan 23, 2024•16 min•Ep. 65
Coming out of the Thanksgiving break, Randi and Sara talk about the importance of "Third Spaces" and how to enrich them for yourself and everyone around you. And as always, they share what they're looking forward to as we launch into the holiday season!
Nov 27, 2023•20 min•Ep. 64
This month, Randi and Sara talk all about the Community Foundation's Leadership Advancement Award. This grant provides experienced non-profit executive directors with sabbatical funding to avoid burnout and stagnation through rest, exploration, and personal reflection. You can find out more on the website here: https://communityfund.org/what-we-do/initiatives-and-trainings/.
Oct 23, 2023•16 min•Ep. 63
This month, Randi and Sara talk about places where people feel like they belong or don't belong - and how to create spaces where more people feel comfortable and welcome. As always, they talk about what they're looking forward to as the leaves begin to change and the most colorful season of the year quickly approaches.
Sep 25, 2023•19 min•Ep. 62
How can we impact the community when we're not making grants? That's the question Randi and Sara ask in this month's episode. At the end, they discuss end-of-summer and beginning-of-school-year activities coming right around the corner.
Aug 30, 2023•26 min•Ep. 61
In this episode, Randi and Sara talk about the relationships we build at work and with nearby colleagues. They share some of the people who have made their careers so enjoyable. And as always, we look forward to what they're looking forward to in the coming weeks.
Jul 24, 2023•19 min•Ep. 60
Randi is back from sabbatical, during which she traveled around the region (and the world) and spent an unprecedented amount of time in her attic. She and Sara talk about the 7 types of rest, according to Saundra Dalton-Smith, and what they're looking forward to in the coming weeks.
Jun 22, 2023•23 min•Ep. 59
Katie joins Sara to talk about the upcoming educators trip to Finland. They discuss the selection process, itinerary, and overall goals for taking a group of local teachers to one of the happiest countries in the world. At the end - as always - Katie and Sara talk about summer plans and what they're looking forward to.
May 31, 2023•14 min•Ep. 58
Sara is joined by Susan Pawlak from the Career Development Council to talk all about the programs and services they offer. Sara shares how the Community Foundation staff has helped with some of the efforts of the CDC, and Susan and Sara both talk about what they're most looking forward to.
Apr 24, 2023•19 min•Ep. 57
Sara welcomes Jackie Council to kick off this 3-part series featuring individual nonprofit organizations. Jackie shares all about the mission and inspiration behind Altagracia House of Healing. The episode ends with some exciting things to look forward to.
Mar 29, 2023•18 min•Ep. 56
In this episode, Randi and Sara review a listicle from "Nonprofit AF" with 10 things that a foundation just shouldn't do. These are the things that make nonprofit organizations crazy, and the hosts throw in a few "pickup line" laughs near the end.
Feb 28, 2023•28 min•Ep. 55
Randi and Sara shake off the winter hibernation - or in some cases, embrace it - by sharing their favorite Finger Lakes cold weather activities. (As a reminder, you can always find things to do at FLXCalendar.com.) The podcast ends with a preview of what they're looking forward to, including the 2023 Gratitude Summit in February.
Jan 23, 2023•22 min•Ep. 54
In this episode, Randi breaks down the implications of the 2020 census related to redistricting in New York State. Sara recognizes it's not the most exciting topic on the Good Works Podcast, but it's important for understanding our region (and others) with Election Day around the corner.
Nov 02, 2022•18 min•Ep. 53