Innovation In Nonprofit Organizations

One of my favorite parts about hosting Under Review with Stanford Law School is the chance to learn directly from some of the most impressive people I've ever met. Recently I had the opportunity to sit down with Amy Weaver, CEO of Direct Relief, one of the largest medical humanitarian nonprofits in the world. Before becoming CEO, Amy spent over a decade at Salesforce, where she was the President & CFO (and Chief Legal Officer before that!) Here are the biggest takeaways from our conversation: 1. First you leap, then you grow wings. At Salesforce, Amy made the move from CLO to CFO—one of those transitions where the learning curve is steep and very visible. What stood out to me was how intentional she was about the advice she received before stepping into the role. She didn’t try to become a traditional CFO; instead she leaned into her unique strengths and personality, and prioritized earning credibility by learning how to "speak the language" of finance. 2. Build a track record by making others around you successful. I asked Amy how she built the track record that even put her in the conversation for CFO. Her answer wasn’t about visibility or self-promotion. It was about trust. She shared a story of how she once attended a board meeting where she quietly slipped her general counsel answers so that they would look good in front of everyone. Leadership comes from developing trust by building people up, not competing against them or tearing them down. 3. Be yourself, especially when expectations are high. Amy shared a memorable quote that stuck with me: “I was told I had big shoes to fill, so I said don’t worry. I brought my own.” Early in Amy's career, she was told by a well-meaning experienced mentor to negotiate in a more aggressive way that worked for him. Amy chose not to, and took her own approach, which ended up being highly effective. Turns out that being authentic isn’t just a preference, it’s the best way to drive outcomes. 4. A law degree stays with you. Amy emphasized that even when you move into business leadership, your legal training doesn’t just disappear. It shapes how you approach problems, structure decisions, and persuade stakeholders. Law isn’t a phase you grow out of—it’s an operating system you carry forward with you no matter what your job title is. -- I was so engrossed in the conversation because the lessons she shared apply directly to me and own professional journey. I was furiously scribbling notes throughout, and have been applying these very principles in my day to day. Hopefully these lessons will be helpful to many of you as well!

Fund Nonprofits like Startups 💶 💵 I've been a leader at the intersection of nonprofits and startups for the past four years and have spent 20 years founding several tech companies, some with venture capital and angel investment. The most interesting and challenging difference I've found between these worlds lies in how they're funded and what that can enable or restrict. Startups receive funding to test an idea in the real world. Founders focus on identifying the most effective and unique way to solve a big problem with that capital, as quickly as possible. Pre-Series A funding is often used to find product-market fit, for good reason. Before the capital comes in, and before any real-world testing can be done, it's nearly impossible for a startup to claim with certainty that they have the know-how and blueprint to solve the problem. This is why many startups make big pivots early on, even changing their name and mission; those tests and changes enable the company to get closer to their ‘how’. Now, let’s look at nonprofits. Nonprofits primarily receive ‘earmarked’ funding. These are grants and major donations that task the nonprofit to execute a specific initiative. There is an underlying assumption that the nonprofit already knows its ‘how’ and only needs the funds to execute, with little contractual room for testing, experimentation, or pivots. Both startups and nonprofits are created to solve big problems in the world. Many of the problems that nonprofits tackle, such as hunger, illiteracy, gender inequality, and deforestation, do not have clearly defined ‘hows’. If they did, they would’ve been solved by now. Nonprofits, like startups, have their why and seek the how, over and over again. Earmarked nonprofit funding severely restricts the ability for nonprofits to achieve their ‘problem solution’ fit. More often than not, it really looks like ‘problem solutions’ fit. But to get there, nonprofits need flexible and less restrictive funding. Socially, they need the grace to test, fail fast, and keep testing towards sustainable and effective solutions. At Founderland, we’ve had the privilege and opportunity to explore both earmarked and unrestricted funding. The unrestricted funding we’ve received has enabled us to go much further than we could have imagined. The clock ticks with both, but the ability to navigate with some dexterity and pivoting has enabled us to produce many solutions to the thorny problem of gender and racial inequality in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. And we’re just getting started (so please, keep funding us!). Donors, trust the nonprofits that you fund, and fund them to nimbly chase their how. The truth is, we only get closer to knowing what we’re doing, by undergoing a lot of trial and error with grace. 📷 Katja Hentschel

I often think about the difference between being a funder and being a true partner. Through Cisco Social Impact Investments and the Cisco Foundation, we provide funding to organizations working at the forefront of social innovation. That support is critical, and we’re intentional about honoring its role. At the same time, we try to ask ourselves a broader question: how can we show up in ways that go beyond funding itself? Every nonprofit needs capital. But many also need access to technology, strategic guidance, specialized expertise, and networks that can help them scale and strengthen their work. We think about this as 1 + 1 = 3. Where it makes sense, we pair funding with technology. If the right infrastructure or stronger cybersecurity can accelerate impact, we lean in. We offer advisory support when it’s helpful, whether that’s thinking through growth, measurement, or long-term sustainability. If a partner needs highly specialized expertise, such as a cybersecurity assessment or a refined fundraising strategy, we tap into our ecosystem to connect them with the right people. Sometimes the value we can add is simple but meaningful. Hosting a partner at our offices so they can convene without additional expense. Presenting together at conferences to amplify their voice. Making introductions that create new opportunities. I believe this is where corporate philanthropy becomes most effective. Every company has assets beyond funding: talent, technology, relationships, credibility. The question is not just how much we give. It’s how intentionally we bring the full enterprise to the table. Because funding matters. But the multiplier often comes from everything around it.

I have had the opportunity to serve on several nonprofit boards over the years. There's always a period of time -- as is the case currently -- when there is real concern over government funding. That's why it is so important for nonprofits, especiallty those in healthcare, to diversify its revenues streams. Just like businesses, nonprofits need financial resilience to sustain their mission and expand their impact. Here area few ways nonprofits can diversify revenue streams and create long-term stability: 1. Develop Strategic Partnerships – Collaborate with corporations, foundations, or healthcare organizations to co-develop research, technology, or community programs. These partnerships can lead to sponsorships, grants, and new funding opportunities. Too often, folks want to forge their own path. Now is the time for partnerships. 2.  Invest in Mission-Aligned Ventures – Consider sustainable investments such as impact funds or health tech startups that align with your mission while generating financial returns. It's key to have a good financial team to help assess opportunity and manage risk. Many nonprofits have started to create such funds, and more need to do so. 3. Expand Subscription or Membership Models – Offer premium content, exclusive research, or advocacy networks for a subscription fee. Organizations that provide unique insights can turn knowledge into a reliable revenue stream. 4. Utilize social media -- This way can be way to find new funders, who may not be familiar with you work. There is a science to utilizing social media -- you just can't post and think the money will come rolling in. Invest in a seasoned team who knows how to convert metrics into dollars. A diversified nonprofit isn’t just more financially stable—it’s better equipped to innovate, adapt, and drive meaningful change.  It is easier said than done -- and it takes time. What strategies have you seen work in nonprofit revenue diversification?  #NonprofitLeadership #RevenueDiversification #HealthcareInnovation

Standing in a bustling Seoul street last year, I watched something remarkable unfold. What started as a typical city block transformed into a canvas for environmental change, vibrant artwork surrounding drains, turning potential litter spots into visual reminders of our shared responsibility. This wasn't just street art. It was community engagement in action. In #SouthKorea 🇰🇷, our Philip Morris International Korea team partnered with local government, the Korea Green Foundation, and local artists to tackle cigarette butt litter differently. Instead of just organizing clean-ups, they created an ecosystem of change: 400+ volunteers collecting 300 bags of waste, students creating anti-littering artwork, and entire neighborhoods becoming part of the solution. What struck me most was the ripple effect. One clean-up event in Yangsan evolved into a year-round sustainability hub. By September, 666 volunteers had collected over 18,000 cigarette butts, but more importantly, sparked conversations that are changing behaviors. Meanwhile in #Tunisia 🇹🇳, a different challenge led to equally innovative collaboration. Young entrepreneurs at startup Wayout developed "Zigofiltres"—simple cages for drains that prevent flooding by capturing cigarette butt litter before it blocks waterways. 246 of these devices now protect one of Tunisia's most flood-prone municipalities. Two countries. Two different ways of addressing a same challenge. One powerful lesson: when business, government, local innovators, and communities work together, environmental problems become opportunities for creative solutions. #Sustainability isn't just about corporate initiatives—it's about creating platforms where local ingenuity can flourish. 🌱 ♥️ Link to full case study here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/ePU_Bwkt #CommunityEngagement Cc: Borhann Rachdi, Abla Benslimane, Hannah Yun, Miguel Coleta, Maria V Agelvis, Kelly Lavender, Euigyum Hong

When your country's trust in its leaders has collapsed, how do you rebuild it? You don’t hold another conference. You build tools that let citizens watch power in action—live. In Chile, public trust in democratic institutions has cratered. Trust is “very, very damaged,” as one developer put it. People just don’t believe their voices matter anymore. Then came Del Dicho al Hecho – from said to done. A digital platform built to track every official proposal: from introduction in Congress to real-world implementation. Education, healthcare, immigration: you watch promises go from line to law in real time. One in ten Chileans used it last year. That's what digital accountability looks like. Until the tech got old. Enter Tech To The Rescue: we matched Ciudadanía Inteligente with pro bono backend expertise from Alio IT Solutions. We moved from spreadsheets and guesswork to scalable power without bureaucracy: --> Django-powered backend, with clean, secure, scalable architecture --> Real-time dashboard, replacing manual updating every legislative cycle --> Instant CSV uploads, replacing convoluted PDF workflows This isn't about flashy tech. It’s about civic tech that works: tools that restore trust, reshape democracy, and scale across borders. Today’s reminder for nonprofits: 1. Your domain isn’t the only one broken. 2. Your tools don’t just serve; you deserve scalable systems. 3. Accountability doesn’t wait for reports; it needs real-time tools. Big thanks to Ciudadanía Inteligente and Alio IT for showing how civic tech actually scales. The future of democracy isn’t speeches. It’s pixels that speak truth to power. #CivicTech #TechForGood #FutureOfDemocracy #NonprofitInnovation

The work may be free, but it’s not without value. Volunteering isn’t just about giving. It’s also about growing through service. Now, don’t get me wrong- I’m not here to glorify unpaid labor. There’s a fine line: don’t let your time and effort be exploited for profit you’ll never see. But when you contribute to something built purely to create good —something that exists for impact, not revenue — you gain something too. And sometimes, that something is the exact kind of leadership experience that even seasoned managers struggle to develop. I was talking with Margo Roi about leading FinUA, the non-profit she founded to support Ukrainian refugees settling in Finland. She shared her insights on volunteer team-building, and it struck me: 👉 The ability to motivate people through shared values 👉 The importance of flexibility, empathy, and realistic expectations 👉 The power of breaking work into manageable, meaningful contributions These are not just lessons for the nonprofit world. These are the same lessons that leaders in corporate spaces wrestle with daily. And yet, so many never get the chance to learn them in an environment where authority isn’t the sole motivator—where leadership has to come from understanding, support, and genuine purpose. So if you’ve ever wondered whether volunteering is worth your time, here’s one more reason to consider it: it’s one of the best leadership training grounds you’ll ever find. I'm curious, though: What’s a skill or lesson you’ve picked up from volunteering that’s shaped how you lead? Feel free to share in the comments. 💡 Watch the full UPWARD conversation with Margo here: https://lnkd.in/gZD-FNhf 🔺 Or follow UPWARD for other examples, tips, and support to shape companies, leaders, and organizational cultures with insight and applied empathy. #Leadership #Volunteering #ProfessionalGrowth #NonprofitLeadership #BusinessForGood #CareerDevelopment #TeamBuilding #WorkplaceCulture #UPWARDconversation #Impact #Empathy #LearningAndDevelopment

2025 was a year of profound uncertainty for nonprofit leaders, and I've been thinking a lot about what comes next in an evolving funding landscape. As government support declined, many looked to philanthropy to fill the gaps but the response has been more complex than expected. Major foundations are sunsetting longstanding programs and refocusing priorities. New mega-donors are giving billions through invitation-only channels. Donor-advised funds and intermediaries are replacing traditional grantmaking structures.   The result is a landscape where capital exists, but the pathways to access it have fundamentally changed. Understanding these dynamics is essential for building resilience in the year ahead. In the article below, I’ve written about four trends shaping nonprofit leaders' access to capital.

Philanthropy is evolving. For decades, major gifts have largely followed a familiar model. Campaign driven. Program restricted. Recognition centered. Important work, but often transactional in structure. What we are seeing now is something different. Venture philanthropy is not about replacing generosity. It is about reframing capital. Instead of asking, “What program would you like to fund?” we are asking, “What impact are we trying to create, and what level of investment will it truly require?” Here is where the shift becomes powerful: • An investment mindset replaces a gift mindset • Multi year horizons replace annual thinking • Capacity and growth are funded, not just programs • Impact becomes the central measure of success • Engagement becomes partnership This matters because the challenges facing our communities are not annual problems. They are systemic problems. Climate. Food insecurity. Educational inequity. Workforce disruption. These require infrastructure, innovation, and endurance. That takes patient capital, not just restricted funding lines. Venture philanthropy strengthens nonprofits by funding the engine, not only the output. It aligns donors and organizations around shared outcomes, measurable progress, and long term sustainability. For development leaders, this is not simply a new fundraising tactic. It is a structural shift. It requires stronger financial fluency. Better impact measurement. Closer partnership between advancement and finance. Boards that understand risk and growth. The future of philanthropy will belong to organizations that can translate mission into investable impact. The question is not whether donors are ready. Many already are. The real question is whether we are structurally ready to meet them there. #VenturePhilanthropy #Fundraising #Philanthropy

I’m seeing more and more non-profits using corporate titles like CEO and bringing in leaders and contributors who haven’t traditionally worked in the sector. The shift is noticeable. The old playbook of relying on grants and donations isn’t enough anymore. Non-profits are acting more like startups and enterprises—innovating, diversifying revenue, and thinking bigger about impact. That shift means looking outside the usual talent pools for people who can bring fresh thinking and build sustainable models. It used to be tough to transition business leaders into non-profits. There was skepticism on both sides—corporate folks assuming non-profits were too slow-moving, and non-profits worrying business leaders wouldn’t “get” mission-driven work. But that’s changing fast. Done right, this shift brings real benefits. 🚀 Fresh strategic thinking from people who know how to scale and optimize 💰 New approaches to revenue diversification beyond traditional funding models 🎓 A broader leadership pipeline, bringing in diverse skills and experience But here’s where it gets tricky. Non-profits have nuances that are specific to the industry. Stakeholder complexity can be overwhelming, and decision-making often involves balancing funders, boards, communities, and partners in ways that are very different from the corporate world. Even leaders used to highly collaborative environments can find this level of engagement a shift. Mission alignment matters. If someone’s just looking for an interesting leadership role rather than being deeply committed to the cause, there's more of a risk that it won't be a long-term fit. Patience is key. Even non-profits that move quickly still operate within regulatory frameworks, compliance requirements, and funding restrictions that don’t always allow for immediate action. The ability to navigate these constraints while still driving progress is critical. Done right, bringing in corporate expertise can be a game changer for non-profits. Be sure to ask the right questions, uncover the right motivations, and keep this perspective front and center from the start to set everyone up for success. 🥇