Episode 16: From Trash to Triumph: How City Problem Solvers is Cleaning Up San Antonio

Episode 16: From Trash to Triumph: How City Problem Solvers is Cleaning Up San Antonio

Edmund, Executive Director of City Problem Solvers, joins the show to discuss his mission to pull San Antonio out of the "top 10 dirtiest cities" list. Through K-12 education, monthly district cleanups, and local government advocacy, his organization is changing community mindsets and inspiring the next generation to take pride in their environment. 🎙️Host:  Zac Brown: "The Non-Profit Guy" Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacjordanbrown/ 🌐GiveKit Website: https://givekit.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/givekit/ 🎙️Guest:  Edmund Olszewski: Executive Director of City Problem Solvers LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edmund-olszewski-city-problem-solvers/ 🌐City Problem Solvers Website: https://cityproblemsolvers.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/city-problem-solvers/ Find Us:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBoostChannel Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/50nKlDy81jHuoobIFLwiHy Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-giving/id1803474427 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBoostChannel 🌐Website: https://theboost.fm/beyond-giving/ Key Highlights 💡The Spark: Edmund started the nonprofit after realizing that trash kept reappearing behind his neighborhood fence and discovering San Antonio's high litter rankings. 💡Youth Engagement: Their K-12 program and Junior City Problem Solvers Badge incentivize kids to spot and pick up safe "micro-trash" (caps, wrappers) early in life. 💡Cleanup Countdown: The team hosts monthly cleanups across different city districts using a 5-gallon bucket system, focusing metrics on human impact rather than just trash weight. 💡Advocacy & Outreach: Beyond cleanups, they advocate for park signage at City Hall, run a homeless leadership initiative, and sponsor a vital downtown mobile restroom unit. 💡Celebrating Success: They host an annual awards ceremony, partnering with organizations like CPS Energy, to honor local community champions. Current Opportunities & Ways to Get Involved 🚨 Immediate Support Needed: City Problem Solvers has scaled rapidly over its first three years, and Edmund is looking to expand his team to keep programs sustainable. 📋 Board & Committee Positions: Openings for a new Board Secretary and members for the Special Events Committee. 📣 Program Leaders: Dynamic coordinators needed to oversee the Cleanup Program, K-12 Program, and Homeless Outreach. 🎨 Skill-Based Volunteers: Looking for social media managers, influencers, and community ambassadors to help staff high-traffic tables at local resource fairs and vendor markets. 🧹 General Volunteers: Show up to the monthly district cleanups! (Guardians and signed waivers required for minors). Connect with City Problem Solvers 🌐 Website: cityproblemsolvers.org 💳 How to Donate: Financial contributions can be made via Zelle or through GiveKit.org. Donations directly support programs like the downtown mobile restroom servicing fees. Next Episode: Tune in next week to Beyond Giving for more insights into the incredible nonprofits making a tangible difference on the Boost Network!

Episode 15: How Launch SA is Taking Small Business Support on the Road

Launch SA is a partnership between the City of San Antonio and Geekdom. It functions as a "coffee shop for entrepreneurs", a low-barrier entry point where founders can find mentorship, navigate city permits, and connect with a network of over 70 partner organizations. 📌Host:  Zac Brown: “The Non-Profit Guy” CEO of GiveKit  ▸Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacjordanbrown/ ▸GiveKit Website: https://givekit.org/ 📌Guest:  Matthew Espinoza, Director at Launch SA ▸Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewespinoza/ ▸Launch SA Website: https://launchsa.org/ 📌Find Us:  ▸YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeyondGivingpod ▸Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/50nKlDy81jHuoobIFLwiHy ▸Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-giving/id1803474427 ▸Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBoostChannel ▸Website: https://theboost.fm/beyond-giving/ Key Takeaways 1. The "College Advisor" Model Launch SA doesn't just hand out pamphlets; it provides Business Advisors who act as academic counselors. They help founders at all stages, from the "food phase" fundamentals to scaling a 10-year-old operation, by asking the hard questions that founders often overlook. 2. 1 Million Cups: The Entrepreneurial Town Hall A cornerstone program mentioned is 1 Million Cups (a Kauffman Foundation initiative). 🔹What it is: A weekly Wednesday morning event where two founders pitch their businesses. 🔹The Goal: It’s not a shark-tank style critique; it’s a community Q&A focused on how the audience can help the founder. 🔹The Value: It forces entrepreneurs to step outside their blind spots and practice clear communication. 3. Beyond the "Checklist" Mentality Matthew highlights a common pitfall: many new founders come in asking for a "simple checklist" for success. "Small business ownership is a roller coaster... you almost have to be an expert at everything or figure out how to find the answer. It’s not about studying for a test; it’s about thinking differently." 4. Strategic Priority & Lifestyle Businesses A major piece of advice Matthew offers is to define what success looks like early on. 🔹Are you building a lifestyle business (which is perfectly valid and successful)? 🔹Are you aiming for an IPO or high-scale exit? Your priority dictates your strategy; receiving the "wrong" type of advice for your specific goal can lead to misalignment. The Role of the City & Community 🔹A Public-Private Partnership: The City of San Antonio contracts this work to Geekdom to ensure the support is flexible and "expert-led" rather than purely bureaucratic. 🔹Accessibility: Launch SA is moving toward an "on the road" model, hosting events in local libraries across the north and south sides of the city to meet busy business owners where they are. Resource Directory 🔹Physical Hub: Central Library, Downtown (Mon-Fri, 9–5). 🔹Launch SA Link: Online directory of 70+ partner organizations. 🔹Advising: 1-on-1 support for finance, legal, and operations. 🔹Website: LaunchSA.org   Use the "Request Assistance" form to connect. Top Quote "We may not have the answer, but someone in our network might... We’re here to ultimately bring the community together."   Matthew Espinosa

Episode 14: Tech Gladiators: Engineering the Next Generation with Zeo Infinite Robotics

Episode Summary Founder Thomas James joins the show to discuss Zeo Infinite Robotics, a San Antonio-based nonprofit transforming STEM education through combat robotics. By engaging students in the "Tech Gladiator Challenge," Thomas is bridging the gap between classroom theory and real-world manufacturing careers. Host:  Zac Brown: "The Non-Profit Guy" Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacjordanbrown/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacjordanbrown/] Guests:  Thomas James, Founder of Zeo Infinite Robotics Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zeo-infinite-robotics/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/zeo-infinite-robotics/] Find Us:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBoostChannel [https://www.youtube.com/@TheBoostChannel] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/50nKlDy81jHuoobIFLwiHy [https://open.spotify.com/show/50nKlDy81jHuoobIFLwiHy] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-giving/id1803474427 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-giving/id1803474427] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBoostChannel [https://www.facebook.com/TheBoostChannel] Website: https://theboost.fm/beyond-giving/ [https://theboost.fm/beyond-giving/] Key Highlights 🌟The Mission: Giving students a "first shot" at engineering roles by teaching CAD, mechatronics, and manufacturing before they even reach college. 🌟The Tech Gladiator Challenge: A multi-month program where students design, build, and battle robots, learning to troubleshoot mechanical and software errors under pressure. 🌟The Power of Teamwork: Thomas emphasizes that robotics is 10% hardware and 90% strategy and collaboration. Students must reconcile different perspectives to build a winning machine. 🌟The Pipeline: From Gunpla (Gundam model building) for elementary kids to high-stakes combat for high schoolers, the curriculum scales with the students' development. Current Needs & Growth Thomas is currently in the foundational "building block" phase and is seeking community support for: 🌟Board Recruitment: Specifically looking for a Treasurer and members with business or financial expertise. 🌟Sponsors & Grants: Funding for robot kits, materials, and travel costs to keep the program accessible. 🌟School Outreach: Introductions to districts in San Antonio (Northside/Northeast) and to underserved areas such as the South Side and rural South Carolina. Connect with Zeo Infinite Robotics * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/zeo-infinite-robotics/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/zeo-infinite-robotics/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zeoinfiniterobotics [https://www.instagram.com/zeoinfiniterobotics] * Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/466679857200055/ref=share&mibextid=NSMWBT [https://www.facebook.com/groups/466679857200055/ref=share&mibextid=NSMWBT] * Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069503631464 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069503631464]

Episode 13: The Startup Accelerator for Democracy: How Bridge is Changing Texas Nonprofits

Episode Summary Drew, founder of Bridge, shares how his organization serves as a "startup starting startups" for democracy and justice initiatives across Texas. From his unexpected journey (farmer to sommelier to civic leader) to building a support system for early-stage nonprofits, Drew reveals what it takes to scale impact in the civic engagement space. Host:  Zac Brown: “The Non-Profit Guy” LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacjordanbrown/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacjordanbrown/] Guest Drew Galloway - Founder & Executive Director, Bridge LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hdrewgalloway/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/hdrewgalloway/] Impact (4 Years) 🟢36 organizations started/scaled 🟢$9M in new funding to Texas 🟢First state-based democracy startup accelerator in US Bridge Programs 🟢Incubator: 15 weeks, $5K grant 🟢Accelerator: $50K funding + $50K+ fundraising campaign 🟢Rest Residency: Sabbaticals for burned-out founders 🟢Collective: Ongoing alumni support Drew's Journey Wine sommelier (10 years) → Experienced housing discrimination (2011) → White House intern → MOVE Texas ED (120K voters registered) → Founded Bridge Key Insights 🟢Fundraising Reality * "Fundraising problems" are usually identity/clarity issues * Practice matters most: dedicate 10-20 hours/week * Treat fundraising like organizing: "Do you want to join us?" * Can't outsource donor relationships 🟢Leadership Evolution: Founders must shift from programmatic work to strategic/fundraising focus as organizations grow 🟢Money Mindset: Reshape your relationship with money to confidently ask for support 🟢Alternative Revenue: Nonprofits are experts, consider co-working spaces, consulting, event venues Top Quotes "Strong leaders build strong movements." "Fundraising is a full-time plus job." "All politics are retail." Support Bridge 🟢Volunteer: Mentor founders (few hours/quarter) 🟢Websites: bridgeinfrastructure.org [https://bridgeinfrastructure.org/]  bridgemovements.org [https://bridgemovements.org/] 🟢Social: @BridgeMovements Takeaways 1. Clarify identity before fundraising 2. Block 10-20 hours/week for fundraising 3. Embrace strategic leadership transition 4. Explore ethical alternative revenue 5. Prioritize rest

Episode 12: Saving Backs One Worker at a Time with the Industrial Athletic Trainer Society

When you think of an athletic trainer, you probably picture the sidelines of an NFL game or a college dugout. But what happens when you bring that same level of elite healthcare to a construction site, a warehouse, or a manufacturing plant? In this episode, Susan from the Industrial Athletic Trainer Society (IATS) joins Zac to discuss the "Industrial Athlete", the American worker whose physical body is their paycheck. Susan shares how IATS advocates for proactive healthcare, shifting the focus from reactive "sick care" to preventative wellness that keeps workers healthy, mobile, and out of the ER. Host:  Zac Brown: “The Non-Profit Guy” Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacjordanbrown/ Guests:  Susan Taah, President of Industrial Athletic Trainers' Society Website: https://www.industrialats.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/iatsofficial/ Find Us:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBoostChannel Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/50nKlDy81jHuoobIFLwiHy Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-giving/id1803474427 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBoostChannel Website: https://theboost.fm/beyond-giving/ Key Takeaways What is an Industrial Athletic Trainer? Unlike nurses or EMTs who are often called only when something goes wrong, Athletic Trainers (ATs) are embedded in the workforce. They are there when workers are healthy, observing biomechanics and identifying risks before injuries occur. The "Door to the Injury": Susan shares a fascinating story about how recurring shoulder injuries in beer delivery drivers weren't just a physical issue; they were caused by malfunctioning trailer doors. By fixing the equipment, they fixed the healthcare problem. Beyond Musculoskeletal Care: Industrial ATs tackle everything from heat stress (a major risk in construction) to "Gen-Med" issues like gout, hypertension, and diabetes, often serving as the first point of medical contact for workers who haven't seen a doctor in years. The "Fruit Tuesday" Success: Learn how a simple wellness survey led to a company-wide fruit delivery program, introducing workers to healthy nutrition and closing the gap between education and accessibility. A Holistic, Zero-Cost Model: Because these services are typically funded by employers or through insurance premiums, they are free to the employee, allowing ATs to focus purely on the person rather than billing codes. The Industrial Athlete's Health Hierarchy Prevention: Ergonomic assessments and "warm-up" routines for the job. Immediate Care: On-site response to acute injuries (e.g., concrete burns or heat exhaustion). Treatment/Rehab: Getting workers back to full function without the need for expensive off-site physical therapy. Wellness: Mental health support, financial education, and nutritional guidance. Resources Mentioned Industrial Athletic Trainer Society (IATS): www.industrialats.com NIOSH WellBQ: A survey tool used to assess worker well-being. Upcoming Event: The IATS Virtual Summit (Held annually in March). Connect with IATS LinkedIn: Industrial Athletic Trainer Society Facebook/Instagram: @IndustrialATSociety Website: industrialats.com