How to Change the World Without Power or Permission

Stay in Your Lane: What Nonprofits Get Wrong About Growth and Collaboration

In this episode of Built for Good, host Kian Alavi sits down with Manny Hernandez, CEO of The Diabetes Link. Manny shares the evolution of The Diabetes Link, a nonprofit focused exclusively on young adults living with diabetes. The Diabetes Link provides community, clinically validated guidance, and culturally relevant resources so that no young adult living with diabetes has to face these transitions alone. He discusses how the organization has expanded across major U.S. cities including New York, Los Angeles, and Boston, while also growing internationally through online communities and university chapters in Canada. A key focus of the conversation is how The Diabetes Link empowers young adults to connect with peers facing similar challenges, reducing isolation and creating long-term advocacy leaders within the community. A central theme throughout the episode is disciplined focus in nonprofit leadership. Manny explains why organizations must clearly define their core strengths, avoid mission drift, and intentionally partner with specialized organizations—particularly in policy advocacy. Rather than expanding into adjacent areas like obesity, The Diabetes Link prioritizes staying within its expertise while collaborating with external partners who bring deeper domain knowledge. The conversation also explores the shifting funding landscape for nonprofits. With reductions in federal funding, increased competition for foundation grants, and the rise of AI-assisted grant writing, Manny highlights the growing importance of trust, transparency, and long-term relationships with funders. He also outlines how The Diabetes Link diversifies its funding through corporate partnerships, foundation grants, individual giving, and emerging earned-income strategies such as content licensing and referral-based revenue models. A powerful story from the episode centers on a student-founded chapter at Columbia University. A young woman living with diabetes builds a campus community from the ground up, which later becomes a lifeline for another student recently diagnosed. Their connection transforms both of their lives and ultimately leads them into advocacy roles within the broader diabetes community. The episode closes with reflections on leadership and personal growth, emphasizing humility, clarity, and the importance of listening more than speaking. Manny underscores that sustainable impact comes from staying aligned with mission, building strong relationships, and being willing to say no to opportunities that pull organizations off course. This episode is especially valuable for nonprofit leaders, funders, and anyone interested in building mission-driven organizations grounded in clarity, collaboration, and community empowerment. Explore The Diabetes Link: https://thediabeteslink.org/ [https://thediabeteslink.org/] Explore Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition (DPAC): https://www.diabetespac.org/ [https://www.diabetespac.org/] Timestamped Overview 00:25:03 Building youth communities across cities and universities 00:25:31 Expansion into Canada and global online community 00:26:23 Expanding into community colleges and trade schools 00:27:09 Workforce readiness and long-term youth impact 00:28:20 Collaboration as the foundation of nonprofit success 00:29:02 Staying in your lane and recognizing core strengths 00:30:21 Partnering for policy advocacy impact 00:31:43 Example: connecting youth to insulin policy advocacy partners 00:33:19 Columbia University student-led chapter story begins 00:35:05 Newly diagnosed student finds community support 00:36:14 “Life is never going to be the same for them” 00:37:00 Funding mix: corporate, foundations, and industry support 00:40:49 Nonprofit funding pressures and increasing competition 00:42:09 Earned income: licensing and referral models 00:45:09 Expense discipline and mission focus 00:47:42 Relationships as the core of fundraising success 00:50:49 The importance of saying no to misaligned funding 00:53:16 Advice to younger self: listen more, speak less #nonprofit #socialimpact #leadership #fundraising #communitybuilding #healthcare #diabetesawareness #youthdevelopment #collaboration #impact

How to Change the World Without Power or Permission

In this episode of Built for Good, host Kian Alavi sits down with Michael Sheldrick, Co-founder of Global Citizen. Michael shares his journey from a struggling student in Australia to leading one of the world’s most impactful advocacy organizations focused on ending extreme poverty. The conversation explores how Global Citizen was built by turning awareness into action—mobilizing millions of people through campaigns, partnerships, and cultural moments like large-scale concerts. Michael breaks down the power of bold, audacious goals and why clarity of mission, not perfection, is what drives momentum. Key themes include overcoming apathy, the importance of taking action without having all the answers, and the concept of “policy entrepreneurship”—how individuals outside of government can influence real policy change. Michael also discusses the growing challenges of loneliness, declining civic engagement, and the need for “radical connection” to rebuild trust and collective action. The episode also dives into how Global Citizen is evolving—leveraging technology, AI, and new funding models to increase transparency and efficiency in philanthropy. Michael shares insights into their latest global campaign tied to the World Cup, aiming to raise $100 million for education and literacy initiatives. This episode offers actionable insights for community builders, nonprofit leaders, and anyone looking to create meaningful impact—showing that change starts with small actions, clear goals, and the willingness to begin. Explore Global Citizen: https://www.globalcitizen.org/ [https://www.globalcitizen.org/] Get the book From Ideas to Impact by Michael Sheldrick: https://www.amazon.com/Ideas-Impact-Playbook-Influencing-Implementing/dp/1394202342   [https://www.amazon.com/Ideas-Impact-Playbook-Influencing-Implementing/dp/1394202342%20] Explore the World Happiness Report 2025 https://worldhappiness.report/news/world-happiness-report-2025-people-are-much-kinder-than-we-expect-research-shows [https://worldhappiness.report/news/world-happiness-report-2025-people-are-much-kinder-than-we-expect-research-shows] Donate to the Global Citizen Education Fund: https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/projects/fifa-global-citizen-education-fund/ [https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/projects/fifa-global-citizen-education-fund/] Timestamped Overview 00:00 The importance of meaningful action and living with purpose 01:16 Introduction to Michael Sheldrick and Global Citizen 02:30 Early life, academic struggles, and a pivotal turning point 05:03 First exposure to global inequality and desire to create impact 05:38 Founding Global Citizen and early campaign experiments 07:17 The power of ambitious goals and taking action without certainty 09:10 Clarity over perfection: why bold ideas attract support 10:47 Early campaigns and mobilizing support through storytelling 12:42 Overcoming paralysis and the importance of simply starting 14:51 Understanding “policy entrepreneurship” and influencing change 18:46 How individuals can shape policy outside of government 20:06 Apathy, youth disengagement, and the loneliness epidemic 24:58 Declining civic engagement and the need for community spaces 27:04 Radical connection and making generosity visible 29:02 Building community to move from despair to hope 30:25 Global Citizen’s World Cup campaign and $100M education goal 33:58 Ensuring transparency and impact in philanthropy 36:29 Using AI and technology to scale funding and accountability 39:25 Building trust and reducing friction in nonprofit funding 40:19 Navigating stakeholder alignment and managing trade-offs 41:38 “Pragmatic idealism” and creating change through collaboration

From Networks to Opportunity: How Colorwave Builds Economic Mobility

In this episode of Built for Good, host Kian Alavi sits down with John Roussel, Co-founder and CEO of Colorwave. John shares the founding story of Colorwave, launched during the uncertainty of 2020 with a mission to close the wealth gap by connecting underrepresented professionals to opportunities within venture-backed startups. Key discussion topics include the importance of networks in accessing startup careers, how storytelling and positioning impact hiring outcomes, and the structure of Colorwave’s fellowship model. John explains how the program equips participants with startup literacy, relationship-building skills, and direct exposure to hiring companies. He also discusses evaluating risk tolerance when transitioning into early-stage companies and the differences between startup environments. The conversation also touches on adapting to changes in DEI funding, shifts in the venture ecosystem, and the growing influence of AI on hiring and workforce development. John highlights Colorwave’s focus on alumni leadership, partnerships, and upskilling initiatives to expand economic mobility. This episode provides actionable insights for professionals looking to break into startups, nonprofit leaders, and organizations focused on inclusive talent pipelines. Explore Colorwave: https://www.thecolorwave.org/ [https://www.thecolorwave.org/] Explore Mazlo: https://www.mazlo.com/ [https://www.thecolorwave.org/] Timestamped Overview 00:00 Founding Colorwave during 2020 05:02 Launching the first fellowship cohort 06:05 Scaling nationally through remote programming 10:21 The power of relationships in startup hiring 14:11 How the Colorwave fellowship works 17:52 Economic mobility and compensation outcomes 20:53 Storytelling and positioning for startup roles 22:03 Evaluating risk tolerance in career moves 24:38 Adapting to changes in tech and funding 26:43 Community-led growth and alumni leadership 29:17 AI upskilling and future workforce strategy #leadership #networking #network #socialimpact #founders #nonprofit #venturecapital

Fear, Algorithms, and the IRS: Erin Bradrick Reveals What’s Really Happening to Nonprofits

In the season finale of Built for Good, host Kian Alavi sits down with Erin Bradrick, an attorney and principal at NEO Law Group, to dive deep into the complexities and challenges facing nonprofits today. Erin Bradrick shares her personal journey from litigator to nonprofit legal expert and offers practical advice for nonprofit leaders—especially for those just getting started or looking to strengthen compliance practices. The discussion covers critical differences between for-profit and nonprofit legal requirements, the layers of compliance nonprofits face, and the increasing pressure many organizations feel around risk mitigation. Erin Bradrick unpacks what compliance means in practical terms, why nonprofits often face greater regulation than their for-profit counterparts, and how recent trends—such as heightened regulatory scrutiny and looming legislative threats—are impacting the sector. The conversation also tackles hot topics like donor-advised funds (DAFs), the evolving landscape of big philanthropy, and the importance of nonprofits staying mission-focused amid uncertainty. Listeners will leave with actionable insights on maintaining organizational integrity, preparing for regulatory changes, and harnessing the power of collaboration within the nonprofit community. nonprofitlawblog.com [http://nonprofitlawblog.com] https://www.neolawgroup.com/ [https://www.neolawgroup.com/] Timestamped Overview 00:00 Intro & Erin’s Background 03:49 Leap of faith into law 09:23 Starting a nonprofit key considerations 11:27 Charity Compliance Requirements Overview 15:08 State AGs Charity Regulation Trends 18:29 Nonprofits Balancing Risk and Mission 21:21 Nonprofit Resource Allocation Challenges 26:09 IRS Data-Driven Audit System 28:37 Algorithm Transparency and Bias Concerns 33:31 Nonprofits Mission Over Entity 37:21 Nonprofit leadership and philanthropy concerns 39:13 DEI Order Targets Foundations 42:19 Nonprofit Foundation Rules Explained 44:26 Donor Advised Fund Nuances 50:12 DAF Donor Considerations Summarized 51:30 Nonprofit Legal Compliance Expertise

From Diplomat to Nonprofit Hero: Ajani Husbands’ Impact Journey

In this episode of Built for Good, host Kian Alavi sits down with Ajani Husbands, Vice President & Senior Counsel at Build Up Companies and the Campbell Law Firm, to explore his multifaceted journey from his Caribbean roots to diplomatic service, law, and nonprofit leadership. Ajani shares powerful stories from his upbringing in Barbados, international diplomatic work, and efforts to support grassroots movements and community organizations. Their discussion encompasses the challenges of movement building in hostile environments, the importance of lived experience and diversity in philanthropy, and how organizations like Build Up Inc. and the Campbell Law Firm are working to streamline nonprofit operations so leaders can focus on impactful work. Ajani explains the value of fiscal sponsorship, capacity building for BIPOC- and women-led organizations, and the shift towards collaborative, equitable philanthropy. Listeners will gain insights on overcoming structural barriers, starting and scaling nonprofit projects, and practical tips for effective advisory relationships. The conversation emphasizes purposeful work, optimism in challenging times, and the critical importance of empowering communities to lead change. Helpful links to Ajani’s documentary and projects are included in the show notes. Explore Ajani’s alcohol brand, 1966 Rum: https://www.drink1966.com/ [https://www.drink1966.com/] Fiscal Sponsorship: 6 Ways to Do it Right Book by Gregory L. Colvin Timestamped Overview 00:00 Intro & Ajani’s Background 06:29 Diplomat to Lawyer Journey 09:47 Journey from Law School to Practice 10:55 Brave Nonprofit Legal Advisory Services 14:19 Discovering Diplomacy Through Friendship 18:11 Legal Support for Social Impact 23:14 Fiscal sponsorship simplified 25:03 Capacity Building Support Services 29:50 Decolonizing philanthropy discussions 31:24 Harriet Tubman Grant Skit 35:14 Streamline collaboration in philanthropy 39:16 Facilitating change through collaboration 42:33 Fundraising Challenges and Support 45:38 Choosing fiscal sponsor or independence 49:06 Intentional Innovation for Nonprofits 50:32 Decolonizing Philanthropy Focused Efforts