Future of Impact

Season 1 is over! We learned a lot since we started our venture into live shows and podcasting.We made some mistakes. We did some things right but we had great fun on the way. This episode will be dedicated to all of our learnings, experiences, relationships built and mistakes made during the process of starting the Future Of Impact Show!In the meantime, why don't you share with us on social media YOUR highlights of our podcast? We'd love to know!Connect with me:On my LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-merrell/On my  company:   https://onedegreeimpact.com/category/uncategorized/

Fundraising feels like the biggest priority when running your non-profit, but the most important thing is the impact you create.That's why we all need to hear from someone who has been able to consistently do both for 15 years- Chad Bernstein.Ever since its inception, Chad's organization, Guitars Over Guns, has revolutionized the way non-profits are run across the country while also raising over $3.5 million to expand their operations over the years.With over 7,000 students positively impacted by their initiative, Chad is still at the very beginning of his journey to help many young people as possible.For Chad, balancing expectations from funders, while making sure impact is actually being made, has been difficult. But it IS possible.If you want to learn:- What strategies to use to better manage your organization- Ways balance your lifestyle as a non-profit founder- How to maximize your impact through effective team building and missionThen this episode of the Future of Impact is for you!Chad Bernstein is a husband and father of four amazing kids, the co-founder of Guitars Over Guns, and a professional musician who has been instrumental in the evolution of the "Latin Funk" sound of Miami. Through the universal language of music, Chad galvanized the artist community to use music as a bridge to reach and empower Miami and Chicago’s most disenfranchised youth. Chad received a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree from the University of Miami in 2012, turning the focus of his academic studies to Guitars Over Guns in his dissertation, "The Effectiveness of Music Mentoring for At-Risk Youth Through the GOGO Program" (published in 2012). This paved the way for Guitars Over Guns' research-based methodology and set the stage for Chad and his father, Bob, a Chicago investment professional, to collaborate on the organization’s creation in 2008.Chad took on Guitars Over Guns as a full-time career upon graduating (while continuing a rigorous performance schedule) and was named CEO in 2012. Today, Guitars Over Guns has a $3,000,000+ budget with 80 musicians serving more than 1,000 students a year in 30 sites across Miami, Chicago, and Los Angeles. In April of 2015, Chad was honored as a CNN Hero for his work and has since been featured on the Steve Harvey Show and in People Magazine. More recently, Chad received the globally recognized Elevate Prize and the Ruth Shack Leadership Award, an honor held in Miami’s highest regard.Chad remains as one of South Florida’s premier Latin, jazz, and funk artists. He performs most prominently with the Latin Grammy-nominated Spam Allstars, with whom he has toured throughout Europe and the US, and the highly popular Miami-based Latin-funk band, ¡Suénalo!, the inspiration for Guitars Over Guns. He has also worked with Pitbull, Shakira, will.i.am, Natalie Cole, Frank Sinatra, Jr., Chaka Kahn, John Legend, Phil Ramone, and many more. Chad is currently serving his third term as a Governor on the board of the Recording Academy (GRAMMYs).Connect with Chad!On his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-bernstein-79200043/Connect with me:On my LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-merrell/On my  company:   https://onedegreeimpact.com/category/uncategorized/🚨 Register for the show here: https://tinyurl.com/FutureofImpact

Steve Lantham is the Co-Founder and CEO of DonateStock. A company focused on revolutionizing charity through stock giving.You might be wondering how stocks, (you know the ones that are a symbol of profit and capitalism) can contribute to a NON-profit cause but you'd be surprised!Here's what we'll cover in the episode:- Why it took so long for a solution like DonateStock to exist?- The future of Impact according to Steve.- The complexities and contradictions in the non-profit sector.- Why the non-profit sector is lacking innovation.Ready to get your minds blown and refilled with knowledge? Tune in for the interview! Steve CRUSHED it.Connect with Steve!On his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevelatham/On his Company: DonatestockCharitable.org Connect with me:On my LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-merrell/On my  company:   https://onedegreeimpact.com/category/uncategorized/🚨 Register for the show here: https://tinyurl.com/FutureofImpact

For the vast majority of people, finance is dull, tedious, way too science-y for their liking, and just a necessary evil for you to thrive in this world.This episode's guest begs to differ.Brian Haney is the Founder and CEO of The Haney Company. A firm based in the greater Washington Area that aims to ease the process of insurance and employee benefits - the process that so many companies dread. Brian's career has been an illustrious rollercoaster of many apprenticeships that shaped him into the confident financier he is today. However, this is ODI so we wanted to "spice" things up a little. Besides covering Brian's path to financial wellness and mastery, we will also cover:- How financial literacy can generate a tremendous amount of impact in society if done correctly. - How to find the synergy between the for-profit and non-profit sectors. And why we should.- Thinking bigger: How improving the  micro level of finance (that of one person) helps the macro (our economy)You won't want to miss this episode!Connect with Brian!On his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-haney-thehaneycompanyfinancialguy/Connect with me:On my LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-merrell/On my  company:   https://onedegreeimpact.com/category/uncategorized/🚨 Register for the show here: https://tinyurl.com/FutureofImpact

It’s time to change the way you go about designing solutions- WITH the community- for a bigger impact.Organizations are accustomed to funders and government agencies coming in and dictating what they need to do without any input or participation from the community.It’s easier said than done to find the right leadership within the community. It takes dedication to show up, listen and take action- and do you really have the right solution the community needs?In reality, no one knows the problem better than those affected by it. If we can get those folks to lead the change, the greatest impact is made.That's why we need to study the methods that have worked to enable and enlist community members to actively lead the change for themselves.Patrick McNamara, president & CEO of Palm Health Foundation, seems to have figured it out.Having spent most of his professional career in cross-sector work to improve communities, Pat has dedicated his career to designing and implementing initiatives in behavioral health, housing, family services, health, and non-profit leadership. In this episode of Future of Impact, Pat McNamara, President & CEO of Palm Health Foundation, and host Jess Merrell discussed about:- How to inspire and fund better solutions for health through community collaboration. - From grassroots to grass top, what a thriving ecosystem look like- and how will we know when we get there?- From a funder's perspective, practical takeaways any organization needs to know.Don't miss this episode!Connect with Pat!On his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-mcnamara-1a090a10/Connect with me:On my LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-merrell/On my  company:   https://onedegreeimpact.com/category/uncategorized/🚨 Register for the show here: https://tinyurl.com/FutureofImpact

There's a new frontier on the horizon.The space race is here. An era that will span a new renaissance of science, technology, and culture, forever changing the fabric of our lives and the ones that come after.But, although there's no lack of curiosity about the great vastness that comes after we leave our atmosphere, education at scale is lacking.The world has yet to prepare its workforce for the space economy- which is why the work of people like Dr. Mark Wagner matters.Mark Wagner has a Ph.D. in Educational Technology and a master's degree in Cross-Cultural Education. He is the author of More Now: A Message from The Future for The Educators of Today (2018) and Space Education: Preparing Students for Humanity’s Multi-Planet Future (2022), which explores both the current reality on Earth and the possibilities for teaching students on the Moon, on Mars, and in deep space habitats.He is also the founder of ARES Learning, which provides a vision for schools that prepare students with the skill sets and mindsets they’ll need to be successful in the growing space economy - and in humanity’s rapidly approaching multi-planet future. On this Future of Impact episode- we, alongside Mark, are going to discuss:- What ARES' unique funding model entails and why the company is winning.- Why Mark decided to become an impact leader in the Space Education industry.- How to make an impact to the moon, without necessarily stepping there.You won't want to miss this “stellar” episode! Connect with Dr.  Wagner!On his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdouglaswagner/Connect with me:On my LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-merrell/On my  company:   https://onedegreeimpact.com/category/uncategorized/🚨 Register for the show here: https://tinyurl.com/FutureofImpact

Are you telling the right story with your metrics? Are they really moving the needle?As technology has evolved over recent years, grantees are becoming more aware of the importance of defining, collecting, analyzing then leveraging data to make the biggest impact. Some organizations have avoided implementing the technology because they assume it is a capacity building expense that they just can’t afford. Lisa’s organization is turning this around with UpMetrics, an impact analytics platform that drives insights and creates social change. This powerful technology allows your organization to leverage new opportunities and learnings without bringing on costly experts. In this episode, Lisa Fung of UpMetrics, and host Jess Merrell discuss:Embracing the need for data to make a real impact and fundraise more.The unique way UpMetrics brings grantees and funders together to help build capacity to measure more widely available to organizations that can’t afford it.How technology is empowering the non-profit industry for growth in areas where you don’t need to hire experts, but instead leveraging tools.You won’t want to miss this episode- it has the potential to change how you see the future of impact, forever! At UpMetrics, Lisa identifies Data For Good Fund grantees who can leverage the UpMetrics impact analytics platform to drive insights and create social change.Prior to UpMetrics, she spent 7 years running SchoolPages, an EdTech company that promoted internal communication tools to promote parent engagement and organization for schools and their sports teams.  She has also worked to increase internet connectivity in K12 schools at EducationSuperHighway, and led the sales and business development team for GreatSchools. She has sat on a number of non-profit boards dedicated to improving youth education through summer camps and afterschool programming.  She has successfully developed key partnerships, and especially enjoyed working with companies she believes are making an impact.   ​When Lisa is not working, or sending embarrassing TikTok messages to her college-age children, you can find her paddle boarding on the Vineyard Club lake in Geyserville.  Lisa is a third generation San Franciscan and a graduate of the University of California at BerkeleyConnect with Lisa!On her LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisamfung/ On her Website: https://www.upmetrics.com/dataforgoodfund.html Connect with me:On my LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-merrell/On my  company:   https://onedegreeimpact.com/category/uncategorized/🚨 Register for the show here: https://tinyurl.com/FutureofImpact

We all dream of massive, rapid growth, but is your organization ready for it? Starting with 32 students, now have grown to over 50,000 served in the ACES program since 2013- Krissy’s organization has expanded rapidly by prioritizing the voice of their community, developing a system that evolves as they grow, and harnessing the power of tracking outcomes. In this episode, Krissy Webb, the Co-Founder and Executive Director of ACES, and host Jess Merrell deep dive into:The power of listening to the people you serve, and taking action on the feedback to make the biggest impact.The importance of flexibility- allowing an evolution of your program and optimizing the systems and services while keeping your mission the same.Using the entrepreneurial approach to building strategic partnerships and how these business relationships can truly impact lives. They also touch on measuring outcomes, building your dream Board of Directors and much much more. You won’t want to miss this episode of the Future of Impact Show!Krissy Webb is the Co-Founder and Executive Director Student ACES (athletics, community and education), a 501c3 organization she and her dad, Buck Martinez started in 2013. Their mission is to inspire and develop high school student athletes to become men and women of character, honor and integrity through their character education programs. Krissy lives in Palm Beach Gardens with her husband and twin daughters.Connect with Krissy:On her LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krissy-webb-73b26431/On her Company: https://studentacesforleadership.com/ Connect with me:On my LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-merrell/On my  company:   https://onedegreeimpact.com/category/uncategorized/🚨 Register for the show here: https://tinyurl.com/FutureofImpact

Storytelling is the most impactful way to share an experience with another human to drive specific actions or help form opinions on a particular issue.It is infused into so many areas of a nonprofit's daily operations from marketing to programming to fundraising appeals.However, there is a difference between creating trendy Tik Tok videos and developing a goal-oriented storytelling strategy that conveys an organization's impact and compels one to take action.Getting it right can change the trajectory of an organization and that is why you don't want to miss our conversation with Brit Liggett, Founder of Show the Good!In this episode, we're going to talk about... 🎙 How to measure the impact of storytelling and why "going viral" is meaningless.🎙 Using the power of story to bring supporters to your organization's program that you couldn't otherwise reach.🎙 Knowing when you need a strategic partner vs. an idea executor.Don't miss what is sure to be a great story with some valuable takeaways! 📣📽💡Brit Liggett founded Show the Good in 2013 and is the team’s lead storyteller.Her job is to keep our team centered on our clients’ mission, goals and impact. At various points in her 16-year career as a social good producer, she has tackled every aspect of production – from cinematography and editing, to animation and design. She has helped tell the story of nonprofits, government agencies and social ventures, large and small, across five continents. Her films have traveled the world and garnered awards for impact and editing. She has a BFA in Television and Broadcast Journalism with an emphasis in Documentary Production from the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts at Chapman University in California. Brit started the company while living in Brooklyn and now resides with her family in the mountains of Utah.Show the Good is not just Brit’s daily job, but her passion project. She shaped the Show the Good community as a force for good, helping our clients effectively tell their story so they can continue to make the world a better place.Connect with Britt:On her LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/britliggett/On her Company: https://showthegood.com/Connect with me:On my LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-merrell/On my  company:   https://onedegreeimpact.com/category/uncategorized/🚨 Register for the show here: https://tinyurl.com/FutureofImpact

A person's journey in life doesn't always, or perhaps ever, follow a straight path and how you manage the moments of fear and uncertainty can either motivate you or crush you.If you want to be a positive disruptor in the world you will need to learn to harness the fear into purpose and view your failures as learnings.So it helps when your life's work is building and leading an organization that aligns so clearly with your purpose that it seems kismet.  That is the story of our amazing guest, Meghan Ogilvie, CEO of Dog Tag Bakery.On this episode, we're going to talk about... 🎙 Finding your purpose to become a positive disruptor in the world.🎙 Building an innovative, sustainable, mission-focused business model.🎙 Developing impact-focused metrics to drive your organization's outputs.If you are on your journey to find purpose or just love inspiring stories, don't miss this episode! 🙌❤🌍Meghan Ogilvie is Chief Executive Officer of Dog Tag Inc (DTI), a 501c3 that empowers service-disabled veterans, military spouses, and caregivers through an innovative five-month fellowship program. Hired as DTI's first employee in 2012, Meghan partnered with DTI's co-founders to bring their shared vision to life: to create a place that equips transitioning veterans and military families with knowledge, skills, and confidence to pursue their career goals, post service.Meghan assumed the role of CEO in 2015 and oversees all aspects of DTI's unique, multi-faceted social enterprise including: managing the Fellowship program, growing Dog Tag Bakery, and guiding the development and implementation of DTI's long-term strategic vision. As of January 2022, Dog Tag has continue to build out our growth playbook by running fellowships in two cities: Washington, DC, and Chicago. Prior to joining Dog Tag, Meghan spent several years working in finance in New York; first in equities with Lehman Brothers and Barclays and later within executive management at Macquarie Group.Meghan comes from a military family, with both her father and sister graduating from the Naval Academy and serving in the United States Marine Corps. In 2017, Meghan Ogilvie was accepted as a Presidential Leadership Scholar and a recipient of the U.S. Army's Outstanding Civilian Service Award.The following year, Meghan as named 2018 Rising Star by the Washington Business Journal.Connect with Meghan:On her LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghan-ogilvie-95681251/Connect with me:On my LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-merrell/On my  company:   https://onedegreeimpact.com/category/uncategorized/🚨 Register for the show here: https://tinyurl.com/FutureofImpact

Nonprofits need to be opportunistic when it comes to securing resources and crypto is a major fundraising opportunity!  But its not about the coins its about the owners of the coins and their unique giving philosophy.  That is what Steven and Alicia, co-founders of givepact, the free crypto fundraising platform for nonprofits, figured out and they are joining the show to talk about it.  They are taking the best part of grassroots, individual fundraising and adding the scale of institutional funders to make impact funding a better experience.  On this episode, we're going to talk about... 🎙 Why the crypto investor is a better than your typical nonprofit funder.🎙 How Web3 is playing in favor of the way nonprofits have always wanted to operate.🎙 Practical tips for building a Web3 strategy.Tune in to board a fundraising 🚀!! Connect with Steven:On his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenaguiar/ Connect with Alicia:On her LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicia-maule/Connect with me:On my LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-merrell/On my  company:   https://onedegreeimpact.com/category/uncategorized/🚨 Register for the show here: https://tinyurl.com/FutureofImpact

Running a successful non-profit demands your ability to do many things at once, and that can sometimes feel like you're not getting anything done completely.But if you can get strategic around planning, innovation, and relationships there is a way to actually move the needle across all your roles.That's what makes this conversation with Glenn Jenkins, the outgoing Executive Director of Embrace Kids, so valuable.  Through a strategic relationship with Rutgers University, he was able to fundraise, add programming, and keep building his network in an ultra efficient way Jess had never heard before!Listen in on this conversation between Glenn and Jess, where they uncover the story behind:🎙 What Embrace Kids did to evolve from startup to a large-scale impact organization.🎙 Why creating impactful partnerships can drive both fundraising and programming metrics.🎙 How to identify a successor and plan for your exit.You'll want to borrow this playbook.  Get ready to take some serious notes!!Connect with Glenn:On his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenkinsglenn/Connect with me:On my LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-merrell/On my  company:   https://onedegreeimpact.com/category/uncategorized/🚨 Register for the show here: https://tinyurl.com/FutureofImpact

Measuring and analyzing your organization's impact is crucial to making a difference, but most nonprofits don't have the budget to hire a PhD consultant.Cost effective technology needs to be developed to measure impact... and THAT is why we're so excited to host Kim Flores on the show! Kim is the Co-Founder and CEO of Hello Insight, an online platform that leverages AI and researched-based tools to evaluate social emotional learning in order to truly understand what it takes for a young person to reach their fullest potential. With Hello Insight, leaders are able to understand, enhance, and share the impact they’re having on those they serve.In this episode host, Jess Merrell, and Dr. Flores discussed about:🎙 The challenges with measuring & analyzing impact data and how to make it accessible for everybody. 🎙 How we evolve impact measurement, analysis and implementation in an ever-changing world.🎙 Real-life examples showcasing the power of accessible, practical impact data.You won't want to miss this!Connect with Kim:On her LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-sabo-flores-3461b98/Connect with me:On my LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-merrell/On my  company:   https://onedegreeimpact.com/category/uncategorized/🚨 Register for the show here: https://tinyurl.com/FutureofImpact

Building and then growing a successful grant program is no easy feat and definitely not a set-it-and-forget-it initiative.  It takes multiple, high-value skill sets sets to maneuver the complexities of the grant space.And this is just one of the many responsibilities on the plates of nonprofit leaders so it is no wonder that many look to the experts to manage and grow their grant programs.But not all partnerships are created equal and it takes commitment from both sides to ensure maximum success in the ultimate goal - securing maximum grant funding as efficiently as possible!In this episode host, Jess Merrell, and the Megan Wellikoff, COO of One Degree Impact, disccussed about:What makes a client innovative when thinking about how they build their grants program.How mindset plays an important role in allowing their organizations to operate this way.Insights on creating the most successful partnership with an outsourced firm.You won't want to miss this value-packed episode!Connect with Megan:On her LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-wellikoff-97799412/Connect with me:On my LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-merrell/On my  company:   https://onedegreeimpact.com/category/uncategorized/🚨 Register for the show here: https://tinyurl.com/FutureofImpact

Introducing the world premiere of the Future of Impact Show! Here’s the problem, non-profit systems were developed from a “funder down” approach at a time when data was not available at scale, which means because passion for mission alone doesn’t quantify impact. We have a better vision…a world where missions, metrics, and incentives align to actually get problems solved. On this show, we will bring together specialized experts to explore innovative ways to accelerate change and make IMPACT an industry, BUT we can’t do it without the right metrics…and we can’t do it alone. This is not a job for one or even a few.  We all stand to succeed by working together. Our inaugural show will feature host:🔥  Jess Merrell, One Degree ImpactInterviewed by Executive Content Strategist:🔥  Rita Richa, Be the Stage We discussed about:🎙  How and why Jess Merrill founded One Degree Impact🎙  The importance of community in the impact industry🎙  Why measuring impact in nonprofit organizations, and the impact industry, is so important. 🎙 The barriers existing in our world that prevent us from making change and creating impact. 🎙  And what this show is all about!Connect with me: On my LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-merrell/On my  company:   https://onedegreeimpact.com/category/uncategorized/🚨 Register for the show here: https://tinyurl.com/FutureofImpact

Here’s the problem, non-profit systems were developed from a “funder down” approach at a time when data was not available at scale, which means because passion for mission alone doesn’t quantify impact. We have a better vision…a world where missions, metrics, and incentives align to actually get problems solved. We are on a quest to find innovative ways to accelerate change and make IMPACT an industry, BUT we can’t do it without the right metrics…and we can’t do it alone. This is not a job for one or even a few.  We all stand to succeed by working together. I’m your host, Jess Merrell, and WE are the Future of Impact.