DiscoverLead with Heart | Philanthropy, Nonprofit Leadership, Nonprofit Management & FundraisingE106: Lessons from a Nonprofit Incubator for Founders Who Want to Create Real Impact with Ben Williamson
E106: Lessons from a Nonprofit Incubator for Founders Who Want to Create Real Impact with Ben Williamson

E106: Lessons from a Nonprofit Incubator for Founders Who Want to Create Real Impact with Ben Williamson

Update: 2025-08-19
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I'm excited to welcome Ben Williamson to the Lead With Heart Podcast. Ben is  the Director of Recruitment at Ambitious Impact, a dynamic organization, reshaping how we identify and support the next generation of nonprofit leaders. He works with their Charity Entrepreneurship program, an incubator for nonprofits, where he helps people move from good intentions to real-world impact.

 Ben brings a refreshingly honest and insightful perspective to the table from hard-earned lessons of starting and shutting down a charity that wasn't delivering results, to focusing on what really matters to create impact, to spotting the unexpected qualities that make founders thrive.


In this episode:

  • [02:45 ] How Ben found his own way to create social impact
  • [05:12 ] Why Ben is focusing on international development
  • [07:12 ] Ben's journey to building a nonprofit in West Africa
  • [10:46 ] Navigating the vast cultural differences around family planning
  • [16:03 ] Ben's brave decision to shut down his nonprofit
  • [21:06 ] What founders must keep in mind when starting a nonprofit
  • [24:40 ] Measuring what really matters in delivering real change
  • [33:17 ] The traits behind excellent nonprofit founders
  • [36:53 ] Advice for aspiring nonprofit founders to take the first step


RESOURCES

Learn more about Charity Entrepreneurship, the incubator for nonprofits that Ben is a part of.

Catch up with my interview with Elaine Lankford on Episode 89 of the Lead With Heart Podcast.

Get my book

Send Haley a suggestion or request via text HERE!

My book, Sow, Grow, Lead is live on Amazon! It shares my journey of starting a nonprofit in Malawi and offers practical strategies for nonprofit leaders to create real impact.

As the fundraising engine of choice for over 80,000 organizations in 90+ countries, Donorbox’s easy-to-use fundraising tools help you raise more money in more ways. Seamlessly embed a customizable donation form into your website that reduces donor drop-off with a 4x faster checkout, launch a crowdfunding or peer-to-peer campaign, sell event tickets, raise funds on the go with Donorbox Live™ Kiosk, and much more. Learn more at donorbox.org

Dr. Lola Gershfeld’s EmC Masterclass helps you boost communication skills to raise more revenue. Trusted by top universities and global organizations. Use code LEADWITHHEART for 10% off.

CONNECT WITH HALEY
Haley is a CFRE, Stress Management Coach, and EmC trainer. Founder of The Savvy Fundraiser, she brings experience in human services, homelessness, and youth nonprofits. She specializes in EmC, leadership, board development, and fundraising, empowering nonprofit leaders to build thriving organizations.
Instagram: @thesavvyfundraiser
LinkedIn: Haley Cooper, CFRE
Website: thesavvyfundraiser.com

Produced by Ideablossoms

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E106: Lessons from a Nonprofit Incubator for Founders Who Want to Create Real Impact with Ben Williamson

E106: Lessons from a Nonprofit Incubator for Founders Who Want to Create Real Impact with Ben Williamson

Haley Cooper | Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE), Certified Stress Management Coach, Certified EmC Trainer