Nonprofit on the Rocks

Matt talks to Genevieve Riutort, the new CEO of the Westside Food Bank in Santa Monica, California, an organization whose mission is to end hunger in our communities by providing access to free nutritious food through food acquisition and distribution, and by engaging the community and advocating for a strong food assistance network. With a global pandemic, inflation on the rise, and a scarcity of...

Matt talks to Liz Lin, President of the LAFD Foundation, an organization whose mission is to supplement the fire department’s budget by providing first responders with essential equipment, new technology, and educational resources that would otherwise go unfunded. The duo discusses the growing challenges faced by the LAFD as a result of the pandemic and the increase of wildfires in recent years; t...

Matt talks to Jasmin Shupper, Founder of the Greenline Foundation, an organization committed to combating redlining by trying to close the racial wealth gap and facilitate access to the wealth-building that home ownership affords, by giving grants to qualified people of color for down payments and home maintenance assistance. The pair discuss the role systemic racism has played in keeping people o...

Matt talks to Shelby Williams-Gonzalez, President and CEO of Inner-City Arts in downtown Los Angeles, an organization that believes in the transformational power of the arts, and whose mission is to engage young people in the creative process in order to shape a society of creative, confident and collaborative individuals. The pair discuss the transition from artist to executive; how to build a st...

Matt talks to Lori Laqua, Managing Director of the SMUIN Contemporary Ballet Company in San Francisco. The pair discuss the state and importance of the performing arts and artistic expression; the changing landscape of how we consume art; and how and what it means to have a career in the arts. The two also share a mutual appreciation for men in tights.

Matt talks to Molly Snow, Executive Director of Girls on the Run Los Angeles, a nonprofit that empowers the next generation of women through sport and mentorship, building confidence and developing social emotional skills that will benefit girls for a lifetime. The pair discuss the importance of positive self-talk, how executive directors have to wear many hats in order to be successful, and ways...

Matt talks to Michele Broadnax, CEO of the Los Angeles Education Partnership, a 38year-old educational equity nonprofit organization. primarily partnering with LAUSD, bringing forward education transformation from “diapers to diplomas.” The pair discuss the importance of being a good fundraiser, how to best support teachers and your colleagues during the pandemic, and how being a mediocre student...

Matt talks to Rhea Wong, nonprofit consultant, fundraising expert and host of her own popular podcast – and yes, Nonprofit on the Rocks competitor, The Nonprofit Lowdown. The pair discuss topics ranging from the importance of “The Ask,” how to engage your board in the fundraising plight, rethinking the rubber chicken gala, and how they can combine forces to take down those pesky “church podcasts.”...

Matt talks to Julie Lacouture, fundraising strategist and founder of Good Ways, Inc. a consulting firm that helps nonprofits raise money, awareness and supporting digital tools. (She also co-hosts the podcast, “How We Run: Tips and Tales of Nonprofit Success” with Trent Stamp, but since they’re a competitor, we won’t mention that again.) The pair discuss topics ranging from, “what makes a good ask...

Matt talks to Heidi Johnson, founder of Charity Matters, a nonprofit (and podcast) whose mission is to share the fascinating stories of innovators, entrepreneurs, and modern-day heroes who set out to solve the problems of humanity with their incredible journeys of service. After tragedy struck Heidi’s life, she was struck with the notion that the best way through her grief was to get outside of he...

Matt talks to Elissa Barrett, Esq. Executive Director of the Western Justice Center, an organization that empowers people to strengthen their communities and build a healthy democracy by growing their conflict resolution skills, providing a much-needed, ”antidote to the politics of division gripping our nation.” The pair discuss a wide range of complex topics and challenges facing our society such...

Matt talks to Laurel Mintz, Founder and CEO of “Elevate my Brand,” a digital and experiential agency that helps corporate and nonprofit businesses alike to, as promised, “elevate their brand.” Laurel dishes up her “secret sauce” to our listeners, helping them recognize the importance of setting a marketing budget and strategy, planning for events early, utilizing cross-promotions and multi-channel...

Matt talks to Afam Onyema, the founder and CEO of GEANCO, a family foundation, inspired by his father’s promise to improve healthcare and save lives in his homeland, Nigeria. GEANCO saves and transform lives in Nigeria; fights disease and disability through free complex surgeries and maternal health and safe delivery; fights ignorance and gender inequality through the education and social support...

Missed an episode in the last two seasons? No worries! Matt and Ashley walk you through some of the highlights of the first two seasons in this informative and entertaining half episode, or "halfy"

Matt talks to Jim Elliott, founder of Diveheart, an organization that provides support educational scuba diving programs to any child, adult or veteran with a disability, with the hope of providing both physical and psychological therapeutic value to that person. Joining Matt and Jim is Ron Rispoli, a Diveheart board member and recreation therapist, educating and introducing young adults with seve...

Matt talks to Elena Brokaw, Executive Director of the Museum of Ventura County (and despite what her LinkedIn profile might say, she is the official--not the “interim” --director) The pair discuss why Elena loves working for nonprofit, how she and her team saved the museum from imminent closure, how working for Parks & Rec in real life is nothing like the TV show, as well as Elena’s ambition to be...

Matt talks to Dr. Kristen Greer-Paglia, CEO of P.S. ARTS, an organization that provides high quality arts education in dance, theater, music and visual arts to children in underfunded school districts that lack access to the arts. Among the many topics covered, the pair explore how the arts and art therapy are vital to recognizing the different ways we express ourselves and communicate. They discu...

Matt talks to Ed Tepporn—himself an immigrant, immigrating from Thailand to Texas in the 1970s, the Executive Director of the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation, a former U.S. immigration Station that now serves to preserve the rich stories of Pacific Coast immigrants (from 80 different countries) and share them through educational initiatives and public programs. As Ed says, “connecting...

Matt talks to Amy Turk, CEO of the Downtown Women’s Center in Los Angeles, an organization whose mission is to end homelessness for women in greater Los Angeles through housing, wellness, employment, and advocacy. The pair discuss the importance of trauma informed care and the mindset shift from, “what’s wrong with this person?” to, “what happened to this person?” They debate the merits of homeles...

Matt and Ashley reveal the results of the Twitter poll as to what to call the show's followers, debate what a unicorn smells like and whether or not podcast awards are called "poddies;" introduce "Mattsplains Across America," and discuss the very real challenge of having to wear pants to work again in a post-pandemic era.

Matt talks to Fran Reilly, executive director of News Leaders Association in Washington, DC., a n organization that provides a network of support for journalists, especially helping new journalists develop leadership skills through mentoring and networking. Matt and Fran discuss the changing landscape of journalism; the rise of online readership and the concurrent rise of sources that lack credibi...

Matt talks to Nick Arquette (yup, he’s one of those Arquettes) the founder of Walk with Sally, an organization dedicated to supporting people—especially children—who have lost a loved one to cancer. Nick’s mom died of cancer when he was a teenager and the impact of that lost changed his life forever. As a result, he has dedicated much of his life to helping make sure others who experience this tra...

Matt talks to Mark Loranger, President and CEO of Chrysalis, a nonprofit devoted to helping people overcome barriers to employment and find and retain jobs. The gentlemen discuss topics ranging from viable ways to help stem the homeless crisis in this country, as well as whether or not Matt’s Botox injections will make him look like George Hamilton in 10 years and if people working at foundations...

Matt talks to Kim Peterson, Vice President of Change Management at Aviva Family and Children’s Services. What is Change Management, you ask? We asked Kim that question, too. Tune in for the detailed response. Matt and Kim also talk about DEI (or is it EDI?) and what nonprofits could be doing better, and reminisce about their bygone days of clubbing in West Hollywood. This episode has it all.

Matt talks to his high school pal, Jen Levy, the founder and Executive Director of the Beverly Hills Community Farm, an organization that cultivates greater health and well-being, by growing local food with hands-on community involvement. Jen advocates for sustainability via hydroponic farming, shorter showers, the elimination of single-use plastic and trying sorrel (aka “lemonade in a leaf”) Matt...