Funding the dream, how mission-driven business actually get funded: Nina Johnson & Tony Shields

There's money in Wisconsin right now looking for the right people to fund. Most social entrepreneurs don't know how to find it — or how to be ready when it finds them.

In this episode, Shannon Sims sits down with Tony Shields, CEO of Wisconsin Philanthropy Network, and Nina Johnson, senior vice president at U.S. Bank, to break down exactly how mission-driven businesses get funded. They cover the full capital stack — from CRA investment and community development financial institutions to grant funding and impact investing. They talk about what separates the entrepreneurs who get funded from the ones who get delayed. And they share what the funder relationship actually looks like once you're in.

This is the episode for the social entrepreneur who has the idea, believes in the mission, and is ready to stop waiting.

What you'll hear:

• Why passion and preparation are not the same thing.
• How to stack CRA investment, foundation grants and CDFIs on a single project.
• What trust-based philanthropy looks like in practice and why it matters.
• Why Milwaukee is a destination city right now, and what that means for you.
• The one thing most entrepreneurs get wrong when they walk into a funder meeting.

Credits:

Shannon Sims, host

Bryce Richards, graphic designer/ grip

Brianna Sitkowski, producer

Junction Box Production, Dwight Cannon, audio editor/videographer

LionArts Media, Laura Dyan Kezma, audio/video editor

William Howell, photographer/ assistant editor

Mic’d & Ready Media