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As the year comes to a close, I’m pressing pause on our regular programming to reflect — and to say thank you.

In this brief holiday message, I share what this past year has revealed about the power of storytelling, the strength of our nonprofit community, and the quiet, human work that truly builds impact. The stories we’ve had the privilege to hear — and help be heard — remind me that community isn’t built by headlines, hashtags, or algorithms. It’s built by people. By commitment. By heart.

I also extend deep gratitude to our founding and sustaining partners — CAPTRUST, Western Health Advantage, CxORE Fractional Leadership, and our newest partner heading into 2026, Five Star Bank — whose support allows hundreds of nonprofits each year to share their mission with clarity and dignity.

You’ll also hear a little holiday fun — because even meaningful work should leave room for play.

From all of us at the Nonprofit Podcast Network, thank you for listening, supporting, sharing, and believing in the power of community storytelling.

Wishing you peace, warmth, rest, and renewed purpose this holiday season — and a hopeful year ahead.

Thank you so much for listening to this nonprofit story! We appreciate you. Please visit the website to sign up for our email updates and newsletter. https://www.nonprofpod.com/ And if you like, leave me a voicemail to comment on the program, leave a question for us to ask in the future or a message for me, Jeff Holden. I may even use your voice mail message in a future episode of one of our incredible local nonprofit organizations. https://www.nonprofpod.com/voicemail. Thanks again for your support in listening, commenting and sharing the great work our local nonprofits are accomplishing.

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This episode, I sit down with Cherian Koshy, author of Neurogiving: The Science of Donor Decision-Making — a book that achieved something almost unheard of in the nonprofit sector by landing on the USA Today Bestseller List just one day after release.

But this conversation isn’t about accolades. It’s about understanding what’s really happening in a donor’s brain — and why so many “best practices” in fundraising work sometimes… and fail other times.

Cherian draws on nearly three decades of fundraising experience and more than 220 peer-reviewed research studies to explain how generosity actually works at a neurological level. We explore why storytelling creates real biological responses, how trust is formed and sustained over time, and why attention — not money — may be the most valuable currency nonprofits are competing for today.

We also tackle some of the hardest realities nonprofit leaders are facing right now: crisis fundraising, donor fatigue, digital overload, and the ethical responsibility fundraisers carry when applying behavioral science. Throughout the conversation, Cherian is clear — this isn’t about manipulating donors. It’s about becoming more human-centered, more intentional, and more effective in how we invite people into generosity.

If you lead a nonprofit, sit on a board, work in development or marketing, or care deeply about the future of giving, this episode will challenge how you think about fundraising — and equip you with language, insight, and research to do it better. For me, the book is fast becoming a tutorial in contemporary ways to address fundraising and donors with great intentionality and understanding.

You can find the book on Amazon with this link: Neurogiving.

Episode Chapters

00:00 – Welcome & a rare nonprofit milestone
Why Neurogiving hitting the USA Today Bestseller List matters for the sector.

06:00 – What “Neuro Giving” really means
Why this book isn’t about manipulation — and what it actually reveals about donor behavior.

14:00 – Storytelling, brains, and emotional connection
What neuroscience shows us about why stories move people more than data.

26:00 – Trust, identity, and long-term giving
How generosity becomes part of who a donor is, not just something they do.

38:00 – Crisis fundraising and donor overload
Why constant urgency backfires — and how to pair urgency with hope.

50:00 – Digital giving, ethics, and the future of fundraising
Attention, technology, AI, and why humans still matter most.

Thank you so much for listening to this nonprofit story! We appreciate you. Please visit the website to sign up for our email updates and newsletter. https://www.nonprofpod.com/ And if you like, leave me a voicemail to comment on the program, leave a question for us to ask in the future or a message for me, Jeff Holden. I may even use your voice mail message in a future episode of one of our incredible local nonprofit organizations. https://www.nonprofpod.com/voicemail. Thanks again for your support in listening, commenting and sharing the great work our local nonprofits are accomplishing.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text...

What does it really take to move a region forward—without picking a side, without chasing headlines, and without sacrificing equity or the environment for “growth”?

I had the privilege of sitting down with Evan Schmidt, CEO of Valley Vision, to unpack the organization’s unique role in the Sacramento region: a values-driven convener that brings people together, turns research into action, and helps align partners around the issues that shape quality of life.

Evan walks me through Valley Vision’s origin story (born out of the region’s response to base closures), their triple bottom line framework—environmental sustainability, social equity, and economic prosperity—and why collaboration is both essential…and often unglamorous. We also talk about how they measure impact across long time horizons, their Livability Summit and Livability Poll, and what the data is telling us right now about the biggest pressures facing our communities.

What we cover

• Why Valley Vision exists—and how it’s different from other regional civic organizations
• The “triple bottom line” lens and what it means in real-world decision-making
• Collaboration as a discipline: networks, coalitions, alignment, and shared accountability
• The tension between urgency and trust-building in regional problem solving
• Livability Poll takeaways: what residents say are the biggest issues right now
• Funding, capacity, and what it would take to scale collective impact

Chapters & Time Stamps

00:00 – Welcome + “alphabet soup” of regional orgs
01:00 – Valley Vision’s origin story and purpose: leadership roundtable + regional stewardship
03:10 – Triple bottom line values: sustainability, equity, and prosperity—without tradeoffs
04:05 – Facilitator and values-driven: why Valley Vision isn’t a neutral “yes to everything” org
07:20 – Where projects come from: contract work, mission alignment, and long-running initiatives
08:45 – What collaboration really looks like (and why it’s not flashy)
12:20 – Impact example: Cleaner Air Partnership and long-term systems change
16:20 – Livability Summit: building a regional collaboration conference + shared data
17:40 – Livability Poll: top issues residents name (housing, wages, healthcare access)
19:35 – Housing questions that split the region 50/50—and what that tells us
22:05 – Funding model: grants, contracts, and the challenge of funding “systems-level” work
24:40 – The coming nonprofit shakeout: why deeper collaboration will matter even more
25:10 – Scale + pass-through dollars: bringing investment in and distributing it for regional impact
31:30 – The biggest need: capacity and investment to stay proactive (not only contract-driven)
34:00 –

Thank you so much for listening to this nonprofit story! We appreciate you. Please visit the website to sign up for our email updates and newsletter. https://www.nonprofpod.com/ And if you like, leave me a voicemail to comment on the program, leave a question for us to ask in the future or a message for me, Jeff Holden. I may even use your voice mail message in a future episode of one of our incredible local nonprofit organizations. https://www.nonprofpod.com/voicemail. Thanks again for your support in listening, commenting and sharing the great work our local nonprofits are accomplishing.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text...

In this episode, I bring together four community foundation leaders from across our region for a candid, timely conversation about what nonprofits are facing right now — and what’s coming next.

As needs rise and resources feel tighter, community foundations are sitting at a critical intersection: listening to nonprofits, working with donors, and helping communities adapt in real time. We talk openly about uncertainty, sustainability, collaboration, and why this moment requires new ways of thinking — not just more funding.

This conversation isn’t about one county or one solution. It’s about shared challenges, similarities, unique differences and emerging opportunities, and how philanthropy is evolving to meet the realities nonprofit leaders are navigating every day.

Joining me are Kerry Wood, CEO of the Sacramento Region Community Foundation, Veronica Blake, CEO of the Placer Community Foundation, Amy Pooley, Executive Director of the ElDorado Community Foundation and Jessica Hubbard, Executive Director of the Yolo Community Foundation — four leaders offering perspective, honesty, and insight into how communities can move forward together.

Whether you lead a nonprofit, serve on a board, advise donors, have a fund at your community foundation or simply care about the health of your community, this episode offers both clarity and encouragement at a time when both are needed.

⏱️ Chapter Timestamps

00:00 — Why This Conversation Matters Right Now
Setting the stage: rising needs, limited resources, and why bringing community foundation leaders together matters.

02:10 — What Foundations Are Seeing Across Their Communities
A high-level look at the pressures nonprofits and families are facing.

06:45 — Who Is Being Impacted Most
Discussion on how different populations are experiencing today’s challenges — the impact isn’t one-size-fits-all.

10:40 — How Philanthropy Is Responding in Real Time
How grantmaking, donor priorities, and emergency responses are shifting to meet immediate needs.

15:30 — Short-Term Relief vs. Long-Term Solutions
Balancing crisis response with sustainability, systems change, and prevention.

20:10 — Collaboration, Shared Services, and New Models
Why nonprofits are exploring deeper collaboration — and what’s making it both necessary and difficult.

25:30 — Creating Space for Nonprofits to Connect and Exhale
The often-overlooked value of convening, peer support, and shared learning.

30:20 — Ensuring Smaller Nonprofits Have Access and Voice
How community foundations work to support organizations of all sizes and stages.

35:15 — What Nonprofit Leaders Should Be Watching for in 2026
Emerging trends, uncertainty, and what leaders should be paying attention to now.

41:10 — Looking Ahead: What Foundations Are Doing Differently
Trust-based philanthropy, donor engagement, and preparing for the future.

47:30 — Closing Refle

Thank you so much for listening to this nonprofit story! We appreciate you. Please visit the website to sign up for our email updates and newsletter. https://www.nonprofpod.com/ And if you like, leave me a voicemail to comment on the program, leave a question for us to ask in the future or a message for me, Jeff Holden. I may even use your voice mail message in a future episode of one of our incredible local nonprofit organizations. https://www.nonprofpod.com/voicemail. Thanks again for your support in listening, commenting and sharing the great work our local nonprofits are accomplishing.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text...

If a child in our community had nowhere safe to go tonight, where would they sleep?

I'm speaking with Glynis Butler-Stone, CEO of the Children’s Receiving Home of Sacramento, and Amber Robbins, a nonprofit leader whose own childhood was spent navigating violence, foster care, and multiple stays at the Receiving Home. Together, we explore an 80-year legacy that has quietly supported tens of thousands of kids in their darkest moments—and the funding crisis that now threatens that work.

Glynis shares how the Children’s Receiving Home evolved from a World War II–era shelter into a six-acre campus offering crisis shelter, residential mental health treatment, a trauma-informed preschool and suicide prevention outreach. Amber brings the lived experience—what it felt like to be ripped from her mother’s arms, to land at the Receiving Home in the middle of the night, and to finally feel safe enough to sleep.

We also talk honestly about the policy changes that now limit them to serving just 16 children at a time, leaving 70+ beds empty while kids in our region sleep in cars, police stations, and out-of-county placements. And we dig into the bold vision to reinvent the campus as a housing and healing hub for transition-age youth and families in crisis—if the community can help bridge the funding gap.

If you care about foster youth, childhood trauma, or what real safety and dignity can look like for kids, this conversation will stay with you.

We'll cover:

• How the Children’s Receiving Home grew from a wartime shelter in 1944 into a mental health and healing campus serving an estimated 80,000 children over 80 years
• The reality of abuse, violence, and protective custody from a child’s point of view—and why Amber says the Receiving Home was the first place she truly felt safe
• The current continuum of care: emergency shelter, residential treatment, the Sprouts trauma-informed preschool, and suicide prevention and housing support for foster and former foster youth
• The impact of federal and state legislation that capped capacity at 16 youth, leaving dozens of beds empty while need is rising
• A collaborative effort with nine local nonprofits to map gaps in services and reimagine the campus for transition-age youth (18–24), survivors of domestic violence, trafficking, and other crises
• The dream of a “Life Academy” where young adults can learn the basics of living on their own—financial literacy, cooking, cleaning, job readiness, and more
• Why private philanthropy, corporate partners, and individual donors are essential to raising $1.5 million in bridge funding to carry this vision into 2026

Learn more & get involved. Visit the website https://crhkids.org/

Thank you so much for listening to this nonprofit story! We appreciate you. Please visit the website to sign up for our email updates and newsletter. https://www.nonprofpod.com/ And if you like, leave me a voicemail to comment on the program, leave a question for us to ask in the future or a message for me, Jeff Holden. I may even use your voice mail message in a future episode of one of our incredible local nonprofit organizations. https://www.nonprofpod.com/voicemail. Thanks again for your support in listening, commenting and sharing the great work our local nonprofits are accomplishing.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text...

What if a hospital could transform a child's life in ways you never imagined? Join me on a heartfelt exploration of Shriners Children's Hospital in Sacramento as I uncover the inspiring stories of resilience and hope. I sit down with the Senior Director of Philanthropy, Alan Anderson, who passionately shares how donations fuel life-changing healthcare and research that turns children's struggles into triumphs. Lindsey Wilder joins us to recount her daughter Taelley's remarkable journey from overcoming the challenges of a stroke and hydrocephalus to becoming a bright star of possibility, thanks to the dedicated support of Shriners' staff and therapies.

Discover the unique collaborations that make this children's hospital a hub of innovation and comprehensive care. Nestled near UC Davis, Shriners benefits from the expertise of medical school faculty and partnerships with organizations like Ronald McDonald House Charities. These alliances provide crucial resources such as long-term housing and education for families. We look into the hospital's innovative funding model, which blends insurance revenue, community philanthropy, and historical endowment funds, emphasizing the importance of community support in meeting the rising demand for pediatric services.

As we celebrate Shriners' commitment to empowering young patients, hear about their efforts to expand healthcare access across the nation, alleviating burdens for pediatric specialties. Their multifaceted approach includes supporting children with special needs as they transition to adulthood, fostering self-advocacy and resource awareness. Feel the warmth and kindness as stories of siblings receiving gifts during hospital visits highlight the compassionate environment Shriners creates. With each personal story, witness the profound difference unrestricted donations make, ensuring every child receives the care, love, and opportunities they deserve.

Learn more about Shriners Children's Hospital on their website: https://www.shrinerschildrens.org/en/locations/northern-california

Chapter Summaries:

(00:00) Shriners Children's Hospital Sacramento Journey
(10:06) Pediatric Hospital Collaboration and Funding
(19:57) Expanding Pediatric Healthcare Access
(26:35) Shriners Hospital Funding and Impact
(39:16) Empowering Children With Special Needs
(48:35) Empowering Children Through Hospital Support

Thank you so much for listening to this nonprofit story! We appreciate you. Please visit the website to sign up for our email updates and newsletter. https://www.nonprofpod.com/ And if you like, leave me a voicemail to comment on the program, leave a question for us to ask in the future or a message for me, Jeff Holden. I may even use your voice mail message in a future episode of one of our incredible local nonprofit organizations. https://www.nonprofpod.com/voicemail. Thanks again for your support in listening, commenting and sharing the great work our local nonprofits are accomplishing.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text...

This News Pod, I had the privilege of sitting down with James McCormick, CEO of the Sacramento Choral Society, to share a truly special announcement. Each year, the Choral Society presents its beloved Home for the Holidays concert — but this December marks an extraordinary milestone: the 30th anniversary of this Sacramento tradition!

James walks us through the history, the heart, and the magic behind this performance. From the 185 musicians on stage… to the breathtaking opening in total darkness… to the candlelit procession… to the audience sing-along that fills Memorial Auditorium with pure joy — this event is Sacramento at its most connected.

We also talk about:

• The 100th birthday of Memorial Auditorium and the generations of memories held within its walls
• The two remarkable leaders — James and conductor Don Kendrick — who have guided this tradition for all 30 years
• The new orchestral arrangements, guest soloist, decorations, lobby crafts, and even a visit from someone in a red suit (???)
• The changing audience and why young families are rediscovering this downtown holiday tradition
• A powerful piece on Christmas memories through the eyes of a child, narrated live

If you’ve never experienced Home for the Holidays, this is the year. And if it’s part of your family tradition — get ready. This one feels special.

Event Details:
📅 Saturday, December 13
⏰ 3:00 PM – 5:30 PM
📍 Memorial Auditorium
🎟️ Tickets at SacramentoChoral.org or via Ticketmaster
📞 Save fees by calling the box office: 916-808-5181 (Tues–Fri, 10 AM–4 PM)

Thank you so much for listening to this nonprofit story! We appreciate you. Please visit the website to sign up for our email updates and newsletter. https://www.nonprofpod.com/ And if you like, leave me a voicemail to comment on the program, leave a question for us to ask in the future or a message for me, Jeff Holden. I may even use your voice mail message in a future episode of one of our incredible local nonprofit organizations. https://www.nonprofpod.com/voicemail. Thanks again for your support in listening, commenting and sharing the great work our local nonprofits are accomplishing.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text...

In this episode of the Nonprofit Podcast Network, I sit down with Bryan Wagner, President/CEO of Goodwill Industries serving the Greater Sacramento region, and Gabriel Noriega, workforce development coordinator and former Goodwill program participant.

Most people know Goodwill for its familiar stores and donation drop-offs—but in our region, Goodwill is a $100 million nonprofit powering one of the largest workforce development missions in Northern California. With 34 stores, 17 donation centers, 4 outlets, 1,700 employees, and more than 5,000 people served annually, this conversation reveals the real engine behind the brand: transforming lives through the power of work.

In This Episode

• The 88-year history of Goodwill in Sacramento and the scale of its retail and logistics operation
• How donated goods fund 99% of Goodwill’s mission services
• The “life cycle” of a donation—from collection to retail to outlet to recycling
• The four core pillars of their mission:
  • Vocational services
  • Advocacy and referrals
  • Work experience and on-the-job training
  • Digital and financial literacy
• Gabriel’s journey from visually impaired job seeker to job coach helping others build confidence and careers
• How Goodwill partners with organizations like the Department of Rehabilitation and SETA
• The turnaround strategy that brought Goodwill back to its core purpose: selling donated goods to fuel workforce impact
• What unlimited resources could unlock—Goodwill’s vision for a Workforce Development Innovation Hub
• Why donations, partnerships, and community engagement remain the lifeblood of the mission

Key Takeaway

Goodwill is far more than a thrift store—it’s a workforce engine. Every donation and every purchase directly supports job seekers breaking barriers and Building Futures.

To learn more about Goodwill Industries, Sacramento, visit: https://goodwillsacto.org/

Chapter Timestamps:

(00:00) Goodwill Mission and Impact
(10:43) Community Partnerships and Sustainability
(18:05) Funding Strategies and Future Vision
(30:19) Nonprofit Operations and Personal Relaxation
(36:00) Mission Impact and Community Support

Thank you so much for listening to this nonprofit story! We appreciate you. Please visit the website to sign up for our email updates and newsletter. https://www.nonprofpod.com/ And if you like, leave me a voicemail to comment on the program, leave a question for us to ask in the future or a message for me, Jeff Holden. I may even use your voice mail message in a future episode of one of our incredible local nonprofit organizations. https://www.nonprofpod.com/voicemail. Thanks again for your support in listening, commenting and sharing the great work our local nonprofits are accomplishing.