Small & Gutsy: Nonprofit Stories with Heart Podcast Por Laura S. Wittcoff arte de portada

Small & Gutsy: Nonprofit Stories with Heart

Small & Gutsy: Nonprofit Stories with Heart

De: Laura S. Wittcoff
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Small & Gutsy offers our listeners the opportunity to learn about the smaller, less known nonprofits and social impact organizations with revenues under $10 M. Our aim is to bring their stories to life, celebrate them, and further build their client, potential employee, volunteer, and funding networks. The goal of the Small & Gutsy podcast is to raise the visibility of this Big little social impact sector. Tune in as we interview a different organization so you can learn about them, maybe find a job, volunteer, or donate.© 2026 Economía Gestión Gestión y Liderazgo
Episodios
  • Small & Gutsy Features Surge for Water

    Small & Gutsy Features Surge for Water
    Mar 17 2026
    In this episode, Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff sits down with Shilpa Alva, Founder of Surge for Water, to discuss how a childhood moment of witnessing inequality in Mumbai sparked a lifelong mission to bring clean water, sanitation, hygiene, and menstrual health solutions to underserved communities worldwide. Shilpa shares her journey from the corporate world to founding an organization that operates on a revolutionary model: women-led, community-owned development that breaks the cycle of poverty. Through candid conversation, she reveals how listening to communities—truly listening—transforms the effectiveness of international aid work. KEY TOPICS DISCUSSED The Power of Childhood Witnessing How Shilpa's observations as a seven-year-old in Mumbai planted the seeds for her life's work The difference between recognizing privilege and understanding injustice From Corporate to Calling Shilpa's journey climbing the corporate ladder while feeling unfulfilled How she heard her inner voice calling her back to purpose Why she took six years to transition from corporate work to full-time nonprofit leadership The Education-Water Connection Why 120 of 150 students didn't show up to school in rural India How water scarcity directly impacts educational access The health consequences of unsafe water on children's ability to learn Learning From Mentorship in Haiti The transformative lessons from living with a local partner organization leader The cautionary tale of millions spent on beautiful houses with no infrastructure How "staying with locals, listening, and learning" became the foundation of Surge's model Surge for Water's Women-Led, Community-Owned Model What makes Surge different from traditional international aid organizations The three core values: Equity, Respect, and Stewardship Why community ownership isn't just ethical—it's essential for sustainability Water Plus: A Comprehensive Approach Water access goes beyond wells—it includes sanitation and hygiene How Surge teaches communities to make their own soap, creating women-run enterprises The critical role of menstrual health education in girls' empowerment and school attendance Geographic Strategy and Intentional Depth Why Surge reduced from 12 countries to 3 (Uganda, Haiti, Indonesia) Working in remote, rural areas where other NGOs don't operate Building partnerships with local government and community-based organizations Cultural Humility and Gender Dynamics Navigating patriarchal societies without imposing Western values How Shilpa meets women in kitchens and under mango trees—safe spaces for real conversation Respecting cultural context while amplifying women's voices The difference between cultural respect and tolerance for harm Partnership Over Colonialism Why Surge works through local partners, not directly with governments How trust-building with community leaders comes before government engagement The importance of pilots and data alongside relationship-building Recent Evolution and Future Vision The exciting new model of supporting smaller women-led organizations to scale How Surge is thinking about creating a "feeder system" of partners The expansion happening in Uganda this week ABOUT SURGE FOR WATER Surge for Water is a movement led by women and owned by communities. The organization delivers safe water, sanitation, hygiene, and menstrual health solutions through an investment in women-led, community-owned models that create lasting change and break the cycle of poverty. Currently operating in Uganda, Haiti, and Indonesia, Surge works in remote, rural communities—often described as "forgotten lands"—where other international NGOs don't operate. Their comprehensive Water Plus approach addresses not just water access but the interconnected challenges of sanitation, hygiene education, and menstrual health. Surge for Water is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit registered in the United States with headquarters in Chicago and a branch in Dubai. ABOUT SHILPA ALVA Shilpa Alva is the Founder and Executive Director of Surge for Water. Her passion for global equity and community empowerment began at age seven during a visit to Mumbai, India. After earning her degree and working in the corporate sector, she felt called to dedicate her life to international development work. Shilpa's approach is rooted in cultural humility, genuine partnership, and a deep belief that communities hold the solutions to their own challenges. She has lived and worked extensively in Haiti, Uganda, and Indonesia, learning firsthand the importance of staying with locals, listening, and building trust-based partnerships. RESOURCES & LINKS Visit Surge for Water: www.surgeforwater.org Follow Surge for Water on Social Media: @SurgeForWater (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X) Connect with Shilpa Alva on LinkedIn: Search "Shilpa Alva" WHAT MAKES SURGE GUTSY? According to Shilpa, Surge is gutsy because: They dare to dream and follow through, refusing to take ...
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    58 m
  • Small & Gutsy Features Giraffe Heroes

    Small & Gutsy Features Giraffe Heroes
    Mar 3 2026
    Dr. Laura Scherck Wittkoff welcomes Ann Medlock and John Graham, the founders and leaders of the Giraffe Heroes Project—an organization that has spent over 40 years celebrating ordinary people who "stick their necks out" for the common good. From their serendipitous Superman movie meet-cute to building a global movement around courage, compassion, and community, Ann and John share how storytelling became their most powerful tool for inspiring action and creating change. Key Topics Discussed The Power of Storytelling Over Preaching - John's evolution: realizing that 10,000 years of human history—from Neanderthals to troubadours—proves that **stories inspire action** in ways speeches cannot - How storytelling bypasses the mind's objections and goes straight to the heart - The role of narrative in communicating core values and inspiring heroism Redefining Courage - Courage isn't gender-specific—it's something we all possess - Ann's bold stance: firing an advisor who claimed courage was a "man's issue" - John's journey: recognizing that emotional and spiritual courage are as powerful as physical bravery - Why physical courage (climbing mountains, dodging bullets) was easier than the emotional courage required for real change The Giraffe Heroes Project: Mission & Impact - Founded in 1981 by Ann Medlock as an antidote to violence and trivia in media - Nearly 2,000 giraffes honored across 30+ fields and 16+ countries - Seven overseas affiliates extending impact globally - Civil disobedience (à la Gandhi and MLK) is celebrated; actions must benefit significant numbers of people Collaboration Over Competition - The Giraffe Heroes school program is built on collaboration, not competition - Free, digital-accessible curriculum for teachers worldwide - The program transforms classrooms: creating "communities of learners" instead of isolated, competing students - The powerful bicycle story: a student's classmates cheer when he masters riding a two-wheel bike—something that wouldn't have happened before the program Education & Youth Empowerment - Over 2,000 classroom downloads; approximately 375,000 children reached through print materials - Materials available free at Giraffe.org/teachers (email sign-up only) - The US Navy uses the program in overseas schools - Cartoon characters "Stanley" (Stand Tall) and "Beatrice" (Be Tall)—giraffe twins—tell stories to 3-year-olds about bravery and caring - Grandpa and Grandma tell different versions to reach multiple learning styles - Teachers report that kids shift from isolated to connected when exposed to the program The Ripple Effect of Recognition - Many heroes don't see themselves as heroic and are reluctant to share their stories - Telling giraffe stories inspires not just the public, but the giraffes themselves - Real example: a small-town barber doing community work thinks no one is watching—until the story is told and volunteers and support arrive - Some giraffes report they considered quitting but were re-energized by hearing their own story shared Overcoming Barriers - **Funding:** The biggest ongoing challenge. Some funders prefer direct interventions (saving redwoods, backing candidates) over storytelling - Early federal grants supported classroom curriculum development (over $1M across 10 years) - Money and mindset: convincing people that purpose-driven storytelling is as important as tactical giving - The "lightweight" perception: early critics dismissed storytelling as trivial until results were undeniable The Love Story Within the Hero Story - Ann and John met at a writer's group in New York, 1981-1982 - Ann invited John to see the original Superman movie (somewhat reluctantly) - Their three-day courtship led to a 44+ year partnership - John initially thought the giraffe concept was "lightweight" but came to see Ann as a "troubadour for our times" - Wedding entry music: Superman theme - John writes the bylaws; Ann does the creative, bold work—"it works out well" Aging, Purpose, and Public Health - Doing good has measurable health benefits, especially for aging populations - Purpose-driven service is a form of preventive medicine - Ann is 92 years old and "not quitting"; John is 83 and still creating TikToks and short-form videos - Stories of older heroes: a woman in her 80s smuggling pharmaceuticals to Central American revolutionaries, organizing environmentalists and tribes in the Pacific Northwest - The Swiss watch metaphor: a life without purpose is like a watch with no hands—what's the point? Adapting & Staying Relevant - Evolution from LPs (33s) shipped to radio stations → print materials → digital access - Now on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube Shorts, and other social platforms - Constantly reinventing tactics and strategies while staying true to the 1981 mission - Not falling behind culturally is essential to remaining impactful The Dream: "Giraffe" as a Verb - Ann's top wish: for "giraffe" to become a verb—"Let's ...
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    49 m
  • Small & Gutsy Features GiveLink, Giving Directly to Nonprofits

    Small & Gutsy Features GiveLink, Giving Directly to Nonprofits
    Feb 17 2026
    In this inspiring conversation, Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff welcomes Antonis Politis and Panos Kokmotos, two young Greek entrepreneurs who co-founded Givelink, a donation platform transforming how people give to nonprofits. GiveLink connects donors directly to nonprofits' real needs through in-kind giving, creating transparency, measurable impact, and genuine engagement every step of the way. KEY TOPICS DISCUSSED The Origin Story: How a Controversial Article Sparked an Idea Antonis shares how a Greek nonprofit's Christmas message telling people to "stop giving items" prompted him to reimagine philanthropy. Rather than dismissing the request, he saw a logistics problem waiting to be solved—what if nonprofits listed their actual needs and donors could order products online? From University to Startup: Building Givelink in Greece Starting as a university student with no business experience, Antonis entered a social entrepreneurship competition and realized he could combine profit with purpose. Despite initial struggles, the concept resonated with people who preferred in-kind giving over monetary donations due to trust concerns. The Café Meeting That Changed Everything Panos Kokmotos overheard Antonis's passionate conversation about Givelink's vision in a café and was immediately drawn to the mission. A few days later, they met for coffee, and Panos recognized how his skills and experience could fill critical gaps in the team. He joined the founding team, bringing operational expertise and entrepreneurial background. Building Trust in a Low-Trust Giving Culture Greece presented both a challenge and an opportunity. With only 10% of the population donating money to nonprofits, Givelink had to rebuild trust in philanthropy. This difficult market became a proving ground that made the team stronger and forced them to deeply understand donor psychology and nonprofit needs. The Data-Driven Insight: 60% More Giving One of Givelink's most significant findings: donors using the platform give 60% more throughout the year compared to before. Even in economically struggling Greece, transparency and tangible impact motivate people to give more frequently and more generously. The Problem with Seasonal Giving Antonis and Panos explain why giving peaks at Christmas and Thanksgiving—people lack confidence that their money is used wisely. Givelink solves this by making giving year-round, transparent, and emotionally rewarding through visible impact. How the Platform Works: Four Simple Steps Nonprofits set up real-time product wish lists of items essential to their operations. Donors browse the lists or use Smart Pick, which converts a dollar amount into the products needed most. At checkout, donors see the exact impact story—how many people they're helping and how their lives will change. After delivery, donors receive photo proof and ongoing impact updates. The "Smart Pick" Feature and Personalized Impact Panos demonstrates how donors can either manually select products or use Smart Pick to automate the process. When buying hygiene kits for a nonprofit helping children in Oakland, donors can see exactly how many children they'll impact and what difference those products will make—creating an emotional connection and retention. A Real Crisis: The Wildfire Response When wildfires devastated their Greek city in August, Givelink mobilized immediately. Two nonprofits supporting firefighters and victims added urgent needs to the platform. The response was staggering: over $30,000 in donations and 40,000 products in a single day. The team stopped all other work, gathered supplies in supermarkets, and personally delivered items to firefighters—experiencing firsthand the power of their mission. Scaling from Greece to the United States After proving the model in Greece, Givelink launched a pilot in the Bay Area (Oakland, Berkeley, San Francisco, Palo Alto) and is now expanding across California with plans to cover Los Angeles, smaller cities, and rural areas that often lack philanthropic funding. Legal considerations around tax deductibility vary by state, but the model is ready to scale nationally. Nonprofit Needs: From Food to Furniture In Greece, food dominates nonprofit wishlists, along with cleaning and hygiene products. In the U.S., a standout example is BOSS, a nonprofit helping people transition from homelessness and incarceration back into society. They needed bedsheets, pillows, and furniture—small items that are expensive and transformative when someone is rebuilding their life. Supplier Partnerships: Wholesale to Retail Givelink partners with wholesale suppliers like Group Sales and Dollar Days (30+ years in the nonprofit space), as well as Amazon for retail options. This tiered approach ensures nonprofits get the best prices and donors have flexibility in what they can give. The Role of AI in Storytelling Givelink is launching AI-generated impact stories based on nonprofit data, descriptions, ...
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    57 m
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