Transforming Attitudes and Building Communities: How Kupenda Promotes Disability Inclusion and Breaks Down Stigma Cynthia Bauer of Kupenda shares her journey from wildlife biology to leading a global movement against disability stigma. Learn how strategic partnerships, grassroots work, and smart measurement tools drive lasting change worldwide.In this episode:Cindy's story and Kupenda's originsHow disability stigma is rooted in cultural beliefsScaling impact through local partner organizationsKey partnerships (World Hope International, World Relief)Faith and community leaders' role in reducing stigmaFundraising lessons: skip capital campaigns, build long-term relationshipsMeasuring impact, from workshops to community ripple effectsLessons from unsuccessful initiatives like teacher trainingIntegrating disability into development and social justiceHow philanthropic funding is allocated todayTimestamps:00:00 - Intro to Cynthia and Kupenda00:21 - Cindy's story, discovering stigma in Kenya01:36 - Kupenda's accidental founding02:55 - From basic aid to root causes03:34 - Faith and community leaders shifting beliefs04:36 - What Kupenda does today; meaning of the name05:57 - Engaging influencers for inclusion06:27 - Scaling via local partnerships07:37 - Early fundraising, hiring a development director09:14 - Government/foundation funding & measurement10:53 - Demonstrating impact through studies, stories11:46 - Lessons from teacher-training setbacks12:28 - Influencing others without direct implementation13:03 - Building disability-inclusive development models14:19 - Partnerships in Sierra Leone and Malawi15:56 - Reach: working with 27+ organizations16:51 - Storytelling and communicating impact18:02 - Measuring stigma reduction, transformation22:27 - Case story: a mother and her children23:45 - Lessons from failed quick fixes, segregated education26:01 - Fundraising pitfalls: capital campaigns, one-off events28:51 - Mindset shift during crises like COVID-1929:20 - Cindy's vision for Kupenda's next decade31:09 - Disability as a shared development lens32:52 - State of philanthropic giving to disability causes33:33 - Impact of shifting perceptions, systemic inclusion34:16 - How to connect with Cynthia and KupendaResources & Links:The Kipos Group WebsiteSchedule a Discovery Call with JamesConnect with James Misner on LinkedinConnect with Cindy:Kupenda Official WebsiteDocumentary: Climbing Kilimanjaro with Kids with DisabilitiesUnlikely Gifts Podcast Connect with Cynthia Bauer on Linkedin

Growing Hope Globally: Connecting Communities for Global Food SecurityIn this episode, Kaitlyn from Growing Hope Globally shares how local farming initiatives in the U.S. create global impact, supporting farmers in developing countries and fostering international unity.Main Topic:Origin and evolution of Growing Hope GloballyCommunity-wide farming projects and their global effectsRural-urban partnerships across the U.S.The importance of land and acreage in farming successChallenges and opportunities in rural farming communitiesStrategies for expanding and sustaining global impactTimestamps:00:00 – Introduction to Growing Hope Globally's mission00:42 – The story behind its founding01:07 – How local farmers support global hunger solutions01:35 – The model of local crop growth and community involvement02:01 – Impact of donations and community participation02:28 – Long-term effects on farmers overseas03:26 – The community aspect and volunteerism04:17 – The power of grassroots farming and urban communities05:13 – Examples of urban-rural partnerships and their benefits05:49 – Stories of global farmer connections06:42 – Building relational communities and global understanding07:40 – Shared farming priorities worldwide08:06 – Beyond donations: seeing each other as human beings08:35 – Scale of impact from Midwest communities09:04 – The community as a "knitting circle for men"09:14 – Importance of rural-urban partnerships in fractured times09:42 – How nonprofits foster community engagement10:11 – Kaitlyn's journey and farming background10:26 – Her transition into leadership at Growing Hope11:11 – Reflections on leadership and community impact11:32 – Growth and fundraising challenges amid economic fluctuations12:53 – Current economic impacts on farming and nonprofit funding13:20 – Staying true to the farming community's core identity14:20 – Creative fundraising ideas (tournaments, dining events)15:15 – Balancing traditional farming models with innovation16:17 – Why acreage and land size are crucial for farm projects17:06 – Case example of land sharing among farmers18:03 – Relationship between land size, equipment, and profitability18:47 – The significance of scale in farming success19:15 – Future goals and geographic expansion20:21 – Migration and economic stability through community investments21:49 – How to learn more: website, social media, starting your own project23:12 – The power of small beginnings in fighting hunger23:40 – Final thoughts on collective impact and connectionResources and Links:The Kipos Group WebsiteSchedule a Discovery Call with JamesConnect with James Misner on LinkedinConnect with Kaitlyn:Growing Hope Globally WebsiteLinkedIn Kaitlyn

From Nurturing Nurses to Transforming Lives: The Hopes Walks JourneyDiscover how a nurse’s volunteer work evolved into a global movement eliminating clubfoot disability, transforming thousands of lives across multiple countries. Join us as Scott Reichenbach shares the inspiring story behind Hope Walks, strategic growth, and the power of faith and community in health initiatives in this episode:Scott Reichenbach’s background in nursing and how it led to founding Hope WalksThe transformative power of simple medical treatments for clubfootThe strategic growth from a small program to a multi-million dollar international organizationKey tactics used to scale impact amid global health challengesThe importance of trusted team leadership and trusting community expertiseFuture plans to reach 60,000 children by 2030 and expand into IndiaLessons learned from early fundraising efforts and organizational pivotsHow addressing stigma transforms communities and promotes inclusionTimestamps:00:00 - Introduction to Scott Reichenbach and the origin story of Hope Walks02:30 - The connection between personal faith, health, and service in global contexts05:12 - The impact of simple treatments like casting in curing clubfoot09:05 - Cost analysis: How $500 transforms a child's life from disability to mobility13:04 - Organizational growth: Scaling from initial funding to a $5.7 million budget15:45 - Strategies behind fundraising success and building sustainable support18:25 - Addressing disability stigma and promoting inclusion through healthcare21:19 - Lessons from early organizational failures and how trusting the team made a difference23:24 - The vision for expanding access to care in 15+ countries by 203025:07 - The emerging opportunity in India: how prayer, partnerships, and persistence paid off26:32 - How listeners can learn more and support Hope Walks’missionResources & Links:Kipos GroupSchedule a CallConnect with Scott Reichenbach:Hope Walks on LinkedInHope Walks

Adaptive Show Notes for "Leading with Innovation and Humanity at Easterseals" Podcast EpisodeJoin us as Kendra Ennis Davenport, President and CEO of Easterseals, shares how the organization serves over 1 million people annually by blending tradition with innovation, storytelling with impact, and optimism with realism. Discover how Easterseals navigates funding gaps, scales care, and advocates for disability awareness with heart and ingenuity.Main Topics:The evolution and ongoing innovation at Easterseals over 107 yearsCreative models for adult disability services, including the open-air PIAT centerFundraising strategies that humanize and elevate adult programsThe power of storytelling and participant agency in advocacyLeaders' resilience in challenging nonprofit environmentsBuilding a national brand movement similar to breast cancer awarenessStrategies for smaller nonprofits to scale impact and grow supportIn this episode:Kendra shares how Easterseals combines its rich heritage with innovative service deliveryAn inside look at the open-air adult day program in Southern CaliforniaThe importance of storytelling and participant consent in advocacy campaignsLessons learned from a failed gaming program and pivoting with transparencyHow to foster positivity and resilience in nonprofit leadershipStrategies to grow awareness and support for disability issues through example organizations like Susan G. KomenPractical advice for small nonprofits to step out of comfort zones and expand their impactTimestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Easterseals and its impact on over a million individuals annually 00:31 - Kendra's background and vision for sustaining innovation over 107 years 01:56 - The juxtaposition of tradition and innovation at Easterseals 03:19 - Innovative adult day services — open-air centers and personalized care models 05:00 - The story of the PIAT open-air adult day center in Southern California 07:05 - Fundraising challenges and human storytelling for adult programs 09:15 - Engaging veteran stories to highlight resilience and purpose 11:56 - Maintaining positivity despite national funding challenges 14:49 - How Easterseals continues to evolve and celebrate long-term impact 16:58 - The importance of storytelling, authenticity, and participant agency 22:51 - Lessons learned from a failed gaming program and pivoting with transparency 22:58 - Crafting stories that balance honesty with emotional connection 28:40 - The role of personal stories in advocacy and fundraising success 33:31 - Building a national awareness movement for disability akin to breast cancer campaigns 34:00 - Advice for small nonprofits aspiring to grow impact 38:02 - Connecting with Easterseals and future leadership initiativesResources & Links:Kipos GroupSchedule a callConnect with Kendra:Kendra Ennis Davenport - LinkedInEasterseals

From $7,000 to $800,000: How North Bay Transformed Its Fundraising StrategyDiscover how North Bay, a 17-year-old outdoor education organization, shifted from negligible fundraising to confidently raising nearly $800,000 annually. Jen Foy shares her journey, strategies, and lessons learned to inspire nonprofit leaders to rethink their funding models and systems.In this episode:The storytelling power of cohesive messaging in fundraisingHow North Bay identified and invested in foundational partnershipsThe importance of starting small with systems and processesStrategies for building a community presence and recognitionLessons learned from failed outreach effortsThe role of team culture and leadership in risk-taking and learningPractical steps to grow a donor list from scratchThe concept of 'learning labs' for continuous improvementThe significance of 'day in the life' visits for engagementFuture fundraising plans and expanding donor pipelinesTimestamps:00:00 - Introduction: The mission to change nonprofit funding perceptions01:51 - Jen Foy’s background and North Bay's vision02:58 - Challenges faced: organizational burnout and funding crises04:09 - The fundraising vacuum: initial small donations and reliance on grants05:32 - Entering a new era: from $7,000 to $800,000 in annual revenue10:00 - Building foundation and corporation partnerships: starting points11:11 - The decision to invest in fundraisers: making a strategic leap12:46 - Overcoming fear: why investment was a necessity13:46 - Navigating community perception and awareness gaps15:11 - Why North Bay focused on corporate and foundation funding16:51 - Setting up effective systems: KPIs, tracking, and iteration18:13 - Embracing imperfect systems: starting small and scaling19:10 - The 'day in the life' visits approach and its impact on engagement21:37 - Lessons from failures: email campaigns and event turnout23:13 - Reflecting and learning: debriefs and team culture26:17 - Leadership principles fostering a collaborative, risk-tolerant team27:14 - Next steps: expanding the donor base and future growth28:24 - Final advice: start small, take risks, and learn fastResources & Links:The Kipos Group WebsiteBook a discovery Call with James M.Connect with Jen Foy:LinkedInConnect with James Misner:LinkedIn

In this episode of On the Ground with James Misner, James sits down with Calla Parker and Matt Soerens to unpack how World Relief mobilized a rapid, faith-driven response—raising $10 million in just 90 days and housing 3,998 refugee families.This conversation goes beyond the numbers. Calla and Matt share what it looked like to navigate sudden policy shifts, respond to urgent human need, and lead through uncertainty while staying grounded in mission. They also reveal the behind-the-scenes strategy—how advocacy, storytelling, and donor engagement came together to fuel one of the most critical fundraising efforts in recent history.

The podcast features a conversation with John Molineux, CEO of Love Justice International, focusing on the organization's impactful mission and efficient fundraising strategies. John shares his journey to founding Love Justice and the birth of its preventative solution. The discussion also delves into the scaling of transit monitoring, tenacity and resilience in fundraising, maximizing impact and efficiency, translating program skills to fundraising, donor engagement and impact, and the future of Love Justice International.

In this episode of On the Ground, host James Meisner sits down with Jen, Executive Director of ANCA — the national association representing over 400 nature centers across North America. Jen shares her journey from wildlife biologist to nonprofit leader, the lessons she's learned navigating membership organizations, and why nature centers are more vital than ever in today's screen-dominated world. From setting realistic fundraising goals to staying focused amid constant change, Jen offers honest, practical wisdom for any nonprofit leader trying to grow sustainably. Plus, she breaks down ANCA's biggest fundraising challenge — telling their impact story — and why storytelling may be their greatest opportunity yet.

The celebration is real. The impact is massive. But the mindset has changed.In this episode of On the Ground, James Misner explores Stage 5: Acceleration—the moment when success stops being the finish line and becomes the new baseline. This conversation is about what it takes to build a team that pursues excellence relentlessly and isn’t satisfied with “good enough.”Because the best teams don’t just win—they evolve.

The conversation explores the concept of stage four in fundraising psychology, focusing on action, learning orientation, building systems and teams, and the role of metrics and feedback. It emphasizes the importance of intelligent action, learning from mistakes, involving teams, and using metrics as feedback for improvement.