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Built for Good: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Mazlo, Kian Alavi
Built for Good is for the community builders driving missions that matter. Host Kian Alavi shares real stories, hard-won lessons, and data that challenges assumptions, helping you move with more clarity and less guesswork. Each episode delivers actionable insights to accelerate decisions and make meaningful work less of a solo struggle.Now… let’s build for good.Built for Good is brought to you by Mazlo. Mazlo simplifies accounting, banking, compliance, and fundraising—so you can focus on your mission, not your back office.
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- Today49 min
Fiscal Sponsorship and Advocacy: Building Health Justice in Wisconsin
On this episode of Built for Good, Mazlo CEO and Founder Kian Alavi sits down with SaraFinger, Founder and Executive Director of Embolden Wisconsin. Since 2004, Sara has workedto ensure policy happens with people rather than to them. She calls herself an "advocacy doula"and was recognized by the Obama White House as a Champion of Change for her work on theAffordable Care Act.Sara shares how she founded the Wisconsin Alliance for Women's Health at 27 after 65listening sessions across the state, and how, after 20 years of women's health policy work, herorganization realized it had been practicing fiscal sponsorship by accident. From securing agrant for doulas of color in Milwaukee to helping launch the Milwaukee Freedom Fund,Embolden Wisconsin now serves as a fiscal sponsor for 13 partners working on health equity,health justice, and civic health. Sara and Kian discuss the Wisconsin Roots Rising Day ofGiving, what nonprofits should consider before becoming a fiscal sponsor, the art of coalitionbuilding, and why funders should look upstream instead of funding Band-Aids.IN THIS EPISODE- Becoming an accidental fiscal sponsorHow a women's health policy organization realized it was already incubating and sponsoringprojects.- The Parkinson's Disease Alliance of WisconsinHow one woman's story led to a push for a statewide Parkinson's registry without starting anew nonprofit.- Is your nonprofit ready to be a fiscal sponsor?Why fiscal sponsorship isn't for everyone, and why revenue is the wrong reason to start.- The art of coalition buildingLessons from a six-year fight to pass Wisconsin's Compassionate Care for Rape Victims lawand other campaigns.- The parable of the choirWhy coalitions and community let people rest without the work stopping.- "If you're not in the kitchen, you're on the menu"Why fewer than 7% of Wisconsinites know their state legislators, and how to change that.- A message to philanthropyWhy funders should invest upstream in policy, systems change, and fiscal sponsors.ABOUT THE GUESTSara Finger is the Founder and Executive Director of Embolden Wisconsin. Since 2004, shehas worked to ensure policy happens with people rather than to them. Sara describes herself asan advocacy doula and has spent her career across policy, advocacy, nonprofit leadership, andsocial justice. She was recognized by the Obama White House as a Champion of Change forher work around the Affordable Care Act.ABOUT THE HOSTKian Alavi is the CEO and Founder of Mazlo and host of Built for Good, a podcast about thepeople and organizations reshaping how good work gets done.LINKSEmbolden Wisconsin: https://emboldenwi.orgWisconsin Roots Rising: https://wirootsrising.orgSara on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarafingerMazlo: https://www.mazlo.com/Subscribe to Built for Good: www.youtube.com/@builtforgood-mazlo#FiscalSponsorship #Nonprofit #Wisconsin #HealthEquity #Advocacy #CoalitionBuilding#Philanthropy #BuiltForGood #Mazlo
- 2 weeks ago1h 3m
Fiscal Sponsorship Is About Abundance, Not Scarcity
What would it take for the people doing good in every community to have the tools, the support, and the benefits they deserve?On this episode of Built for Good, Mazlo CEO and Founder Kian Alavi sits down with Stephanie Levin, Mazlo's Founding Head of Customer Success. Before joining Mazlo, Stephanie spent her career in the nonprofit sector, from youth programming in the San Francisco Bay Area to leadership roles at large nonprofits to consulting for a national fiscal sponsor.Stephanie shares how she helped a growing fiscal sponsor go from 5 projects on Mazlo to 40, then work through a waiting list of 50 more, doubling the number of projects it served in about a year without adding staff. She and Kian talk about what real-time financial visibility means for frontline program staff, why fiscal sponsorship is a powerful way to connect people doing similar work, and why funders should be sending unrestricted capacity-building dollars to fiscal sponsors. They also discuss upcoming legislation, the case for sponsors setting their own standards, and why nonprofit software should be as beautiful and responsive as any other product.IN THIS EPISODE- From customer to colleague How Stephanie went from evaluating Mazlo as a consultant to leading its customer success team.- Scaling without adding staff A fiscal sponsor doubled the number of projects it served in about a year by systematizing its operations.- Real-time data for program staff No more waiting 30 to 60 days for financial reports to know what you can spend.- Fiscal sponsorship as community Group onboarding helps solo project leaders find peers doing similar work. - A call to funders Capacity-building grants to fiscal sponsors could fund healthcare, retirement, and training for project leaders.- Preparing for legislation Why fiscal sponsors should help set the standards for their own field.- Software as a relationship Why nonprofit tools should be intuitive, responsive, and built with customers.- Fiscal sponsorship equalizes access Sponsorship opens the door for leaders who lack the money or connections to start their own nonprofit.- How donors can find fiscally sponsored projects Add "fiscal sponsor" to your search on any cause you care about.KEY TAKEAWAYS- With the right systems, fiscal sponsors can grow on purpose instead of reacting while overwhelmed.- Fiscal sponsors already carry a heavier compliance burden than most nonprofits and should help shape the rules.- Investing in fiscal sponsors gives funders leverage, lowering costs and reaching communities they might never see.Mazlo: https://www.mazlo.com/
- 4 weeks ago36 min
Fiscal Sponsorship and Building Stronger Nonprofits with Katy Calloway
What if you could try being a nonprofit before you become one? On this episode of Built for Good, Mazlo CEO and Founder Kian Alavi sits down with Katy Calloway, Founder & Executive Director of People in Partnership SC, the only nonprofit in South Carolina practicing fiscal sponsorship exclusively. Since 2018, Katy has helped community leaders, event organizers, and small business owners launch charitable programs without filing for their own 501(c)(3). Katy explains why so many well-intentioned nonprofits never get off the ground, and why her board counts it as a win when a project decides to shut down. She describes how People in Partnership mentors projects toward independence, and how fiscal sponsorship can bring community events, business-led charitable programs, and large grants under responsible oversight. She also talks about the Calloway Stern Group, her project management firm that pairs small nonprofits with vetted, practicing nonprofit professionals who actually do the work instead of handing over a strategic plan that sits on a shelf.IN THIS EPISODE - Why there are more nonprofits than communities can sustain Filings rise every year, but many organizations never get moving. - Fiscal sponsorship as "try before you buy" Test your program under an established sponsor before filing for a 501(c)(3). - Why half of sponsored projects never take off, and why that's a win Founders avoid the paperwork and burden of a struggling organization. - Bringing community events under a charitable umbrella Events like the Park Circle Art Walk can now offer sponsors tax-deductible giving. - How businesses can run charitable programs Owners can offer programs or scholarships without starting a separate nonprofit. - The education gap With no legal definition of fiscal sponsorship, Katy educates funders and legislators one conversation at a time. - Helping small nonprofits manage large grants A sponsor provides the oversight and reporting capacity small teams lack. - Rethinking nonprofit consulting The Calloway Stern Group delivers actionable plans plus the people to carry them out. - "Collaboration is my love language" Connecting projects with resources and peers to move faster together.KEY TAKEAWAYS - Running a nonprofit is harder than running a for-profit business. Fiscal sponsorship lets you test the idea first. - Winding down under a sponsor spares founders the cost and long-term burden of a dormant 501(c)(3). - Most nonprofit leaders know what they need. What they lack is the capacity to do it.ABOUT THE GUESTKaty Calloway is the Founder & Executive Director of People in Partnership SC, a Charleston-based nonprofit providing fiscal sponsorship exclusively for South Carolina projects. She is also the founder of the Calloway Stern Group, which provides project-based support to nonprofits with budgets under $2 million. ABOUT THE HOST Kian Alavi is the CEO and Founder of Mazlo and host of Built for Good, a podcast about the people and organizations reshaping how good work gets done. LINKS People in Partnership SC: https://www.peopleinpartnershipsc.org/Calloway Stern Group: https://www.callowaysterngroup.com/Mazlo: https://www.mazlo.com/ #FiscalSponsorship #Nonprofit #NonprofitLeadership #SouthCarolina #Charleston #SocialImpact #BuiltForGood #Mazlo
- Sep 29, 20261h 7m
The Surprising Impact of Food Production on Climate and Biodiversity
In this episode of Built for Good, host Kian Alavi sits down with Dr. Jason Clay, Senior Vice President, Markets & Food and Executive Director of the Markets Institute at the World Wildlife Fund, to explore how food systems impact climate change and biodiversity, and what we can do to create a more sustainable future.Dr. Clay shares insights on sustainable agriculture, innovation, consumer choices, and the systemic changes needed to build healthier and more resilient food systems. In this episode, we explore:The global impact of food production on climate, biodiversity, and water useInnovations in sustainable farming and supply chain efficiencyThe idea of “producing more with less” by improving efficiency and reducing wasteThe role of technology, small-scale processing, and localized food systemsHow consumer choices and market signals can accelerate changePolicy and systemic approaches to transforming agricultureThe importance of biodiversity and ecosystem services for food securityPractical steps we can take, including supporting local farmers, buying seasonal food, reducing waste, and staying informedExplore World Wildlife Fund: https://www.worldwildlife.org/ Explore Mazlo: https://www.mazlo.com/ Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction to the episode and guest Dr. Jason Clay00:37 - Overview of the food system's impact on climate and biodiversity02:09 - The challenge of feeding a growing population sustainably03:52 - Growing up on a Missouri farm and early decision-making skills06:29 - How farm life teaches responsibility and responsibility in food choices08:46 - The urgency of systemic change in agriculture and food production10:56 - Addressing global water and land challenges through regional solutions13:14 - The importance of biodiversity for crop pollination and climate resilience15:17 - Food's dual role as a greenhouse gas emitter and sink17:03 - How nature-based solutions can sequester carbon18:04 - California's water crisis and implications for agriculture20:46 - When might a global food crisis emerge without intervention?22:29 - Innovations: regional food hubs, local processing, and crop diversification25:28 - Supporting local and seasonal foods in American diets28:12 - The importance of transparency in food production and supply chains31:49 - Tackling food waste and improving storage practices35:40 - The influence of policy, education, and systemic change40:35 - Strategies for individual consumers to support sustainable food systems44:36 - The role of corporations and incentives in transforming agriculture50:04 - Infrastructure investments and smallholder inclusion55:18 - The importance of data, collaboration, and shared learning across sectors59:37 - Creating community and cooperative models for equipment and labor sharing62:53 - Viewing food production through a kaleidoscope of possibilities65:09 - How to start becoming informed and involved as consumers66:36 - Final messages: supporting local, seasonal choices, and staying informed
- Sep 15, 202654 min
Part 2: The Hidden Power of Saying "Yes" More in the Nonprofit Sector
Summary(If you want to hear Part 1 of Kian Alavi’s conversation with Oliver Hack, be sure to check out the previous episode.)In this episode of Built for Good, host Kian Alavi continues his conversation with Oliver Hack, Director of Fiscal Sponsorship at Social Good Fund, for a conversation about creativity, leadership, innovation, and the realities of building sustainable organizations in the nonprofit sector.Oliver shares his perspective on creating space for creativity, encouraging courageous leadership, and building systems that allow teams and mission-driven leaders to thrive. He explores the role of fiscal sponsorship in helping people turn their ideas into meaningful work while emphasizing the importance of studying the problem, understanding the business and revenue model, and making thoughtful decisions before starting a nonprofit.The conversation also dives into the importance of community and collaboration within the fiscal sponsorship field, the value of saying “yes” more often, and how leaders can balance passion with risk, sustainability, and long-term impact. Oliver discusses why organizations sometimes need to adapt their strategies without losing sight of their core purpose, and why courage, flexibility, and resilience are essential for navigating challenging times.From fostering innovation to making smart strategic choices, Oliver offers practical insights for nonprofit leaders and community builders looking to create lasting impact.Soundbites:"Innovation in the nonprofit sector is rare, but it's crucial to push beyond what's there and above where you think you can.""Leadership requires earning the right and having the courage to make hard choices in a highly regulated environment.""Institutional funders need to seed nonprofit endowments to ensure long-term sustainability and allow for strategic decisions.""The nonprofit sector is about community coming together to solve community issues, and trust is essential.""Encouraging an environment of creativity and rewarding it is key to solving problems in innovative ways.Links:Get the book "The Jewish Gospels": https://www.amazon.com/Miles-Davis-Autobiography-Orange-Press/dp/1595584684Explore Social Impact Commons: https://www.socialimpactcommons.org/Explore Schulman Consulting: https://schulmanconsulting.com/Explore Social Good Fund: https://www.socialgoodfund.org/Explore Mazlo: https://www.mazlo.com/Timestamps:0:00 - Hook0:16 - Introduction To Built To Good0:47 - Introduction To Oliver Hack02:20 - Funding Creativity 03:44 - Navigating Nonprofit Funding and Creativity06:46 - The Importance of Rest and Creative Thinking09:40 - The Four-Day Work Week: A New Perspective12:17 - Understanding Fiscal Sponsorship and Its Challenges16:58 - Building Community in Fiscal Sponsorship20:22 - Innovation in Nonprofit Sector: Saying Yes More23:19 - The Role of Passion in Nonprofit Leadership26:48 - Evaluating Nonprofit Ideas: The Importance of Research32:09 - The Reality of Nonprofit Startups37:41 - Strategic Decision Making in Nonprofits47:39 - Courage and Adaptability in Nonprofit Leadership
- Sep 8, 202646 min
Part 1: The Hidden Power of Saying "Yes" More in Nonprofit Leadership
In this episode of Built for Good, host Kian Alavi sits down with Oliver Hack, Director of Fiscal Sponsorship at Social Good Fund, for a powerful conversation about nonprofit leadership, financial sustainability, innovation, and the courage required to lead through challenging times.Drawing from decades of experience across philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, and fiscal sponsorship, Oliver shares practical insights on building strong teams, understanding your organization’s financial position, and creating systems that allow organizations to grow beyond any one individual.Kian and Oliver also explore the unique challenges of the nonprofit business model, the responsibility of nonprofit boards, the importance of investing in people, and why organizations need more flexibility and financial reserves to navigate difficult moments. The conversation closes with a powerful discussion about creativity, experimentation, and pushing beyond what already exists to create meaningful innovation in the nonprofit sector.Get the book "The Jewish Gospels": https://www.amazon.com/Miles-Davis-Autobiography-Orange-Press/dp/1595584684 Explore Social Impact Commons: https://www.socialimpactcommons.org/Explore Schulman Consulting: https://schulmanconsulting.com/Explore Social Good Fund: https://www.socialgoodfund.org/ Explore Mazlo: https://www.mazlo.com/Soundbites:Soundbite 1: Nonprofit Leadership Insight: Highlight a moment where the speaker discusses the importance of mentorship and leadership qualities.Soundbite 2: Challenges in Nonprofit Sector: Focus on a segment discussing financial challenges and the need for sustainable business models.Soundbite 3: Innovation and Creativity: Capture a part where the speaker talks about fostering creativity within constraints.Soundbite 4: Role of Boards: Select a portion discussing the responsibilities and impact of effective board members.Timestamps:00:00 - Hook00:22 - Introduction to Built For Good00:53 - Introduction to Oliver Hack and the episode's theme02:30 - History between Oliver and Kian04:10 - The importance of organizational legacy and culture7:15 - Financial literacy as a cornerstone of nonprofit leadership9:16 - Challenges faced by nonprofits in a turbulent economy12:16 - Rethinking revenue models and the irrational nonprofit business15:16 - The critical role of business background in social sector success18:15 - The capacity of boards and how to improve their impact21:16 - Using endowments and reserves to weather financial crises24:20 - The power of giving nonprofits more room to innovate27:16 - Courage and confidence for nonprofit leaders30:15 - Managing the human side: relational work and dealing with friction33:00 - The importance of intentional onboarding and continuous learning37:16 - The value of creative experimentation and learning from constraints41:16 - Supporting staff well-being through rest and intentional time off46:15 - Ending
- Aug 25, 20261h 19m
Mastering Fiscal Sponsorship: Models, Challenges, and the Future
In this episode of Built for Good, host Kian Alavi sits down with Gene Takagi, Principal of NEO Law Group. Gene Takagi shares deep insights into fiscal sponsorship, its models, challenges, and the future of nonprofit governance. This conversation explores how to standardize understanding, improve advocacy, and build a resilient sector.Key discussion topics include the importance of Models of fiscal sponsorship (Model A and C), Legal and ethical considerations in fiscal sponsorship, and Strategies for sector organization and advocacy. Explore New Law Group: https://www.neolawgroup.comExplore Mazlo: https://www.mazlo.com/Sound Bites"We need a common language to avoid confusion.""Community building is the future of sector resilience.""Are we a Starbucks or McDonald's model?""Funders should invest more in sector education.""Public trust and legal compliance are vital."DisclaimerThis topic may contain legal materials and information intended solely for educational and informational purposes. Nothing contained herein constitutes legal advice, nor does it create an attorney-client relationship. For legal advice regarding your specific situation, please consult a qualified attorney.Chapters00:00 Listen First Then Come Up With A Solution0:20 Built For Good Introduction0:51 Gene Introduction And Background1:40 Acknowledging Each Other Work2:43 Understanding Fiscal Sponsorship7:27 Challenges and Misunderstandings in Fiscal Sponsorship13:24 The Need for Stronger Advocacy and Education21:23 Language and Communication in Fiscal Sponsorship31:16 Funding and Support for Fiscal Sponsorship34:18 The Evolution of Fiscal Sponsorship Guidelines38:40 Community Engagement in Fiscal Sponsorship40:48 Understanding Fiscal Sponsorship Models48:52 Innovations in Fiscal Sponsorship53:22 Legal and Compliance Challenges59:17 Building Public Trust and Accountability01:06:01 Legal Support for Nonprofits01:13:29 The Future of Nonprofits and Community Building1:18:38 Ending
- May 12, 202654 min
Stay in Your Lane: What Nonprofits Get Wrong About Growth and Collaboration
In this episode of Built for Good, host Kian Alavi sits down with Manny Hernandez, CEO of The Diabetes Link. Manny shares the evolution of The Diabetes Link, a nonprofit focused exclusively on young adults living with diabetes. The Diabetes Link provides community, clinically validated guidance, and culturally relevant resources so that no young adult living with diabetes has to face these transitions alone.He discusses how the organization has expanded across major U.S. cities including New York, Los Angeles, and Boston, while also growing internationally through online communities and university chapters in Canada. A key focus of the conversation is how The Diabetes Link empowers young adults to connect with peers facing similar challenges, reducing isolation and creating long-term advocacy leaders within the community.A central theme throughout the episode is disciplined focus in nonprofit leadership. Manny explains why organizations must clearly define their core strengths, avoid mission drift, and intentionally partner with specialized organizations—particularly in policy advocacy. Rather than expanding into adjacent areas like obesity, The Diabetes Link prioritizes staying within its expertise while collaborating with external partners who bring deeper domain knowledge.The conversation also explores the shifting funding landscape for nonprofits. With reductions in federal funding, increased competition for foundation grants, and the rise of AI-assisted grant writing, Manny highlights the growing importance of trust, transparency, and long-term relationships with funders. He also outlines how The Diabetes Link diversifies its funding through corporate partnerships, foundation grants, individual giving, and emerging earned-income strategies such as content licensing and referral-based revenue models.A powerful story from the episode centers on a student-founded chapter at Columbia University. A young woman living with diabetes builds a campus community from the ground up, which later becomes a lifeline for another student recently diagnosed. Their connection transforms both of their lives and ultimately leads them into advocacy roles within the broader diabetes community.The episode closes with reflections on leadership and personal growth, emphasizing humility, clarity, and the importance of listening more than speaking. Manny underscores that sustainable impact comes from staying aligned with mission, building strong relationships, and being willing to say no to opportunities that pull organizations off course.This episode is especially valuable for nonprofit leaders, funders, and anyone interested in building mission-driven organizations grounded in clarity, collaboration, and community empowerment.Explore The Diabetes Link: https://thediabeteslink.org/Explore Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition (DPAC): https://www.diabetespac.org/Timestamped Overview00:25:03 Building youth communities across cities and universities 00:25:31 Expansion into Canada and global online community 00:26:23 Expanding into community colleges and trade schools 00:27:09 Workforce readiness and long-term youth impact 00:28:20 Collaboration as the foundation of nonprofit success 00:29:02 Staying in your lane and recognizing core strengths 00:30:21 Partnering for policy advocacy impact 00:31:43 Example: connecting youth to insulin policy advocacy partners 00:33:19 Columbia University student-led chapter story begins 00:35:05 Newly diagnosed student finds community support 00:36:14 “Life is never going to be the same for them” 00:37:00 Funding mix: corporate, foundations, and industry support 00:40:49 Nonprofit funding pressures and increasing competition 00:42:09 Earned income: licensing and referral models 00:45:09 Expense discipline and mission focus 00:47:42 Relationships as the core of fundraising success 00:50:49 The importance of saying no to misaligned funding 00:53:16 Advice to younger self: listen more, speak less#nonprofit #socialimpact #leadership #fundraising #communitybuilding #healthcare #diabetesawareness #youthdevelopment #collaboration #impact
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About Built for Good
Built for Good is for the community builders driving missions that matter. Host Kian Alavi shares real stories, hard-won lessons, and data that challenges assumptions, helping you move with more clarity and less guesswork. Each episode delivers actionable insights to accelerate decisions and make meaningful work less of a solo struggle.Now… let’s build for good.Built for Good is brought to you by Mazlo. Mazlo simplifies accounting, banking, compliance, and fundraising—so you can focus on your mission, not your back office.
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