Inventivity: The Legacy of Gatorade and the Cade Museum

In this episode of the Taking Donors Seriously podcast, Brad Layland interviews Mike Mercer, founder of Compassion First, a Christian relief and development organization focused on anti-trafficking work in Indonesia. They discuss the complexities of trafficking in Indonesia, the impact of Compassion First's initiatives, and Mike's personal journey into nonprofit leadership. The conversation highlights the importance of community engagement, the challenges of fundraising, and the transformative stories of individuals impacted by their work. Mike shares insights on humility, the role of faith in nonprofit work, and offers resources for those looking to understand and combat trafficking. Links https://www.compassionfirst.org/ https://safetycompass.org/ Book A Crime So Monstrous, by E. Benjamin Skinner  

In this engaging podcast episode, Brad Layland interviews Phoebe Miles, the founder and board chair of the Cade Museum, which honors her father's legacy as the inventor of Gatorade. Phoebe shares the inspiring story of how the Cade Museum was established in Gainesville, Florida, and its mission to foster a culture of inventiveness among the younger generation. She discusses her father's journey from being a kidney doctor to creating Gatorade, emphasizing the importance of viewing problems as opportunities for innovation. The conversation delves into the concept of 'inventivity,' a term coined to encapsulate the spirit of creativity and problem-solving that the museum aims to instill in children. Book Recommendations The Brain That Changes Itself( Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science), By Norman Doidbe Cade Museum https://cademuseum.org/  

In this conversation, Brad Layland interviews Andy Cook, the executive director of the Wheaton College Billy Graham Center. They discuss the center's mission to equip believers for evangelism, the challenges churches face in growing their congregations, and the importance of building a culture of evangelism within local churches. Andy shares his journey to leadership, the impact of partnerships and fundraising strategies, and highlights significant moments of God's faithfulness in their work. The conversation concludes with book recommendations and insights on connecting churches to valuable resources. Books Mentioned Saturdays with Billy: My Friendship with Billy Graham, by Don Wilton (Brad mentioned) You Found Me: New Research on How Unchurched Nones, Millennials, and Irreligious Are Surprisingly Open to Christian Faith, by Rick Richardson Wild Dark Shore, by Charlotte McConaghy Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business, by Gino Wickman Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope, by Esau McCaulley Wheaton College Billy Graham Center https://wheatonbillygraham.com/  

In this episode, Brad Layland is joined by Jamie Sellers in his annual Year End Appeals episode. In this episode, he evaluates the year-end appeals he received last year. We learn about the good, the bad, and the ugly of this facet of fund raising as well as some thoughts about target audience and follow up. www.thefocusgroup.com

In this conversation, Brad and Patrick McDonald discuss the founding and mission of OpenWell, an organization dedicated to supporting mission entrepreneurs. Patrick shares his journey from founding Viva, an organization that helps children in Latin America, to creating OpenWell, which focuses on empowering others to succeed in their mission work. They explore the importance of strategic partnerships, innovative funding models, and the potential for revival in Europe through collaborative efforts. Patrick emphasizes the need for a shift in how philanthropy is approached, advocating for a model that aligns resources with specific mission imperatives. Recommended Book: The Cloud, The Night, The Fire and the Song: With the Mystics in the School of Prayer by Charlie Cleverly Link: https://openwell.co/  

In this conversation, Brad and Doug Gehman, President of Globe International, discuss Doug's extensive experience with Globe, a mission sending agency, and the importance of member care for missionaries. They share personal stories of collaboration, the impact of training on fundraising, and Doug's book on perseverance. Doug emphasizes the significance of community, the challenges of fundraising, and the transformative power of education and experience in ministry. Links www.douggehman.com https://globeintl.org Books A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth, Noa Tishby Before You Quit, by Doug Gehman      

In this episode Brad Layland interviews James Winans, CEO of the Bowery Mission, discussing his journey from intern to CEO, the mission's response to homelessness in New York City, and the challenges faced during the pandemic. They explore the importance of community, the role of faith in leadership, and effective fundraising strategies. James shares insights on balancing family and work, the need for collaboration in fundraising, and the vision for the future of the Bowery Mission. The Bowery Mission https://www.bowery.org/ Book Recommendation The Island at the Center of the World: The Epic Story of Dutch Manhattan and the Forgotten Colony That Shaped America, by Russell Shorto Brad's Marathon Link https://my.bowery.org/fundraiser/6464857  

In this conversation, Brad Voyles, the president of Covenant College, shares his journey to leadership, the distinctives of the college, and the importance of community and student experience. He discusses the challenges and opportunities that come with growth, particularly in light of the recent Partners Campaign aimed at enhancing student enrollment and experience. The conversation also explores the relational aspect of leadership and the significance of maintaining a Christ-centered education. Brad concludes by sharing insights on books that have influenced his perspective. Covenant College https://covenant.edu Books: Living Life Backward: How Ecclesiastes Teaches Us to Live in Light of the End, by David Gibson. Project Hail Mary, by Andy Weir  

In this episode of the Taking Donors Seriously podcast, Brad Layland interviews Justin Burkholder, the International Director of Team, a mission-sending organization with a rich history of over 135 years. They discuss the legacy of Team, the challenges of funding and measuring impact, and Justin's personal journey as a missionary kid. The conversation highlights success stories from the field, future aspirations for sending more missionaries, and the importance of leadership and education in mission work. Website: https://www.team.org/ Books: The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self by Carl Trueman The Missionary Movement in Christian History by Andrew Walls

Have you ever wondered where our fundraising framework came from? In 2009, before Brad joined The FOCUS Group, he interviewed Bill Hautt, founder of The FOCUS Group. As you'll learn, Bill was a key thought leader in developing the Taking Donors Seriously (TDS) framework through his work with Young Life.  Some nuggets you won't want to miss: What's the biggest weakness in fundraising? What do we mean by the 20/80 rule? What's the "fulcrum" of fundraising? What is often the number one chracteristic of a major donor? For a full explanation of these principles and more, check out Brad's book Turning Donors into Partners.