On The Ground

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

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.

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 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.

You’re no longer afraid of donor meetings.You’re just… tired of them.In Stage 2 of our 5 Stages of Fundraising Psychology series, James Misner unpacks the quiet danger of resentment in nonprofit leadership.In this episode, James explores why Annoyance is more dangerous than Anxiety, how subtle resentment caps growth, and why flat results often trace back to flat energy. If your organization feels stuck — not declining, but not growing — this conversation will hit close to home.You’re functioning. But are you thriving?

Over half of nonprofit leaders admit their discomfort with fundraising is directly limiting their organization's impact. Not because they don't know what to do—but because asking for money triggers anxiety, avoidance, and resentment they can't seem to overcome.In this episode, James Misner exposes the truth most fundraising advice ignores: Your fundraising struggles aren't a knowledge problem. They're a psychological problem.