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Beyond Giving

Beyond Giving

De : The Boost Network
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Beyond Giving is the podcast that goes beyond traditional philanthropy to spotlight the changemakers, visionaries, and organizations making a real impact in communities around the world. Hosted by Zac Brown, this inspiring series dives deep into the missions, challenges, and successes of nonprofits driving meaningful change.


Sponsored by NonprofitsHQ, Beyond Giving features candid conversations with nonprofit leaders, social entrepreneurs, and community advocates who are redefining what it means to give back. Whether you’re a donor, volunteer, or nonprofit professional, this podcast offers valuable insights and inspiring stories that showcase the power of generosity in action.

© 2026 The Boost Network, Beyond Giving
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  • Episode 15: How Launch SA is Taking Small Business Support on the Road
    Mar 4 2026

    Launch SA is a partnership between the City of San Antonio and Geekdom. It functions as a "coffee shop for entrepreneurs", a low-barrier entry point where founders can find mentorship, navigate city permits, and connect with a network of over 70 partner organizations.


    📌Host:
    Zac Brown: “The Non-Profit Guy” CEO of GiveKit
    ▸Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacjordanbrown/
    ▸GiveKit Website: https://givekit.org/

    📌Guest:
    Matthew Espinoza, Director at Launch SA
    ▸Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewespinoza/
    ▸Launch SA Website: https://launchsa.org/

    📌Find Us:
    ▸YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeyondGivingpod
    ▸Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/50nKlDy81jHuoobIFLwiHy
    ▸Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-giving/id1803474427
    ▸Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBoostChannel
    ▸Website: https://theboost.fm/beyond-giving/

    Key Takeaways
    1. The "College Advisor" Model
    Launch SA doesn't just hand out pamphlets; it provides Business Advisors who act as academic counselors. They help founders at all stages, from the "food phase" fundamentals to scaling a 10-year-old operation, by asking the hard questions that founders often overlook.

    2. 1 Million Cups: The Entrepreneurial Town Hall
    A cornerstone program mentioned is 1 Million Cups (a Kauffman Foundation initiative).
    🔹What it is: A weekly Wednesday morning event where two founders pitch their businesses.
    🔹The Goal: It’s not a shark-tank style critique; it’s a community Q&A focused on how the audience can help the founder.
    🔹The Value: It forces entrepreneurs to step outside their blind spots and practice clear communication.

    3. Beyond the "Checklist" Mentality
    Matthew highlights a common pitfall: many new founders come in asking for a "simple checklist" for success.

    "Small business ownership is a roller coaster... you almost have to be an expert at everything or figure out how to find the answer. It’s not about studying for a test; it’s about thinking differently."

    4. Strategic Priority & Lifestyle Businesses
    A major piece of advice Matthew offers is to define what success looks like early on.
    🔹Are you building a lifestyle business (which is perfectly valid and successful)?
    🔹Are you aiming for an IPO or high-scale exit?
    Your priority dictates your strategy; receiving the "wrong" type of advice for your specific goal can lead to misalignment.

    The Role of the City & Community
    🔹A Public-Private Partnership: The City of San Antonio contracts this work to Geekdom to ensure the support is flexible and "expert-led" rather than purely bureaucratic.
    🔹Accessibility: Launch SA is moving toward an "on the road" model, hosting events in local libraries across the north and south sides of the city to meet busy business owners where they are.

    Resource Directory
    🔹Physical Hub: Central Library, Downtown (Mon-Fri, 9–5).
    🔹Launch SA Link: Online directory of 70+ partner organizations.
    🔹Advising: 1-on-1 support for finance, legal, and operations.
    🔹Website: LaunchSA.org
    Use the "Request Assistance" form to connect.

    Top Quote
    "We may not have the answer, but someone in our network might... We’re here to ultimately bring the community together." Matthew Espinosa

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    28 min
  • Episode 14: Tech Gladiators: Engineering the Next Generation with Zeo Infinite Robotics
    Feb 4 2026


    Episode Summary

    Founder Thomas James joins the show to discuss Zeo Infinite Robotics, a San Antonio-based nonprofit transforming STEM education through combat robotics. By engaging students in the "Tech Gladiator Challenge," Thomas is bridging the gap between classroom theory and real-world manufacturing careers.


    Host:

    Zac Brown: "The Non-Profit Guy"

    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacjordanbrown/


    Guests:

    Thomas James, Founder of Zeo Infinite Robotics

    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zeo-infinite-robotics/


    Find Us:

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBoostChannel

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/50nKlDy81jHuoobIFLwiHy

    Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-giving/id1803474427

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBoostChannel

    Website: https://theboost.fm/beyond-giving/



    Key Highlights

    🌟The Mission: Giving students a "first shot" at engineering roles by teaching CAD, mechatronics, and manufacturing before they even reach college.

    🌟The Tech Gladiator Challenge: A multi-month program where students design, build, and battle robots, learning to troubleshoot mechanical and software errors under pressure.

    🌟The Power of Teamwork: Thomas emphasizes that robotics is 10% hardware and 90% strategy and collaboration. Students must reconcile different perspectives to build a winning machine.

    🌟The Pipeline: From Gunpla (Gundam model building) for elementary kids to high-stakes combat for high schoolers, the curriculum scales with the students' development.


    Current Needs & Growth

    Thomas is currently in the foundational "building block" phase and is seeking community support for:

    🌟Board Recruitment: Specifically looking for a Treasurer and members with business or financial expertise.

    🌟Sponsors & Grants: Funding for robot kits, materials, and travel costs to keep the program accessible.

    🌟School Outreach: Introductions to districts in San Antonio (Northside/Northeast) and to underserved areas such as the South Side and rural South Carolina.


    Connect with Zeo Infinite Robotics

    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zeo-infinite-robotics/
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zeoinfiniterobotics
    • Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/466679857200055/ref=share&mibextid=NSMWBT
    • Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069503631464
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    29 min
  • Episode 13: The Startup Accelerator for Democracy: How Bridge is Changing Texas Nonprofits
    Jan 21 2026


    Episode Summary

    Drew, founder of Bridge, shares how his organization serves as a "startup starting startups" for democracy and justice initiatives across Texas. From his unexpected journey (farmer to sommelier to civic leader) to building a support system for early-stage nonprofits, Drew reveals what it takes to scale impact in the civic engagement space.


    Host:

    Zac Brown: “The Non-Profit Guy”

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacjordanbrown/


    Guest

    Drew Galloway - Founder & Executive Director, Bridge

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hdrewgalloway/



    Impact (4 Years)

    🟢36 organizations started/scaled

    🟢$9M in new funding to Texas

    🟢First state-based democracy startup accelerator in US


    Bridge Programs

    🟢Incubator: 15 weeks, $5K grant

    🟢Accelerator: $50K funding + $50K+ fundraising campaign

    🟢Rest Residency: Sabbaticals for burned-out founders

    🟢Collective: Ongoing alumni support


    Drew's Journey

    Wine sommelier (10 years) → Experienced housing discrimination (2011) → White House intern → MOVE Texas ED (120K voters registered) → Founded Bridge


    Key Insights

    🟢Fundraising Reality

    • "Fundraising problems" are usually identity/clarity issues
    • Practice matters most: dedicate 10-20 hours/week
    • Treat fundraising like organizing: "Do you want to join us?"
    • Can't outsource donor relationships

    🟢Leadership Evolution: Founders must shift from programmatic work to strategic/fundraising focus as organizations grow

    🟢Money Mindset: Reshape your relationship with money to confidently ask for support

    🟢Alternative Revenue: Nonprofits are experts, consider co-working spaces, consulting, event venues


    Top Quotes

    "Strong leaders build strong movements." "Fundraising is a full-time plus job." "All politics are retail."


    Support Bridge

    🟢Volunteer: Mentor founders (few hours/quarter)

    🟢Websites: bridgeinfrastructure.org bridgemovements.org

    🟢Social: @BridgeMovements


    Takeaways

    1. Clarify identity before fundraising
    2. Block 10-20 hours/week for fundraising
    3. Embrace strategic leadership transition
    4. Explore ethical alternative revenue
    5. Prioritize rest
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    38 min
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