In this episode of Non-Profit North Stars, host Jim Eskin sits down with Dr. Susan Korbel, founder of Core Research, to discuss the crucial role market research plays in the nonprofit sector. With over three decades of experience, Dr. Korbel has helped countless organizations—both public and private—make informed decisions that maximize their impact. From strategic planning to feasibility studies, she shares how nonprofits can apply research to stretch their resources and better fulfill their missions.

This insightful conversation sheds light on how nonprofits can leverage data to navigate today’s challenges, optimize fundraising efforts, and drive meaningful change.

• Research Fuels Impact – Nonprofits benefit from data-driven decisions just as much as for-profit businesses, particularly in strategic planning and fundraising.
• Measuring Success Can Be Complex – Unlike for-profit organizations that focus on financial ROI, nonprofits must evaluate mission-driven outcomes, which can be harder to quantify.
• Stretching Resources is Essential – With limited funding, nonprofits must maximize every dollar, making market research an invaluable tool for effective decision-making.
• Women in Leadership – Dr. Korbel shares her journey as a female entrepreneur and the importance of mentoring other women in business.
• The Power of Collaboration – Research and fundraising go hand in hand, and strong partnerships between researchers and nonprofit leaders can enhance long-term sustainability.

Tune in to hear how nonprofits can make smarter, more strategic choices in a world where every decision matters.

In this special 17th episode of Non-Profit North Stars with Jim Eskin, we are joined by Caroline Schumacher, CEO of the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF), to explore how ASF is nurturing the next generation of STEM leaders and innovators. With a mission rooted in the legacy of America's pioneering astronauts, ASF is propelling the United States toward sustained global leadership in technology and innovation. Carolyn shares the foundation's inspiring history, the rigorous selection process for scholars, and her vision for reigniting public enthusiasm for space exploration.

Key Takeaways:

1. Mission-Driven Leadership: Discover how ASF identifies and supports the brightest STEM talent to ensure continued U.S. leadership in technology and innovation.
2. The Legacy of Risk-Taking: Learn how the courage and vision of America’s astronauts continue to inspire generations of scientists, engineers, and innovators.
3. Building Confidence Through Recognition: Hear how ASF scholarships not only provide financial support but also instill life-changing confidence in young scholars.
4. Education and Perseverance: Explore the role of educators and mentors in overcoming challenges and encouraging students to pursue STEM careers.
5. The Future of Space Exploration: Gain insights into the importance of public enthusiasm and investment in space exploration, from the Moon to Mars.
6. The Power of Storytelling: Understand how personal stories of scholars and astronauts inspire others to aim higher and persevere in their journeys.

Tune in for an uplifting episode celebrating bold leadership, innovation, and the pursuit of excellence in STEM and beyond.

In this inspiring 16th episode of Non-Profit North Stars with Jim Eskin, we spotlight Kevin L. Brown, Founding Partner and CEO of Mighty Ally, a global force in nonprofit strategy and branding. Speaking from Malaysia, Kevin shares the story behind his new book,

Fundable & Findable The Brand-New Way to Fix Your Nonprofit Fundraising, a labor of love born from years of consulting, training, and community-driven research with 340+ nonprofits in 51 countries.

Kevin unpacks his bold Fundable/Findable Framework, explaining how nonprofit leaders can finally escape the starvation cycle and stop the endless donor chase.

Whether you’re leading a grassroots initiative or scaling a global nonprofit, this episode offers real, actionable insights for leaders ready to rethink the way they grow their missions.

• The Nonprofit Starvation Cycle is Real: Most nonprofits operate in survival mode, stuck in an endless loop of fundraising just to stay afloat.

• Fundraising Alone Can’t Fix Fundraising: Kevin argues that the traditional donor chase model is broken, and a deeper strategy is needed.

• The Fundable/Findable Framework:

  • Fundable: Showing donors why you exist, what you do, who will do it, where you're going, how to get there, and when it will be done.

  • Findable: Occupying a distinct space in the minds of your ideal funders, and routinely communicating your promises to them.

• Your Brand Is More Than a Logo: Brand clarity means aligning your theory of change, strategic plan, positioning strategy, and marketing communications in a sequential, thoughtful way.

• Democratizing Access to Expertise: Kevin's mission is to make these tools available to nonprofits of all sizes — not just the big ones with budgets for consultants.

• If 'Brand' Sounds Too Corporate… Call it identity, clarity, unity, or direction — what matters is that you do the work to define and share your mission in a compelling way.

🌐 Learn more about Kevin’s work and explore the Fundable/Findable Framework at: fundablefindable.org