In this episode, Jack speaks with Gigi Danziger, an impact investor and founder of initiatives in Hudson, New York that champion community-led innovation. Gigi shares the story of how the HudsonUP initiative began — the first small-city Universal Basic Income (UBI) pilot in the U.S. — and reflects on the evidence and lessons learned so far.

We dive into:

• Why Hudson became the testing ground for UBI and how the idea emerged.
• The design of the pilot: 128 participants receiving $500/month for five years.
• Key findings: improved mental and physical health, increased employment, and a rise in entrepreneurship.
• Insights on building trust in communities where outside promises have often gone unfulfilled.
• Broader community initiatives beyond UBI — from medical debt relief, to affordable housing with steward ownership.
• Gigi’s philosophy on community, and purpose as foundations for thriving.
• Advice for others looking to replicate hyper-local, community-driven solutions in their own contexts.

🌐 Learn more:

• The Spark of Hudson
• HudsonUP (UBI)
• Wally Farms

Resources & Links

• 📑 HudsonUP Study Findings (Year 4) — Jain Family Institute
• 🐦 HudsonUP on X
• 📸 The Spark of Hudson on Instagram

Stay Connected

• LinkedIn: SIJ Media
• Instagram: @thesocialimpactjournal
• Twitter: @sijpodcast
• Tiktok: @thesocialimpactjournal
  
  

In this conversation, Jack met with Kevin L. Brown, Founding Partner and CEO of Mighty Ally.

Kevin is a writer, a speaker, and CEO of the nonprofit hybrid Mighty Ally. He initially spent 15 years building private sector brands - from Apple to adidas, Formula One to fintech startups. And in his first four corporate gigs, Kevin helped each company scale towards acquisition, including one he co-founded. Then, a passion for the orphan crisis (his why) led to living in Uganda, followed by South Africa, Mauritius, and Malaysia. In 2017, he co-founded Mighty Ally — Uganda’s second-ever B Corp.

Kevin is an Acumen East Africa Fellow, plus an advisor for two grantmakers: Roddenberry Foundation and Greenwood Place. He served on the board of Impact Hub, won a Valiente Award at SXSW and a NEXT Award for Startup of the Year, was named an Executive Influencer by Billboard Magazine, and proudly sports a torn Achilles from the Ironman World Championship.

Three daughters from Uganda and China fuel his work to end poverty and injustice. Years ago, he and his high-school sweetheart wife sold their house, car, and everything they owned. And they set out as a nomadic family of five — with only a backpack and suitcase each — to live on every continent together by 2030.

The episode covered:

- The challenges faced by nonprofits, particularly the 'nonprofit starvation cycle.'
- The 'Fundable and Findable Framework,' emphasizing the importance of brand clarity and effective communication in fundraising.
- Kevin's insights on targeting donor groups, the role of AI tools in experimentation, and the significance of a well-designed website.
- Reflecting on Kevin's journey of writing his new book also reflects on the journey of writing his book, 'Fundable & Findable: The Brand-New Way to Fix Your Nonprofit Fundraising.'

Connect with Kevin on Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinlbrown/
Learn more about his new book here: https://fundablefindable.org/

Chapters

00:00 From Private Sector to Social Impact
02:46 Understanding Nonprofit Challenges
06:08 The Fundable and Findable Framework
08:52 Communications and Clarity in Fundraising
11:47 Targeting Donor Groups Effectively
14:57 Experimentation and AI Tools in Nonprofits
17:53 The Journey of Writing 'Fundable and Findable'
20:53 Insights from the Book Launch at Skoll
24:04 Key Principles for Nonprofit Success
26:55 Crafting a Clear Mission Statement
30:04 The Importance of Your Website
33:14 Building a Budget-Friendly Website
35:48 Final Thoughts on Nonprofit Fundraising



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In this conversation, Tom Rippin shares his journey into social entrepreneurship, detailing his transition from academia to the commercial sector and ultimately to founding On Purpose, a program designed to train individuals for purpose-driven careers. He discusses the challenges and successes of launching the program, the growth it has experienced, and the evolving training needs of its associates. Rippin emphasizes the importance of integrating social and commercial skills to create impactful change.

In this conversation, Tom Rippin discusses the structure and evolution of the On Purpose program, focusing on how it prepares individuals for transformational change in their careers and the economy. He highlights the importance of community, mentorship, and practical training in fostering leaders who can navigate complexity and drive systemic change. Rippin shares success stories of alumni who have made significant impacts in various sectors, emphasizing the need for a shift in values towards sustainability and health in organizations. He concludes with an inspiring message about the power of individual action in creating a better future.

Chapters
00:25
Journey into Social Entrepreneurship

07:45
The Birth of On Purpose

12:00
Launching the First Cohort

18:20
Growth and Expansion of On Purpose

22:14
Training and Development Needs

24:05
Overview of the Program Structure

29:00
Understanding Transformational Change

32:04
Alumni Success Stories and Impact

Connect with Tom on Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomrippin/

Learn more about OnPurpose here: https://onpurpose.org/en/

Keep up-to-date with our socials here:

Linkedin: the-social-impact-journal

Instagram: @thesocialimpactjournal
Twitter: @sijpodcast
Tiktok: @thesocialimpactjournal