Part 2: The Hidden Power of Saying "Yes" More in the Nonprofit Sector

**Summary** (If you want to hear Part 1 of Kian Alavi’s conversation with Oliver Hack, be sure to check out the previous episode.) In this episode of Built for Good, host Kian Alavi continues his conversation with Oliver Hack, Director of Fiscal Sponsorship at Social Good Fund, for a conversation about creativity, leadership, innovation, and the realities of building sustainable organizations in the nonprofit sector. Oliver shares his perspective on creating space for creativity, encouraging courageous leadership, and building systems that allow teams and mission-driven leaders to thrive. He explores the role of fiscal sponsorship in helping people turn their ideas into meaningful work while emphasizing the importance of studying the problem, understanding the business and revenue model, and making thoughtful decisions before starting a nonprofit. The conversation also dives into the importance of community and collaboration within the fiscal sponsorship field, the value of saying “yes” more often, and how leaders can balance passion with risk, sustainability, and long-term impact. Oliver discusses why organizations sometimes need to adapt their strategies without losing sight of their core purpose, and why courage, flexibility, and resilience are essential for navigating challenging times. From fostering innovation to making smart strategic choices, Oliver offers practical insights for nonprofit leaders and community builders looking to create lasting impact. **Soundbites:** "Innovation in the nonprofit sector is rare, but it's crucial to push beyond what's there and above where you think you can." "Leadership requires earning the right and having the courage to make hard choices in a highly regulated environment." "Institutional funders need to seed nonprofit endowments to ensure long-term sustainability and allow for strategic decisions." "The nonprofit sector is about community coming together to solve community issues, and trust is essential." "Encouraging an environment of creativity and rewarding it is key to solving problems in innovative ways. **Links:** **Get the book "The Jewish Gospels":** https://www.amazon.com/Miles-Davis-Autobiography-Orange-Press/dp/1595584684 **Explore Social Impact Commons:** https://www.socialimpactcommons.org/ **Explore Schulman Consulting:** https://schulmanconsulting.com/ **Explore Social Good Fund:** https://www.socialgoodfund.org/ **Explore Mazlo:** https://www.mazlo.com/ **Timestamps:** 0:00 - Hook 0:16 - Introduction To Built To Good 0:47 - Introduction To Oliver Hack 02:20 - Funding Creativity  03:44 - Navigating Nonprofit Funding and Creativity 06:46 - The Importance of Rest and Creative Thinking 09:40 - The Four-Day Work Week: A New Perspective 12:17 - Understanding Fiscal Sponsorship and Its Challenges 16:58 - Building Community in Fiscal Sponsorship 20:22 - Innovation in Nonprofit Sector: Saying Yes More 23:19 - The Role of Passion in Nonprofit Leadership 26:48 - Evaluating Nonprofit Ideas: The Importance of Research 32:09 - The Reality of Nonprofit Startups 37:41 - Strategic Decision Making in Nonprofits 47:39 - Courage and Adaptability in Nonprofit Leadership