EP #127: Human Services Impact with Vanessa Seltzer and Kim Vassar
Fundraising isn’t all about the money. It’s about the relationships. You can’t underestimate the power of working with and for other people. It’s a special way of supporting them that goes beyond the actual work or items provided.
Vanessa Seltzer and Kim Vassar are both impact-driven professionals. Each has had extensive careers in the non-profit sector and fundraising. Interestingly, they focus more on relationships than money. We tend to think that the primary focus of an impact organization is to raise money. It’s certainly important, but raising money is just a piece of the work. The impact comes in the services and items provided to those in need. Vanessa and Kim were each quick to note that a good bond with the community and volunteers will lead to greater financial giving. Listen in to get inspired to give of your time AND resources to your community.
What You'll Learn In Today's Episode:
How Arc serves people of all ages
How long Arc has been around
Why independence and confidence are so important
About some of Arc’s programs
How Emeril Lagasse is involved with Arc
How volunteering your time can be more meaningful than giving money
How giving is joyful
How Arc’s benefactors are changing the workplace culture of their employers
How corporate philanthropy works at a macro level
About the multi-level benefits of charitable work and volunteering
How Arc’s culinary institute is providing great experiences for corporations and generating revenue for Arc
About the food services Arc provides contributing to the community
How Vanessa and Kim got into this line of work
Ideas Worth Sharing:
“We’re serving for a lifetime.” - Vanessa Seltzer
“I know how impactful this is for the individual to have a sense of confidence in themselves.” - Vanessa Seltzer
“We offer 21 different services for over 1200 children and adults each year.” - Kim Vassar
“We have the opportunity to be an advocate for them.” - Kim Vassar on how Arc helps kids
“A community is needed.” - Kim Vassar
“Sometimes people may mean well…but in some ways, they’re actually further isolating them.” - Kim Vassar
“Preschool has a big place in my heart - for my daughter.” - Kim Vassar
“We offer a certificate in culinary arts.” - Kim Vassar
“Sometimes volunteering their time…I don’t think people know how much that means to us.” - Vanessa Seltzer
“Everyone here is so passionate.” - Vanessa Seltzer
“We have a responsibility in our community to support the human service organizations that keep our community running.” - Kim Vassar
“There’s real community impact and benefit.” - Kim Vassar speaking about the importance of supporting human services organizations
“What we do with the job placement is societal in our community.” - Vanessa Seltzer
“What really excites me is our social enterprise factor.” - Kim Vassar
“A lot of us fell into fundraising.” - Vanessa Seltzer
“I enjoy building relationships.” - Vanessa Seltzer
“When I was in college there was no ‘go work in a non-profit’ track.” - Kim Vassar
“21 programs all from a preschool…” - Bob DePasquale talking about Arcs programs
“There’s a generational component.” - Bob DePasquale describing Arc’s work
“We’re about making society and the world a better place.” - Bob DePasquale speaking about Rise Together
Resources In Today's Episode:
Vanessa Seltzer - LinkedIn
Kim Vassar - LinkedIn
Arc Broward - Website - Facebook - YouTube - Twitter - LinkedIn
Bob’s Book - Personal Finance in a Public World
This week’s E-Impact Blog Entry
Episodes Referenced:
EP #103: Socks and Social Enterprise with John and Mark Cronin
