EP #153: Charity Matters with Heidi Johnson
It’s natural. Everyone wants to give. We’re born with compassion.
Some people have a special gift. They not only want to give but they want to be around it all the time. They want to help others do it and they want to be a part of the process consistently. It’s more important than any other function of commerce or production.
Heidi Johnson knew from a young age that giving without expectation was something that makes the world go ‘round. Our conversation indicates that the joy she feels from charitable work is unmatched. Listen in as we talk about her career journey and how she’s helped multiple organizations build an impactful mission. You’ll learn some ideas about how to take action on your own impact work and inspire others to do the same.
What You'll Learn In Today's Episode:
How many non-profits there are in the US
How seeing philanthropy instills the value
Heidi’s first memory of philanthropy
How you can learn from peers
The importance of a good role model
How peer respect is important
About a terrible car accident that killed Heidi’s mother
How Heidi got into non-profit work
How TACSC attracted Heidi
About Heidi’s career in software
Why Heidi thinks of non-profit leaders
Why Heidi does do the work that she does
About the Charity Matters podcast
How Heidi finds guests
What’s next in Heidi’s world of impact
Ideas Worth Sharing:
“There are 1.6 million non-profits in the United States.” - Heidi Johnson
“There are a lot of us that are helpers, innately.” - Heidi Johnson
“My career goals had nothing to do with philanthropy.” - Heidi Johnson
“They didn’t expect anything in return.” - Heidi Johnson quoting her kindergarten teacher after a giving activity
“Mrs. Thompson planted a seed of compassion in me.” - Heidi Johnson
“We serve about 3,000 students a year.” - Heidi Johnson
“We raised $10,000,000.” - Heidi Johnson
“It was a volunteer (role) and a full-time job and I had three tiny little boys.” - Heidi Johnson
“Most successful businesses…rely on relationships.” - Heidi Johnson
“It’s a business that relies on the kindness of others.” - Heidi Johnson speaking about non-profits
“If you were a shopaholic it might have been a little bit cheaper.” - Heidi Johnson quoting her husband
“We get paid in different ways. It’s not a line of work you go into the get rich.” - Heidi Johnson
“You have a tiny little cog in someone’s wheel and there’s just no greater feeling.” - Heidi Johnson
“You just jump in.” - Heidi Johnson
“I couldn’t have one without the other.” - Heidi Johnson referencing her mother’s death and her meaningful career
“Non-profit founders just kept landing in my path.” - Heidi Johnson speaking about finding a guest for the Charity Matters podcast
"I know there’s probably a business model in it but I just struggle with it.” - Heidi Johnson
“The purpose is to give voice to these people and these organizations.” - Heidi Johnson
“The world needs to realize how much goodness is out there.” - Heidi Johnson
“Sometimes we don’t give young people enough credit.” - Bob DePasquale
“You kind of have a secret weapon.” - Bob DePasquale speaking about the joy non-profit workers
Resources In Today's Episode:
Heidi Johnson - LinkedIn
Bob’s Book - Personal Finance in a Public World
This week’s E-Impact Blog Entry
Episodes Referenced:
EP #127: Human Services Impact with Vanessa Seltzer and Kim Vassar
