706. How to Turn Around a Nonprofit From the Inside Out - Marisol Pineda Conde + Lindsey Fuller
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About This Episode
Meet Linsey Fuller and Marisol Pineda Conde 👋 Together, they have spent five years turning around an organization that started with one month of runway, rebuilding it from the inside out with new curriculum, new revenue streams, new systems, and a set of staff blessings that are rewriting what it looks like to actually live your values as a leader.
The wellness stipend. The physical health screening. The financial literacy program with a 401k match. The micro sabbatical arc that guarantees every person on the team protected rest at every milestone.
Today’s Guests: Lindsey Fuller + Marisol Pineda Conde
Lindsey Fuller is the Executive Director of The Teaching Well, a nonprofit dedicated to building adult cultures in schools so that educators don't have to heal from them. Lindsey came to The Teaching Well as a practitioner and coach, and has spent the last five years transforming it from an organization with one month of runway into a financially solvent, mission-driven organization with a thriving team and a model that is changing how schools think about adult culture.
Marisol Pineda Conde is the Deputy Director of The Teaching Well and Lindsey's co-leader. She joined as a principal who had witnessed firsthand the impact of The Teaching Well's work on educators, and when the opportunity to join the team came, she did not hesitate. Marisol is the operational backbone of everything The Teaching Well has built, and Lindsey will be the first to tell you: none of this would have been possible without her.
What You'll Learn in This Episode
How Lindsey, Marisol + team rebuilt The Teaching Well from the inside out: new curriculum, new revenue model, new brand, new systems, all while keeping the lights on with one month of runway
The Five Blessings: the wellness stipend, the physical health screening, the financial literacy program, the 401k match, and the micro sabbatical arc that guarantees every team member protected rest at every milestone
Why "desperation does not drive donorship," and how earned revenue became the most liberating source of funding The Teaching Well has
Powerful Quotes
"Investing in our people, having them stay longer, having them give us the best that they have to offer, is the business savvy move." -Marisol
"Desperation does not drive donors." -Lindsey
"Finances can be a tool of liberation as well as a tool of oppression. That is how we feel about budgets." -Marisol
"At the end of five years, I feel more convicted. I feel more on purpose. I feel more encouraged. I am happier leading inside of this organization than I ever have been." -Lindsey
"The work becomes fun. I don't have the Sunday scaries anymore." -Lindsey
"Be a collectivist. Take care of your squad, and they will serve the greater community." -Lindsey
Resources Mentioned
Connect with The Teaching Well
Gather at the Well - The Teaching Well's podcast series
The Teaching Well on LinkedIn - connect with their staff members!
Support The Teaching Well - donate at teachingwell.org
Connect with Jon McCoy
Connect with Becky Endicott
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Join fellow changemakers, share takeaways from this episode, and keep collaborating in a space built for connection, inspiration, and real impact: www.weareforgoodcommunity.com
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