Summary of "Nonprofit Leadership Podcast" Episode: "How This Nonprofit in Spain is Seeking to Impact Their Country and Beyond"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Nonprofit Leadership Podcast
• Host: Dr. Rob Harter
• Episode: How This Nonprofit in Spain is Seeking to Impact Their Country and Beyond
• Release Date: February 4, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast, host Dr. Rob Harter welcomes Javier Lascano, a leader from the Excalibur Foundation, marking the first time a Spanish nonprofit is featured on the show. The conversation explores the foundation's mission, global initiatives, leadership strategies, fundraising approaches, and the invaluable lessons learned along the way.

Background of Excalibur Foundation

Excalibur Foundation is a unique nonprofit organization under the umbrella of Scalable Smart Mapping, making it the only nonprofit within the geophysics sector operating on a global scale.

"[Excalibur] is the only company who has this kind of organization."
—Javier Lascano (02:17)

The foundation was born from the vision of Maria Jose Toro, the president and ESG director of Scalable Smart Mapping. Founded legally in October 2021, the Excalibur Foundation launched its first program in Uganda in May 2022, aiming to provide essential services and support to communities worldwide.

Projects and Impact

Global Reach and Focus Areas

Excalibur Foundation has rapidly expanded to five projects across three continents—Africa, Europe (Spain), and Colombia—over its three-year existence. The foundation primarily targets children, youth, and women, emphasizing education and environmental sustainability.

Uganda: Naguru Social Sport Academy

One of the foundation's pivotal initiatives is the Naguru Social Sport Academy in Uganda. Faced with significant school closures in 2021, many children were compelled to abandon their education to sell goods on the streets.

"We create an after-school program rewarding football to encourage kids to return to school."
—Javier Lascano (04:06)

Partnering with Real Marie Foundation and Youth Sports Uganda, the program uses football as a tool to engage approximately 280 children, providing them with meals, clean water, and educational support. A notable challenge addressed was menstrual hygiene, which previously prevented many girls from attending school. The foundation introduced a menstrual management program, distributing over 30,000 menstrual bats and educating the community, resulting in more than 80% of girls resuming their education.

Colombia: Safe Educational Spaces

In Colombia, Excalibur Foundation operates in a dangerous neighborhood near Medellin, plagued by drug-related violence. Collaborating with local churches, the foundation established safe educational spaces—a protected "island" for children to learn and engage in sports.

"We are teaching them to read and using football for healthy engagement."
—Javier Lascano (09:30)

Currently serving 150 boys and girls, the program includes reading classes, football activities, and medical check-ups. The overwhelming community support has led to demands for additional program days, highlighting the foundation's positive impact.

Congo: Talent Academy and Scholarships

Expanding to Congo, Excalibur Foundation initiated a Talent Academy, supporting 30 children aged 12 to 16. This program focuses on both education and sports, aiming to create scholarship opportunities. A significant achievement includes a 14-year-old boy receiving a scholarship to a basketball academy in Madrid, where he now studies and trains, preparing for university in the United States.

"His future is there in the United States with another scholarship in university."
—Javier Lascano (24:16)

The foundation is actively seeking funds to support additional scholarships, with plans to announce new opportunities by December.

Leadership Philosophy

Building a Passionate Team

Javier emphasizes the importance of cultivating a passionate and cohesive team, treating each member as an integral part of a larger mission rather than just employees.

"We are individually a part of a very great team. The most important thing is to show them that they are in the center of the project."
—Javier Lascano (10:47)

He fosters an environment where every day feels like the first day, encouraging continuous enthusiasm, commitment, and the pursuit of new challenges. By clearly communicating the mission, vision, and values, Javier ensures that the team remains aligned and motivated.

Leading with Resilience and Persistence

Javier shares foundational leadership lessons centered around resilience and persistence, highlighting the necessity of never accepting "no" as a final answer.

"No has never been the final answer. You have to fight to find a solution."
—Javier Lascano (15:10)

He believes in pushing creativity and determination to achieve objectives, maintaining that with the right mindset, almost all challenges can be overcome.

Fundraising Strategies

Corporate Foundation Model

Operating as a corporate foundation, Excalibur Foundation leverages the support of its parent company, Scalable Smart Mapping, to fund structural costs. This model ensures that project budgets are sustained through a combination of internal investments and local partnerships, promoting long-term sustainability.

"We need the support of local partnerships because it's the key for the sustainability of the project in these countries."
—Javier Lascano (18:39)

Public Funding and Crowdfunding

Having established a stable operational base over two years, the foundation is now venturing into public funding, preparing to apply for grants and other public financial support mechanisms.

Additionally, Excalibur Foundation is embracing crowdfunding, inspired by its success in the United States. This approach aims to diversify funding sources and engage a broader base of supporters.

Leadership Lessons

Understanding Team Capabilities

Javier underscores the importance of recognizing and leveraging the unique strengths of each team member. He cautions against pushing individuals beyond their capacity, which can lead to decreased performance and morale.

"The problems arise when you push people to reach their maximum levels of incompetence."
—Javier Lascano (13:06)

Embracing Continuous Learning and Resilience

Emphasizing that leadership is an ongoing journey, Javier advocates for continuous learning and maintaining a resilient mindset. He shares personal insights on valuing life and the importance of fighting daily to achieve and enjoy one's goals.

"Life is beautiful and you have to fight every day to live your life and to enjoy life."
—Javier Lascano (24:36)

Future Goals and Expansion

Looking forward, Excalibur Foundation aims to expand its reach to three additional countries: Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, and Nigeria. This strategic growth will allow the foundation to address diverse community needs while replicating its successful model in new regions.

"We are going to grow not only in the countries that we are, but also in another three countries that are very different."
—Javier Lascano (26:47)

How to Connect with Excalibur Foundation

Listeners interested in supporting or learning more about Excalibur Foundation can visit their website for detailed information on their projects and initiatives. The foundation is also active on social media, providing daily updates and engaging with the community. For direct inquiries, contact them at info@foundation.scalibur.org.

Conclusion

This episode of the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast provides a comprehensive look into the impactful work of Excalibur Foundation. Javier Lascano's dedication to education, gender equality, and community resilience offers valuable lessons for nonprofit leaders worldwide. Through strategic partnerships, innovative fundraising, and resilient leadership, Excalibur Foundation exemplifies how targeted efforts can drive meaningful global change.

Notable Quotes:

• "We are individually a part of a very great team."
  —Javier Lascano (10:47)

• "No has never been the final answer. You have to fight to find a solution."
  —Javier Lascano (15:10)

• "Life is beautiful and you have to fight every day to live your life and to enjoy life."
  —Javier Lascano (24:36)

• "We are going to grow not only in the countries that we are, but also in another three countries that are very different."
  —Javier Lascano (26:47)

This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the episode, providing a detailed overview for those who have not listened to the podcast.