Nonprofit Leadership Podcast: How a Social Impact Leader is Using Data and Technology to Improve the Foster Care System
Release Date: June 22, 2025
Host: Dr. Rob Harder
Guest: Ben Sand, Founder of The Contingent
Podcast Title: Nonprofit Leadership Podcast
Description: The Nonprofit Leadership Podcast explores critical issues faced by nonprofit leaders, featuring authentic stories from impactful leaders who share effective strategies and practices. Hosted by Rob Harder, the show aims to inspire and educate those striving to make a positive difference in their communities.
Introduction and Context
[00:01] Dr. Rob Harder opens the episode by addressing the pressing issue of foster care in the United States. He shares a startling statistic: “Nearly 400,000 children are impacted by foster care each year in the U.S.” He highlights the significant challenges within the system, including a shortage of foster homes, which leads to disruptions in children's lives, such as being separated from siblings and cultural communities.
Notable Quote:
“There’s not enough foster homes right now to ensure placements that keep kids connected to their schools, their siblings, their cultural background, which causes further disruption to their lives.”
— Dr. Rob Harder [00:45]
Rob introduces the guest, Ben Sand, founder of The Contingent, an organization leveraging data and technology to enhance foster care placements through the Every Child Initiative. Ben is not only a leader in this innovative approach but also a foster parent, bringing personal experience to his professional endeavors.
Challenges in the Foster Care System
[03:00] Ben Sand delves into the current landscape of foster care in the U.S. He presents crucial statistics:
- 350,000 children are currently in foster care.
- Approximately 200,000 foster homes are available, a number that has been declining over the past five years.
Ben emphasizes the complexity of cases, noting that many children in foster care have “more complex needs” and highlights the systemic failure to place these children in safe and stable environments.
Notable Quote:
“We are failing to be able to care for kids in a safe kind of loving family environment.”
— Ben Sand [03:54]
Origin Story of Every Child Initiative
Ben shares the origin story of the Every Child Initiative, which began in Oregon in 2013. Initially a grassroots effort by faith communities, the initiative quickly gained momentum, leading to its expansion across the state. A pivotal moment occurred in 2019 when Oregon faced a class-action lawsuit regarding foster care. The state entrusted The Contingent with the responsibility of foster family recruitment and volunteer management.
Faced with insufficient traditional recruitment methods, Ben and his team recognized the need for innovation. They discovered that only 5% of the population would consider becoming foster parents, illustrating the difficulty of finding qualified families through conventional means.
Notable Quote:
“We needed to innovate.”
— Ben Sand [07:47]
Role of Data and Technology
The conversation shifts to how The Contingent employs data and technology to address the foster care crisis. Ben explains that inspired by political campaign strategies detailed in an Atlantic article titled “When the Nerds Go Marching In”, they partnered with Microsoft to develop a tech-driven solution similar to election machines but tailored for foster care recruitment.
They developed the Air Game Solution, a tool that uses AI and targeted digital marketing to identify and engage potential foster parents more effectively than traditional methods. This approach allows them to “overwhelm the system with qualified leads” by targeting specific neighborhoods and demographics that match the needs of children entering foster care.
Notable Quote:
“What we're then able to do is really talk to that primary user... that level of detail, that level of precision that's impossible without data and technology.”
— Ben Sand [12:15]
Ben emphasizes the importance of starting with the right research questions and partnering with experts, such as those from the University of Chicago, to conduct gap analyses. This foundational work enables The Contingent to create detailed typologies of successful foster families, allowing for precise targeting and recruitment efforts.
Notable Quote:
“We’re like the nerdiest nonprofit on the planet.”
— Ben Sand [11:14]
Expansion of the Initiative Nationally
Expanding beyond Oregon, The Contingent now operates in Arkansas and Tennessee, each presenting unique community dynamics. Ben underscores the importance of cultural sensitivity and contextualized communication tailored to each state's distinct societal norms and values.
For instance, in Tennessee, partnerships with the governor’s office and faith communities play a crucial role, while in Oregon, a more urban-centric approach is necessary. The ability to A/B test ads and customize messaging ensures that their outreach resonates with diverse populations within each state.
Notable Quote:
“We want to have the ability to recognize not just like state differences, but regional differences within a state.”
— Ben Sand [17:22]
Leadership Principles
Transitioning to leadership, Ben discusses the guiding principles that drive The Contingent’s success:
-
Adaptive Leadership: Inspired by the book “Leadership on the Line”, the organization embraces adaptive leadership to navigate the complexities and rapid changes in the foster care system.
-
Entrepreneurial Operating System: Based on the book “Traction”, this framework helps The Contingent maintain clarity and accountability, crucial for measuring impact and communicating results to stakeholders.
Ben highlights the importance of innovation and clear communication in leadership, ensuring that the organization can swiftly adapt to new technologies and effectively demonstrate their return on investment (ROI) to donors and partners.
Notable Quote:
“Can you adapt at the speed of innovation and when you do, can you communicate the return on investment of what your organization is able to accomplish?”
— Ben Sand [25:48]
Future Goals and Next Steps
Looking ahead, The Contingent aims to scale nationally, with a target of expanding to 12 states within the next three years. Ben discusses the strategic investments made in their technology infrastructure, including:
- Microsoft Dynamics CRM
- Power Platform
- Cloud-based data management
The organization plans to establish a Center for AI Excellence to leverage advancements in artificial intelligence, further enhancing their ability to communicate, recruit, and manage foster care placements efficiently.
Notable Quote:
“Being able to capitalize on the way that AI is going to change how we are able to communicate to people, to get more volunteers, get more foster parents, get more donors.”
— Ben Sand [22:16]
Conclusion and How to Learn More
Dr. Rob Harder wraps up the interview by emphasizing the critical role of data and technology in advancing nonprofit missions. He encourages listeners to explore The Contingent’s work further through their website and Ben’s TED Talk on YouTube, titled “Harnessing the Power of Technology for Foster Care.”
Notable Quote:
“Keep making your world better.”
— Dr. Rob Harder [27:03]
Listeners interested in supporting or learning more about The Contingent can visit www.thecontingent.org or watch Ben Sand’s TED Talk for an in-depth understanding of their innovative approach.
Key Takeaways:
- Data-Driven Solutions: Leveraging AI and targeted marketing to enhance foster care placements.
- Scalable Innovation: Adapting successful models across diverse states with tailored strategies.
- Leadership in Technology: Embracing adaptive and entrepreneurial leadership to navigate and lead in the nonprofit sector.
- Future-Oriented Goals: Expanding nationwide and establishing an AI excellence center to stay at the forefront of technological advancements.
Final Thoughts:
Ben Sand’s approach with The Contingent exemplifies how nonprofits can harness the power of data and technology to address systemic challenges effectively. By combining personal experience with innovative strategies, The Contingent is making significant strides in improving the foster care system, ensuring that children receive the stability and care they deserve.
This summary was crafted based on the provided transcript and podcast information, aiming to encapsulate the essence and key insights from the episode. For a deeper dive, listening to the full episode is highly recommended.