Nonprofit Lowdown Episode #333: Power of Authenticity with Jacob Adams

Release Date: April 14, 2025
Host: Rhea Wong
Guest: Jacob Adams, Founder and CEO of Inner Spark

Introduction

In episode #333 of Nonprofit Lowdown, host Rhea Wong engages in a deep and insightful conversation with Jacob Adams, the founder and CEO of Inner Spark. The episode delves into the significance of authenticity in fundraising, the challenges nonprofits face in today’s socio-political climate, and the strategies for building genuine relationships with funders.

Jacob Adams’ Journey and the Birth of Inner Spark

Jacob Adams shares his personal journey, highlighting his early struggles with education and his transformative experience as a teacher in one of New York's top schools. Despite academic success, Jacob faced disciplinary issues, earning an "AB honor roll" based on conduct rather than scholastic achievement.

“Growing up, I was a kid that was constantly, like, got good grades but got in trouble at school... I decided, as someone who's been a rebel since I was nine... to push back against that norm and create a way, build on different forms of liberatory pedagogy...”
[01:11] – Jacob Adams

This drive led him to establish Inner Spark, an organization focused on placing students and their communities at the heart of their educational experiences. Inner Spark emphasizes creativity, self-discovery, and community engagement, challenging traditional, compliance-driven educational models.

Authenticity in Fundraising

A central theme of the episode is the power of authenticity in fundraising. Jacob believes that being genuine and true to oneself fosters deeper connections with funders.

“I'm not going to be one of them, but I am going to double down and say what I want to say... we're going to keep doing what we have to do because I think that's how we get our freedom.”
[03:53] – Jacob Adams

Jacob contrasts the often fear-driven approach of the "left" with a steadfast commitment to authenticity, refusing to alter his messaging out of fear of backlash. This stance, he argues, is essential for maintaining integrity and achieving long-term success.

Navigating Current Challenges: Wildfires and Funding Climate

The conversation shifts to the immediate challenges faced by nonprofits, particularly natural disasters like wildfires and their disproportionate impact on marginalized communities.

“We've got a tornado warning, too. I was like, oh, my goodness, we're getting it all... these problems are impacting everybody, but disproportionately impacting black communities, brown communities, poor communities.”
[06:05] – Jacob Adams

Jacob emphasizes the importance of communicating these pressing issues to funders, advocating for investments that bolster resilience in underserved communities. He highlights that supporting organizations like Inner Spark contributes to the broader societal good.

Building Genuine Relationships with Funders

Rhea praises Jacob’s authentic approach, noting how it has cultivated strong, loyal relationships with funders. Jacob elaborates on his networking philosophy, which prioritizes depth over breadth.

“I would rather prioritize having much deeper connections with people... it's allowed me to just build trust in them and then also I think for them to build trust in me.”
[11:11] – Jacob Adams

Jacob stresses the importance of seeing funders as people first, fostering relationships based on mutual respect and understanding rather than transactional interactions. This approach not only builds trust but also creates meaningful partnerships that support the mission of Inner Spark.

Decision-Making and Bias Toward Action

The discussion turns to Jacob’s proactive approach to decision-making. Inspired by the belief that “the best way to learn is to do,” Jacob embraces a bias toward action, valuing the learning that comes from experimentation and iteration.

“The best way to learn is to do... I'm more focused on the process itself... I'm able to quickly move through those feelings and more.”
[18:39] – Jacob Adams

He acknowledges that while this approach often leads to swift progress and valuable insights, there are instances where acting too quickly without sufficient planning can result in setbacks. However, Jacob views these experiences as opportunities for growth rather than failures.

Reflections on Working with Rhea Wong

Jacob reflects on his eight-month collaboration with Rhea Wong, highlighting the impact of her fundraising strategies on his organization.

“The way that you go about fundraising, especially with like major donors, by treating them as people... has made me feel way more comfortable around major giving.”
[21:07] – Jacob Adams

He appreciates the alignment between Rhea’s methods and Inner Spark’s philosophy, noting that her guidance has enhanced his fundraising effectiveness while maintaining authenticity. The iterative process of implementing her strategies has led to significant personal and organizational growth.

Conclusion and Resources

As the conversation wraps up, Jacob encourages listeners to engage with Inner Spark through their website and newsletter, inviting parents, educators, and funders to learn more about their innovative approach to education.

“Check out the site and reach out. We're not going about education the same way people have traditionally... create a different future.”
[23:25] – Jacob Adams

Rhea concludes by affirming the value of Jacob’s work and the importance of authenticity in nonprofit leadership and fundraising.

Key Takeaways

• Authenticity Builds Trust: Genuine interactions foster deeper, more meaningful relationships with funders and stakeholders.

• Prioritize Depth Over Breadth: Focusing on building strong, trust-based connections rather than numerous superficial ones leads to lasting partnerships.

• Bias Toward Action: Embracing a proactive approach and valuing learning through doing can drive innovation and growth, despite occasional setbacks.

• Align Fundraising with Values: Ensuring that fundraising strategies reflect the organization’s core values enhances credibility and effectiveness.

Notable Quotes

• Jacob Adams: “I'm not going to be one of them... we're going to keep doing what we have to do because I think that's how we get our freedom.”
  [03:53]

• Jacob Adams: “The best way to learn is to do... I'm more focused on the process itself...”
  [18:39]

• Jacob Adams: “Check out the site and reach out. We're not going about education the same way people have traditionally... create a different future.”
  [23:25]

Resources

• Inner Spark Website: innersparklab.org
• Subscribe to Inner Spark Newsletter: Available on the Inner Spark website
• Jacob Adams’ LinkedIn: Jacob Adams

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