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- [00:00]
Rhea Wong
Hey, you, It's Rhea Wong. If you're listening to nonprofit Load On, I'm pretty sure that you'd love my weekly newsletter. Every Tuesday morning, you get updates on the newest podcast episodes. And then interspersed, we have fun special invitations for newsletter subscribers only and fundraising inspo because I know what it feels like to be in the trenches alone. On top of that, you get cute dog photos. Best of all, it is free. So what are you waiting for? Head over to riawong.com now to sign up.
- [00:27]
Jacob Adams
Foreign.
- [00:34]
Rhea Wong
Welcome to nonprofit Lowdown. I'm your host, Rhea Wong.
- [00:38]
Hey, podcast listeners, it's Ria Wong with you once again with nonprofit Lowdown. Today, I am delighted to invite my friend and client, Jacob Adams, founder and CEO of Inner Spark. Today we are going to talk about authenticity in fundraising. So, Jacob, welcome to the show.
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Jacob Adams
Hey, glad to be here. You're a longtime listener, first time caller.
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Rhea Wong
Love that. All right, Jake, before we jump way into it, because I know you have a lot to say, tell us a little bit about Inner Spark and what was it that sparked your Inner Spark to start this organization?
- [01:12]
Jacob Adams
Yeah, so growing up, I was a kid that was constantly, like, got good grades but got in trouble at school. Matter of fact, I got this award. It's like the AB honor roll, with the exception of conduct. It's like, very early I had problems with school. And then fast forward, I became a teacher at one of the best schools in New York. And there I saw where it's just like the focus was on compliance and control. Like, we really weren't teaching the kids to be creative. Our kids weren't learning who they were and they weren't seeing, like, how could they take the things that they care about and they're passionate about and use it to create the world that they want to live in or create the community that they want to live in. But yet the school was like a model of what school was supposed to be. So I decided, as someone who's been a rebel since I was nine, I guess whenever I got that award to push back against that norm and create a way, build on different forms of liberatory pedagogy and create a way of teaching that, like, truly puts the kids in the community at the center of the of their learning.
- [02:08]
Rhea Wong
It's interesting that you say that, because when I was running Breakthrough, we had kids who were coming from top charter schools and public schools around the city. And we were also housed at a private school on the Upper east side. And it was such a clear difference from how private School kids were taught versus these top performing charter school kids who, like, couldn't even manage themselves to stand in a line unless they were given very specific directions. And it was very clear to me that we were raising people who obeyed versus people who had independent thought and autonomy.
- [02:42]
Jacob Adams
Yeah, no, exactly. I remember our kids had a routine for everything. So even to get up from their desk, there was like a countdown. And I remember one day I'm teaching first grade. I was like, I don't think y'all need to do this. Just line up and they. It's like complete chaos. They're running into each other, they don't know where to go. I was like, oh, wow. Here I am being told, like, this is a great school and y'all are really. And they're smart. They're smart kids. But yeah, they could only think inside the box that the school put them in. So I think that was one of many examples where I was like, okay, this is actually not what. This is not the marketing. It doesn't match, like, what. What they're telling us.
- [03:19]
Rhea Wong
So I know one of the key tenants of Inner Spark is that you're serving black and brown students in la, and you're very clear about that, which I think is amazing and wonderful. I'm just curious how you all are thinking about responding in this moment where I feel like there is a lot of fear of blowback or legal ramifications for saying things like equity and liberatory and black and brown students. So how are you all thinking about that?
- [03:53]
Jacob Adams
Yeah, I think, like, twofold. One even just thinking of the way our like, program and like organization is set up. We've created a role now based off of something you taught me from unreasonable hospitality. But basically, we have a dreamweaver at our schools who's there to do one of the main. One of their main functions is to, like, learn as much as they can about the kids, the community, and then the families, and then be able to connect them with all of our different resources and like, partners that we have in the community that can help them with their basic needs that are attack right now, whether it be from housing to food, Housing insecurity, food insecurity, like permanent residency. We're doing that in terms of the schools and the communities we work with, but more from like, marketing, messaging standpoint. I'm. I'm like, too often does it feel like people, I guess, like on the quote unquote, left we're just so quick to change. And like, we think we operate from like a place of Fear. Whereas the more like Republican conservative side, like, they double down and do whatever they want to do, say whatever they want to say. And so it's like, all right, I'm not going to go be one of them, but I am going to double down and say what I want to say. I'm not going to react out of fear if it gets to a point where I feel like I've thought about what could happen and what's possible and then start to have, like, different contingency plans in case something does come up. But I'm not going to be quick to just change our messaging because they're just. Because you're trying. I feel like that's part of the plan. Scare everybody and get us to freeze, but we're going to keep doing what we have to do because I think that's how you. That's how we get our freedom. It's not by just giving up before we even. Before they even do anything.
- [05:30]
Rhea Wong
Yeah, I was thinking about this. It's like obeying in advance. They're not going to obey in advance. And I think that resonates for you. You and I, troublemakers. I want to talk about authenticity, but before we get there, I also want to talk about this moment, because you are in la. We know that the wildfires have really impacted la, and I'm curious about how you are thinking about navigating this moment where it feels like both part politically, there's a lot going on. And then in your environment and in the funding environment, there seems like there's a lot going on. So what, what's happening? How are you thinking about funding in this moment?
- [06:05]
Jacob Adams
I think I'm always thinking about funding, but when I think about what's going on or what has happened, like with the wildfires back in January and then this was nowhere near as damaging as that. But I saw a headline the other day. Whereas, like, in Southern California, there was mudslides, heavy snow and flooding, and we've got a tornado warning, too. I was like, oh, my goodness, we're getting it all. Just like, there's quiet. There's some huge problems facing all of us right now. And these are problems that impacting everybody, but disproportionately impacting, like, black communities, brown communities, poor communities. And so while, like, I think what I'm thinking in terms of the funding is how to make sure we're communicating like that to funders. Like, we're staring at some really big problems and if we want to be able to solve them, like, we can't leave anybody behind. And, like, the work we're doing is trying to build resiliency within the communities that often have most to gain and the most to give, but are often neglected. And so investing in the org, like ours and orgs who are doing work in our community is like, you're actually investing in the broader society.
- [07:11]
Rhea Wong
Yeah, I love that. Actually, it was just on a podcast episode earlier today, and I was talking. Talking to Christy Peoples about. Because she leads women's awareness herself as a woman of color. And we were talking about the analogy of a forest, which is, like, with trees and animals and fungi and all of it. It's all interconnected. And when one part of the forest is suffering, it creates problems for the whole ecosystem. And I think we. The more we start to think about our interdependence as humans, I think will hopefully make different decisions because we're thinking about the health of not just ourselves, but of the whole ecosystem.
- [07:51]
Jacob Adams
Yeah, exactly. Exactly. Yeah.
- [07:53]
Rhea Wong
All right, let me switch tax here, because, Jacob, one of the things that I very much appreciate about you and I know your funders love you, is you're very authentic. The person that you are right now on the phone with me is the same person who walks into funder meetings, is the same person, I assume, who walks into, like, your mom's house for dinner. It seems like you are very real. You're very authentic. And I'm just curious how this has helped you to cultivate really close relationships with your funders, because I think there is this, and I definitely had it. There's almost, like, performative aspect of I gotta be professional. Like, I gotta be buttoned up. I gotta be a certain way in order to quote, unquote, belong or quote, unquote, get funded or whatever it may be. So how. I guess my question is, like, how is it that you are so comfortable in your own skin and, like, just being who you are?
- [08:50]
Jacob Adams
Yeah, what else? And I would say I am the same. Like, even at my mom's house. The only difference is I have to call her ma'am. But other than that. And I think a lot of it comes from, like, my mom, my uncle, my grandma, my sister who raised me. I never felt pressure to be anyone other than myself. I can even think about how I was dressing as a kid. There's. I had a baggy jeans phase. I had. I had, like, skateboard fit phase. I had the basketball, the N1 apparel phase. And they just let me do it all and, like, constantly figure out who I wanted to be and how I wanted to dress, and I never felt pushed, like, any one way. So say a lot of it. And then even I remember, like, the first sport I did for a long time, it was like, gymnastics, which is very, like, uncharacteristic for, like, I was a boy, let alone a black boy. I was the only one at the gym for a long time. But they were like, hey, that's what you want to do. Go ahead, you can do it. So shout out to my family for making me feel confident in who I am, while also, like, make me stay humble at the same time. So I think that's where it started. But then I think back to when I was teaching at that. At the school we were talking about earlier. Like, there, they really wanted you to be a specific type of person. And my co teacher at the time got really sick, and she was out for, like, months. And I think after two days of being there by myself, I was like, yeah, I can't keep pretending to be someone else. Like, this is hard enough to do the job, and it's even harder to do it acting like somebody who's not me. So I think that as like, a professional is when I start to shake off this idea that I need to be someone other than myself. Yeah. And then I could. Yeah, I could jump to more recent, like, with the fundraising.
- [10:27]
Rhea Wong
But let's talk about the fundraising, because the thing that I know about you and this, like, you and I actually met through a funder. And what I've heard universally from people who fund you is, like, people are huge fans. Like, it's like a Jacob fan club. And I've not met a funder yet, really, who has met you and not wanted to throw money at you. So I guess my question to you is, what is your philosophy when it comes to networking? Because I. When I hear networking, I think, like, icky, transactional. I always think about that guy you meet at a cocktail party who's always looking over your shoulder at, is there someone more important than you I could be talking to? So what is your philosophy when it comes to networking? And how is it that you've turned people into these raging Jacob Adams fans?
- [11:11]
Jacob Adams
Yeah, I think some of it is my personality. Like, I never. I'm really comfortable with people that I know and people I connect with. And so I could have, like, real deep conversations with a small group of people and feel, like, totally fine, but if I'm in a room full of, like, unfamiliar people and the goal is just to talk to as many people as possible, I can start to feel really shy. And so as a result, like, instead of. There is, like, a part. Some of these relationships, even Funder, that introduced us, like, we were in a room full of people and I just went up and talked to them. But so there is still. That is still a part of it. But even in that, it's okay. If I'm going to go commit to talking to these folks, like, I'm gonna just be there and be in that conversation and not trying to quickly figure out, like, what can I get from them, and then if I like it, stay there and if not, hop to the next conversation. Like, I would rather prioritize having much, like, deeper connections with people and then from there, like, building on that, because I think, like, one, we. We both get to, like, really know each other relatively quickly. And then if we like each other, kind of like dating, if we like each other, cool, we'll keep talking, keep getting to know each other and, like, developing that relationship. If not, we won't and, like, we'll just go our separate ways. But then it just frees up time for another relationship. So I think that, like, the. By prioritizing more, like, deeper, stronger relationships, it's allowed, like, me to just build trust in them and then also I think for them to build trust in me, which allows us to have, like, we know each other outside of the work, which I think is, like, super helpful. Yeah, but we also. It's one thing I was. I would add, we're also just. I'm not just trying to dump all my most vulnerable stuff on them either. I also treat it the same way. I would build a friendship or relationship. Like, it takes time to get to know those parts of me, and even a lot of them still don't know all that.
- [12:59]
Rhea Wong
But yeah, yeah, I want to unpack this because I think there's a lot here that for folks, can take away, which is, in my experience of you, you really approach these conversations with curiosity. It seems to me that you're not necessarily approaching these conversations like, oh, what am I going to get from this person? But rather what is in this moment that we can share. And then you also have this aspect of your personality, which I think is very endearing. And everyone who's listening to this, like, you too, can implement the strategy. You're very humble about what you don't know, and you're open to letting people help you. And I think that is a very endearing quality because then people want to help you because you're, like, super open. You're very grateful. For it versus someone who feels like, oh, I'm a know it all. Oh, I don't need your help. I know all the things. Right.
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Jacob Adams
That's.
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Rhea Wong
It's very hard to help someone who doesn't act like they need help.
- [13:58]
Jacob Adams
Yeah. And I know I need help. I remember, like, one of my, like, mentors in high school saying something like that. He was like, yeah, you're gonna be all right. Because whenever you don't know something, like, you find the person you get to help or you find the person that knows it. And, yeah, I've. I'm glad he said that because since then I've seen that as a, like a gift and not a crutch like it could feel. Especially when you're, like, leading an organization, people almost expect you to always have the answers. But most of the time I have. I feel like often I'm meeting questions with questions and not to just be like a contrarian, but I really. And trying to develop a deeper understanding before I just throw my opinion out there. So, yeah, I think I. I could see that for sure. And that curiosity, like, I'm just curious about people, like, especially as I'm growing up. I'm growing up, but. Yeah, we're all growing up. But, like, a lot of these funders are a little older, too, and I'm just curious to what's going on in their life, like, how do they get to where they are? You know, what, how do they balance, like, the things they care about and have a family like that, but, like, how they balance all the different priorities. And so those are things I'm interested in too, just as a person. Yeah, these are also cool people, so that helps as well.
- [15:03]
Rhea Wong
Yeah. And I think one of the things that really, I think resonates with funders is you look at them as people first, funders second. And I think, especially when you're a funder, you're so used to being networked. You're so used to people, like, being transactional. You're so used to them wanting something from you. It's almost like being a celebrity and you're like, I'm going to be so super guarded because I know someone's going to want something from me. And I think the person who approaches you as person first, then funder second, or person first, then celebrity second, is the person who's going to break through the noise. Does that resonate with you?
- [15:36]
Jacob Adams
Yeah, it does. And because sometimes it feels like I'm supposed to. I have to catch myself because I might be with someone and they'll introduce me to a funder and I'm like, okay. And this is the part where I'm supposed to start pitching, but it's like we just met and if it's. This isn't the, like, if this space wasn't made for that, I just don't want to hop right into that. Although there's something in my mind where it's like, you should be pitching, you should be pitching. I have to be like, no, don't do that, don't do that. So that that voice is there. But I feel like that, like, my level of self awareness allows me to know that voice isn't really me. I think that's just that I've heard about and like, I've been taught to think about fundraising, but me as an individual, like that, that's not how I want to operate. So I have to turn that off and then just like get back and get to know them for who they are. But sometimes they're looking at me like, okay, come on, get to the pitch. And I'm like, it doesn't even feel right now.
- [16:29]
Rhea Wong
Yeah, I think too that there's a question you can ask. Right. Is now the right time for us to talk about funding? Because I also think when we get into pitch mode, it's very one sided. It's just I'm a talking head versus can we have a conversation? And, and sometimes you have to. There's a vibe that you feel. But I really believe that when you let people be in charge and grant permission, that's when they feel like you actually respect them as a person.
- [16:59]
Jacob Adams
Yeah, definitely. I won't say any names. Nobody could, hopefully nobody feel any type of way. But I had one of my funders reach out very recently and let me know that their child had got a scholarship, basically like full scholarship to college. And she was just like, yeah, I know this is personal, but like, you and I, that we're like, we're cool, we're close and like, this is important to me. So I want to share with you. And so stuff like that is like dope. Like, we're not. This has nothing to do with work. This is just like, because her and I got lunch one day and I was asking her, just asking her about like, what it's like being a mom and all of that. And we were talking about her kids and so it was relevant. So I could see why she was sharing it with me. But yeah, just like to know that we have that type of connection and she could share that stuff with Me and I could share different stuff like that with her and it not be weird. It'd just be like, yeah, we're getting to know each other, and we're, like, building a relationship without it feeling like trying to cross any boundaries in terms of, like, funder or fundy.
- [17:51]
Rhea Wong
Yeah. Okay, two last questions. So one of the things I really admire about you and Brooke and I have talked about this. So, Brooke, Richie Babbage is also your coach, and we. We talk about you, Jacob, is we really both appreciate that you have this bias towards action. Like, you're very decisive. You have a bias towards action. And I was just remembering the quote from Eisenhower this morning. Something to the effect of, a good decision is best a bad decision or worse. But worse than that is no decision at all. And I think what I have appreciated about you is you're ready to act, you're ready to fail. Forward. So my question to you is, what gives you the confidence to make quick decisions? And how has it worked out in your favor? And are there times when it hasn't worked out?
- [18:40]
Jacob Adams
Yeah, I think the confidence comes from, like, the. My belief that the best way to learn is to do. Sure. We need to read. I'm someone who thinks a lot. So, yes, we need to think. But you can only read and think so much. Like, you're really going to start to learn once you actually try to do something. And I love to learn. So, like, some of it is just like my confidence in knowing no matter what happens now, I'm at least going to get some information and get some data and I can try it if it works. And if not, I'll just do it differently next time. Yeah. And also not getting too attached to the outcome. Like, I'm more focused on. This sounds cliche, but honestly, me, like, I'm more focused on the process itself. Sure. The outcome. Like, if it's what I want, I'm gonna feel. I'm gonna feel happier, feel satisfied. If it's not, I'm gonna feel disappointed. But I'm able to, like, quickly move through those feelings and more. So just focus on that process. So I think that helps because it kind of removes the fear of doing something and failing. Because I know at a minimum, I'm gonna learn as long as I got some new information. Mission accomplished. To the second half of the question of when it hasn't worked. Well, I was trying to think of a specific scenario, but whenever it doesn't work, it's usually because I moved too quickly and I didn't think enough or didn't, like, plan enough. And when I look back, I'm like, oh, okay. If I would have just taken a little more time, this whole process could have been a lot faster. Oh yeah. I wish I could think of a specific example. I wanted it to come into mind. But that's always the drawback though. It's like the process just ends up taking way too long. Where if I were to talk to somebody or just slow down, it would have. The lessons would have. I would have learned the lessons a lot faster.
- [20:23]
Rhea Wong
Jacob, I'm. I'm with you. I am really speedy sometimes to my detriment, but for the most part, it's worked out pretty well. And I'm not an overthinker. You know, I've talked to Brooke, Brooke, Brooke and I talk about this a lot. I was not burdened with perfectionism, so I'm willing to do it messy. And I think that has been a huge driver of my success, honestly. So folks are out here listening to this podcast. Jacob and I are big proponents of do it fast, do it messy now.
- [20:52]
Jacob Adams
Yeah, for sure.
- [20:53]
Rhea Wong
Okay, Jacob, last question for you. I hope this is not too self serving, but you and I have now worked together for eight months. Right, 8ish months. What has that been like for you? I'm curious about any lessons learned, any changes that you feel like have come as a result of our working together.
- [21:08]
Jacob Adams
Yeah, I would say one of the main things that comes to mind is like the way that you go about fundraising, especially with like major donors, by treating them as people, like truly getting to know them and helping them achieve what it is they want to achieve through working together and not just trying to treat them like an atm. Like that whole philosophy and the approach has made me feel way more comfortable around major giving, especially since that's something I haven't focused on until recently. So not only do I feel comfortable doing it now, I also have the whole strategy and whole process, which is super helpful. It's like lying to my personality. It's aligned to how we even like to the organization's philosophy. So that's perfect. And I feel like just not like settling and like always being pushed to get like clearer with the messaging, get more concise to stay following up with people. Like I play, like you said, have that biased action. But you're able to help me make sure that those actions I'm taking are actually like once that will like they're efficient. I won't say high value, but not necessarily from like a money standpoint, but I guess it's all money. But I was thinking more from a time perspective as well. So yeah, I feel like I've learned a lot in eight months both from like our meetings and then also just like from taking the stuff you've taught me and then just like, why not trying it, coming telling you about it, getting more feedback and just like going through that cycle.
- [22:33]
Rhea Wong
Yeah, it's the iterative process which I know that you are all about at Inner Spark. Jacob, this has been so fun. It's. And I love working with you. So yay. Let's keep this going. Is there anything else that I should ask about that we haven't yet covered on this pod?
- [22:47]
Jacob Adams
I was just, you know, if you were going to ask how people could learn more about work, they could definitely subscribe to our newsletter. I don't know if we give you a link to put in the show notes, so that could be there. And also if you go to our website, innerspark lab.org you can sign up for our newsletter. We would love to keep you in the loop. Stay connected with all the great things our kids are doing to learn about themselves and to be able to like transform the community.
- [23:10]
Rhea Wong
That is awesome. You will make sure to put all the information in the show notes along with your LinkedIn profile. So, Jacob, who should be looking at your website? If I'm a funder, if I am a parent, like, who. Who would benefit from learning about what y'all are doing?
- [23:25]
Jacob Adams
Definitely from the like parent perspective. If you have kids in LA that. Yeah, if you have elementary or middle school kids in la, we for sure you could learn more about what we're doing and then either reach out to us so we can try to partner with your school or all of our programs are through school. So that would honestly be the main way. You're a principal or admin at a school. Definitely check out the website so you can learn about our work and see how we could partner either in school programs or professional development and also funders like as well check out our website like on there you'll learn more about the organization. And what I'm hoping people start to see is that like through the website is we're not going about education the same way people have traditionally. I was thinking about this earlier. I feel like a lot of education, like nonprofits or interventions, like they're just trying to put a nice outfit on education and we were creating like a brand new style and so you want to be inspired and see a new way of teaching that can actually create a different future. Check out the site and reach out.
- [24:25]
Rhea Wong
To us as you're talking. Jacob, it feels to me that what you're doing for all of these kids is what, like thousands of kids in LA Unified is what your parents did for you, which is give you the space to figure out who you are and what you care about. And it seems like that philosophy of your parents really resonated and has paid dividends for you above and beyond just who you are as a kid, but who you are as a person and that you're paying that forward. And so that's a beautiful thing. So thanks for all the work that you do for all of the kids in LA.
- [25:02]
Jacob Adams
We have choices.
- [25:04]
Rhea Wong
Hey, fundraisers. Looking to nail those big fundraising asks? Check out my big ask gift program at riawong.com bag say goodbye to uncertainty and hello to confidence with my program. Get expert strategies and personalized support to secure those gifts. Game changing donations, don't let fear hold you back. Join me and take your fundraising to new heights. We're enrolling now at Riawong. Com bag. That's riawong.com bag.
- [25:35]
So if you like big asks and.
- [25:37]
You cannot lie, I'll see you in the program.