How to Build a Nonprofit

He started with the idea of leveraging the growing gaming industry as a pathway out of poverty and towards a creative, meaningful career for youth, and, with Game Heads, has achieved extraordinary success. 

In this episode, host Jordan Thierry interviews the visionary behind GameHeads, Damon Packwood, as he shares his journey from growing up in San Francisco to founding a groundbreaking organization in Oakland. Discover how Damon's strategic partnership approach and commitment to community led to the creation of a unique program that bridges the gap between tech and underrepresented youth. Tune in to learn how GameHeads is shaping the future of the gaming industry and empowering the next generation of tech leaders.

It’s an awesome example of the magic that can happen when you invest in building relationships and are prepared to seize the moment. 

If you’re inspired by Damon and found this episode helpful, you can show your appreciation by making a donation to his organization at https://give.communityin.org/a1yq92?ref=sh_eB9BK6_ab_3FpjaGVbb0u3FpjaGVbb0u  

This episode was produced by Jordan Thierry of Dream Chase Media, with essential production and marketing expertise from Aranza Garcia and Issac Gsoria. 

For more episode content, grant and fellowship opportunities, and our book club chat room, visit https://howtobuildanonprofit.org


Creators and Guests

Host
Jordan Thierry
Jordan Thierry is a one-of-a-kind dude. He’s been called a master generalist, thought partner, community leader, documentary filmmaker, resource connector, international man of mystery—and that’s just the beginning. Jordan once dreamed of being a big-time filmmaker, but he could never quite pull himself away from activists, teachers, and social workers long enough to make it in Hollywood. Those are his people. And he’s always found more purpose in the movement than the industry. If you’ve worked with Jordan, you know he’s gracious, grounded, curious, and ambitious in that laid-back, West Coast kind of way. He’s also known for asking really good questions. A lot of them. Which is exactly why podcasting is such a natural fit. Too bad it doesn’t pay. So do him a solid—listen to an episode. He thinks he’s pretty good at it. You might agree.
Guest
Damon Packwood
Damon has more than 18 years of experience in the youth development and education fields, positions at Juma Ventures, Hack the Hood, and Upward Bound. A San Francisco native, he watched the city’s working-class community disappear with the rise of the Bay Area tech industry while his students couldn’t get jobs right out of college. His passion for education, interactive media, and multiculturalism led him to a master’s in multimedia tech with an emphasis on interactive design. For his thesis, he spent a year in the San Francisco Mission District studying the effect of technology on low-income communities. Damon believes that using video games to teach game design and development to “cultural alchemists” can help create the future tech zealots, digital rebels, and multimedia mavericks.

What is How to Build a Nonprofit?

How to Build a Nonprofit isn’t your typical “thought leader” podcast. It’s real talk with real people who’ve dared to start something meaningful—and managed to keep it going (most days).

Each episode dives into the messy, inspiring, behind-the-scenes stories of nonprofit founders and builders. We talk about the stuff people don’t usually put on grant reports—burnout, bad board decisions, flopped fundraisers, surprising wins, and the little pivots that made a big difference.

If you’re starting a nonprofit, scaling one, or just wondering if you’re the only one making it up as you go… you’re in the right place. This show is here to remind you: you’re not alone, you’re not crazy, and yes—this work is still worth doing.