Cordell’s career has spanned philanthropy, policy, leadership development, and international convenings. At the core of his work is one mission: connecting people across cultures, sectors, and geographies to spark collaboration and impact.
From his leadership of Aspen’s Project on Belonging to the Festival of the Diaspora’s global gatherings, Cordell champions cross-cultural connection and mentorship. In this conversation, he offers candid insights on the future of philanthropy, the urgent need for efficiency in nonprofits, and how humility in leadership can transform organizations.
He also unpacks why mergers may be the survival strategy nonprofits need, why funders should be bolder with long-term bets, and why partnerships with local governments often unlock new levels of sustainability.
Highlights from the Conversation
- Philanthropy should be more risk-taking. Foundations are too often risk-averse, forgetting that their role is catalytic, not conservative.
- Not every nonprofit needs to exist. Duplication drains resources. Funders can and should incentivize mergers and collaborations.
- Efficiency is survival. Leaders must be willing to cut, restructure, and refocus to protect the mission.
- Partnerships matter. Local government and community foundations are critical allies for long-term sustainability.
- Leadership is about humility. Creating upwardly mobile experiences for staff, retaining talent, and being willing to admit mistakes are all essential.
- Global belonging. The Festival of the Diaspora creates spaces for cross-cultural collaboration, highlighting innovation from often-overlooked leaders.
About Charity Charge:Charity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the
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What is The Charity Charge Show - Nonprofit Podcast?
Scaling a mission requires more than passion, it requires high-discipline leadership, financial innovation, and strategic resilience. Hosted by Stephen Garten, The Charity Charge Show goes behind the scenes with nonprofit CEOs, social impact innovators, and community leaders. From the TGR Foundation to the Sierra Club, we deconstruct the operational models, fundraising breakthroughs, and "durable skills" driving real-world impact. Power your mission with actionable insights from the front lines of the nonprofit sector.