In this episode, we explore one of the most pressing challenges facing the social sector today: economic mobility. While the idea of the “American Dream” suggests that upward mobility is widely available, the data tells a more complicated story. Only about 64% of Americans believe those opportunities exist, and research shows that a significant portion of income advantage is passed from one generation to the next.

To dig deeper into this issue, I’m joined by Dr. Michelle Carrera-Morales of Xiente, an organization working directly with families to build pathways from poverty to the middle class.

In this conversation, we cover:

• How economic mobility is defined and experienced at the community level

• Structural barriers like housing, employment, childcare, and the “benefits cliff”

• What guaranteed income is—and how it works in practice

• How Xiente is implementing a pilot program combining cash transfers with holistic supports

• The role of data and research in understanding impact, including partnerships with the University of Pennsylvania

• What early signals suggest about financial stability, decision-making, and long-term outcomes

One of the most compelling themes in this episode is the idea that stability creates possibility. When families are no longer operating in constant survival mode, it opens the door to longer-term thinking, planning, and opportunity.

This episode is for anyone working in human services, public health, behavioral health, or economic development who is thinking about how to move from short-term stabilization to long-term mobility.

Learn more at www.commongooddata.com/podcast

What does it really take to build a sustainable nonprofit or social sector organization?In this solo episode, I share a simple but powerful metaphor that’s been sticking with me: most organizations are trying to cross a bridge that is only half built. You have the mission. You have the programs. You’re doing meaningful work. But something is missing between that work and the consistent funding needed to sustain it.I walk through the Clarity–Impact–Funding (CIF) Model, a practical framework I use to understand why so many organizations struggle with sustainability, and what to do about it.In this episode, I cover:

• Why “working harder” is not the solution to funding challenges
• The difference between outputs and outcomes, and why it matters
• How to define clear, focused outcomes that align with your programs
• What strong evidence of impact actually looks like (beyond a few stories)
• Why funding should not be treated as separate from your program work
• How to connect your impact to what funders are actually looking for
• The real goal behind all of this work: building trust

At the core of this episode is a shift in mindset. When funders ask for data or reports, they are not just asking for information. They are asking whether they can trust your organization to deliver meaningful results.I also share a practical next step: a free CIF Scorecard to help you diagnose where your organization may have gaps across clarity, impact, and funding, and where to focus first.🔗 Access the scorecard: https://commongooddata.scoreapp.com🔗 Learn more or get support: https://www.commongooddata.com/consultIf you’re a nonprofit leader, evaluator, or social sector professional trying to connect your mission to sustainable funding, this episode offers a clear place to start.

You don’t need more data. You need a better story.

In this episode of the Common Good Data Podcast, Drew Reynolds and Roger Suclupe sit down with Candice Jordan, Chief Development Officer at Atlanta Habitat for Humanity, to explore how nonprofits can turn data into compelling stories that actually drive funding.

Many organizations collect data. But the real challenge is knowing how to use it strategically.

Candice shares how the most effective organizations take a backwards design approach starting with a deep understanding of their funders, and then shaping their data, stories, and visuals to align with what those funders care about most.

This conversation explores:

• Why more data does not automatically lead to more funding

• How prospect research helps you understand what funders actually value

• What it means to “reverse engineer” your story around your audience

• How to combine quantitative data, qualitative stories, and visuals for maximum impact

• Why participant voice is often your most powerful source of insight

• The difference between outputs and outcomes and how it affects your funding success

One of the most important takeaways from this episode is the idea of intentional storytelling using data not as the starting point, but as a tool shaped by your strategy, your audience, and your message.

If you are involved in fundraising, development, nonprofit leadership, or communications, this episode will help you rethink how you position your work and connect with funders in a more compelling way.

Learn more about Atlanta Habitat for Humanity, explore our free course, Break the Starvation Cycle, and take the Nonprofit Clarity + Impact + Funding Resilience Scorecard.