Phoenix (STN) – For nonprofits, growth often depends on more than funding. It requires partnerships that provide stability and room to expand.
During the April episode of ‘It Happens at STN,’ Melissa Kowalski, CEO of the 100 Club and Lloyd Hopkins, founder of the Million Dollar Teacher Project shared how partnership has helped them scale their work and serve more people.
Kowalski recalled how support from Arizona Financial Credit Union and its Arizona Financial Foundation helped the organization navigate a critical moment in 2013 following the loss of 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots.
“We did not have the funds to support those losses,” she said. “They told us to keep writing checks. Keep supporting families. Even if we were in the red.”
That relationship has since grown to include shared space, allowing the organization to expand its team and services.
“That allowed us to serve more first responders,” Kowalski said.
WATCH: How one partnership is helping nonprofits scale impact in Arizona
Hopkins agreed and explained how the access to space has also helped his organization grow.
“It allows us to build a team and be intentional about our culture,” he said.
The shared environment has created opportunities for collaboration and connection between organizations serving different populations.
“There’s a lot of crossover,” Kowalski said. “We can share ideas and resources.”
For both leaders, the message was clear: partnerships built on trust and shared purpose can unlock growth that money alone cannot achieve.
