passion inspires

Ep 9.  In this episode of our Nonprofit Changemakers series of Passion Inspires, we sit down with Nonprofit Consultant and Author, Kevin Eastway, as he completely reframes how we should think about fundraising and donor relationships. Kevin shares honestly how fundraising didn’t feel like a two-way street at first; it felt like he had to convince people to give, treating them like ATMs. To him, this transactional approach felt inau...

Ep 8. In this second episode of our Nonprofit Changemakers series, we sit down with Beth Fisher, author of Remorseless, cancer survivor, and former Chief Advancement Officer at Mel Trotter Ministries, to unpack what it really means to lead with heart, strategy, and equity in the nonprofit world. After 25 years in corporate sales, Beth made a bold shift to the nonprofit sector, bringing with her a business mindset rooted in compas...

Ep 7.  As part of our new series, The Nonprofit Changemakers, we sit down with Lisa Mathews, CEO of 70x7 Life Recovery, an organization walking alongside men and women returning to society after incarceration. Lisa shares the unique challenges returning citizens face, like barriers to housing and employment, decision fatigue, shame, and re-entering a world that has moved on without them.

Lisa also reflects on her journey from a “re...

Ep 6. In this deeply moving episode, we dive into the remarkable journey of Paws With a Cause, a nonprofit that trains assistance dogs to transform lives. What starts as a story of financial hardship becomes a testimony to the power of passion and storytelling. Jeff shares how Scott Allen Creative unexpectedly landed a pitch with Paws at a time when the organization was in crisis. Competing against top-tier firms, he doubted thei...

Ep 5.  In this heartfelt episode, Jeff reflects on his journey of discovering and partnering with Senior Neighbors, a Grand Rapids nonprofit committed to serving older adults. What began as a casual hallway conversation with then-Executive Director, Bob Barnes, evolved into a transformative collaboration centered around one powerful insight: as people age, they often lose key relationships and face increasing isolation. From that...

Ep 4.  In this uplifting podcast episode, Jeff celebrates the powerful creative partnership his team at Scott Allen Creative had with Mary Buikema, former Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Kent County. From the deeply moving “I See a Castle” Annual Report, inspired by the words of a young girl seeing her Habitat home for the first time, to the transformative “Building Blocks” Campaign, this episode highlights the impa...

Ep 3.  In this episode, Jeff shares the powerful story of Rev. Dr. Judy, who answered God’s calling to leave a life of wealth and comfort to serve the vulnerable in the Kibera slums. What began as a small act of compassion for four women in need, has now blossomed into Home Care Spiritual Fellowship, a ministry serving thousands through education, job training, and Bible Clubs.

Jeff also shares the story of Samuel, a young man born...

Ep 2.  In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Jeff Johnson, President of International Needs USA, to explore the humble beginnings of this global nonprofit.

From what started as a single $5 gift, to a recent vision to raise $1 million to reach 1 million, Jeff shares how small gifts can create lasting impact when led by faith.

Learn more about the history of International Needs, how it operates as an Indigenous-led ministry, an...

Ep. 1  I always wondered why cups of cold water were important to the One who taught us so much about sacrificial love. He said, “If anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones he will be rewarded.”

My father exemplified that to me. Every day he would show small acts of thoughtfulness to those around him. I reme...

Why do great designs stand out? While it may be challenging to pinpoint the exact reason, most people can recognize them instantly. In this episode, we explore the fundamental principles that guide designers in their creative process. Our goal is to provide you with a deeper understanding and practical insights into crafting exceptional designs.

Hosted by Jeff Terpstra and Jayson Brewer through Scott Allen Creative, a marketing age...

Writing is the bridge to people’s hearts. In the latest episode, we discuss "Stein on Writing" by Sol Stein. The book is a masterclass on effective communication and storytelling, offering insights that nonprofits can leverage to improve their messaging. Sol Stein wrote, “Readers don’t want to be told what to think or feel—they want to experience it for themselves.” We vaguely tell our audience to buy (and read) the book.

Hosted by...

When it comes to naming or renaming your organization, it’s easy to feel the weight of the decision. A name is often the first impression, a lasting one that will shape how people view your brand. Whether you’re starting fresh or considering a rebrand, two primary approaches can help guide the process.

Hosted by Jeff Terpstra and Jayson Brewer through Scott Allen Creative, a marketing agency in Grand Rapids, MI. Your passion is our...

Hear the story behind the rebrand that Scott Allen Creative did for a nonprofit organization in Arizona that went from Veterans Heritage Project to Imprints of Honor and the lessons we learned from the process. Learn more about Imprints of Honor at https://www.imprintsofhonor.org/

Hosted by Jeff Terpstra and Jayson Brewer through Scott Allen Creative, a marketing agency in Grand Rapids, MI. Your passion is our inspiration. Watch th...

You may be thinking of rebranding your organization. Rebranding may come in the form of a new name or an entire new visual identity. How do you know if it’s a good time to rebrand? In this episode, we’ll share two reasons why you shouldn’t rebrand and three reasons why you should. 

Hosted by Jeff Terpstra and Jayson Brewer through Scott Allen Creative, a marketing agency in Grand Rapids, MI. Your passion is our inspiration. Watch t...

In the realm of market research, looking to experts can provide invaluable guidance. By understanding what industry leaders are saying, we can align our strategies with broader research and societal attitudes. The greater conversations about our nonprofit's mission may be beneficial in determining a marketing objective. In this episode, we do a case study of how studying psychology experts helped craft a lead brand statement for a ...

You can learn a lot by looking at your competition and looking at those who are simply knocking it out of the park (experts) regardless of endeavor or application. How should these two approaches be combined to get the results you are looking for in marketing? In this episode, we discuss why the two different approaches in external research is important before starting the creative process.

Hosted by Jeff Terpstra and Jayson Brewer...

One-on-one interviews are the most effective way to gather the quantitative research you are looking for. This is where you can discover your belief, your hero, or how you can best make an impact in the world. The interviews help provide the understanding of why you’re doing what you’re doing.  It gets to the heart of the organization more clearly. In this episode, we discuss these methods of market research and how interviews shou...

One of the first things we do in marketing is look at all the outward demographics - age, race, gender, income, geography, etc. We can identify what makes us different from each other and we try to understand how those differences can help us market to other people better. But, what if we asked the question, “How are we alike?” when we begin the marketing process? How would that shift your messaging or appeal? In this episode, we d...