Redefining Philanthropy & Board Service | Ryan Ponsford on Nonprofit Strategy and Giving with Purpose

Nonprofit boards, board governance, philanthropy, donor engagement, and nonprofit strategy are front and center in this episode of the Nonprofit Counsel Podcast. Host May Harris sits down with Ryan Ponsford, co-founder of Gateway for Good and founder of Main Street Philanthropy, to talk about how giving and board service can create deeper connections, stronger organizations, and even help reunite a divided world.

Ryan shares his journey from private banking into the nonprofit sector, starting with his first uncomfortable board experience where asking tough questions revealed major financial issues. He explains why healthy boards welcome questions, why unhealthy boards avoid them, and how board members can move from being “bobbleheads” to true mission-driven leaders

You’ll also hear the story behind Main Street Philanthropy, a program that teaches families, students, and communities how to give with purpose—focusing on love of humankind rather than just writing checks. Ryan reveals why he believes giving is the key to rebuilding empathy and connection in today’s divided society

What You Will Learn in This Episode

✅ Why asking tough questions is the duty of every nonprofit board member
✅ How Main Street Philanthropy teaches financial literacy, trust, and empathy through giving
✅ Why redefining philanthropy as “love of humankind” empowers everyone to be a philanthropist
✅ How giving together builds stronger families, boards, and communities

Is your nonprofit ready to align investments, policies, and technology with your mission? Visit NonprofitCouncil.com to access strategies and tools to help you build sustainable impact and lead with confidence.

Key Timestamps

• 0:00 Why giving starts with action: “Feelings follow actions”

• 1:00 Meet Ryan Ponsford: from private banking to nonprofit boards

• 2:04 First board experience: silence, questions, and red flags

• 4:41 What healthy vs. unhealthy boards look like

• 6:32 The duty to ask questions and avoid being a “bobblehead board”

• 7:49 Different types of boards: working, fundraising, and governance

• 10:48 Founding Main Street Philanthropy: giving as a teaching tool

• 13:27 Students discovering empathy through giving—even rival gang members

• 18:18 Redefining philanthropy: love of humankind, not money

• 20:07 Scaling the program: 100+ classes nationwide and digital tools

• 23:23 Helping families navigate wealth transfer and avoid division

• 26:40 Why family conversations matter more than spreadsheets

• 33:00 Asking the right questions vs. floating on the surface

• 34:39 Final encouragement: start small, do something kind, and let giving lead to empathy
  
  

Key Takeaways

🔹 Healthy boards thrive on questions—silence is a red flag
🔹 Philanthropy is about empathy and love, not just writing checks
🔹 Giving creates connection and can reunite divided communities
🔹 Families who talk openly about values and wealth transitions avoid conflict later

Guest Bio

Ryan Ponsford is the co-founder of Gateway for Good, a public benefit corporation, and founder of the nonprofit Main Street Philanthropy. With a background in private banking and wealth consulting, Ryan helps families and organizations connect across generations and communities through intentional giving. His passion lies in redefining philanthropy, strengthening nonprofit boards, and showing that giving is the action that leads to empathy and love.

Resources & Links

• For Profit Law Group - Website - https://www.fplglaw.com 

• Nonprofit Counsel - Website - https://www.nonprofitcounsel.com/ 

• https://www.ryanponsford.com/ 

• https://www.gatewayforgood.com/ 

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanponsford
  
  

 

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