Today we chat with Tim Smith Gerding, President and Founder of Blackbird Collective.
Tim focuses on helping nonprofits grow, connect, and operate more effectively. In this conversation, we discuss common issues non-profits face, and what led to our new partnership, the Earnest Impact Lab
This episode was sponsored by our friends at Green Wave Electric Vehicles, who just opened their second location in Salem, MA!
Get your tickets here for our next Granite Goodness live show! March 27 at 3S Artspace in Portsmouth, NH.
Below is an abridged and edited overview featuring highlights from the conversation.
What problem are you trying to solve right now in the nonprofit world?
Nonprofits are in a real moment of instability. There is burnout, leadership turnover, funding uncertainty, and rising costs. A lot of organizations are just trying to survive, not grow. The goal is to help them not only stabilize, but actually come out stronger by working together instead of operating in isolation.
What does that look like in practice?
It means creating structures where organizations can collaborate more easily. Instead of each nonprofit trying to do everything themselves, we help combine strengths. One group’s program, another’s technology, another’s strategy. When you put those together, you can reach and serve more people.
You describe your work as a collective. What do you mean by that?
A collective is a group of people with complementary skill sets working in partnership. Nonprofits often have to manage multiple vendors across legal, fundraising, strategy, and coaching. We try to bring that under one umbrella so they can focus on their mission instead of coordination.
Why is this moment particularly challenging for nonprofits?
There is a convergence of pressures. Leadership is aging out, fewer people are entering the sector, funding is uncertain, and teams are stretched thin. At the same time, cost of living is rising, which makes it harder to retain talent. All of that creates a fragile system.
What is the Earnest Impact Lab?
The Earnest Impact Lab is an initiative designed to help nonprofits navigate this moment more intentionally. It creates space for organizations to come together, assess their strengths, and explore collaboration in a structured way. That can mean shared services, deeper partnerships, or even mergers, all with the goal of increasing impact and long term sustainability.
Why do so many impactful organizations struggle to get attention or funding?
Because the people doing the best work are often focused on the work itself, not on storytelling or fundraising. It is rare to find someone who can both execute at a high level and also communicate, build momentum, and attract resources.
What is unique about the nonprofit ecosystem in New Hampshire?
There are a lot of organizations and a strong culture of civic engagement. People care deeply about their communities. But resources are limited and spread out geographically, which makes coordination harder and leaves some organizations without visibility or support.
You have mentioned collaboration a lot. Why is it not happening more already?
Partly because of structure and incentives. There is limited funding, so organizations can feel like they are competing. There is also identity. People build something and feel ownership over it. Collaboration requires trust, and that takes time and intentional support.
You have even suggested mergers. Why go that far?
Because in some cases it is the most effective way to scale impact. But it has to be done from a position of strength, not desperation. These are emotional decisions. There are staff, communities, and reputations involved, so they need to be handled carefully.
That sounds uncomfortable!
It is. There is ego, identity, and fear involved. But if the goal is impact, combining strengths can sometimes be the best path forward. The key is framing it as growth and opportunity rather than failure.
You talk about the important of joy a lot. Why?
Nonprofit work is heavy and often deals with serious challenges. We want to bring energy, optimism, and collaboration into that space. At the same time, we balance that with efficiency. We do not want to be another burden on already stretched organizations.
What gives you optimism right now?
The opportunity. Even though the sector is under pressure, there is a chance to rethink how things are done. More collaboration, more shared infrastructure, and more intentional growth. If we get it right, nonprofits can be more effective than they have ever been.
*In this episode, I (Andy) referenced a couple of my favorite progress trends. In one of them I said that “deforestation in the Amazon had basically gone to zero”. I was thinking of this story from Mongabay, showing that Amazon deforestation is approaching an all time low. Not technically zero, but wanted to back up and clarify that statement!
