1 in 2 American adults is struggling with social connection, and fewer than 20% are thriving. Aaron Hurst, the social entrepreneur behind the Taproot Foundation and the pro bono movement, says that's why volunteering and giving are collapsing, and why nonprofits hold the key to reversing it.
Guest co-host Susan McPherson, author of The Lost Art of Connecting, joins us to dig into the U.S. Chamber of Connection's Six Points of Connection report, the first national index of its kind.
In this episode, you'll hear:
- Why the sector doesn't have a philanthropy problem or a volunteer problem. It has a social connection problem.
- The six points of connection every person needs, and the one the data says matters most
- Why your nonprofit should start measuring connection outcomes now, before the funding arrives
You'll walk away seeing your organization for what it already is: connection infrastructure for your community. 🩵
Episode Highlights:
- (4:07) Aaron's origin story and journey to where he is today
- (7:34) "What do you most want in the world?"
- (12:30) The Six Points of Connection report
- (15:48) 1 in 2 Americans is struggling, and philanthropy is feeling it
- (18:19) Nonprofits as connection infrastructure
- (19:20) Start capturing connection outcomes now
- (22:24) Why loneliness shuts down empathy
- (25:27) One good thing: hope
Episode Show Notes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/746
Meet Givebutter. 💛 Fundraising, donor management, and marketing, all in one place.
And they just launched a whole lot more. Givebutter Magic puts AI to work, building campaigns and suggesting goals in minutes. Donors get their own branded portal for receipts and recurring gifts. Plus, send video messages right from Givebutter.
Same platform we love. Way more possible. See what’s new at weareforgood.com/givebutter.
//
Join the We Are For Good Community—completely free.
Join fellow changemakers, share takeaways from this working session, and keep collaborating in a space built for connection, inspiration, and real impact: www.weareforgoodcommunity.com
Say hi 👋
LinkedIn / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Twitter
