Let the Light Shine: Building a Platform for Change with Michael Pace of Social Good Fund

In this episode of Built for Good, host Kian Alavi sits down with Michael Pace, founder and CEO of Social Good Fund—one of the nation’s most impactful nonprofits supporting grassroots changemakers. Michael shares his personal journey: the frustrations that inspired him to create Social Good Fund, how he intentionally lowered barriers to fiscal sponsorship, and the driving philosophy at the heart of his work—helping others shine their light into the world.

The conversation explores key learnings for emerging and established nonprofits, including the importance of building the right team, leveraging technology for greater impact, and prioritizing self-care to prevent burnout. Michael and Kian also discuss leadership values, the evolving fiscal sponsorship landscape, current sector challenges, and the power of nonprofit collaboration in times of uncertainty.

Michael’s inspiring stories, especially from seeing Social Good Fund’s real world impact in African communities, remind us of the direct and often unseen change nonprofits spark every day. This is a must-listen for anyone interested in nonprofit leadership, social innovation, and building resilient, mission-driven teams.

Timestamped Overview
00:00 Intro & Michael’s Background
05:26 Creating Community Support Initiative
08:08 Cultivating Joy and Positive Influence
10:54 Building Social Good Fund Origins
16:14 Building the Right Team
18:26 Finding Leadership Within
23:38 Navigating Technological Advancements Alone
24:14 Pioneering Real-Time Financial Access
28:04 Tech Adoption Challenges in Organizations
30:35 Creating Secure Work Environments
34:12 Burnout and Self-Reflection
39:36 Commitment to Community-Driven Culture
43:20 Unity in Adversity: Collaborative Resilience
44:32 Grounded Humanity Amidst Technology
50:13 Clean Water Access Transforms Village
51:27 Transformation Through Social Good Fund
54:56 Gratitude for Rare Insights