Scott Stirrett went to Goldman Sachs for the prestige and left to build his own nonprofit. He spent nine months testing his idea for Venture for Canada on nights and weekends before committing to it full-time. He then grew it into a national organization with an annual budget of more than USD 10 million, wrote The Uncertainty Advantage, and stepped away after twelve years.

If you are thinking of starting a nonprofit, this episode offers practical lessons from someone who has built and led one. Scott shares how he tested his idea before leaving his job, why fundraising is particularly difficult in the early years, and what it takes to build an effective organization that can adapt and thrive beyond its founder. He discusses the importance of strong management practices and of engaged boards. He is also candid about privilege, financial safety nets, and the pull of status, in banking and in nonprofits. And he shares how anyone can start building their capacity to take risks, even without making a dramatic career leap.

Resources mentioned

About Scott:

• Scott’s Book: The Uncertainty Advantage: https://www.scottstirrett.com/the-uncertainty-advantage
• Scott’s newsletter: https://scottstirrett.substack.com
• Venture for Canada: https://ventureforcanada.ca

Ecosystem resources:

• Ambitious Impact, Charity Entrepreneurship Incubation Program: https://www.ambitiousimpact.com
• High Impact Professionals, Impact Accelerator Program: https://www.highimpactprofessionals.org/impact-accelerator-program

Data & Research:

• Six Ways Non-Profit Entrepreneurs are Distinct from “Traditional” Entrepreneurs https://www.kauffman.org/currents/six-ways-non-profit-entrepreneurs-are-distinct-from-traditional-entrepreneurs/