The Greater Sum is celebrating our second anniversary this week, and we’re kicking off the festivities by opening the virtual doors to two new resources on our website.
n our work with early-stage nonprofits, we see the same pattern again and again. Founders are committed and capable. The work is real. Progress is real, yet things feel harder than they should.
What usually isn’t missing is vision or effort. It’s bandwidth.
Bandwidth is the breathing room to make sound decisions about what matters most. Without it, organizations get stuck reacting rather than building, making growth harder to sustain.
That’s why, in 2026, we’re centering our work around what we’re calling a Culture of Bandwidth.
By that, we don’t mean self-care as a personal responsibility or productivity systems designed to squeeze more out of already overstretched leaders. We mean something more structural. A Culture of Bandwidth shows up in how work is designed and how capacity is built over time. It’s about creating conditions where mission-driven work can last.
If you're looking for the most effective way to support nonprofits, especially those just getting started, monthly giving is a game-changer. It's not just about convenience; it's about creating sustained, meaningful impact for organizations working hard to grow with limited resources.
Why Monthly Giving Matters for Nonprofits
Monthly donations provide predictable income, allowing nonprofits to plan ahead, budget wisely, and invest in programs that create real change. For early-stage nonprofits, that kind of stability can be transformational. Many of these organizations are led by passionate founders doing the work themselves, often without dedicated fundraising staff. They’re juggling service delivery, operations, and growth, so every dollar that doesn’t have to be spent on fundraising counts.
That’s where monthly donors come in.
The need for bold, innovative solutions has never been greater. We’re constantly inspired by the nonprofit leaders we support—big thinkers tackling big challenges in education, healthcare, social justice, and more.
Our programs give early-stage nonprofits the funding, mentorship, and expert connections they need to grow. While pitch competitions and matching gifts make a splash, alumni gain significant strategic support from the incubator and alumni programs.
founder story, spotlight
Heroic Gardens is a nonprofit that provides free gardening services to U.S. veterans in Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs of Pennsylvania, Northern Delaware and South Jersey. It also operates a virtual program in 24 states, including Alaska and Hawaii. Founder Collie Turner shares her story behind its creation and the lessons learned along the way.
The seeds for Heroic Gardens were planted many years ago, somewhat unexpectedly. While caring for her grandmother, Collie discovered that her grandfather’s military death benefits had never been claimed. After a frustrating three-year journey of navigating the VA system, she met a local veteran who took time out of her regular role helping veterans secure housing, to help get her grandmother’s application reviewed and approved. This woman’s kindness sparked a question in Collie’s mind: How can I give back?
In her role as the Director of Social Impact & Sustainability at UF’s Warrington College of Business, Dr. Kristin Joys has connected us with MANY of Greater Sum’s most cherished interns. When we gathered to discuss internships earlier this summer, she shared some tips for successful, meaningful experiences with interns. Dr. Joys has given permission for us to share them more broadly here.
