Transforming Lives Through Water Equity with Shilpa Alva
02/12/25 • 35 min
Shilpa Alva is the visionary founder of Surge for Water, a women-led, women-centered nonprofit dedicated to providing marginalized global communities with access to safe water, sanitation, hygiene, and menstrual health solutions.
Under Shilpa’s leadership, Surge has impacted over 1 million lives and created more than 2,000 community jobs, while advancing sustainable water equity around the globe.
Shilpa’s journey—from her background in engineering and corporate consulting to full-time social entrepreneurship—is a compelling example of how diverse experiences can lead to impactful change. We explore:
- The critical importance of water equity and its connection to global health, education, and economic development.
- How Surge for Water’s innovative, community-led solutions are transforming lives in marginalized communities.
- Shilpa’s unique leadership perspective and her advice for aspiring social entrepreneurs.
Don’t miss this powerful conversation about the intersection of water sustainability, advocacy, and the global fight for equity.
Links & Resources:
- Shilpa Alva on LinkedIn
- https://surgeforwater.org/
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/shilpa-alva-858b841/
- Shilpa Alva at TEDx
🪷🪷 This episode sponsored by Bloomerang! 🪷🪷
What if we named things for what they're not? We'd give teachers non-apples and fly non-cars. Ridiculous, right? So why is your world-changing organization called a "nonprofit"? Truth is you're for-purpose. And the more you raise, recruit, and retain, the more good you can do.
That's where Bloomerang comes in. Bloomerang's Giving Platform is built for purpose, with easy-to-use tools and powerful insights that help you understand your donors better than ever and unleash generosity! (Slightly faster, more energetic) Imagine... spending less time on admin tasks and more time on what matters: your mission. Bloomerang customers raise an average of 26% more!
Ready to join them? Visit jcsocialmarketing.com/bloomerang to learn more and start making an even bigger impact.
Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts
Shilpa Alva is the visionary founder of Surge for Water, a women-led, women-centered nonprofit dedicated to providing marginalized global communities with access to safe water, sanitation, hygiene, and menstrual health solutions.
Under Shilpa’s leadership, Surge has impacted over 1 million lives and created more than 2,000 community jobs, while advancing sustainable water equity around the globe.
Shilpa’s journey—from her background in engineering and corporate consulting to full-time social entrepreneurship—is a compelling example of how diverse experiences can lead to impactful change. We explore:
- The critical importance of water equity and its connection to global health, education, and economic development.
- How Surge for Water’s innovative, community-led solutions are transforming lives in marginalized communities.
- Shilpa’s unique leadership perspective and her advice for aspiring social entrepreneurs.
Don’t miss this powerful conversation about the intersection of water sustainability, advocacy, and the global fight for equity.
Links & Resources:
- Shilpa Alva on LinkedIn
- https://surgeforwater.org/
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/shilpa-alva-858b841/
- Shilpa Alva at TEDx
🪷🪷 This episode sponsored by Bloomerang! 🪷🪷
What if we named things for what they're not? We'd give teachers non-apples and fly non-cars. Ridiculous, right? So why is your world-changing organization called a "nonprofit"? Truth is you're for-purpose. And the more you raise, recruit, and retain, the more good you can do.
That's where Bloomerang comes in. Bloomerang's Giving Platform is built for purpose, with easy-to-use tools and powerful insights that help you understand your donors better than ever and unleash generosity! (Slightly faster, more energetic) Imagine... spending less time on admin tasks and more time on what matters: your mission. Bloomerang customers raise an average of 26% more!
Ready to join them? Visit jcsocialmarketing.com/bloomerang to learn more and start making an even bigger impact.
Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts
Previous Episode
How Mentorship Can Grow Your Fundraising with Ken Miller
What if mentorship could help you grow your career, and your fundraising bottom line?
This week, I’m joined by the amazing Ken Miller, CFRE—a powerhouse in the nonprofit world and a true advocate for professional growth. Ken is the president of Denali FSP Fundraising & Grant Consultants, a fundraising consultancy he founded in 2014 after a long and successful career in development. He’s also deeply involved in leadership roles with the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and other organizations working to advance equity and excellence in philanthropy.
In our conversation, Ken shares his wisdom on mentoring, coaching, and workplace sponsorship—three powerful tools for helping fundraising professionals thrive. We explore what makes these relationships so valuable, how to find the right mentors and sponsors, and why they’re game-changers for anyone looking to grow in their career. Ken also opens up about his personal journey, lessons learned, and his passion for mentoring the next generation of nonprofit leaders.
If you’re in the nonprofit sector—or considering it—this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration to help you take your career to the next level.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- The difference between mentoring, coaching, and sponsorship—and why all three matter.
- How to find mentors and sponsors who align with your goals and values.
- Why workplace sponsors can open doors that mentorship alone might not.
- Ken’s personal insights on supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion through mentorship.
- Practical tips for mentoring others and building meaningful professional relationships.
🪷🪷 This episode sponsored by Bloomerang! 🪷🪷
What if we named things for what they're not? We'd give teachers non-apples and fly non-cars. Ridiculous, right? So why is your world-changing organization called a "nonprofit"? Truth is you're for-purpose. And the more you raise, recruit, and retain, the more good you can do.
That's where Bloomerang comes in. Bloomerang's Giving Platform is built for purpose, with easy-to-use tools and powerful insights that help you understand your donors better than ever and unleash generosity! (Slightly faster, more energetic) Imagine... spending less time on admin tasks and more time on what matters: your mission. Bloomerang customers raise an average of 26% more!
Ready to join them? Visit jcsocialmarketing.com/bloomerang to learn more and start making an even bigger impact.
Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts
Next Episode
The 100% for Purpose Business Model with Alex Amouyel
What if businesses existed solely to give back? That’s the revolutionary idea behind the 100% for Purpose business model—one pioneered by Paul Newman over 40 years ago and now embraced by companies like Patagonia and Bloomberg.
In this episode, we’re joined by Alex Amouyel, CEO of Newman’s Own Foundation, to discuss how philanthropy and business can intersect in a way that truly serves communities. We dive deep into how Paul Newman reversed traditional governance by giving his for-profit company to a nonprofit—a move that wasn’t even legal at the time! Alex shares insights on why more companies are adopting this model, the challenges they face, and how philanthropy itself is evolving to become more inclusive and community-driven.
🌍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✔️ How Paul Newman’s bold decision reshaped philanthropy
✔️ Why companies like Patagonia are following the 100% for Purpose model
✔️ How nonprofits can own and govern for-profit businesses for social good
✔️ What democratizing philanthropy looks like and why participatory giving is the future
✔️ The challenges and opportunities of funding a mission-driven organization
About Alex Amouyel
Alex Amouyel is the President and CEO of Newman’s Own Foundation and the author of The Answer Is You: A Guidebook to Creating a Life Full of Impact. She leads the Foundation’s efforts to continue its commitment to use 100% of profits from the sale of Newman’s Own food and beverage products to nourish and transform the lives of children who face adversity.
Resources & Links:
🔗 Newman’s Own Foundation – Learn about their mission and impact
🔗 Paul Newman’s Legacy – How his vision shaped philanthropy
🔗 MIT Solve – Alex’s work in driving innovation for global challenges
🔗https://www.100forpurpose.org/
🔗Alex’s TED Talk
🪷🪷 This episode sponsored by Bloomerang! 🪷🪷
What if we named things for what they're not? We'd give teachers non-apples and fly non-cars. Ridiculous, right? So why is your world-changing organization called a "nonprofit"? Truth is you're for-purpose. And the more you raise, recruit, and retain, the more good you can do.
That's where Bloomerang comes in. Bloomerang's Giving Platform is built for purpose, with easy-to-use tools and powerful insights that help you understand your donors better than ever and unleash generosity! (Slightly faster, more energetic) Imagine... spending less time on admin tasks and more time on what matters: your mission. Bloomerang customers raise an average of 26% more!
Ready to join them? Visit jcsocialmarketing.com/bloomerang to learn more and start making an even bigger impact.
Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts
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