620. 100% For Purpose Model: The Legacy and Future of Newman’s Own Foundation - Alex Amouyel

05/14/25 • 31 min

We Are For Good Podcast - The Podcast for Nonprofits

Meet Alex, President and CEO of Newman’s Own Foundation. 🤝 100% of profits from Newman’s Own products go toward helping children facing adversity. With over $600 million donated to date, the Foundation continues Paul Newman’s bold vision of business as a force for good. Alex is also the author of The Answer Is You, a guide to living with impact.

In this episode, Alex shares how the 100% for Purpose model is reshaping philanthropy through community-led giving, tackling child food insecurity, and uplifting young changemakers.

Tune in to hear powerful stories of impact and learn how small actions can create real change. It’s a reminder that generosity starts wherever you are—and that we all have a part to play.

Episode Highlights:

The Legacy of Paul Newman and Newman’s Own (06:09)
The Business Model of Giving 100% Away (09:05)
The Future of Philanthropy and Community Engagement (11:50)
Child Nutrition and Food Justice Initiatives (14:54)
Decentralizing Philanthropy and Inclusive Giving (18:05)
Alex’s One Good Thing: Create your own rainbows (31:00)

Resources:

Episode with FRAC
Alex’s TED Talk
newmansown.org
100forpurpose.org

Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/620

Thank You to our Partners 🩵

Big gratitude to our ecosystem partners at DonorDock, Feathr, RKD Group, and Whiteboard. They’re not just partners—they’re walking alongside us to build something better + more inclusive.

Head to weareforgood.com/recs to explore our go-to tools and humans doing good work. We’ve curated a direct line for your VIP access to these groups just by saying you’re with We Are For Good.

Support the show

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In this episode, Alex shares how the 100% for Purpose model is reshaping philanthropy through community-led giving, tackling child food insecurity, and uplifting young changemakers.

Tune in to hear powerful stories of impact and learn how small actions can create real change. It’s a reminder that generosity starts wherever you are—and that we all have a part to play.

Episode Highlights:

The Legacy of Paul Newman and Newman’s Own (06:09)
The Business Model of Giving 100% Away (09:05)
The Future of Philanthropy and Community Engagement (11:50)
Child Nutrition and Food Justice Initiatives (14:54)
Decentralizing Philanthropy and Inclusive Giving (18:05)
Alex’s One Good Thing: Create your own rainbows (31:00)

Resources:

Episode with FRAC
Alex’s TED Talk
newmansown.org
100forpurpose.org

Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/620

Thank You to our Partners 🩵

Big gratitude to our ecosystem partners at DonorDock, Feathr, RKD Group, and Whiteboard. They’re not just partners—they’re walking alongside us to build something better + more inclusive.

Head to weareforgood.com/recs to explore our go-to tools and humans doing good work. We’ve curated a direct line for your VIP access to these groups just by saying you’re with We Are For Good.

Support the show

Previous Episode

619. Hold Fast: The Heart of Generosity: Trust, Belonging, and Community - Hali Lee

How do you fund what matters when everything feels urgent—and uncertain? In this episode of our Hold Fast series, we sit down with Hali Lee—philanthropy innovator, author of The Big We, and founding partner of Radiant Strategies—for a candid conversation on funding with heart, courage, and community at the center.

Hali shares hard-earned wisdom from building collective giving movements like the Asian Women Giving Circle and Donors of Color Network, reminding us that generosity flows through relationships, not just resources. Together, we explore how nonprofits can build trust-based funding relationships, embrace smart shifts toward diversification, and create spaces of belonging that inspire action. ❤️

If you’ve been craving practical strategies and soulful encouragement for navigating power imbalances, donor shifts, and fundraising burnout—this episode is your invitation to pause, reflect, and root deeper.

You'll hear:

Why now is the moment for individuals—and for belonging
Building trust without losing yourself
Small teams, smart shifts: diversifying without burning out
Collective giving models for grassroots growth

Episode Highlights:

The Importance of Relationships in Philanthropy (02:55)
Navigating Urgency and Trust in Nonprofits (05:59)
The Future of Philanthropy: Inclusivity and Collaboration (09:01)
Collective Generosity vs Big Philanthropy (12:11)
Connecting Through Shared Experiences (22:39)
The Power of Community and Belonging (24:06)
Grassroots Movement for Collective Action (26:03)
Finding Joy in Connection (30:43)
Empowering Individuals to Create Change (32:37)

Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/619

Thank You to our Partners 🩵

Big gratitude to our ecosystem partners at DonorDock, Feathr, RKD Group, and Whiteboard. They’re not just partners—they’re walking alongside us to build something better + more inclusive.

Head to weareforgood.com/recs to explore our go-to tools and humans doing good work. We’ve curated a direct line for your VIP access to these groups just by saying you’re with We Are For Good.

Support the show

Next Episode

621. Hold Fast: Storytelling That Grounds, Heals + Connects - Obiekwe Okolo

Meet Obiekwe “Obi” Okolo, storyteller, creative director + culture alchemist. 🤝

In this episode of Hold Fast, we’re slowing down to explore the deep, healing power of story with Obi Okolo—visionary creative and founder of Bittersweet Creative. Born in Lagos, raised in Texas, and rooted in purpose, Obi invites us into a conversation about crafting stories that don’t just meet metrics—but move hearts.

From launching his own coffee brand to championing narratives that center identity, belonging, and truth, Obi reminds us that storytelling isn’t just a strategy. It’s soul work. It’s how we make meaning, deepen connection, and imagine new futures.

Your story isn’t a marketing tool—it’s an invitation to be seen, to feel, and to dream bigger.

🎧 Tune in and join us for one of the most heart-expanding conversations of the season.

You'll hear:

Storytelling helps nonprofits meet goals and expand community.
Storytelling should be approached as a practice of reconnection and belonging.
Nonprofits often struggle with their identity and message during crises.
Creating for everyone often results in creating for no one.
Silence can be a powerful form of protest and connection.
Listening to the wisdom of elders can guide our storytelling journey.

Episode Highlights

The Importance of Relationships in Storytelling (08:58)
The Role of Nonprofits in Storytelling (11:50)
The Process of Ethical Storytelling (15:06)
The Impact of Community in Storytelling (23:55)
Understanding Audience and Authenticity (36:02)
Practical Exercises for Better Storytelling (39:30)
Listening and Learning from Elders (50:10)
Obi’s One Good Thing “"Look back and borrow strength from the elders." (50:27)

Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/621

Thank You to our Partners 🩵

Big gratitude to our ecosystem partners at DonorDock, Feathr, RKD Group, and Whiteboard. They’re not just partners—they’re walking alongside us to build something better + more inclusive.

Head to weareforgood.com/recs to explore our go-to tools and humans doing good work. We’ve curated a direct line for your VIP access to these groups just by saying you’re with We Are For Good.

Support the show

We Are For Good Podcast - The Podcast for Nonprofits - 620. 100% For Purpose Model: The Legacy and Future of Newman’s Own Foundation - Alex Amouyel

Transcript

Speaker 100:00:01.441

Hey , I'm John .

Speaker 200:00:02.466

And I'm Becky .

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And this is the we Are For Good podcast .

Speaker 200:00:06.179

Nonprofits are faced with more challenges to accomplish their missions and the growing pressure to do more , raise more and be more for the causes that improve our wor