How This Outside of the Box Social Enterprise Is Offsetting $1 Million in Costs

In this episode of The Unfiltered Nonprofit Podcast, Cherry sits down with Adam Joiner, CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa—an organization with 100 years of history and a big mission: creating safe, supportive spaces where kids and youth can grow into who they want to be. 

Adam's story is the kind you don't hear every day. He first walked into the Club at nine years old, nervous and unsure if he belonged. A staff member invited him to play ball hockey, and that small moment changed everything. What started as 40 minutes at the Club became a second home—and eventually, a career where Adam worked his way through multiple roles and locations before becoming Executive Director in May 2020, right in the middle of the pandemic. 

The conversation gets real about what nonprofit leadership actually looks like: 

Adam shares a key reality: about 90% of their program funding comes from fundraising. That means the Club's ability to serve more kids often comes down to one thing—revenue. He also talks about a tough decision the organization faced in 2023, when inflation and rising costs forced a 25% service cut, including closing a location and reducing staffing. 

But this isn't just a story about cuts—it's also about rebuilding. Adam explains how they're growing sustainability through social enterprise, including renting Club and camp spaces to offset costs. Today, that revenue helps offset about $1 million in expenses, with a goal to increase that over time so they can serve more kids. 

This episode is a strong listen for anyone leading a nonprofit who's trying to balance mission, money, and the long game—without losing heart.