Episode Details

David Harris has spent 25 years building organizations around one goal: moving kids out of extreme poverty for life. As President and CEO of Christel House International, he leads a school network that stays with students for up to 18 years, from pre-K through their first job. In this conversation, David shares the origin story of Christel House, why the years right after high school graduation matter more than most nonprofits realize, and the single biggest lesson he's learned about working with funders: treat them as partners, not prospects.

In this episode: The origin story behind Christel House International Why the no-fee school model produces stronger outcomes How Christel House supports graduates for years after they leave school The story behind founding The Mind Trust in Indianapolis Why David treats every funder relationship as a partnership What he tells new nonprofit founders about taking risks

David Harris is President and CEO of Christel House International, a global nonprofit operating no-fee schools across five countries. He previously founded The Mind Trust, an Indianapolis-based nonprofit that reshaped the city's charter school landscape.

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