Jeff Poulos, Head of Partnerships at Impala
I’ve worked nearly my whole adult life in nonprofit organizations (well, except for that stint as a waiter in college at a Ground Round restaurant). So, why am I joining Impala, a high-tech social impact startup? What about the risk? Is it even proven? Here, hold my [insert beverage of choice], while I tell you why.
I met Impala CEO Shahar Brukner in April 2020 (virtually, as it was the early days of the pandemic) when he shared an early prototype of the platform and asked for my honest feedback. From that very first conversation, I was impressed with the vision and possibilities that Impala presented.
From that very first conversation, I was impressed with the vision and possibilities that Impala presented.
I invited Shahar to circle back with me in six months with other questions and share with me further progress. When Shahar and COO Simon Dickson did just that, I was no longer impressed – I was hooked! I was enthusiastic to make the tool available to funders in Massachusetts to enable them to be more impactful in their philanthropy. I was excited about this groundbreaking new platform that would help nonprofits fundraise more effectively. And I was envious of the buzz being generated in philanthropic circles from Boston to DC to Florida and California about Impala, a game changer for the field making data more accessible and actionable.
After seeing the success of Impala’s Massachusetts launch in Fall 2022, I began to preach to my colleagues locally and around the country about the possibilities a tool like this could provide for the sector. I also shared how I appreciated that Impala’s leaders are values driven, seeking to democratize data and lift up transparency. They created something free and accessible for all. And Impala continued to innovate - because they listened to users, drawing feedback from funders, nonprofits and colleagues like me.
They also continued to innovate by building something useful and needed. Here’s an example that impressed me: in a few webinars, I saw nonprofits explain to the Impala team how the most difficult and time consuming part of the fundraising process was trying to find and build warm leads to potential donors. Impala heard these problems, took them seriously, and now, they are about to release a transformative new product called Paths, which directly addresses this pain-point. Paths is a tool that reveals how you and your team are connected to any decision maker in the social impact sector and how to reach them, with millions of contact details. Here’s a peek!
In just three short years, Impala went from concept to a leading-edge, dynamic resource driving social impact, and I wanted to be part of it.
In just three short years, Impala went from concept to a leading-edge, dynamic resource driving social impact, and I wanted to be part of it - more than just a user, but an active contributor to something that will leave a lasting, meaningful legacy. In my role as Head of Partnerships, I’ll be able to share what I’ve learned about Impala’s value with colleagues around the country. The opportunity that Massachusetts' entire network of nonprofits and philanthropies currently enjoys shouldn’t be kept a secret from other states (in fact, networks in Maine and Rhode Island have already launched, and users from over 40 states are already on Impala!).
Are you still asking me why? I’ve worked for 35 years in the nonprofit sector, and I sure wish Impala was around for those 35. But I’m ecstatic that Impala is here now for those working in the sector today and for the next 35 years – and beyond!