From Apple Executive to Social Impact Entrepreneur: William McNeely on Building a Sustainable Nonprofit
2/3/26
Today’s focus is social impact entrepreneurship as hosts Kimberly Daniel and Stephen Lewis of the DO GOOD X podcast revisit their conversation with William McNeely, founder of Do Greater Charlotte. This powerful episode explores how a life-threatening diagnosis led to a purpose-driven business serving underserved communities. McNeely shares his journey from Apple executive to nonprofit leader, revealing how his lung transplant experience clarified his mission to create lasting change through educational technology and youth empowerment. Learn how Do Greater built an innovation lab using an earned revenue model, partnered with corporate sponsors, and created sustainable community development programs that serve over 400 youth annually while generating revenue through memberships and event rentals.
In This Episode
- 00:00 Exploring entrepreneurial journey challenges for purpose-driven business leaders
- 04:40 William McNeely shares his story of a lung transplant diagnosis, and a perspective shift led him to found Do Greater Charlotte
- 09:20 Evolution from an innovation lab truck to a permanent 8,000-square-foot creative technologies space
- 13:27 Nonprofit branding strategies, building corporate partnerships, and venture capital
- 17:37 Essential advice for starting a nonprofit organization
Key Takeaways
- Perspective shifts during crisis can reveal your true calling. McNeely's two-week prognosis became the catalyst for creating Do Greater Charlotte, demonstrating that setbacks can be invitations to discover purpose-driven work that leaves lasting community impact.
- Treating your nonprofit like an educational technology startup attracts different funders by developing professional pitch decks and targeting high-net-worth individual investors before pursuing corporate grants. Do Greater Charlotte secured 70% of the initial funding from venture-minded donors.
- Earned revenue sustainability protects mission-building adult memberships, coffee shop sales, and event rentals at the innovation lab, which generates consistent funding that keeps all youth empowerment programs completely free for students.
About The Hosts
Kimberly R. Daniel
Kimberly R. Daniel catalyzes entrepreneurs and organizations to do good. She is co-founder and project director of DO GOOD X, a community that provides programs and support for faith-driven social entrepreneurs whose businesses focus on positive Change.
Kimberly also helps purpose-driven organizations clarify and design compelling brand and communication strategies. With over 15 years of experience developing and leading communications efforts, it is her commitment to produce effective processes and create authentic, “sticky” brands that are community-centered.
In addition, Kimberly has nearly 10 years of experience as a certified life coach and has facilitated workshops, spoken to communities, and written about innovation and entrepreneurship centered on social impact. She is co-author of A Way Out of No Way: An Approach to Christian Innovation (2021).
In any aspect of her work, she is deeply passionate about purpose, meaning, and the common good.
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Stephen Lewis
Stephen Lewis is the president of the Forum for Theological Exploration (FTE) and creator and co-founder of DO GOOD X, a start-up accelerator for diverse Christian social entrepreneurs. He is an organizational change strategist and a leadership development specialist, focused on inspiring the next generation of faith-inspired leaders and entrepreneurs to live and work on purpose. Stephen is the co-author of Another Way: Living and Leading Change on Purpose (2020) and A Way Out of No Way: Approach to Christian Innovation (2021).
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