Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Susan Proctor. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Susan, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Early in your career, how did you think through the decision of whether to start your own firm or join an established firm?

After the pandemic I took a hard look at how I spent my days. I had a job a loved, but when that ended for the day. my default evening was watching TV. I enjoy my share of TV but at this point it could consume up to 5 hours a night. I felt that was a waste and considered what I could do during those hours instead. Briefly I did consider starting my own business, but I had never done that. What I had done over the past 15 years was learn how nonprofits operate and had navigated my way through compliance.

When considering starting another nonprofit, I really struggled as there are so many existing nonprofits doing great things. What I realized was that I wanted to support these nonprofits. Ultimatley I did decided to launch a new nonprofit, Punk Rock Gives Back. The nonprofit’s mission is dual purpose: first to help those trying to launch a new nonprofit to navigate the filing steps with the respective government agencies an to raise awareness and funds for other nonprofits. It turns out, this is not easy to explain and launch. Chosing to put Punk Rock in the name of the charity does automatically presume a culture that not eveyone understands. But, through further conversations and messaging we were able to articulate the name is about the spirit of punk rock ethos — disatisfaction with the status quo and wanting to do something about it. Also within the mosh pit of a punk show, the code of honor is that if someone falls down, you pick them back up. Nonprofits are doing the hard work in every area whether it is an environemental, animal, social, medical, education or global cause, we want to help!

Our first event was an online and in person display where artists created mini canvas ornaments and chose the charity they wanted to support. Punk Rock Gives Back facilitated the donations for 19 different causes. When donors bid, they got a tax deduction for the donation and we sent the funds to the charity on the artist’s behalf. In addition, we were able to cover the event costs and supplement the donations to these charities. It was a win! Our primary form of communication is Instagram and Facebook and we gained followers by sharing stories of the great things other charities are doing.

Year two we hosted our own event with music and the auction items were on display. A team of volunteers worked tirelessly to find bands and help create a buzz. We had a successful second event raising more money for 30 charities. Word of mouth was critical.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Early on in my work career I learned that I needed to spend my time in a job that helped people rather than just make money for the business. There is absolutely nothing wrong with making money, but I quickly found that I was motivated by doing things that felt like I made a difference in the world rather than adding to the bottom line. My background is in teaching and I my current career is with the nonprofit Tumaini International.

Nonprofit compliance is a little tricky to navigate when you are new to the game. The experience I have gained in my years in this sector led me form Punk Rock Gives Back whose entire agenda is to support the causes YOU care about. So many good hearted people find their passion doing something for others. Many grassroots nonprofits evolve because someone sees a need and wants to do something about it. They are boots to the ground doing the work and may need some guidance in how to obtain an IRS 501 c 3 status. The perception is that it requires a lot of money and legal support. Punk Rock Gives Back’s first area of focus is to walk alongside and provide a roadmap for individuals to do the filings on their own.

In addition we act as resource to other charities, businesses and individuals looking for efficient and compliant fundraising opportunities. We can provide a support platform to infuse existing or create new special events with a charitable focus. We partner with groups and individuals to facilitate and manage giving opportunities that fall within the IRS guidelines for compliance. One such successful event was partnering with a florist who was having an art gala to support charity. We were able to assist with the event and provide a platform for online bidding which helped double their expected revenue. Punk Rock Gives Back does reveive direct donations which allow us to provide our services free of charge.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

As an over achiever I tend to push myself and forget to ask for help. The best thing I have learned is to allow people to join in on the journey. In Punk Rock Gives Back we are all volunteers and by letting go of full control we have grown and achieved more than I ever could have alone. Through simple conversation with a friend, I learned she had a passion for putting on shows. By partnering and empowering this friend and several others, we created a team and others came in and took the lead for our events. My lesson learned was to empower and trust the team, develop a mutual respect and dialog where anyone can either ask for or offer help. Morale stays high when people know they have made a difference. Simple thank yous and small token gifts are part of the morale, but nothing matches the feeling of a job well done.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Punk Rock Gives Back is only in it’s second year so we do not have a huge reputation, but how we are building it is by being the “real deal.” We have been intentional in communicating what we are about slowly but surely through social media. Our best reputation builder is the endorcement of individuals and groups that are respected. We are fortunate to partner with some amazing artists, musicians, skateboard pros and their participation and sharing about our cause has been everything. In bigger circles these would be influencers, but in the punk rock world, they are just people. It has been important for us to deliver on what promise. Our events give back to other charities and we have worked to support them.
One of our charities said this, “Words will never appropriately describe the love we have for Punk Rock Gives Back.They truly are not only a vital advocate for so many tiny non profits, they have illuminated their existence beyond anything we could ever imagine. They rally hard for not only the underdogs in a world of massive corporate/wealthy private donor non profit organizations they have given us the love, support and constant exposure we need to realize our impact although tiny can reach beyond our wildest dreams.Susan and her angel human team are truly the change we all wish to see in the world. I know I’m not alone when I say Punk Rock Gives Back is the backbone of all we haveaccomplished as a non profit. Without them we wouldn’t have been able to save all the lives we
have and hope to continue to.In a world filled of darkness, Punk Rock Gives Back has time andtime again been our WHY..WHY we do what we do. WHY we get to do what we do. Theirsupport is a lifeline.” Kel Izumine, Rock and Roll Rescue

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.punkrockgivesback.org/
• Instagram: @punkrockgivesback
• Facebook: Punk Rock Gives Back https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552568434204