I am Joe Darago, co-founder and Executive Director of The Hope Effect. For the past decade I have worked to change the way the world cares for orphaned and vulnerable children by moving them out of institutions and into families. I have seen the impact of family-based care firsthand, and I am committed to helping children find the love, stability, and belonging they deserve.

At the same time, I know what it takes to build a nonprofit from the ground up. When we started The Hope Effect, I was a full-time pastor trying to juggle a growing church and a new nonprofit. I had no playbook. I made mistakes, learned lessons, and slowly discovered what it really takes to grow something lasting.

That is why I started NGOJoe. To share the behind the scenes reality of nonprofit leadership. A few times a week I post about what I am trying, what I have messed up, and what I am learning. My goal is simple. To help leaders do more good, better.