Photo: Read Corley and Rick Rick Yocum

Nonprofit Is a Tax Status, Not a Business Plan: Rick Yocum on Margin & Mission Ignition

Posted on May 26, 2026

In this episode of the Nonprofit Thrivability Series of Beyond The Blog, a Podcast by The Patterson Foundation, host Read Corley talks with Rick Yocum, executive director of the Humane Society of Manatee County, about his experience with Margin & Mission Ignition. Rick shares how the program helped his team focus its veterinary clinic around community needs, build a stronger business plan, and keep every decision tied to the organization’s mission. He also discusses the role of board and staff buy-in, listening to the public, expanding dermatology services, and using clinic revenue to support the shelter and keep more pets with the families who love them.

Timestamps

  • 00:00 Introduction to Rick Yocum and Margin & Mission Ignition
  • 01:29 The first Margin & Mission Ignition venture
  • 03:14 Listening to staff, board members, volunteers, and the public
  • 06:02 Investing in staff and capacity to grow clinic revenue
  • 08:38 Tracking impact beyond dollars
  • 10:02 Expanding into dermatology services
  • 11:40 Nonprofit is a tax status, not a business plan
  • 14:56 Why board involvement mattered from the beginning
  • 18:20 The waves created by Margin & Mission Ignition
  • 23:23 Rick’s advice: be open and transparent with stakeholders


Links to Learn More
Margin & Mission Ignition
Humane Society of Manatee County
Blog: How Margin & Mission Ignition Helped the Humane Society of Manatee County Grow With Purpose


Connect Beyond The Blog
Linkedin: Rick Yocum


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