What if Your Clothes Could Help Change the World

In this episode of Southaven Business Beat, we sit down with the dynamic and passionate Courtney Pinkston from Fund the Nations, a unique fundraising company that has helped raise over $60 million by turning t-shirts into tools for impact! Whether it’s adoption, mission work, or launching nonprofits, Fund the Nations walks alongside individuals and organizations to bring big dreams to life.

Courtney shares her personal journey from corporate dreams to kingdom impact. With a master’s in journalism and a heart for missions, she found her calling helping people fundraise in creative, powerful, and deeply personal ways. Her message is clear: “You can do hard things for a short amount of time, especially when the result is life-changing.”

If you’re curious about how to fundraise using custom apparel, need a streamlined process for your next mission trip, or want insight into community-driven impact — this is the episode for you!

✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
The story behind Fund the Nations and its founder’s vision
How a single t-shirt can fund adoptions, mission trips, and nonprofits
The step-by-step fundraising process from idea to delivery
Why being bold is key to successful fundraising
The difference between FTN Stores and the new FTN Campaigns platform
Tips for maximizing shirt sales and building your support network
How Fund the Nations collaborates with organizations like Compassion International
The power of local support and the Southaven Chamber’s impact

🔥 Episode Highlights:
00:00 – Welcome & Sponsor Shout-Out
01:16 – Meet Courtney Pinkston
02:00 – What is Fund the Nations?
03:05 – From Journalism to Fundraising: Courtney’s Story
05:24 – The Shirt Fundraising Process
08:35 – New Platform Alert: FTN Campaigns
09:45 – Common Fundraising Challenges
11:13 – Do You Need to Be a Nonprofit to Fundraise?
14:27 – Why T-Shirts Still Work
16:11 – Best Practices for a Successful Campaign
18:10 – Using Social Media + Creative Tactics
19:56 – Why Courtney Loves Her Job
21:38 – Store vs. Campaign Model
23:49 – The Chamber Connection
25:02 – Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up

💬 Favorite Quotes:
“You only get a ‘yes’ if you ask. The answer is already ‘no’ if you stay silent.”
“Every shirt tells a story. And sometimes, that story changes a life.”
“The Chamber isn’t just a resource—it’s a family of people who see you, support you, and cheer you on.”

🙌 Ready to Start Your Fundraiser?
Visit http://www.fundthenations.com to begin your own custom t-shirt campaign. Whether you’re fundraising for a mission trip, an adoption, or a new community initiative, their team is ready to walk with you from start to finish.

🤝 Huge Thanks to Our Sponsors:
Wisdom Integrators – Your behind-the-scenes tech partner. Visit wisdomintegrators.com
The Follow App – Modern networking made simple.
Pure Focus Media – Bringing your vision into focus with professional video, photo, and drone services.

🔗 Stay Connected with Southaven Business Beat:
✅ Subscribe for more powerful local stories
✅ Share this episode with someone who needs to fundraise
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