High Impact Philanthropy: Susan L Combs Of Pancakes for Roger On How To Leave A Lasting Legacy With A Successful & Effective Nonprofit Organization
An Interview with Karen Mangia
Grit and Passion: Passion fuels your drive, but grit keeps you going when things get tough. Running a non-profit isn’t easy; there will be setbacks and challenges. Your passion for the cause will inspire others, but it’s your grit that keeps you moving forward, even when things get difficult.
For someone who wants to set aside money to establish a Philanthropic Foundation or Fund, what does it take to make sure your resources are being impactful and truly effective? In this interview series, called “How To Create Philanthropy That Leaves a Lasting Legacy” we are visiting with founders and leaders of Philanthropic Foundations, Charitable Organizations, and Non-Profit Organizations, to talk about the steps they took to create sustainable success.
As a part of this series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Susan L Combs.
Susan L Combs is the founder of Pancakes for Roger, Inc. a not-for-profit dedicated to serving the veterans who have served our nation.
Pancakes for Roger, Inc. emerged from a humble request by Susan’s father, the late Major General Roger E Combs, during his Hospice care. His simple wish for pancakes sparked a movement, which became a book and a keynote address. Now, it stands as a non-profit organization.
Thank you for making time to visit with us about a ‘top of mind’ topic. Our readers would like to get to know you a bit better. Can you please tell us about one or two life experiences that most shaped who you are today?
I could talk about this all day! One of the most significant experiences was when my brother Matt was diagnosed with leukemia in the late ’80s. He was 13, and I was 10. Back then, without the internet or social media, things were very different. I learned two crucial lessons during that time:
First, it’s essential to build a community before you need it. When my parents and my brother moved to Memphis for Matt’s treatment at St. Jude, I stayed in our small town. The community rallied around me, offering support, dinners, and even small gestures like fixing my hair for picture day. This experience taught me the true value of community.
Second, I learned the importance of tenacity, or what I call the “ability to find the answer.” When you have no other choice, it’s incredible what you can accomplish. My parents weren’t the type to bail us out of our mistakes, so we learned to clean up our own messes. This taught me resilience and self-reliance, qualities I believe are essential for navigating life.
You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? We would love to hear a few stories or examples.
As a concept, I’ve always been the type of person to never ask someone to do something I wasn’t willing to do myself. That has always served me well no matter if it was leading in my company or in a board position.
I also am also a big believer in that everyone works differently, so processes should align with individual styles. When teaching, I say, “We need to get from A to B. How you get there is up to you.” I demonstrate my method, but encourage others to find their own way that makes sense to them.
Finally, I’m a big believer that no one gets anywhere alone. By fostering a community of mutual mentorship, we’re able to go further together.
What’s the most interesting discovery you’ve made since you started leading your organization?
Being the Executive Director of a non-profit is worlds apart from the corporate world! I’ve always known how to make money — I’m a Taurus, after all — but managing funds with the sole purpose of serving the Veteran community requires a completely different mindset. The responsibility feels much heavier, knowing that every dollar you oversee is meant to do good and make a real impact.
Can you please tell our readers more about how you or your organization intends to make a significant social impact?
Pancakes for Roger, Inc. creates pathways to improve the lives of veterans and their communities. Through partnerships with 501(c)(3) organizations and initiatives tailored to Veterans’ needs, we strive to make a meaningful difference in their lives. We believe in forging connections and providing opportunities to address the unique challenges facing Veterans during and after their service.
What makes you feel passionate about this cause more than any other?
My father was a Major General in the Air Force, and a Circuit Judge in civilian life. He made a difference quietly, always doing good when no one was watching. Raised by someone with a deep love for our country and a philanthropic heart, it’s impossible for me not to feel compelled to help our Veterans. My father paid the ultimate price after serving 39 years and 4 months in three branches of service. That’s why, at Pancakes for Roger, Inc., we’re committed to creating pathways to improve the lives of Veterans and their communities.
Without naming names, could you share a story about an individual who benefitted from your initiatives?
As I mentioned before, “Pancakes for Roger, Inc.” started out as a simple request from my father. When he was on hospice dying from Agent Orange related throat cancer. When he was coming to the end of his life, I was fortunate enough to return home to King City, MO from my NYC home to be present and help care for him.
Each morning, we had a pretty specific routine as the early risers of the family. I would go to the gym at 5 a.m., return home around 6 a.m. to get ready for the day, and then help him have breakfast and get him prepped for his day.
One morning, as I came downstairs, he was setting the kitchen table for himself and I looked at him rather quizzically and asked what he was doing. He looked at me and said, “I want pancakes for breakfast.” I smiled at him as my heart broke inside.
Such a simple request was by this time impossible for my dad. Ten years prior, my father was diagnosed with Agent Orange-related throat cancer, from exposure during his service as a combat helicopter pilot in Vietnam. He’d beaten that cancer and enjoyed a relatively good ten years, but he relapsed twice, and his final treatments required him to have a feeding tube.
He passed away a few weeks later, on August 22, 2018. After his death, I took a day off from work, and my husband suggested we go out for pancakes. He snapped a picture of me eating them, which I posted on social media, asking others to enjoy pancakes for Roger. The response was overwhelming, with many people sending photos in return.
A year later, I launched a fundraising effort using the hashtag #PancakesForRoger. For every pancake photo received, my company donated to the University of Missouri School of Law Veterans Clinic in my father’s name. The first year, we received about 150 photos. This year, we got 857 photos from all 50 states, Washington, DC, and 29 countries across all seven continents. As a result, we donated $10,142 — almost double the previous amount — to the Veterans Clinic, which provides free legal services to veterans and their families.
We all want to help and to live a life of purpose. What are three actions anyone could take to help address the root cause of the problem you’re trying to solve?
The first one is easy, assist us on social media and have pancakes in February and tag our accounts. For every picture, we make a donation, or if you are into fitness, join one of our virtual or in person challenges when we have them.
Secondly, help us get the word out, I grew up in a military family and saw first hand some of the unique struggles that happen within this community. My dad was one of those guys that was good when no one was watching, and that’s one of the things that has pushed me to move forward with starting the non-profit and impact Veteran lives in a positive way, whether it be by our annual support of the University of Missouri Veterans Clinic, assist with financial support for Veteran projects, or just by being kind and recognizing their service.
The final one would be, if our story pulls on your heartstrings, we are in the process of building our fund to be able to provide more programs and to support more Veterans, and every penny counts!
Based on your experience, what are the “5 Things You Need To Create A Successful & Effective Nonprofit That Leaves A Lasting Legacy?”
1. Grit and Passion: Passion fuels your drive, but grit keeps you going when things get tough. Running a non-profit isn’t easy; there will be setbacks and challenges. Your passion for the cause will inspire others, but it’s your grit that keeps you moving forward, even when things get difficult.
2. A Clear and Compelling Mission: Your mission is your “why.” It should be simple, powerful, and easy to communicate. When people understand and connect with your mission, they’re more likely to get involved, whether as donors, volunteers, or supporters. Your mission is what gets people on board and keeps them motivated.
3. A Good Story: People connect with stories, not just facts and figures. A compelling story about why your non-profit exists, who it helps, and the impact it makes, can inspire action and build a loyal following. Your story is what makes your mission relatable and real, turning supporters into passionate advocates.
4. Community Engagement and Support: A non-profit can’t thrive in isolation. Building strong ties with your community — whether that’s through partnerships, events, or social media — is essential. The more you engage with your community, the more they’ll support you, whether through donations, volunteering, or simply spreading the word.
5. Financial Sustainability: It’s all about balance — making sure you have enough funds to keep going without burning out your donors or relying too heavily on one source. Diversify your income streams, keep a close eye on your budget, and always be transparent about where the money goes. Financial health is what allows your non-profit to grow and continue making an impact.
How has the pandemic changed your definition of success?
It hasn’t — so I think we should skip this one.
How do you get inspired after an inevitable setback?
I remember that this is bigger than me now. We are working to help Veterans, and that’s all the inspiration I need to keep going.
We are very blessed that very prominent leaders read this column. Is there a person in the world who you would like to talk to, to share the idea behind your non-profit? He, she, or they might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
Oprah, Jon Stewart, Gary Sinise
You’re doing important work. How can our readers follow your progress online?
Feel free to reach out to us at pancakesforroger.org and follow us on instagram @pancakesforroger. or on Facebook or LinkedIn
Thank you for a meaningful conversation. We wish you continued success with your mission.
About The Interviewer: Karen Mangia is one of the most sought-after keynote speakers in the world, sharing her thought leadership with over 10,000 organizations during the course of her career. As Vice President of Customer and Market Insights at Salesforce, she helps individuals and organizations define, design and deliver the future. Discover her proven strategies to access your own success in her fourth book Success from Anywhere and by connecting with her on LinkedIn and Twitter.
High Impact Philanthropy: Susan L Combs Of Pancakes for Roger On How To Leave A Lasting Legacy With… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.