Richard Benderson Of North Port St Joe Community Development Corporation: 5 Things You Need To Create A Successful & Effective Nonprofit That Leaves A Lasting Legacy
Diverse funding sources. Relying on a single source of funding is risky. Support should come from multiple places, especially from those who believe in the mission.
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 Richard Benderson, CEO, North Port St. Joe Community Development Corporation (NPSJCDC)
Throughout his career Mr. Benderson has driven civic efforts at the federal, state, and local level focusing on community development, redevelopment, environmental justice, civic engagement, the arts, and voter advocacy.
Richard Benderson joined the North Port St. Joe Community Development Corporation (NPSJCDC) in the role of CEO in 2024 after working at The Federation of Southern Cooperatives where he championed Alabama State Association of Cooperatives member businesses as an Outreach Specialist & Cooperative Development Representative. As one of the State Association’s primary Cooperative development representative, Benderson advocated for member cooperatives to upscale their operations and develop modern business practices, while maintaining the coops mission and purpose.
Before these two career stents, Benderson worked for several municipalities in the southeast region of the United States including Historic Selma, Alabama, Daytona Beach & South Georgia Regional Development Center, in the urban planning and development industry.
Richard Benderson is a native of Demopolis, Alabama. He is an alumnus of Alabama A&M University and also attended the University of West Alabama.
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 share one or two life experiences that have most shaped who you are today?
Back in high school, I was suspended for defending myself, fighting — definitely not my proudest moment. My in-school suspension was overseen by Reverend Moore, a family friend. Instead of just handing down a punishment, he sat me down and asked what was really going on. That conversation shifted my perspective. I realized it wasn’t just my family rooting for me — my whole community cared about my success, and that stuck with me.
From that moment on, my attitude shifted. I became more mindful of how I carried myself and how I saw the people around me. I realized that as a community, it’s on all of us to uplift and support each other.
As a successful leader, which three character traits have been most instrumental to your success?
Listening — I make it a priority to listen more than I talk. Truly hearing people out allows me to better understand situations and make informed decisions.
Patience — Not everything happens overnight. Leadership requires staying focused and not letting frustration take over, even when progress feels slow.
Perseverance — Throughout my career, I’ve navigated challenging situations and worked alongside people with different styles and perspectives. Early on in my role, I encountered moments where communication wasn’t always easy. Instead of getting discouraged, I stayed patient, continued to listen, and remained committed to moving forward. Over time, things naturally fell into place.
What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned since leading your organization?
I’ve learned that not everyone — whether partners, vendors or public officials — will always be fully aligned, or prioritize their time, to support an organization’s mission. Some may focus more on the transactional activities than the purpose behind it… community building. Keeping this in mind has helped me be more intentional when building relationships and choosing the right partnerships that align well with our Community Development Corporation.
How does your organization plan to make a significant social impact?
At the North Port St. Joe Community Development Corporation, we’re committed to helping the community heal from a history of environmental injustices that have had lasting effects on health, infrastructure, and the local economy. Our goal is to be the anchor organization, a trusted resource — whether someone needs housing support, economic development opportunities, or health services, we want them to know they can turn to us. And if we don’t provide a specific service, we’ll connect them with the right resources.
We’re also a sounding board for community needs. We welcome all residents to keep us in the loop about what their families are experiencing so we can better advocate for solutions and provide meaningful support. By taking a grassroots approach, we ensure the community feels heard, supported, and empowered to engage with us.
What makes you most passionate about this cause?
When it comes to community development, even small changes can make a big difference. While large-scale development projects can take years to show results, the work we do often creates an immediate impact — something that makes our efforts even more exciting. Seeing real improvements in people’s lives, especially in a community that has overcome so many challenges, is what keeps me motivated every day.
Can you share a story about an individual who has benefited from your initiatives?
Housing advocacy has been a key part of our work in North Port St. Joe, Florida. In one case, an elderly woman was placed in a housing unit with only one way in and out. While requirements stated that a window could serve as an exit, I pushed back — realistically, a woman her age couldn’t rely on a window in an emergency. Because we stood our ground, this woman now has a safer home and greater peace of mind in these precious last years of her life. It’s the principle of the thing. We don’t just want affordable housing. We don’t just want a roof over people’s heads — that’s the bare minimum. We need solutions that truly work for our community and actually meet people’s needs.
What are three actions anyone can take to help address the root cause of the problems you’re tackling?
Share resources. Many people don’t realize they have valuable information and tools that can help progress other, similar communities. Talking about community needs can open unexpected doors and can really help so many people dream even bigger.
Leverage your network. You’d be surprised how many people around you are willing to put in the work and make a difference in your community.
Get involved. Whether it’s donating, volunteering, or raising awareness, every effort makes a big impact when we do it in tandem with our neighbors and fellow members of our community.
What are the five key elements of a successful nonprofit that leaves a lasting impact?
- A strong and well-connected board. Board members should be service-oriented, bring expertise to the table, and be willing to help raise funds.
- A focused leader. A director needs to stay committed and results-driven, making sure progress is being made rather than just staying busy.
- Strategic partnerships. No organization can do it all alone. Partnering with others allows you to expand your reach and impact.
- A clear succession plan. Success depends on having like-minded people in place who can carry the mission forward as the organization grows and leadership changes.
- Diverse funding sources. Relying on a single source of funding is risky. Support should come from multiple places, especially from those who believe in the mission.
How do you find inspiration after a setback?
While it’s hard, I try not to allow myself to dwell on setbacks. I pause, regroup, and then move forward. If I need to, I take a short break, but I don’t let the challenge derail me. I just turn the page and focus on the next step. You simply have to take on this mindset if you are going to devote your time to community development.
Is there anyone in the world you’d like to connect with to share your nonprofit’s mission?
It would be amazing to sit and share our mission with Darren Walker from the Ford Foundation and Elizabeth Alexander with the Mellon Foundation.
Thank you for a meaningful conversation. We wish you continued success with your mission.
Richard Benderson Of North Port St Joe Community Development Corporation: 5 Things You Need To… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.