On this episode of the Sports Philanthropy Podcast, host Roy Kessel welcomes Jodie Blum, founder of The Collective Social Impact Agency. Jodie shares how her early work with an NFL Hall of Famer inspired her mission to help athletes build meaningful, sustainable legacies through philanthropy. She explains her philosophy that “fame gives you a microphone, but purpose gives you a message,” and how she uses branding, storytelling, and innovative partnerships to drive authentic impact. Highlighting a Miami-Dade County mental-health campaign that reached over 15 million people, Jodie discusses collaboration, education, and accountability as keys to lasting change — and calls for greater player protection and CTE awareness across professional sports
Jodie Blum
Jodie Blum is a trailblazer in strategic philanthropy and social-impact marketing, bringing more than 25 years of experience transforming celebrity influence into purposeful, measurable change. As the Founder and CEO of The Co-llective Social Impact Agency, she leads initiatives that merge culture, commerce, and compassion—building campaigns that drive funding decisions, elevate awareness, and turn intention into legacy.
Blum has shaped philanthropic visions for world-renowned entertainers, athletes, and brands, partnering with organizations including Cartier, the NBA, American Airlines, Mercedes-Benz, Coca-Cola, Live Nation, Puma, Porsche, Sonos, Def Jam, Roc Nation, StockX, and Imagine Dragons. She co-founded the Common Ground Foundation with artist and activist Common, earning an Emmy Award nomination for the short film A Minute in collaboration with MTV.
Earlier in her career, Blum served as the inaugural Executive Director of the Recording Academy’s GRAMMY U, where she built the program from the ground up—creating national access for aspiring music professionals and producing more than 200 branded events annually that connected students directly with leading artists and executives.
Her leadership extends deeply into mental-health advocacy, forging partnerships with the Mental Health Coalition, Mental Health Storytelling Coalition, and NAMI, and guiding initiatives for the Don’t Mind Me Foundation, The Talented Twelve, The Dr. Brandt Foundation, and Hip Hop Public Health. Through these efforts, she has amplified authentic conversations around emotional well-being and reshaped how mental health is portrayed in media and culture.
A foster and adoptive mother, Blum’s personal life reflects her professional mission to create lasting change. She serves on the boards of FosterMore’s National Advisory Council, Rhythms of Healing, and TEDx Water Street. Guided by her lifelong mantra—“Never give up. Always give thanks.”—she continues to champion causes that unite purpose, empathy, and action.
The Co-llective Social Impact Agency
The Co-llective Social Impact Agency is a purpose-driven consultancy dedicated to designing, activating, and amplifying initiatives that create lasting change. Founded by award-nominated strategist Jodie Blum, the agency bridges the worlds of entertainment, philanthropy, and brand storytelling — helping leaders, athletes, and corporations transform influence into measurable social good. The Co-llective redefines what it means to give back, crafting strategies that merge empathy with innovation and turn moments of visibility into movements of impact. Its mission centers on authenticity, purpose, collaboration, and measurable results, guiding every partnership and campaign it builds.
Through a network of creative programs, celebrity foundations, and cross-sector collaborations, The Co-llective brings purpose to life. Its portfolio includes partnerships with Cartier, the NBA, Mercedes-Benz, Coca-Cola, American Airlines, Live Nation, Puma, Roc Nation, and Def Jam, alongside philanthropic alliances with The Common Ground Foundation, Pay Away The Layaway, and The Mental Health Coalition. Each project reflects the agency’s belief that influence should serve humanity — whether through brand activations that fund community programs, storytelling campaigns that shift perceptions, or events that inspire civic engagement.
Beyond brand partnerships, The Co-llective champions causes that shape cultural dialogue — with a special focus on mental health, youth empowerment, and equality. The agency has played a pivotal role in building initiatives for organizations such as NAMI, Hip Hop Public Health, The Dr. Brandt Foundation, and The Talented Twelve, using creative strategy to elevate awareness and drive funding for vital services.
With Jodie Blum’s visionary leadership and a team driven by compassion and creativity, The Co-llective continues to set a new standard for social impact in entertainment and philanthropy. Its work proves that meaningful change isn’t just an outcome — it’s the art form at the heart of everything they do.
0:02 – 1:20 | Early Sports Inspiration
Jodie shares how growing up in South Florida with an Eagles-fan dad and Yankees-fan mom sparked her lifelong love of sports and community energy.
3:08 – 5:00 | Discovering Purpose in Sports Philanthropy
She recalls working for an NFL Hall of Famer’s foundation early in her career, where she realized how athletes can use their platforms to create lasting impact.
5:00 – 6:00 | “Fame Gives You a Microphone, Purpose Gives You a Message”
Jodie explains her core philosophy — that true influence comes from purpose, not just visibility — and how that belief shaped her work.
7:24 – 9:46 | Rethinking Fundraising Models
She challenges traditional galas and high-cost events, emphasizing creative, low-overhead strategies that prioritize storytelling and measurable outcomes.
10:45 – 12:32 | Aligning Athlete Brands with Impact
Jodie discusses tailoring philanthropic efforts to fit each athlete’s brand, values, and schedule, ensuring alignment and authenticity over one-time events.
14:15 – 16:09 | The Power of Collaboration
She highlights a Miami-Dade County mental health campaign that united every local sports team for suicide prevention month, reaching 15–20 million people.
17:17 – 19:16 | Building Authentic Connections
Jodie explains how authenticity and storytelling create deeper emotional resonance than statistics, inspiring broader public engagement.
20:26 – 23:00 | Guiding Athletes to Discover Purpose
She describes helping athletes identify their true passions, refine their focus, and build sustainable philanthropic programs through education and structure.
23:48 – 25:16 | The Importance of Professional Guidance
Jodie warns athletes against launching foundations without expert help, noting the legal, financial, and reputational risks of noncompliance.
28:02 – 30:09 | Calling for Player Protection in the NFL
In a closing reflection, she says she’d serve as NFL commissioner to push stronger CTE awareness and lifelong player health protections — a cause close to her heart.
