In episode 183 of the Asset Champion Podcast, host Mike Petrusky speaks with Justin Gallo, Facilities and Administrative Services Manager at Daniels Fund, about a different way of thinking about facilities and asset management. Drawing on his experience working in philanthropy, Justin argues that buildings, expertise, professional networks, and service-provider relationships have value that extends far beyond daily operations. While facility managers are often measured on stewardship, maintenance, and reliability, Justin believes they also have an opportunity to create broader impact by using those assets to support communities and advance organizational missions. Together, they explore the challenges many nonprofit organizations face when managing facilities without dedicated FM teams, the importance of becoming a strategic partner instead of a cost center, and the role relationships play in successful facility operations. Justin shares how Daniels Fund uses its building as a community resource through knowledge sharing, meeting space, and educational opportunities.
Agenda
- Exploring how facility managers can create value beyond building operations
- Understanding the facilities challenges facing nonprofit organizations
- Learning how to position facilities as a strategic partner rather than a cost center
- Examining the importance of professional relationships and service-provider partnerships
What you need to know: Facility and maintenance takeaways
Takeaway 1: Facilities create value when they support the mission, not just the building
Justin explains that many facility managers focus primarily on protecting assets, maintaining systems, and controlling costs. While those responsibilities remain critical, he believes facilities leaders can create even greater value when they connect their work directly to organizational outcomes.
At Daniels Fund, that means viewing facilities as a tool for community impact rather than simply a building to maintain. The organization provides meeting space, hosts educational events, and shares facilities expertise with nonprofit groups that often lack dedicated facilities resources.
“It’s more than just what’s in the building. It’s outside too,” says Justin. “How can they make an impact versus you just managing them?”
Takeaway 2: Many organizations need facilities expertise as much as they need funding
Justin explains that many nonprofit organizations excel at delivering their missions but frequently lack dedicated facilities teams. Responsibilities such as contract management, preventive maintenance, vendor coordination, and asset stewardship often fall to executive directors or program leaders whose primary expertise lies elsewhere.
Rather than focusing only on financial support, Justin believes facilities professionals can create meaningful impact by sharing their knowledge. Organizations can benefit from practical guidance on building operations, maintenance planning, and facilities stewardship that helps them make better use of limited resources.
“A lot of nonprofits are really great at running their missions. They’re so good at doing that, but they’re not the best at managing their physical assets,” says Justin.
Takeaway 3: Strategic partnership changes how facilities are perceived
Too often, facilities departments are viewed as a necessary expense that responds when something breaks. Justin argues that facilities teams must actively demonstrate how they contribute to organizational success. By participating in event planning, supporting business initiatives, solving operational challenges, and helping advance organizational goals, facility managers can become trusted partners rather than service providers.
Building that reputation takes time, but once facilities earns a seat at the table, leaders gain opportunities to shape decisions and contribute at a higher level.
“I think the biggest challenge is showing that you can be a strategic partner to your business,” says Justin. “We’re included in those conversations. We’re actually helping drive that conversation too.”
Takeaway 4: Relationships are operational assets
Strong partnerships with service providers, contractors, and industry peers create operational resilience that technology alone cannot provide, says Justin. A trusted service partner who understands a facility and can respond quickly during an emergency becomes a valuable extension of the facilities team.
He encourages facility managers to move beyond transactional vendor relationships and build genuine partnerships that create mutual investment in success.
“Having a partnership with a service provider that you can call up and they’ll be out there in an hour if you have an issue, those are all huge things.”
Takeaway 5: Start by asking what else your assets can make possible
Justin encourages professionals to broaden their thinking beyond traditional asset stewardship. Buildings provide more than shelter. Facilities teams possess specialized expertise. Professional networks create connections. Vendor partnerships provide resources. Together, those assets can create value for organizations and communities that may not otherwise have access to them.
He isn’t advocating for massive new programs or initiatives. Instead, he suggests starting with a simple question and looking for opportunities to help others through the resources already available.
“Don’t just think about your assets as something that you’re protecting. Think about them as something that can do something for someone else,” says Justin. “What else could my building, my knowledge, my resources, my network make possible for somebody else?”
Maintenance management insights
- Facilities teams create more influence when they connect their work directly to organizational missions and outcomes.
- Many nonprofit organizations need facilities expertise and operational guidance in addition to financial support.
- Facility managers can elevate their role by becoming strategic partners who contribute to planning and decision-making.
- Strong service-provider relationships are critical operational assets that extend the capabilities of internal teams.
- Buildings, expertise, and professional networks can create value beyond daily operations when used to support broader community needs.
Do a deep dive into more asset management insights by exploring all Asset Champion Podcast episodes. Watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSkmmkVFvM4H3pwnlU2AuqynuRDpvnh4J
