Carmen Boon, M.A.

Discovering "The Contemplative Morning" with Tray T.S. Deadwyler, CVM, CLC, CBC Deadwyler** 📚 Dive into the latest AmeriCorps Connections Podcast episode where we unveil Tray Deadwyler's "The Contemplative Morning." This episode not only covers Tray's remarkable journey through AmeriCorps and beyond but also introduces his book designed to guide leaders towards mindfulness and sustained impact. 👉 Whether you're a current AmeriCorps member, an alum, or someone passionate about mindfulness and leadership, this conversation offers valuable insights for everyone. Tray's advice on leadership, cultivating resilience, and his approach to daily contemplation can inspire us all. #MindfulnessInAction #LeadershipJourney #AmeriCorpsConnections https://lnkd.in/eHx9hVzz

4

Stop Trying to Wow Donors Into Philanthropic Submission: Increasingly, donors are asking for more “how” and less “wow” in concept papers, proposals and cases for support. In particular, they are asking how your organization proposes to: Tighten its focus to ensure greater mission realization Convert private support into significant, sustainable societal outcomes Relate the dollar amounts requested to specific outcomes Evaluate and report on the progress being made on projects they have funded Adjust and adapt to current and emerging societal trends Successful fundraising, in light of these expectations, must be: Less mass-marketed, more micro-targeted Lower in gloss, higher in content Less dependent on adverbs, more reliant on action items Less about telling, more about resonance Adhering to these new realities will make for more responsive and relevant organizations, not just improved fundraising results. Indeed, being more responsive and striving for greater relevance will be essential to sustaining and securing organizations' “market share” of private support in a declining philanthropic market. 

127

4 Comments

**The July 15 Distinguished Communicators submission deadline is quickly approaching.** Over the last few years, one of my greatest professional joys has been creating the space to celebrate distinguished PR and Communication leaders who identify as racially and ethnically diverse and who contribute powerfully to their organizations and our industry. Beyond well-deserved recognition, it’s an opportunity for our honorees to fellowship in a room and not be among few or an “only” in a gathering of formidable industry leaders. Nominate colleagues (or yourself) who are established practitioners, strategists, and leaders (mid-to senior-level) for the Distinguished Communicators of Color annual recognition. We welcome in-house, agency, publicists, agency-owners, and freelance professionals. There is one submission form for all, from which our judges will select:  -Class of 2024 honorees -2024 Top 5 Honorees -Industry Legends *new* ❗Tag someone who should be listed as one of our industry’s Distinguished Communicators of Color. If you cannot think of someone to nominate, I encourage you to consider attending the reception and expanding your personal network. Submissions due: Monday, July 15, 2024 Submit here: https://lnkd.in/g_tPaMKh

36

3 Comments

Interested in learning strategies to help you better advocate for inclusivity and justice in your communities? Explore Urban Institute and Race Forward Government Alliance on Race and Equity’s new Equity Resource Navigator, a tool designed to help local leaders find resources to advance equity in the communities they serve.  Check out the webinar for a live demonstration of the navigator and learn how equity work across the United States is evolving:  https://urbn.is/3yIGCle  #Equity

13

Watch the complete video of our President and COO, Diallo Smith, alongside other panelists in the full discussion "How Justice Demands Are Changing Philanthropy Dynamics" at the recent Mackinac Policy Conference. https://lnkd.in/gabsk__4

5

If We Truly Valued the Donors We Had Wouldn't we: Survey and/or interview them about what institutional attributes they find most important and impressive to ensure we hire fundraisers who embody them? Tell fundraisers their most important job is to perpetuate and deepen relationships with those assigned to their portfolios? Require fundraisers to demonstrate that they have studied donor profiles and developed engagement plans attuned to their donors' passions and sensitivities? Equip fundraisers with questions to ask so they can fill gaps in those donors' records to ensure they are managed well over time? Check in with those donors after a few months to make sure all is going well with their new development officer? Work with the development officer to learn what each donor does and does not want to receive knowing how many complain of being bombarded with information? Make sure any solicitation is well-thought-out and respectful as evidenced by the number of conversations preceding it and interest expressed by the donor in a particular initiative? Conduct annual stewardship interviews or surveys to make sure donors feel that their gifts have been well-stewarded and they feel respectfully treated, then compare results year over year to make sure gaps are not growing? Show fundraisers how they can help donors develop multiple connections to the organization? Yet, how often do we see fundraisers: Selected on the basis of bravado Pushed into the field with too little training and no review of their plans Expected to solicited after a set number of visits with no review as to whether what is being solicited aligns with donors' interests Not required to show evidence of relationship or affinity building Gone after two years so that donors not only experience giving fatigue but breaking-in-new-fundraiser fatigue So let's be honest. While many organizations have a stewardship office, few have anything that looks like an asset management plan or the awareness of how important one is. Despite what we give lip service to, is it not a fact that we care little about how positive an impression our fundraisers make or how well they treat their donors as long as they bring home some bacon? So here's the lesson that must penetrate or our thick organizational skulls: A stewardship office, no matter how good, cannot compensate for: Leadership attitudes that treat donors like cordwood Fundraisers who don't reflect values and ideals touted by the organization Fundraising imperatives that favor insensitive fundraisers or desensitize good ones Donors being made to feel like ATMs accessed by revolving fundraisers Inappropriate or inept solicitations Most organization leave much too much to chance. They need to build awareness around donors as invaluable organizational assets and, at minimum, hold themselves to ethic articulated in the Hippocratic Oath:  "I will do no harm or injustice to them."

117

10 Comments

Do you need some fresh ideas for donor discovery and engagement? I've got 31 strategies that will help you sincerely engage even your wealthiest supporters. Have you used any of these strategies before? How did they work out? https://lnkd.in/e8ymQK68 #donordiscovery #engagementfundraising

6

1 Comment

Grateful for the opportunity for First Focus on Children to participate in this important conversation. Our President Bruce Lesley discusses the need for ‘holistic’ thinking about kids, that is, thinking about all of their needs as interconnected rather than in silos. “How can all those things work better together?," he asks. "How can health care programs work in tandem with child care and nutrition and housing, so that we really do maximize the full potential of children and benefit families?” It's a good read.

3

Whilst its hard to see that any progress has been made, to the contrary - it looks like 0 progress made and everything got worse, with recent years breaking through the 1.5C targets. We mustn't give up hope that the many initiatives that have been kicked off as a result of these agreements, have prevented worse things from happening... too optimistic? maybe But working in the sustainability and SDG space has never been more exciting, with many people sharing that a just transition to a more sustainable, de-growth and circular economy is, ...possible. The questions is how fast, to prevent worse things from happening (Climate Catastrophy, Ecological Collapse, ...the list is getting longer). Currently the ANNUAL financing gap to the 2030 SDGs is (according to UN estimates), around $4 trillion. This is the same as Germany's or Japan's Gross Domestic Product. This is a staggering number and concept that the money missing to achieve the SDGs is the same as the monetary value of ALL finished goods and services made in Germany or Japan on an annual basis. And yet, the world economy is worth around $100 Trillion, so $4 trillion = 4%. That ...almost...sounds doable? too optimistic? maybe When it comes to asset managers, total discretionary assets under management (AUM) of the 500 biggest managers amounted to USD 113.7 trillion at the end of 2022, down by 13.7% from the end of 2021. The largest, BlackRock, manages $10 trillion and the next biggest 2, Vanguard ($9 trillion) and Fidelity ($4 trillion). Surely, investing into solutions on a planet that is actually liveable with resources being consumed at a sustainable pace is what its at? Otherwise, what will be managed in 20 or 30 years?

6

4 Comments

When thinking back to my time as a nonprofit CEO, I recall many sleepless nights wrestling with funding challenges. Conversations often focused on writing grants, annual campaigns, and donor engagement, but the results stayed the same. It wasn’t until we started thinking differently that we saw real change. 🚀Imagine a nonprofit and philanthropic world where innovation drives fund development, creating sustainable impact within our organizations, where new ideas are celebrated, and risks are seen as opportunities.  🌟 In my latest Coaching Innovation Blog, Innovating Fund Development for Greater Impact, discover how embracing innovation can transform your organization's approach to funding. ❓How can nonprofits elevate their fund development strategies to create greater impact? 🧠 Cultivate a Culture of Innovation: Encourage an environment where creativity thrives, and risks are part of the growth journey. 🔍 How can you foster a culture of innovation? Reflect on your organization's openness to new ideas and discuss your risk tolerance and risk threshold. 💡 Innovation Pop-ups: Organize regular brainstorming sessions to bring together diverse perspectives and generate innovative new fund development strategies. When we create a culture of innovation that leverages technology and embraces diverse funding sources, we can transform our organizations and the communities we serve. How have you leveraged innovation to support fund development? 🔗 Check out the full article at www.Jordansydnor.com . 

31

🚨Election 2024: Breaking Down Barriers with Purpose🚨 In the wake of Labour’s historic victory, the work of the The Purpose Coalition’s Breaking Down Barriers Commission takes center stage. Under Keir Starmer's leadership, the Coalition’s mission to dismantle socio-economic barriers is now more crucial than ever. 🗣️Rachel Reeves, potentially the next and first-ever female Chancellor, has emphasised the importance of renewed partnerships with businesses in achieving these goals. Reeves' commitment to long-term solutions aligns perfectly with the Purpose Coalition's objectives, aiming for sustained improvements across the UK. 🤝 Labour has called for stronger collaboration between the government and businesses to create inclusive opportunities. This partnership is seen as essential in driving economic stability and social mobility, ensuring that every community benefits from growth and innovation. ⏭️Expect significant policy initiatives focused on breaking down barriers to opportunity as the Labour government prioritise inclusivity and partnership. 🔗Our Purpose Coalition employers will play a vital role in shaping and supporting these efforts, making a tangible impact on communities across the nation. 🗳️Read our briefing, covering: - The results in detail - What happens today and beyond - Who to watch in the new Parliament - The initial policy direction of the new government #Election2024 #BreakingDownBarriers #PurposeCoalition #InclusiveGrowth

16

Hey Non-profits, this question is for you - How are you currently balancing efforts between fundraising and donor engagement versus program delivery and expansion, and what strategies are you implementing to ensure success in both areas? We understand the roadblocks you may run into when there's no strategic plan in place. Luckily, we can help with that! Send us a message if you're interested in learning more.

1

Only 8% of those who know the most about philanthropy's inner workings believe foundations should exist in perpetuity. Can you guess what % believe philanthropy is mostly extractive? Scroll through the slides below to see... It's time to organise and put our insights and knowledge to work to CHANGE OUR SYSTEM! Join our event on June 4th to hear more First Draft Funders survey results and be part of mobilising our community. #philanthropy #grantmaking #equity #justice #foundations #fundraising #nonprofit

11

2 Comments

In this new piece in Nonprofit Quarterly, Ford's Ghada Abdel Tawab and Otto Saki, and Sally Roever of WIEGO - Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing explores the critical nexus of civic space and worker rights in the Global South. It's a must-read for anyone interested in philanthropy's role in supporting workers' movements to preserve and expand civic space. At the Ford Foundation, we believe in the power of collective action and the importance of protecting the rights of workers to organize and advocate for themselves and their communities. This article highlights the challenges faced by civil society organizations and labor movements in the Global South and how philanthropy can step up to fuel worker movements to drive positive change.

36

1 Comment

Interested in learning more about community engagement but not sure where to start? Sign up to nia avanna's mailing list! We have exciting news and valuable insights coming soon to help you understand and implement effective strategies. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/effEkx9u #communityengagement #niaavanna #socialvalue #ESG #CSR #makingadifference

4

Tough Love for Donors #2 ❤️🖤❤️ Most donors want what’s best for the organizations they support. They trust the board and staff leadership to stay the course defined by their mission statement. As I hinted last week, there is a vocal minority who want the money they give to advance their own purposes, whatever strain it puts on the organization. Attempts to steer the boat from shore rarely go well. ⛵️ Some funders have a concept that they are purchasing power with your organization when they donate. It’s as though their gift (whatever the size) has made them a majority shareholder. Generous contributions are an “investment” in the mission and our collective future, but the analogy ends there. Hopefully, the orgs we work for have honed their mission down to the most optimal approach to the issue they address. That mission is the North star, and no funder should be allowed to take us off course. I've heard this defined as "mission drift" or "mission creep." Funders who require you to swing out of your lane shouldn't be indulged. I’ve experienced donors and institutional funders asking me to compromise privacy policies and/or build programs outside the stated mission while dangling cash like it’s a golden carrot. 🪢 The classic "strings-attached" donation: “I can make this gift if you do X.” ∓ The "negative contingency" (thanks Alexandyr Kent) : “I will pull my support unless you X.” 🧐 Evaluate these quid pro quo statements, explicit or implied, carefully. 🧐 If you compromise, you’ll regret it. You’ll create a monster of entitlement and diminish the integrity of the organization. 💰 Maybe announcing that 6 or 7 figure gift to the board or staff is tempting. 💰 🫷 BUT🫸 You have agency here. Stand your ground. I’ve mentioned a couple requests above that prospective funders have made throughout my career that would’ve compromised the mission I was supporting. Luckily, in both cases, I was backed up by leadership who agreed we shouldn’t engage under those terms. Have you had to address funders offering gifts or threatening to withdraw unless action is taken to conform the organization to their own personal value system? How did you respond? Let me know! #fundraising #nonprofit #donors

4