Issue 35: One Dream At A Time

I’m honestly feeling both anxious and excited for the next few months. I feel anxious because I feel very overextended and likely have bit off more than I can chew.

I am excited about the work being done to improve the sector. I know the blood, sweat, and tears pouring out of everyone right now. This isn’t about just hanging on—this is about dreaming of a different type of nonprofit sector.?

There’s much good out there. Let’s spend some time spotlighting it this week.?

Generosity in Action

In the rapidly evolving world of philanthropy, the role of technology cannot be overstated. It holds the potential to revolutionize how we address global challenges, making the process more equitable, efficient, and impactful. One of the leaders in this space is GlobalGiving, an organization that has been at the forefront of connecting donors with nonprofits across the world.

?In a recent episode of the Untapped Philanthropy podcast, Victoria Vrana , CEO of GlobalGiving, discussed the organization's groundbreaking Atlas project and how it is redefining global philanthropy. Me and Kerrin Mitchell had a blast getting to know Victoria and if you're attending #FluxxCon (someday for me, Kerrin!) then make sure to connect with her.

Take a listen here:

Tips & Tricks

There’s an exciting conversation about how nonprofit leadership can shift to include more voices and perspectives and elevate people who may have been historically excluded from the discussion.?

That’s why I love this article from the Neon One team on 7 low-cost professional development ideas for nonprofit staff. Here are two of my favorites (besides free virtual conferences, of course)

Peer Mentoring Programs

Establishing a peer mentoring program within your organization can be a powerful way to facilitate professional development while also fostering a supportive work environment.?

In a peer mentoring program, more experienced staff members are paired with newer or less experienced colleagues, creating a dynamic where both parties benefit.?

The mentor provides guidance, shares their knowledge, and helps the mentee navigate their role more effectively.?

To implement a peer mentoring program, start by identifying potential mentors and mentees. Consider their skills, experiences, and professional development goals.?

Regular check-ins should be scheduled to ensure the relationship is productive and that both parties are benefiting from the experience.?

Over time, this program can evolve into a cornerstone of your organization’s professional development strategy.

Local Networking Events and Meetups

Networking is a crucial aspect of professional development, which is why local networking events and meetups provide valuable opportunities for your staff to learn from others in the field and build relationships that could lead to future collaborations.?

These events often come with minimal or no cost, making them an accessible option for nonprofits looking to expand their professional network.

Attending these events allows your staff to stay informed about industry trends, gain new perspectives, and discover best practices they can bring back to your organization.?

It also provides a platform for your organization to raise its profile within the community, as your staff represents your mission and values in conversations with peers.?

To encourage participation in local networking events, start by identifying relevant gatherings and making attendance a priority by allocating time during work hours for these events and encouraging staff to share their experiences and insights with the rest of the team.

(psssst, if you’re in upstate New York then keep an eye out for a special networking event we’re holding on October 17 right as GX24 ends)

Data Dive

The Generosity Commission just released a new report titled "Everyday Actions, Extraordinary Potential: The Power of Giving and Volunteering," and I'm sharing a high-level summary of its findings here. None of this is surprising, but your nonprofit should continue to focus on the importance of an expanding understanding of generosity and how people want to show that beyond just giving money.

Our sector's success isn't predicated on monetary efficiency but instead factors that elevate human connection. This is a difficult but important shift in behavior and motivation, but I'm excited to see data validating our company's core POV.

• Decline in Participation: The report highlights a significant decline in the number of Americans who donate and volunteer, with fewer households giving to nonprofits and fewer people volunteering. From 2008 to 2016, the percentage of U.S. households donating to nonprofit organizations dropped from 65.4% to 49.6%. Similarly, volunteerism has seen a decline, reaching a low of 24.9% in 2015.
• Economic and Social Factors: Economic precarity, social isolation, and declining social trust are major contributors to the decrease in generosity. The Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated these trends, especially affecting small, community-based nonprofits that heavily rely on everyday donations and volunteers.
• Shifts in Giving Behavior: While traditional giving and volunteering through nonprofits have decreased, new forms of generosity such as online crowdfunding, peer-to-peer transfers, and mutual aid networks have emerged, particularly during the pandemic. These informal modes of giving reflect the changing ways people contribute to social causes.
• Impact on Nonprofits: Smaller nonprofits, which depend on individual donations and volunteers, are disproportionately affected by the decline in participation. These organizations often serve critical roles in communities, but the shrinking donor and volunteer base threatens their ability to fulfill their missions.
• Civic Engagement and Social Connection: Giving and volunteering are closely linked to civic engagement and social connectedness. Those who participate in these activities are more likely to vote and engage in other civic behaviors. The report underscores the importance of a broad base of participation in strengthening civil society and democracy.

There are some recommendations, including a further focus on expanding data around giving and volunteering. As I’ll outline below, we are on the verge of a golden age of data collaborations that truly can empower nonprofits of all sizes, not just the well-resourced.?

Community Spotlight

While I am optimistic that we are beginning to comprehend the deep contradictions within our sector properly, there is still a long way to go and much to unlearn regarding prioritizing the right things.

Language is a significant part of that process and that is why I loved this post by T. Clay Buck, CFRE relating to the core idea of expanding the definition of generosity. He drew out some important nuances around the language we use inside the nonprofit sector versus what the average person might think when they hear how we talk.

“It’s just us that calls them LYBUNT vs SYBUNT, High Propensity vs Low, “small dollar” vs “wealthy” and any other classification we can think of.”

We have an opportunity to evolve our language, our thinking, and our way of life within the nonprofit sector. I’ve seen an interesting push/pull around discussing things in a crisis or whether that language is fear-based to sell products or services.?

I can’t speak for what consultants are doing out there, but I know we have much work to do. That is why I’m so excited that we’ll formally adopt a new governance structure for the Fundraising Effectiveness Project later this month. As we evolve our mission, vision, and priorities, we will address terms, definitions, and language.?

If you are part of the larger nonprofit ecosystem and want to participate in the work we’ll be formally kicking off next week, please consider joining one of our newly established subcommittees.?

Upcoming Events

I am so excited about my upcoming episode of Generosity Experience Live! I’ll be doing it remotely from Arlington, Virginia as we gear up to shift to the next evolution of the Fundraising Effectiveness Project, and I’ll be joined by the one and only Sheleia Phillips, MPH, CHES and Jessica Johnson , Neon One’s amazing director of customer support.?

Hit that reminder here.

Board Builder’s Symposium

September 26, 2024 | 11:00 am - 6:00 pm ET

I’m thrilled to be participating in Christal Cherry’s dedicated event focused entirely on board development. I’m going to be doing some light coaching on KPIs for boards next week and hope you can join me for my session.?

Register

Back to Basics: Grant Writing Success for Small Nonprofits with Big Goals

September 30, 2024 | 1 PM ET

In this hands-on coaching workshop, join me and Phillip Deng of Grantable as we dive into the art and science of grant writing tailored for small nonprofits. You’ll learn how to manage your grant applications effectively, ensuring that your organization’s unique story resonates with potential funders. With real-time feedback and practical insights, this session will guide you through the critical elements of creating a compelling, comprehensive narrative—even when resources are limited.

Register

Neon CRM Monthly Release: September 2024

September 30, 2024 | 2:30 PM ET

Unlock new possibilities in volunteer and donor management with Neon CRM’s enhanced volunteer management solution. By unifying your systems, you can streamline your operations and cultivate generosity more effectively.?

Register

Final Thoughts

Tomorrow is our local Association of Fundraising Professionals chapter conference and I’m really jazzed about the presentation I’ll be doing. Earlier this summer I outlined an initial test of the core framework that would eventually live in this article on Generosity Experience Design.?

Yet, when I chatted with Eric Guzman on what he wanted me to dive into at the conference, he asked for something more tactical. So I took our Recurring Giving Readiness Guide and turned it into an action packed tour through how to design a stellar recurring giving program from start to finish.?

I love being able to work on projects like this and it’ll be made even more special because Rachel D'Souza will be flying in later today and staying at my house! I cannot wait for her to meet my kids.

Community means investing your time, talent, and treasure into building trust with people. And it’s going to be done - one dream at a time.?

Puzzle of the Week

This is not a puzzle per se, other than the fact that I can't find anyone to play with me. I bought Capital Campaign: The Game - I would totally live stream playing this if people cared enough. Justin McCord , let's figure it out.