Asha Curran

"The fullest expression of trust-based philanthropy's goals is when it creates space for both parties' relative strengths and assets to fully contribute toward a shared impact objective." Thanks to The Bridgespan Group for this thoughtful analysis of trust as a critical facet of social impact, and for inviting me to add my perspective (link to my article in comments). https://lnkd.in/gQUJnJJQ

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Excellent digest of the digital transformation obstacles we face … and the potential #impact gains for the social sector IF we begin the work to optimize our sector’s #tech. What if #philanthropy and #nonprofits worked collaboratively with #ai tools to generate, assess, and scale impact? It’s a long journey from #data to #predictive insight … we must start.

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In PolicyLink's series in Stanford Social Innovation Review so far, our colleagues have explored what achieving a flourishing multiracial democracy requires of each of us, and what it could begin to look like for governments. In this new installment written by Jeff Bradach and I, we explore what this foundational change will require of nonprofit institutions. To play their part, our institutions will need to embrace their own transformation, build from a past rooted in charity and move toward a model of liberation—a future where our laws, regulations, customs, and institutions are structured so all people can thrive.  This work calls us to struggle, and may look different depending on a nonprofit’s starting point, mission, assets, and challenges. Hard decisions will need to be made and missteps will happen. Until we bring love and accountability to our internal practices, external partnerships, and the nonprofit sector more broadly, we cannot expect to realize a nation where everyone can flourish. I look forward to continuing this journey towards liberation together. https://lnkd.in/g5ZVkCJf

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I love this piece, Sandhya. I am particularly struck by how you often say to investors, “You can’t build wealth for Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color by continuing to extract wealth from these same communities that have faced multigenerational exclusion and extraction from our financial systems.” And then you are met with blank stares. We need to make the clear case that financial returns do not fall from the sky, pristine and unblemished. They far too often come through extracting from workers, debtors, communities, the environment. Redefining fiduciary duty beyond obligation to wealth holders is critical. And this one technical solution is best understood as part of a broad rethink: who is an economy for? https://lnkd.in/gb9pHkDT When financial assets are 5 times GDP, their relentless, single-minded focus on maximum returns is no longer a private matter. It is a form of bias toward wealth that harms the rest of us. Thank you for speaking out, Sandhya. We need more voices like yours. Find fodder for argument in Wealth Supremacy: https://lnkd.in/gWN45S8w

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This is me in 2019 at the Empire State Building in NYC, a year into my #FemaleEntrepreneurship journey. I was feeling both excitement and apprehension about the future. I'd just completed Nora Bateson's transformative #WarmDataLab training and was inspired to apply this to #AI and #Tech. Fast forward 5 years and I'm honoured to attend the Women in AI Asia Pacific (APAC) awards as a finalist for the AI in Law category, for my work in combining AI and #HumanInformation. It wasn't an easy journey - there were mornings I'd wake up wondering if I'd enough funding to continue. I was told I needed more #courage, that my marketing skills were lacking, and that I didn't have enough sponsors. But I loved my work, and had many people who believed in me and gave me a chance. So this post is for any female entrepreneur or #WomeninAI who feels unsure of the journey and scared they can't compete. Lessons I learnt: 🧗🏼‍♀️ Hold tight to the "Business Need": While it's easy to get distracted by which solution will gain traction in the market, it is the business problem that needs tending to. This required a lot of listening to understand the issues before finding the solution to 'fix the pain points'. It took me almost a year to learn that the real issue was a disconnect between 'objective' and 'subjective' data. Only then was I able to receive the 'source idea'. 🗣️ Clear Communication: Even after extensively studying the work of Kevin Kelly and Gregory Bateson, it took me several months to articulate my deliverables with any confidence. This was where "grit" came in - pitching my solution over and over again, seeing what stuck and how it was received. I got better with practice, and learnt the different terminologies used for different Industries. My 'elevator pitch': "Enriching the value of existing data assets by better leveraging human information or domain knowledge". 🌄 Find your Tribe: Entrepreneurship can be very rewarding, but also a lonely journey. Research has found that 72% of entrepreneurs struggle with #mentalhealth impacts, including high stress, anxiety, burnout and depression. As a #WomaninSTEM, not fitting the typical mould was something I became accustomed to, but I was only able to withstand the many failures and disappointments with the support of my tribe: Clare Babbage, Christy F., Ann Badillo, Annette Hester, Cindy Lenferna de la Motte, Kat Dunn, Catherine Donnelley, Peter C., Christine McDougall (Syntropic World), Niamh Murray, Nikki Thompson. Peter Thompson, Manuela Damant, Cindy Forde, Julie Ryan. GAICD, Benny Wallington, Murray Galbraith. You need a community to belong to and someone to sit with you in the difficult moments. Walking away from entrepreneurship was a tough decision, but one I don't regret. There's no 'perfect path' and I feel blessed to continue my journey at LinkedIn. Special thanks also to Dr Alex Antic, Angela Kim, Nick O'Donnell and Dave Woodward for your kind support along the way.

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This piece below by Erin Reilly (Twilio) calls for a re-look at nonprofit funding. Erin talks about the urgent need for funding models that support not only direct programmatic efforts but also investments in technology and technical talent. Technology-driven scaling of social missions and impact is a no-brainer. And yet many funders focus on programmatic outcomes and just in time impact as their funding principle. Couple of years ago I asked a panel of funders, why they shouldn't learn lessons and adopt a model similar to impact investing? The simplest answer was something like - where should we start? who should take the first step? Anyways, are you seeing a change out there? What is your perspective? #TechInclusiveFunding #Data4Good https://lnkd.in/gi4hvKpZ?

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#nonprofits - how do you move interested corporate donor prospects from "intent" to support you to "are" supporting you? If you don't have "cultivation journeys" mapped out and automated to close this gap, check out this one 👇 from Accelerist's new Corporate Fundraising Closing Playbook! Get more workflows, best practices and closing content to close your #Corporatedonors 3x faster here: https://lnkd.in/euFn2Yu3

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Survey fatigue is real! Thanks to PEAK Grantmaking for hosting a session on how funders are leveraging the data we have at Candid to benefit rather than burden the field through a collective impact approach that reduces application length, reporting, and survey profliferation. Check out highlights, advice, and lessons learned from my latest Candid Insights article: Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/e6fnhDRj

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The fast pace of AI innovation needs to be paired with rigorous evaluation. Very excited to be presenting top line results from our exploratory RCT examining the impact of generative AI on the user experience and relationship at Society for Digital Mental Health next week

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Check out this upcoming webinar on the Challenges of Collective Impact (and How to Master Them!) with Center for Social Sector Leadership at Berkeley Haas senior fellow Jane Wei-Skillern and Paul Schmitz https://lnkd.in/gqb-_H-Q

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Speaks for itself

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The importance of truth, rooted in thousands of years of scientific inquiry, lies in its ability to provide a universal understanding of the natural world and guide human progress. In a world where different perspectives may exist, the essence of truth remains --->singular and immutable<----, serving as a cornerstone for rational discourse, informed decision-making, and the pursuit of knowledge.

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Many donors still are trying to understand how donor-advised funds work. Likewise, a lot of nonprofit leaders still are unsure the right way to work with donors who give through DAFs, much less the DAF providers themselves. In the latest Giving Ventures podcast, we tackle both sides of the equation. The podcast plays back a great webinar we hosted for non-profit leaders last week exploring how to use and work with DAF providers. Take a listen, whether you be a donor, non-profit CEO, or a fundraiser. You'll find something to help you!

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📣 ICYMI - Partnership on AI's Participatory & Inclusive Demographic Data Guidelines is open for public comment! Algorithmic bias is a growing concern, as these systems become more pervasive in our daily lives. This bias disproportionately affects marginalized communities and perpetuates existing structural inequities. PAI's guidelines provide a framework for the collection and use of demographic data that is participatory and inclusive. By involving diverse voices, we can ensure that data collected is representative and that algorithmic systems are created with equity in mind. Take a look and provide your feedback on this important issue. #AI #algorithmicbias #equity #inclusion https://lnkd.in/e6G7cc3s

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Just wrapped up the "What Impact Does Trust-Based Philanthropy Facilitate?" webinar, and here are my key takeaways: 💡 Who defines impact matters: In any funder-grantee relationship, the power imbalance is evident in how impact is defined. 💪 The trust-based approach is inclusive: It not only values grantees' own definition of impact, but actively seeks their definitions. Trust-based philanthropy recognizes and values the experience of those closest to the context in which work is being conducted. ⏳ More isn't always more: With a trust-based approach to evaluating impact, funders aim to minimize burdens for grantees and communities. It's not about countless metrics, but about sense-making and reflecting on change. 🌱 Evaluating impact is steeped in learning: Trust-based evaluation embraces a strong learning stance, and this approach isn't at odds with achieving impact. Learning and achieving impact happen together. Thanks to Trust-Based Philanthropy Project for organizing such a great discussion! And to speakers @Brenda S. and Yolanda Coentro (She/Her) for sharing your experience and examples of trust-based work.

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Interesting Stanford Social Innovation Review article by Marina Gorbis on the power of futures thinking. As Raising a Reader navigates through what the future will look like, the ability to anticipate and adapt is more critical than ever. By adopting foresight tools, we can ensure that our mission to foster the development of literacy and family engagement skills and a lifelong love of reading, not only remains relevant, and is anticipating and proactive in the face of evolving opportunities and challenges.    https://lnkd.in/gBNsQb7c 

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Hi! This month’s 15-minute Everyday Climate Champions Podcast is here: Episode 17: Raising Children During the Climate Crisis Guest: Jennifer Silverstein, Licensed Clinical Social Worker   Description: In this episode, we discuss the personal impact that climate change-fueled fires had on our guest and her young child. She also explains, from a therapist’s perspective, the steps parents (and others) can take to deal with the growing problem of climate anxiety in themselves and in their families. See below for links to many helpful resources we share.   Great Guest Quote: “This is an existential worldwide problem. We're not going to solve it by ourselves and we need to work together, and…we really can't take care of our emotional well-being by ourselves, either.”   Host: Sean Mendelson   Listen: on  your favorite podcast app  OR HERE or YouTube   Transcript HERE: https://lnkd.in/gnaDaRwx   (Please share with folks interested in addressing our climate crisis: friends, family, social media contacts, colleagues, etc.)   Happy listening! PS: Did you know that we LOVE listener feedback? Share your thoughts and insights by taking this brief survey: https://bit.ly/4cpG4Qn Keywords:  #eco-anxiety,#climateanxiety,#eco-distress, #climatedistress, #childhoodmentalhealth,#parentmentalheath;#climatecrisis,#climateaction,#climatediscussions.#climatejustice  

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