Dr. Akilah Watkins

We should be clear that our movements and movement leaders are targets for right-wing disinformation, legislation, strategy, and violence. And those attacks are well-funded.

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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 . 

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It’s happening! After months of preparation, the first National Child Care Innovation Summit cohosted by the U.S. Department of Commerce and U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation takes place this Thursday 🌟! Hundreds of businesses, policymakers, innovators, funders, and providers from over 40 states are coming together to put childcare on the national economic agenda. Headlined by Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and US Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Suzanne Clark, we couldn’t be more thrilled about the lineup of speakers joining us! From CEOs of large companies like UPS, Etsy, Suffolk and Micron to small businesses entrepreneurs like Alson Farms and Red Rooster, we’ll hear from businesses taking action on child care. From White House officials and Members of Congress to Governors, Mayors, county officials and chambers of commerce, we’ll learn about how policy reform and innovation is increasing access to child care both federally and in small urban and rural communities across the nation. We are excited to shed light on the movers and shakers leading investments, innovations and public-private partnerships addressing child care challenges on the ground. They consider how the private sector can be a force multiplier to the public sector in making care infrastructure investments and moving forward public funding for child care. They design for the toughest use cases, such as non-traditional hour workers, child care deserts, and families who require diverse supply options. And they are making inroads to recognizing the immense importance of care jobs by providing better wages, benefits, opportunities, and support. While there is still much work ahead, this summit hopes to provide an opportunity for many to take the first—or next—step towards forging a working care system. Hope to see you there in person or join us online!

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The ongoing discussions surrounding homelessness, catalyzed by recent Supreme Court arguments, underscore the urgent need for informed action. Gain deeper insights into this issue by examining the 2023 Point-in-Time (PIT) count numbers. Understanding these statistics is pivotal in crafting effective solutions to combat homelessness nationwide.  Read Francis G. Torres’ key takeaways: https://lnkd.in/eXq2UZgK  #homelessness 

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Are you a donor or a grantmaker? Help our colleagues at 21/64 & the National Network of Consultants to Grantmakers (NNCG) gain valuable insights on how you engage philanthropy consultants or advisors to advance your giving. Click here to start the survey > https://bit.ly/49FGn76

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Writing federal grant proposals can be tough - especially when it comes to writing goals, defining outcomes, and showing how you will demonstrate your impact. In this solo episode, I dive into tips and strategies for how to talk about data collection in your federal grant proposals. Topics include: -> performance measures, -> building a plan for data collection, -> identifying useful data collection tools, and -> how to align your data collection procedures across your proposal with a performance measures table. Use tips from this episode to help separate yourself from the field and win that next six- or seven-figure federal grant. Search "Common Good Data Podcast" anywhere yo listen to find the episode, or navigate to our show page: https://lnkd.in/gUpwJvYY

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Urban Institute #30April2024 #ResearchReport : #Labor #Market #Policies #for #Racial #Equity "What Does the Evidence Tell Us about How to Ensure the Future of Work Does Not Replicate the Disparities of Today?"

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Excited to share that the 2023 impact report for LISC's Black Economic Development Fund (BEDF) is now live. Since 2020, with generous support from our investors, BEDF has committed a majority of its capital, investing $211.9 million to fuel Black-led financial institutions, Black-led businesses, and other organizations doing business in predominantly Black communities addressing economic challenges and contributing to closing the racial wealth gap. Through initiatives like BEDF, LISC remains at the forefront of efforts to enhance capital access for entrepreneurs serving communities of color. Here's the breakdown: https://lnkd.in/epq7mrN5 LISC Strategic Investments

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💡 If you work with non-profits, then it’s no secret that it's getting harder and harder for them to reach their fundraising objectives. As a foundation or fonds de dotation (French endowment fund) a simple way help is to provide multi-year funding.   👇This article from KV Philanthropy Consulting offers a few insights as multi-year vs one-off donations and what impacts they can have for both associations and foundations. Don’t hesitate to let me know what you think! (Vous trouvez également la version française via le lien ci-dessous) #Donation #Multiyear #foundation #fondsdedotation #nonprofit #charity #association #grantmaking #fundraising #philanthropy

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Path to 15|55 is a collaborative initiative, among experts from every sector, designed to grow Black businesses and their communities based on researchthat proves: if just 15% of Black-owned businesses are able to hire one more employee, the American economy could grow by $55 billion. https://lnkd.in/gH6335CT

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Celebrating Community Engagement, Trust, and Black Joy at The Learning Tree Common Ground Gathering Day 2 🌟 On the second day of the Common Ground Gathering, we were inspired by the keynote discussion featuring Pamela Ross Ross and Mark Lewis. Their insights into philanthropy, trust, and the power of Black joy in community empowerment were truly transformative. Pamela Ross, formerly of the Indianapolis Foundation, emphasized the importance of investing in Black joy to create resilient and thriving communities. Mark Lewis, President and CEO of the Poise Foundation, highlighted the significance of developing grassroots Black power through collective resource mobilization. Key Takeaways: Trust and Power Dynamics: Building genuine relationships within communities. Racial Equity: Holding institutions accountable and addressing structural biases. Black Joy as a Catalyst: Investing in joyous initiatives to foster unity and reduce violence. Grassroots Empowerment: Harnessing collective economic power and educating the next generation. #Philanthropy #CommunityEngagement #CollectivePower #BlackJoy #Trust #SustainableChange #Commongroundgathering2024 https://lnkd.in/gK26R9MH

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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

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Alongside many community members and organizations, we were proud to submit a public comment last year supporting the addition of a distinct Middle Eastern or North African (MENA) ethnic category and other updates that would allow for more specific reporting across race/ethnic categories in the U.S. Census and other federal data collection vehicles. These changes have been made official and are important because accurate data collection, disaggregation, and reporting are central to understanding and meeting community needs. More specifically, accurate and detailed public data about our local residents will help us serve our region better for many generations to come. As our partners at the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy state, "What this means for communities nationwide is a monumental step forward in visibility and the actionability of public data for more inclusive outcomes." Learn more about these federal data collection updates: https://lnkd.in/gnH9YctR [Link preview description: A Muslim individual wearing a green hijab and glasses sitting at a desk and typing on a white laptop.] #MENA #USCensus #DataCollection #Advocacy #CommunityFoundation #DiversityEquityInclusion

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While reviewing previous articles I was reminded of an Advancing Philanthropy piece of mine that AFP kindly published in 2017. It was about the impact of partnering on the career progression of fundraising professionals. This is a not-often-discussed topic that I believe would still benefit from discussion. As a person who has been in two dual-career relationships, I learned the challenges and joys such situations can bring. Are you a fundraiser in a dual-career relationship (whether or not your spouse or partner is a fundraiser)? What advice or guidance might you offer to others in the profession and hiring managers?

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Investing in care is a winning strategy for candidates. Period.

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As we approach the possible reopening of Shuman Center, it’s clear that the path forward must prioritize the holistic development of our youth beyond mere incarceration. As an expert in program development through strategic collaboration, I advocate for integrating comprehensive supportive services for both juveniles and their families. The key to breaking the cycle of recidivism lies in addressing the root causes of youth behavior, many of which are deeply intertwined with family dynamics and trauma. I propose assigning life navigators—dedicated case managers—to each youth. These navigators will provide essential services, including partner referrals, program participation tracking, mentorship, and follow-ups for at least 6 to 12 months and beyond as needed. This structured support system ensures continuous engagement and addresses both immediate and long-term needs. Despite differing visions for the facility, it’s crucial to recognize that short-term detention does not equate to neglecting the broader needs of these young individuals. While Adelphoi focuses on immediate safety and court processing, integrating supportive services through third-party providers ensures that we don’t miss the opportunity to offer rehabilitation and positive development during this critical period. County Executive Sara Innamorato’s vision of holistic services, including mental health and educational opportunities, aligns perfectly with this approach. With the integration of wraparound services and experts, we can enhance service delivery and maintain rigorous oversight of programmatic activity and outcome metrics while addressing concerns about privatization, transparency, and accountability. Imagine the impact of a solution-based approach that transforms the Highland Detention Center from a place of mere confinement into a catalyst for positive change. By addressing trauma, supporting families, and providing continuous care through life navigators, we can foster true rehabilitation and prepare our youth for successful reintegration into society. #YouthDevelopment #JuvenileJustice #HolisticSupport #CommunityEngagement #Rehabilitation #AlleghenyCounty https://lnkd.in/eCg884Si

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Have you seen the RFP for Youth Training and Career Development Services? The estimated Funding Amount Up to $1,033,383. In this video, I'll be diving into the Savannah RFP for youth training and career development services. I'll walk you through the key details, including the funding, program elements, and important guidelines. Plus, I'll share a quick tip on how you can propose this opportunity to your own county's workforce board. So, if you're interested in exploring this exciting RFP and potentially participating in the program, this video is for you. #montinaspeaks

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Be A Love Warrior! Marginalized communities are more likely to experience poverty, lack of affordable housing, and discrimination in the housing market, pushing them into homelessness at higher rates. Addressing the root causes of racial disparities in homelessness requires that we embrace solutions that center Radical Love. The Supreme Court decision will lead to further stigmatization and violence on our unhoused neighbors. Embracing and protecting Radical Love is imperative. Be A Love Warrior! https://lnkd.in/gqCH4Kh4

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