Iara Peng

Great article by Ghada Abdel Tawab, Otto Saki & Sally Roever. Civic space has always been a powerful tool for organizing, sharing ideas, and holding power to account. It catalyzed the end of apartheid, advanced reproductive rights for Latin American feminists, and fueled global climate change movements. However, civic space is elastic: it can expand widely or be forcibly restricted. Workers, the world's largest organized movement, intuitively understand the importance of civic space. Despite facing immense challenges, they are using this space to counteract authoritarian abuses. A powerful example is the resilience of waste pickers. These 20 million "invisible environmentalists" play a critical role in urban sustainability, recycling 60% of the world's plastic and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Yet, they face severe marginalization and unsafe working conditions. Supported by WIEGO, Latin American waste pickers spent six years building their collective voice to secure a hearing at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. This milestone moment marked the first official recognition of waste pickers' rights by a major human rights body. Victories like these protect and expand civic space and inspire other workers to organize for better conditions. The global waste pickers' movement has influenced UN Plastics Treaty negotiations, promoted extended producer responsibility, and inspired a documentary showcasing their fight for rights. In May 2024, the International Alliance of Waste Pickers held its first Elective Congress, a vibrant civic space where waste pickers from around the world elected their leaders and united for international recognition. Hosted by Argentina’s Union of Popular Economy Workers, this historic Congress was a milestone decades in the making. Together, let's support and expand civic space for all workers, ensuring they can continue to fight for their rights with dignity and justice. #LaborRights #CivicSpace #EnvironmentalJustice #WastePickers #GlobalSouth #WorkersUnite #HumanRightshttps //https://lnkd.in/gbhayubd

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This recent piece by FSG argues that foundations committed to systems change need to take an ecosystem approach guided by the principles of trust based philanthropy to inform strategy development, program implementation, and learning and evaluation. This reorientation takes funders from positioning themselves as central to positioning themselves as one component of an ecosystem. This results in, among other things: Strategy development moving from being developed internally to being co-created with ecosystem partners; Strategy implementation expanding beyond siloed grantmaking for organizations to support for collaboratives and community-led solutions; and Learning and evaluation expanding beyond grant-level outcomes and accountability with proscribed outcomes to co-developing systems level outcomes and learning. The authors provide helpful examples and frameworks for each stage of the strategy lifecycle. For those of you who fund in systems change, what resonates with you?

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Philanthropy has an excellent opportunity to make significant headway toward breaking the intergenerational cycle of violence and reducing violence against children. Until we as a sector adopt strategies that address the structural violence and inequities that drive and feed individual behavior, our goal to end this harm will be incomplete. While it is essential to change responses to individuals who commit violence against children or are at risk of doing so, violence is never only about individual factors; it is also systemic and historical. Ignite Philanthropy: Inspiring the End to Violence Against Girls and Boys has an approach to ending violence against children that is awakening a global movement to tackle the structural drivers that lead to violence against children and the system changes that must take place to dismantle them. For this reason, I am pleased to announce that I have joined Ignite Philanthropy's Advisory Board. I am excited to team up with and support the leadership of Ignite's CEO, Don Cipriani, and his fantastic team in the journey ahead. I am also looking forward to working with and learning from my fantastic comrades on the board: Chandre Gould, Sohini Bhattacharya, Dipak Naker, and Elda Moreno. See Board Announcement: https://lnkd.in/gKXuFt9V #endviolenceagainstchildren #accountablephilantrhopy #connectingthedots #survivorsadvocacy #genderequality #visionandaction #youthparticipation #MovementBuilding

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NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS!!!!!!! The second round of grantmaking for the Environmental Justice Data Fund (EJDF or “the Fund”) will be supported by a $4 million fund, created and seeded by Google.org. The EJDF aims to help frontline communities historically underserved and disproportionately impacted by climate change and environmental injustice in the United States use data to address environmental hazards, with special attention to matters regarding air and water quality. The Fund will support eligible organizations to unlock resources, increase their access to federal infrastructure funding, and advocate for new policies that empower communities to address past environmental harm and pave the way to a more sustainable, climate-resilient future. The new round of grantmaking was designed based on insights from the 2022 grantmaking cycle, which demonstrated a high need in the field to address environmental hazards, especially related to air and water quality. The fund remains dedicated to the principle that supporting data work will help advance justice and build power within local communities. By providing those most impacted by environmental injustices with valuable information, they are empowered to confront these issues and develop community-led solutions. The Fund will prioritize projects that serve frontline communities and consider a broad range of approaches to using data to advocate for environmental justice at the local and regional levels (please see below for how the Fund defines “frontline communities”, “environmental justice”, and “data” for this opportunity). It will provide organizations with flexible project funding to increase their organizational capacity to incorporate quality data work into their environmental and climate justice programming. The fund expects to make two to four grants of $500,000 and six to eight grants of $250,000. The Fund encourages grantees to leverage grant funds for matching opportunities, if applicable. Deadline: August 30, 2024.

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It's time to REDESIGN systems of power and governance in philanthropy. Do you know any extraordinary board members, trustees, or HNWIs who have an inkling that this is true? 🤔 Philanthropy's status quo is an ill fitting governance system that wasn't designed for social change--it doesn't work well for anyone involved or the outcomes we seek. We need systems that work for the complexity and humanity of the world. The good news is, we can create them. Together. We've designed a highly supported experience to do just that! We're working with the brilliant teams at Intrinsic Labs and Radical Optimist Collective. Click through to see the profile of potential participants we're looking for to take part in Metamorphic Legacy, a bespoke leadership experience to redesign governance. Share this post/the 1 pager with 🦄 trustee unicorns 🦄 you know and reshape philanthropy with us! #philanthropy #leadership #governance #redesign #boardmembers #trustees #HNWIs #creativity #boards #grantmaking #innovation #crappyfundingpractices https://lnkd.in/dXz4zR8X One pager: https://lnkd.in/dR-hGN-T

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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?

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"Public trust is the currency of the nonprofit sector." Independent Sector "Trust is what makes it possible for us to partner with local communities to do the hard work of systemic change. Our trusted voices as advocates for our missions help drive policy change. Our trusted status makes us an essential partner to government and industry. Trust is vital in recruiting volunteers and in the sector’s work to bridge differences in a divided America. And, without trust, raising the resources we need to do our work becomes infinitely harder." Key findings from the Independent Sector's new report include: 1) After four years of decline, trust in nonprofits has rebounded by 5 points to 57%. 2) Trust in philanthropy remains steady at 33%, lower than trust in nonprofits. 3) Americans trust nonprofits to reduce national divisions more than they trust corporations, government, or media. 4) Americans have less trust in nonprofits to advocate for public policies and conduct nonpartisan voter engagement. 5) There are clear pathways for nonprofits to increase public trust in the sector. Please reach out to discuss how together we can increase public trust in your organization's mission-driven work. https://lnkd.in/d9--XQSz

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Who is the boss? Board governance and serving at Black women-led organizations: I am so deeply proud to serve on the Board of Directors of the Transgender District in San Francisco. I am humbled and in awe of the leadership and work the District does in the Tenderloin, San Francisco broadly, and nationally in trans advocacy. I am deeply grateful for the invaluable lessons in healthy and grounded board governance that I have learned from my mentors, particularly Armilito J. Pangilinan, CPA, MBA. Guided by policy governance and generative models of running boards, I firmly believe in the transformative power of a healthy board in advancing a mission. As a board member, I place my trust in the wisdom and expertise of the co-executive directors. I have recently come across a toxic narrative that the board is the “boss” of the executive director. While I understand the basis of this conclusion, let’s not get it twisted: I am not anyone’s boss except for the place that pays me to supervise people. As a board, our collective vote guides the executive's actions, and we provide advice on performance, strategic planning, finances, and mission. But this is advice. The true boss is our policy, our collective vote, and the organization’s mission and vision. We are here to support and guide, not to dictate. It is critically important to examine power and assumptions about power, especially when, as with the District, we are working with Black women in executive roles. I am a volunteer; if I fail, I walk away without much impact on my person, but if we fail the executives, it impacts their livelihood, careers, and employees' well-being. They are the leaders of this organization.  Earlier, I mentioned feeling humbled, but Breonna McCree teaches me far more with her leadership than I provide. Alongside her co-executive, Carlo Gómez Arteaga, we learn together. They have an in-depth understanding of their employees, the organization, and their community. It is beneficial to view policy as the guiding force and to support our policy to be more equitable and effective. We, as a board and executive team, collaborate to hold our guiding force (our collective boss)  accountable, ensuring that our actions align with the organization's mission and vision. https://lnkd.in/gZw9U4GD

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4 Components of a Culture of Philanthropy "Development staff are always included in organizational decisions. Program staff play an active role in relationship building. Fundraising and engagement are inextricably linked. Transformational relationships take priority over transactions." More insights and explications of these points can be found in this important article by Claire.

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🌱 Unlock Your Strategic Potential with Mission Bloom! 💫 Attention MEL Directors, Senior Nonprofit Leaders in Nonprofits, and Foundation Learning Officers! Are you struggling to prioritize much-needed strategic work? Are you ready to transform your strategic ideas into actionable plans? At Mission Bloom, we believe that the best strategy work happens through partnership and collaboration. With over 19 years of experience in nonprofit evaluation and strategy, I am here to be your strategy thought partner, helping you move from initial ideas to successful implementation, continuous learning, and sustainable impact. After working with Annie Franceschi and a cohort of other brilliant service business owners, I'm excited to officially launch my signature service -- "Seed to Sustain" Consulting Partnership. ✨ Why Partner with Mission Bloom? ✨ 🌿 Unique Approach: My blended background in research, evaluation, coaching, and facilitation allows me to help you translate strategic insights into practical, actionable strategies. 🌿 Address Unmet Needs: Finally, tackle the strategic work you've been unable to prioritize. Together, we'll create a plan that's not only relevant but also impactful. 🌿 Engage Stakeholders Effectively: We'll work together to ensure your strategy is relevant and meaningful to stakeholders through evaluation and facilitated feedback. 🌿 Foster a Learning Culture: Cultivate an environment where continuous learning and improvement are at the forefront of your strategy. Let’s turn your data and insights into meaningful change and organizational growth. 📅 Book a Free Consultation Today! 📅 Set up a free consultation at http://www.missionbloom.co and let's start transforming your strategy together. #nonprofit #nonprofitstrategy #nonprofitleadership #strategicvisioning #strategy #systemschange #organizationallearning

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"Philanthropic money has too often reinforced existing power structures, perpetuating inequality in the process." 💬 Bess Rothenberg, senior director at the Ford Foundation, urges funders to rethink their approach to disrupting inequality for Nonprofit Quarterly, examing whether philanthropy truly addresses the root causes of inequality or inadvertently perpetuates existing power structures. 📖 Read the full article to learn where philanthropy falls short and how it can be reimagined to prioritize communities' voices and needs.  #disruptinginequality #NonprofitQuarterly #sustainedimpact #socialjustice https://lnkd.in/g6NiJQSk

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Many nonprofits struggle to meet fundraising goals, and a key reason might be their approach. Traditionally, fundraising focuses on the "ask," potentially neglecting the experience of potential donors. By shifting the focus to facilitating philanthropy, nonprofits can create a more rewarding experience for donors and increase support. Thoughts? #Philanthropy #NonProfit #Fundraising

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There is still time to join Funders Together to End Homelessness 2024 Funders Institute Washington Hilton at Dupont Circle | July 8-9, 2024 Session Highlight: Funder Roles in Supporting Housing Justice for Native People As part of Funders Together's aspiration to be pro-Indigenous, we are connecting the dots between Native self-determination and housing justice. Building upon our previous programming and our experiences at the Native Americans in Philanthropy Conference, we are putting this topic at the forefront of our upcoming Funders Institute. This session will focus on funder roles in Indigenous housing justice. We will explore what it means to "indigenize philanthropy," build authentic relationships with Native communities, and how to support Native people experiencing houselessness. Our speakers include experts on developing housing on Tribal land, working with unhoused Native people in urban areas, and Indigenous-led grantmaking. We will consider the role of land back movements, learn about housing challenges in both urban areas and Tribal land, and gain insights into Indigenous movements and Native-led solutions to housing. Register here and learn more about the full agenda - https://lnkd.in/eXgreaE7

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Years ago, our colleagues at BoardSource wrote an advocacy manual for the nonprofit sector. They named at the time that "when it comes to our missions, the impact of changes in public policy is rarely neutral. And – as leaders of our organizations – that means that we cannot be neutral either." I submit that this call has never been more important to answer. In my latest message to the PNY community, "Building Bridges: Philanthropy’s Journey Towards Active Advocacy," I delve into the transformative power of advocacy in philanthropy and how it extends our capacity to effect real change. This is not just about funding; it's about fostering movement building, influencing policy, and standing up for the necessary systems changes that ensure nonprofits, communities and individuals thrive. The journey is ongoing, and each step forward reinforces the belief that our collective voice can lead to enduring societal benefits. I invite you to read more about how we can all contribute to this dynamic field of active advocacy. Let’s continue to push boundaries together. Your thoughts and feedback would be immensely valuable as we navigate this path forward. #Philanthropy #Advocacy #SocialChange #Leadership

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All of it. Every single word. Line by line in accuracy.

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[NEW PODCAST] Trends in direct #fundraising: keeping it real with Erica Waasdorp Erica is President of A Direct Solution and a guru on direct fundraising and especially monthly giving for nonprofits and NGOs. I am on a journey to deepen my understanding of resource mobilization and fundraising - including public fundraising. Erica was the logical person to ask. ﹖How do I know whether my organization has a culture of philanthropy? What do I *see*, when such a culture is in place? (I've seen it lacking in some cases, which makes you wonder where those staff think their salary comes from) A pretty critical question for many social sector orgs that depend significantly on public engagement and fundraising from the broader public.   In this #NGOSoulAndStrategy podcast episode, the arc of my interview with Erica goes something like this: 🎤 How has the field of direct giving by small donors, and monthly giving as a donor practice in particular changed in the last 10-20 years? 🎤 There is much discussion about the need for a shift towards ethical storytelling, with local program participants in the driver's seat, and a focus on local persons' agency. The raison d'etre for this is clear. However, to what extent can we align this with what motivates small donors (at least in traditional fundraising 'markets') to give? And what about fundraising in new middle/high-income countries where public fundraising is growing? 🎤 Is child sponsorship on life support as a fundraising strategy - or not quite? 🎤 At a more practical level, what hurdles do nonprofits need to overcome in persuading donors to shift their practice to monthly giving? Erica, who also happens to be a 'Dutchie' (like myself) and who has lived in the United States for decades (like myself), is keeping it real in our interview! Listen in! Podcast Audio: https://lnkd.in/ebjV2ea3 Podcast Video: https://lnkd.in/esranCYQ   What does your experience with resource mobilization, especially direct public giving, tell you? PS: Misty McLaughlin, another specialist-extraordinaire on resource mobilization, Kim Goldsmith-N'Diaye and I will host two mini-masterclasses as well as two conference sessions on the role of team structures and team operating models in effective nonprofit/NGO fundraising performance at #IFC2024 (International Fundraising Congress, organized by the The Resource Alliance) in October of this year. DM us if you plan to attend and want to learn more about our sessions. #nonprofits #podcast #NGOPodcast #NGOInsights #PodcastInterview #NGOCulture #NonprofitManagement #PodcastDiscussion #NGOStrategies #5OaksConsulting #PodcastEpisode #resourcemobilization #nonprofit #fundraising

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The final Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP Global) Fundraising Effectiveness Project report on #donoractivity for 2023 was released April 7. There is a lot of data to interpret. 📈 📉 📊 💻 Please join us on Thursday April 25 for a conversation with Ben Miller, Chair of FEP, to do a deep dive on the data and discuss ways in which we can improve our proficiency and efficacy. While overall numbers are down, we are optimists, and appreciate the fact that there is an area of brightness and hope in last year's #nonprofitsector : an increase in new #donoracquisition – the first time since 2020! – our challenge for 2024 is to retain those donors! This presents an opportunity to revisit how we thank and engage the donors who improve the quality of the world in which we live. Register via 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eeSmPPS5 Access complete report via 🔗 https://lnkd.in/e_SnRgR4 Visionary Philanthropic Consulting, LLC Tim Smith Michael Shippam David Krause Melanie R. Sabelhaus Jason Blumenthal Jelena Spasic Ava Willis-Barksdale Linda C. Coughlin Jon Kevin Gossett, ACFRE #fundraising #philanthropy #industrytrends #dataanalytics

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