Mollie Dowling

As Hurricane Beryl crashes into the Texas coast, we're reminded that while the immediate impacts are dire, the long term consequences can be equally disastrous. In this piece, Michael T. Pugh and I argue that with more intense storms coming our way, we need to ensure that the most vulnerable communities - often the first hit and last to recover - are fortified for a changing climate future. In #WhatsPossible, some of the leading voices on climate and community development come together as one to show a roadmap for a cleaner, healthier, more resilient future for our frontline communities. Now more than ever, corporations, community groups, policymakers, financial institutions and climate advocates have an opportunity to combine financial resources and local expertise in ways that advance a just energy transition.

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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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💡 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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Looking forward to being apart of this panel discussion. With the evolving construction industry and the large amount of retiring and new professionals in the field, this is a topic you don’t want to miss!

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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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Inter-generational dialogue is crucial for a mutual understanding of lived experiences and collective paths towards common good.

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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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The Trust for Civic Life and $8 million to fund civic participation in rural communities are examples of what philanthropy can accomplish when funders work together. That was the goal when Stephen Heinz, president of Rockefeller Brothers Fund, asked Carnegie Corporation of New York to join a funder collaborative a year ago, resulting in an early commitment of $3.5 million from the foundation. Today the collaborative has 15 funders. The Trust’s work is grounded in research that was funded by philanthropy and conducted by the American Academy of Arts & Sciences. Its report titled "Our Common Purpose" made a strong impression. It provides pragmatic, nonpartisan approaches to countering mistrust and division in our society. A second round of grants to support civic entrepreneurs is planned for later this year, and if all goes as planned, the collaborative will invest $50 million over the next five years. https://lnkd.in/ebyPnCVt

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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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Check out my new article in AFP's Advancing Philanthropy! The article provides some great tips and tricks on how to motivate your fundraisers when working in small shop nonprofits. If you're looking for ways to inspire your team and help your organization achieve its goals, this article is a must-read. Don't miss out on this valuable resource!

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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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When I joined the Knight Foundation a few months ago, I emphasized the need for philanthropy to act swiftly—'at the speed of news'—to address urgent needs in real time. Today, I am proud to announce that Knight is investing nearly $7 million to help voters access accurate, independent, nonpartisan information about the 2024 elections. The loss of local newsrooms across so many American communities has a devastating impact. And it is felt acutely at times when residents most need quality information to make critical decisions — during major weather or public safety events and election seasons, for example. Without trustworthy news, voters could be in the dark about local and statewide elections and ballot initiatives. Exacerbating the challenge, the advent of generative AI has significantly accelerated the creation and distribution of mis- and disinformation, making it even more difficult for voters to arrive at fact-based decisions. To address this, Knight's grant supports a collaboration between The Associated Press and the Institute for Nonprofit News News and LION: Local Independent Online News Publishers. This initiative will make high-quality election content and services accessible to local newsrooms in battleground states. Local newsrooms will also receive the support needed to localize this information, making it relevant and accessible to their communities. Additionally, these funds will support the Knight Election Hub, a collection of 100 free and subsidized resources, including data, software, and training. As new challenges such as deepfakes arise, the Hub will continue to expand its offerings to meet evolving needs. These initiatives support local news organizations in two ways: 1) they empower them with high quality tools that provide critical information, ensuring voters can make informed decisions about elections, and 2) they enhance their capacity to engage communities beyond the election season. The time is now for philanthropy to move at the speed of news. Read more about it here: https://kf.org/461zcGi #localnews #journalismmatters Jim Brady Duc Luu Marc Lavallee

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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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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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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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As philanthropy continues to prioritize establishing trusting relationships and shifting power, organizations are examining how histories of extractive wealth building have perpetuated cultures of inequity. Learn more on how philanthropy can intervene and impact systemic change.

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If you are a philanthropic consultant or donor advisor, please take a few minutes to complete this benchmark survey! 2024 Philanthropy Benchmark Survey - Insights on the role of Consultants & Advisors in Advancing Giving

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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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