Sarabeth Berman

From Memorial Day until Halloween or so, billions will be raised from Americans’ disposable income, and not by #501c3 orgs. Tajana and Abe share great insights on what to expect and, more importantly, what strategies to consider in this #electionyear. Every #nonprofit needs to be prepared, so check this article out (and have a great #memorialdayweekend !)

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📈 Seven Metrics to Evaluate your Fundraising Program's Performance 📈 💹 Percent change in Revenue Year-over-Year (Y-O-Y) 💹 Donor count 💹 Gift Counts (# of monthly donors, # of recurring donors, # of look-a-like donors) 💹 Percent change in Institutional Revenue Year-over-Year (Y-O-Y) 💹 Percent change in Annual Fund Revenue Year-over-Year (Y-O-Y) 💹 Percent change in Public Grant Revenue Year-over-Year (Y-O-Y) 💹 Percent change in Earned Income Revenue Year-over-Year (Y-O-Y) What metrics do you use to evaluate the health and efficacy of your fundraising program? Drop a comment. 👇 #KiaCroomFundraising #Nonprofit #Fundraiser #TheGoToBIPOCFundraiser #Social Justice

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I found this article from the Frameworks Institute on how to communicate during a political election year without getting lost in the weeds to be very helpful and thought you might too. The three insights they've pick up from 25 years of framing research that can help you advance your issues during this time: 1. Don’t fall into the “crisis” trap. Lead and stick with solutions. 2. Highlight context and emphasize the need for systems change. 3. Frame together. #communication #science

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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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For nonprofits working on asking demographic questions soon, this post is for you: Your social identity questions (e.g., on race, ethnicity, gender-identity, ability, nationality etc.) must center equity, inclusion, and access in their design, language, and methodology. In this picture, here are three example questions from a respondent’s perspective to consider during design under each equity, inclusion, and access pillar. #nonprofits #nonprofitleadership #community

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Having just gone through the experience of sitting for my CFRE, I can't emphasize enough how valuable this webinar will be for anyone considering pursuing their certification. Join to learn more about the application process and requirements, the basics of the test itself, and connect with others in your shoes! #cfre #fundraising #afpmaryland #webinar #professionaldevelopment

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A Fourth of July Note to US Impact Sector Colleagues... Between the barbeques, pool parties, friends, family, and fireworks, let's remember what brought us here and what remains to be done. Many of us are thinking and talking a lot about politics these days. Most of the conversation centers on political parties, their candidates, and the fall elections. But some issues directly impact the liberty of nonprofits, their volunteers, and staff today. As this piece by Rajasvini B. of Solidaire Network in Inside Philanthropy article points out, some politicians are trying to redefine the rights and responsibilities of charitable organizations and those who lead and support them. This is very serious stuff. It involves threats of restrictions on activity, removal of nonprofit status, and prison sentences. There are many opinions on what nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations can and should be doing in 2024. But most of us probably agree that they should be allowed to do what they do and to keep doing it without threats, coercion, or punishment. Efforts to restrict the activities of legitimate nonprofit organizations and penalize their supporters, sometimes threatening loss of charitable status or incarceration, are a dramatic change to a social contract that has existed in some form since before the birth of the Republic. As we celebrate the 248th anniversary of our nation, the role of the impact sector is of singular importance in addressing the needs of the local, national, and international community. Let's keep this in mind today and every day and work together to ensure that nonprofit organizations are unhampered in serving the public in the years to come. https://lnkd.in/ePRHYkYW

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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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Medill's local news map needs work & investment, for the health of local news--as I've been saying--can no longer be measured according to the status of legacy newspapers but instead the larger Black, Latino, community, digital, & startup news & information ecosystem. See my paper on California's news and information ecosystem to see why the health of hedge-fund-owned newspapers is increasingly irrelevant and what matters more is news and long-standing community news: https://lnkd.in/e9Ba-jSn https://lnkd.in/dqig-4y2

Big headline today from the WSJ: "Parents Are Feeling the Pain of Inflation and Child-Care Costs." https://on.wsj.com/3yvw48U   Yep - that matches what First Five Years Fund found in our recent bipartisan poll about voters, child care + the economy (and what they want candidates to do about it.) https://lnkd.in/e3HVQFmz

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🌈Harnessing the Power of Collaborative Philanthropy for Systemic Change⭐ In the complex landscape of modern philanthropy, the transformative potential of funder collaboratives is becoming increasingly apparent. These partnerships not only amplify the impact of individual contributions but also foster a deeper understanding and engagement among donors, leading to more informed and effective philanthropy. Recent studies underscore the effectiveness of these collaborations, revealing how they can tackle large-scale challenges more efficiently than individual efforts. For instance, The Bridgespan Group highlights the enhanced impact that collaborative giving platforms can achieve, especially in emergent areas like social justice and environmental sustainability. These platforms not only pool financial resources but also combine diverse expertise and willpower to address systemic issues comprehensively. However, successful collaboration requires clear alignment in goals, robust governance structures, and transparent communication. The Stanford Social Innovation Review notes that specificity in objectives and understanding institutional differences are crucial for the success of these initiatives. This approach ensures that all participants are on the same page and that the collaboration adds value beyond the sum of its parts. For those of us in the philanthropy consulting and management sector, engaging with and potentially steering such collaboratives offers a unique opportunity to influence positive change on a grand scale. By participating in or advising on these platforms, we can help ensure that philanthropic investments are both strategic and impactful. As we continue to navigate the evolving demands of philanthropy, let us consider how collaborative efforts could serve as a catalyst for enduring change. The path is complex and filled with learning opportunities, but the potential to drive significant social impact is well worth the journey. For anyone interested in exploring the strategic implementation of such collaboratives, I am here to offer insights and support. Let's discuss how we can work together to not only meet but exceed our philanthropic goals. #Philanthropy #SocialImpact #CollaborativeGiving #StrategicPhilanthropy #SystemicChange

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Something unique happened last week at this year's NIB Public Policy Week…✨ NIB’s associated nonprofit agencies united their advocacy efforts on one single ask. 🤝 Yes, you read that right. Every advocate asked their legislators for the same thing during their Capitol visits in Washington, D.C. 🇺🇸 And they will keep asking for the foreseeable future. Curious about the ask? 🤔 Mandating a 1% utilization target for the Department of Defense (DOD) through the AbilityOne® Program. 🏛️ What does this mean? Allocating 1% of the DOD’s massive purchasing budget to buying goods and services produced through the AbilityOne Program. Currently, the DOD is AbilityOne’s largest customer, but only about 0.55% of their budget is spent on AbilityOne. Though the DOD committed voluntarily to raising this to 1%, it hasn’t happened yet. By asking Congress to turn this goal into law, two things will happen: First, this small percentage would nearly double the DOD’s current utilization of the AbilityOne Program, meaning thousands of people who are blind or have significant disabilities could have the opportunity to build meaningful careers. 💼 Second, accountability measures will ensure the DOD’s 1% procurement spend is always met. What Congress mandates, Congress measures. 📏 Want to know more? 🎧 Tune in tomorrow for a new episode of the Heard & Empowered podcast by National Industries for the Blind. Our guest, Rob Buettner, MBA Vice President of Relationships and Business Services at Beyond Vision 501(c)3 in Wisconsin, is an experienced NIB Advocate. He'll share his many journeys to the Capitol and what makes this year’s so special. Dr. Hoby Wedler, Ph.D. Wedler will delve into Rob's personal story, his struggles with vision loss, and his extraordinary success helping others who are blind or visually impaired. 🌟 Set your alarm for tomorrow, Wednesday, May 22! ⏰ In the meantime, catch up on past episodes here: https://lnkd.in/epCwx-tn. They're filled with gold nuggets, just like tomorrow's episode will be! 💡 Please review and share the podcast. We want Rob's story to reach and inspire as many BVI folks as possible! 🌍

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In 2nd part of 2-part conversation, Richard J. Tofel talks more about the relationship between funding and content in nonprofit and for-profit journalism, groupthink and diversity in the news business overall, and some specific challenges facing both foundation funders and management teams of nonprofit news organizations in particular … “A lot of the money for nonprofit journalism comes from readers,” according to Tofel. “You are, I think, effectively dependent on your readers in ways … that people have not yet fully come to grips with.” Realistically, he says, the more-concerning question is “how much editors may be willing to discomfort their readers than how much they are willing to discomfort their donors or their advertisers. “I think groupthink is a big problem in almost any industry and in almost any large organization,” he says. “I think it’s a real problem. I think it’s a problem on the right and a problem on the left. I think it’s frequently a problem, yes, in philanthropy, especially when different philanthropies get together.” Tofel: “Institutional foundations have this unfortunate habit of changing their strategies every time they get a new president. Strategies should change when the world changes, not when somebody retires or gets fired. That’s an unfortunate, but widespread practice.” And: “You do not have to take a program grant, and if funders are trying to restrict your activities or to unbalance the activities you’re engaged in or are unwilling to support the central apparatus that makes the whole thing go, you can say no and you can be smaller, and sometimes you need to be.”

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Junior Dillion, MA, LMHC, Ph.D., President and CEO of VOAUPNY, delivers a powerful message at VOA's Annual Gala, "At VOA, we don't dwell on the 'how' of our clients' challenges; Instead, we focus on their 'why'- the desires that drive them forward despite adversity."

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I’m ready - are you with me? With deep appreciation for the teams at PolicyLink, Civil Strategies, and to Midy Aponte for sharing - here’s to transforming the #Nonprofit sector and #NonprofitLeadership: “Nonprofits will need to 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.” #Leadership #Leaders #Management #Liberation #RacialJustice #SocialJustice #AntiRacist #AntiOppression #LFG

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