Funders and nonprofits are working in complex and rapidly changing environments where no single organization or individual has access to all information and does not have control over all the actors in an ecosystem. Strategy in complex systems must serve as a compass instead of a map, laying out a clear direction and focus for the work and then enabling learning and course correction along the way. For funders focused on systems change, applying trust-based principles to the strategy setting process is imperative for navigating the complexity inherent in systems. When developing a clear focus to guide their work, it is critical for funders to consider multiple perspectives, particularly from those who are closest to the problem (e.g., grantees, community members). ➡️ Read more: https://lnkd.in/eV6CmbsA
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Monday insight for 🇰🇪 nonprofit leaders and management 💭 💡 In a not-so-promising economy, what should Nonprofits do to ensure economic sustainability? Consider Cross-Sector partnerships and strategies: "Strengthening and building new community partnerships across sectors, including governments, higher education institutions, public school districts, community-based organizations, and employers, has not only increased local support for our nonprofit’s work, but it also simultaneously validates our purpose, enhances credibility, and promotes transparency." As presented by Felida Villarreal, CPA in this article! 👇 https://lnkd.in/dvJX3t86
Financial transformation in the nonprofit sector
fastcompany.com
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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?
Embracing an Ecosystem Approach for Philanthropy - FSG
fsg.org
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The essence of knowledge work—shared meaning making—is how we come together to understand the world we are living in and co-create our society. Embracing the notion of shared meaning making enables us to name the specific ways that knowledge work supports both effectiveness of grantmaking and social change at the same time. In this blog post for Engage, nonprofit consultant Dr. Angela Frusciante dives into the role of questions in grantmaking as a tool for making meaning and creating impact.
Grantmakers’ Questions as a Way Toward Change
https://blog.blackbaud.com
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"The role of the funder in strategy implementation is not to be prescriptive about specific solutions, but rather to be a partner and a deep listener with grantees and community partners on what is most needed and when." "Systems change funders understand that those closest to the problem have the deepest knowledge of solutions, and frequently focus on building community power." "Funders can be helpful connectors and bring together different actors who hold different parts of the solution, and to provide resources quickly where they are most needed." A new article from FSG outlines the benefits of adopting a "community-driven", ecosystem approach to philanthropy. https://lnkd.in/dDTEQMwb
Embracing an Ecosystem Approach for Philanthropy - FSG
fsg.org
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🌟 "Are You Listening? How to Become a More Responsive, Effective, and Equitable Grantmaker" 🌟 Join Philanthropy New York for a deep dive into practices that will elevate your grantmaking approach. In this virtual session, participants will learn about emerging tools and resources to help them reflect on how they listen, how their foundation can meaningfully respond to community in their work, and how they can shift and share power with people with lived expertise in their foundation strategy and grantmaking. Why Attend? Learn cutting-edge techniques to enhance your listening skills and responsiveness to the needs of grantees. Discover frameworks for implementing more equitable grantmaking practices. Network with peers and experts passionate about making a tangible impact through philanthropy. Spaces are filling up, but it’s not too late to secure your spot! Don't miss this opportunity to redefine what it means to be a truly impactful grantmaker. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/euiiywx7
Are You Listening? How To Become A More Responsive, Effective, and Equitable Grantmaker
philanthropynewyork.org
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How can power-sharing create environments that are highly responsive to the ideas, concerns, and aspirations of young people? "To truly strengthen our democracy for the long-term, funders need to hear directly from young people and youth organizing staff and follow their lead to deeply invest in the ecosystem that builds political home and collective agency for us." Find out more about the Youth Power Fund, which recently announced its third phase of $1.12 million in grants to youth organizing groups, and how it's ensuring that young people are leaders, not just symbolic figures, in the grantmaking process. https://lnkd.in/gThnHKyt Northern California Grantmakers
How Youth-Participatory Grantmaking is Transforming Philanthropy
ncg.org
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"While most of the philanthropy field continues down a business-as-usual evaluation path, a new approach to learning is rising — one that is rooted in trust, equity, and learning for impact. Some funders are suspicious of this reimagined framework; many believe (falsely) that it is not concerned with outcomes or based in rigor. Few understand that it can hold the key to the long-term, systemic change that most of us are working toward." - Brenda Solorzano Chief Executive Officer of the Headwaters Foundation, Brenda S. tackles the question: Can rigorous evaluation & trust-based learning go hand-in-hand? Spoiler: yes! And she has examples to back it up.
Rigorous Evaluation Versus Trust-Based Learning: Is This a Valid Dichotomy? - The Center for Effective Philanthropy
https://cep.org
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👇 A few examples of how we practice trust-based learning and evaluation from our VP of Organizational Learning and Effectiveness. We'd love to hear from you: what other approaches should we be considering?
"While most of the philanthropy field continues down a business-as-usual evaluation path, a new approach to learning is rising — one that is rooted in trust, equity, and learning for impact. Some funders are suspicious of this reimagined framework; many believe (falsely) that it is not concerned with outcomes or based in rigor. Few understand that it can hold the key to the long-term, systemic change that most of us are working toward." - Brenda Solorzano Chief Executive Officer of the Headwaters Foundation, Brenda S. tackles the question: Can rigorous evaluation & trust-based learning go hand-in-hand? Spoiler: yes! And she has examples to back it up.
Rigorous Evaluation Versus Trust-Based Learning: Is This a Valid Dichotomy? - The Center for Effective Philanthropy
https://cep.org
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Senior Operations Manager | Contract Management | Operational Performance | Business Processes | S&OP | People Management | Leadership
As Brazil navigates dynamic socio-economic shifts, the insights from McKinsey resonate deeply. In a landscape where demand for nonprofit services surges and resources dwindle, the emphasis on capability building emerges as a strategic imperative. Mobilizing our teams towards a unified vision, fostering autonomy, and nurturing a culture of continuous learning are not just strategies; they are necessities. Let's harness these insights to empower our Brazilian nonprofits, driving sustainable impact amidst challenges. #BrazilianNonprofits #Empowerment #SocialImpact
How nonprofits can build capabilities to catalyze impact
mckinsey.com
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Despite seeing moderate to high board support in using evaluative data to support strategy, only 38% of foundations report that their boards offer high support for using evaluation or evaluative data to help advance equity. Read more about the state of philanthropy in our 2023 Benchmarking Report and how the report findings point to growth and areas of improvement: https://lnkd.in/dJgEsYXJ
2023 Benchmarking Foundation Learning & Evaluation Practices - Center for Evaluation Innovation
evaluationinnovation.org
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