Santhosh Ramdoss’ Post

A fantastic article from Sarah Moody (per Center for Effective Philanthropy) on reimagining the program officer role. The critical (and often tough) questions that started the process: 1. How are we ever going to be effective at addressing root causes of health inequities through systems change if we are not willing to change our own internal systems? 2. How do we build real relationships if we are not willing to be honest and transparent about our own faults, learnings, and willingness to grow? 3. How do we serve and collaborate with communities across Missouri if we are not actively engaged with, living in, learning from, and involving community members? Grantmakers, take the time to consider these questions and start your own process. It might be hard work, but it will absolutely be worth it in the end and your grantees will be incredibly appreciative.

#CaseStudy 👉 Our Role Samuel S. Fels Fund was at a critical inflection point to define and fully embody social change grantmaking through their values and practices. CBV facilitated sessions to support Fels Fund staff in defining social change and other critical terms, and grantmaking values and practices; and, confronting previous practices. We used data from grantee surveys and documentation review to guide session discussions. Prior to each session, Fels Fund staff received pre-work to reflect on key topics.   CBV also provided virtual listening opportunities that centered around Brave Space Building™ to help Fels grantees share their truth and provide vital information that supports organizational reconciliation. For those grantees that could not attend, we created and distributed a survey to get information on their experience and recommendations on creating a social change centered grantmaking process and the types of support that they need to sustain their work. ✨ The Difference Fels Fund received an embodied experience that helped them define a new transformational culture to fully live their values. They now have a community of practice to slow down and process, which has made way for imagination and dreaming to center social justice and racial equity. In addition, Fels Fund was able to redefine its grantmaking strategy that centers racial equity and social justice. #racialequity #socialjustice #trustbasedphilanthropy

What Matters 2 You ultimate aim is to increase investment in prevention, thus in the medium term making significant public sector savings for reinvestment and enabling children to flourish within their own families. I have had the opportunity to meet with a number of families in Kirkton in Dundee at the Family Fun sessions and am blown away by the numerous, tangible solutions to community problems offered. All grounded in real, lived experiences. From my conversations with the families, I have no doubt they are best placed to identify the issues that they are facing and have no shortage of ideas that would enable change for the better. https://lnkd.in/e8xDGNuf

Advocating for the needs of vulnerable young people is what we do at StreetWork. At times we too need additional support to amplify our voice so that decision-makers, especially in government, hear what is going on in the lives of these young people. I would like to thank Senator Hollie Hughes for taking the time to learn more about the needs of vulnerable young people and for putting the spotlight on the support services they need to turn their lives around. Funding early intervention and prevention programs like the Change Your Course Program, saves the government and the community lots of $$$ in the long run ... let's invest in supporting this group of young people to thrive. #turningyounglivesaround together #vulnerableyoungpeople #youngpeoplematter #youngpeople #advocating #earlyintervention #australiangovernment #supportservices #safercommunitiesfund #opportunties #justicereform #justicereinvestment

🐶 Dog park … or bocce ball? This question crossed my mind on my morning walk. You see, our neighborhood has a rarely-used field with a NEVER-used bocce ball court. Seriously, I have never seen anyone playing. Not once. And yet, said bocce ball court was just renovated. (Maybe the signs of neglect should've been a clue!) No one seems to care a hoot about the bocce ball, but do you know what comes up in almost every conversation with my neighbors? "Man, I wish we had a dog park." 🐾 I get it. That field is gorgeous. Maybe that's not the best spot for a dog park, but we're not lacking for space here. So here's my question: Why invest in something unused before delivering on the ONE thing people are most requesting? Coming back to the point here, do you know that ONE thing in your community? And, if not, here's a gentle nudge to ask…and listen! (Your members may already be chatting about it.) 💫 PS. One thing I'm asked about is offering a group program for people who want to dive into community, but aren't ready for 1:1 support. I've listened, and Bri Leever and I are partnering to make it happen. We have a 4-week roadmap and Community Accelerator starting next week. No one belongs more than you. ☀️(Stole that line from Bri!)

The Gatebe Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) Group’s beekeeping venture is fully underway!   When we checked in with the group at the beginning of the year, they were at the beginning stages of launching a community beekeeping project utilizing group funds.   Today, over 30 beehives are in use!   The revenue generated through honey sales will be used to acquire a milling machine to produce maize flour. The milling machine will serve as a food source and provide revenue to boost the local Gatebe economy.  Our on-site team of mentors and coaches continues offering support and guidance. Currently, we are helping establish a dedicated bank account for the group and starting to introduce modern ways of beekeeping.  When asked about their dream for their local community, members shared that they want to see Gatebe thrive, where kids go to school and people are healthy.   We look forward to continuing to work with this group to achieve this goal and drive positive change in Gatebe. Check out our website to learn more about the Gatebe ABCD group and read about the amazing work of other groups in Nyagatare. #ABCD #assetbasedcommunitydevelopment #localleaders #catalyticleaders #leaderdevelopment #beekeeping #Kinvest #Impact #Rwanda

Q: What are one of the first steps when seeking to diversify your Board of Trustees? A: A skills audit.... In order to identify what skills you need on the board you need to understand what skills you already have. At Smallwood Trust Board meeting recently Anj Handa did this in a really simple and brilliant way - she asked us to pair up with another board member where we had to tell them what skills we appreciated in them... this left us with a list of skills we currently had in the group (it was strange how we found complementing each other and receiving those complement so hard!!!!) Then later we had a conversation of what skills were needed to make our board most effective given the work/ambitions of the foundation. So some of the skills we value in each other are : ·      Understanding of systems change and strategy ·      Stepping back from the detail ·      Finance ·      Positive disagreement ·      Different perspectives ·      Putting personal interests and emotion aside in decision making ·  Stewardship and good governance ·      Attention to facts ·      etc. And what skills would make us even more effective: Personal and professional Attributes and Style ·      Diverse life experiences ·      Strong commitment to the cause ·      Balance of communication and thinking styles ·      Integrity ·      Alignment with the Nolan principles – the seven principles of public life ·      Balance of professional attributes ·      Business/corporate ·      Commissioners ·      Not just the from Third Sector ·      Collegiate   Life experiences ·      Volunteering for charities ·      Lived experience of the issues that Smallwood Trust Seeks to address, such as expertise of poverty, abuse, homelessness, domestic abuse commerce single parent, single mental health, addiction, chronic health/disability common money management plus empathy and application to the wider issues and delivery of Smallwood Trust mission ·      Impact of change ·      Activism / advocacy ·      Radical friends ·      Connection to local resources/community sector    Other Skills ·      Communications ·      Systems change  ·      Conflict management ·      Being able to communicate ·      Listening skills ·     etc. This sets a great foundation to build on as we think about the evolution of our Board in the coming year. #boarddiversity #inclusionmatters #shiftthepower #trustees

Tucson Agenda highlights how Southern Arizona is coming together to integrate services and policies to move the whole family forward so they can reach their full potential. Check out the full article to learn how Social Venture Partners Tucson supports Southern Arizona families: https://bit.ly/40SSECJ

"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

🚨 Attention doers, makers and disruptors in DC and Maryland! 🚨 hatch! Applications are OPEN! About ten years ago, Nest made $2,500 dollar micro grants to doers, makers, and disruptors for projects that positively impact the community and could wrap in three (ish) months. Is there a catch? No catch. Just cash. And a one page hatch application. That’s it. Just tell us about you, your project, and your purpose. hatch! is community investment reimagined. Giving simply, is simply giving. No burden, no barriers. We want to help YOU bring your idea to life. Applications for a Maryland (Takoma Park, Chevy Chase, Hyattsville, Mt. Rainier neighborhoods) and DC projects are open NOW and due July 10th. Learn more, share with your fellow creators or apply below! #dcmicrogrant #mdmicrogrant #hatchmicrogrant https://lnkd.in/eS6q-SF9