The Rundown - August 12, 2022
The latest news and notes from the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors
The Pre-Season Kickoff Edition
The NFL Pre-season kicks off in earnest this weekend and more about that later….but let’s get into the trenches with the latest news from the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors. Here. We. Go.
Does Philanthropy Need an Attitude Adjustment?
This was a well-written piece on the Inside Philanthropy website by Philip Rojc (a familiar name to those that read The Rundown). Rojc is hitting on a theme in the philanthropic and nonprofit worlds that is always a topic of discussion, the mindset of scarcity that seemingly exists everywhere.
Rojc explains:
Suffice it to say, this scarcity mindset is a factor in much of what goes on in this sector, from the constant worries over what might depress overall giving levels — be it falling stock prices, inflation, “burnout,” you name it — to the very structure of the standard grantmaker-grantee relationship. Most grantees will never ask for what they really need, worried that they might scare away their annual project grant like a frightened rabbit. Well-meaning program staff too often insist that this is the best they can do this year because foundation grants are, after all, a zero-sum game. Only so much in the budget, regardless of what we all know is in the endowment.
It amazes me how folks in this sector continually speak and act in ways that make it seem like that there is a finite amount of resources to go after and that every other nonprofit in the world is going after that same small treasure. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The work in our nonprofit is highly location specific and deals with a limited clientele of people in poverty. While I can dream that the work I do is so important to my community that everyone should be a donor to my organization, I know in my mind that isn’t true.
Believe it or not, there are kind, well-meaning philanthropists that could not care less about hungry people. It mind sound shocking, but it’s true. These people might have more desire to give to higher education or environmental causes or a whole host of other things that piques their interest.
As we talk about philanthropy and our organizations, maybe we shouldn’t be so focused on brining resources into our own organization, but rather growing the sector. I can’t tell you how many conversations I have had with people that were looking to donate to make a donation and then I give them the pitch for my organization. The result? Crickets. No interest.
Rather, they talk about how they are interested in another field. I quickly talk up other nonprofits that I know are doing great work in the community and recommend those groups to receive a donation. At that point, I may not have earned a donation, but I at least have made a donor.
Friends, there are more resources and more help out there than we realize. We just need to work hard and find it. And more importantly, there is plenty of help for everyone!
Thoughts on how the Pandemic changed Philanthropy
This was a thoughtful article on the NonProfit Pro webiste by Ted Hart. Hart, is the President and CEO of CAF America, President of CAF Canada and CEO of CAF International. CAF helps facilitate philanthropic giving from individuals, families and corporations and domestic nonprofits to international nonprofits and NGOs.
In his piece, Hart point out that:
The crisis forced everyone to rethink how they give and receive charitable aid, which led to a more flexible and equitable approach to giving funds. In April 2021, 90% of charities surveyed reported that their donors had offered them greater flexibility. While half reported better preparedness for the next crisis, these survey results underscore the potential for growth in philanthropic resiliency for our next time of shared need.
Hart’s point can’t be overemphasized enough, many organizations in the sector saw a huge influx of unrestricted cash from all sources. Individuals, foundations and even governmental agencies stepped up and gave to this critical sector as many of these organizations could have easily been the first economic victims of the pandemic.
Fortunately, the new influx of financial assistance prevented a wholesale collapse of the sector. The collapse wasn’t so much staved off by the amount of funds that came in, but the fact that those funds came with few, if any, strings attached. And it was through this unlimited giving that new programs and new activities were created to innovatively serve the millions of people that depend on nonprofit organizations.
Nonprofit organizations often get a bad reputation as being ineffective and anxious to innovate. That is understandable. However, many times these restrictions are put on by the very institutions that want nonprofits to do more and be more responsive. Large amounts of funding often comes with guidelines and restrictions that require money to be spent on certain items and activities (sometimes with no specific guidance on the outcomes that need to be achieved).
The pandemic opened up new ideas and new opportunities to serve individuals, families and communities in crisis and funders gave nonprofits the resources and flexibility to make this possible. The stark reality is that individuals, families and communities are often in crisis and need flexible ways to get the help they need.
Question of the Week
Today has been a day I have been looking forward to a few weeks! My beloved Arizona Cardinals travel to Cincinnati (right down the road) to kickoff their NFL Preseason schedule.
Of course, I am well aware that it is preseason football, but it’s not often that my Cardinals make it here to the Midwest and I am not going to miss an opportunity to see them.
So, I want to know, are you a football fan?
We are Trying Something New
Perhaps you read our last “Deeper Dive” where we talked about the amazing power of Youtube as a Social Media platform. Well, a reader challenged me and said hey, “Why don’t you start your own channel?”
Okay, challenge accepted. Here is our channel with our first four videos. We had some readers share them on LinkedIn (THANK YOU!) and the response has been positive. Check it out and let me know what you think! Feel free to drop me a line at pinnaclestrategiesltd@gmail.com or just comment below!
Here is a link to our YouTube Channel!
Check Out Some New Resources
Pinnacle Strategies has created a new resource! Check out our store here on the gumroad platform. These are the three most popular tools that I am hit up for. Take a look at these tools and of course, if you have any comments or questions, please feel free to contact me at pinnaclestrategiesltd@gmail.com.
What Can We Work on Together?
Did you know that Pinnacle Strategies works individually with nonprofit and public sector leaders to help them solve problems, achieve goals and gain confidence in their roles?
Why?
Because, this work is hard and it’s often a lonely road. Our nonprofit and public sector leaders need people that they can talk to to get solid advice and encouragement to do the work that is in front of them. If you feel that this can be of value to you, or a member of your team, please reach out to pinnaclestrategiesltd@gmail.com and let’s talk.
A Quick Note of Thanks!
Thank you all for subscribing to this newsletter. The subscription numbers continue to grow and from what I am learning, this side job seems like it has “sticking power”. I am not getting inquiries and calls from literally all over the world wanting to partner and work together to create value for you, the non profit and philanthropy leader. I feel very excited about the future of this newsletter and if you have any ideas or comments, please feel free to share them with me at pinnaclestrategiesltd@gmail.com
I know many of you have shared this with your friends and colleagues and I am very grateful. Thank you! If you haven’t shared it yet…..well, here is your chance….
Ready to Learn Something New?
Spring is a wonderful time to visit Indianapolis and it opens a perfect opportunity to sharpen your skills and meet new professionals in the field. I would encourage you to look at some of the offerings of The Fund Raising School at the Lilly School of Philanthropy at Indiana University’s campus in Indianapolis. The professional development school has great programming both on-line and in-person both in Indianapolis and at other sites across the country. Take a look at their course offerings here!
Other Ways to Connect
Our coaching practice has openings starting here in 2022. If you are interested in working with me to get your nonprofit organization on a track to achieve the big missions you have for your organization, please reach out to me at pinnaclestrategiesltd@gmail.com.
Here are some other ways you can keep in contact with Pinnacle Strategies!
Check us out on our LinkedIn Page
Check us out on the Celebrating Leadership Facebook Page.
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