The Rundown - August 19, 2022
The latest news and notes from the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors
The Friday Night Lights Edition
This weekend kicks off the high school football season! It’s a a big deal here in Ohio where most school, both large and small, gather in the hometown stadium to watch young men put some bit of community pride on the line. The High School Football game becomes a community gathering, where friends and neighbors come together to root the home team on! The first of ten games for all teams starts tonight!
Also on a personal note, my beloved Arizona Cardinals looked sharp against the Bengals
A High School Student Makes a Difference!
This was a great article recently published in The Dallas Morning News. Shraavya Pydisetti might not be a household name, but this 17-year-old senior at Coppell High School in Texas is certainly making a name for herself.
In the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, Shraavya and her classmates would make care packages for first responders. Things like hand sanitizer, masks, mugs and handwritten cards would be sent out to those fighting the pandemic. Fast forward and her small boxes that were meant to “put a smile on (someone’s) fact, even it was just for a day” ballooned into a nonprofit organization that has served over 23,000 people over 130 separate projects.
And her “little” nonprofit organization, dubbed Project Querencia, also grew. Students from around the country reached out to her to ask her how she did it and what they could do to help. Two years later, Project Querencia has seven chapters, including locations in California, New Jersey and literally all points in between.
What drives the young student?
“I want to keep growing, and I want to keep making a difference,” Pydisetti said. “Because with every project we’re doing, we’re helping more people. That’s a reason for me to keep going. It’s something that I can look forward to every day.”
You can learn more about Project Querencia here: www.projectquerencia.org
I was really attracted to this story because it reminds us that when we put our hearts and minds to serving others, there is literally no limit to what we can do. When we reach out in compassion and care to our friends and neighbors, we will always find another hole that needs filled, another problem to solve. And this young lady is not only solving problems, she is enlisting her friends and classmates and even like minded people across the country to do this great work!
Shraavya Pydisetti is doing amazing things and I am happy to have the chance to celebrate those wonderful things right here!
Succession Planning Takes Center Stage
This was an interesting article in the Corridor Business Journal out of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. This guest column talked about the pressing need for succession planning in the nonprofit sector. The argument is that there has never been a time where such planning is so necessary.
And the article is right on the money.
At the beginning of the pandemic, most nonprofits hunkered down and staff stuck by their teams. As the pandemic is waning, many employees of nonprofits have found that they yearn for a word of less stress and/or more money for their work. The sector has seen many people leave the sector and there are fewer individuals coming up through the ranks that are seasoned and prepared to take the reigns of nonprofit organizations as we move forward.
If our nonprofit organizations are going to be in the place to help address some of the largest challenges we see in our communities (and our world!), we need to do everything we can to ensure we have staff members that can meet those challenges. Succession planning is a process to ensure our organizations are having those conversations and we are preparing our organizations for the future.
Question of the Week!
This week was the annual county fair. An opportunity for the agricultural community in our county to show off their good work and to be entertained with harness racing, demolition derbies, concerts and other big events at the grandstand!
So, I want to know, what is your favorite part of the county fair?
Now a word from our sponsors!
We recently learned about a new tool called Collective Cause. Collective Cause offers a method of donation, powered by surveys. It provides a way for supporters to donate without using their own money. Supporters take surveys, and in exchange for their time, Collective Cause donates directly to the cause. 100% of the funds generated will be donated to a specific non-profit (Take a survey = Donations to charity).
Set up is quick with no coding or software development required. Essentially, Collective Cause would create a custom campaign and provide a URL to be promoted however the nonprofit chooses. This could be via the organization’s website, social channels, email marketing to current/past supporters, etc. Supporters click the link and take a survey. There is no sign up process and there is no cost to partner with Collective Cause.
To learn more, send me an email at pinnaclestrategiesltd@gmail.com and we can get you in touch with a member of the Collective Cause team!
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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