The Rundown - February 25, 2022
The latest news and notes from the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors
The Rundown - The Good-bye February Edition!
We made it! This edition of The Rundown is the last one for February and we can be grateful that Spring is thankfully just around the corner!
We say goodbye to this cold, dreary and thankfully short month by looking into how the Coronavirus Pandemic might have forever changed philanthropy for the better in India, how local governments and nonprofits are finding new ways to work together thanks to federal stimulus funding and we introduce you to a college freshman that started a nonprofit in high school. We will also pepper in some local news you can use for good flavor.
If you like what you have read, feel free to share this with friends and colleagues by simply clicking the link below!
A Good Thing Came From Covid-19? The Pandemic Changes Philanthropic Giving in India
This was an interesting article from the website Mint Lounge that discussed how a world-changing pandemic might have future positive impacts on philanthropic giving in one part of the developing world - India.
Perhaps no paragraph in the article sums up the world of Indian philanthropy like this:
In a welcome development, these givers are focusing on important areas that have been under-funded—from brain research, geriatric research and cancer to genomics, sports and climate change. It is a great irony that big philanthropy is made possible only by an economic system that has allowed the unprecedented accumulation of wealth in the hands of very few. Many new entrepreneurs have benefitted hugely from recent economic and technological advances. Luckily, some of them have realized both the urgency and the responsibility to give forward as quickly and effectively as possible. I believe we are witnessing an emerging trend that was too long in coming.
As we discussed last week, we might be witnessing some big changes in philanthropic giving. The article explains that the pandemic sparked new investments in India’s precarious health care system and was lead, in large part, by a newer generation of philanthropic givers.
Newer and younger philanthropists are working to break down barriers to those organizations that they are funding and are willing to make donations in organizations doing newer things.
In India (and perhaps here in America?) newer philanthropists are realizing that they are financially benefitting from a new economic system that values technological advances, which weren’t even possible a decade or two ago. At least some of these philanthropists are realizing that the responsibility of investing in future generations has paid off in huge dividends, not only for themselves personally, but also for their entire country. While I don’t have the numbers in front of me, I would imagine the quality of life on the Indian subcontinent has greatly improved over the last couple of generations.
The lesson for us is that philanthropy in any stripe can help create stronger and more resilient communities. Philanthropic donations in higher education, might give an opportunity to a student to move back home and create new economic opportunities in a disinvested community. Donations to a local hospital can create new jobs. Philanthropy open new doors to opportunities that other sectors just simply can’t even touch.
Local Government Looks to Nonprofits to Help Guide Stimulus Funding Decisions
When do you know a trend is starting? Maybe that is more of a rhetorical question, but when you start seeing news snippets from different parts of the country talking about the same thing, we might be on the verge of seeing a trend develop right before our very eyes.
This article from the LoudonNow website out of New Hampshire, seems to be part of a larger painting of a new trend which is showing a growing relationship between local governments and community-based nonprofit organizations.
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 poured in over $350 billion in assistance to state, local and tribal governments throughout the country. These are numbers that are absolutely astronomical. For some sense of context, Congress adopted the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act at a price tag of $800 billion for the entire package - very few, if any, of those dollars were specifically allocated as grants to local or tribal governments.
Local governments are in a difficult position; they have an influx of cash and they have limited time to spend down all dollars. They are going to have to work with local nonprofits in their communities to get these dollars out on the street. Some local governments may not like the idea of working with local nonprofits; they can be seen as unwieldy and scattershot in their approach. Some local nonprofits may often wonder if working with local government is worth the benefit of additional funding - especially if these dollars cause nonprofits to wander from their stated mission and vision.
Either way, local governments and nonprofits need to work together and ensure that these dollars are spent in ways that benefit the local communities in which they are committed to serve. Communication is a key way to have that happen. It appears the folks in Loundon, NH are working towards bridging those gaps.
Leadership Profile: A Young Nonprofit Leaders Helps Veterans
Did you know that each day 22 veterans take their own lives to suicide? It’s a pretty sobering statistic. It was so sobering to one high school student in the metropolitan Indianapolis. I would encourage you to read this article from the Carmel (IN) Current about Renuka Bajpai.
One of the amazing parts of Renuka’s story is that she started the 22Veterans non-profit organization while she was a sophomore in high school (I’d hate to remember what I was doing as a sophomore in high school). Through her work, not only has her nonprofit grown, but she has committed her education to work in the nonprofit and philanthropic fields; she is currently a student at the Lilly School of Philanthropy at Indiana University in Indianapolis.
I met Renuka at a class offered by The Fundraising School and you could tell she was a smart young lady! Keep up the good work, Renuka - oh and thanks for being one of our subscribers!
Local News You Can Use! Pitch Piqua Event Announced
Piqua Compassion Network, Child Care Choices and Piqua City Schools are all in the running for $50,000 from the Piqua Community Foundation through their Pitch Piqua event. The event which will allow the finalists to present their plans for the funds will be held on March 3rd at the Fort Piqua Plaza from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. You can find more event details and tickets here.
Local News You Can Use - Part 2! A Bit of History
My mom grew up on a small house on McKaig Avenue in Troy right next to Richard’s Chapel United Methodist Church. I have often wondered what the history of that church was and it’s a unique story that weaves together a fine combination of a denomination, a community foundation and one generous couple. You can read the story here.
The best part of the story is that it all revolves around the concept of philanthropy - giving back to make our communities stronger, better and more resilient. And at the center of this story is a couple, Perlema and Grace Sewell. I am a bit embarrassed to say I didn’t know the story of the Sewell family, but now I do. And it’s amazing to see how the power of philanthropy is still being felt decades after the work has been completed.
Now Hiring!
The Wright State University Foundation (Fairborn/Dayton, OH) is looking for a new Assistant Director of Annual Giving. You can look at the job announcement here. I am a proud graduate of Wright State and have fond memories of my town there. I am sure it is a wonderful place to work.
The YWCA of Dayton is looking for a new Vice President of Development. You can check out the job announcement here!
The combined Miami and Shelby County Chapter of Habitat for Humanity is currently looking for a new Development Director! Check the job out here on LinkedIn!
If you have a position you are hiring for, please feel free to email pinnaclestrategiesltd@gmail.com and we will run an announcement for three weeks!
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!
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.
An Excerpt from the “Tools, Tips and Tricks” Newsletter
The Pinnacle Strategies, “Tips, Tools and Tricks” newsletter comes out every Tuesday and is available for a paid subscription for as little as $7/month. And with our paid newsletter, we are trying something new here at Pinnacle Strategies!
The Substack platform now allows videos and after the first week, the response has been really, really good! The second video came out this week and talks specifically about giving pyramids!
If you haven’t signed up for the paid version of the newsletter…what are you waiting for? Especially when each subscription receives a free gift!
A Quick Note of Thanks!
Thank you readers! I am not sure how it happened, but ever since the first of the year, this newsletter has taken off, subscriber growth has more than doubled this past month! And many of you have reached out to me and it’s amazing to see that this newsletter has readers in Canada, Italy, Kenya and all over the United States. To say that we have an international newsletter, is not an exaggeration!
I know many of you have shared this with your friends and colleagues and I am very grateful. Thank you!
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.
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