Nonprofit Connection Santa Cruz County

This year the US president and his allies will attack nonprofits and foundations. They will attack our First Amendment freedom of speech, assembly, and advocacy. They’ll use rhetoric, legislation, hearings, and intimidation to do this. Why? To silence dissent and secure their own power. Most of the advice nonprofits will hear is to prepare for these attacks by getting their legal and financial ducks in a row. But this battle is not so much legal or financial. It’s politics and optics. We can’t cower in fear, go on defensive, and “obey in advance”. Instead, we need to go on offense, and boldly call-out their nonsense! Moreover, we need to declare the value that nonprofit workers, volunteers, and activists provide to our democracy, economy, communities, and society. Read this piece by Mike Berkowitz of the Democracy Funders Network in the The Chronicle of Philanthropy’s The Commons https://lnkd.in/eDiefHjP Although it doesn’t make headlines, the Trump team has actually been attacking nonprofits for a while. Here are just a few lowlights from Trump and his friends in the House and Senate this past year: — In April 2024, Mr. Trump made the following public statement: “How do so-called ‘non-profits’ get away with spending all of their time and money on ‘getting Donald Trump.’ That’s not the deal. We are watching these thugs and sleazebags closely!” https://lnkd.in/eZGntdmi — In May 2024, during student protests over Israeli killings in Gaza, Sen. JD Vance introduced legislation that attacked free speech and university endowments. His bill would have required colleges to remove protest “encampments” from campus within 7 days. Institutions that failed to comply would have lost federal financial assistance, including Pell grants and federal loans, for five years. To replace these, institutions would have been mandated to provide students with equivalent grants at the institution’s expense. If a college failed to do so, it would have faced a tax equal to 50% of its endowment. https://lnkd.in/env6wH2g — In September 2024, the House GOP introduced what we called the Nonprofit-Killer Bill (HR 9495), which would have enabled Trump’s Treasury Secretary to strip any nonprofits of their right to exist by smearing them as ‘terror-supporting’, without offering evidence of wrongdoing or adequate due process to challenge the punishment. Since it had little chance of being signed by President Biden, some have said it was a messaging bill, a kind of virtue signaling against virtue. Some or all of this is likely to be recycled in some form in the coming months. Be prepared to proactively stop it on behalf of the entire nonprofit sector, as well as preparing to defend your own org.

#MuseumJob Monday is here! Just note that job postings are a little slower right now as we enter into the new year. ✔️Don't forget that you can find many more job postings through my museum job board spreadsheet: https://lnkd.in/ePN8cZBr Remote!-Customer Success Specialist, CatalogIt, $40-$50K: PA-Registrar, Museum for Art in Wood, $50-$55K: https://lnkd.in/evehJAhG MD-Assistant Registrar for Loans and Collections, Glenstone Museum, $47-$64K: https://lnkd.in/dPVPzeF2 MT-Digital Collections & Metadata Specialist, University of Montana, $20/hr(FT): https://lnkd.in/g-GnNQ-e IN-Digital Preservation & Digital Collections Librarian, Indiana University Indianapolis, $58K: https://lnkd.in/eBvzprPf DE-Born Digital Archivist, Center for Historic Architecture and Design, $43-$86K: https://lnkd.in/dCyNbXZq SC-Project Archivist, South Carolina Historical Society, $49K: https://lnkd.in/exbSYFff IL-Curatorial Associate, Art Institute of Chicago, $43-$53K: https://lnkd.in/erqMic6u DC-Deputy Director, National Postal Museum, $147-$291K: https://lnkd.in/enYMyBZN MO-Deputy Director, Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, $100-$120K: https://lnkd.in/e__sM-N7 NY-Funds & Grant Development Consultant, Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Commission: https://lnkd.in/emRRYfdf DC-Deputy Administrator of Strategic Programs, National Gallery of Art, $150-$225K: https://lnkd.in/eaeaSMh8 IL-Director of Visitor Experience, Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance, $78-$82K: https://lnkd.in/gmHFmjmj MD-Assistant Manager of Visitor Experience, Glenstone Museum, $72-$79K: https://lnkd.in/dYvWjZgH NY-Manager of Visitor Experience, Center for Jewish History, $62-$64K: https://lnkd.in/dCePrP7f DC-Vice President of Experience, Education & Outreach, National Children's Museum, $110-$120K: https://lnkd.in/eBvy3hjs WV-Project Specialist, Harpers Ferry Center/NPS, $68-$88K: https://lnkd.in/eTcxndE2 CT-Museum Assistant (Study Room), Yale Center for British Art, $27/hr (FT): https://lnkd.in/dyU6ptr3 MD-Gallery Educator, Baltimore Museum of Art, $53K: https://lnkd.in/d7bCFJmh DC-Education Specialist, Office of the Under Secretary for Education, $101-$131K: https://lnkd.in/db22aWxG MT-Interpretation Park Ranger, Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, $49-$77K: https://lnkd.in/g5tKAF68 VA-Events Coordinator, Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, $45-$47K: https://lnkd.in/eWBYpgyM TX-Digital Communications Coordinator, MCKINNEY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU INC, $50-$73K: https://lnkd.in/gbvP6suX DC-Director of Digital Outreach, The White House Historical Association, $80-$90K: https://lnkd.in/eeU75eCx MD-Digital Content Manager, Port Discovery Children's Museum, $45-$50K: TX-Development Manager, Texas Historical Commission, $5K-$6K/month(FT): https://lnkd.in/eX-SPzRB VA-Major Gifts Officer, Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, $55K: https://lnkd.in/e5_BT8yr DC-Annual Giving Specialist, National Geographic Society, $60-$64K: https://lnkd.in/e8yN5RiP

MLK Day of Service: Join Us to Make a Difference! This MLK Day, honor Dr. King’s legacy by giving back to your community! We’re looking for 100 volunteers to help sort and pack food at Second Harvest. Monday, January 20 Shifts: 9–11 a.m. & 1–3 p.m. Location: Second Harvest Food Bank, 800 Ohlone Pkwy., Watsonville Let’s serve together and make this MLK Day a day on, not a day off! Sign up now at https://lnkd.in/grkFfj8v #wearethefoodbank #dayofservice #MLKday

Start your new year by joining the Digital NEST team. We are looking for a Senior Grant Manager to help the NEST raise revenue for Digital NEST from institutional donors, such as foundations, corporations, and government agencies. Learn more about the opportunity and share with your networks. 👇 https://lnkd.in/gna6RsSB

REMINDER: APPLICATIONS ARE DUE AT THE END OF THE MONTH!   Don’t miss your chance to receive a $15,000 grant to support your work in the Pajaro Valley. Apply now and make a lasting impact on the community! Visit https://lnkd.in/gZdvrFjq to apply!

Capitola Mayor Yvette Brooks Announces Departure from  City Council to Lead United Way of Santa Cruz County Mayor Yvette Brooks has announced her decision to step down from the Capitola City Council effective January 13, 2025, to accept the position of Chief Executive Officer at United Way of Santa Cruz County. Mayor Brooks’ final City Council meeting will take place on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at 6:00 PM. During this meeting, the Council will decide whether the vacancy will be filled by appointment or go to a special election. "It has truly been an honor serving on the City Council for the past six years," said Brooks. "I ran on a platform of supporting our community, focusing on the well-being of all residents and the youth living here. Now, I have the opportunity to serve the entire County of Santa Cruz, embracing United Way’s mission to ignite our community to give, advocate, and volunteer so that our youth succeed in school and life, our residents are healthy, and our families are financially independent. While it is an extremely difficult decision to step down from the Council, I recognize the best way to continue to contribute to Capitola and this county I love, is to dedicate all of my time and efforts to the United Way role.” During her tenure, Mayor Brooks achieved significant milestones as the first Latina Mayor of Capitola and now will break new ground as the first Latina CEO of United Way of Santa Cruz County. Highlights of her accomplishments include: Infrastructure Development: Collaborating with state and federal officials to secure funding for rebuilding Capitola’s iconic wharf and community center, while helping complete the construction of the City’s state-of-the-art library. Mayor Brooks also supported numerous roadway improvements throughout the community, including the long-awaited improvements to Clares and Brommer Streets. Fiscal Responsibility: Spearheading the Measure Y campaign to stabilize Capitola’s budget, ensuring raises for city employees and the Capitola Police Department. Community: Partnering with County Park Friends to raise $1 million for the new Treasure Cove playground at Jade Street Park, transforming it into an inclusive playground where families and children of all abilities can play together. Public Health Advocacy: Leading the charge to ban flavored tobacco in Capitola, prioritizing the health of residents. Youth Advocacy: Spearheading a successful ballot initiative in 2018 to increase the city’s TOT tax to create a dedicated children’s fund,  collaborating with Soquel Union School District to expand after-school and middle school programs and establishing Capitola’s Youth Liaison program "It has been wonderful working alongside our tremendous City staff who work tirelessly, our outstanding Police Department, and my fellow Councilmembers," Brooks reflected. "I could not have achieved these milestones without the support of my colleagues." Thank you, Capitola for allowing me to serve you."

We are hiring!   The Development Associate provides support to the Development Director and works closely with donors, volunteers, community members, and partners.   For the full job description, visit https://lnkd.in/gTAg9tnn

Donor stewardship isn’t working. Just look at the dismal retention rates: 💷 Nearly 7 out of 10 donors will give once and never again. 💴 Every $100 gained is offset by $96 in losses through donor attrition. 💵 Last year, donor counts dropped 7.6% and donations decreased 1.3% (the third consecutive year to decline). So here comes the issue. There isn’t any other way to 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥 a donor than to communicate with them via digital, print, on-air, or in-person channels. But some people think stewardship is the sole responsibility of the #fundraising team. In reality, it belongs to everyone responsible for the brand. (Hint: that’s anyone with a mouth or keyboard, especially the founders/CEO.) Consider the main reasons donors don’t give again: ❌ They weren’t told how their first gift was used. ❌ They didn’t feel thanked. Ouch. That’s just basic communications. And that’s why author Kay Sprinkel Grace says the real work begins 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 you receive the gift. “This is the most important, yet most neglected piece of the fundraising process.” So remember the rule of 7. ⤵ For each funding request, balance it with seven engaging #brand touchpoints. Some examples: → Email surveys → Program tours → Video updates → Thank-you calls → Thank-you notes → Email newsletters → In-person meetings → Social media tagging → Milestone celebrations → Asking for advice/input → Annual report mentions → Behind-the-scenes peeks → Text & WhatsApp messages → Gift confirmation & tax receipt → Invitations to events or webinars → Handwritten holiday or birthday cards → Impact update on how the gift was used Count them seven times in your #communications plan. Then count on them to give again. Less attrition, more attention. Connect more, lose less. 💪🏽💛 ______________________________________ Follow Kevin L. Brown to get fundable & findable. Then repost ♻️ to help your network.