Apollo Opportunity Foundation’s Post

Absolutely valid. In our work we’re seeing an abundance of mission-driven organizations pivoting to address systemic social issues and cross-cutting topics like data science or chronic disease. And not surprisingly, this shift has had implications on the hiring side, including fundraising. Specialized talent is needed in order to operate in the increasingly complex and nuanced landscape of transformational/principal giving. Systems change requires system thinkers. #EnterPSC #WeGotThis #ExecutiveSearch #PrincipalGiving #SystemsChange #FutureOfPhilanthropy #PurposeDriven #SearchExcellence #Impact #Nonprofits #HigherEd #Healthcare

"When philanthropists are passionate about the causes they support, it’s no surprise that they are more likely to partner with organizations that share their values and goals. But while this alignment can result in strong partnerships and collaborations, it can also open up the risk of confirmation bias: wanting things to be true even when evidence suggests otherwise. Especially as philanthropy has been shifting its focus from individual grants and programs to investing in broader systemic change, addressing confirmation bias becomes all the more urgent." Without mechanisms for incorporating disconfirming evidence, grantmakers miss the opportunity for greater impact. Read more in @Stanford Social Innovation Review:

Four years ago today, I transitioned from the world of NGOs and implementing organizations to the philanthropic space, stepping into my role as CEO of DROSOS FOUNDATION. This shift has been profound, expanding my understanding of how to create and support lasting impact and teaching me to think differently about driving change. I've learned so much, not just from our incredible team and partners but also from young changemakers I’ve met along the way - individuals with bold ideas, big dreams, and a deep commitment to making a difference. Their energy has been a constant reminder of why we do what we do. Navigating the complexities of our work in a region often marked by crisis has always been humbling. This past year, in particular, has brought even more darkness, as we witnessed unimaginable human tragedies and destruction in the Levant. These moments have left me feeling a deep sense of helplessness and raised difficult questions about humanity. Yet, even amid such hardship, I have seen the extraordinary strength that comes from standing together, listening deeply, and responding with empathy. These experiences have also led me to reflect on the true role of philanthropy. It’s about more than providing funding; it’s about being a catalyst for systemic change. This means listening to and enabling those closest to the challenges, taking calculated risks on innovative ideas, and building bridges for collaboration. Philanthropy should amplify voices, connect resources to needs, and create the conditions for transformative, long-term impact. Looking ahead, I am even more committed to a form of philanthropy that is genuine, adaptive, and co-creative. We must invest in bold ideas, foster enduring partnerships, and continue learning from those leading change on the ground. Our mission must always be to move beyond funding projects to truly fostering systemic and sustainable impact. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey - your support and collaboration have been invaluable. Here’s to continuing this work with purpose, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to keep growing and learning together. #Philanthropy #leadership #systemicchange #reflection

Addressing complex social change is like piecing together a complicated puzzle; it's messy, it's hard, and it requires new perspectives, muscles, and models. Tracey Greene-Washington is the President of Indigo Innovation Group, a consulting firm dedicated to serving as a strategic thought-partner, advisor and consultant to philanthropic and nonprofit organizations committed to accelerating change through system-level approaches, equity, and strategic collaboration. In addition to this role she is the Founder of CoThinkk, a social change philanthropy committed to shifting the economic mobility, health, education, and leadership narrative of communities of color in Western NC through strategic investments, network-building, and civic discourse. Check out her video from TED @ted addressing the complexities of Social Change. #socialchangemakers #socialchange #educationmatters #education

As philanthropists, we need to shift our perspective on strategic plans to be more flexible and adaptable to our situation as it evolves. Let me share a practical example. I guided a private foundation to create an executive transition plan in preparation for the founding CEO’s retirement in three years. The plan anticipated hiring a search firm to conduct a national search in Year Two. But six months in, an amazing successor candidate showed up unexpectedly. Because we embraced an opportunistic mindset and recalibrated the timeline, the foundation could hire the new CEO faster than originally anticipated. As a bonus, the foundation retained the outgoing CEO to extensively train and onboard the new CEO, transition key relationships, and help with special projects. The result was a seamless transition and a stronger foundation. Let’s start treating our strategies not as a rigid decree of timeline and to-dos but as a living and breathing reference of our goals and top priorities. Be sure to like and follow for more practical philanthropy advice! #Strategy #Philanthropy #Nonprofits

The UK's Techno-Philanthropy sector demonstrates a thriving ecosystem with 1,730 organizations engaging in innovative social good. Among these, 610 are non-profits and 740 are social enterprises, with sectors such as AgeTech and Innovation, Technology, and Research leading in numbers. Impact investors form the backbone of this sector with 211 entities, showcasing a strong inclination towards societal and technological progress. Discover more about this dynamic sector here: https://lnkd.in/dcZu9vCM Regional stakeholders interested in having their own ecosystem mapping platform developed can learn more here: https://lnkd.in/dmcJbUgZ #TechnoPhilanthropy #SocialInnovation #UKTech #ImpactInvesting #Nonprofits #SocialEnterprise

We need to do things differently. "Achieving transformational change requires movement organizations to adapt to new ways of operating and funders to adjust the ways they fuel such long-term power-building work. Even when multiple crises have pushed the U.S. to an inflection point, this work is still possible, and even more necessary." Check out this piece featuring PowerSwitch Action in the Foundation Review. Movement partners and philanthropy: What's one thing you're doing differently today to prepare for a better tomorrow? https://lnkd.in/eRUeh5FU

“When we debate the merits of diversity rather than focusing on the facts, we lose significant economic value.” Earlier this week, Founder & Managing Partner Lenore Champagne Beirne spoke with Meta's Jason Trimiew and Zebra Strategies' Denene Rodney about being #UnapologeticallyEntrepreneurial. One of the topics discussed was regarding DEI being seemingly under fire.  This video includes a bit more context on Bright's stance on inclusivity even in the midst of challenges to DEI. #InclusiveInnovation #Wellbeing #FounderWellbeing #VentureCapital #InclusiveEconomy #Advice #MindsetShifts #Coaching #Capital #Community #TroubleSleeping #Stress #FounderStress #Fundraising #VentureCapital

It's time to REDESIGN philanthropy's power structures and governance systems! Introducing ✨ Metamorphic Legacy ✨: A tailored leadership experience to revolutionize philanthropic governance. We've partnered with the brilliant minds at Intrinsic Labs and TheRadicalOptimist.com to make this happen. Are you, or do you know, a visionary board member, trustee, or HNWI who feels the same? 🤔 The current philanthropic model wasn't built for today's complex social challenges. We need innovative systems that embrace the intricacy and humanity of our world. Good news: We can create them. Together. We are seeking trustees ready to reshape philanthropy! Interested? Check out our one-pager and share this post. Know someone who fits the bill or is doing this work? Tag them below. Let's build a future where philanthropy truly serves its purpose. Join us in this transformative journey 🚀 #governance #philanthropy #PhilanthropyRedesign #InnovativeGovernance #SocialImpact #LeadershipEvolution #FundingRevolution #Trustee

Happy Friday! Here's part 3 of our series on innovation challenges in philanthropy. Sharing here as these concepts apply to innovators in any industry.. This video discusses the barrier that prevents systemic issues in the community from being solved and a different approach that overcomes the barrier. To put it plainly, we expect innovation to come from the wrong levels of stakeholders. Or, at a minimum, organizations expect partners to break through with innovative ideas without much support or incentive to do so. Through our experience as innovation consultants and our collaborations with philanthropic leaders, we've created a short video series for leaders to understand how to overcome 4 common barriers that maintain the status quo in philanthropy. You can watch the entire series on our website now: https://lnkd.in/g4et5Y-d