Clayco’s Post

Recent White House executive orders could reshape the landscape for nonprofit organizations. As these policy directives cascade through federal funding streams, grant mechanisms, and regulatory frameworks, nonprofits must proactively understand and adapt to potential changes that could impact their operational strategies, funding opportunities, and mission-critical initiatives. Thank you, Alisa Winters, for sharing this helpful resource.

Small businesses are the heartbeat of our communities! They not only drive the economy by creating jobs and innovation but also have the unique power to make a real difference at a grassroots level. By giving back, we can turn that power into action! Whether it's supporting local charities, volunteering our skills, or hosting community fundraisers, every effort counts. Let's embrace the spirit of philanthropy and strengthen our local fabric! Together, we can transform our communities and inspire others to join the cause. #MeristemPrivateWealth #FinancialPlanning #FinanicalAdvisors #UplandCA

I'm not sold on the thought that the number of nonprofits in SA, or perceived overlap, is the conversation we need to have. If an organization pops up to fill a need, and that org can, as Stephen Lucke mentions, be agile and innovative to meet those needs, then it's not just contributing to "too many" -- it's necessary. At the same time, considering an acquisition, merger, or (gasp!) even dissolution, can be the most visionary decision for an org. Putting the mission above history, tradition, and ego could result in greater impact. I love the reframe to focus instead on how WELL our efforts are meeting the needs of our community--and how we can better collaborate (or even step aside) to strengthen that work.

Nolan Browne bringing some good news: 🏠 Affordable Housing for All 🏠 McKenzie Scott's commitment to affordable housing shines a much-needed spotlight on one of the most pressing challenges of our time. Her generosity is transforming lives and opening doors for families in need. But what if housing didn’t have to rely on donations to become affordable? At BotBuilt, we’re on a mission to revolutionize the construction industry with cutting-edge AI and robotics. By streamlining the construction process and harnessing the power of computer vision and automation, we’re driving down costs, improving efficiency, and creating a world where high-quality housing is within reach for everyone. Our approach even makes use of cost-effective stud-grade lumber, proving that innovation can be both smart and sustainable. In a decade, we envision a future where housing affordability is no longer an act of charity—it’s a built-in feature of how we construct homes. We applaud McKenzie Scott’s leadership in this space and are energized to push even harder to make affordable housing scalable, sustainable, and commonplace. Let’s build a better tomorrow together. #AffordableHousing #Innovation #AI #Sustainability #ConstructionTech #BotBuilt

How should #foundations and other #funders respond to rare misspending allegations against #nonprofits like the recent The New York Times report about GLAAD? For Inside Philanthropy, I've got some ideas: "...funders that count the travel expenses of wealthy heirs toward their annual payout total or warehouse money in DAFs deserve at least the same scrutiny and criticism as the rare nonprofit leader who misspends funds. The vast majority of organizations that are doing their best to keep the lights on, serve their communities and pay their employees enough to live on, on the other hand, should be applauded and supported generously. Forcing them to live on tightly restricted scraps serves no one. The occasional nonprofit misspending scandal aside, it seems to me that at this point, the only thing wealthy donors and foundations stand to lose by trying more open approaches wholesale is their own sense of control and irreplaceability. Given the life-and-death nature of many of our society’s problems, that seems like a more than reasonable trade." #philanthropy #wealthinequality #nonprofits #foundations #trustbasedgiving #nonprofithiringcrisis #nonprofitburnout Institute for Policy Studies Crappy Funding Practices Fund the People Jamie Allison Rusty Stahl Hub ONE

The changing nonprofit landscape raises some critical questions about the future of philanthropy as a whole, especially as public trust in nonprofits declines following many major scandals. How can nonprofits protect their own reputations? Leaders ended up asking these big questions if we want actionable steps forward. #Finance #Nonprofit #Justice

What is your community giving plan for Quarter 4? As we approach the end of the year, it’s time for small businesses to think beyond just wrapping up their books and pushing last-minute sales. The final quarter, especially around the holiday season, is prime time for community giving. If you haven’t developed a community giving plan for Q4, you’re missing out on more than just the warm fuzzies. Here’s why having a solid community giving strategy is essential for small businesses as the year comes to a close. We've got some great ideas for your small business at GiveRound - have a read! https://lnkd.in/gHgE4trs #business #CustomerLoyalty #donation #EmployeeEngagement #givingstrategy, #holidayseason #sponsorship #taxdeduction

There are less than 12 weeks before the end of 2024! (wait, what??) It's a great time to look at your financial goals and consider the ways community giving might help you in what might be the busiest time of your business year. It might be in building your reputation, or decreasing your taxable income, or other things - have a read to learn more.

Unfortunately we can't know what's going to happen in terms of federal grants, but if you're a nonprofit leader, a great use of your energy right now is learning about corporate and local grants. Every nonprofit will be going after the big ones (like the Walmart Walton Family foundation), but our local communities are our best bets for getting through this stressful, scary time. If you're not sure where to start, just take a look around you as you drive to work or take your evening walk. What are your regional restaurant chains? What businesses have headquarters in your area? What are your local sports teams? What sponsor's name is on their stadium? What local or regional stores are thriving? Keep a list, and then search for that business name with "foundation" or "grants" after. You'd be surprised how many regional chains offer grants, and by how many supply in-kind goods like food or household goods. Cruise ship lines and construction companies often offer grants too. If you live near a big company's headquarters, you'll find that they generally prefer to give money to nonprofits in their own community - and unlike federal grants, once they get to know you, they may give year after year. Another strategy is to look at the websites of nonprofits close to you and see who has given them money in the past. If they gave to your neighbor, perhaps they'll give to you! Oh, and don't forget to search using the name of your county and "grants." You might be surprised what's available. Hang in there, nonprofit leaders: your work is more important than ever.

🧐 Is this self-dealing? Check out our latest blog post where we break down 3 quick questions to help you navigate and avoid self-dealing in your philanthropic endeavors. 🔗 Read more: https://bit.ly/4cbQdiF