Hera Associates LLC’s Post

🌟 BIPOC nonprofits are engines of change—but only if we fuel them. 🌟 Too often, these organizations are denied funding for lacking infrastructure while needing that same funding to build it. It's a frustrating catch-22. Here’s how funders can make a real impact: 1️⃣ Invest in infrastructure, not just programs. Supporting organizational capacity (think: HR, financial management, and fundraising) equips nonprofits to sustain and grow their mission. 2️⃣ Understand the journey isn’t linear. Growth varies—some nonprofits take off fast, others grow steadily. Be patient and adaptive. 3️⃣ Acknowledge strengths AND gaps. Passion alone can’t run a nonprofit. Strategic capacity-building programs like Fair Chance’s three-year cohort show how targeted investments create measurable, lasting impact. Want to explore how funders can break this cycle and empower nonprofits? Check out the full insights here: https://buff.ly/4iP3ZMs #EquityInFunding #SocialImpact #NonprofitLeadership #BIPOCCommunities #CapacityBuilding

Like businesses, nonprofits need to innovate to remain significant. This involves welcoming fresh concepts, testing programs, and being open to change. Embracing innovation can lead to new avenues for expansion and influence. The boundaries between for-profit and nonprofit sectors are blurring in today's landscape. Both strive to provide value to their stakeholders. By integrating sound business practices, nonprofits can enhance their influence and establish themselves as vital pillars of our community. As we tackle the challenges of contemporary philanthropy, let's adopt these principles to pave the way for a better future for Hudson Valley and beyond.

✨ 𝗠𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗡𝗼𝗻𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝘁 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀! ✨ If you're in the nonprofit world, this article is a game-changer. It dives into fundraising strategies based on revenue categories—grants, corporate, individual giving, and more. 📊💡 Here are two hard–earned lessons it affirmed for me: 🔑 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿: I used to juggle too many things at once, trying to diversify across all revenue programs. Focusing on what you do best and increasing diversification within that category is far more impactful. ✅ 𝘌𝘹𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦: If grants are your strength, explore diversifying within the grants category (government, foundations, corporate). Spend a smaller percentage of your time building other giving programs (sponsorships, new major gifts program). Build small, go slow. 🌱 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗮 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵: Burning out on applications for one-time seed funding or "exciting" projects that created more work and led to mission creep. Instead, I've learned to stay grounded in my mission and programs and frame messaging and communications to align with funders’ priorities (e.g., health, environment, social services causes). 🌟 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆: Nonprofit fundraising isn’t about doing everything—it’s about doing the right things exceptionally well. https://lnkd.in/exwujpmN

In the nonprofit world, I deeply understand the importance of respecting corporate funders for the support they provide. Their contributions are invaluable, and respect is something we owe not just to funders, but to everyone, regardless of their role or position. Working for the betterment of society and the community may not always yield immediate or tangible returns on investment for corporations. However, fostering and supporting a thriving community contributes to long-term stability and sustainability, which ultimately benefits all stakeholders, including the corporate sector. The relationship between nonprofits and corporate funders should be viewed as a true partnership—one that is collaborative and mutually beneficial. Nonprofits bring their expertise, time, and unwavering commitment to the work they do on the ground, just as corporations bring their resources, networks, and strategic capabilities. Both sides have unique strengths that, when combined, can drive meaningful change. Unfortunately, there are instances where corporate funders perceive nonprofits as being solely answerable to them, as though their support creates a one-sided obligation. This perspective not only undervalues the essential work nonprofits do but also diminishes the recognition of social work as a critical and professional field. For genuine progress, this mindset must shift. Every party involved in community and nation-building must understand that this is a two-way street. It is a partnership rooted in mutual respect, shared goals, and the collective aim of creating a more equitable and thriving society. The approach should not be “I fund you, so you must follow my lead,” but rather, “We are in this together to make a lasting impact.” True collaboration flourishes when both sides recognize and value each other’s contributions, working hand-in-hand to build a better future.

The Paradox of Impact Measurement in Nonprofits: Chasing Numbers vs. Making a Difference Read More: https://lnkd.in/e8V3DPCi In a world driven by data and numbers, the nonprofit sector is not immune to the pressures of quantifiable outcomes. Organizations dedicated...

Advice I've given #nonprofit leaders dozens and dozens of times: increasing your financial sustainability is all about diversifying your revenue. This article from Stanford Social Innovation Review provides a counter argument, though it is more focused on things that help organizations grow larger than just achieving sustainability at their current size. They argue that when studying the financials of larger organizations, three things have helped them grow and remain solvent: *Concentration on or two major revenue sources *Seeking funding that is a natural match for your organization's work *Building dedicated capabilities and infrastructure to tap into the one or two revenue categories you're focusing on. I find this research fascinating, and while I may integrate it into my advice, I can't imagine most nonprofits not ensuring multiple revenue sources. The larger your reserve, the more you can handle slight fluctuations in one or two large revenue streams. If a significant funding sources allows you to build enough reserve over time, I suppose then the focus on diversity matters less. These may large foundations, but often they are government money or earned revenue strategies. All funding strategies shift eventually, so even those big funding sources can dry up This makes continual philanthropic engagement important for us all, even if the focus is more on making sure we keep telling our missional story so no one forgets why it matters.

Advice I've given #nonprofit leaders dozens and dozens of times: increasing your financial sustainability is all about diversifying your revenue. This article from Stanford Social Innovation Review provides a counter argument, though it is more focused on things that help organizations grow larger than just achieving sustainability at their current size. They argue that when studying the financials of larger organizations, three things have helped them grow and remain solvent: *Concentration on or two major revenue sources *Seeking funding that is a natural match for your organization's work *Building dedicated capabilities and infrastructure to tap into the one or two revenue categories you're focusing on. I find this research fascinating, and while I may integrate it into my advice, I can't imagine most nonprofits not ensuring multiple revenue sources. The larger your reserve, the more you can handle slight fluctuations in one or two large revenue streams. If a significant funding sources allows you to build enough reserve over time, I suppose then the focus on diversity matters less. These may large foundations, but often they are government money or earned revenue strategies. All funding strategies shift eventually, so even those big funding sources can dry up This makes continual philanthropic engagement important for us all, even if the focus is more on making sure we keep telling our missional story so no one forgets why it matters.

Foundations and corporate donors must reimagine their role, not just as funders but as partners in nonprofit innovation. With the proper support, nonprofits can create transformative change, ensuring communities survive and thrive in an ever-changing world. At the intersection of social innovation, trust-based philanthropy, and capacity building... there's this 👇

Traditional Nonprofits vs. BIPOC-Led Initiatives: A Side-by-Side Look at Unique Strengths The nonprofit sector is evolving. For years, traditional nonprofits have been the default—structured, well-funded, but often disconnected from the communities they claim to serve. Now, BIPOC-led initiatives are rewriting the playbook. Bringing authenticity and cultural relevance to the forefront. We’re not just building programs. We’re creating movements. The Old Way: Detached Leadership: Decisions are made in boardrooms, far from the communities impacted. Generic Programs: One-size-fits-all solutions miss cultural nuances. Focus on Metrics: Prioritizes donor satisfaction over deep community impact. The New Way: Community-Led Solutions: Leadership comes from lived experiences, not assumptions. Culturally Competent Programming: Programs are designed with, not for, the community. Impact-First Funding: Measures success by transformation, not just transactions. Here’s the difference: Traditional nonprofits provide structure, but BIPOC-led initiatives deliver soul. We recognize resilience and innovation thrive when solutions reflect the people they’re built for. Why this matters: Investing in BIPOC-led initiatives isn’t charity, it’s strategy. It’s how we close gaps, amplify voices, and build sustainable change. The question is: What can the old and the new learn from each other?

Over the past three years, Panorama's Collaborative Learning for Impact Philanthropy initiative has analyzed the impacts of large, unrestricted gifts on nonprofit organizations. Within a year of receiving the gift, these high-impact organizations working on systems change are at peak strength and ready to act boldly to achieve their missions. It’s inspiring to see how these high-impact organizations, once given the resources, are ready to tackle complex challenges and make a lasting difference. But meaningful change doesn’t happen overnight—it takes sustained investment. Continued donor support for these highly vetted, proven organizations can amplify the effects of those initial gifts and pave the way for even greater impact. Today I’m sharing two things: Our summary of what we learned, “Funding What Works: High-Impact Organizations Trusted by Leading Philanthropists”, plus a list of more than 50 of those high-impact organizations. I hope these new resources will be useful for donors eager to make a meaningful, outsized impact with their follow-on funding. Learn how you can #FundWhatWorks https://bit.ly/48QFUAq View the list of organizations: https://bit.ly/3CAFF0p