Ramik Williams’ Post

Reading a recent advice column in The Chronicle of Philanthropy (https://lnkd.in/eQb-2uRz) about how our words are perceived, especially at times of heightened awareness such as the upcoming election, I'm reminded of a blog post I wrote two years ago about the importance of choosing our words wisely in the profession of nonprofit development. See if some of these shift in semantics are helpful to you now:https://lnkd.in/eVbuURuj.

Black leaders around the country are collaborating in increasingly intersectional ways. Meaningful change does not emerge out of any single entity or nonprofit, and instead is a collective work done through multiple actors across organizations. Through support, education, and mutual community building, these leaders are making a difference where it counts. #BlackLeadership #Justice #NonprofitLeadership

There is a time for mourning and there is a time for action. As Earl Martin Phalen and Dr. Michael McAfee put it, now is ripe for a third reconstruction. But to achieve such large-scale transformation, we must first ensure could-be organizers and civic engagers are economically secure so they can participate in refounding our country. This requires a multi-sector approach with sights set on the long haul. Dive deep into these opportunities in this excellent exploration from Nonprofit Quarterly. https://lnkd.in/gKSmc2tr

Check out this new blog post from our co-chair Mike Gianoni as he explores the powerful yet underutilized partnership between businesses and nonprofits.

The philanthropic landscape is evolving rapidly, influenced by diverse perspectives and proposals that challenge traditional norms. This recent article from The Chronicle of Philanthropy highlights five conservative ideas that could significantly reshape how we approach philanthropy. From rethinking tax incentives to increasing transparency, these proposals encourage all of us in the social impact space to examine how we can better align with the communities we serve. Whether you agree with these ideas or not, the potential shifts they suggest emphasize the need for adaptability, innovation, and a commitment to equity in how we design philanthropic solutions. Solutions like the ones listed below will be necessary as we work through the next administration: - Adopt Community-Centric Frameworks: Engage directly with the communities impacted by philanthropy to co-create solutions and shift power dynamics. - Promote Policy Advocacy: Use philanthropic influence to advocate for public policies that address root causes rather than just symptoms of social issues. - Experiment with Funding Models: Pilot unrestricted grants or trust-based philanthropy to empower nonprofits with the flexibility to address emerging needs. - Increase Cross-Sector Collaboration: Partner with government and private sectors to ensure philanthropic dollars complement broader systemic efforts. Now is the time to embrace these challenges as opportunities for growth and innovation. #Philanthropy #SocialImpact #Innovation #Equity

Many of our nonprofit clients have been advocating for years, making incremental gains and some have eventually led to landmark victories. This inspiring article from The Bridgespan Group shares how profound shifts in U.S. public policy have been the result of incremental policy making, step-by-step, over many decades. The article provides four ways that philanthropies and donors can make strategic, sustained investments in social movements. "For many—engaged citizens, activists, and donors across ideological perspectives—the scale and urgency of injustices focus attention and action on these major, nationwide moments. However, these monumental turning points are most often the accrual of decades of deliberate small steps—incremental policy changes—by thoughtful and strategic advocates on the road to the big win." Thank you William Foster, Marc Solomon, Eric Chen, Zachary Slobig

There are some great pieces coming out of The Commons via The Chronicle of Philanthropy. Here is another. This passage spoke to me, "[Funding the resistance] does not begin to take responsibility for polarization in our public life, which philanthropy has helped fuel by funding high-octane, all-or-nothing advocacy and activism across a range of policy areas. This approach has hampered policy settlements on issues such as climate, education, immigration, and policing — further stoking the fires of populism." Some may find it off putting, but the "all-or-nothing" seems have amounted to "nothing" not "all." Not just in philanthropy either - we all know people who have ended friendships, stopped going to holidays with their families, or don't talk to their neighbors anymore. There's a lot of nothing there. And at the same time, record numbers of people are saying that they are lonely and long for connection and community. How can philanthropy and nonprofits lead the way? Would love to hear what thoughts came up for you reading this article.

NEW on the CEP blog: When should we 'bridge' and when should we fight? That's one of the question Phil Buchanan grapples with in the latest in his series tackling big questions for philanthropy.   Read it here: https://lnkd.in/eXawSxRt   #blog #newblog #reading #philanthropy #nonprofits #democracy #bridging #citizens #civicengagement

Guiding A Nonprofit Through DEI Challenges https://lnkd.in/ec6bzCuH

So incredibly proud of all the work Amy McIsaac, Siri Erickson, and the entire team at Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement (PACE) has put into research on civic language. This piece by Drew Lindsay is an exclamation point on this truly groundbreaking initiative that we hear every day is helping our colleagues in philanthropy and non-profit work. If you have yet to engage with this research on how American voters view terms like "democracy," this piece will get you oriented: https://lnkd.in/e5AnWVfd