Someone Else's Child, Inc.’s Post

Yesterday, I attended the WCA Foundation’s annual meeting in person, and after meeting so many inspiring women leaders, I’m thrilled to begin my active membership in 2025! One of the highlights was reconnecting with my 2023-2024 Leadership Twin Cities cohort mate Maria Cone and my personal contact (and friend) Abby Wellan. I also had the chance to meet current members, new colleagues, and hear from 2024 grantees from Dress for Success Twin Cities, YouthLink MN, and Hired. Their panel underscored the power of collaboration among nonprofits to serve the community even more effectively. Key insights that resonated with me: - Minimizing Duplication: Instead of expanding programs, they focus on finding partners to fill specific needs—maximizing impact across the nonprofit ecosystem. - "Systems-Rich" over "Program-Rich": Prioritizing robust systems and partnerships allows each organization to excel in its core mission, knowing partners are there to address other needs. - Expanding Reach Beyond MSP: They’re exploring ways to support communities in Greater Minnesota, mindful of collaborating with existing local groups. - Philanthropy for Women and Girls: Less than 2% of philanthropic support is directed to organizations focused on women and girls. In 2020, this group received only 1.8% of all charitable contributions, despite being over half of the U.S. population. Excited to contribute to the work of the WCA Foundation! Visit the WCA Foundation’s website to learn more about their mission and initiatives. https://lnkd.in/g-6RJVq7

📚💼 The Critical Role of Academic Leaders in Advancing Philanthropy 🎓💰 As academic institutions increasingly rely on philanthropic support, the role of deans and academic leaders in fundraising has become more crucial than ever. In recent coaching sessions, we have discussed key ways that leaders drive philanthropic success: * Communicate a Compelling Vision: Articulate a clear story, demonstrate competence, and outline resource needs. * Build Meaningful Relationships: Engage with donors, volunteers, peers, and advancement teams. * Foster a Philanthropy-Friendly Environment: Create an atmosphere that attracts and nurtures philanthropic investments. * Partner with Chief Development Officers: Set clear goals, ensure proper resourcing, and support professional development. *Understand Fundraising Best Practices: Learn about the philanthropic landscape, donor cycles, and effective stewardship. Always Remember: Authenticity and donor-centricity are key to crafting compelling gift proposals and driving institutional advancement. #HigherEducation #Philanthropy #LeadershipInAction #InstitutionalAdvancement

Orr Group recently brought together Boston’s top philanthropic leaders for a powerful discussion on equity in philanthropy. The conversation covered crucial topics like equity in leadership, funding, and the experiences of fundraisers of color. Want to learn how diversity can drive nonprofits' missions forward? Check out the key takeaways from the event in the article below!

Hey, where's my $10 million? Last year, 272 donors made $10M+ #gifts totalling $10.9 billion. Those data, while striking, don't offer much insight into the individual stories underlying the breathtaking scope and impact of this transformative #philanthropy. There are patterns here that inform strategy for those organizations that could be in the running for such generous demonstrations of support. My wise and experienced colleagues Don Fellows, Mark Kimbell, and Karen Callahan share their perspectives on the trends and implications of these findings for #highereducation, #healthcare, and #schools. At first blush, it seems that these mega gifts are on the decline - until we recognize that Microsoft founder Bill Gates gave a total of $20 billion to his own foundation over 2021 and 2022. Removing those outliers shows the dollars about holding steady in 2023. That's good news for the charitable sector. Economic uncertainty, a complex political landscape, and #donor caution are all factors impacting giving behaviors. Higher education faces political headwinds connected both to global conflicts and domestic ideological divisiveness. Similarly, healthcare enterprises, contending with the complexity and fragility of the American health system, strive to show the impact of philanthropy and align donor objectives with institutional goals. In schools, trust in #leadership and alignment with donors' #values are crucial for successful philanthropic efforts. My colleagues offer suggestions that are evergreen in the practice of our craft: increased #transparency, addressing societal challenges with courage and clarity, demonstrating #impact, and fostering trust through personal engagement with #donors. Adjusting #fundraising approaches to be informed by and responsive to these trends and donor sentiments will be essential to the future health of the #nonprofit sector. Click below for a richer dive into these topics. What are you seeing in your corner of our sector?

In #philanthropy, investing in #CapacityBuilding is a game-changer for advancing #RacialEquity. 🚀 It's more than just a support function; it's a vital driver of change that helps nonprofits make a significant impact in underserved communities. Catchafire provides a suite of resources aimed at supporting capacity building, #ProfessionalDevelopment, and peer-to-peer learning for BIPOC-led nonprofits as well as small and grassroots organizations, all designed to enhance their strategic thinking, leadership, and technical capabilities. ➡️ Learn more about how your foundation can equip nonprofits to increase long-term efficiency and create lasting change: https://lnkd.in/g8X3AvqN

Today is #GivingTuesday—a critical day and week to invest in organizations tackling some of the most pressing social challenges of our time. As I reflect on my journey in service and leadership within the nonprofit sector, I am deeply grateful for the opportunities that shaped my commitment to advancing #equity and impact in our communities. I owe much of my start in nonprofit leadership to two incredible women: the late, legendary #Alma Powell and changemaker #Irasema Salcido, founder of Caesar Chavez Public Policy Charter Schools. They saw potential in me, challenged me, and entrusted me to design innovative strategies, build a team and develop a fundraising plan for a startup nonprofit - the DC Promise Neighborhood Initiative (DCPNI). This pivotal experience not only marked the beginning of my professional commitment and appreciation of nonprofits but also inspired me to lean into the work of addressing systemic inequities as both a practitioner and funder. At DCPNI, I successfully raised over $30M to support transformative programs for children and families in Washington, DC and till this day, support other leaders on their sustainability models. This work showed me the power of collective action, innovation, and the deep responsibility we all share in creating a more fair and just future. Today, as we celebrate Giving Tuesday, I encourage everyone to reflect on how we can contribute—whether it’s time, resources, or advocacy—to organizations making a meaningful difference. Nonprofits are often the lifeline in our communities, addressing gaps and driving change where it is most needed. Let’s use this day—and this week—to amplify their work. Together, we can create ripples of change that extend far beyond the moment. #GivingTuesday #NonprofitLeadership #EquityAndImpact #Gratitude #Service

Looking forward to facilitate the next cohort at NAO to discuss resistance to equity in nonprofits: https://lnkd.in/gfUA2qK4. Also, we are calling for panelists to discuss the following topic for the Equity and Inclusion Leaders Network April 9th, 2025: “Beyond the Facade: Addressing Pseudo-Allyship and the Legacy of White Feminism in Nonprofit Leadership”

"Take full advantage of every opportunity, build strong connections, and lean on your peers for support." These powerful words resonate with the mission of 318 Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to closing the opportunity gap for Black girls and historically marginalized communities. Through our programs—318 VISION, 318 ACTION, and 318 SPORTS—we empower these young women by providing them with the tools and networks they need to succeed. We focus on creating spaces where they can express themselves, foster creativity, and build meaningful relationships that support their development and personal growth. At 318 Foundation, we believe that true empowerment comes from providing access to resources and opportunities and cultivating a supportive community. The relationships formed during our programs are critical to this mission, offering these girls a network they can rely on as they navigate their unique challenges. Our tailored approach ensures that each participant receives the mentorship and guidance they need to achieve their full potential. Our programs go beyond traditional mentorship by offering immersive experiences that prepare these young women for leadership roles in their communities and industries. The connections they make here—whether with mentors or peers—are foundational to their development and success. We are committed to helping people develop the confidence and resilience they need to overcome obstacles and reach their goals. Believe in mentorship and closing the opportunity gap? Please visit https://hubs.li/Q02LXYbK0 to learn more about our work, donate, and join our mission as a mentor or partner. #318Foundation #Shreveport #NonprofitLeadership #YouthEmpowerment #Mentorship #ClosingTheOpportunityGap

So great to see this recognition for Rebecca Darwent and her field-building work in collaborative funding and systems change. If you haven't seen it yet, check out the link below for her Ted Talk, which already has over 1M views!

Scaling is a concept in philanthropy that suggests that donors who want to have the most impact need to invest large sums to expand successful programs. Scaling doesn't happen by just doing more of what you are doing; it requires rapid-fire re-engineering, assessing, and intense listening of leaders on the ground of what will work and what won't in different geographies. Trusting local leaders and empowering their decision-making for results in each community is crucial for successful scaling. Click the link https://lnkd.in/dV9EE4Wv to read more. Sources: Chronicles of Philanthropy #interestingread #APF #knowledgesharing #Philanthropy