May 2023
What I’m Thinking About
A New Podcast!
Purpose Possible colleague Taylor Johnson has launched a new podcast with Little Bit of Good founder Monique Parker-Murchison called Shortchanged and we’re loving it! Shortchanged seeks to understand WHY and HOW organizations and leaders driving important change in our communities are coming up short. Two episodes are up so far featuring thought-provoking conversations with Iara Peng, Founder and CEO of JustFund, and Lisa Sullivan, Founder of LS Ventures. Later in May look out for an episode featuring Purpose Possible’s Director of Strategic Philanthropy, Laura Hennighausen (me)! Click here to listen.
Articles and News
Us and Them: What it Really Means to Belong
Nneka Allen’s essay about her experiences with racism in the Association of Fundraising Professionals and more specifically its Greater Toronto chapter. For more, check out the Giving Black podcast episode featuring Nneka and Múthoní Karíukí.
Race, Shakespeare, and a Theater’s Fight to Survive
The Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s artistic director — the first person of color in the role — departs amid criticism that her plan to save the American theater drove away donors and patrons. Supporters say bias and racism marred her tenure. (Chronicle of Philanthropy)
Donor-Advised Funds Now Take in a Fifth of Individual Charitable Giving
The problem is that once donations go into a DAF, there is no legal requirement that they ever come back out to working charities. Donors get publicly-subsidized tax deductions when they donate — but the money can just sit in the account, earning income for portfolio managers, forever. (Inequality.org)
Do Donors Care About Your Solution or the Problem?
“Our support is mostly a function of our attitudes about the problem, not the size or scope or thoroughness or efficacy of the solution.” (The Agitator)
Nonprofits United for a Stronger Alabama Through the Alabama Association of Nonprofits
An interview with Danielle Dunbar, Executive Director of Alabama Association of Nonprofits. (Independent Sector)
Nonprofit Workforce Shortages: A Crisis That Affects Everyone
Charitable nonprofits around the country are reporting significant difficulties retaining staff and filling vacancies. What was initially considered a challenge has now become a workforce crisis in need of immediate remedy and commitment to overcome longstanding problems exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. While job vacancies in the government and business sectors may cause disappointment and lost profits, the lack of adequate nonprofit staffing means the public suffers delayed or complete loss of needed services. (Council of Nonprofits)
Studies and Research
A project by The Center for Public Interest Communications, The Radical Communicators Network (RadComms), and Milli, Broke shares insights from their research to identify harmful narratives perpetuated by well-meaning organizations in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors, primarily in the United States. The report provides the nonprofit and philanthropic communities with an easy-to-use reference for communicating accurately and justly about how the rich got rich and why the poor stay poor, as well as how to use the science of storytelling to advance economic justice for all. It is also an opportunity for the nonprofit sector to confront the harmful narratives it perpetuates and to do better. Read about its creation here.
State of Savings: Atlanta; Optimism in the Face of Adversity
A report by nonprofit SaverLife focused on Atlantan’s abilities to save money when compared to national averages. Savings rates in Atlanta trail national averages and members in Atlanta are 9% more likely to say they don’t earn enough money to set any aside.(SaverLife)
Resources
A Resource for Media on Covering “Crime” and Violence, including things to avoid, approaches for advancing abolitionist narratives, and additional reading and guides. (Interrupting Criminalization)
For Funders
Leading to Local: How philanthropists can learn to better partner with locally led organizations
Insights from Sarah Bouchie on how to provide practical guidance on lifting up locally led organizations, particularly if funding abroad. (Stanford Social Innovation Review)
How Funders Need to Change to Spark a Revolution in Accessible, Affordable, Inclusive Housing
“Nonprofits and funders, working alongside disabled advocates and the public system, are ideally positioned to create, prove and advocate for models that ensure disabled people can live full lives on their own terms in communities that are truly inclusive. To do that, however, the social sector needs to break free from three limiting habits: the tendency to work around public systems rather than with them; a deep-rooted, if unconscious, bias toward paternalism, ableism and segregation; and underfunding of disabled-led advocacy groups.” (Inside Philanthropy)
It's Time for Philanthropy to Be as Bold as Leaders on the Front Lines of Social Change
“[More and more] progressive organizations are using a mix of related legal entities — including 501(c)(4)s, various kinds of political committees, 501(c)(5)s, and even corporate structures, in addition to 501(c)(3)s — to secure policy wins, generate independent revenue and accomplish their goals.” (Inside Philanthropy)
Upcoming Events
Introduction to Solidarity Economy Movements
Solidarity economy movements are people-powered forces to protect what matters most, and draw on tools and traditions within many lineages, making them accessible to any community, anywhere. Join us to explore what a solidarity economy movement is, how it works, and ways we can stay oriented to movement-building even as we navigate against the tides of capitalism and oppression. Monday, May 22nd, 4-6pm EST. Click here for more.
Atlanta: Facts & Acts: Arts, Culture and Creative Enterprises
Join us for a panel discussion of the FACTS on our region’s art sector to ACT and make a difference. Brought to you by Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta and moderated by WABE’s City Lights host Lois Reitzes. Tuesday, May 23 @ 8:30 am - 11:30 am. Click here for more.
