John B.

Surgeon General Vivek Murthy talks about the need for a "whole-of-society approach" to advancing social connection. We've tried to heed that call in our work at Einhorn Collaborative, supporting a broader range of efforts that engage actors across sectors. That includes: Projects like Team Up to enlist large national civic organizations with a presence in local communities to help people build connection across difference through service. Research groups like Building H to measure the impact of products on consumers’ health and urge companies to do better to improve social connection and other health outcomes. Initiatives like Human Connections AI to bring together social connection experts with technologists to puzzle through how AI companions can be designed to enhance and not degrade human relationships. Another project that has helped us explore a facet of the whole-of-society approach is the Connective Tissue Framework, which puts forward a range of recommendations for how government – especially at the local level – can create the structural conditions and everyday opportunities for people to experience healthy connection. I've learned a lot from Sam Pressler, lead author of Connective Tissue. In this piece, I asked Sam to share more about the story behind the framework and a few highlights. https://lnkd.in/esayJU3b

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Listening to Patrick MacKenzie, Manjeet Dhiman, Steve Reynolds and Tonie Chaltas discussing the desire to focus on #outcomes, rather than outputs. I absolutely agree, *and* tracking real, long term social outcomes is a lot harder than nonprofits are given credit for, making a lot of outcome data...wrong, or little more than outputs. 1) As a former academic very familiar with #surveyfatigue, in gathering outcome data, we need to recognize misaligned incentives between what is in it for "us" (nonprofits, or funders incl. government) who want this data to create better data driven programs, vs. the incentives for our research subjects (in this case, newcomers). What do/can we offer to incentivise the gathering of qualitative data 6 months, 1 year, 3+ years down the road? A couple good examples were shared: Manjeet Dhiman mentioned the community created at ACCES Employment that clients want to return to that helps people stay involved. Patrick MacKenzie mentioned Immigrant Employment Council of BC's work with employers to understand and align value for their knowledge and hiring practices. Otherwise though, this needs more thought. 2) Then you add in the constraints of low #nonprofitfunding, short project timeframes, and the common pressure to #scale #impact ("what you're doing works? Great, now reach more people!"). The result is a version of the "good, fast, cheap: pick two" adage for social impact: "gather deep longitudinal outcome data (good); scale your impact (big); and stretch your budget (cheap)" For both ourselves and funders, it should be: pick two. All to say, YES we should be focusing on #outcomes, but there needs to be deeper understanding from nonprofits and funders of what it takes to realistically do so. Fortunately, smart minds in #MEL have been tackling this for a while, and I'm excited about the opportunities for tech to help with some (but not all) of the problem. #FutureofSettlementServices The Conference Board of Canada #ImmigrationSummit2024

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Whilst its hard to see that any progress has been made, to the contrary - it looks like 0 progress made and everything got worse, with recent years breaking through the 1.5C targets. We mustn't give up hope that the many initiatives that have been kicked off as a result of these agreements, have prevented worse things from happening... too optimistic? maybe But working in the sustainability and SDG space has never been more exciting, with many people sharing that a just transition to a more sustainable, de-growth and circular economy is, ...possible. The questions is how fast, to prevent worse things from happening (Climate Catastrophy, Ecological Collapse, ...the list is getting longer). Currently the ANNUAL financing gap to the 2030 SDGs is (according to UN estimates), around $4 trillion. This is the same as Germany's or Japan's Gross Domestic Product. This is a staggering number and concept that the money missing to achieve the SDGs is the same as the monetary value of ALL finished goods and services made in Germany or Japan on an annual basis. And yet, the world economy is worth around $100 Trillion, so $4 trillion = 4%. That ...almost...sounds doable? too optimistic? maybe When it comes to asset managers, total discretionary assets under management (AUM) of the 500 biggest managers amounted to USD 113.7 trillion at the end of 2022, down by 13.7% from the end of 2021. The largest, BlackRock, manages $10 trillion and the next biggest 2, Vanguard ($9 trillion) and Fidelity ($4 trillion). Surely, investing into solutions on a planet that is actually liveable with resources being consumed at a sustainable pace is what its at? Otherwise, what will be managed in 20 or 30 years?

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‘Younger teens (aged 13-15) in relationships are significantly more likely to report violent or controlling experiences in their relationships (58%) than those aged 16-17 (42% of those in relationships). Surprisingly, boys in relationships are more likely to say they experience violent or controlling behaviours (57%) compared to girls (41%).’ We need to take an approach to domestic abuse and child on child abuse that recognises violence against boys and men and stop being ‘surprised’. Relationships education needs to take a trauma-informed approach that seeks to understand the levels of violence all children are experiencing - in the home, online and in their relationships. #relationshipseducation #safeguarding #domesticabuse

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The Far Side of Fundraising Tip of the Week Transactional fundraising leads to high rates of donor loss. Most organizations lose 4 out of 5 first-time donors. The more rapidly and impersonally we secure support, the more we sub-optimize giving potential and the more rapidly donors depart. High rates of donor attrition, coupled with the continue contraction of giving households, spell long-term disaster for most nonprofits. Don't follow the transactional lemmings as they plunged into the sea. Adopt sustainable practices. You may be in the minority but you will help your organization survive and eventually thrive. This one requires that you closely to see who stands out in adopting sustainable practices.

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For anyone beginning a new strategic initiative or strategic planning process, this article is a wonderful resource. Congrats to Marilyn Darling and Veena Pankaj for the recently published "Seeding Impact: Shifting from Orchestration to Emergence." Full article at https://lnkd.in/eHD6QMcm #impact #strategy #strategicplanning #emergentlearning #systemschange

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Much of the work we do at Building Impact Partners is about helping donors get more money moving to where it’s most needed. My first book, Money with Meaning (https://bit.ly/3CHmwtv) is part of that effort. It's written as a DIY guide for donors looking for more meaningful giving--where social impact and personal fulfillment come together. I launched the book back in June 2023, I am so grateful for all the help, support and encouragement from friends and colleagues, helping the book hit #1 in the Philanthropy, Charity and Nonprofit Fundraising categories on Amazon, not only in launch week but a couple times since then. One of the best parts has been hearing stories directly from readers about how it has made a difference in their lives and helped them gear up their giving. So why am I posting about this now? Because the end of year giving season is upon us and there is still so much untapped potential in philanthropy--literally trillions of dollars on the sidelines. This is the unique time of year when many donors who’ve been putting off their giving start to give it more attention. This giving season feels all the more pivotal because over the past year or so many of us who work in the philanthropy and fundraising space have been hearing from amazing leaders and organizations that they have started to hit a wall in their fundraising efforts. Even as many organizations are doing their best work in a world that is literally and figuratively on fire, many are growing beyond their base of existing donors and running out of folks to ask. I know from what readers have already shared that this book can really make a difference. But one of the challenges with a niche book like this is that conventional marketing isn’t a great way to reach the book’s core audience of wealthy individuals and their advisors. This is an audience for whom personal recommendations and word of mouth go a particularly long way.    So, if you’re game to help boost this book, please help spread the word--whether by sharing this post, buying a copy, gifting a copy, writing a review or recommending it to someone you know. I’ve created a simple 30-second form (https://bit.ly/4fWsc1L) with options for how to help (plenty of which don’t require you to have a rolodex full of wealthy would-be donors!) If you complete the form we’ll follow up with you directly to make next steps fast and easy. Asking for help isn’t always easy, but I definitely feel more comfortable doing so because I believe that getting this book into more people’s hands has potential benefits not only for those who read it--but also for extraordinary social entrepreneurs who will benefit from the resources that flow when more people begin taking action to gear up their giving.   With much gratitude! --Alex

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It's time to REDESIGN systems of power and governance in philanthropy. Do you know any extraordinary board members, trustees, or HNWIs who have an inkling that this is true? 🤔 Philanthropy's status quo is an ill fitting governance system that wasn't designed for social change--it doesn't work well for anyone involved or the outcomes we seek. We need systems that work for the complexity and humanity of the world. The good news is, we can create them. Together. We've designed a highly supported experience to do just that! We're working with the brilliant teams at Intrinsic Labs and Radical Optimist Collective. Click through to see the profile of potential participants we're looking for to take part in Metamorphic Legacy, a bespoke leadership experience to redesign governance. Share this post/the 1 pager with 🦄 trustee unicorns 🦄 you know and reshape philanthropy with us! #philanthropy #leadership #governance #redesign #boardmembers #trustees #HNWIs #creativity #boards #grantmaking #innovation #crappyfundingpractices https://lnkd.in/dXz4zR8X One pager: https://lnkd.in/dR-hGN-T

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For colleagues in the impact investing space - please complete this brief survey from Sorenson Impact on convenings -- what works, what doesn't, etc. #impinv

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AI and Assembly. Thinking about sending my bot to your meeting - what's your policy, #nonprofits and #philanthropy? Remember those who are disabled and can't get there physically. Think about the privacy issues for the physical humans who do show up. Don't forget to update your own organizational policies because the bots are coming. AI and Civil Society and sending bots to the meeting - some thoughts and a forthcoming book - https://lnkd.in/gCusXZsx #AI #philanthropy, #nonprofits #civilsociety #AIandAssembly

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Thank you Linda Wood and The LeadersTrust team for your leadership in lifting up this critical intervention of raising independent revenue in the field. With rising fascism and backlash on our power building/wielding work across the country, we need to make some critical shifts in our mindset and practices. In particular, we need to prepare for and support the growing number of multi-entity organizations in the country that are building self determination and preparing to govern. Here are 6 mindset shifts from the report. For the full report click here https://shorturl.at/dLbc5 SHIFT #1: “INDEPENDENT REVENUE SUPPORTS SELF-DETERMINATION AND FREEDOM.” Individual giving offers organizations the flexibility to act on urgent needs and priorities, and to take advantage of emerging opportunities, without the restrictions of foundation grants or government contracts. SHIFT #2: “ORGANIZING, COMMUNICATIONS, AND RESOURCE GENERATION ARE NOT SEPARABLE.” Fundraising is organizing, and messaging and digital commu- nications are crucial to both. SHIFT #3: “RAISING RESOURCES IS A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY.” Development directors cannot do this work alone; organizations and movements need to build and sustain the fundraising capacity of their entire board and staff teams. SHIFT #4: “ORGANIZATIONS AND MOVEMENTS APPROACH FUNDRAISING WITH AN ‘INVESTMENT MINDSET.’” Shared responsibility for fundraising starts with a deeper understanding of all sources of an organization’s revenue, as well as the costs and returns associated with each one. SHIFT #5: “WE TRANSFORM HOW WE THINK AND FEEL ABOUT MONEY AND FUNDRAISING.” Asking for money doesn’t come easy for everyone. As we broaden responsibility for resource development, it’s important to understand our varying experiences and perspectives vis-à-vis money, while reframing fundraising so it’s not about scarcity. SHIFT #6: “FUNDRAISING CAN BE ABOUT LOVE RATHER THAN CHARITY.” Placing love and belonging at the heart of fundraising can make it more empowering and lead to greater success. Shifting from a charity frame expands the possibilities of who belongs, how they contribute, and what it looks like when we all win.

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Important new report from First Nations Development Institute, led by the indefatigable Mike Roberts, that shows the poor inclusion of Native people on foundation boards. Shocking stat: "The report notes that 93% of America’s largest foundations do not have any Native American representation on their board of directors." Link to the report in the comments.

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“Beginning in 2022, we adopted a new grantmaking approach that refocuses our support on grantees that restructure systems standing in the way of social, racial, and economic justice for our priority communities—Native Americans, communities of color, immigrants, refugees, and people in rural areas. One way that shift of approach appears in our grantmaking is through a significant increase in general operations grants, funds that aren’t tied to a specific program or initiative. Instead, grantees can use funding for activities they perceive will best advance their short- or long-term goals—it’s a more just and equitable way to provide funding.” Q4 and 2022 Grants: Native Voices Rising and General-Op Grants Fuel Justice

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📢Announcing our newest publication developed in partnership with Julia Coffman: Making Visible Philanthropy’s Hidden and Conflicting Mental Models for Systems Change. The Foundation Review 15th Anniversary Celebration issue includes this new piece where we identify two mental models for systems change that are frequently being used—together, separately, in conflict—in philanthropy: the systems dynamics mental model and the systems emergence mental model. We argue that different systemic problems and inequities require understanding the elements, implications, and applications of each model and that each one should be fit for purpose. I know, I know - it sounds too conceptual and abstract, but actually our focus is making the concepts practical and hands on including through three case studies and a tool to help make your thinking visible. #thefoundationreview #systemsthinking #mentalmodels https://lnkd.in/gtsV-wyP

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“The census data is one of those key pieces of getting it right in terms of the way we allocate a federal budget of over a trillion dollars. The way we afford civil rights protections, the way we draw our congressional districts, there’s nothing that isn’t touched by accurate census data.” The future of our communities and the ability to provide fair and just opportunities all rely on high-quality data. That’s why changes such as the Office of Management and Budget's updates to federal race and ethnicity standards and the addition of the MENA category can help create more equitable communities. I highly encourage you to check out this thought-provoking conversation The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights had with Maya Berry to learn how data can empower communities and discuss the intersection between data and civil rights. https://lnkd.in/eyPdu9av    #DataEquity #HealthEquity

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This critical report begins with a solid example of the bias neurodivergent folks face in the neuro-typical career funnel. We have to study AI and ND to innovate in favor of NeuroX: "For example, many jobs use automated employment decision tools as part of their hiring process. These can include resume screeners and video interview tools that use algorithms to analyze things like vocal cadence or eye movements. These tools can unfairly screen disabled applicants from jobs by, for example, flagging the unusual eye movement of a blind or low-vision individual and removing them from the applicant pool as a result. " **Or someone who avoids eye contact**. #neuroxnj

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This article is not wrong. But it is infuriating to read. Many, many, many people have been saying this for a long time. Vu Le comes to mind. The Trust Based Philanthropy Project comes to mind. Community Centric Fundraising comes to mind. And on, and on, and on… I am glad these authors and those around them are now understanding that "...Poverty, for instance, is the direct result of government policy and corporate behavior shaped by a history of structural racism that no nonprofit program can redress"...but COME ON. Exhausted folx from communities that have been systemically left behind have been saying this for YEARS. Building enough wealth that you are able to give it away requires a system where some win, and some don't. That is why can't program your way out of poverty. That is also way those who win cannot possibly have insight into how to fix the conditions created by the systems or the systems themselves (if they even want to). So now that its in a fancy publication (which I get, some people only get their news this way, that's fine) has written this long article, can we PLEASE start funding (with significant multi-year, unrestricted donations) organizations that are doing this very work? If you want some in St. Louis, WEPOWER and Forward Through Ferguson are really great places to start. #ssir #philanthropy #communitycentricfundraising #trustbasedphilanthropy #nonprofits #systemschange

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Navigating the Grant Review Process: Key Insights and What Reviewers Look For PT.2 What Reviewers Look For 1. Relevance to the Call: Reviewers first check if the proposal aligns with the objectives and priorities of the funding call. Proposals must address the specific themes, questions, or challenges outlined by the funder. 2. Significance and Innovation: Proposals should demonstrate the significance of the project. Reviewers look for innovative approaches that offer new insights, solutions, or advancements in the field. A clear articulation of the project's potential impact is crucial. 3. Clear Objectives and Outcomes: Well-defined objectives and expected outcomes are essential. Reviewers favor proposals with specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) objectives. The outcomes should contribute meaningfully to the field and have a broader societal impact. 4. Sound Methodology: A robust and feasible methodology is critical. Reviewers scrutinize the research design, data collection, and analysis methods to ensure they are appropriate and rigorous. Proposals should also address potential challenges and limitations, along with mitigation strategies. 5. Team Expertise and Capability: The qualifications and experience of the project team are pivotal. Reviewers assess whether the team has the necessary expertise and skills to successfully execute the project. Strong track records in relevant areas can significantly boost a proposal’s credibility. 6. Budget and Resources: The proposed budget must be realistic and well-justified. Reviewers examine whether the resources requested are adequate and reasonable for the project scope. Transparency and detailed justifications for each budget item are important. 7. Sustainability and Dissemination: Reviewers value proposals that plan for sustainability beyond the funding period. This includes strategies for maintaining project outcomes and further funding avenues. Additionally, a solid dissemination plan for sharing findings with the broader community is essential. Conclusion The grant review process is thorough and highly competitive. By understanding the stages of the review process and knowing what reviewers look for, applicants can enhance the quality of their proposals. This increases their chances of securing funding and advancing their research or project goals. Detailed preparation, a clear articulation of the project's significance, and a robust methodology are key components that reviewers prioritize, making them critical elements in a successful grant proposal. Jeremy Burwell Founder/CEO Kingdom Works Giving, Inc [email protected] www.kingdomworksgiving.org #grantwriter #grantwriting #nonprofitconsulting

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Looking forward to joining Tracy Sabol on EWTN News tonight at 6pm & 9pm ET to speak about the plummeting birthrates & how a federal #PaidFamilyLeave plan could help support families after the birth or adoption of a child. 23% of mothers go back to work within 10-14 days after having a baby with fathers going back even sooner. Without paid leave, it is difficult for families to spend those crucial first few weeks and months together, bonding as a family. Currently, birthrates in the US are at 1.62 live births per woman. We need 2.1 in order to maintain our population, but studies show women would prefer a rate of 2.7. It is encouraging to know Members of the House and Senate have joined together as part of the Bipartisan, Bicameral Paid Leave Working Group to craft a plan to support families. Learn more about why so many conservatives support paid leave here: paidleaveforfamilies.com https://lnkd.in/eJFEEkj8

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