I’m teaching again after a successful first run and tweaking topics here and there. So, sign up and/or share with your networks! Last time the class sold out quickly, so don’t wait!
[Editor’s Note: As of April 23, the class has filled up. Put your name on the waitlist though to find out first the next time it’s offered or if any spots open up!]
Writing a grant and feeling like it’s not quite there? Here are some top mistakes to check your proposal for and fix before you submit!
Dry (a little passion is good)These are my personal observations and suggestions that I share in my class How to Write a Grant Proposal at the Brooklyn Brainery. If you want more tips like these, stay tuned for the next class and browse my other nonprofit blog posts!
I think this is the best way to view and play with the data, but there’s a whole menu of how to view it here.
This section was particularly interesting to me, because I think being able to have more frank and relevant conversations with funders and board members would create a win-win for everyone. When people invest in an organization, it’s because they believe in it and want to see results. A nonprofit doesn’t need to communicate facility needs to all funders (nor should they!), but being able to openly converse about that need with certain funders - especially board members - would absolutely catalyze solutions or steps in the right direction. These conversations based in transparency immensely build the human and social capital of the nonprofit.
I can’t wait to comb through the survey more; this was just one initial observation.
Friday fun from the Toy Industry Foundation. Can you figure out what TV shows are represented by the LEGO setups? Some hints are here. Have fun!
I’m psyched to see The Hunger Games tonight, and even more psyched that the books’ and film’s success are being leveraged to raise awareness about hunger issues and make a philanthropic dent. I imagine that it will engage a whole new demographic of fans that otherwise might not participate in hunger causes. Here’s more info:
Feeding America has teamed up with the stars of the hit book trilogy turned movie “The Hunger Games” to put an end to world hunger. Check out the above PSA with Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson asking for YOUR help to feed America.
Hunger is the world’s greatest solvable problem, affecting 1 in 7 people - almost one billion men, women and children around the world. In the United States, 1 in 6 Americans face hunger, nearly 49 million people. For just $5 a month, Feeding America and WFP can help provide at least 20 meals to a child in need.
The Hunger Games partnership will engage fans of the book and movie and enable them to make a difference through a website, wfp.org/hungergames. On the website you can watch the public service announcement, participate in a Hunger Quiz to learn more about hunger and also make a donation to actively become a part of the solution and help solve world hunger.
(via hautecharity)
This is really hilarious. Push a button and voila! A Verb + Adjective + Noun/Phrase is generated and you can use it! Here are some that I got:
quantify state-of-the-art stakeholder feedback
commission community-driven models
ramp up interactive listening tours
respond to inclusive change agents
explore emerging B corporations
You get it. It’s ridiculous - I hope people don’t ACTUALLY use this as a tool - but it’s a definite humorous commentary on how buzzwords proliferate our do-good industry. At least we’re not getting phrases like “complain about unfairly low bonuses” or “cheat vulnerable constituents”… yet.
Last year I blogged about Brackets with Benefits (and April Madness, too!), and this year, another great way to get psyched for the NCAA tournament is to enter the One Percent Foundation’s pool called Grant MADNESS. In this third annual competition for good, you donate $10 (the first 500 entries are matched by MerchSource… double impact!) to play. The winners get to contribute the donated money to their favorite nonprofits. Sign up TODAY; brackets need to be filled out by Thursday morning at 11:30am EST.
This is a screenshot of the new Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund website, which I’m proud to have helped redesign. Take a look at the great work the foundation is supporting.
This is a good compilation of effectively constructed infographics and well-stylized reporting by charitable entities. Worth a look and some thought about how to apply the most resonant pieces to your own organizations.
You find screened, skilled neighbors to help with tasks - grocery shopping, babysitting, fixing things, party planning, etc. - and then hire them. Once a task is complete, a task is also done for a child in need (sponsored by Unicef). I also love Done.’s values statement, which includes such items as assuming good intentions and judging themselves not against the status quo, but against the immense opportunity and vision before them.
I am definitely looking forward to using done.com in some capacity and sharing it with others; let’s help it grow! Nothing like a society where we share skills with neighbors to build positive communities!
Love this mailing from The Center for Effective Philanthropy about their really well-designed assessment tools to help measure impact. Foundations, take note if you haven’t already!
Does the idea of writing a grant make you cringe and procrastinate in any way possible? Do you want to suggest projects at your nonprofit but don’t know how you’ll raise the funding to execute? Do you have basic writing skills but don’t know how to string together an appealing narrative? Take the fear out of grantwriting and feel more confident bringing thoughtful ideas to fruition!
In this two-week course, you will a step-by-step approach to writing a proposal for a nonprofit. Learn the most common mistakes made and how to avoid them, and get a glimpse into the potential funder’s perspective. Reshape your grantwriting process and workshop your proposal.
I’m so excited to be teaching this class at the Brooklyn Brainery, and hope you’ll sign up! Please share with friends who might be interested. Read more and sign up here.
[Update: As of 12:15pm, the class is full. You can sign up to be on the waitlist though, and I’ll hopefully teach the course again and you’ll be the first to know!]
I really enjoy all of these for their thoughtfulness and relevance. If you’re interested in philanthropy and my content isn’t quite enough, well worth reading any or all of these.
White Courtesy Telephone:Posts include perspectives on learning,education and training in the field of philanthropy.
Philantopic: A blog of Opinion and Commentary from The Philanthropy News Digest
Philanthropy 2173:The Business of Giving - Lucy Bernholz shares her opinions about the long-term vision of philanthropy.
Tactical Philanthropy - Sean Stannard-Stockton’s organizational blog.
The Center for Effective Philanthropy Blog - better data,better decisions,better philanthropy.
Beth’s Blog : How Networked Nonprofits Are Using Social Media to Power Change –by Beth Kanter
(via LearnPhilanthropy)
I am a Philanthropist.
Really well done video by Elliott Bay Productions. Worth 4 minutes of your time for sure; hopefully, will inspire more of your time after!
The report is out and the stats are fun; read all about the 2011 year through the lens of my favorite glasses company ever here. They include stats about the state with the best eyesight, the number of monocles purchased, carbon emissions, company culture in terms of bagels, top styles, and more!
