Geri Stengel

💫Optimize Your Nonprofit's Funding Strategy ✨️Effective funding is foundational for any nonprofit. Here’s how you can ensure your organization stays financially robust: 1️⃣Identify Key Funding Needs: Concentrate on the areas that most critically impact your mission. 2️⃣Target Appropriate Funders: Engage with funders whose interests align with your goals. 3️⃣Regularly Update Your Strategy: Keep your funding approach responsive to changes in the environment and your organization’s needs. ✅️Leverage these tips to build a sustainable financial base. For a deeper dive into strategic fundraising strategies we're accepting clients for Q4 and 2025. 🔗www.themckievergroup.com #NonprofitFunding #StrategicPlanning #NonprofitLeadership #SustainableNonprofits #EffectiveFundraising

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The latest report from The Generosity Commission spotlights the transformation and expansion of the giving landscape.   As business leaders, funders, and mentors, I believe it is important that we embed a culture of giving, volunteering, and impact investing into our companies' ethos to support a future of generosity.   As Jerre Stead shares, "Generosity that results in lasting change needs to be approached from multiple angles—philanthropic giving, impactful volunteering, thoughtful investments, and strong advocacy."

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Ever search: "how to grow my donors/supporters" and find generic blog posts that don't apply to you? Your organization is not a "one-size-fits-all." You need customized ideas and solutions based on where you are in your journey to go to the next level. ✨ Enter the Personalized Growth Plan Quiz! ✨ Take the quiz: Get Your Personalized Growth Plan: https://lnkd.in/eWH7uNyv In partnership with DonorPerfect we curated a simple 5-question quiz that will generate resources - I'm talking podcasts, webinars, e-books, freebies, etc. ALL hand-selected based on what your next steps should be! We tweaked over and over the results and quiz questions to make sure you would receive the most valuable information. Thank you to Jeff Vogel, Ally Orlando, and Sam Goldenberg for making this vision a reality! :) Get Your Personalized Growth Plan here: https://lnkd.in/eWH7uNyv Comment below and let us know what you think!

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"Developed and piloted in 2019, the CCEI model helps places “grow from within” by leveraging cross-sectoral resources to invest in local assets that generate positive economic and public health outcomes." Ellavoz.com is a #placebased #valuecreation #sharedvalues #taxefficient #impactinvestment advisor which is 1 of the 4 essential pillars of CCEI

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True partnerships are transformative catalysts for change. They transcend mere funding, embracing deep listening, dynamic collaboration, and vibrant community-building. Recent experiences at the MARGULF FOUNDATION Grantee Convening, Culture Shifting Summit, EdLoC, and Google Impact Summit have reignited my passion for reimagining how funders can evolve to genuinely empower social impact leaders. In my latest Camelback Ventures blog, I dive into the heart of this crucial conversation: ➡️ How can we build partnerships that fuel innovation? ➡️ What does holistic support for entrepreneurs of color and women really look like? ➡️ How might we create an ecosystem where visionary ideas thrive? Join me in exploring how we can reshape the landscape of social impact. Together, we can craft a future where diverse voices lead the charge in solving our most pressing challenges. Read the full article and let's continue this vital dialogue. How are you reimagining partnerships in your work? 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eW7UrGXu #SocialImpact #EquitablePartnerships #InnovationInFunding #DiversityInEntrepreneurship #SystemicChange

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Smart Grants can transform groundbreaking ideas into reality. But with a <3% success rate, they're notoriously hard to win. I've been fortunate to help several startups secure these grants. Last round, it was MyOgenes - they're developing treatments that could change life for people with schizophrenia. That feeling of helping impactful innovations reach the world? It's incredible. For the upcoming round, I'm looking to support one startup without my usual down payment. I know most consultants (including myself) typically charge a few thousand pounds upfront - the work is intensive and the success rate is low. But sometimes, you come across an idea that could genuinely change lives. If you're: * Working on something truly transformative * Based in the UK * Ready for a Smart Grant application Take our 3-minute readiness assessment: https://lnkd.in/dYZqXBST Know someone building something remarkable? Share this with them. #InnovateUK #Innovation #Impact

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We are on an individual and collective transformation at PolicyLink. A revolution of the soul…

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3 things you should never do in prospect research. #FundraiseWithAllwell Week 17 This September, #FundraiseWithAllwell has been sharing gems on donor prospect research. Today wraps up our series for this month. In October, we dive into uncovering the secrets of cultivating strong relationships with donors 💡 . Make it a date. Prospect research is the lifeblood of your fundraising. Of course, that means there are dos and don’ts for delivering quality prospect research 🤔 . Today, I am sharing 3 things you absolutely should not do while carrying out prospect research ❌ . 1️⃣ Don’t focus only on wealth screening ❌. Sure, you want to get a good sense of your target donor’s net worth. You should pore through their financial statements, real estate holdings, business dealings and registered assets to guesstimate their capacity to give significantly to your cause. However, you are wrong if you stop there as the fact that they have a large capacity to give does not mean they want to give to you‼ 2️⃣ Don’t ignore their giving history ❌. Donors leave footprints in the fundraising landscape. If you don’t figure out whether they have given to similar organizations like yours in related geographies and sectors, you are in danger of wasting your entire fundraising budget pursuing donors who are simply not the right fit for you. 3️⃣ Don’t ignore their connections and relationships ❌. Donors talk to each other and are usually well networked within your sector, with fellow donors, grantees, philanthropy support organizations, e.t.c. If you ignore figuring out who in your network is connected to the target donor, you will be missing out on a big slice of the fundraising pie. There you have it, friends! After 5 weeks of dissecting donor prospect research this September, I expect that you are better armed to deliver on your fundraising goals as a #FundraiseWithAllwell pro 😎 . Reach out to Travaille Ensemble to find donor prospects for you, write your winning grants, train your nonprofit fundraising team, and provide you with research on funding and philanthropic trends in your space. Follow Allwell Akhigbe, MBA and turbocharge your nonprofit fundraising with #FundraiseWithAllwell insights every Monday by 9 a.m in Lagos (WAT) / 11 a.m. in Nairobi (EAT). Subscribe to my Business Insights for NGO newsletter for transformative fundraising gems every other Wednesday by 12 noon in Lagos and 2 p.m. in Nairobi. Please share these fun insights with your network too. #AllwellBDNuggets #funding #grantwriting #fundraising #proposalwriting #TravailleEnsemble #OnEstEnsemble #grants #nonprofits #africanphilanthropy #philanthropy #sustainability #FundingbyTravailleEnsemble

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🗳 Vote for Our SXSW 2025 Panel: Empowering WoC Entrepreneurs in a Shifting DEIB Landscape In today's rapidly changing environment, what does it take to build a thriving business as a woman of color? With increasing criticism of DEIB, many companies are silently cutting these crucial roles and initiatives. Furthermore, the Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action in university admissions is creating ripple effects across the business landscape, especially for organizations that serve women entrepreneurs. Empowering WoC Entrepreneurs in a Shifting DEIB Landscape, aims to explore: ✨ Key insights and learnings about starting a business in today's environment ✨ Strategies for scaling ideas and businesses ✨ Approaches to potential investment opportunities 🗳️ Voting ends tonight at 11:59 PM PT. Please Cast your vote and help us bring this crucial conversation to SXSW 2025: https://lnkd.in/e2BsGAaw #DEIB #SXSW #ListenandLevelUp

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Want to end your work week on a high note? Listen to #UWG President Dr. Brendan Kelly 'Off the Cuff with Dr. Brendan Kelly' podcast with Tramaine EL-Amin, vice president for Mental Health First Aid USA with the National Council for Mental Wellbeing in Washington, D.C. Here are some of my own key takeaways from the conversation: “You may not know what good looks like.” And that’s ok! There isn’t a perfect plan to rise through leadership roles but watch what opens up in front of you and be willing to take a chance and learn from each step. “Radical love is something that even when I know I’m not connecting, that I keep the door open for you to get it later.” What an important leadership lesson to be willing to work with others and support them in a way that is understanding and authentic at its core. “No is a complete sentence.” You can change your mind and pivot and say no! What a lesson for all of us who want to please everyone and do everything. “Be in community.” Having a coworker, peers, mentors, family, friends, LinkedIn connections, whomever to be in your corner will open doors you might not expect! Broaden how you define your community and go out there and build it. https://lnkd.in/gPNgNnWV

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Representing our burgeoning #climatetechPR practice, I attended a #ClimateWeek WE Connect event, “Mobilizing Women-Led Green Entrepreneurship,” which gathered women entrepreneurs in the climate sector to discuss their journey. Jeannette Williams, COO of Urban Future Labs, noted that the importance of building and leveraging your network cannot be overstated when it comes to building a business in climate. Anna Kimelman, Founder of Loopline, noted her passion for helping people scale their business with sustainability. Tapping into passion is key. Lizzy Kolar, CEO & Co-Founder of Scope Zero, shared how her business created the carbon savings account, a financial wellness benefit for employees and corporate sustainability initiative for companies. She noted, “you can optimize your resource consumption in your everyday life.” Everyday innovation is driving the climate tech space forward. Leise Sandeman, Co-Founder of Pathways, talked about the importance of female allyship in this business. She shared her experiences and noted that her customers are real people, making real differences every day. Speakers included Jordana Vásquez, Senior Manager of Resilient Cities, Wenting Li, Senior Sustainable Design Specialist at HOK, Jeannette Williams, COO of Urban Future Labs, Leise Sandeman, Co-Founder of Pathways, Lizzy Kolar, CEO and Co-Founder of Scope Zero, Anna Kimelman, Founder of Loopline, Judy Chang, Project Director at itslectric, Lina Taylor, LOY, CEO at Climate Executive Coaching, and Lisa Mallner, Commercial Advisor, Consulate General of Denmark, NY Climate Tech. What a list of women to watch! Panelists agreed that this is an all hands on deck moment and anyone can support the climate sector. #ClimateWeekNY #WomeninClimateTech

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Engaging stakeholders is a game-changer in philanthropy, and these six strategies can help you do it effectively: 1️⃣ Host engaging discussions to surface fresh perspectives. 2️⃣ Survey stakeholders for direct, actionable feedback. 3️⃣ Engage grantees as co-creators in your strategies. 4️⃣ Leverage partnerships with like-minded funders to amplify impact. 5️⃣ Actively listen to your community to align efforts with real needs. 6️⃣ Involve your board early and often to foster alignment and buy-in. Collaboration is the foundation of transformational impact. How are you involving your stakeholders in your philanthropic journey? #StakeholderEngagement #Philanthropy #StrategicPartnerships

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Amplifying this effort from the folks at Engine | Advocacy & Foundation: Startup founders of color continue to face profound obstacles to securing the capital they need across all funding streams. Congress can act by passing legislation to ensure that founders of color are better able to access loans and equity capital. We’re asking founders and ecosystem partners of color to sign on to our letter asking policymakers to pass two pieces of legislation that will encourage investment in Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), and raise the permitted size of, and the number of permitted accredited investors in, 3(c)(1) investment funds so that more diverse founders are funded.  https://lnkd.in/g_kAqHcb

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Learn how PolicyLink arrived at a consciousness of all. All is the operative word in our equity definition — Just and fair inclusion into a society where all can participate, prosper and reach their full potential.

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There’s a major shift happening in the nonprofit world—and it’s driven by impact investing. 📈🌍 In the past, donations were largely seen as gifts with no strings attached. But now, many donors treat their nonprofit contributions with the same expectations they have for their impact investments—seeking 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁. We’ve been fortunate to work with impact investors and nonprofits, and the common thread is this: both want their funding to create 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭, 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦. For nonprofits, this shift opens doors to new opportunities, partnerships, and funding sources that were previously untapped. 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗲𝗿𝗮 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲-𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴. I hope this helps! #NonprofitLeadership #SocialImpact #Philanthropy

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If you'd like to know more about the advancing vanguard of plant medicine and women's health - join Grace Blest-Hopley PhD and I on Tuesday May 21st at The Conduit in London. If you're not a member you'll need to use this form to register https://lnkd.in/gs5xu_JX This is very timely. A study published last week in the British Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Research showed that the "...treatment effects of psilocybin were significantly larger than other medicines among patients with secondary depression.." along with other findings that present an increasingly stronger case for psychedelic medicine as a viable alternative to SSRI medication. If you're joining and there are specific questions you'd like answers to, tell us. See you there! WELL Intelligence https://lnkd.in/gBP2pxqC

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The right thing to do (valuing loyal donors) is also the smart thing to do (securing your financial future). Let's dive into the power of donor loyalty: Living Endowments: Loyal donors who give annually provide the equivalent of an endowment 25 times their annual gift size. Future Endowments: These supporters are most likely to create endowments later in life or through estates. Wealth Transfer: In the next 15 years, we'll see significant wealth transfer to nonprofits. Many "surprisingly large" estate gifts will come from quiet, loyal donors. Are you identifying potential "millionaires next door"? Key Demographics: Pay attention to loyal donors living alone (widows, widowers, lifelong singles) and those without children. Employee Donors: Don't forget about current and retired employees who are also loyal donors. Their connection runs deep! The data is clear: donor loyalty is a goldmine. But are we not treating it that way?

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Interesting article here from the Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship about venture philanthropy and impact investing and how they're becoming more common in the world of social impact. https://lnkd.in/esxdAQAk As we navigate new avenues for impact at Sunflower Communications, I'm inspired to integrate these strategies into our mission of empowering nonprofits and social enterprises. Let's leverage these insights to drive meaningful change together: https://lnkd.in/eEX-z2Xz 🌱💡

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