Peter Williamson

The National Network of Consultants to Grantmakers (NNCG) and 21/64 are partnering on a survey to assess the practice of philanthropy by understanding the behavior and attitudes of grantmakers and the consultants and advisors who serve them. If you are a donor, staff at a grantmaking institute, or a consultant or advisor who works in the field of philanthropy, take this survey and share your insights on the role of consultants and advisors in helping Grantmakers advance their philanthropy:

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The National Network of Consultants to Grantmakers (NNCG) and 21/64 are partnering on a survey to assess the practice of philanthropy by understanding the behavior and attitudes of grantmakers and the consultants and advisors who serve them. If you are a donor, staff at a grantmaking institute, or a consultant or advisor who works in the field of philanthropy, take this survey and share your insights on the role of consultants and advisors in helping Grantmakers advance their philanthropy:

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Nonprofits can use AI to maximize their fundraising efforts. Here are five ways Fast Forward uses AI tools to maximize efficiency for fundraising.

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How many names have you heard used for community engagement? Co-production, public engagement... the list goes on and on. What if the what doesn't matter, as much as the how you practice, why, and where you're heading with it? If you're working in this space, I'd love to hear more about your journey with community engagement, and what your next steps are in relaising its potential.... https://lnkd.in/ekSfzqMS

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Rigidity is the enemy of innovation in nonprofit strategic planning. Adaptability is especially important if you are collaborating with multiple partners + tackling hard-to-solve problems facing communities. What rigidity might look like: ➡️ not creating a space for open-minded discussion and experimentation ➡️ making no changes to the planning process or timeline after you start ➡️ a lack of creativity around seeking out new sources of data and new voices to be engaged WHAT’S BETTER? If you want to encourage innovation, be prepared to: ✅ adapt the timeline and adjust the process ✅ be strategic and intentional with the types of data used to inform decisions ✅ bring together diverse skills, backgrounds, talent, and identities to create groundbreaking solutions. Hi, I’m Elizabeth Schuster, founder of Sustainable Economies. We’re also a proud member of the Civic Consulting Collaborative. The CCC has 2 dozen principal-level consultants with a range of skills and expertise. We are ready to bring together the ideal team to help you with your next project. Together, let’s launch bold, innovative new solutions, founded on collaboration and equity, informed by evidence, and always authentic. #strategicplanning #nonprofitmanagement #evidencebased #collaboration #sustainability #authenticity #inclusivity #accountability #environmentaleconomics #foodsystems #foodsecurity #climateresilience #climateequity #communities

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Funding Opportunity ICYMI: The Community Change Grants (CCG) program will award funds to communities via projects that fit into one of two Tracks. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will allocate most of the funding to Track I projects. Track I offers an unprecedented opportunity to reshape communities through significant funding dedicated to overcoming deep-rooted and historic environmental issues. Projects under Track I will significantly improve environmental, climate, pollution, and resilience conditions affecting disadvantaged communities. The EPA plans to award 150 of these grants in amounts ranging from $10 to 20 million. #funding #environmentaljustice https://lnkd.in/gUxCsreS

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The National Network of Consultants to Grantmakers (NNCG) and 21/64 have partnered to explore the ways that consultants and advisors help foundations and donors achieve their goals, and how consultants and advisors can better serve the needs of their clients. If you are a donor, grantmaking foundation staff or trustee, consultant to grantmakers, or philanthropic advisor who works with donors, this survey is for you! It will take no longer than 15 minutes. Learn more and take the survey: https://lnkd.in/drfkGKgv

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"I hate boards." Boards, councils, advisory committees. Call them what you want. The truth is I have heard non-profit leaders express this sentiment of frustration time after time. And to be fair, there are some really terrible boards out there. But it doesn't have to be that way. Maybe the problem is, you aren't inviting the A Team to be a part of your committee. So why are you surprised when you don't get an A Team effort? My Co-Host Greg Jeffrey highlights five ways you can build an A Team of volunteers in this week's podcast episode. Check out the comments for the link. #justask #nonprofits #development #boards

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Associations role in addressing climate change 🔍 "The reason people associate in the first place is to solve big problems." – reflections from my recent Mission: Impact podcast podcast episode with Shelly Cumbie Alcorn Alcorn and Elizabeth Weaver Engel  on associations' pivotal roles in addressing climate change. Every industry, whether directly or indirectly, is affected by by climate change and the environmental shifts it is creating. In facing something as monumental as climate change, it's easy to focus on the extremes — either leaving everything to global entities like the UN or taking individual measures like installing solar panels. However, the real work for associations lies in that critical middle ground where practical, collective action can drive significant change. This is where our expertise and collaborative efforts can truly make a difference We are positioned to implement practical, scalable solutions that can influence entire industries and professions. This involves not only advocacy and education but also setting standards and leading by example in sustainability practices. How is your association or nonprofit leveraging its influence for sustainable impact?

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Political polarization has reached every corner of society, and the nonprofit sector is no exception. Building Movement Project has just unveiled a critical report: "Sounding the Alarm: Nonprofits on the Frontlines of a Polarized Political Climate." 🚨 Surveying 553 nonprofit leaders, the report sheds light on their challenges in today's political climate. Key points include: 📍Reputational damage 📍Threats to safety 📍Funding reductions Explore how nonprofits are adapting and preparing for potential funding losses. The report also offers valuable recommendations for philanthropic institutions and donors to aid nonprofits during these challenging times. Explore how nonprofits are adapting and preparing for potential funding losses. The report also offers valuable recommendations for philanthropic institutions and donors to aid nonprofits during these challenging times. #politicalpolarization #organizationalresilience #nonprofits #buildlingmovements

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Where to start when it comes to strategic planning... A solid way to begin is by asking: what's the purpose behind strategic planning, and what outcomes do we envision? Crafting a clear, effective plan takes time. There's no one-size-fits-all approach to this critical process. In our latest blog, we take a look at essential steps and considerations to guide the process and reach out for more information on how we can support your journey. https://lnkd.in/eKw8DvwB #StrategicPlanning #NavigateWithPurpose #NonProfitConsultants

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Grant Strategy Tip #2 Collaborate for Success: Engage board members, staff, volunteers, and community partners in developing your grant strategy. Their insights help identify funding priorities, assess capacity, and ensure strategy buy-in. #StakeholderEngagement #GrantStrategy #CollaborativeSuccess Get a FREE copy of the Grant Mastery Roadmap: Your Guide to Securing Nonprofit Funding today! Click here: https://bit.ly/3wtZ1S3

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The Hidden Cost of Doubt in Fundraising In the world of fundraising, constant questioning of expertise doesn’t just erode confidence—it can lead to wasted time and billions in lost revenue for organizations. This challenge disproportionately impacts underrepresented groups and highlights a critical justice issue within the profession. Check out this article written for Moceanic Fundraising by Jeff Brooks offering some ways to successfully keep your best work going in the face of doubter. shttps://lnkd.in/eRWT9exj #Fundraising #Leadership #DiversityInNonprofits

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What do you call community engagement, and why? Public engagement, or co-production perhaps? Inclusive research, or participatory practice? What if I were to suggest it doesn't matter? We did research a couple of years back with The University of Manchester to help academics determine where they might start their own journey, examining the difference between different practices and how to evolve your approach. It turns out, far more important is how you're practising, and for who's benefit. We've shared some of learnings here... https://lnkd.in/ekSfzqMS

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ReD Perspective // The case for equitable philanthropy While plenty of philanthropic foundations are aware of the call for more equitable philanthropy, many of them don’t exactly know what to do about it – they lack a toolbox. In their piece "On the Journey to Equitable Philanthropy" in Alliance magazine, ReD's Charlotte Vangsgaard and Ujjwal Gupta take a nuanced look at some of the barriers to equitable philanthropy – in terms of philanthropic identity, purpose, risk, outcomes, and operating models – to foster a more open discussion about solving these long term. "There are no market incentives for building a practical roadmap to this change," they write. "Philanthropists have to fund and deploy it, and those who do will emerge as the philanthropic role models of tomorrow. Those who don’t, risk their goodwill, a public backlash, and at worst, perpetuating, not solving, inequities." Read the full article below at Alliance magazine. #strategy #philanthropy https://lnkd.in/e-kr_FpU

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#WeekendRewind #WeekendWithIP Amid escalating social and environmental challenges, family foundations are rethinking their commitment to perpetuity in philanthropy. Inside Philanthropy explores how these foundations are weighing the benefits of spending down vs. preserving funds for the long term to address urgent needs today. #MikeScutari Reports: The growing debate over perpetuity vs. spending down in family philanthropy How urgent global and local issues are influencing foundation strategies The potential impact of shifting funding approaches to tackle immediate crises Tagging National Center for Family Philanthropy (NCFP) #FamilyFoundations #PerpetuityDebate #UrgentCrises #ClimateChange #SocialJustice #PublicHealth #TimeLimitedGiving #PhilanthropicImpact #StrategicGiving #Philanthropy #SocialImpact #InsidePhilanthropy #Perpetuity #SpendDown #UrgentCrises #StrategicGiving

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