The Social Sector often uses basic tools, like hammers and nails to change the world. Instead, we need power tools. Our weekly blog, Social TrendSpotter provides you with the latest trends and ideas within the social sector. It merges current thinking with the edge of innovation to inspire, to motivate and to take action so we can all ultimately create a better sector. Social TrendSpotter includes original analysis, but also highlights the latest sector-wide thinking into a user-friendly resource where social sector professionals and students alike can draw inspiration, share ideas and develop new thinking on best practices.
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5 Keys to Boost Employee Engagement in Nonprofits
The pandemic – and return to work afterward – taught us many lessons. One of the most powerful for me was the importance of organizational culture and meaningful employee engagement. Our research revealed a clear correlation: nonprofits with strong internal cultures...
5 Tips to Hit a Social Business Pitch out of the Park
Summer always reminds me of one of my family’s favorite pastimes – baseball. When my nephew Alexander was first learning to play, I got a chance to help him practice for a game. At practice, he was struggling with hitting the ball. Eventually, I realized the problem –...
Urgent Attention Needed: Federal Bill Could Hurt Nonprofits and Our Communities
I loved Saturday morning cartoons, and one of my favorites was “SchoolHouse Rock” – especially the classic episode “I’m Just a Bill.” Many of us learned how the legislative branch works (or sometimes doesn’t) by watching this episode in our social studies classes....
Managing Uncertainty: How Nonprofit Leaders Can Reclaim Their Energy
Typically, as we shift into the summer, many in the nonprofit community find time to pause and recharge – something that’s important for both personal well-being and organizational health. But with potential government changes ahead, nonprofits face a lot of...
What the Ice Bucket Challenge Still Teaches Us About Nonprofit Fundraising, Marketing and Storytelling
If you've been feeling a sense of déjà vu, you are not wrong. The Ice Bucket Challenge has returned! This viral phenomenon during the summer of 2014 earned a top spot in the annals of fundraising history for raising more than $115 million for the ALS Association in...
Creating a Ripple Effect: How the Social Sector Can Lead on Mental Health
Like many of you, I was stunned when Prince Harry opened up in his Apple docuseries, “The Me You Can’t See” – co-created and produced with none other than Oprah herself – about the trauma he experienced and the treatments that have made a significant difference in his...
Mission Meets Metrics: Unlocking Nonprofit Potential with KPIs
If you ever want to start an unsolvable argument, ask a group of people about their favorite pizza chain. Some say Pizza Hut. Others love Papa John’s. Mine is Domino’s – but it did not start out that way. Back in 2008, the most common complaint Domino’s received was...
How to Write Nonprofit Job Descriptions That (Actually) Attract Top Talent
One of the best questions I’ve been asked recently is: “Once we have a great strategic plan, how do we ensure it gets traction?” When we complete the strategic planning process, our clients walk away with a flashy strategic plan and a detailed dashboard, but we also...
The People’s Pope: Lessons in Nonprofit Leadership and Change Management from Pope Francis
With his recent passing, Pope Francis is now being lauded as “The People’s Pope.” His legacy will be one of deep compassion and a call to service for people of all faiths. This time of change reminds me of one of my favorite parables – Moishe and the pope. Over a...