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.
We love when the best “Social TrendSpotters” – you – share your experiences, observations and suggestions with us. Share your ideas here, and follow us on Facebook (@socialimpactarchitects), LinkedIn (@social-impact-architects),Twitter (@socialtrendspot) or Instagram (@socialtrendspot) for our latest posts and other insights.
Free (or Almost Free) Stuff for Nonprofits
Halloween was once tied to farming, marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. As we look toward the end of the year, we wanted to update our “Free Stuff for Nonprofits” list to help you finish last-minute projects. Not surprisingly, because...
Lean Startup for Nonprofits
I was struck, but not surprised, when I heard the authors of Moneyball for Government note, “Less than $1 out of every $100 spent by government is backed by even the most basic evidence that the money is being spent wisely.” This reminds me of a quote often attributed...
Nonprofit Coopetition: Combining Cooperation and Collaboration to Build A Better World
I was thrilled to speak last week about Nonprofit Megatrends at a conference in one of my favorite cities – Cincinnati. Every social sector conference this fall features trends on collective impact, collaboration and system building. These concepts signify an...
How the Ice Bucket Challenge Still Teaches Us About Nonprofit Fundraising, Marketing and Storytelling
If you were anywhere near a screen eight years ago, odds are good that you witnessed the Ice Bucket Challenge. In my feed, I saw everyone from my then-8-year-old nephew, Dylan, to my city councilmember and Bill Gates participate. This viral phenomenon during the...
How to Create a Nonprofit Advisory Council and Why
I love fall – with it comes so many possibilities. It reminds me of one of my favorite fall quotes by French author Albert Camus: “Autumn is the second spring when every leaf is a flower.” It professes a love for the season of fall but also a season of life where...
Inspiring an Impact Mindset in the Social Sector
More and more, research indicates that one of the keys to success is mindset – the frame of mind through which we perceive, interpret and organize our complex world. In fact, science is showing – through studies with athletes, medical patients and students taking...
Self-Sufficiency: The New Norm in the Social Sector and How to Get There
When you travel outside the United States, you get an opportunity to reflect and be inspired by what you experience. My recent travel as well as the recent news of migrants coming to the United States to “achieve the American dream” has made me reflect on where we are...
4 Steps to Turn Your Nonprofit’s Volunteers into Evangelists
We were all saddened by the death of Queen Elizabeth II – she represented so much to so many. She was known for her words of wisdom and humanity through the best times as well as the most difficult ones. One of my favorite quotations of hers is: “To be inspirational,...
How Nonprofits Can Get Ahead of Inflation and Economic Uncertainty
Uncertainty is one of the most difficult emotions for a leader to process and then turn around to lead successfully. Today the economic, social and geopolitical clouds around us are hard to ignore. The question is: what can you best do as a leader in uncertain...
