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.
Quiz: Is Your Nonprofit Organization Resilient?
When I was growing up in rural Texas, my favorite tree was a tall willow in the backyard. I loved to climb it and spend hours reading in its branches. But I also loved to watch it sway in the wind, especially during a wild Texas thunderstorm. It never mattered how...
Hot Nonprofit Trends for Summer 2022
We are officially in the “dog days” of summer. Interestingly, this phrase refers to the sultry days of summer and came from the Romans, who associated it with the star Sirius. They considered Sirius to be the “dog star” because it was the brightest star in the...
All You Need to Know about Charitable Giving Trends from Giving USA 2022 Results
At the end of 2021, readers of The Boston Globe were asked to describe the year – the top word: "exhausting," followed by "rollercoaster." One reader noted that there were "some highs and lots of lows." Each year since 1956, social sector leaders anxiously await the...
Where is Your Organization in the Nonprofit Lifecycle?
As the pandemic becomes more manageable and we explore possibilities for the future, I find that many executives and board members are reflecting on the “state of their organization.” Many are asking the question: “Where do we go from here?” I was recently asked by a...
How Mindfulness Can Make You and Your Nonprofit More Productive
I am a recovering perfectionist. I have a gift for being able to create and execute new ideas and strategies. Many would assume that this is the secret to my success; however, the real secret is how I pursue excellence every day in my personal and professional life...
The “Messy Middle”: Tips to Combat Nonprofit Burnout
The Great Resignation. The Great Awkward. COVID-19 turned everything upside down. Now, we are back in the office and need a new playbook to get past what we are calling COVID Fog. The good news is that this is not uncharted territory. We experienced this as a firm...
Changemaker Top 10 Music Playlist
As we approach the Memorial Day holiday and as we all struggle with the weight of the issues surrounding us, I thought I’d take a break from my usual fare and share a Changemaker Top 10 Playlist, curated by four generations of my fellow Trendspotters and Changemakers...
How Are Nonprofit Business Plans Different From Strategic Plans?
I love cooking shows! People can be so imaginative with food recipes. While many of us are content with the traditional combination of peanut butter and chocolate, chefs and food enthusiasts are combining seemingly unrelated ingredients to yield culinary genius. Take...
Are Performance Reviews Still Relevant? 6 Tips for Making Nonprofit Reviews More Effective
Another year has sped by, and it's time again for annual performance reviews. It might feel like you completed them a few weeks ago, or maybe you didn't even get to them last year because of lockdowns, hiring freezes, lack of funding or other issues related to the...
