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.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Nonprofit Crowdfunding
In August, I watched in amazement as 12 crowdfunding campaigns for the Afghan people went viral across Facebook and Twitter. One campaign raised more than $5M in 24 hours – its original goal was just $550,000. These groups transformed interest in their mission into...
Celebrating Social Entrepreneurship, Ecosystem Building and Advocacy from Jewish Innovators
Last week, Jews the world over celebrated Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Observers of the holiday participate in a tradition of eating apples dipped in honey and wish each other not just a happy, but a “sweet” new year. Interestingly, honey is mentioned 60 times...
Top Questions on Nonprofit Business Planning
One of my favorite cartoons is from Tom Fishburne’s “Brand Camp.” It does a great job of illustrating our inner monologue as we consider a new venture. I tell my students that successful entrepreneurship is half about skill – what you know and do – and half about...
Vision vs. Mission: How to Hit the Bullseye of a Perfect Combination
Since everyone is heading back to school, we thought we’d start this blog out with a POP QUIZ! The sentences below are a mix of vision statements and mission statements. Can you tell which is which? Smithville is a vibrant, thriving and self-sustaining community....
Tips for Better Nonprofit Project Management from Tech Leaders
We all have projects to complete this fall – new programs to start, new internal efforts to kick off and our never-ending to-do list to tackle. In this week’s blog, we wanted to share some cool and easy ways to successfully manage these projects. Self-driving cars...
How to Make Culture a Priority in Your Social Sector Work
Have you ever been to a coalition or staff meeting where a newcomer asked a pointed question to the leader of the group, and everyone around the newcomer cringed while s/he was oblivious to the battle just instigated? Being an outsider or a newcomer to a group can be...
5 Keys to Success for Employee Engagement in Nonprofits
COVID-19 taught us many lessons – one of the most powerful for me was about the importance of organizational culture and employee engagement. Based on our research, we have found a direct correlation between those nonprofits that had a strong internal culture and...
Following Southwest’s Model for Taking Nonprofit Internal Communications to New Heights
As last week’s headlines revealed, Gary Kelly, CEO of Southwest Airlines, is stepping down. One of the company’s longest-serving CEOs, he has made an indelible mark on the Southwest legacy. As some of you may know, last August I married into the Southwest family. I...
Why Nonprofit Teamwork Fails
My new favorite show is “Ted Lasso” on Apple TV+ (the new season is coming out on Friday, July 23rd). If you need a pick-me-up and a true belly laugh, this is the show for you. One of my favorite Ted Lasso quotes is: "I think if you care about someone and you got a...
