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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Can Nonprofits Lobby? The Answer is YES!
Each year in February, state legislative sessions begin across the country. It is an exciting time and opportunity for nonprofits – with new possibilities for proactive policy change to better address social issues in our communities. Whenever I discuss this the...
Q&A on Successful Nonprofit Collaboration
I just had lunch with a dear friend who asked me a question I often hear as a teacher, consultant and community advocate: “Why is collaboration so hard?” I laughed a little and then explained it was the same reason why personal relationships are difficult. People go...
How Nonprofits Can Start a Sustainable Social Enterprise in Four Steps
The start of a new year is an excellent time to contemplate new ideas. Based on our latest Megatrends webinar (video + slides coming soon!), one of the top ideas that nonprofits are considering in 2024 is starting (or expanding) a social enterprise...
Behavioral Economics Meets the Social Sector
Do you know why offices and hotels have mirrors in their elevators? One reason is because people will focus on fixing stray hairs and smoothing out wrinkled clothing rather than how long the elevator is taking and, as a result, be happier. This strange but true fact...
2024 Nonprofit Trends: Building Your Dream Team
One of the most anticipated events of 2024 is the Summer Olympics in Paris. More than 10,000 athletes from around the world will come together in this iconic event in 32 sports and 329 events – with breaking (a.k.a., breakdancing) being the newest. The theme of this...
Favorite Inspirations to Celebrate the Holiday Season 2023
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Nonprofit Trends and Inspiration: Top 5 TrendSpotter Favorites of 2023
Winter solstice falls on December 21 and, in some cultures, is known as “the day the sun stands still.” It is the shortest day of the year – with just 8 hours and 46 minutes of sunlight. It is also the astronomical beginning of winter. From this day forward, days will...
5 Truths about Solving Social Issues
There have been rumors lurking in the corners of social entrepreneurship gatherings. I have heard them whispered: “There are investors who want to pursue impact investing, but we don’t have the right deal flow.” Impact investing is growing rapidly. A recent piece in...
The State of Generosity in America
The holiday season brings many ways to give and receive generosity. To me, generosity is a virtue defined as willingly giving away your time, money and attention – without expectation of anything in return. This feeling is a hallmark of the season. People are nicer,...