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.
Why Employee Turnover Should be a Key Metric for the Social Sector – Our Collective Canary in the Coal Mine
If you want a heartwarming movie to watch in these final days of summer, I highly recommend “The 33,” which is a real-life account of a mining disaster in Chile in 2010. Stories above and below ground intertwine to make the movie compelling and relatable. Ultimately,...
Helping First-Generation College Students Reach for the Stars
Back-to-school season is upon us. For some students, it is routine. For others going to a new school, it can feel like stepping into the unknown. In many ways, first-generation college students are much like astronauts. Exploring uncharted territory always take a...
5 Easy Steps to Boost Your Organization’s Performance Through Core Values
We are always on the lookout for positive trends, especially from the for-profit space, to incorporate into nonprofit settings. Recently, we have heard a lot about great corporate cultures like those of Zappos and technology companies. When we dissect what makes these...
Top Questions on Social Enterprise
I am thrilled to share to that I have been hired as consultant and facilitator for the 2023 Duke Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership Program. In this role, I will be leading Duke’s Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership for working professionals. I have taught...
Easy Steps to Change Management in Your Nonprofit
Summer is always filled with highly anticipated superhero movie releases, with towering men and women possessing superhuman capabilities to save the world. These superhero epics offer much in their approach that we as social sector warriors can leverage for our own...
The Power of Dreams: Tips for Increasing Nonprofit Employee Engagement
Tuesday the world celebrated Nelson Mandela Day, a day that brings people together to live the values of the late South African leader in honor of his birthday. He often used a quote attributed to author Joel Barker, and it’s one of my favorites: “Vision without...
Charitable Giving Trends from Giving USA 2023
Americans have always been known for their generosity. Just as in other difficult times, Americans stepped up giving during the pandemic. Now, upon reviewing the Giving USA 2023 report – the social sector’s annual report – we saw trends that, not unexpectedly, showed...
Hot Nonprofit Trends for Summer 2023
During summer, it feels like time stops for just a moment. The longer days, the warm breezes and sweet fragrances in the air allow time to slow down for reflection. You can sit by a beach or lake and just gaze into the water, being present and enjoying the ease of...
Back to the Future: The Social Sector in 2053
“Back to the Future” is coming to Broadway in New York this weekend. (My husband and I had a blast watching it in London last year.) With all the discussions about AI and Chat GPT, we thought we’d contemplate the future of the social sector along with some of the...
