Social Trendspotter Weekly Blog
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...
Charitable Giving Trends from Giving USA 2021
Americans have always been generous. But, as in other trying times, 9/11 or the Great Recession, Americans stepped up their giving. Indiana University’s Women’s Philanthropy Institute released a report that 56% of U.S. households engaged in charitable giving during...
Hot Nonprofit Trends for Summer 2021
Summer. A slower time of year. The long days unfold as the bluest skies turn into beautiful sunsets over the horizon. The season allows us to pause, appreciate beauty and focus on the present. It allows us to lean into human “being” versus human “doing.” As we...
4 Elements of Entrepreneurial Culture and How to Incorporate Them into Your Nonprofit
We were honored to present to North Carolina Community Action Agencies last week. They asked us to present on the cultural element most missing in the social space – entrepreneurial culture. In our research, we have learned that many nonprofit cultures are...
Expert Advice on How to Reopen Your Nonprofit
How has nonprofit life changed since the COVID-19 pandemic started? What should change forever? What should be reconsidered? Now that we are close to herd immunity, many nonprofits are tackling big and small questions across all aspects of their organizations about...
How Nonprofits Can Maximize Millennials’ Talents
Millennials – born between 1980 and 2000 – are this country’s future. According to a recent report by Deloitte, they make up one out of every three workers in the United States and will account for 75% of the workforce by 2025. Although corporate types have complained...
Should Nonprofits Become Landlords?
COVID-19 had a devastating impact on the commercial real estate market in 2020. And, even with things reopening in 2021, the effects will likely be felt over the next few years. This puts nonprofits that own their own real estate and/or are landlords in a tricky...
