The complex social issues nonprofits attempt to solve require a diversity of solutions. Funding those solutions will happen as nonprofits embrace the democratization of philanthropy. Philanthropy in the United States is intrinsic to democracy and freedom as it allows citizens to support organizations which form a civil society separate from government. Names like Rockefeller and Carnegie evoke the plutocratic era of philanthropy during the turn of the century. Plutocratic philanthropy exists today through names such as Bezos, Scott, and Gates but the vehicles used to democratize philanthropy are changing the giving landscape. The increase of giving through donor-advised funds (DAFs), crowdfunding, and point-of-sale fundraising allows philanthropy to expand beyond the ivory tower of traditional wealth. People with varied economic backgrounds united by the love (philos) of humanity (anthropos) are now invited to the philanthropic table through these new methods of giving.

It is essential that nonprofit leaders understand these increasingly popular methods of giving to strategically integrate these methods into their development plans. By understanding the donor landscape and the surge to democratize philanthropy, nonprofit leaders can implement practices to expand their donor base. Donor populations are shifting, and astute nonprofit leaders know that millennials now outnumber baby boomer donors. Nonprofit leaders must adapt their…

It has been a great joy and privilege serving to offer mindfulness tips, training and curriculum at Public Allies of Arizona this year. As I come to the closing of my term of service I’ve been invited to share some additional tips on how to address the implementation of mindfulness related practices within an organization. Here are 4 relevant aspects to consider when aligning with what mindfulness research is suggesting: 
 
 
1)   Mindfulness practices are not a fix-all for organizational issues, however the benefits can be a conduit to creating an uplifting work culture that also provides opportunities for healthier ways to reflect and acknowledge areas for improvement within the organization. Also a likely benefit is inspiring quality work, and improvement in the personal lives for your employees. 
 
2)   It is essential for an organization to have a genuine interest and intention to promote a wellness minded work environment. This means that from the top down that the workforce is proactive in supplementing parts of their workday or work week with taking adequate breaks, and efforts towards bringing balanced awareness to being present in the work that’s being done.  If an organization is actually open to promoting and adhering to work life balance, the result could be a positive outcome for workplace retention and improved employee satisfaction. 
 
3)   Know that stress is inevitable in…

Most nonprofits rely on contributions to support their missions. Gifts from donors provide an organization with the opportunity to be innovative, administer programs and services of a high caliber, and sustain work not always supported by grants, corporate sponsors, earned income, and other more limiting sources of funding. Despite the need for individual donors, charitable giving has been on a continuous decline for a number of years. There are a few reasons for this troublesome trend, including inflation and high costs of living, a shift in participation, and failure to solicit contributions. Below are six recommendations for nonprofits to recruit individual donors.

Utilize multiple solicitation strategies

Donors can be contacted through a variety of mediums including in person, by phone, through email, on social media, and by mail. Studies have shown that direct mail is the best…

It is a common misconception in the nonprofit sphere that tax-exempt organizations cannot practice advocacy for causes and ideas. However, history shows that nonprofit advocacy is responsible for much of our modern legal system, and some in the sector say it’s a key way that organizations can fulfill their missions. Organizations like Citizens United and many large labor unions are tax-exempt organizations whose past advocacy has played a critical role in shaping the U.S. political landscape. From landmark Supreme Court decisions to organizing voters and communities, the history of nonprofit advocacy in public policy is strong and allows charitable organizations to advance their causes on a massive scale.

What is advocacy? 

Advocacy is taking a public stance on a social or political issue and engaging…

One of the core reasons why many nonprofits exist is to better society by achieving their missions. Whether it’s through affordable healthcare, achieving broader human rights or providing world-class art, many nonprofits aim to change the world for the better. That being said, missions are difficult to achieve without collaboration and trust. Thankfully, nonprofits are still one of the most trusted institutions across business, but trust has been trickling away.

Outside of a nonprofit’s ability to prove a positive impact on society, the second largest contribution to societal trust is integrity. This includes adhering to a set of principles that are transparent and credible like treating all employees fairly and equitably regardless of their identity or background. A nonprofit’s mission statement is tied to the organization’s principles to achieve its goals.

Trans, Non-Binary & Gender Non-Conforming (TGNC) people are among the most discriminated groups within general society and the workplace. When they achieve equitable benefits and treatment that is specific to their well-being can nonprofits say they are actively working towards being morally and ethically just.

Language in Non-Discrimination policies

The primary…