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Independent Sector Listening Tour: The big takeaways
March 6, 2024 — Independent Sector, a national organization that helps organizations and leaders build a healthy and equitable nonprofit sector through research and partnerships, made its way to Phoenix in late February for a stop on its national “Independent Sector Listening Tour.” Newly appointed President and CEO Dr. Akilah Watkins launched the tour to gain insights from leaders in the nonprofit, philanthropy and corporate responsibility sectors. The Arizona event took place at the Thunderbird School of Global Management on Arizona State University’s Downtown Phoenix campus, hosted by the ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation.
Participants from across Arizona went into the event ready to foster new connections, share perspectives, and discuss collaborative solutions to issues prevalent in the sector. What follows are some of the key topics and takeaways from the conversations.
“If philanthropy did its job, we wouldn’t have a job”: Navigating sector barriers
Attendees started the conversation with a discussion about the politicization of charitable work, the role of advocacy, and policy changes that could support their work.
One attendee described advocacy as a key method in maximizing an organization’s mission. Despite this, recent years have seen nonprofits leaving behind the advocacy work that was once commonplace for the sector. Attendees expressed a desire to incorporate advocacy alongside charitable work through coalitions and greater communication with funders about the work’s value.
While the work of nonprofits and philanthropists goes a long way in serving those in need, leaders also said they felt limited in areas where the right policy changes would go further in solving the problem.
Other top barriers mentioned were retention, burnout and poor civic health. One participant noted that because a large percentage of nonprofit programs are federally funded, a healthy sector is dependent on a healthy democracy.
“If overlooked communities do not thrive, none of us will thrive”: How to connect with underserved people in charitable work
The inclusion of underserved and underrepresented communities also made its way into the conversation. Rural communities throughout Arizona face a variety of barriers that stymie them from solving major issues, from wealth inequality to systemic injustices.
Of these barriers, none proved more prominent in the conversation than access to relationships. Without connections with the right people, underrepresented people are noticeably absent in places where their insight is key. To foster inclusion for people who often go overlooked, sector leaders encourage each other to adopt systems that minimize barriers while also not erasing the lived experiences of the marginalized.
Boards of directors can also play a major role here, attendees said. Nonprofits need better boards, filled with people who advocate for the whole organization, and that starts with relationships.
“Not just the pretty parts — we’re serving the ugly parts too”: Gathering funds for capacity-building work
Concerns about funding opportunities were also frequently cited by attendees. While capacity building, professional development and employee welfare prove important to an organization’s effectiveness and longevity, philanthropists often demonstrate different priorities, overlook organizations’ expertise and neglect infrastructure investment. And, when grantmakers only offer year-to-year funding, nonprofits are pushed to prioritize fundraising and to demonstrate immediate impact, neglecting infrastructure and long-term progress on major issues.
Some participants also noted that funders may make a greater impact by bolstering existing programs and organizations with proven track records, rather than launching buzzy new initiatives. Similarly, young people who feel motivated to launch their own nonprofits may actually be duplicating efforts, others cautioned. Attendees hoped to see the sector move beyond the “nonprofit industrial complex.”
In reflecting on the event, Dr. Watkins was eager to take the learnings back to Washington, D.C., where feedback from Arizona will help inform strategies for future research and advocacy. The ASU Lodestar Center thanks Independent Sector for the opportunity to host this event and bring together our region’s nonprofit voices.
Story by Lillian Finley
Cover Image: The gathering of nonprofit leaders from Arizona coming together for the Listening Tour
See more photos at the bottom of the page
Gallery Images: Dr. Akilah Watkins speaking to the gathered leaders; Sherri Jones and Natali Fierros Bock discussing in a breakout group; Kim Covington listening during a breakout group; Kyley Jameison during a breakout; Dr. Akilah Watkins and Jacky Alling during a breakout; Shannon Gnam and group during a breakout session; Octavia Harris and Michael Hughes during a breakout session; Dr. Akilah Watkins watching while her Chief of Staff Michael Bochnovic addresses the group; Dr. Akilah Watkins showcasing the "fishbowl"; Lois Savage from the Lodestar Foundation in the fishbowl; Sherri Jones in the fishbowl; Shannon Gnam and Kim Covington in the fishbowl; the group of leaders gathered for the Listening Tour; Dr. Robert Ashcraft addressing the group; Dr. Akilah Watkins showing the other locations they have been to for the Listening Tour, Dr. Akilah Watkins addressing the group; the Listening Tour gathered nonprofit leaders around Arizona together to discuss the current standing of the sector in the area; the fishbowl allows a person to speak openly on the tops: shown is Dr. Akilah Watkins, Lois Savage, Octavia Harris and David Martinez III; the fishbowl allows the speakers to be more conversational with one another; the fishbowl allows for focus on whoever is speaking currently; from left to right: Michael Bochnovic, Leadership Council member Michael Hughes, Leadership Council member Jaclyn Pederson, Dr. Robert Ashcraft, Leadership council member Kim Covington, Dr. Akilah Watkins, Leadership Council member Jacky Alling, Leadership Council member Sherri Jones, Leadership Council member Jessica Gabry, Leadership Council member Don Lindner.
Resources from Independent Sector
Health of the U.S. Nonprofit Sector