Leadership - Articles

Podcast

Taking the Long View on Community Economic Development

Revitalizing communities that have been hit hard by post-industrial decline can take decades, but government and philanthropy often operate on short-term funding timelines. In this episode, Barbara Wheeler-Bride talks with Bo Kemp, CEO of the Southland Development Authority, about this mismatch, and how his nonprofit is working with individuals, businesses, and municipalities in Chicago's south suburbs to reinvigorate the economy. Their innovative strategies, including owning assets like housing and property, could provide a template for other struggling regions across the United States. Giving With Impact is developed with the support of DAFgiving360^®

Why Charlie Kirk Didn’t Build a ‘MoveOn of the Right’

By Nina Hall & Dave Karpf

The Turning Point USA founder's obituaries invoked his desire to build a conservative MoveOn. What he built instead is revealing about the structure, strategies, and outcomes of political advocacy organizations.

Podcast

What Makes a Good Impact Investment?

Impact investing has grown exponentially over the past 20 years. How is the field evolving? What are the new approaches and strategies that are making impact investing more accessible and appealing to funders of all sizes? How can the curious get started? Megan Kashner from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management joins the show to address critiques levied at the field and how to tell if an investment is having an impact. Giving With Impact is developed with the support of DAFgiving360^®

Who Holds the Keys? Unlocking Foundation Board Support for a Sector in Crisis

By Elisha Smith Arrillaga & Ellie Buteau

As federal funding disappears and community organizations close, much of the power to respond sits with foundation boards—and the moment to use it is now.

Nonprofit Mergers Need More Than Mission Alignment

By George M. Tsiatis, Christina Lowery & Tammy Tibbetts

What two mergers taught us about the necessary conditions and hard truths that come after "yes."

If You Want to Teach Social Innovation, Teach Power

By Ahmed M. Badr 1

Lessons from Wesleyan on entrepreneurial education

Excerpt

Reform as Process, Not Project

By Martin J. Williams

An excerpt from Reform as Process on reforming government bureaucracy

Designing Organizations for Neurodiversity

By Lorne Hartman & Braxton Hartman 1

Research shows that neurodivergent employees display tendencies that can boost organizational performance—but too many organizations are not designed to incorporate their unique skill sets.

Capacity Building Needs an Evidence Standard

By Lucy Brainard 3

Funders should measure capacity building by what changes, not just what grantees like.

The Seven Labors of the Modern NGO

By Ronald M. Miller & Maureen Andrade

Good missions don’t automatically become good results. Seven self-imposed burdens most often separate the two, and senior leaders can dismantle them.