(Photo by iStock/Rasica)
Questions swirl around today’s nonprofit leaders: What will the future hold? How will the upcoming elections affect our organization? Where will tomorrow’s leaders come from? How can artificial intelligence help address social challenges? What’s the best funding model to help us grow? How will we handle the impacts of climate change?
At this year’s Nonprofit Management Institute, we’ll explore the answers to these and other questions. Join us as experts from across the social sector share strategies and tactics for navigating the unknown and leading boldly in uncertain times. There’s still time to sign up and join us in person or online!
In preparation, here’s a list of SSIR articles to help leaders prepare for, and help to shape, the future.
1. Using Strategic Foresight to Create the Future We Want by Marina Gorbis
Futures thinking, a discipline established in the 1960s and long championed by private industry, is experiencing a revival. Philanthropic and nonprofit organizations can use its strategic foresight tools to be bolder, aim higher, and reach wider audiences than traditional strategic planning activities.
2. A New Look at How US Nonprofits Get Really Big by Ali Kelley, Darren Isom, Bradley Seeman, Julia Silverman, Analia Cuevas-Ferreras & Katrina Frei-Herrmann
A closer look at three especially important practices for nonprofits that want to raise the money to achieve significant scale: 1) Focus on concentration in one or two revenue categories. 2) Seek funding that is a natural match for your organization’s work. 3) Build dedicated capabilities and infrastructure to tap into the revenue categories you’re focusing on.
3. A Baby Boomer and a Gen Zer Walk Into a Climate Action Meeting by John Hagan & Anna Siegel
Bridging generational divides is critical for tackling society’s greatest challenges. Learn strategies from an intergenerational group of climate leaders who believe they can do more together than separately.
4. Reclaiming Our Democracy by Sam Daley-Harris (speaking at NMI 2024)
Learn how nonprofits can shift from a transactional approach to advocacy toward a more potent form of activism where volunteers are trained, encouraged, and then succeed at doing things as advocates that they never thought they could do.
5. DEI Work Is a Marathon, Not a Sprint by Jonathan Njus
As DEI efforts face new criticism, a leader of equity initiatives at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation shares five steps—a training program of sorts—for sustaining your organization’s DEI momentum.
Take a deeper dive into the topic of leadership with SSIR’s new eBook, Transforming Leadership.
6. Becoming Advocates for Equity by Akilah Watkins
“We’re at a pivotal turning point in the journey to creating a healthier, more racially just nation. Nonprofits need more spaces where leaders—especially leaders of color—can come together to find support, to develop their capacity, and to build strategic alliances.” The president and CEO of Independent Sector calls on nonprofit leaders to publicly advocate for the values that underpin their work.
7. What Strong Organizations Know About DEI by Undraye Howard
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are much more than a passing fad. They are a framework for engaging an organization’s full strength. Learn how effective DEI programs can develop leaders who strengthen organizations.
8. Getting Past the Glorification of the Founder by Laura Weidman Powers
A seamless CEO handoff requires that founders of social impact organizations balance their public image with their organization’s brand, while providing space for their teams to shine early on.
9. Yielding Power to Youth by Kate Lord & Janae Phillips
Making the leap into youth-led advocacy campaigns is a powerful way to walk the talk. Learn how one NGO is centering young voices in decision-making.
10. 8 Steps Nonprofits Can Take to Adopt AI Responsibly by Beth Kanter (speaking at NMI 2024), Allison Fine & Philip Deng
This article is a must-read for leaders at nonprofits who are grappling with how/when/if to use AI. Advice from the authors: Use care, do no harm, and stay human-centered. Plus, read an excerpt from The Smart Nonprofit: Staying Human-Centered in An Automated World by Beth Kanter and Allison Fine.
11. Introducing AI-Powered Nonprofits (in-depth series)
Nonprofits are deploying artificial intelligence in creative, powerful, and rapidly changing ways. This series spotlights these vanguard organizations and provides a landscape to better understand their work.
Read more stories by SSIR Editors.