Again and again at SSIR's Nonprofit Management Institute 2019, speakers homed in on the importance of people coming together to confront climate change, political polarization, economic inequality, and other ills threatening the world and civil society with potentially paralyzing anxiety.
We must pull "more people into the philanthropic circle," said Tyrone McKinley Freeman, an assistant professor of philanthropic studies at Indiana University. "We have got to think big" and "be less afraid" of losing something through collaboration, said Mayor Libby Schaaf of Oakland. "We have to co-create everything with community," said Jeffrey Moore, chief strategy officer of Independent Sector. "We have to work together in and across philanthropy, civil society, government, academia," said Charlotte Pera, president and CEO of ClimateWorks.
It won't be easy. The complexity of big problems like climate change can drown attempts to get started with solutions. Good intentions can't take the place of some basic requirements for joining forces. Ramping up solutions to a scale that meets the immensity of the challenges cannot rely on luck, and only 61 percent of respondents to an informal SSIR Twitter poll believed NGOs would lead the world into a better future.
But for organizations ready to take on those challenges and come together, Mayor Michael Tubbs of Stockton has a reminder: "Change in collaboration really only moves at the speed of trust." Building those relationships will take more than nice memos about teaming up—try joint projects, said Bradford Smith, president of Candid. And if you're struggling to get others behind your cause, recognize that motivating them is a functional, emotional, social, and aspirational undertaking.
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Skip to a Session Recap
- Opening Discussion: The Changing Face of American Philanthropy
- Moving Forward: Merger as a Growth Strategy
- Vital Balance: Innovation and Scaling for Impact in the Social Sector
- Leveraging Talent: The Power of Skills-Based Volunteering
- Achieving Great Things: The Art and Science of Aspirational Communication
- Working Together: How Public Sector and Nonprofit Leaders Can Collaborate to Tackle the Toughest Challenges
- Keynote: Trust, Power, Equity: Telling a Better Story to Ourselves and the World
- Weathering the Storm: Lessons on Effectively Managing Through Tough Times
- Activating Audiences: Partnering Beyond the "Usual Suspects” to Spotlight Social Issues
- Leading With Purpose: Acceptance, Mindfulness, and Self-Compassion
- Climate Change: The Power of a Transcendent Issue to Motivate and Affect Real Change
Session 1: Opening Discussion: The Changing Face of American Philanthropy
Kim Meredith, executive director of the Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society, and Tyrone Freeman, assistant professor of philanthropic studies at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and coauthor of Race, Gender, and Leadership in Nonprofit Organizations, discussed common myths of modern philanthropy, the true history of giving by minority groups in the United States, and ideas on how to better connect with givers in anxious times.
"We need to be paying attention to more donors and pulling more people into the philanthropic circle." @MckinleyTyrone in discussion with @KimMeredith1 reflects on the importance of different traditions of giving. #NMI #philanthropy #ssirinstitute
— Social Innovation (@SSIReview) September 11, 2019
Go Deeper
- View a PDF of the presentation slides.
- Read an SSIR article about common misunderstandings that obscure the breadth and depth of giving in the United States: “Eight Myths of US Philanthropy.”
Session 2: Moving Forward: Merger as a Growth Strategy
Three veterans of mergers—David La Piana, managing partner of La Piana Consulting, Rinku Sen, a racial justice activist, author, and strategist, and Bradford Smith, president of Candid—discussed the upsides and risks of nonprofit mergers.
"In every bad time, there are people seeking opportunties and ways to grow. A merger can be that lever for growth but it is hard work." @DavidLaPiana, @rinkuwrites, and Bradford Smith with @CandidDotOrg discussing mergers and growth at #NMI now. #ssirinstitute pic.twitter.com/TrGXBDFR7r
— Social Innovation (@SSIReview) September 11, 2019
Go Deeper
- View a PDF of the presentation slides.
- Read an SSIR article about the integration process that follows a merger: “After the Merger: Getting to ‘Yes’ Is Only the Beginning.”
Session 3: Vital Balance: Innovation and Scaling for Impact in the Social Sector
Christian Seelos, coauthor of the best-selling book Innovation and Scaling for Impact and co-director of the Global Innovation for Impact Lab at Stanford PACS, examined various “innovation pathologies” that can derail organizations and “innovation archetypes”—case study-based models that sidestep these threats, blending innovation with scaling.
"You might get lucky with innovations from time to time, but you never get lucky on the scaling side." @ChristianSeelos talking about #innovation and #scaling for #socialimpact at #nmi #ssirinstitute. Read more: https://t.co/5Iz9zgHQV6
— Social Innovation (@SSIReview) September 11, 2019
Go Deeper
- Read an SSIR article examining the factors that undermine the impact potential of an innovation effort: “When Innovation Goes Wrong.”
- Read an SSIR article about organizations using system change to tackle big social problems: “Mastering System Change.”
Session 4: Leveraging Talent: The Power of Skills-Based Volunteering
How can skills-based volunteering engage and strengthen your teams amid transitional, high-anxiety, or crisis situations? Danielle Holly, chief executive officer of Common Impact; Cecily Joseph, former vice president of corporate responsibility with Symantec; and Greg Kimbrough, lead director of executive development at the Boys & Girls Club of America shared insights gleaned from their experiences with volunteer programs.
"We know employees value this and want to do it." @CecilyJosephCR, former vice president of corporate responsibility with @symantec, talks about the company's volunteer programs. #csr #nmi #ssirinstitute pic.twitter.com/98pfhGqepO
— Social Innovation (@SSIReview) September 11, 2019
Go Deeper
- View a PDF of the presentation slides.
- Read an SSIR article about the benefits of skills-based volunteering: “The Promise of Skills-Based Volunteering.”
- Read an SSIR article explaining how to plan a day of skilled service for your organization: “Building Social Sector Capacity Through a Day of Skilled Service.”
Session 5: Achieving Great Things: The Art and Science of Aspirational Communication
Doug Hattaway, president of Hattaway Communications, explored the best ways to use strategy, science, and storytelling to connect with an audience.
"You can be the kind of organization that helps people become the kind of people they want to be. It's one of the key steps on the road to durable attitude change." @DougHattaway on comms strategies & @truthinitiative. #nmi #ssirinstitute Read more: https://t.co/ySWXLW3zF2 pic.twitter.com/FP7BNhikWX
— Social Innovation (@SSIReview) September 11, 2019
Going deep into the art and science of aspirational communications with @DougHattaway.
— Emily Schwing (@Emily_Schwing) September 11, 2019
Why do people want our brand to be part of their identity? #SSIRInstitute #nonprofithustle pic.twitter.com/suSRuLAP3z
Go Deeper
- View a PDF of the presentation slides.
- Listen to an SSIR podcast about the components of effective campaigns: an exciting goal, motivational language, and a compelling call to action: “Achieve Great Things: The Art and Science of Aspirational Narrative.”
- Read an SSIR article about making the decision to refresh your brand: “New Year, New Brand?”
Session 6: Working Together: How Public Sector and Nonprofit Leaders Can Collaborate to Tackle the Toughest Challenges
Mayors Libby Schaaf of Oakland and Michael Tubbs of Stockton spoke with Autumn McDonald, director of New America CA, about the best ways to build successful, mutually beneficial partnerships between local government and nonprofits.
"I've seen fear around collaboration—how is this going to take something away from me? We have got to think big. We have got to be less afraid," says @LibbySchaaf in a talk with @MichaelDTubbs & @Autumn_McDo. #ssirinstitute #nmi. pic.twitter.com/6dnDjyALW7
— Social Innovation (@SSIReview) September 11, 2019
Go Deeper
- Read an SSIR article about Schaaf's journey as a cross-sector leader: “Profile: Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf.”
- Read SSIR articles about breaking through boundaries: “The Need for Cross-Sector Collaboration” and “The Essential Skills of Cross-Sector Leadership.”
Session 7: Keynote: Trust, Power, Equity: Telling a Better Story to Ourselves and the World
Jeffrey Moore, chief strategy officer of Independent Sector, examined trends with the potential to restore the nonprofit sector's self-confidence and bring back the public's trust in it.
"There is a clarion call for institutional leaders to listen to what communities are telling us about what they want: power. We have to co-create everything with community." Jeffrey Moore w/@IndSector on civil society's response to polarization & cynicism. #ssirinstitute #nmi pic.twitter.com/t9pzSi5zhn
— Social Innovation (@SSIReview) September 12, 2019
Go Deeper
- View a PDF of the presentation slides.
- Read an SSIR article about “Six Ways to Repair Declining Social Trust.”
- Read an SSIR article about how to reverse the loss of trust in civil society: “The Adaptive Challenge of Restoring Trust in Civil Society.”
Session 8: Weathering the Storm: Lessons on Effectively Managing Through Tough Times
Maria Orozco, principal of The Bridgespan Group, explored lessons from the last recession and drew from her organization's work in the years since to share insight on surviving and thriving in difficult times.
There’s a financial and emotional impact when nonprofits face an uncertain future. Identify core people who matter most to your org and stay close to key funders to weather tough times, says Maria Orozco w/@BridgespanGroup #ssirinstitute #nmi. More: https://t.co/biVfb9oBPN
— Social Innovation (@SSIReview) September 12, 2019
Go Deeper
- View a PDF of the presentation slides.
- Read an SSIR article about how to get through an economic slowdown: “Outrun the Recession.”
Session 9: Activating Audiences: Partnering Beyond the 'Usual Suspects' to Spotlight Social Issues
Storytelling can expand and accelerate social change. Advice on how to wield narratives emerged from a panel discussion with: Jessica Blank, a writer, director, actor, lecturer, and social innovator; Nicole Starr, vice president for social impact at Participant Media; Marya Bangee, executive director of Harness; and Courtney Cogburn, associate professor at Columbia University School of Social Work.
"It's not about a single story. It's about how do you create an ecosystem that can allow for authentic stories to be told. ... Culture change precedes policy change," says @MaryaBangee w/@iwillharness #ssirinstitute #nmi #storytelling pic.twitter.com/na8gqagl8c
— Social Innovation (@SSIReview) September 12, 2019
In telling stories, are we failing to highlight important truths? Are we avoiding naming racism or white supremacy? Are we dealing with structural realities? —@CourtneyCogburn w/@Columbia #ssirinstitute #nmi #storytelling #media pic.twitter.com/MSwJlcoanj
— Social Innovation (@SSIReview) September 12, 2019
Go Deeper
- Read an SSIR article about collaboration's role in honing your narratives: “The Secret to Better Storytelling for Social Change: Better Partnerships.”
- Read an SSIR article about how storytelling can help people navigate turbulent and polarizing times: “Using Story to Change Systems.”
- Read an SSIR article about Participant Media’s mission to take on social issues with its award-winning films: “Participant Media Creates Entertainment for Social Change.”
Session 10: Leading With Purpose: Acceptance, Mindfulness, and Self-Compassion
Leah Weiss, PhD, is the lecturer behind the popular “Leading With Mindfulness and Compassion” course at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business and the author of How We Work. She described how to lead with acceptance and resilience using proven self-compassion and mindfulness techniques.
"Dealing with purpose is one of the most high-potential solutions for the problem of burnout." —@leahweissphd #ssirinstitute #nmi pic.twitter.com/fxNC4fcSHM
— Social Innovation (@SSIReview) September 12, 2019
Go Deeper
- Read an SSIR article highlighting how mindfulness can benefit social change leaders: “Leading From Within: Conscious Social Change and Mindfulness for Social Innovation.”
Session 11: Climate Change: The Power of a Transcendent Issue to Motivate and Affect Real Change
Larry Kramer, president of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and Charlotte Pera, president and CEO of ClimateWorks Foundation, discussed the impact of climate change on society and nonprofits.
"Climate change is hurting people now and it's going to get worse. We have to work together in and across philanthropy, civil society, government, academia." Charlotte Pera w/@ClimateWorks speaking with Larry Kramer w/@Hewlett_Found about #climatechange. #ssirinstitute #nmi pic.twitter.com/MOXaZG1rqG
— Social Innovation (@SSIReview) September 12, 2019
Go Deeper
- Read an SSIR article about changing people's perspectives on climate change by using messages that reflect their values: “Changing the Climate by Leaving ‘Climate Change’ Behind.”
- Read an SSIR article about the importance of not just funds, but also expertise, networking, and intellectual capital from foundations focused on climate change: “Innovative Solutions for Climate Change Need More than Money.”
- Listen to an SSIR podcast about how philanthropists can help discover and develop new solutions to address climate change: “Bridging the Climate Change Investment Gap.”
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Read more stories by Barbara Wheeler-Bride & M. Amedeo Tumolillo.