Mission + Strategy

We were grateful for the opportunity to be a part of a panel of nonprofit leaders at the Forefront (Illinois) Mission Sustainability Initiative (MSI) Summit on Wednesday, September 25th. Kate Piatt-Eckert, MSI's Director, moderated the panel discussion, “Business Model Innovation Through Collaboration”, and included Aina Gutierrez of Rebuilding Exchange, Jason Matsumoto of Full Spectrum Features, Dara Munson of Family Focus, and our CEO, Greg Petersen. The discussion was designed to deepen attendees' understanding of the transformative benefits of collaboration, with each leader having participated in or led strategic collaboration processes - partnerships, mergers, or other collaborative strategies. The lively 75-minute conversation highlighted the broad range of collaborative possibilities available to nonprofit leaders, and how each organization's unique set of challenges drives which, if any, collaborative path it should follow. Greg went on to describe the panel as "A uniquely fun and interesting deep dive into what drives collaborative success. Kate did a masterful job of guiding the chat, and personally I came away with deep appreciation for the creativity each of the panelists brought to their particular processes. Each of our stories touched on the patience, hard work, and alignment required to navigate mergers, partnerships, and other collaborations. Our stories also provided four cases proving that this investment of attention, energy, and resources is well worth it for the communities and people we serve." We’re excited to continue working in partnership with Forefront and supporting the Mission Sustainability Initiative! #NonprofitLeadership #Sustainability #Innovation #Collaboration

Have you registered for the Axelson Center fall conference, “More Than Money: Philanthropy, Fundraising, and Justice” happening this Friday, October 18? We’re excited to be a part of this year’s conference, and hope you’ll join us for our workshop, “Risky Business: Leading Nonprofits with Confidence in Uncertain Times." This workshop will explore the inherent risks in nonprofit operations and offer practical collaborative strategies for managing them effectively. What will you learn and takeaway from the workshop? 🔹 Understand the key (uniquely broad range of) risks faced by nonprofit organizations. 🔹 Develop strategies to manage and mitigate these risks. 🔹 Foster a collaborative approach to risk management. 🔹 Apply design thinking principles to create proactive risk management plans. 🔹 Shift from a defensive to an abundance mindset in approaching risks. There’s still time to register! https://bit.ly/4gCSoz4 #NonprofitLeadership #RiskManagement #Collaboration #Nonprofits

Today, we honor Indigenous Peoples’ Day, a time to recognize the rich history, culture, and countless contributions of Indigenous communities. It’s also a day to reflect on the historical injustices they have faced, from land displacement to cultural erasure. Acknowledging these truths is vital for building a more equitable future. Indigenous peoples have long been stewards of the land, innovators, and champions of sustainability and community well-being. Together, we can support these communities by amplifying their voices, advocating for their rights, and learning from their resilience and wisdom. Let’s commit to standing with Indigenous peoples, not just today but every day, in our shared journey toward justice and reconciliation. #IndigenousPeoplesDay #HonorAndRespect #EquityAndJustice #NonprofitLeadership

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a time to celebrate the contributions of individuals with disabilities in the workforce and to promote inclusive employment practices. At Mission + Strategy, we believe that every person, including those with disabilities, brings unique strengths and talents to their workplace. “Access to Good Jobs for All,” this year’s theme, highlights how good jobs change lives and emphasizes that all workers, including those with disabilities, deserve the opportunity to prepare for, obtain, and succeed in them. Here are a few ways your nonprofit can show support: → Evaluate and enhance your hiring practices to ensure they are inclusive of individuals with disabilities. → Provide training and resources to foster an accessible and supportive work environment. → Partner with organizations that advocate for disability employment to expand your impact. Learn more at dol.gov/NDEAM Let’s work together to create opportunities for everyone to thrive! #NDEAM #DisabilityInclusion #InclusiveWorkplaces #NonprofitLeadership

We are excited to be a part of this very talented roster of speakers at this year’s Axelson Center fall conference, “More Than Money: Philanthropy, Fundraising, and Justice” on Friday, October 18! At “More Than Money”, industry experts and nonprofit leaders will be thinking together about how nonprofits can generate and use their resources for impact that builds and sustains societal justice. This is the Axelson Center’s 25th anniversary of bringing vital professional development to Chicago-area nonprofit leaders. We hope to see you there! #nonprofitleadership #socialimpact #societaljustice

In the nonprofit sector, collaboration is crucial for achieving our collective goals. Effective collaboration can drive meaningful change, maximize impact, and foster innovation. Collaborative leadership is especially important because nonprofits are community assets, and we, as leaders, are stewards of those resources. In today’s article, “Cultivating Collaborative Leadership in Nonprofits”, we’re sharing some key insights on how to cultivate collaborative leadership at the individual, team, and organizational levels, and discover how to unlock the full potential of your nonprofit. Read more at the link below ⤵️ #Leadership #Collaboration #NonprofitLeadership #Impact

Leaders can often feel isolated and exhausted. It’s important to know you’re not alone! Join Chief Collaborations Officer, Judie Caribeaux, MA, LCSW and CEO, Greg Petersen on Thursday, October 24 for the Wintrust Financial Corporation Government, Health and Nonprofit Coffee Talk and discussion on “The Power of Collaborative Leadership in Nonprofits”. This interactive presentation offers a refreshing approach emphasizing working collaboratively to achieve common goals with discussion on the following: 🔹 Principles and Practices: Understanding the role of a collaborative leader and its importance in modern organizations. 🔹 Self-Assessment: Identifying personal strengths and areas for development. 🔹 Building Trust: Developing strategies to foster trust, inclusivity, and a culture of growth within teams. 🔹 Overcoming Challenges: Learning techniques to handle conflict and leverage emotional intelligence in collaborative settings. 🔹 Real-World Application: Applying collaborative leadership principles to real-world scenarios and creating an action plan for enhancing your skills. Come join us at this free event on Thursday, October 24 from 8:00 am - 10:00 am at Wintrust, 231 S. LaSalle St., Lower Level | Chicago. Breakfast and coffee will be provided. We hope to see you there!

In this exclusive Q&A, we’re excited to introduce our CEO, Greg Petersen, who will dive deep into what it takes to lead a nonprofit in today’s challenging landscape. With decades of experience driving collaboration and sustainable impact, he tackles the tough questions on how to maintain the delicate balance between mission and business strategy. He also shares valuable insights into the power of collaboration and addresses the pressing challenges nonprofit leaders face today—like burnout, time management, and succession planning. Join us as Greg shares his perspective on navigating the complexities of nonprofit leadership with purpose and strategy. #nonprofitleadership #collaborativeimpact #missiondriven

We’re excited to be a part of the Axelson Center fall conference, “More Than Money: Philanthropy, Fundraising, and Justice” on Friday, October 18! We invite you to join Greg Petersen, CEO and Judie Caribeaux, MA, LCSW, Chief Collaborations Officer, who will be leading the workshop "Risky Business: Leading Nonprofits with Confidence in Uncertain Times." In the dynamic landscape of nonprofit management, leaders must navigate numerous risks to sustain their organizations and advance their missions. This workshop will explore the inherent risks in nonprofit operations and offer practical collaborative strategies for managing them effectively. While risk often brings to mind employment liability, workers' comp claims, sexual harassment, and catastrophic loss, risk is not just related to insurance. Equally, if not more important, is the risk of losing a high performing staff member, a board member with deep relationships to your major donors, or funding changes due to shifting political administrations. Attendees will learn how to view risks as opportunities, develop risk management plans, and foster a collaborative approach to overcoming challenges. By engaging in scenario planning, participants will work on strategy and enhance their organization's leadership capacity. Embracing a mindset of abundance and utilizing design thinking, nonprofit leaders can transform potential threats into avenues for growth and impact. Will we see you there? To register ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gypFSUtG #NonprofitLeadership #RiskManagement #Collaboration #Nonprofits

Have you visited our new website Landing Page? We are currently under construction but a new Mission + Strategy Landing Page just went live last week! What will you find here? A place to help you get to know us, and experience how we will help you achieve alignment between your mission and business strategies, creating organizational capacity, financial wellness, and mission resilience. And be sure to sign up to stay in touch and be the first to know when our new website launches ⤵️ https://bit.ly/4edehCP #brandrefresh #collaboration #missionimpact #nonprofitleadership