The Funding Seed, LLC

Is your nonprofit considering a shared-leadership model? Earlier this year, Sprout(IG: @/Sproutnola) and Trepwise partnered to create this free guide that outlines the benefits and practical steps that organizations can take. #guide #nonprofit https://lnkd.in/efhuJCTW

A thrill and a joy to be back at the Greater New Orleans Foundation with Brittney G. Jones, CFRE of Essence in Consulting yesterday! GNOF's Emerging Leaders program gathers mid-career nonprofit professionals for a comprehensive leadership development cohort program, and this is year #3 of our collaboration for the Fund Development and Network Building session. Even better: we'll be back together again next month for a funder networking session, where cohort members get to put the concepts from yesterday's workshop into practice. Thank you to GNOF for organizing this unique and powerful program, and to all of the participating nonprofit leaders who are doing deeply important work every day!

Did you know it was possible to make learning about budgets FUN? This virtual workshop was an eye-opener. If you've ever struggled with the seemingly impossible task of creating an organizational budget during times of local or global uncertainty- which, let's be honest, is pretty much every nonprofit leader right now- here's some good news: AORTA: Anti-Oppression Resource & Training Alliance and A Bookkeeping Cooperative are offering a second round of this training next Monday, October 28. Sliding scale pricing available.

We need to hear from YOU! Back by popular demand, The Funding Seed is plotting the return of our popular workshop series in early 2025. What do you want to get out of a fundraising workshop? Take this 5 minute survey to share your wants and needs so we can bring the learning opportunities that work best for you! https://lnkd.in/e_U2hRRG

"We do think that anybody that dedicates their life in civil society should be able to take care of their monthly financial needs." -Akilah Watkins, President and CEO of Independent Sector. More than one out of five nonprofit workers cannot afford basic living espenses where they live, and Black and Hispanic nonprofit workers are about twice as likely to experience financial hardship as their white colleagues. https://lnkd.in/gTg-UVqM

"Mutual aid organizations are often more flexible and nimbler than mainstream organizations. They can quickly roll out actions and support because they are embedded in the local community. They do not have to raise funds before they activate. Instead, they trust that their networks’ members will step up quickly in response." This 2022 piece from Nonprofit Quarterly is a helpful read for anyone giving and raising money while navigating this highly destructive hurricane season and the overwhelming social and environmental crises our communities face. https://lnkd.in/gbjmjRrc

ICYMI: The Funding Seed's October newsletter shares a mindset reframe for anyone who knows what they SHOULD be doing with their fundraising but, struggles with the HOW part. https://lnkd.in/e8vuPRJx Image description: A screenshot of the opening paragraphs of The Funding Seed's October newsletter.

Last week, The Funding Seed was at Stories + Money = Change (Innovative Fundraising, LLC), a gem of a conference designed for grassroots fundraisers doing progressive movement work. Thank you to everyone who came to the Engaging Your Board Members in Fundraising session, and to the team at Innovative Fundraising for creating a fun and meaningful space for people to share ideas and grow together! Image description #1: A tablescape on a black cloth includes the orange event program for the Stories + Money = Change conference, a blank notebook with purple pages, a pen, a coffee cup, and Nora's conference name badge. Image description #2: A room full of conference attendees engaged in a panel discussion with five panelists. A number of people have their hands raised. Image Description #3: Around 25 conference attendees gather for a group photo as the sun sets behind them over Detroit. Image description #4: A projected slide during shares the poem When Giving Is All We Have by Alberto Rios, written in black over a white background with a yellow border. Image description #5: On a brick wall, "Say nice things about Detroit" is written in black and orange paint over a yellow background, with a sunburst design and a heart dotting the letter I. The slogan is attributed to Emily T. Gail. Image description #6: Nora presents her Engaging Board Members in Fundraising session. She is wearing black pants and a green blazer and points to a slide projection that says "What is your next step to engage your board in fundraising?"

We hope you, your loved ones, and your community are safe following the devastating destruction of Hurricane Helene. We'll be continuing to share resources for anyone looking for ways to support hurricane recovery. A few recommendations are below. Small, community-rooted organizations are uniquely positioned to do this work- they can move quickly and are often the most connected to local needs and culture, which makes an enormous difference- so we recommend focusing your giving there. Appalachian Hurricane Response Fund (via Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky): https://lnkd.in/gs6JzB-q Operation Airdrop: https://lnkd.in/e7R9KyDS Beloved Asheville (mutual aid program in Asheville, NC): Venmo @BelovedAsheville Florida Grassroots Hurricane Community Recovery Fund (Via the Miami Foundation): https://lnkd.in/gP9eeXb2 and type Florida Grassroots Hurricane Community Recovery Fund If there's an organization that you trust and that you'd like to recommend to folks looking for ways to help, please share it in the comments. And if you're looking for advice on giving and raising money in response to Hurricane Helene, please check this newsletter from The Funding Seed's September 2023 archives: https://lnkd.in/g8zTtMBg Image description: A tiny green shoot with two leaves is growing out of the soil.

Hello, Detroit! Looking forward to seeing all the grassroots fundraisers at the Innovative Fundraising, LLC Stories + Money = Change conference! Image description: Nora is a white woman wearing a green shirt and pink glasses, smiling in front of a large poster that says "Welcome to Detroit"over an image of the Detroit city skyline.