Chibuzo Chibuzo’s Post

Happy New Year!!!! Looking for a New Year’s resolution? I often call myself an accidental Executive Director which is kind of wild because this will be my 14th year in this very cool, challenging and exciting career. I never would have had this opportunity if I didn’t volunteer and have amazing mentors. So if you’re not feeling fulfilled by your job and/or you feel passionate about giving back to your community- let 2024 be your year to volunteer. Nonprofits need your expertise, talent and ideas! How do I volunteer? Explore social issues that are important to you. Research organizations that are doing meaningful work that you connect to. Reach out! Some organizations might have formal volunteer opportunities and others might have projects while some might need a little time to determine how to best utilize your expertise. There is no wrong way to volunteer because volunteering is good for your career, good for your soul, and good for your community. It’s a win-win-win! I look forward to hearing about your volunteer successes on LinkedIn! #volunteer #nonprofit #communityimpact

Contemplating a career change? Here are top 3 reasons you should consider working at a nonprofit organization: 1️⃣ Purpose-Driven Work: Nonprofits are fueled by a mission to make a positive impact. Working for a cause you believe in adds a profound sense of purpose to your daily tasks. 2️⃣ Diverse Opportunities: Nonprofits often allow you to explore and develop various skills while contributing to a meaningful cause. 3️⃣ Community and Collaboration: Joining a nonprofit means becoming part of a passionate community. Collaborate with like-minded individuals, build lasting connections, and witness the collective efforts toward creating positive change. Ready to make a difference? Explore the world of nonprofits and discover a fulfilling career that goes beyond the paycheck! #Nonprofits #Recruiter #TalentAcquisition #MakeADifference

🌟 Working in Nonprofits 🌟 For nearly 20 years, I have passionately dedicated my career to the nonprofit sector, making a difference through education and media. My journey has encompassed various roles, including marketing, communications, events, team building, and donor relations. In each of these areas, I am driven by a profound commitment to creating a positive impact and contributing to meaningful causes. Here are a few reasons why I have found joy in working in nonprofits: ✨ Purpose-Driven Work: Knowing that my efforts directly contribute to improving lives and communities gives my work profound meaning. It's incredibly rewarding to see the tangible differences we make. 🤝 Collaboration and Community: The nonprofit sector is filled with passionate, dedicated individuals who share a common goal of making the world a better place. Working alongside such inspiring colleagues and partners fosters a sense of unity and purpose. 📚 Continuous Learning and Growth: Nonprofit work often requires creativity, adaptability, and resourcefulness. Wearing many hats, I am constantly learning new skills, facing diverse challenges, and finding innovative solutions to complex problems. 💕 Giving Back: Using my career as a way to give back to the community and support those in need, aligns with my values and allows me to live out my faith through service and compassion. 💡 Inspiring Stories: Every day, I encounter stories of resilience, hope, and transformation. These stories not only motivate me but also remind me of the incredible impact we can have when we come together for a common cause. Working in nonprofits has been a journey of passion, purpose, and profound fulfillment. I am grateful for the opportunity to make a difference and look forward to continuing this rewarding path. 🌍❤️ #NonprofitLife #PurposeDriven #MakingADifference #Community #PassionForChange

From Tennisha the Human: (here’s a “My views are my own and not that of my employer or nonprofit” lol) Respectfully, I see so many people who are reporting that they are sad or heart broken about this organization shutting down due to a lack of funding. It’s not unsurprising due to the economic climate that we are in and the overall attack on DEI going on. I saw so many people respond to this post speaking about how they helped them get their first job, or helped them when they were starting out. I’m not going to hold you too long but i’ve got some quick questions: When you got that job did you reach back to volunteer to help others coming behind you? Did you offer to mentor? When you got that first check did you drop them a couple dollars? Did you shout from the rooftops on your socials that they helped you in your career to help provide you with skills to get a job? Did you go and offer to teach a workshop when you learned new things? Did you take advantage of donation matching at your job and drop them some money each month? Did you share their posts on socials? Did you reach out to your company’s corporate giving to see if your company could support that organization? Did you reach out to that organization to help get their members jobs? When you were in a position to hire people did you reach back to that org to recommend that they interview for your open positions? Did you support them while they were around or did you just utilize their services …and when you leveled up and didn’t need them anymore move on with your life until you saw that post…? 👀Nooooo!?! I’m sad you wasted an opportunity to give back and help a community that helped you. Unfortunately, there’s now one less org helping women to excel. Nonprofits operate on two extremely valuable currencies: time and money. https://lnkd.in/eUrCmt2W #nonprofits

Exciting Volunteer Opportunity! Are you passionate about making a difference and developing valuable skills? Join our nonprofit team as we expand and transition. Gain hands-on experience in event planning, community outreach, and more. Why Volunteer with Us? Skill Development: Enhance your event planning, community engagement, and project management skills. Networking: Connect with professionals and like-minded individuals dedicated to creating positive change. Personal Growth: Contribute to a meaningful cause and develop leadership qualities. Boost Your Professional Profile: Stand out with impactful volunteer experience! Interested in learning more? Reach out for additional details or to express your interest in volunteering. Let's collaborate to make a difference! #VolunteerOpportunity #Nonprofit #CommunityEngagement #SkillDevelopment #MakeADifference #SocialImpact #CommunityOutreach #EventPlanning #LeadershipDevelopment #ProfessionalDevelopment #CareerGrowth #Networking #SocialGood #SupportNonprofits #GiveBack #ChangeMakers #InspireChange #BuildingCommunities #VolunteerWork #GetInvolved

🌟 Exciting Opportunity for Non-Profit Organizations! 🌟 Are you looking to expand your impact and connect with passionate individuals across different cities? Look no further! Here are some key strategies to bring enthusiastic focal persons on board for your non-profit organization: 1️⃣ Utilize Social Media Platforms: Leverage the power of social media to spread the word about your organization and the opportunity to become a focal person. Engage with communities, share impactful stories, and encourage interested individuals to reach out. 2️⃣ Host Virtual Information Sessions: Organize virtual information sessions to provide insights into your organization's mission, values, and the role of focal persons. This allows potential candidates from different cities to learn more and ask questions from the comfort of their own homes. 3️⃣ Tap into Existing Networks: Reach out to existing supporters, volunteers, and partners to spread the word about the opportunity. They may know passionate individuals in other cities who would be eager to get involved. 4️⃣ Collaborate with Local Groups: Partner with local community groups, universities, and institutions in different cities to identify individuals who are already engaged in social impact initiatives and may be interested in becoming focal persons for your organization. 5️⃣ Offer Flexible Engagement Options: Recognize that individuals in different cities may have varying availability and commitments. Offer flexible engagement options, such as remote volunteering opportunities or part-time roles, to accommodate their schedules. 6️⃣ Provide Training and Support: Once you've onboarded focal persons, provide comprehensive training and ongoing support to empower them in their roles. This could include resources, mentorship, and regular check-ins to ensure they feel equipped and valued. By implementing these strategies, you can attract passionate focal persons from different cities who are eager to contribute to your non-profit organization's mission and drive positive change in their communities. Together, we can make a difference! #NonProfit #CommunityEngagement #SocialImpact 🌍✨

Ten weeks ago today, I left my role at my previous employer. In that time, I have been very selective with the organizations I have applied for, and to date, I have interviewed with over 40% of the organizations I have applied for. I have only applied for 35 jobs since June - not the hundreds that many job seekers have been doing. Thirty of those have been in the last ten weeks. In the last two weeks, three organizations contacted references, one offer was made, and I decided to continue to look for the right fit for me. The #jobsearch process is not for the faint of heart. I have liked the three organizations where I was a finalist and would have accepted the one if salary expectations aligned. I felt confident when references were being checked, but I understand that things happen that are out of my control. I continue to learn so much in this process, and I ask my network to keep me in mind if you or someone you know has a remote nonprofit role for this type of candidate: - a self-starter who is driven to build processes and systems that enable a culture of philanthropy to thrive. - a keen listener who has recently raised over $2.5M from first-time donors. - an integral member of a small team raising $13-$15M annually. - successfully closed multiple six and 7-figure grants from foundations and gifts from individuals. - an empowering leader who provides teams with the tools they need to succeed and gets out of the way. - experience in raising 501c3, 501c4, and PAC funds. - passion for k-12 education, social justice, equity, democracy, climate, and more. If you are scrolling LinkedIn on a Friday night, I would welcome a comment for reach and to help with the algorithm. #opentowork #fundraising #philanthropy #leadership

Ready to increase your impact? 📢 Our second tip in giving back to your community is all about "Spreading the News." Sharing information about your favorite non-profits or community projects can significantly expand their reach and effectiveness. Whether online through social media, email, or in person, talking about the causes you care about can inspire others to get involved or support. You can make a big difference simply by starting conversations, posting about events, or inviting friends to join you in volunteer activities. Don't underestimate the power of your voice! 🗣️💬 Share stories, updates, and successes of the projects you love. Use hashtags, tag the organizations, and encourage discussions within your network. Let's get the word out and grow our community impact together! 🌟👫 #makeadifference #groundworkjax #jaxfl #904jax #supportnonprofits

😎☀️Summer is coming, and we are already planning our youth activities and camps for #OurCommunity ! Need to meet engagement requirements for your company but don’t know where to start? Here are some tips. 👉 Grab a list of non-profits from your local Chamber of Commerce or United Way. Non-profits listed in these types of directories are integral parts of the local business world and the community. It makes for great optics! 👉Find out what times of year are best for engagement as a company. It’s difficult to volunteer in the middle of peak season. (Maybe opt for a donation instead.) 👉Survey your team members with a list of volunteer opportunities to see what they are interested in. 👉Work with your team leaders and HR to see if engagement can be done in-house. Ex: Facility Tours or a Day in the Life Activities. 👉If not, tether to projects or see how your company can contribute to existing programs. Ex: Dothan Housing Authorities summer youth camps or feeding programs. 👉Can’t do any of the above? Share information on opportunities through your company email and incentivize employees who volunteer or contribute locally. 💙Employees involved in the community, wearing company gear or representing your company by name, attract new business opportunities, create brand awareness, strengthen team dynamics, and potentially create a “great place to work” buzz. Companies who give back to their communities by implementing stakeholder capitalism ideals ultimately make a greater economic impact than companies who do not. This can be done on ANY level be it Fortune 500 or local Mom & Pop. Either way, we hope you consider your local housing authority as a recipient of your volunteer and donor spirit. 😁

What is your impetus to try new things? I wish I could say I had an internal voice that gave me the gumption to be brave, but usually external forces have played roles in switching jobs, tackling a new endeavor, or going out on a limb. Earlier in my career (and still today) it was friends or family who encouraged me to do something new – like apply for a better job opportunity or throw my hat in the ring for a leadership opportunity with a local or national organization. These days, it’s my fellow female-lead business owners who are pushing me to stretch my goals and try new things. I’ve found that who you surround yourself with really matters, and having a group of like-minded people who want what is best for you and your business has been the greatest experience. Their advice and support have led to Kimberly and me trying new things, pushing up timelines, and not being afraid to fail. If you haven’t found your community of cheerleaders yet, I suggest you start looking. Join a membership organization within your field and get involved – meet the other go-getters. Check out a local business owners gathering in your community. Don’t be afraid to create your own group if one doesn’t already exist. I promise you – business colleagues who are willing to share insights, experiences, and advice are priceless. Shoutout to those who make me better!! ********************************************************************************* Hi, I’m Amanda! I help nonprofits, local governments, and member associations grow grant-writing and fundraising capacity to transform their communities. If you liked this post, let’s connect on LinkedIn! #grantwriting #nonprofits #localgov #members #municipalities #associationmanagement #philanthropy