charity: water’s Post

VESTED Voices: Mike Pereira As a founder of the nonprofit Battlefields to Ballfields, NFL Sports Analyst Mike Pereira is creating a lasting legacy—one that helps both veterans and the sports community. In this VESTED Voices video, learn what inspired him to start the organization and how he hopes it will grow in the future. Then, read more about launching a nonprofit in the VESTED article, “A Real Game Changer”.

Want to network with some of Boston's best and brightest nonprofit leaders? Join us May 30th for our next event—Networking Night With Massachusetts Nonprofit Network (MNN)'s Nonprofit Excellence Award Nominees! Register today! #BostonEvents #Boston

Have you ever wondered what sets truly successful people apart?  I've heard everything from 4 AM rituals to mountaintop meditation retreats, but I've got a different theory. I believe it's their emotional intelligence (EQ)—their ability to understand, connect, and empathize with others. As someone who straddles the worlds of creative inspiration and business leadership daily, I've experienced firsthand how vital EQ is in helping others see your vision, whether pitching a campaign that can change a brand or pitching a business that can change the world. Recently, I've been reflecting on how cultivating EQ has played a pivotal role in my professional and personal development, enabling me to build authentic relationships, communicate effectively, and approach conflict with empathy and tact. These soft skills, now seemingly inseparable from my sense of self, are owed almost entirely to the example my parents set and their subsequent investment in my education. Sadly, most kids don't grow up with that kind of privilege. I believe that these life-changing skills shouldn't be kept behind a border, a zip code, or a paywall. Studies show that kids who are given the opportunity to succeed, more often than not, do. Imagine a world where every student has the opportunity to develop these skills early on, regardless of their background. This is the world that Prismatic wants to build. Prismatic is a Chicago-based nonprofit dedicated to equipping students with the invaluable EQ skills they need to succeed from the classroom to the boardroom—and beyond. Their mission is close to my heart, which is why I recently joined their Associate Board and am thrilled to support them in any way I can. Prismatic’s upcoming fundraising event, an indoor mini golf extravaganza, is more than just an event—it's a chance to invest in the future of our students and, by extension, our communities. It’s also a chance to test whether or not people with high EQ index higher on mini golf performance. Guess we’ll see. I would love to see you there, not just as attendees, but as supporters of a movement that values emotional growth and its transformative power. Your presence would mean the world to me and to the countless students who will benefit from your support. Sign up to attend Prismatic’s Big Mini Summer Fundraiser here: https://lnkd.in/gkc5WNtu Check out more about Prismatic and how we're making a difference at https://lnkd.in/gXutzJRg. #EQ #education #nonprofit #fundraiser

Win a FREE 🌟 Marketing & Philanthropy Strategy Session through our #BusinessMemberShine partners, Strat Labs. As a social impact agency, Strat Labs powers the purpose of nonprofit organizations in Colorado and beyond through strategic marketing and philanthropy. Enter today to win your 1-hour strategy session with their team of experts. Each session will be tailored to your organization's unique needs, goals, and challenges. Three lucky nonprofits will win!

In the world of Non-Profit, the search for dedicated board members can feel like an uphill battle. I've personally faced this struggle, and it's not easy. Have you felt this too? That's why I want to share something close to my heart: BoardBuild. They're more than just a platform; they're a lifeline for organizations like ours. BoardBuild links nonprofit boards with passionate leaders, fostering transformative connections that enrich our communities. And the best part? You can showcase your non-profit role for free on their site today. Let's not let this opportunity pass us by! Check out BoardBuild today:

Check out the Business Matters pages to see which businesses have been making an impact to life saving missions. If you would like to find out how your business can get involved get in touch at Pam.hodgetts@midlandsairambulance.com

RSM’s special lookback on the nonprofit industry offers key insights into the trends affecting organizations nationwide! Measuring Impact, Inspiring Change!

I’m just finishing up my first year as a Board Member for Apparo - Business and Tech Solutions for Nonprofits and I have to say: I’m so proud to be working with this group of incredible people. This annual advance meeting was one of the best board meetings—honestly, one of the best meetings!—I’ve ever experienced. Why? Because it was a great combination of learning, collaboration, and engagement. In fact, I left this meeting so energized—and with a better understanding of both my fellow board members and the opportunities and challenges for Apparo—that I decided to write about it. My full blog post is in the comments below, but in brief, here are the four shifts that were made at this board meeting to create maximum engagement: ✔️ Make pre-reading a prerequisite. We’ve all been at those meetings where you sit and go through a huge slideshow of data—one that was probably emailed to you several days in advance. Asking board members to read everything ahead of time—and hold the first 20 minutes for any questions or concerns related to the pre-read materials—will help you get to meaningful discussion much quicker. ✔️ Develop specific discussion questions. Having a set of questions that guide your meeting conversation—whether it’s related to a specific challenge or theme the board wants to tackle—makes it possible to stay on task and actually talk about the important issues. ✔️ Break the mold of a “typical” board meeting. Board meetings need structure, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be fun. Have a set part of your agenda devoted to celebrations, or gamify your meeting (this is what was done at this meeting, with Apparo trivia!). It’s a great way for your members to learn about your organization and connect with others. ✔️ Give board members opportunities to get to know each other. This is incredibly important—boards are stronger together, and that means being able to trust one another. Consider baking in pre- or post-networking into your board meetings by having a social hour, or grabbing dinner together afterwards. Thank you again to the Apparo board for this impactful meeting. I appreciate you all! 

Check out this article from Nonprofit Leadership Center: 4 Steps to Attract & Retain More Donors Every Month Read Here: https://hubs.ly/Q02ztFMN0

Another month, another series of roundtables! Join us for an opportunity to collaborate with, learn from and connect with nonprofit professionals. 🌟 Our Fundraising Roundtable on March 14 from 9 - 10 a.m. Conversations will be facilitated by nonprofit development leaders throughout Colorado to help strengthen your organization's fundraising program. 🌟 The Operations & Finance Roundtable on March 19 from 9 - 10 a.m. Strengthen your organization's operations and finance departments, all while growing your professional network. Sign up today! #CONonprofits #NonprofitFundraising #NonprofitOperations