Craig Pollard’s Post

Check out this episode of A Closer Look on WDIY 88.1 FM with our very own Board of Governors Vice Chair, Laurie Hackett and Vice President of Diversity Councils, Brittany Keal!

These are 2 of the most experienced place-based change makers around. For those interested in how to enable communities to create change, come and hear Dame Julia and David in conversation

I had a great time hosting a NeuGroup DEI session last week to celebrate Juneteenth with not-for-profit CDFI Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), and four of their corporate investor partners. LISC's Michelle Spivak and I facilitated a robust roundtable talk with several corporate leaders on their company's efforts to fund initiatives with real impact in underserved communities, including: - DuPont Treasurer Mike Heffernan, CFA - Wayfair Head of IR and Treasury James Lamb, CFA - DICK'S Sporting Goods Director of Treasury Joshua Conklin, CTP and - Costco Wholesale Chief Diversity Officer Alison Francis Takeaways for corporate treasury leaders: - Your childhood zip code still significantly impacts your life and finances - Partnering with experienced organizations like LISC on impactful initiatives in underserved communities can make a tremendous difference. - You can get involved with impact investing through several avenues, including donations, impact bonds, impact funds, and volunteer activities. - The long-term trend is clear: Corporate America plays a crucial role in promoting inclusivity and leveling the playing field. - The earlier you jump in, the earlier you can be a part of the solution. Stay tuned for more discussions and corporate case studies in the coming months. Joseph Neu Greg Manko

Please consider joining us Monday evening (June 10, 5–7 p.m.) at Merriment Social for a big conversation about the performing arts in Milwaukee. Complimentary appetizers and cash bar. Technically, this is about policy, but it's also about what is needed to sustain a vibrant arts community. Elaine Schmidt and I co-researched and co-authored a Wisconsin Policy Forum report with WPF President Rob Henken (see link to the report, Curtain Time, within the below invitation). The report is the impetus for the event. It explores the sector's sustainability, looks at critical decisions on the horizon, and highlights what's working in other cities. Please register through the link below so the WPF has a headcount. #PerformingArts #Nonprofit #Philanthropy #WisconsinPolicyForum

At Learning Forte, our congregational and nonprofit backgrounds have made us empathetic to our colleagues preparing for program year launches. How are you embracing your constraints and turning them into opportunities for creativity and innovation? In this new blog post, Learning Forte Founder and CEO Stacy Williams-Duncan shares about how to unlock time and resource constraints. https://loom.ly/b2J4ZUY

For my Friends in the DC Metro area: Imagine the anguish of a parent who wants nothing more than for their child to be understood, accepted, and given the same opportunities as others. For so many families, finding a place where their child’s unique needs are not just met, but embraced, feels impossible. The National Children's Center (NCC) has been a beacon of hope for these families for 65 years. It’s where children who were once isolated and misunderstood found a community that saw their potential and celebrated their progress. Yet, the journey to this place of acceptance is often filled with pain. The pain of watching a child struggle in environments not built for them. The pain of feeling like you’re always fighting an uphill battle to ensure they receive the support they need. And for some, the heartbreaking realization that their child may never have the opportunities that others take for granted. But NCC offers something rare: a place where these battles don’t have to be fought alone. It’s a sanctuary where families find the support, understanding, and resources they need to help their children flourish. This gala is more than just a celebration of 65 years; it’s a reminder of all the work that still needs to be done, of the countless children who still need that sanctuary. By supporting NCC, you’re not just attending an event—you’re giving hope to families who need it the most. You’re helping to build a future where every child, no matter their abilities, can thrive. Join us in making that future a reality. Learn more about the gala and how you can help. https://lnkd.in/ebEFRAwg

At The Learning Tree’s Common Ground Gathering we will learn together as we attempt to reframe and reenvision how we perceive our world. We’ll put on lenses of abundance to glimpse the hope and vitality already around us. We’ll ask questions like these: How have cultures of abundance been nurtured and cultivated? How do we create communities where each neighbor’s contributions are seen as promising and additive gifts? How have we developed, and how could we develop, our community’s capacity to envision a different, more vibrant, gracious, and collaborative world? Communities big and small—from a few individuals on city blocks and small nonprofits to colleges, university hospitals, and major foundations—are putting on these lenses, and soon we’ll convene to learn from one another, for we all have much to offer and much to learn. Thanks to De'Amon Harges, I’m pleased to be part of the local planning committee with colleagues here in Indianapolis. Join us in the Hoosier capital from Wednesday, May 15, to Friday, May 17, to learn together! If you’d like to share your (or your organization’s) work in innovative, compassionate, assets-based community formation, we’re still accepting presentation proposals! Submit proposals, register to attend, and learn more at the link below. Come and see the abundance we, and you, have to offer!

We envision a future where every young person, in every community, has the opportunity to discover their passion and purpose through service. A future where schools, nonprofits, businesses, and governments work together to create a vibrant ecosystem of youth service opportunities. A future where service is celebrated as a path to leadership, innovation, and social change. This is the future we're working towards at Service Academy. Will you join us in making it a reality? - Ryan & Thomas Growney #NewServiceAcademy Image description: Over a black and white photograph of two teenagers, the words “A future where...” are displayed running vertically from bottom to top of the image.

As a lifelong learner, meeting and learning and laughing with colleagues is uplifting and rejuvenating. Take a minute to laugh with a colleague it makes the journey more meaningful. Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE) #piqestrong #leadershipdevelopment #nonprofitleadership

Ok, #24NTC is approaching. It's time to start considering what to pack for Portland. For all our existing and future friends who are attending in person or virtually, we wanted to share a bit more about our Brand Leadership / Digital Strategy Giveaway. We're eager to celebrate the wonderful NTEN Nonprofit Technology Network community by giving away a "Choose Your Own Adventure" workshop to two organizations: Brand Leadership Options: - Brand Alignment - Core Messages - Content Strategy Digital Strategy Options: - Digital Assessment - Brand Stack Health Check - Activation Strategy These aren't going to be "sales calls in disguise". We're talking about robust, professionally-facilitated, human-centered engagements tailored to a organization's greatest needs with shareable, actionable takeaways. To register, I'll post a QR code in the NTC app discussion area or seek me out once the conference kicks off. ALL attending organizations are eligible, whether a nonprofit or a for-profit who serves them. Can't wait to be there, and can't wait to see old friends and make new ones while representing BPOZ Brand Leadership. #BenevolentBusiness #BrandLeadership #Nonprofits #NonprofitTech #NTC #24NTC