Future of Good’s Post

This is such an important conversation! The limited funding options for organization digital skills training really hold nonprofits back from growing. It’s so important that we find ways to close these gaps, not just to boost individual skills, but to strengthen the entire sector's capacity.

Listening to Patrick MacKenzie, Manjeet Dhiman, Steve Reynolds and Tonie Chaltas discussing the desire to focus on #outcomes, rather than outputs. I absolutely agree, *and* tracking real, long term social outcomes is a lot harder than nonprofits are given credit for, making a lot of outcome data...wrong, or little more than outputs. 1) As a former academic very familiar with #surveyfatigue, in gathering outcome data, we need to recognize misaligned incentives between what is in it for "us" (nonprofits, or funders incl. government) who want this data to create better data driven programs, vs. the incentives for our research subjects (in this case, newcomers). What do/can we offer to incentivise the gathering of qualitative data 6 months, 1 year, 3+ years down the road? A couple good examples were shared: Manjeet Dhiman mentioned the community created at ACCES Employment that clients want to return to that helps people stay involved. Patrick MacKenzie mentioned Immigrant Employment Council of BC's work with employers to understand and align value for their knowledge and hiring practices. Otherwise though, this needs more thought. 2) Then you add in the constraints of low #nonprofitfunding, short project timeframes, and the common pressure to #scale #impact ("what you're doing works? Great, now reach more people!"). The result is a version of the "good, fast, cheap: pick two" adage for social impact: "gather deep longitudinal outcome data (good); scale your impact (big); and stretch your budget (cheap)" For both ourselves and funders, it should be: pick two. All to say, YES we should be focusing on #outcomes, but there needs to be deeper understanding from nonprofits and funders of what it takes to realistically do so. Fortunately, smart minds in #MEL have been tackling this for a while, and I'm excited about the opportunities for tech to help with some (but not all) of the problem. #FutureofSettlementServices The Conference Board of Canada #ImmigrationSummit2024

Here’s something worth reflecting on: When we think about societal infrastructure, our minds often turn to roads, schools, and hospitals—physical structures that hold society together. But there’s another critical part of this framework that deserves attention: Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). NGOs lie at the heart of social welfare, driving community development and tackling some of society’s most pressing challenges. From providing healthcare in underserved areas to advocating for environmental sustainability, and in my case at Youth Up Front , young people, NGO contributions are both diverse and invaluable. This is why government investment in NGOs isn’t just charity—it’s strategy. When governments allocate resources to strengthen these organisations, they help deliver improved public services, foster innovation in social programs, and ultimately build stronger, more resilient communities. But it needs to be consistent and without gaps! Take innovation, for example. NGOs often bring fresh perspectives and grassroots solutions to the table—ideas that governments and large institutions might not develop on their own. And when we support their work, we fuel the kind of creativity that leads to real, lasting change. Collaboration between public and private sectors is key to tackling societal challenges. It’s time we recognise NGOs as essential partners in driving progress and invest in them like the vital infrastructure they truly are. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. How do you think government and NGOs could work more effectively together to create a better future for all? Share your insights in the comments below!

Appreciated this recent article from Stanford Social Innovation Review that dives into the topic of unrestricted funding barriers. The article highlights some of the common challenges faced by organizations seeking unrestricted funding and offers insights on how to move past these barriers. Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/gnaP4nQ9

"The gifts of time, respect, and trust, and the ability to focus on what an individual or organization most needs to do may be the most powerful investment funders can make in communities." The ways in which public and private funding unduly influence community school implementation highlights an ironic paradox. Community school strategies are about being intentionally responsive to the priorities of students and their communities, and yet, when available (& needed) funding -- and those " in charge" of the funding -- are the primary drivers, we should examine the underlying motivations and assumptions behind "WHAT needs to change," "WHO needs to change," and "HOW change needs to happen." Community schools work takes time, respect, and trust. And that commitment has to be courageously modeled from the "top." Thanks Elisha Smith Arrillaga, Ph.D. for sharing this important invitation for reflection, dialogue, and action.

Eye opening look at funding practices at big NGOs. Key takeaways: - Optimize on one funding source, and reject the mythical “diversification” dead end. - Government and earned revenue are best funding sources. https://lnkd.in/gtS_Mp5R

Our 2023 Lookback Report shows that even in the midst of increasing polarization and diminishing social cohesion, generosity unites people across boundaries. TLDR; Global giving ecosystems are thriving. 🫶 https://lnkd.in/dsNGrfEu

By all means, let's keep infantilizing nonprofit organizations with burdensome, overly-restricted grant awards as opposed to treating them like the professional problem-solvers that they are. The greatest irony is that with unrestricted funding, NPOs can actually build their internal capacity to "absorb more funding" and grow more programs and services. The fact remains that capacity building and organizational effectiveness drive programmatic excellence, and rely on fiscally healthy, resilient, and sustainable infrastructure, operations, administration, and systems. These in turn rely on unrestricted funding that nourishes the roots of our work so that our programmatic branches can thrive, reach out, and achieve mission-focused outcomes. Philanthropy should not be a zero sum game with grant award winners and losers populating the funding landscape. And people with money are not smarter than the people pursuing money. (Indeed, you want a lesson in how to stretch a dollar, follow a nonprofit finance person around for just one day.) Funders: if you are truly concerned about an organization's ability to "absorb more funding," then provide them with resources to build their capacity to do so. https://lnkd.in/dWFKHH4S

Want to know why your nonprofit’s traditional approach might be limiting your impact? Our latest outlook explores how to break free from outdated thinking.

🌟 Exciting News! Our 2023 Impact Report is Here! 🌟 We are thrilled to announce the release of our latest Impact Report for 2023. This comprehensive report highlights the incredible achievements of our team throughout the year, showcasing our recognition and the positive social impact we are making across Australia. 📚 What's Impact Did We Make in 2023? - Expanded Textbook Library: We have expanded our library of support to more than 4 published textbooks and donated more than 200 textbooks to low-SES schools. - More Visibility: With our new Elucidate platform coming online, we've surpassed more than 43k views on the platform. - Growing Team: Welcoming new volunteers who share our passion and drive. - East Coast Presence: Establishing a stronger foothold on the East Coast of Australia with a new project supported by the University of Melbourne. We are excited about the greater impact we will continue to make. Thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey! #ImpactReport #SocialImpact #Australia #Education #2023Achievements #LookingForward