Levain Bakery’s Post

Here's the truth💖 As an organization that's seen the incredible results of women-led fundraising campaigns, we can tell you it's about more than just money. These campaigns create a powerful ripple effect, inspiring others, driving positive change, and building stronger communities. Over the years, we’ve successfully collaborated with libraries, humane societies, community colleges, and more than 35 organizations, all achieving remarkable fundraising results.  Imagine what you could accomplish with this kind of energy behind your mission.  Our proven strategies have helped countless organizations reach their fundraising goals, and we’re here to tell you: If they can do it, so can you!  With our support, you’ll not only set ambitious targets but also cultivate a community that rallies around your mission.  So, are you ready to make an impact? Reach out to us today to get started on your own campaign. ✨🤍

Project 2025. Hot topic.... Blaq Gurl Fya's founder, Safiya Eshe Gyasi ways in... It's July 31, 2024 and Trump is invited to speak at a convention in Downtown Chicago . Our founder was on her way to attend a Disability Luncheon with the Mayor. Before arriving at her final destination, protestors could be seen and heard outside of the bus window. Commotions occurred on the bus. Conversations ranging from admiration to feeling in-different about Trump presents in Chicago. It's now after 2pm. Our founder decides to observe the protests, but upon arrival on two people were left. Disagreement on Project 2025 erupted. Blaq Gurl Fya's founder views Project 2025 as propaganda. In accordance of the reality Trump-adjacent republicans sees fit. A great opportunity has been initiated. Of creating the new earth. filled with freedom, unity, inclusion for all. How can philanthropic giving be used to create institutional and systemic change????

Through We Rise Together: For an Equitable & Just Recovery, we are learning about the outsized impact grocery stores have on neighborhood economies. We Rise Together, a collaborative of 160 funders led by The Chicago Community Trust, has supported some 40 real estate developments in long-disinvested communities since 2021. As these projects open, we’re learning about the impact of these places through a robust evaluation, another benefit of a collaborative funding model. With our evaluation partner Mastercard Data Services, we are seeing that grocers produce immediate and measurable impacts on total traffic to an area when they open and close. Closing a larger grocery store produces a further reaching effect than opening a smaller local grocery store. As more projects open their doors, we will continue to share what we’re learning through our ongoing evaluation. #Chicago #Philanthropy #WeRiseWednesdays

A unique pig, raised freely in the best pastures, is the origin of an exclusive product. Learn more about it in this video.

So crucial to think about HOW your story or the story of your organization is being told. Transactional and transformational narratives are just a few tactics in data impact storytelling, one thing we’re pretty familiar with at Truckee Meadows Tomorrow. I love thinking about the best storytellers I know … inviting, full of trust, detail, humor, and passion. Let us follow in their footsteps! Who is the best storyteller you know and WHY?

In fiscal year 2023, EMpower hosted 41 events around the world that meaningfully engaged young people as spokespersons and/or contributors. For close to 20 years, EMpower has sought to intentionally position and heed the wisdom of young people, especially girls, in our programmes. Today, we are systematically listening to young people and harnessing their perspectives in every region in which we work. This approach comes from a deeply held belief and value: there is no greater expert on the lives of young people than young people themselves. They have deep insights into the challenges they face and possible solutions and opportunities—all based on their lived experiences. Young people have a fundamental place in EMpower’s vision and strategy, and we are committed to creating space more broadly for their voices in philanthropy. Check out our latest Annual Report to learn more: https://lnkd.in/gwsZRsyn

Becoming Techstars mentor this year has introduced me to some inspiring founders, including Elya Lane of Corra Health, who's developing an AI-powered health assistant. Elya is developing an AI-powered health assistant, drawing from her personal experiences. She's currently fundraising for a new service animal to support her as she builds her company. If you're passionate about backing innovative founders and their projects, consider contributing to Elya's fundraiser. It's a tangible way to support a founder who's addressing the needs of an often overlooked demographic while turning personal challenges into impactful solutions. https://lnkd.in/es5dhrce

It is always a pleasure to have my long-time friend Steven Dyme, CEO of Flowers For Dreams, join my DePaul Driehaus College of Business class this week. Steven spoke on his entrepreneurial journey and how social impact is woven into the fabric of Flowers for Dreams. A few fire takeaways and quotes: 🗻 Start small but think big—Begin with a focused product or service and scale up responsibly. Flowers for Dreams started selling flowers for graduations and has evolved into special events like weddings. 🏃♀️ Adaptability is essential — Steven started selling flowers from a cart at high school graduations.  This evolved into a business with 3 physical locations that is thriving in its second decade of operations. ♎ Community and sustainability can drive profitability — Embedding purpose into your business can yield substantial long-term benefits. Flowers for Dreams contributes 25% of its profits to local nonprofits (Over 1.5 million donated). This continues to drive goodwill amongst the employees, citizens of the community, and all the F4D customers. More information on the foundation can be found here: https://lnkd.in/g3n6axBD ♻ Local impact — Focusing on local production and contributions can significantly enhance community engagement and sustainability. F4D continues to source all its flowers locally, building stronger ties with the entire supply chain. 😊 Don’t judge yourself too hard —Start tinkering, building, and moving forward.

Hey Kansas City, You know, every time I think about what we're doing at Kansas City GIFT, I can't help but smile. And today, I've got a big reason to. Thanks to your unwavering support, @Vine Street Brewing Co. has just leveled up in a major way. Imagine this: our community, thriving, buzzing with the energy of success. That's the vision we're turning into reality, one grant at a time. But let's get real for a second. This moment? It's bigger than beer. It's about our hustle, resilience, and unbreakable Kansas City spirit. It's about taking the seeds of what if and nurturing them into the fruits of what is. With a new fermenter in their arsenal, Vine Street is pumping out orders and boosting their bottom line faster than ever. This isn't just a win; it's a transformation. Massive props to Vine Street Brewing Co. for brewing up excellence and crafting a legacy that'll inspire generations. And to my Kansas City GIFT family—this victory is as much yours as theirs. Your generosity is the backbone of dreams like this. It's the spark that lights up the future. But why stop here? Our mission—to close the racial wealth gap, to uplift and empower Black-owned businesses, to transform economically disadvantaged areas into beacons of opportunity—this mission is far from complete. It's about more than financial support; it's about building a movement. A movement where every success story, like Vine Street's, paves the way for countless more. This journey has so much more, and your role is vital. Your support, your belief, it's what makes all this possible. Ready to dive deeper? Visit us at www.kansascitygift.org and become a donor today. Here's to the wins we've shared, the stories we've told, and the countless glasses we've yet to raise. Because when we lift one another, we all rise. Let's keep brewing success, one dream, one grant, one community at a time. #KansasCityGIFT #vinestreetbrewing #BlackOwnedBusinesses #MissionDriven #TogetherWeRise #if15000peopledonated10amonth

The name Children's Legacy Partnership is always a mouthful!  Back when I started the foundation finding a name that conveyed our vision was challenging. I wanted it to be short but it was hard to find a name that wasn't taken. After a lot of brainstorming the name grew out of what we hoped to accomplish. Read our latest blog post to learn more https://lnkd.in/eehD5RGe