Mark DeWitt’s Post

In the intricate dance of human interaction within nonprofit organizations, subtle yet powerful forces known as attributional biases can shape perceptions, influence judgments, and ultimately impact the overall culture and effectiveness. These biases, often operating beneath conscious awareness, can lead to misunderstandings, conflicts, and missed opportunities for collaboration. In our previous posts, we talked about many of these biases. We continue with even more in this final post of the 3-part series. https://lnkd.in/e4vwh_Kw

Why do simple acts of kindness matter in a complex world? What happened to initiatives funded by hearts of gold and a dash of donated time? 🤔 In a world where complexity often overshadows simplicity, I was struck by a story that harkened back to the essence of community service and volunteerism. Back in 2010, my church volunteered its services free of charge. Every Wednesday, I would make my way to The Salvation Army, climb up to the third floor, unlock the door to the computer lab, and fire up the desktops. ✨ I dedicated those evenings to assisting individuals in setting up email accounts, crafting resumes, and navigating job applications. It was a small commitment of 1-2 hours/week, but its impact was undeniably profound.❤️ This experience is a testament to the power of volunteer work. Not every societal advancement necessitates a mega-budget - speaking directly to the DEI initiatives happening in Detroit today. Sometimes, the currency of human compassion, time, and effort can be enough. 💡 I share this as a reminder of the significant change each of us can make with even the smallest contributions of time. The act of volunteering is alive and well, and it's something that can fit into even the busiest of schedules. What can you do? What does your heart compel you to do? Remember, when it comes to making a difference, your presence and intention can be the most substantial investment of all. 🙌 #volunteerism #communityservice #detroit

"Third Wave’s 2023 year in review report is framed around the phrase 'we presume our power,' a principle from some of the work at Allied Media Projects, where MARS. and I were before this role. The full principle is 'we presume our power, not our powerlessness.' It’s this idea that who we are and what we might be seeking support for should be anchored in agency, possibility and work that's already happening." Learn more about our new Co-Directors, Mo Willis and MARS. Marshall, in our recent Inside Philanthropy Q&A feature! Shoutout to Michelle Dominguez, M.Ed. for making it possible. https://lnkd.in/g7qgVDbx

Legacy Builders Conference 2024: A Gathering of Visionaries The Legacy Builders Conference is a unique event designed to inspire, connect, and empower. This conference is your chance to dive into powerful discussions led by some of the most influential figures in our industry. Here you can see our past lineup of speakers including: Sheila Driscoll, Bob Gay, Aldo Carrascoso, Mark Stidham, DeAnne Stidham, Pamela Hawley, Mike Murray, Ann Christensen, Eric Ball, and our incredible team Jacqueline N. Hernandez, Eric Olsen, and Andrew Olsen Legacy Builders isn't just another conference. It's a chance to join a community of like-minded individuals and families committed to creating impactful legacies. It's about learning, sharing, and setting a collective vision for a philanthropically engaged society. Please note that this is an invite-only event, created to foster deep and meaningful connections among participants. If you're part of a family office and haven't received your invitation yet for May 15, 2024, simply drop me a message in my inbox, and we'll make sure you're included in this experience. We're gathering in Silicon Valley to share insights, purpose, and community. Your presence will not only enrich the discussions but also amplify our shared energy towards making a lasting difference. Let's come together to shape a future where our legacies are built on strong foundations of insight and purpose. We can't wait to welcome you and see the incredible impact we can create together! #LegacyBuilders2024 #FamilyOffice #Philanthropy #SiliconValley #CommunityImpact

"We can find meaning and reward by serving some higher purpose than ourselves, a shining purpose, the illumination of a thousand points of light...We all have something to give." -Former President George H. W. Bush, Founder of Points of Light As your company plans for 2024 civic days, including how to prioritize equity within your organization, keep these thoughtful questions by President and CEO of Points of Light, Jennifer Sirangelo, in mind as you create mission-based, service-oriented team environments. Read more below: https://lnkd.in/eNsGmEZN? #NationalDayofService #EquityInTheWorkplace #MissionBasedTeams

Do you trust your local, state, or federal government—or other institutions, for that matter? Justin Milner suggests that people today have radically different versions of how they experience life daily, which he believes contributes to a suspicion and distrust of institutions that some have. Check out our latest episode to hear why he thinks this is the case and what governments and other institutions can do better to foster more trust with the communities they serve. Milner, executive vice president of #evidence and evaluation at Arnold Ventures, also speaks with cohost Kimberlyn Leary about the role and challenges of using evidence to shape policy, #philanthropy, and learning agendas. Listen to the episode https://urbn.is/4ahmmnX. Subscribe and share Evidence in Action with your network of #changemakers today.

ICYMI: 📊 Our new report "Field in Focus" shows that the relatively small democracy funding field is growing & changing rapidly. We explore the uncertainties of the field's future, as well as the opportunities for future impact: 🏘️ Community building — including supporting and engaging newer funders. 💬 Understanding grantee experiences — especially BIPOC-led and -serving organizations. 📝 Defining democracy work and its focal areas to bolster future efforts to map the field. ☎️ Strengthening coordination across funders and across intermediaries. 🔍 Identifying and filling gaps for key subfields of democracy work that are underfunded.

Did you miss our hearing on public-philanthropic partnerships? You can watch a video of the full hearing on our YouTube channel. Witnesses at the hearing discussed what factors have led to successful public-philanthropic relationships, how to institutionalize the infrastructure that leads to success, and where there might be opportunities for improvement. #publicprivatepartnerships #philanthropy https://lnkd.in/ga4Uadpv

Our recent #NextGen summit brought together individuals from across the U.S. to discuss what truly matters. Watch highlights from these inspiring talks on aligning your passion and purpose, creating a lasting #philanthropic impact, navigating family dynamics, and more. https://lnkd.in/emj8HeJT

Please check out my latest article in Community Rec Magazine on the topic of “The Power of Service “. This follows last month’s article on The Power of Hope.