Marts&Lundy’s Post

As July comes to a wrap, I want to express my deepest appreciation to all who made our conversation earlier this month possible at the Forum Conference in St. Louis! Nancy Sanabria (she/her) and Laura Smith for your trust, camaraderie, and candor; David Maurrasse for sharing your wisdom across the years; and Traci Slater-Rigaud and the United Philanthropy Forum community for the invitation and opportunity. And always grateful for Philanthropy New York and my colleagues' support, one of whom reminded me yesterday to share the 3 Rs from my remarks - so below is a summary. Spoiler: Although this panel is entitled "Advancing Racial Equity through Cohort Learning," cohort-based learning (CBL) is only one tool we use to support our funder members' journey in advancing more racially equitable practices within philanthropy: More importantly, the work of bringing folks along requires Resourcefulness, Relationship-Building, and Repetition (3 Rs). -- Resourcefulness: In other words, creativity. We use all the tools in our toolbox as philanthropy-mobilizing organizations: peer networks, issue-based working groups, skills-building programs, policy work, CBLs. With these wrap-around strategies, we nurture folks' learning, leadership, and growth in accessing their spheres of influence to effect change. We support their self-directed learning journey towards shifting practices. -- Relationship-building: Invite people in, and invite people to invite people in. Create the conditions for folks to learn, listen, engage, have difficult conversations, to increase trust and depth of relationships over multiple and consistent engagements. So when they're ready to act, they move together. -- Repetition: Regardless of the audience, which room or zoom we're in, what the session topic is, we remain clear and consistent, leading with our values and our commitments in service to a more democratic and just future. Rinse and repeat. We need each other to stay the course. And we need to remind ourselves that this is "forever work," and forever work requires Resourcefulness, Relationship-building, and Repetition - the 3 Rs. And might I add a fourth in this writing? Rest.

I had a delightful time last week chatting with Dave Moss. We discussed all things JaM Strategies, LLC, Unfunded List and so much more. Listen to learn how this economics aficionado got into philanthropy, nonprofits, strategy and more! If you watch, forgive the hair by the end - it was a humid DC day on the porch! #JaMStrategies #StrategicPlanning #FinancialStrategies #NonprofitConsulting #NonprofitStrategy

I've been in a bit of a startup bubble 🙈 the last few years, so last night it was refreshing to be immersed in a new community, filled with fresh faces and ideas (courtesy of Queensland Gives by Queensland Community Foundation). There's something special about being in a room surrounded by people who selflessly dedicate so much of their time and energy to helping support others and the environment. I've been thinking a lot recently about where there are potential intersections between the approach and focus of #NFPs and the world of #startups and #venturecapital. While many would probably see them as 'chalk and cheese' (one focused on financial returns at all costs, while the other forgoes financial gain altogether), they share quite a few common traits: 1️⃣ Commonly inspired by a personal experience of the founder 2️⃣ A vision for a better way/ better future and a fierce passion for making this change while others might be ok with the status quo 3️⃣ Require entrepreneurial spirit and smarts to start and survive I think these common traits make them ripe for more collaboration and sharing of insights, yet it's quite rare to see Australian tech startups partnering meaningfully with not-for-profits who share similar goals or values. Why is this? 🤔 I'd love to know more about examples of this happening. If exploring how the NFP/ philanthropy world can better partner and intersect with the startup/ VC world tickles your fancy, I'd love to hear from you! 💌

One of the quieter trends in #philanthropy right now is the growing notion of sunsetting #foundations. I predict that we will see this more and more over the next 5 years, in an effort to meet the immediate needs of #nonprofits and communities as well as optimizing philanthropic efficiency. https://lnkd.in/gqUBSAXa

Thank you LaShawne Pryor, Ed.D for having us as at this year’s HBCU Philanthropy Symposium. It was great connecting with you, Meg Cline, Andrew Hibel and CJ I strongly believe that planned giving is prime opportunity for HBCUs - particularly life income gifts. Life income gifts, such as charitable gift annuities and charitable remainder trusts, offer benefits for both donors and institutions: Benefits for donors: 1. **Regular Income**: Donors receive regular payments for life or a specified term. 2. **Tax Deductions**: Donors may receive an immediate charitable income tax deduction for a portion of the gift. 3. **Capital Gains Tax Savings**: Donors can often avoid capital gains tax on appreciated assets used to fund the gift. 4. **Estate Planning**: Life income gifts can help donors reduce their taxable estate and potentially pass more to their heirs. 5. **Philanthropic Impact**: Donors can support charitable causes they care about during their lifetime. Benefits for institutions: 1. **Stable Funding**: Institutions receive a reliable stream of income from the gift over the designated period. 2. **Donor Relationships**: Life income gifts can deepen relationships with donors and their families over time. 3. **Diversification**: Institutions can diversify their revenue sources by incorporating life income gifts into their fundraising strategies. 4. **Legacy Giving**: Life income gifts can help institutions build a pipeline of future support from donors who include them in their estate plans. 5. **Financial Sustainability**: These gifts can contribute to the long-term financial sustainability of the institution. Overall, life income gifts can be a win-win for both donors and institutions, providing financial benefits, tax advantages, and the opportunity to make a lasting impact through philanthropy. #ImpactforLifeIncomeForForever

Learn why planned giving is so important right now at A Special Sharpe SUMMIT Webinar: Developing A “Wholistic” Approach to Philanthropy on May 22. https://bit.ly/3K22R80

How does your current program evaluation plan support your organization's DEIJ and staff retention goals? Come learn more about an inclusive program evaluation model that honors the needs of underrepresented communities and promotes engagement. ID: Flyer with the details of the training being shared. Title: Program Evaluation Through an Equity & Social Justice Lens. Date: April 24 9-11am PST. Registration link: https://lnkd.in/gJfaackV Webinar | Free to attend. Presented by, Dr. Gina Vanegas’ Logo and California Lutheran University Center for Nonprofit Leadership’s Logo. On the bottom right hand corner is a picture of Dr. Vanegas wearing a white blazer and red shirt sitting next to a plant. #equity #diversity #evaluation #socialimpact #nonprofitleadership #fundraising #leadershipdevelopment #education #workplaceculture #publicspeaker #representationmatters #nonprofit

Catch up with the critical discussions on public policy and philanthropy! This on-demand webinar features Sara Barba of Integer and offers essential insights for anyone in the #philanthropy and #wealthmanagement sector: https://bit.ly/3mFrAXa

Here is great information for organizations who are trying to move beyond project funding to organizational support. You need to build a relationship! #Grants #GrantSuccess #GrantFunding #GrantWriting #GrantWritingTips #GrantWriter #Grant #OrganizationalGrants #FoundationRelations

Day 3, Wed 31 July "I think this conference is a reclamation of the true value of African Philanthropy. In understanding African philanthropy, We have Keep sight of what matters most…the love for each other. Philanthropy is doing good and doing it in perpetuity." Tade Aina @aina_akin Below is the link to follow the conversation: https://lnkd.in/evWnv8wi