Nathan Hughes’ Post

Nonprofits thrive on the invaluable contributions of volunteers. Their dedication fills crucial gaps, enhancing operations beyond budget limitations. Volunteers offer time and talent, aiding in various capacities, from leadership roles to hands-on tasks. Witnessing individuals and corporate teams collaborate brings joy as they make our community a better place every day. Want to know more about how all this works? Are you considering making the leap from corporate to nonprofit as a career? Please reach out to me for a free consultation. #Community #Nonprofitjobs #Volunteers

As I look back on my two years as President & CEO of United Way of Forsyth County, I’m both proud and energized. We’ve made great strides in addressing the root causes of poverty, fostering partnerships, and creating a more equitable future. But the work is far from done. One of my favorite quotes from Margaret Mead reminds us of the power we hold as a community: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” This is exactly what I see happening here in Forsyth County—people coming together to create real, lasting change. Over the past two years, I have witnessed the resilience and determination of this community to lift each other up, to ensure that no one is left behind. From expanding access to early childhood education to providing families with financial tools for long-term stability, we are focused on tackling the systemic barriers that prevent so many from achieving their full potential. We know that creating opportunity for one person lifts the entire community. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” Looking forward, our mission remains clear: to bring people and resources together to solve problems that no one organization can address alone. The future of Forsyth County depends on our ability to unite across differences, collaborate with intention, and commit ourselves to the well-being of every neighbor. I invite you to join us—whether through donating, volunteering, or advocating—to help build a stronger, more equitable community. Together, we will change lives and shape the future of Forsyth County. #UnitedWay #ForsythCounty #CommunityImpact #Leadership #Equity #Collaboration #SocialChange United Way of Forsyth County

FCS - Focused Community Strategies was lucky. We were lucky because when we were invited to South Atlanta, there was already a deeply woven social fabric in place. A group of interconnected and united leaders, all legacy neighbors, invited FCS to come and collaborate with Historic South Atlanta. They already knew their neighborhood. They loved it. They wanted to speak into its future and they wanted a partner. Were they all on the same page in terms of viewpoints or politics? Not at all. But they were united in their care for one another and their community. They raised their families together. They checked in on each other. They had the kinds of deep relationships and vision for their neighborhood that a program can never create. And they used all of that hard-won and vital connectedness to open doors for FCS. Without people like The Springs, Ms. Walker, Ms. Partridge, The Haygood family, and others, we would have floundered or worse – brought harm and more inequity to Historic South Atlanta. But we were lucky. They made us lucky by being honest with us, sharing their vision, paving the way for us with others, and telling us when we were going off track. I think of this group of leaders when I think of why social connectedness is so important – both for place-based development work and flourishing in general. Every neighbor can be an agent of change. But a group of neighbors united in a common vision is catalytic. Wherever you are in your neighborhood, look for these groups of neighbors with vision. They hold more wisdom and know-how than you can imagine. #legacyneighbors #placemaking #equity #communitydevelopment #communityleader #nonprofit #nonprofits #neighbors #neighborhoods #neighborhoodengagement

We are excited to share that our colleagues, Natasha Blouin and Katie DiBartolo, had the opportunity to attend CityTeam Portland's open house event in the historic Old Town neighborhood last Friday. It was an afternoon filled with inspiration, testimonies and powerful intentions. Executive Director, Lance Orton shared a brief look into his incredible journey, speaking candidly about his experiences on the streets of Portland and how he utilized City Teams programs in 2018 to transform his life. His story of resilience and redemption underscores the profound impact that supportive communities and dedicated programs can have on individuals facing hardship. We also had the privilege of hearing from Commissioner Sharon Meieran, who drew from her extensive experience as a Portland ER doctor. She provided invaluable insights into the city's drug epidemic, highlighting the critical role that organizations like CityTeam Portland play in offering hope and tangible solutions to those in need. The event showcased CityTeam's vision for the evolution of their services, centered around the transformation of the iconic 𝙊𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘽𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 into their new headquarters and residential program facility. This office-to-residential conversion is not just a renovation of space but a revitalization of purpose, poised to make a lasting positive impact on countless lives over the next century. We are incredibly proud to have the opportunity to bid on this transformative project. The prospect of partnering with CityTeam to bring this visionary initiative to life aligns perfectly with our commitment to community engagement and social responsibility. You can check out Lance's journey here: https://lnkd.in/d6hSgEwM #cityteamportland #communityimpact #ypride #buildingforthefuture #oldtownrevitalization #overlandproject #makingadifference #hopeinaction #socialresponsibility #communityengagement #homelessness #addictionrecovery #nonprofit #portlandoregon #transforminglives #socialgood #corporatesocialresponsibility #teamwork #leadership #inspiration

As we kick off National Volunteer Appreciation Month tomorrow, I'm reminded of the profound impact that building genuine, meaningful relationships can have on volunteer retention within the nonprofit sector. My time with the Boy Scouts of America underscored the value of these connections, showing that beyond traditional management techniques, it's the personal, individualized approach that truly makes a difference. At the core of keeping volunteers engaged is recognizing their unique motivations and dedicating ourselves to developing real connections with them. This means being actively present at events, not just overseeing but participating and showing genuine appreciation for their efforts. Personal gestures like handwritten thank-you notes, acknowledging personal milestones, and remembering important dates demonstrate care and foster a deeper bond with the organization. Creating a sense of community among volunteers, where they can connect and support each other, also plays a crucial role in retention. This approach not only makes volunteers more likely to stay but also turns them into ambassadors for the cause, driven by their strong connection to the mission and to each other. The key to successful volunteer retention lies in these strong, genuine relationships. By focusing on individual connections, personal recognition, and fostering a sense of belonging, we can create a volunteer base that is not just committed for the short term but deeply dedicated to the cause for years to come. This month, let's celebrate the power of these relationships and the incredible impact they have on our missions and the volunteers who help propel them forward. So take the time to show your volunteers how much you appreciate them in a unique and meaningful way to them. #volunteers #leadership #nonprofit #thankfulforvolunteers

The Marin Organizing Committee (MOC) is hiring two Special Projects Organizers to lead a Get-Out-the-Vote campaign for affordable housing. The primary responsibilities will be to identify and develop leaders within current and prospective MOC member institutions (religious congregations, schools, social service organizations, workers organizations) within Marin County to organize around affordable housing. The organizing work itself will be to identify, train, and develop leaders from among ordinary individuals within these institutions to conduct small group listening campaigns, workshops and civic academies on affordable housing, research actions with public officials and important allies, local actions, and non-partisan Get-Out-the-Vote tactics within these communities and their surrounding neighborhoods. In addition, one of the Special Project Organizers’ roles will include coordination of a coalition of organizations working together to pass a bond measure for affordable housing on the November 2024 ballot. Marin Organizing Committee is a broad-based organization of 23 congregations, non-profit organizations, union locals, and civic groups. Together, MOC member institutions work to build relational power and develop the leadership of ordinary people to effectively participate in public life. Our organization intentionally works to bring people together across lines of faith, race, and class to act in solidarity to improve the quality of life for all residents and workers. MOC is affiliated with the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF), the nation’s oldest and largest leadership development and organizing network. The IAF bases its work on the idea that a healthy democracy requires the active participation of ordinary people. Qualities of a Successful Organizer: APPETITE FOR LEARNING – not necessarily degrees, but the ability to think, reflect, communicate, challenge the conventional wisdom, make judgments in complicated situations, show flexibility, and take critique. Organizing is a craft and takes a lifetime to learn. ANGER AND EDGE – not temper, not ideological fervor, not an abstract commitment to “the people,” but a clear sense of what’s wrong, impatience in the face of that wrong, and a drive to address it. A WILLINGNESS TO CROSS LINES OF DIFFERENCE – to be willing to work with people unlike oneself, people of other races, classes, orientations, faiths. Compensation: This position pays a living wage and includes paid vacation, sick time, health insurance, disability, and life insurance. Mileage, bridge tolls, and reasonable work-related expenses will be reimbursed. To Apply: If you are interested in exploring this position, please send a cover letter and resume to Lead Organizer Liz Hall at jobs@bayareaiaf.org. Special Projects Organizers must have a car and be willing/able to travel in/to Marin County.

In 2022, Audacity Group collaborated with the Baltimore Family Alliance and utilized the #MyBmore Project to unite residents and ideas to promote change in Charm City. The findings from the final report are the north star for organizations like #MyBmore Project, which are committed to filling the gap between the information our communities need to engage and the resources they need to feel empowered. 1️⃣ No More Silos 🔸 We are intentionally insulating our efforts in Baltimore. The information that most impacts the local community needs to reach the people that the local community says they listen to the most: grassroots organizations, nonprofits, and artists. 🔸 Grassroots, Nonprofits, and artists require one organization that is held accountable for keeping their community informed, engaged, and connected to resources and business development. 2️⃣ Who Is Serving the People Who Serve? 🔸 Our first line of defense in Baltimore is grassroots leaders and nonprofit organizations. Still, they are stretched beyond means and grossly under-resourced, and if not immediately addressed, the city will risk losing its most critical support on the ground. 3️⃣ Uplift Your Storytellers 🔸The best way to uplift positive storytelling in Baltimore is to amplify the impact made by the grassroots and artivists in Baltimore. 🔸Grassroots and Nonprofit leaders are the city's stars, and their narratives align with each of the critical indicators needed for a healthy city: housing, transportation, education, workforce development, innovation, youth empowerment, health, and wellness. 🔸Baltimore must redefine the grant funding structure. If the grassroots could receive this funding directly, they could build capacity, allowing organizations to be weaned off services and provide opportunities for others. Dionne Joyner-Weems #MyBmore #MyMaryland

The findings from the final report are the north star for organizations like #MyBmore Project which are committed to filling the gap between the information our communities need to engage and the resources they need to feel empowered. Learn more at www.mybmoreproject.com!

Want to see how my Marsh McLennan Agency colleagues are making a difference in the community? Check out the latest Community Impact Report to learn about some of the ways my colleagues made a positive impact in 2023. I honored to be spotlighted, amplified, and included in the report. #Volunteerism #CommunityOutreach

Meet the Class of 2024! Meet Lance Miller, Team Lead at the Mifflinburg Innovation Works! 1. Why did you choose to participate in LSV? LSV provides opportunity to broaden the depth of understanding of other teams, industries, and geographic areas of the Valley. Strengthening that knowledge and connections will be valuable to furthering the goals of Miff Works. 2. How are you currently involved in your local community? Our team makes an effort to volunteer with the major non-profit organizations in Mifflinburg, namely: Christkindl, MHRA, the Buggy Museum, and the Community Park Action Project, amongst others as events and opportunities arise. Personally, I try to hop on projects and teams where my skills add comparative value or where there are specific needs that have been communicated to me along with an ask for engagement. 3. What do you want to gain from your LSV journey? Similar to "why did I choose to apply to LSV", connections and knowledge. With respect to leadership, however, I hope to codify my own priorities and ethos in a way that makes decision-making with limited time and resources easier. #LSV2024 #MeettheClass #LeadershipSusquehannaValley #LocalLeaders #LeadershipSkills #Volunteerism #CommunityService