Sebastian Africano’s Post

Is your nonprofit’s board ready to truly step up and drive your mission forward? After years of leading nonprofits and tackling the common struggles with board engagement, I know firsthand how daunting it can be to prioritize board development. But let me ask: ⚡ Are your board members fully engaged and contributing beyond the basics? ⚡ Is your board taking an active role in fundraising and shaping your organization’s strategy? ⚡ Do you have a streamlined process for bringing new, dynamic members onto your board? If these questions gave you pause, it might be time for a change. My Passive to Powerhouse program is designed to transform your board into a proactive, strategic powerhouse. Picture a board that not only supports your vision but also plays a key role in driving your nonprofit’s success—leveraging their unique skills, networks, and resources to amplify your impact. We have a great group of passionate leaders already on board for this transformative journey beginning this month. Will you join us?

One of the most oversimplified misperceptions of trust-based philanthropy is that it's about giving money with no strings attached. Philip Li, President & CEO of the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation shares his philosophy that #trustbasedphilanthropy is not for likability or friendship but for impact and action. "I think some folks forget there is this whole due diligence process that is part of trust-based and there is this notion that we like you so we're just going to give you money. The whole idea is that we do this due diligence and we do this homework ahead of time so that when it comes time to make those funds available we believe you're going to do what you said you're going to do." - Phil Li Watch the clip below from our #DemystifyingTBP Session: Does Trust-Based Philanthropy Mean Unconditional Trust?

One all nighter = small part of getting 2 Million Dollars Twelve years ago, my colleague at Bureau Gravity Brandon Lapierre and I were asked to tell a story that would resonate deeply with our hearts. We created a video showcasing the incredible journey of Pau Khai, an immigrant who fled Burma for human rights violations, and whose life was transformed through The Neighbor Project's Network Savings Program. The program helped him buy a house and eventually lead to him starting his own grocery store in Aurora. The American Dream! Little did we know that Kai’s story would change so many lives. When we were editing it I remember walking into the office one morning and seeing Brandon passed out on the sofa. He said he’d been up all night editing because he was so captivated by Khai's story and just couldn’t stop. It wasn't just any story; it was a testament to resilience, hope, and the power of community support. It was beautiful. Rick Guzman the Neighbor Project Executive Director’s initial reaction to the video speaks volumes: "I didn't know a video that good could be possible." I vividly recall the moment when we shared it with The Neighbor Project's team (Hayley Meksi and Lissa Chleboun). Tears welled up in their eyes, knowing that this story beautifully encapsulated their mission, their struggles, and their client’s triumphs. Fast forward to 2016, when The Neighbor Project was honored as one of the Top 100 Most Innovative Social Enterprises/Non-Profits in the world by Classy. Rick attributed a significant part of this recognition to Khai's story. Rick said, “It was included in our submission and even featured during the award presentation in DC.” Today, I am thrilled to congratulate The Neighbor Project as they been awarded a $2 million grant through the MacKenzie Scott Foundation. Rick thinks Khai's story, even a decade later, played a small part in sharing their story. This has been a simple, yet powerful reminder for me: that a good story has the potential to change lives. It can inspire action, ignite empathy, and drive meaningful impact. As we celebrate this milestone, let's continue to harness the power of storytelling to create a brighter, more compassionate world. #Storytelling #Impact #Community #Transformation #TheNeighborProject #MacKenzieScottFoundation #SocialGood #Innovation

As you navigate the realm of giving, consider weaving a strategic approach into your planning. One that spans generations and leaves a lasting legacy of compassion and generosity. Depending on how you do it, you can even create a legacy of gift-giving that continues long after you’re gone. Let’s explore! https://lnkd.in/gYxG7hqv

How can nonprofits prepare their staff to have hard conversations about race? 🔍 Check out our latest blog which addresses the challenge nonprofits face in having meaningful conversations about race despite increased DEI efforts. BMP identifies a set of skills that are key to effectively holding conversations that help organizations become more racially equitable: building trusting relationships, handling conflict effectively, and ensuring accountability to prepare staff for these discussions. Learn more about improving internal culture and creating meaningful change in organizational practices towards race equity through our Building Blocks for Change race equity assessment tool. Read the blog by our Race Equity Assessment Director, Mercedes Brown, Esq.: https://hubs.la/Q02qCMN30

These are 2 of the most experienced place-based change makers around. For those interested in how to enable communities to create change, come and hear Dame Julia and David in conversation

Does your organization do things because you've always done them? In a post on our blog, AASLH Chief of Operations Bethany Hawkins writes that having tough conversations and the bravery to remove things not attuned with your mission can spark growth and prepare your organization for the future. She offers five things you can do to start this process.

“There’s a lot of intentionality around 'doing the work different,' which means that you should be measuring it differently and defining success differently.” - Liza Mueller Tune into this episode of We Are For Good, where our Vice President of Knowledge and Thought Leadership, Liza Mueller, discusses measuring success in the social sector and exploring power dynamics in philanthropy for greater equity and progress. Listen below 🎧 ⤵️

Many founders and leaders (especially those of growing nonprofits and social enterprises) struggle with balancing day-to-day operations and strategic growth. This inefficiency threatens growth, creates instability, and leads to burnout. Is this you? Do you know someone who fits this description? I've been there and I can help you streamline operations and free up your time to focus on driving your organization's vision. Message me for details.

Last week, Spitfire Founder Kristen Grimm and Vice President (DeWayne) Michael Crawford attended the Next Narrative Summit in Hollywood, Florida. A former Spitfire client and friend, Trabian Shorters, and his organization BMe organized the summit.   The Next Narrative Summit brought together organizations and folks in philanthropy to focus on the “next narratives” to move us closer to the world we want to see. As Trabian noted, “in terms of philanthropy and narrative, it’s time to evolve.” The vibe was optimistic, upbeat and hopeful — exactly the type of energy we hope our narratives can create.    Here are a few points that Trabian touched on during his session that we will continue applying to our own narrative work and encourage other social justice communicators to do as well:    ⚫ Data says that people are not data-driven. Mental narratives matter more than facts. ⚫ All human beings disregard facts that don’t fit our narratives. ⚫ Fuller narratives are the only way to limit bias. [Pictured with Michael: Desmond Meade]