Self Enhancement, Inc.’s Post

Nothing like reading an article filled with things you've been saying for YEARS and people rolled their eyes at you... "6 Ways a Volunteer Program Can Burst the Bubbles We Live In" All my favs: how volunteering can bring people with very different points of view together, why EVERYONE should be invited to volunteer, why it's sometimes a good idea to say "come help your neighbors" instead of "come volunteer!", and on and on: https://lnkd.in/gax6rYuF

Local initiatives as a solution. Collaborating with local entities on community projects, charity events, or other initiatives is essential for contributing to the growth of our communities. At Affordable Senior Solutions, we believe that building authentic and lasting relationships with businesses, religious and civic organizations in your area is more than just business transactions. Co-hosting events, participating in joint marketing campaigns, or supporting community initiatives together are all partnership strategies that can lead to increased visibility and positive brand associations for your company and your current and future clients. By showcasing our company's commitment to the community and fostering camaraderie, we can play a vital role in shaping the socio-economic fabric of our area. Let's collaborate on local initiatives to make a positive impact on our community's growth. Adapted and repurposed by Peter

"At Market Lane, we’re proud supporters of Children's Ground, a bold not-for-profit organisation that is advocating and making change for a brighter future with, and for, First Nations children, families and communities. There are several ways that we walk with Children's Ground. We’ll summarise these here to hopefully inform and inspire individuals and businesses wanting to develop a meaningful connection and partnership with Children’s Ground and/or other likeminded First Nations organisations, but perhaps unsure where to start." https://lnkd.in/gP7tHMS6

I love this new blog, which will feature stories in the next several weeks from our youth who have been participating for years. Click here to see Angel's story: https://lnkd.in/gzaVmQcQ

What do you think about giving days? I've been an interested observer watching GivingTuesday grow since it's inception in 2012. As a consultant working with nonprofits on integrating their marketing and fundraising strategies and weaving them through all their various communications channels, I've seen a wide range of successes and failures with giving days. I'm really interested in what makes a giving day successful and what makes an organization decide it is not worth the effort. That's why I got involved with the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan's Hudson Valley Gives (on May 15th), which encompasses counties up and down the #hudsonvalley including Westchester County, Ulster County, Dutchess County, Sullivan County, Orange County, Greene County, Rockland County and Sullivan County (so far). I'm looking forward to seeing the tools provided to participants and the collaborations participants put together to make the most of this event (hvgives.org). I think the potential is there for an organization to bring in significant donations on a giving day. But I don't actually think that's the main value of an event like this. I think the real value is in: 📣 the amplification of your message 🤝 engagement with your donors, volunteers and ambassadors 👀 increased visibility 👨👩👧👧 community building 🙋♀️ attracting volunteers and ambassadors 💵 attracting new donors 💞 And GRATITUDE What is your experience with giving days?

April is National Volunteer Month (in the US). Here are 9 simple prompts to tell your volunteer stories. April is a fitting time to celebrate and recognize the contributions of those who give time, ideas, talent, and energy to our organization. And the impact they make on your community. You may be hosting a volunteer appreciation event or sending hand-written thank yous. Consider also highlighting the stories of volunteers in your force by asking one of these 9 simple prompts: 1. What first inspired you to volunteer with our mission? 2. What one memory or moment of volunteering sticks out most? 3. Recall the first time you volunteered. How did it make you feel? 4. Describe in 3 words what being a part of our organization means to you. 5. How has your life been impacted by volunteering with our organization?  6. Share your favorite project you worked on or fundraiser you organized. 7. What’s the biggest impact you think our work will have in 10 years? 8. What's the biggest hope you have for our community? 9. Why is our mission meaningful to you? Then ask staff to share what they appreciate most about the volunteers who support your mission. Turn these into beautiful video compilations. Ask 10 people to say "thank you" and weave them all together into one piece. Shower volunteers with an extra dose of love and showcase your mission at the same time. #volunteers #nationalvolunteermonth #storytelling

This week on Leading Edge WTOL 11 Lance Woodworth - President and CEO | Destination Toledo What's Toledo's brand?  What do you sell to people, to businesses, or to conventions - what is the pitch these days? Is the product better than ever? Following a night where Toledo’s Mayor talked about fair and unfair perceptions about Toledo - how does that translate into proactivity or apathy? Toledo’s always wanted to be more - and there are those who are trying to make it happen - but it seems like there are those who want to keep it right where it is or where it’s been.  Is perception reality?    Tom Cole - Taylor Automotive Family Community Outreach Terry Crosby - Taylor Automotive Family Community Outreach This night will be about philanthropy – and the good work that they’re doing as community ambassadors for the Taylor Automotive Family. We hear all the time about the need for local organizations - that have the ability – to pick up the ball and get it across the goal line – and you guys are truly doing that. What one story has touched them – where they have really understood that the work they’re doing IN the community and WITH the community is making a difference. There have been so many organizations that needed help to make their charity, and their love for others go – HOW does this team show them their worth?

Radical giving – where you give generously without expectations or hidden agenda – is entirely possible. And no matter how small your contribution is, it can tremendously impact your community. Just ask AJ McCreary. AJ McCreary is the co-founder and executive director of Equitable Giving Circle, a non-profit whose mission is to transform and empower Portland’s BIPOC communities through radical giving. Led by Black women and femmes, EGC has undertaken projects addressing these communities’ most urgent needs, such as food security, safe housing, and wellness. Among EGC’s most notable projects is its weekly free food pantry. The pantry supplies fresh produce, nutrient-dense food items, and other necessities to over 100 BIPOC families. EGC also has a CSA program where it delivers farm share boxes to more than 300 families across Portland. AJ McCreary is a passionate and fierce community activist. Aside from running EGC, she uses her extensive knowledge, and her lived experience as part of an interracial family to serve the community at large and help them understand that Black lives do matter. Learn more about AJ and her work by visiting https://bit.ly/3v4Vu8F. Got a radical idea for serving your community? Use authentic and values-driven digital marketing to reach your audience and realize your vision of service. Work with us today >>> https://bit.ly/3PYlTNi. #SacredFireCreative #EntrepreneursWhoInspire #communityimpact #beauthentic

So excited to get started with Adaptavist, it's fantastic that they are committed to supporting children in remote and marginalised areas receive an education. On International Women's Day it's a perfect opportunity to highlight the importance of even a basic level of education for girls where we work. ❤️ Educated mothers are 50% more likely to immunise their children and their children are x2 more likely to survive past the age of 5. 💰 When 10% more girls attend school, that country’s GDP increases by 3% 🌱 Girls’ Education = Climate resilience. Countries’ resilience to climate disasters significantly improves with every additional year of education that girls acquire.

I was talking to Maria Rio last week and something she shared stuck in my mind ever since. I was telling her how much I appreciate her LinkedIn posts because she calls out a lot of the racist practices in fundraising. Her response to my praise was, ✨ “If I’m not doing it, who will?” ✨ It made me think - how am I showing up for my nonprofit community? I don't want Maria to feel like she’s one of the few people talking about anti-racist nonprofit work. We all have to make changes to the fundraising space TOGETHER. I’ve been more active on LinkedIn lately because I’m trying to show up more - to connect with clients if I’m being honest. But I realized I was only posting about email fundraising strategy. I haven't been sharing the HEART of how I fundraise which is rooted in Community Centric Fundraising: https://lnkd.in/g_GXaYDh So, thanks to Maria’s inspiration, I’ll be sharing about how traditional fundraising has hurt me. Yes - it’s hurt me and a lot of Black and BIPOC folks and we need to talk about it. I work for myself now and I’m biracial - I have a lot of privilege. So it’s safer for me to share these things rather than other racialized folks. So -- this is my official “Open for Controversy” post. I’ll still be sharing tips about email fundraising (I mean why wouldn’t I?!). But I’m joining my new friend Maria in doing the hard work to make the nonprofit sector a safe space for everyone. Who's with us? 💙📧 #communitycentricfundraising #ccf #nonprofitstrategy #nonprofitmarketing #nonprofitfundraising #blacknonprofitfundraisers