YMCA of Greater Des Moines’ Post

This story has really captured the hearts & minds of people near & far. A beautifully simple story in so many respects, but also an embodiment of what community regeneration means: connection, revival, action & hope. https://lnkd.in/exnn6ubk

In today's changing world, understanding our communities is crucial. Community research helps us listen and learn from the people we serve, guiding us to make better decisions. Here's why it's so important right now: 1️⃣Inclusive Decision-Making: By involving everyone, we make decisions that work for everyone. 2️⃣Addressing Inequities: We can find and fix unfairness by listening to those who are often left out. 3️⃣Building Resilience: Understanding our community's strengths helps us face challenges together. We are always working to ensure that the knowledge and experiences of the community are heard and understood, and that they have the power and agency to shape what happens in their lives and neighbourhoods. As well as supporting, commissioning and carrying out our own community research we have been working to create a ‘Community Research Network’ in Norfolk. Katy Rutherford has been hosting a series of learning workshops to further support the local charitable and not-for-profit sector in generating their own community research. [📸: Breckland Mobile Food Store]

Since 2004… We Cambridgeshire Community Foundation have awarded over £32 million through 10,000+ grants. We have supported thousands of organisations, including charities, community groups, schools and sports clubs. They have made a positive difference to hundreds of thousands of people. We have funded projects in every ward in Cambridgeshire. You can learn more about our impact in a new 20-year impact report and most importantly see some of the work of the incredible charities and community groups that make all the difference, especially for those facing the biggest challenges and disadvantage. Whilst I am proud to reflect on what has been achieved, our new Vital Signs report shows that there is still much, very much more to be done. For a brilliantly successful County like Cambridgeshire we can see that the gap between the wealthier and the more deprived districts has widened in the last decade. In our cities, there are stark inequalities relating to income, education, and health between the most and least deprived wards. In Cambridge, there is a 12 year difference in life expectancy between the most and least deprived people! In a County, world-renowned for education, we are below the national average in indicators of early years development and school engagement. Poor outcomes for children eligible for free school meals reflect the impact of deprivation on education and sadly, later life prospects. If you or your business is interested to help people in your community through philanthropy and placed-based grant-making - please do get in touch. https://lnkd.in/dqipYz45

The Ripple Effect “A Nonprofit Imperative”Episode 1: “A Drop in the Bucket” In this episode of The Ripple Effect Marybeth Campbell of Worcester Community Action Council, Inc. and I share a sense of urgency and a strong desire for change within the city of Wrocester and beyond. We acknowledge the increasing needs and challenges faced by the community and emphasize the importance of addressing them collectively while highlighting the need to listen to people and understand their perspectives, rather than simply imposing solutions. We recall a personal experience of initially resisting someone's input but realizing the importance of active listening. We believe that fostering consensus and long-term goals should be prioritized, especially for nonprofits, as they have a responsibility to engage with the community. We also encourage meeting with different organizations to contribute their ideas, emphasizing the importance of collaboration. The overall message is that addressing the pressing issues requires a united effort, active listening, and a commitment to consensus-building for the greater good. Listen, like, share, comment, follow! Link to listen in comments

Sustaining Impact: Our Commitment Beyond the Grant Period To ensure the long-term success of our Reactions Mentorship Program, New Life Movement is taking proactive steps to secure sustainability: - Diversifying Funding Sources: Actively seeking additional grants, corporate sponsorships, and community fundraising. - Building Strategic Partnerships: Collaborating with local schools, community organizations, and government agencies to expand our reach. - Capacity Building: Investing in training and professional development for our mentors and staff. - Program Evaluation: Continuously assessing and improving our interventions based on data-driven insights. Community Engagement: Raising awareness and advocating for policies that prioritize youth development. With these measures, we are confident in our ability to sustain the impact and continue serving at-risk youth in Richmond for years to come. Partner with us to ensure long-term success and create a lasting impact on our community. www.newlifemovement.org #richmondca #riseup #newlifemovement #Sustainability #YouthDevelopment #CommunitySupport #LongTermImpact #JoinUs

Introducing Creating Opportunity Within Our Community (COWOC): Empowering Change Through Community Engagement At Creating Opportunity Within Our Community (COWOC), our commitment is to drive transformative impact by empowering underserved communities. As a dedicated nonprofit organization, our mission revolves around creating equitable pathways to education, economic development, and personal growth. 🌟 Our approach is centered on fostering community-driven solutions that address local needs and build sustainable futures. By providing essential resources, supporting grassroots initiatives, and nurturing local talent, COWOC aims to enhance opportunities for individuals and communities alike. 🌱 We believe that real change happens when communities come together to support one another. That’s why our work is deeply rooted in collaboration, inclusivity, and a shared vision for a brighter future. Our initiatives are designed to not only address immediate needs but also to create long-term impacts that uplift and empower. We invite you to learn more about our mission, explore how we are making a difference, and discover ways to get involved. Together, we can build stronger, more connected communities and drive meaningful change. For more information on how you can support our work or partner with us, visit www.cowoc.org #COWOC #CommunityEmpowerment #Nonprofit #SocialImpact #EconomicDevelopment #Education #CommunityEngagement #Leadership

Have you ever wondered what makes a community thrive? 🌟 Had the privilege of hearing from Superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn with Broward County Schools today at Rotary Club of Weston where he amplified firsthand the power of collaboration and community engagement with our scholarships and assistance to the students and schools in our community. Our collective efforts are not just about education or service; they’re about building a stronger, more connected community. Our Rotary initiatives focus on holistic development, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to excel academically and personally. The support from local organizations like ours has been phenomenal, and it’s this unity that drives our success. The Weston Rotary plays a crucial role in this ecosystem. Through various service projects and community events, we’re able to address local needs and foster a spirit of giving back. Whether it’s organizing fundraisers, supporting local businesses, or mentoring young professionals, the impact of our collective efforts is profound. #Interact plays a crucial role for us connecting to the needs of the schools. This is the Rotary High School version! Community updates are essential to keep everyone informed and engaged. Regular communication ensures transparency and allows us to celebrate our achievements together. It also provides a platform to address challenges and brainstorm solutions collaboratively. I believe that the strength of our community lies in our connections. By working together, sharing ideas, and supporting one another, we can create an environment where everyone thrives. Let’s continue to build these connections and make a positive impact. #CommunityEngagement #Education #ServiceAboveSelf #Rotary #janitorial #CommericialCleaning #givingback #redcoats

"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

Community Building: The Absence of It Is Our Greatest Limiting Factor We can measure its absence or erosion by: The amount of spraying and praying we engage in The shrinking in donor participation and the de-democratization of our donor bases. Our dependency on fewer, wealthy donors over age 70 Our sad, depleting attempts to acquire donors with sieve strategies We see its power in: Donor receptivity to crowd-sourced appeals High rates of volunteer participation and giving Growing cohorts of donors who have given for 20 years or more Trust giving Retention and giving of staff, including advancement staff It's the issue of our day. Grasp it and make it happen or watch more of your philanthropic soil wash away. Watch the Great Wealth Transfer, the greatest philanthropic opportunity in our life time, flow into other inlets and coves but not ours. This won't be a soft, philosophic, altruistic discussion. It will be very real, very concrete.

Liquidity, Housing, Community: economic development is major fundemental for the success of all three. $7.3M in new economic grants for our three states!