As we know, ecosystems are a place, but they’re more than that—they’re a carefully calibrated community. Applying this understanding to our sector, we must reject the individualism of white supremacy, opting instead to create an ecosystem of love, accountability, and trust.
Essay Archives
Remaking the relationship between nonprofit organizations and schools
School districts have largely relied on [arts education] organizations to offer arts programming. Rather than address the systemic underfunding of public schools in the U.S., this short-term turned long-term arrangement has created a vicious cycle.
Fundraising is education: Utilizing transformative learning theories to inspire social justice-focused growth and giving
Given the state of our society, intentionally incorporating educational strategies into your fundraising efforts can be an effective way for your organization to generate support and build a movement for your cause.
The unbearable hypocrisy: Fundraising in a world of compromised integrity
Divestment from practices and structures that perpetuate harm is a necessary step towards fostering belonging and ensuring that all employees can thrive.
A note to the capitalists in America
By prioritizing equity in fundraising efforts, organizers can ensure that these communities receive the necessary support, helping to bridge the resource gap and promote fairness. Aligning fundraising efforts with the organization’s mission and values will help to ensure that the organization’s actions are consistent with its principles during fundraising.
You’re not feeling imposter syndrome, you are an imposter: Identity and belonging in nonprofit work
I am an imposter. I don’t belong in the nonprofit sector–as it is. I refuse to subscribe to the underpinning values of white saviorism, colonialism, donor worship, poverty tourism, and overall self-congratulatory air that ‘we came into this sector to do good.’
Work-life imbalance: I am Black Girl Magic
I don’t want to define myself by what I do, or my performance. I want to instead be. People pursue what my life looks like because capitalism wills us to. It looks like success. Expectations to look like things are working for you are literally chewing people up and spitting them out…
Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) and changing the sector
Some nonprofits and a lot of nonprofit workers they surveyed love those mysterious little packages from phantom donors. All I see is unfettered, hyper-individualistic capitalism with little structure to consider community needs.
My workplace aligned with CCF; they didn’t know it.
It is easy to feel frustrated when you are passionate about CCF but your workplace does not seem interested or is hesitant to engage. Do not despair! The people where you work might be more aligned than they initially seem.
Building a liberatory future: Rethinking fundraising communications for lasting impact
In our pursuit of justice, equity, and liberation, we cannot afford to lose sight of the inherent humanity at the core of our endeavors, even if it feels impossible to raise money any other way—language matters.
Treating your donors as partners: Where to start?
One of the key tenets of Community Centric Fundraising is “Treating Your Donors as Partners” – but where do you start?
What you can do this Pride month: Disrupt Israel’s pinkwashing and your local Pride events’ complicity in it
Pinkwashing has become even more despicable and insidious because an ethnostate is using it to justify the genocide of Palestinians. And every member of the 2TLGBIQA+ community must band together to say unequivocally, Not in our name!