The Movement Needs Donors of Color Too

Here is a great post from Pam Pompey on the GIFT blog (Grassroots Institute for Fundraising Training). Until we open up our vision about who is a giver and who is a receiver, we will be unable to solve the problems that face our society. (Special thanks to Theo Yang Copley for sending me this link). From Pam:

My head is still throbbing from my conversation with a program associate at a southern-based foundation. The conversation had me so upset I reached out to my board of directors for moral support. The foundation person (who is probably first contact for groups considering submitting a grant proposals) told me our organization was not compatible with their social change agenda.

Okay, I get that. Not all groups fit all grants. I preach that. But I was told my organization’s work wasn’t social justice work. I said, yes we are! I told her “We believe strengthening donor-ship and leadership skills of individuals (in communities of color) is key to helping groups build organizational capacity and sustainability. I told her working on community-led philanthropy and fundraising is working for social change.

The program associate disagreed. “Sorry, ya’ll don’t match our mission” is exactly what she said. But I assumed what she meant was that sharing cultural knowledge and developing people of color with a donor/fundraiser/activist mentality and the spirit of volunteerism, is not considered part of a progressive social change agenda.

Read the rest here at the GIFT Blog

Nonprofit Rockstar is on the way!

I just finished reading the final draft of the book that I am co-writing with Rosetta Thurman “How to Become a Nonprofit Rockstar: 50 Ways to Accelerate Your Career” and it’s pretty darn good, if I do say so myself. The stories and examples included in the book are from hundreds of nonprofit rockstars, much life yourself, that have shared their advice through interviews, blog comments, Linked In Q and A’s, Facebook comments, and twitter chats. The book will be available on November 1st on this website. We have two versions for you to choose from: a paperback version with an extended resources section and an electronic version that includes the resource section as well as live links throughout the book, so you can move to action sooner. The electronic version can also be read on any ebook reader that can view PDF’s. As a New Voices of Philanthropy reader, I’ll give you a sneak peek at the book’s table of contents.

Table of Contents Chapter 1: What a Nonprofit Career Looks Like 3 There is No Linear Career Path 3 Rosetta’s Journey 5 Trista’s Journey 8 How Do You Get from Here to There? 11

Chapter 2: Develop Expertise 12 Tip 1: Find A Great Nonprofit Job 12 Tip 2: Size Matters 18 Tip 3: Make the Most of Your Volunteer Experience 22 Tip 4: Learn How to Raise Money 25 Tip 5: Always Learn, Always Teach 28 Tip 6: Work Abroad 32

Chapter 3: Build a Strong Network 34 Tip 7: Prioritize Networking 34 Tip 8: Attend Nonprofit Conferences 35 Tip 9: Get Your Own Business Cards 36 Tip 10: Join Professional Associations 37 Tip 11: Go Talk to People 40 Tip 12: Build Your Own Frankenmentor 45 Tip 13: Start Your Own Network 50

Chapter 4: Establish a Great Personal Brand 52 Tip 14: Google Yourself 52 Tip 15: Stop Trying to be Two Different People 55 Tip 16: Write a Kick Butt Bio 58 Tip 17: Professionalize Your Online Presence 60 Tip 18: Start a Blog 62 Tip 19: Look Like a Leader 66

Chapter 5: Practice Authentic Leadership 69 Tip 20: Do Your Job and Do It Well 69 Tip 21: Join a Nonprofit Board of Directors 73 Tip 22: Lead a Committee 75 Tip 23: Cultivate a Slash Career 79 Tip 24: Polish Your Public Speaking Skills 83 Tip 25: Ask for Feedback 89 Tip 26: Do a Stretch Assignment 90 Tip 27: Speak Up! 93 Tip 28: Mentor Someone Else 94

Chapter 6: Plan for Balance 96 Tip 29: Develop a Personal Mission Statement 96 Tip 30: Schedule Time to Reflect 99 Tip 31: Don’t Skip Lunch 101 Tip 32: Fall Back in Love with Your Job 103 Tip 33: Ditch the Martyr Lifestyle 105 Tip 34: Clear Off Your Plate 108 Tip 35: Mind Your Money 111 Tip 36: When Work and Home Collide 114

Chapter 7: Move On Up 119 Tip 37: Create Your Own Professional Development Plan 119 Tip 38: Set Big Goals 120 Tip 39: Get a Master’s Degree 124 Tip 40: Manage Up 128 Tip 41: Get Paid What You Are Worth 131 Tip 42: Consider the Benefits 135 Tip 43: Get Promoted 137 Tip 44: Introduce Yourself to a Search Firm 139 Tip 45: Use Your Network To Find a New Job 147 Tip 46: Get an Executive Coach 149 Tip 47: Know When to Take the Leap 154 Tip 48: Resign Gracefully 157 Tip 49: Be a Good Manager 159 Tip 50: Run with the Big Dogs 163

Resources 167 Books You Should Totally Read 167 Professional Associations Worth Joining 168 Foundation and Nonprofit Fellowships We Love 172

If you are interested in having you community be part of the Nonprofit Rockstar Tour and booking the authors for an event, conference, workshop or book signing, email info (at) rosettathurman (dot) com with your request.

Resource Generation Family Philanthropy Fellowship

Want to learn about social justice, family philanthropy and national organizing, all while helping Resource Generation organize young people with wealth? Introduction Applications are now being accepted for Resource Generation’s Fall Fellowship program. The initial position available and advertised below is for the RG Family Philanthropy Fellow. This position is located in Seattle, with the possibility of the Bay Area for the right candidate. A small stipend is available if needed.

Background Resource Generation (RG) organizes young people with wealth to leverage resources and privilege for social change. Through community building, education and organizing, we help young people with wealth bring all they have and all they are to the social change movements and issues they care about. Key programs and resources include a developing network of local chapters, national conferences, delegations, action projects and publications. Find out more and check us out at www.resourcegeneration.org.

Fellowship Program RG is looking for motivated individuals to form our inaugural fellowship team. Each fellow will have the chance to work alongside an RG staff member on a specific topic area. Fellows will gain invaluable experience in the field of philanthropy, social change organizing and many facets of non-profit work.

Eligibility These are ideal positions for students or recent graduates, though all individuals are eligible and encouraged to apply. Fellows will receive supervision and support but should also be comfortable working independently. The schedule is flexible and we are happy to accommodate requirements for academic credit. Fellows can request a small stipend as needed.

Title: Family Philanthropy Fellow Location: Downtown Seattle, WA (possibility of Bay Area as well for the right candidate) Supervisor: The Fellow will be supervised and work alongside Michael Gast, RG Co-Director. Position Summary: The Family Philanthropy Fellow’s main responsibility will be as lead coordinator for the 2011 Creating Change Through Family Philanthropy (CCTFP) Retreat. The CCTFP Retreat is for young people who participate in their families’ philanthropy and are committed to progressive social change. Info on last year’s retreat can be found here. Responsibilities include: • Supporting retreat planning committee • Coordinating logistics for participants, presenters and on-site • Updating and maintaining retreat website • Managing creation of retreat materials • Tracking and managing retreat registration • Advising on strategy for RG Family Philanthropy Program • Data entry into Salesforce database for Family Philanthropy Program Qualifications: • An interest in family philanthropy, social justice, and organizing • Strong communication and organization skills • A willingness to perform administrative tasks with enthusiasm and attention to detail • An understanding of the importance of confidentiality Helpful skills: • Retreat or Conference Planning Experience • Familiarity with Salesforce, Microsoft Office Suite, Google Docs, Facebook, Twitter Dates and Hours: October, 2010 - End of May, 2011. 7-14 hrs/week.

Please send a resume, cover letter and available work hours mike@resourcegeneration.org by September 24th.

You are the average of your 5 closest colleagues

I once got a fortune cookie that said “you are the average of your 5 friends.” Shut your eyes and think for minute about your five closest friends. I’m guessing you have the wild college roommate who is now gallivanting across Europe and the other end of the spectrum is your Martha Stewart-like friend who homeschools her kids and bakes cookies for the troops. You are right in the middle.

I think this rule holds true for your professional colleagues as well. Who are the five people that you trust most professionally and are your sounding board for career moves? These include mentors and the person that you like to hang out with at work.  Keep it to just five and if you are having a hard time coming up with the five, it’s time to start focusing on building your professional network.

Thinking of your five closest colleagues, ask yourself the following questions:

Do you have people that you regularly spend time with that are doing the job that you would like to do in 3-5 years? 10-20 years?

Do those 5 people support your dreams and aspirations?

Do you have people in that list that you are mentoring?

Would you be comfortable asking everyone on this list to act as a reference for you?

Do you see any holes on this list?

What proactive steps could you take to fill those holes?