Be your own role model

There are times in life where we are pretty fabulous at something. We train for a marathon, sew handmade clothes for our kids, or raise $1,000,000 for our nonprofit. We are running on all cylinders and it can start to feel effortless. Then habits change, some crisis comes up, or something else makes us lose our mojo.

You don't have to look to someone else to help you get back on track, be your own inspiration. Keep a journal where you document what is going well in your life and why. Maybe you used to block out time at the gym in your calendar and that's why you stayed in such great shape. You can do that again. You can also look back at old calendars to see how you spent time and what your priorities were.

I just received a link to an article that quoted an interview that I did in 2009. 2011 Trista is pretty jealous that 2009 Trista was able to set aside so much time for strategic thinking. 2011 Trista feels like she is juggling a lot of things and doesn't often set aside enough time for thinking about big picture issues. 2009 Trista says suck it up and set the time aside to make it happen.

What can younger you help you with?

How to Make Giving Awesome

Trina Isakson has a great post about the Awesome Foundation, which is a donor circle that supports awesome ideas (nonprofit or not). I like the low barrier to entry, easy application, and the idea that you don't need to be a 501 (c) 3 to have fun. From Trina:

Philanthropy is changing, especially for the young, hip (and often with cash to spend) who aren’t interested in the traditional ways of gala events and golf tournaments.

Awesome Foundation "Forwarding the interest of Awesome in the universe, $1,000 at a time."

I first heard about Awesome Foundation when a member of the Toronto chapter was interviewed on Q on CBC (Jan 31).

The basic premise is that 10 people (in one city, or around one idea) commit to giving $100 a month. People/organizations with awesome ideas apply online for a $1,000 grant, using possibly the shortest and simplest grant application in the history of the world. The members of the foundation pick one, and give the $1,000, no strings attached.

This project first started in Boston, but has since spread to many other cities, including Ottawa and Toronto in Canada. I’ve submitted a pitch for a Vancouver chapter. Contact me if you’re interested in being a Vancouver chapter donor.

Why this is awesome

Low barrier for grant applicants

No requirements for charitable status or registration as a nonprofit. Super short application. Not a huge was of resources if the application doesn’t pan out.

Direct impact by donors

The chapter members get to see what awesome ideas are being cultivated in community, and directly support them. While there is no expectation of reporting back by grantees, smart grantees will follow up and invite grantees to connect with the awesome project further.

Growth of social capital

Not only are chapter members giving directly, they are being exposed to and potentially connecting with a broad range of awesome within their communities. And the resulting relationships may go beyond financial. Some chapters try to help runners-up with connecting them with in-kind donations instead of money. Money is not the only philanthropic commodity with value – connections can be just as important.

The not-as-awesome side

Not just for community

This isn’t really a bad thing, but it’s important to note this isn’t just about warm fuzzy community stuff. It’s about awesome stuff. This might mean an idea from a band, a researcher, a business. Which, on the awesome side, encourages innovation and awesomeness from the community sector. The bar gets raised for everyone.

Pooh-poohing operating costs

While not disallowed, “maintenance fees for established charities and foundations” are said not to generally be chosen. I see how these sorts of things aren’t sexy and awesome, but they are most important in order to strategically and sustainably move social change forward. But that’s not the focus of this foundation, awesome is. Other donors and foundations play the operational funding role.

No charitable status

While tax benefits aren’t the only reason people donate, it is one of them. Currently the Awesome Foundation isn’t actually a registered charity, and therefore cannot provide tax receipts for donors. However, if the chapter members did choose a project proposed by registered charity, I suppose they could arrange a tax receipt through the organization directly.

Diverting money from other organizations

One could argue that members of the Awesome Foundation may be shifting money to this project from somewhere they are already donating, thus leaving their former recipients that much worse off. This could very much be likely. I would also argue that members likely give when they weren’t already giving, or giving more than they had before.

Read the rest here.

Why mentors aren't enough to get you "big dog" status

I've written a lot about mentors over the years. How to think about mentorship, how to build your own frankenmentor, and how to be a mentor. What I've realized as I've moved further along in my career is that mentors are important as you are starting up  but sponsors are critical if you aspire to be an organizational leader. A mentor is someone who gives you good advice, a sponsor is someone who is willing to use their own credibility to help you move to the next level. Those are very different things. There have been different times in my life where I had those sponsors and their advocating on my behalf has led to a variety of great outcomes including a 30% increase in salary, moving to a leadership position in a nonprofit and eventually becoming the executive director of a foundation. Women and people of color are much less likely to have those sort of sponsors advocating for them, so you need to start thinking now about how to build those relationships.

1) Look at your professional network, do you have senior leaders in your field that you are close to? You are the average of your five closest colleagues, so make sure someone further along than you is in your network.

2) Start doing informational interviews with top leaders. Ask good questions and grow that relationship.

3) Be clear where you want to go. People can't help you move ahead if you don't tell them where you want to go.

4) Return the favor. Be your sponsors biggest cheerleader and remember to thank them as your career accelerates.

Give Smart: 25 Websites to Learn a Charity’s Effectiveness & Efficiency

Joseph Morris at the Master's in Public Administration blog (a great resource if you are looking for grad programs) has a new list up of 25 web resources to check a charity's effectiveness. From Joseph:

According to the IRS, an organization qualifies as a charity if 35% or less of its income goes to administrative expenses such as salary and operating costs. With literally thousands of groups qualifying, it can be confusing to decide which organization to give to. Every day, the images of those who need help reach us, along with mailings, charity walks, food drives, and even guys dressed as Santa ringing a bell.

With literally billions of dollars at stake, how does the average person navigate this maze of giving? A quick and easy way to do so is to check out the below 25 websites to learn a charity’s effectiveness and efficiency. Use them to separate the generous from the stingy, the ones whose actions define them from the mouthpieces, and even by the areas that interest you.

Websites to Learn a Charity’s Effectiveness & Efficiency

    1. American Institute of Philanthropy Stop here for a nationally prominent charity watchdog service whose purpose is to help donors make informed giving decisions. They rate, grade, focus on top salaries, and other hot issues in the charity sector. You can also read tips for giving wisely and hear what others have to say. Best of all, the AIP does not take any money from the charities it rates.
      2. Charity Navigator This site works to advance a more efficient and responsive philanthropic marketplace by evaluating the financial health of over 5,500 of America’s largest charities. You can browse by every category from animals to religion. There are also loads of top ten lists to keep you busy such as “Top 10 Most Requested Charities” and “10 Super-Sized Charities.” There are also tips, methodology information, and more. Be sure not to miss the blog with more in charity evaluation.

    3. Good Intentions Are Not Enough This site believes if “aid is done poorly it can hurt the very people it is supposed to help.” They provide readers with the knowledge, tools, and resources they need to ensure that their donations match their good intentions. This is accomplished through an internet show that has loads of episodes. There are tips, questions, and other resources that are a must view for anyone looking to be charitable.

    4. Guide Star The tagline of this site is “trusted data, customizable analysis, targeted results.” Recently reviewed organizations often make the list and are done by volunteers, clients, and donors. They even offer an Exchange Seal to outstanding charities.

    5. BBB The Better Business Bureau keeps tabs on member businesses and does the same for charities. Use their site to find a list of approved charities in your area or area of interest. They also feature reports and standards that you can read online, as well as a wise giving alliance.

    6. IRS Just because a charity says it is a non-profit doesn’t necessarily mean it is. To be considered a non-profit and be eligible for deductible giving, it must fill out and have a form 990 approved by the Internal Revenue Service. Visit there to search for charities and get loads of other help. They also include useful items for charities themselves.

    7. Charities Aid Foundation A charity to help charities? That was the aim of this foundation is. Donors are given tools to help make the most of their gifts. Based in the United Kingdom, they also put out reports such as a World Giving Index and Disaster Monitor.

    8. The Chronicle of Philanthropy Get the latest in charity news by checking out this website of this publication. Daily news, tips for fund raising, giving, and even managing are regularly reported. You can also check out facts and figures, as well as view the most popular stories from the homepage.

    You'll find the other 17 resources here.