As technology advances and a new generation steps into the workforce, organizations face increasing pressure to provide professional growth and development opportunities. Current and potential employees are placing emphasis on the presence or absence of professional development programming to not only grow within organizations, but also to expand their own development through … [More]
Upskilling Employees Is an Investment in Company Growth, Success
It’s especially critical in our ever-evolving economy
Identifying Up-and-Coming Board and Committee Talent
How can nonprofits attract the best-of-the-best?
CEOs sitting on nonprofit boards who are tasked with recruiting new members might, at first, wonder, “Where will I find these leaders — especially since the best are already on other boards?” There are plenty of places to find exceptional, untapped talent for boards, say Leezie Kim, chair for Arizona Community Foundation’s board of directors, and Anne Marbarger, CEO of … [More]
Election 2024: Employer Responsibility
Encouraging employees’ civic engagement in the election process without getting political
Political polarization is at an all-time high, which might signal Arizona has its highest number of interested and invested voters this election year. However, it may also be the reason fewer people head to the polls to vote. Supporting employees’ civic engagement in the election process is perhaps one of the most important ways employers can enact change throughout our … [More]
Donor Resilience Continues Despite Economic, Social Challenges
Giving USA 2023 report highlights philanthropic growth
If one thing has become clear over the past six years of bumpy roads, it’s that philanthropy is resilient. American generosity has weathered major tax legislation changes, a worldwide pandemic, natural disasters, humanitarian crises, political unrest and supply chain disruption. Even above-average rates of inflation and changing norms around the transparency of large gifts … [More]
Structuring a Corporate Giving Program That Truly Gives Back
Consider company values as well as causes most important to employees, stakeholders and customers
Corporate giving offers businesses a multitude of benefits, including creating a positive public image that can help attract customers, employees and investors while also increasing employee engagement and improving the company’s financial performance. Yet, some companies are unsure of the process to create a company-wide program and find themselves navigating several one-off … [More]
Honoring Differing Donor Mindsets amid Social Upheaval
You can’t make everyone happy … can you?
With today’s myriad social issues — political polarization, protests, diversity concerns — nonprofits are bound to face conflicting viewpoints from their constituents. Longstanding donors may bail while new donors may hop onboard. That kind of turbidity can present grave consequences to a nonprofit’s bottom line. It’s a scenario San Diego’s Museum of Us knows well. In 2012, … [More]
‘Fair Chance’ Initiatives Give Much More Than Just a Second Chance
Fair Chance Collaborative to build off existing community efforts
Roughly one-third of adults in the United States have a criminal record. Arizona has the eighth highest incarceration rate in the nation, with more than 50,000 incarcerated and more than 70,000 on probation or parole. The number of people in county and city jails in Arizona is even larger, resulting in the release of more than 200,000 individuals each year. The data … [More]
Strong Culture of Philanthropy = Financial Success
Nonprofits with strong giving cultures are more likely to succeed
You know you have a strong culture of philanthropy when the athletic director says his top priority is funding the science building. Or when local CEOs who have never given to your nonprofit step up to contribute multiple transformational gifts in succession. It’s what happened to Lori Redfearn, California State’s former assistant vice chancellor for systemwide advancement, … [More]
Students’ Chronic Absenteeism Is a Growing Issue
Impacts Arizona’s business health and economy
Chronic absenteeism among Arizona students has steadily increased since the COVID-19 pandemic, putting students and our future Arizona leaders at risk. Chronic absenteeism increased from 14% in 2019 to 34% in 2022, according to data from the Arizona Department of Education. When a K-12 student misses 10% or more of the school year, they are considered chronically absent. This … [More]
Nonprofits Move at the Speed of Trust
The bedrock of trust-building is truth
Integrity, authenticity, accountability and trust — these are the hallmarks of any strong relationship, including the relationships between nonprofit organizations and the donors who invest in them. Start with the Right Question Trust starts with a simple question, says Ron Schiller, founding partner of Aspen Leadership Group and author of Belief and Confidence. “Ask your … [More]
If You Build It, They Will Give
Creating an effective employee engagement program
An effective employee engagement program is a vital component of any company’s corporate social responsibility strategy. According to re:Charity, 71% of employees believe it’s important to work at companies that choose to give back to the community. With competitive advantage in the marketplace top of mind, now may be a good time for organizations to establish or evaluate their … [More]
Maintaining Stakeholder Relationships during Leadership Change
The importance of constituent communication
Employee turnover is nothing new in the workplace, but it presents an even greater challenge for nonprofits. The Society for Human Resource Management reports the voluntary turnover rate for nonprofits at 19%, compared to 12% in the overall labor market. When nonprofits lose leadership positions, far more is at stake than the simple loss of personnel. Too much turnover can … [More]
Cultivating Relationships That Build Stronger Communities
Aligning ‘giving back’ with company values also benefits in engaged employees
More than 80% of employees believe their company should provide opportunities to engage in the community, according to a recent American Charities employer research study. How can a business provide these opportunities to satisfy their employees’ desire to give back, and what type of impact will it have on the company, the employees and the community as a whole? Finding a … [More]
Balancing Fundraising for Short-Term Needs and Long-Term Strength
Lessons learned from two challenging years
The bumpy ride of the past two years — amid the pandemic and social unrest — has revealed a great deal about fundraising for immediate needs, as well as long-term sustainability and strength. Nonprofits learned to move quickly in addressing critical needs as donors stepped up with unrestricted gifts they entrusted to organizations for best use. Valley of the Sun United Way … [More]
Business and Education Leaders Rally around Importance of Continuing Education
Arizona has ‘Everything to Gain’ by increasing the number of students pursuing postsecondary education
The need for skilled labor and specialized training remains high. In Arizona, nearly seven out of 10 jobs require training beyond high school. Yet approximately 25% of eligible high school graduates do not pursue a college education. As a result, Arizona is facing a shortage of individuals with college-level qualifications. More than half of Arizonans aged 25 to 64 do not … [More]
Philanthropic Resilience Compromised by Inflation
Even with 2022 GDP growth and historically low unemployment
While economic uncertainty and stock market volatility have influenced giving patterns in the past, inflation’s impact created an anomaly in 2022 — a decline in giving, marking only the fourth drop in U.S. philanthropy over the last 40 years. That said, Americans still gave a generous $499.33 billion to charity in 2022, despite the latest numbers from Giving USA 2023 … [More]
Home Is Where It All Starts
Affordable housing is key to economic growth in Arizona
Affordable housing has been an ongoing issue, as minimum wage and salaries remain stagnate. Maricopa County has one of the highest rates of homelessness in the United States, according to federal data, with 16.5% of the population earning an income below the poverty line. Every year, the cost of living rises, forcing housing instability. Without a stable home, individuals are … [More]
Silent Phase to Public: When to Announce a Fundraising Campaign
It’s much more than a percentage of goal raised in advance
Fifty percent. Sixty. Ninety … Conventional fundraising wisdom says nonprofits should have more than half of funds committed or in hand before publicly announcing a campaign. The intention, after all, is to ensure campaign success. While a silent campaign phase allows fundraisers to secure lead gifts and recruit volunteers behind the scenes, there is always the risk of … [More]
