Monthly Archives: January 2011

Does the nonprofit sector need a new name?


Posted by ajlovesya

I had a great conversation with Akhila Kolisetty at Justice for All about whether or not nonprofits should close their doors once they’ve solved an issue. At the root of it I think we both realized that our differing opinions are the result of our different experiences in the nonprofit sector. And in reflecting on this conversation I realized: the sector is too big for such blanket statements either way.

change nameAt conferences, seminars, or other small gatherings the need for a better breakdown is apparent. My small art based nonprofit is not the Guggenheim. My after school literacy program is not NYU -our needs and audiences are different even though we may be art or education nonprofits.

Other people are beginning to notice this diversity as well. For example Congress once debated taxing nonprofit hospitals many of which have revenues in the billions and do not explicitly serve the needy. This debate, while abandoned, hinted at redefining what a nonprofit *should* look like and who should be included.

Should we be more deliberate and focused in our discussions of nonprofit sector? Is *nonprofit sector* an adequate description of who we are and what we do? Our diversity is our greatest strength yet do we inadvertently hide it by speaking as though all of our needs are the same?

I don’t want to get too close to *special snowflake syndrome*: where we think we are all so different that we cant take reasonable action for the greater good. However, I do wonder if our discussions about nonprofits are too narrow.

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Want to start a nonprofit? Consider these six alternatives


Posted by ajlovesya

paper file nonprofit While the desire to start a nonprofit comes from a positive place, starting a nonprofit and making it successful is a long and sometimes overwhelming task.  You want to  help and work with people yet you find yourself buried under piles of paper work or constantly searching for funding.  While there are no shortcuts in reaching social justice and building community, some approaches may suit your needs and interests better than others. So before you rush out to get a board and develop bylaws consider the following alternatives to starting a nonprofit:

  • Free agent: More and more people are affecting social change outside of an organization. Harnessing social media, you can mobilize your network to take action or support a cause without the hassle of incorporating. This phrase was coined by Beth Kanter and Allison Fine in their book Networked Nonprofit. Learn more about free agents and see examples.
  • Informal group/club: If the issue you are addressing is small or very specific (cleaning up a local park or stacking shelves in a local food pantry) you may just be able to round up a group of friends and get to work. You can meet monthly to monitor progress and discuss new ideas. Learn more about starting a group or club.
  • Giving circle: Giving circles are one of the oldest forms community building philanthropy. In giving circles you pool money and resources together to support an organization you all select. The focus is usually on a local organization, often extends beyond giving financial support, and the circles can be formal or informal. Learn more about starting or joining a giving circle.
  • Local chapter of a national organization: Depending on the issue you want to address, you may be able to start or partner with a local chapter of an organization.  You can build on existing resources, support, and guidance to make a difference. Organizations that focus on professions, such as Young Nonprofit Professionals Network, Grant Managers Network, or Emerging Leaders in the Arts, tend to have chapters across the country.   However other organizations in different causes, like the Reeve Foundation are open to supporters launching local chapters as well.  You’ll have to do a little research and reaching out.
  • Intrapreneurship: Do you work or volunteer for an awesome organization? Maybe you noticed a need because of the work you do? This can be tricky as many organizations are pressed for resources and time. However, you can harness your organization’s infrastructure to make small steps in addressing the need you have identified. Organizations are more willing to support innovation if there is someone (i.e. YOU!) willing to take the lead. Start by collecting information on the need and presenting it to your organization. Learn more about being a social intrapreneur.
  • Fiscal sponsorship: In fiscal sponsorship a nonprofit will allow you to operate under their 501c3 status. While fiscal sponsorships vary from organization to organization (some may want to be hands on in the work you do; some may give you office space; some may help with administrative work), there is usually a fee involved. You should find an organization whose mission and work align with what you want to do and reach out to them directly. Learn more about fiscal sponsorships.

These alternatives encourage you to work with others which can be helpful in researching and refining your idea.

What other alternatives exist to starting a nonprofit?

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Work/life balance is pointless without reflection and values


Posted by ajlovesya

work life balance

Sometimes I feel a disconnect between my personal and professional lives and no, not in a work/life balance way. The conversation on work/life balance tends to ignore the importance of introspection and focuses on time and space. Flexible hours are certainly beneficial, but what do they have to do with how I interact with people? How I value relationships? How I view the importance of my work? How I view work period?

Given the fact that most of us experience a work/life blurr, I think we need to shift from focusing on benefits and organizational structure to ensuring that we are living out our values in both spaces. Of course, different environments call for different behaviors-I cant talk to my mom the way I talk to my boss. Yet when it comes to leadership and growth I am uneasy with the idea of there being a Work Allison and a Home Allison especially when the spheres arent always so separate.

A few months ago, inspired by the Happiness Project I began reflecting on my personal commandments: overarching principles that guide my actions and thoughts. While these are things that I have been working on deliberately for months, the beginning of the new year is the perfect time to write them down, share, and invite others to share their journey as well. Here are my personal commandments that I live by at work and at home. Feel free to share yours.

1. Speak up: My tenth grade teacher, my mom, a fellow board member, and my supervisor have all said this to me: You have to speak up. I may know the right answer, have a great idea, or be doing awesome work but it makes no difference if no one knows about it. I’ve always taken pride in execution: I like getting the job done. However mistakes can be avoided and praise can be given if I share what I’m doing with others.

Speaking up goes beyond notifying others; it is also a form of setting boundaries and trusting myself. I need to let people know my thoughts, good and bad, especially if certain actions may help or hurt me.

2. Trust my instincts: My instincts are usually dead-on, yet I tend to doubt myself, and as a result dont act on them. Having good instincts comes from experience and reflection but if I dont act on them I wont refine them or learn to trust myself.

3. Do it now: I have been AMAZED at how much more time I have and how much easier projects are to manage when I sit my ass down and work. Yes, leaving things to the last minute has not resulted in anything tragic and part of me still smiles at those times when I wrote a paper in college right before it was due and still got an A. But when I look closely, I had to spend stressful hours working instead putting finishing touches on things and moving on to the next project (or, taking a nap).

4. Write now: I am a writer at heart. Always have been. The fun story my family likes to tell is how when I was in junior high I was set on going to Columbia University to study journalism, then heading to Oxford to study some more and launch a magazine that would make me oh so famous (if there was a TV show that has this kind of conversation happening, please let me know. I have no idea where I got such a detailed dream from at the ripe old age of 12). Instead of putting off writing, I make time for it, expose myself to different types of writing, in addition to writing when it the mood strikes me.

5. Own my expertise: Back to number 1-the not speaking up thing is also a result of my not trusting myself. What do I know? More than I give myself credit for. And there is a way to speak knowledgeably while still remaining open to learning and new ideas. Expert does not mean complete and being able to present and share information effectively is just as important as having the information in the first place.

6. Show up: ::sigh:: I need to get out more. I never regret it when I do.

7. Let go: Some things just werent meant to be. Learning what to pursue and what to let pass or whom to hold on to and whom I should forget is hard. Focusing on what I dont have or too much fuss over what is bringing me down does not allow me to appreciate my blessings.

8. Demonstrate love: Yes, I will bake you cookies just because. Sure, I will pick up a book for you that reminded me of that silly joke we made two summers ago. Absolutely, I will call you and have nothing more to say than “how are you?” and listen. I love you, value you, and appreciate you-I want to show it beyond words.

9. Assume the best: The anger I feel when something goes wrong is often the result of assuming the worst. I assume that the package was sent late because someone was lazy not because that person had an emergency or that I ::gasp:: made mistake. Assuming the worst allows me to dwell on the problem, while assuming the best encourages me to think more creatively: ok this didnt go according to plan, what’s next?

10. Cry and move on: I am a cryer. I like to cry. I feel good when I cry and I denied this for so long. I’m not weak! I’m strong! Oh please. Crying is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of being human.

What are your commandments? How do they affect your work and life?

Thanks to Akhila for encouraging me to be more personal in my posts :)

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Three tactics to boost your network on twitter, linkedin, and facebook


Posted by ajlovesya

You’ve decided to jump into social media or maybe you’ve been using it for a while and are wondering how to make the most of your connections and meet new people. Try these three tactics on twitter, linkedin, and facebook to grow and strengthen your network.

On Twitter:

Join a twitter chat: Want to participate in a free exchange of ideas, resources, and support while connecting with people who share your passion and interests? Participate in a twitter chat!

Twitter chats are conversations that happen during a set time period using an assigned hashtag. Anyone can participate in a twitter chat simply by including the hashtag in their tweets. Three of my favorite twitter chats are #ynpchat (for young nonprofit professionals), #jobhuntchat (for job seekers) and #nptalk (for nonprofits). You can learn more about these twitter chats and others by checking out this list.

On Linked In:

Make an introduction: The best way to strengthen your network is to foster relationships among the people in it. Think about two people in your network who should know each other: do they share the same interests? Do they work in the similar field? Can they help each other? After you identify these people, introduce them! You can forward one person’s profile to the other person and include a note on why you think they should know each other or just send a message to both at the same time via your Linked In inbox. Also, I find that people tend to return favors like this and will keep you in mind and connect you with amazing people.

On Facebook:

Ask your network questions: People tend to use facebook for personal use only and never think of getting professional insights from them. However, those friends and family members can potentially be your best assets in growing professionally. Why? Because they know and support you! So spark discussions about your career, professional development, or issues in your field. Share interesting quotes or articles with your personal take on them to let people see what you’re passionate about.

As Rosetta Thurman said in her recent webinar on developing a side job, these days if people know you, like you, and trust you they are much more likely to want to work with you and support you. Build a community.

What other social media practices have helped you strengthen your network?

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