Amy Hood

Surgeon General Vivek Murthy talks about the need for a "whole-of-society approach" to advancing social connection. We've tried to heed that call in our work at Einhorn Collaborative, supporting a broader range of efforts that engage actors across sectors. That includes: Projects like Team Up to enlist large national civic organizations with a presence in local communities to help people build connection across difference through service. Research groups like Building H to measure the impact of products on consumers’ health and urge companies to do better to improve social connection and other health outcomes. Initiatives like Human Connections AI to bring together social connection experts with technologists to puzzle through how AI companions can be designed to enhance and not degrade human relationships. Another project that has helped us explore a facet of the whole-of-society approach is the Connective Tissue Framework, which puts forward a range of recommendations for how government – especially at the local level – can create the structural conditions and everyday opportunities for people to experience healthy connection. I've learned a lot from Sam Pressler, lead author of Connective Tissue. In this piece, I asked Sam to share more about the story behind the framework and a few highlights. https://lnkd.in/esayJU3b

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✨ Charting New Paths in Family Philanthropy ✨ The National Center for Family Philanthropy (NCFP)'s Trends 2025 report offers a fascinating look at how family philanthropy is evolving across the U.S. It covers everything from changes in asset sizes and grantmaking strategies to shifting family dynamics. These insights are invaluable for families and organizations looking to deepen their impact and navigate the future of giving thoughtfully. I’m also excited to share this resource and invite you to explore the findings! Dive in below ↘ #NCFP #FamilyPhilanthropy #2025TrendsReport #SVPI

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The Far Side of Fundraising Tip of the Week Transactional fundraising leads to high rates of donor loss. Most organizations lose 4 out of 5 first-time donors. The more rapidly and impersonally we secure support, the more we sub-optimize giving potential and the more rapidly donors depart. High rates of donor attrition, coupled with the continue contraction of giving households, spell long-term disaster for most nonprofits. Don't follow the transactional lemmings as they plunged into the sea. Adopt sustainable practices. You may be in the minority but you will help your organization survive and eventually thrive. This one requires that you closely to see who stands out in adopting sustainable practices.

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LEVEL UP YOUR NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT SKILLS! Fall 2024 semester of the Nonprofit Management Certificate course at Sonoma State University is now open for enrollment. Join live on Wednesday evenings, Sept. 11-Nov. 13, 2024. Fast-paced live-streamed course on fundamental concepts, best practices & hands-on skills-building, taught by diverse instructors and enriched by students’ experiences. Topics include: * Nonprofit Program Development * Legal Issues * Finance & Accounting * Fundraising (I teach the session on grantwriting) * Board Governance * Leadership -- & more! When you complete the course, you receive a Certificate of Nonprofit Management. https://lnkd.in/ggdECCGv Students rave about the course: * I was offered a higher starting salary after I told the hiring manager I’d just completed this course. * Thank you for leading an inspirational program for nonprofit leaders. It elevated my understanding of working in a nonprofit organization. * Having different instructors each week is refreshing and potent. * Great class for the fundamentals of nonprofit management.

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Philanthropy has an excellent opportunity to make significant headway toward breaking the intergenerational cycle of violence and reducing violence against children. Until we as a sector adopt strategies that address the structural violence and inequities that drive and feed individual behavior, our goal to end this harm will be incomplete. While it is essential to change responses to individuals who commit violence against children or are at risk of doing so, violence is never only about individual factors; it is also systemic and historical. Ignite Philanthropy: Inspiring the End to Violence Against Girls and Boys has an approach to ending violence against children that is awakening a global movement to tackle the structural drivers that lead to violence against children and the system changes that must take place to dismantle them. For this reason, I am pleased to announce that I have joined Ignite Philanthropy's Advisory Board. I am excited to team up with and support the leadership of Ignite's CEO, Don Cipriani, and his fantastic team in the journey ahead. I am also looking forward to working with and learning from my fantastic comrades on the board: Chandre Gould, Sohini Bhattacharya, Dipak Naker, and Elda Moreno. See Board Announcement: https://lnkd.in/gKXuFt9V #endviolenceagainstchildren #accountablephilantrhopy #connectingthedots #survivorsadvocacy #genderequality #visionandaction #youthparticipation #MovementBuilding

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I’ve realized that sometimes when donors don’t want to meet, it’s often not about a lack of interest but issues like poor timing or unclear expectations. One time I tried to reach a donor for five months only to find out that they were out of the country with no cell phone service. Rather than giving up on the donor that is unresponsive, take the time to understand other reasons they may not be getting back to you. Remember, a fundraisers timeline is not a donors timeline. Here's an article that explores the topic further. If you haven't had a chance yet, please take the time to visit nonprofitfreelancers.com where we envision a world where every nonprofit regardless of size or resources has access to expert support and tools needed to maximize their impact. #cfre #fundraising #majorgifts #fundraisers #nonprofits https://lnkd.in/g8PBceh3

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This recent piece by FSG argues that foundations committed to systems change need to take an ecosystem approach guided by the principles of trust based philanthropy to inform strategy development, program implementation, and learning and evaluation. This reorientation takes funders from positioning themselves as central to positioning themselves as one component of an ecosystem. This results in, among other things: Strategy development moving from being developed internally to being co-created with ecosystem partners; Strategy implementation expanding beyond siloed grantmaking for organizations to support for collaboratives and community-led solutions; and Learning and evaluation expanding beyond grant-level outcomes and accountability with proscribed outcomes to co-developing systems level outcomes and learning. The authors provide helpful examples and frameworks for each stage of the strategy lifecycle. For those of you who fund in systems change, what resonates with you?

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Last week the Fundraising Effectiveness Project released the results for the second Quarter of 2024 that conformed the ongoing challenges fundraisers and donors are continuing to face with fewer households donating during these uncertain times. Meanwhile we now well into the fourth quarter of the year and many organizations find that giving is flat or down so far for the calendar year. Fortunately, we are entering what is traditionally the most generous time of the year. It may be time to review your Year End Giving Action Plans and focus on adjustments that might make a difference in the November and December. Mike's Monday AFP Message gives a quick summary of the latest FEP Findings and some ideas to consider, as you make adjustments to your 4th Quarter Game Plans, The clock is running and now is the time to act. #fundraising #yearendgiving #Philanthropicplanning

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Many donors still are trying to understand how donor-advised funds work. Likewise, a lot of nonprofit leaders still are unsure the right way to work with donors who give through DAFs, much less the DAF providers themselves. In the latest Giving Ventures podcast, we tackle both sides of the equation. The podcast plays back a great webinar we hosted for non-profit leaders last week exploring how to use and work with DAF providers. Take a listen, whether you be a donor, non-profit CEO, or a fundraiser. You'll find something to help you!

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🚀 Exciting News from Giving Compass! Yesterday, we proudly released the Donor Satisfaction and Unlocking Public Sector Funding from DAFs report. This groundbreaking study, led by Dr. Sara Konrath of the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, dives deep into how DAF donors think, give, and engage. 🌟 Key insights from the report include: 68% of donors are driven by long-term impact, seeking sustainable change through their giving. 98% of donors are more likely to give after watching a short video, showing the undeniable power of storytelling. 37% of donors still rely on credit cards, missing the opportunity to use their DAFs more easily. 84% of donors who didn’t use their DAF gave to local nonprofits, highlighting the potential to channel more DAF funds into grassroots organizations. This research also emphasizes how DAF donors see themselves as strategic, thoughtful givers, yet we’re just at the beginning of this wave—only 10% of affluent households have a DAF. The potential for growth is enormous! A special thanks to Dr. Konrath and our incredible team at Giving Compass, including Brandolon Barnett and Madeleine Alegria, for leading the charge on this important work. We are excited to continue helping donors maximize their generosity. To learn more, check out the full report below! Let’s keep pushing the boundaries of donor engagement and unlocking the full potential of philanthropy! 💡 #DAF #DonorEngagement #Philanthropy #GivingCompass #Innovation https://lnkd.in/gFN4pJGD

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Super smart article by the super smart Andrew Dunckelman. It’s a good read as you consider the role of AI and giving.

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Years ago, our colleagues at BoardSource wrote an advocacy manual for the nonprofit sector. They named at the time that "when it comes to our missions, the impact of changes in public policy is rarely neutral. And – as leaders of our organizations – that means that we cannot be neutral either." I submit that this call has never been more important to answer. In my latest message to the PNY community, "Building Bridges: Philanthropy’s Journey Towards Active Advocacy," I delve into the transformative power of advocacy in philanthropy and how it extends our capacity to effect real change. This is not just about funding; it's about fostering movement building, influencing policy, and standing up for the necessary systems changes that ensure nonprofits, communities and individuals thrive. The journey is ongoing, and each step forward reinforces the belief that our collective voice can lead to enduring societal benefits. I invite you to read more about how we can all contribute to this dynamic field of active advocacy. Let’s continue to push boundaries together. Your thoughts and feedback would be immensely valuable as we navigate this path forward. #Philanthropy #Advocacy #SocialChange #Leadership

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Amplifying the Action for Transformation Fund - links in the original post to learn more and apply! Love for Aldita Amaru G., Transgender Law Center, and Emergent Fund for their leadership!

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 SXSW Panel: Need your vote by August 18th! Let's spark a new conversation about the systems shifting role private philanthropy can play when trust is at the center. But first, we need your vote to land a panel at SXS! Vote Here: https://lnkd.in/eDgz4_MP. As many know well, philanthropy has changed shape in the past few years - away from overly scientific metrics and theories of change to 'trust based.' We've gathered a few very creative folks in philanthropy to talk about it and share perspectives on how their programs have increased trust, sparked relationships, and inspired new ideas and bold leaders.

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I took to the pages of Philanthropy Daily to write about humility in #fundraising. Fundraisers are critical to advancing missions, but we can't let pride get in the way of our work. Stay humble and keep things in check to flourish in this work! I write about two temptations that lurk behind pride and presumption: 1. Donors should answer my calls. That would be nice, but the pathway to donor engagement is not self-importance, but persistence. "Donors (like all of us!) are busy people with countless pulls on their time and attention. However much you or they would benefit from meeting with you, they face countless competing priorities—and you, dear #fundraiser, do not skyrocket immediately to the top of their list of priorities." 2. Donors will—or SHOULD—renew their support. Perhaps indeed they "should" for the sake of the mission, even for the things they care about . . . but they don't owe you their time or money. Presumption promises frustration which leads all too easily to resentment. Remember: you must be grateful, and you must remind your donor every year to stick with your mission. "Staying humble—or getting there in the first place—makes the work of fundraising both more fulfilling and more effective." Your humility — along with persistence! — will bring much success to your #nonprofit fundraising! Center For Civil Society https://lnkd.in/gCXT5XEc

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