Walking the Talk

I just received a press release that made my heart sing. I know that is rare but hear me out. Many nonprofit organizations and consulting firms complain that there are not enough young people with the skills and interest to lead the nonprofit sector. This is an example of a firm that is actually doing something by giving undergraduates the chance to do social change work at their firm. I think it's a great example for all of us. From Frontline:

 In June, the philanthropic sector will be introduced to six undergraduates handpicked by the social change organization Frontline Solutions. The Hilliard P. Jenkins Undergraduate Fellowship Program, now in its second year, is an internship opportunity for students to receive practical training with senior staff at Frontline Solutions. Aimed at aspiring professionals with a passion for the fields of social justice and entrepreneurship, the Hilliard P. Jenkins Fellowship Program is a venue to aid and learn from Frontline’s ongoing work of supporting foundations and nonprofits and the communities in which they serve. Through the summer internship, HPJ Fellows are placed at one of Frontline’s offices in Durham, NC, Philadelphia, PA, and Brooklyn, NY. The students receive introductions to organizations in their base office and around the country, and receive professional development opportunities by working on a variety of high-impact projects.  “Being a part of exposing students to the multiple facets of the social change sector is both fun and fundamental to our mission to invest in the pipeline of emerging social change leaders,’” says Frontline Senior Partner Marcus Littles. “Our work allows us to engage with policymakers, academicians, community leaders, organizers, grantmakers and entrepreneurs. We have been privileged the past couple of years to have the best and brightest students work along with us, and this year is no exception.”

The program is designed to expose fellows to the inner workings and strategy development of a start-up consulting firm in its sixth year of operation as well as the work of Frontline’s clients, such as W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, Community Investment Network and Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy.  Before the program ends in August, each fellow will take at least one Frontline-supported work trip and participate in multiple meetings with clients and community partners around the country. Read more about the HPJ Fellowship.

Frontline Solutions (helpingchangehappen.com) is a social change organization that invests in the pipeline of social change leaders; provides consulting services to institutions in the nonprofit, government, and philanthropic sectors; and engages in field-building in three areas of expertise: Education, Social Innovation, and Males of Color.

Rosetta, Nonprofits, and Diversity

The fabulous Rosetta Thurman has a great post about The Voice of Nonprofit Talent Report. Diversity is critical to the sector but most reports dance around this idea. From Rosetta:

About a dozen people sent me the link to The Voice of Nonprofit Talent: Perceptions of Diversity in the Workplace, a new study produced by Commongood Careers and Level Playing Field Institute. I didn’t read it right away because honestly, most reports about diversity in the nonprofit sector pretty much say the same damn thing and are a total waste of funder’s money.

Does any of this sound familiar?

Nonprofit staff isn’t very diverse. Nonprofit boards aren’t very diverse. Nonprofits need more diversity. Nonprofits don’t know where to find people of color. Nonprofits can’t seem to attract young people. Or gay people. Blah blah blah. Whatevs.

But this study is a little different. Yes, the study focuses on ethnic and racial diversity in the nonprofit workplace, but it’s the first report I’ve seen that doesn’t focus on the fact that nonprofits are ruled by white people.

Instead, it examines the repercussions of what happens when organizations do nothing to change this reality.

Read the rest of this post here.

The winner of the Nonprofit Rockstar Contest...

The winner of the Nonprofit Rockstar 6 month anniversary contest is Mary Migliorelli! Thanks for all of the entries and for making the book "How to Become a Nonprofit Rockstar" a success.

Philanthropy on Trial

Philanthropy On Trial from Council on Foundations on Vimeo.

This was one of the most interesting evaluations of philanthropy that I have had the pleasure of participating in. My job was to get 15 random members of the audience to come up with a verdict at the Council on Foundations' Annual Conference, as you can guess, that didn't go well.

Nonprofit Rockstar Contest!

Thank you for your support of How to Become a Nonprofit Rockstar! In just six months, the book has made a positive impact in the careers of nonprofit professionals all over the world. (Shout out to our very enthusiastic readers Colin in London and Carmen in the Netherlands!)

In honor of the 6 month anniversary of the book we have some exciting things going on this week:

-Free 1-hour teleseminar with me and Rosetta called “Movin’ On Up: 7 Steps to Rock Your Nonprofit Job Search”. Check out www.rosettathurman.com for more detals.

-25% discount on copies of the book purchased this week. Get the ebook here or your hard copy here. If you already have a copy for yourself, have you gotten one for your work BFF, cousin who just finished the Peace Corps, or your neighbor who is getting her nonprofit management degree?

-Last but not least we are having a special contest this week. We want to know what your definition of a nonprofit rockstar is. Leave your answer in the comments and you have a chance to win a signed copy of the book! The contest ends May 6th.