65. 10 Greatest Opportunities for Growth in Nonprofits in 2021 (Pt. 2) - Jonathan McCoy, CFRE and Becky Endicott, CFRE
Note: This is the second of a 2 part series on 10 Opportunities for Growth in Nonprofits This Year. To find the first part, listen here!
Listen to this episode
Overview
If 2020 taught us anything, it’s that self-reflection is a healthy, strategic move for all of us. We’ve been exploring this question on the podcast as we learn beside you, because we want to understand how to navigate this brave new world we find ourselves standing in. We’re sharing the final 5 of the 10 Greatest Opportunities for Growth in Nonprofits in 2021. We hope they challenge you and your teams to dream big this year - our missions are worth it.
“You are ready. You’ve been through 2020, you had your training grounds, you’ve had your time to pivot, this is your time to be ready for whatever 2021 throws at us.”
Powerful quotes
“I feel like we’ve been in a really unique seat in the house because we get to have these conversations that truly rock our worlds.” - Jon
“It’s more proof, to me, that we all have something that we can give.” - Becky
“I think a lot of people are saying, ‘I wanna do this, but I don’t know how to do this.’” - Becky
“It’s really about looking around and saying, ‘Who are we as an organization and who, that’s represented here, is that representative of our mission?’ And if it’s not, we need to take some steps to make it right.” - Becky
“It always starts with, ‘Is this actually your goal?’” - Jon
“Perhaps, maybe, we can be a little bit more inspired.” - Becky
“The mission can’t stop.” - Jon
“It also means the requests you’re gonna be making are different too. It’s not just always asking for the gift, there are lots of other ways to engage.'“ - Jon
“It provides such an incredible opportunity for us to have kind of a new voice.” - Becky
“Humanize yourself.” - Jon
“This is the time to go check on your people and check on yourself.” - Becky
“We see you all, no matter what space you’re in, please take care of yourself.” - Becky
“Innovation doesn’t have to be this thing in space that we can’t really quantify, it’s literally looking at things with a fresh set of eyes.” - Jon
“We need everyone- our administration, our volunteers, our key donor support and encouragement to go into these new spaces, to have our backs as we go and try to innovate it.” - Becky
“You are ready. You’ve been through 2020, you had your training grounds, you’ve had your time to pivot, this is your time to be ready for whatever 2021 throws at us.” - Jon
5 (more) opportunities for growth in 2021
Focus on DEI (2:37)
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. It’s essential in today’s workplace, it’s no longer a check-the-box situation.
This is essential for the growth mindset and it gives access to give everyone a seat at the table.
It humanizes your organization.
Helpful Episodes:
2. The Benefits of Working from Home (5:10)
Financially, the benefits are endless. Not having to pay rent for office space, no need for hefty equipment or other aspects of every office space.
The mental health aspect can also be very beneficial, but beware that sometimes it can be more harmful than helpful. Learning and adapting to the balance is key.
It gives a humanizing and vulnerable approach to the corporate workforce.
3. Learn how to target and communicate with different generational groups. (8:22)
Breaking it down, making it simple to understand. There is no one handout that is going to be understood and accepted by every generation.
Willing to make different requests and specify your asks to the generation and the specific person that you are talking with.
Julia Campbell gave us some amazing tips on this specific topic
1. Laser focus on the age that you’re talking to.
2. Research the places where these groups spend time.
3. Determine what you want them to do.
4. Focus on the issue rather than the organization.
5. Understand your different communication channels and play to those strengths.
Helpful Episodes:
14. How to Leverage Storytelling to Advance Your Cause - Julia Campbell
53. The Truth About Millennials and How to Engage Them In Your Mission - Dominique Calixte
4. Mental health is critical
Take the time to check in on yourself as well as those around you.
In our current global climate, things have been extremely challenging this past year. Take a moment to make sure work isn’t running you dry, make time for family, or to call a dear friend. Your brain will thank you for the break.
Helpful Episodes:
38. Real Talk: Anxiety, Imposter Syndrome + Finding Acceptance - Dr. Amanda Burke
44. Wellness and Life Balance for Nonprofit Leaders - Cynthia Gregory
5. Innovation
This is the prime space to be channeling your growth mindset. In this day and age with all the resources and accessibility technology and working from home has given us, adapting to these things and really putting you and your organization out there are going to be key in moving your company and organization forward.
Innovation is so helpful in people finding your organization and it also shows that you are willing to be molded and workable instead of rigid and hard to approach.
Helpful Episodes:
14. How Feeding Tampa Bay Acquired 15,000 Donors During Covid-19 - Thomas Mantz and Kelley Sims
64. Leveraging Data to Raise More Money This Year - Adrian Owen Jones, CFRE
Sneak Peek at What’s Next…
“We have a great goal of completely blowing the lid off of what professional development looks like for our sector. We want to revolutionize it in a massive way. Our goal-setting mindset is that we are going to unpack that a little bit at a time. Something big is coming from us in 2021, and we think it will revolutionize how you learn and can bring your mission to more people.” -Becky
“We are really intent in 2021 to create a safe space where we will push each other to achieve bigger goals and bigger dreams because our missions deserve that.”
Watch this episode
