Empowering Nonprofits During Critical Election Season: Resources and Strategies for Success
Dear LeaderSpring Center community,
As we approach significant elections, nonprofits are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping communities and advocating for change. The decisions made will undoubtedly impact nonprofit funding, advocacy efforts, and the overall social landscape. We hope the resources provided—from legal insights on voter engagement to strategies for effective fundraising and fostering equity—will equip your organization to navigate these challenges and opportunities with confidence.
Together, we can seize the moment to strengthen our nonprofit's mission and amplify community impact.
In community and gratitude,
LeaderSpring Center
Since 2013, the Ella Baker Center has been advancing an alternative to National Night Out. Our Night Out for Safety and Liberation is a police-free event promoting a community-centered public safety narrative. We focus on building equity, power, and opportunity in our communities rather than promoting fear, crime, and punishment.
This year, we continue to reimagine safety as a community with access to affordable healthcare, housing, food, education, safe and working infrastructure, and more.
This year Night Out for Safety and Liberation will be held on Tuesday, August 6th, 4:30 - 8 p.m. at Restore Oakland!
For SUITCASE SCREENINGS, SWFCenter is looking for volunteers to host 5 to 10 friends and/or family in their homes for a free screening of A Rising Tide. Remember, the goal is to raise awareness about OUR ability to end homelessness – the screenings are free! Your screening date should occur between July 25th and November 30th, 2024. In addition to showing the film, our staff will bring coffee cake and facilitate an after-screening intimate discussion of A Rising Tide and the homeless issues it raises.
WHO WE ARE SARAH WEBSTER FABIO CENTER FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE (SWFCenter) swfcenter4sj@gmail.com) is a 501C3 that builds community through the arts. A Rising Tide is a 93-minute documentary film we produced in 2023. It examines homelessness in Alameda County through the eyes of Black children, their families, and the industry that has developed around this housing crisis. With beauty, poetry, and optimism, the film empowers US to act.
TECHNICAL DETAILS: The screening can be performed using the SWFCenter portable projector or by running our computer through your TV system with either cable connectors or AirPlay. TO SIGN UP send your request to: swfcenter4sj@gmail.com
Many small-dollar donors have stepped back from charitable giving, leading to lower donor participation rates and a decrease in individual donations. The reasons behind this trend are multifaceted. Rising inflation has increased household costs, prompting some Americans to tighten their budgets. Additionally, following the 2008 financial crisis, nonprofits shifted their focus to major donors to quickly recover from recession losses, leaving many small donors feeling undervalued.
Today, fundraisers are re-evaluating their strategies to reconnect with middle-class donors. While some donors may not return, others are responding positively to new messaging and communication channels. Join the Chronicle and our panel of experts to explore effective strategies for re-engaging everyday donors and securing your organization’s financial future. Don't miss this opportunity to learn how to reinvigorate your donor base and drive meaningful support for your cause.
Are you an artist thinking about how AI might impact your work? Come to our free nano training and legal cafe where we’ll share information to help artists grappling with how AI is shaping the boundaries of creativity, copyright, and ethical considerations in the ever-evolving landscape of artistic expression.
Join us in preparing for the upcoming election year with the Council of Nonprofits' comprehensive resources on nonpartisan voter engagement on July 30 (3 pm to 3:45 pm ET). This initiative provides nonprofits with the tools and strategies needed to effectively engage voters and promote civic participation.
Learn how to navigate legal considerations, organize community events, and leverage your nonprofit's influence to make a meaningful impact in the 2024 elections. Don't miss this opportunity to strengthen your organization's role in fostering a vibrant democracy.
For more details, visit the Council of Nonprofits' Nonpartisan Voter Engagement page.
INSIGHTS: Reports & Articles
Borealis Philanthropy’s Racial Equity to Accelerate Change (REACH) Fund and Research Action Design (RAD) are proud to present Meeting the Moment, Keeping the Momentum, a publication that shares the insights of racial equity practitioners. Featuring narratives and five in-depth case studies, this resource provides practical guidance for organizations working for social change on how to cultivate an equitable culture within their workplaces and throughout the broader movement ecosystem.
The idea of maintaining a neutral stance is appealing to many nonprofit leaders who wish to avoid explaining or defending their views to staff, board members, donors, or others, Can Your Group Stay Neutral on Controversial Topics? 5 Things to Know
State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Still Available for the Asking. So ask! The Council of Nonprofits highlights the importance of proactively seeking these funds to support your mission during these challenging times. This article provides essential insights on how to navigate the application process and effectively advocate for your nonprofit's needs.
In 2024, only a quarter of charitable nonprofits have formally lobbied the government, a significant decline from the three-quarters that did so in 2000.Charities Are Allowed to Do Some Lobbying, but Many Do None at All
GRANT + PROGRAMS RESOURCES
Activism: The A.J Foundation for Peace + Justice Social Justice Fund provides grants for grassroots activist projects in the U.S., giving priority to those with small budgets and little access to mainstream funding sources. Priority is given to direct grassroots activism and organzing; groups with diverse, representative, and democratic leadership structures; and groups that need additional support to carry out a project or build capacity. Grants up to $10,000; application deadline is October 21, 2024.
Children and Families: The W.K Kellogg Foundation is committed to ensuring all children, families, and communities—regardless of race or income—have opportunities to reach their full potential. The Foundation’s priorities are 1) thriving children; 2) working families; and 3) equitable communities. Information on how to apply is available on the foundation’s website.
Art Practitioners: Fiscal Sponsorship for Social Justice Arts Practitioners. The Field ’s Fiscal Sponsorship for Social Justice Arts Practitioners Program is a subsidized fiscal sponsorship membership with special benefits for individual artists and art collectives or organizations who identify as members of a historically underrepresented or marginalized group and whose creative work puts into practice and furthers values of social justice, equity, and inclusion in their communities. Information on how to apply by September 30, 2024.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Othering & Belonging Institute
Research Data Analyst - $33.57 to $35.92/hourly (Apply here)
