Today’s episode features Derrick Feldmann, a speaker, researcher, and author of a new book, The Corporate Social Mind, which introduces a new cultural and strategic approach to social issue engagement by companies. Listen in to hear Derrick talk to Rachel Hutchisson about what prompted him to write his latest book, what surprises Derrick discovered in his own research, and what his golden principles are and how they can help the social good community.

Topics Discussed in This Episode:

• Derrick’s background with the Ad Council and Influence SG
• What prompted Derrick to write his new book
• The most important points that Derrick hopes people will take away from his new book
• Derrick’s guidance for companies looking to be socially engaged
• Major findings from Derrick’s recent research
• What surprised Derrick in his study
• Derrick’s golden principles
• Where listeners can go to learn more

Resources:

Derrick Feldmann

The Corporate Social Mind

Cause and Social Influence

Quotes: 

“I’ve always let the research guide what I not only focus on, but also where my interests have really come out to play.”

“One of the core things we do throughout the book is talk about these eight traits.”

“As companies, you don’t have to be the leading voice, you don’t have to be the hero in all of this, but you do have to be a contributing voice.”

Many foundations would like to have a more defined measurement process around their grantmaking but aren’t sure where to start. Today’s episode focuses on that process: how to get started, how to iterate through the process, and how to report on your foundation’s accomplishments.

In an excerpt from a Blackbaud webinar, you’ll hear from Veronica Dickson of the FMH Foundation and Jessica Tudyk of the Mary E. Bivens Foundation about starting with the mission statement, talking to your board, and tracking data. To view the entire webinar, click on the link the Resources section below.

Topics Discussed in This Episode:

• Starting with the mission statement
• Looking at the written donor intent and foundation’s history of giving
• Talking to the board about strategic planning
• Making sure you and your grantees understand your lingo
• Meeting nonprofits where they are
• The If/Then tree
• Which data is needed
• How to track data
• Keeping track of data changes

Resources:

Veronica Dickson

Jessica Tudyk

Webinar: "Measuring for Success: The Good, The Helpful and the Impactful"

Blackbaud Foundation Solutions Resource Hub

Quotes: 

“Our foundation is very big on follow up and making sure that the money went where it should have gone and for the purpose that it was intended.” –Veronica Dickson

“I think that’s really good advice with any foundation. Where do you start? Keep the main thing the main thing. Look at your mission statement.” –Veronica Dickson

“I that it’s important to remember that no two processes are going to look identical, they’re not going to look the same.” –Jessica Tudyk

What does branding mean for nonprofit organizations, and how has it evolved to now require a comprehensive digital strategy?

Joining the podcast today is Farra Trompeter, chief growth officer of Big Duck and the co-author of an article about branding in the Blackbaud Institute’s new 2020 npEXPERTS eBook. Listen in to hear Farra talk to Steve MacLaughlin about the evolution of the marketing and branding tools that nonprofits need to think about using, understanding your why and who your why is for, and the importance of staff in upholding brand image.

Topics Discussed in This Episode:

• How nonprofit branding has evolved over the past seven years since Farra’s article in the original npEXPERTS book.
• How the ways that nonprofits use communications and digital marketing tools has changed
• Knowing why you’re using the tools the way that you are
• Understanding the why for your organization
• The intersection between branding and culture
• The importance of staff members upholding the brand image
• Combining speed and accuracy in communications to build trust and engagement
• How outreach and communication has shifted over the last few months
• How it helps to get feedback

Resources:

Farra Trompeter

npEXPERTS 2020 - published by the Blackbaud Institute

Quotes: 

“Thinking about your audiences and goals as it connects to your mission I think has been around for a while, and it’s still the right way to go about deciding what approach you should take, and then related to that approach, what tools you should use.”

“The staff are the people who are representing the organization day in and day out, and if my experience with that staff person is not one that in some way reinforces what I’m hoping for, then again that organization is not going to be able to uphold that desired perception.”

“What I hope to see is that momentum continue through the summer into the fall. I hope it’s not just a moment.”

Over the past months, racial equity and racial justice have come to the forefront of public consciousness and advocacy in the U.S. and around the world. And while this has also been a topic of discussion in philanthropy for some time, there is a real opportunity now for all social good organizations to really respond in a meaningful way that effects change.

In today’s episode, you’ll hear from Marcus Walton, President & CEO of Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (GEO). Listen in to hear Marcus talk about the current movement, the steps that responsive philanthropy must take to advance racial equity, and how all social good organizations can approach their work through a racial equity lens.

Topics Discussed in This Episode:

• Marcus’s background as a leader in philanthropy and in working on racial equity initiatives
• What GEO does and how it’s working with members
• Whether Marcus is hopeful that the current moment will move the needle on racial equity
• Steps that responsive philanthropy needs to take to advance racial equity
• What advice Marcus would give to funders right now
• Why it’s critical for all social good organizations to look at their work through a racial equity lens
• The importance of partnerships and data

Resources:

Marcus Walton

Article: "Hope is Not a Strategy for Change"

GEO's Vision for Smarter Grantmaking

Marcus Walton's Resource List on Leadership and Racial Equity

Quotes: 

“I can only be hopeful, because I’ve seen how quickly change can happen.”

“What I’m observing on one hand is an inclination to do something, to react.”

“Before we make a decision and head down a particular course of action, let’s ground ourselves in the current moment.”