Federal Realty Investment Trust’s Post

Are you concerned, as I am, about the polarization and division in our country? The unkindness and disrespect? Do you wonder where we are headed long-term? If so, you may be interested in a non-profit organization called StoryCorps. Since 2003 they have recorded the voices of over 640,000 people across the United States and connected those recordings to the U.S. Library of Congress--the largest single collection of human voices ever gathered! One of the projects of StoryCorps is called One Small Step. In this project, anyone can apply to be matched with another American to have a conversation. And, guess what? If you apply, you will be matched with someone whose basic views are different from your own. The conversation will be recorded and added to the archive. In most cases, by the time two people with distinctly differing views get to the end of their conversation, they will have formed a bond that is greater than their differences! America is a nation based on respect for the differences of its people, a respect for the Rule of Law applied equally to its people, and a place that guarantees the free expression of its people with minimal exception. StoryCorps is an organization whose mission is predicated on the principle that ALL Americans deserve to have their voices heard. Check it out and get matched for a conversation with a fellow American today. We have far more in common than we have dividing us. #expression #diversity #voice #unity #respect

I've talked before about how more #foundations need to support individual #artists, especially BIPOC artists and especially during COVID, and for the most part, a small handful of foundations have started to provide increased funding for individuals and collectives. However, many of these funds have tedious applications that can only be accessed through creating accounts, require attendance at information sessions (with required advanced registration), have interviews, have interm and final reports, have strange eligibility requirements, have award dates almost a year out from the application deadline, and many other horrible funding practices. All for $5,000 to $10,000 (sometimes over the course of two years). While this is certainly a step in the right direction, it is, at best, the first step of many. Foundations have proven that they can listen and respond, but they need to respond proportionately to make it easier for artists and collectives to thrive. #philanthropy #grants

📅 On this Martin Luther King Jr Day, we invite you to make a difference and contribute to your community through acts of service. Let's come together to celebrate Dr. King's vision of equality, justice, and compassion. 🤝 Here are some meaningful ways you can get involved: 1️⃣ Volunteer at a local organization: Dedicate a few hours of your day to support a cause close to your heart. Whether it's helping at a food bank, shelter, or community center, your time and effort will make a positive impact. 2️⃣ Organize a neighborhood clean-up: Gather your friends, family, and neighbors for a day of cleaning up parks, streets, or other public spaces. 3️⃣ Spread kindness: Small acts of kindness can go a long way. Reach out to a neighbor in need, donate clothes or food to those less fortunate, or simply lend a listening ear to someone who could use it.] 4️⃣ Educate and inspire: Take this opportunity to learn more about the Civil Rights Movement and Dr. King's impactful work. Share his powerful speeches, quotes, and teachings on social media, sparking conversations and promoting awareness. 5️⃣ Support local businesses: Show your support for businesses owned by underrepresented communities. By shopping at these establishments or recommending them to others, you can contribute to economic growth and foster inclusivity. 🌍 Remember, the impact of service extends far beyond a single day. Let's make a collective commitment to serve our communities throughout the year, creating a lasting legacy of unity, justice, and equality. 🔁 Share this post and tag a friend who you'd like to volunteer with.🤝✨ #MLKDayOfService #ServeWithPurpose #InspireChange #mlkday #volunteer #communitysupport #supportlocal #donate

“Without a deep understanding of your unique identity & how this motivates you, and the impact this can have on your personal & collective contributions to society, you’ll bring your gifts for your independent needs only, never quite getting the philanthropic purposes you were designed for. We’re our happiest when we’re contributing to the lives of others” Sam McDonald  www.with-humanity.com #assumepositiveintent #positivepyschology #activelistening #appreciativeenquiry#employeeengagement #engagement #cliftonstrengths #identity #universalvaluemetric #newsocialsystem #consciousness #togetherstronger #intrinsicmotivation #intrinsicvalue #intrinsicidentity #interdependentrulesofengagement #WITH #sammcdonald #futuresthinking #ideasworthspreading #peoplefirst #peoplebeforeprofit #talent #strengths #dei #vulnerabilty  #debiasthefuture #systemschange #practicetheartofnotknowing #Ubuntu

#7 (Seven) Reasons; Why You Should Sponsor #Charity Charity sponsorship is a great way for companies and individuals to support causes they are passionate about while also gaining exposure for their brand. Here are seven reasons why charity sponsorship is a win-win for everyone involved. 1. Increased brand visibility: When a company sponsors a charity event or cause, their logo and brand name are typically displayed prominently on promotional materials, websites, and social media channels. This exposure can help increase brand recognition and attract new customers. 2. Positive public relations: Supporting a charity through sponsorship shows that a company is committed to making a positive impact on the community. This can help improve their reputation and build trust with consumers. 3. Employee engagement: Sponsoring a charity can also boost employee morale and engagement. Many companies offer employees the opportunity to volunteer at charity events or participate in fundraising activities, which can help foster a sense of teamwork and camaraderie. 4. Tax benefits: In many cases, companies can deduct their charitable donations from their taxes, which can provide a financial incentive for sponsoring a charity. This can help offset the cost of sponsorship and make it a more attractive option for businesses. 5. Networking opportunities: Charity events often attract a wide range of attendees, including other businesses, community leaders, and potential clients. Sponsoring a charity event can provide valuable networking opportunities and help companies connect with other like-minded individuals and organizations. 6. Demonstrate corporate social responsibility: By sponsoring a charity, companies can demonstrate their commitment to giving back to the community and supporting important causes. This can help improve their corporate social responsibility profile and attract socially-conscious consumers. 7. Make a real impact: Perhaps the most important reason to sponsor a charity is the impact it can have on the cause itself. By providing financial support and raising awareness, companies can help charities achieve their goals and make a difference in the lives of those in need. In conclusion, charity sponsorship is a powerful tool for companies and individuals to support causes they care about while also benefiting their bottom line. By sponsoring a charity, businesses can increase brand visibility, improve their public relations, engage employees, and make a real impact on their community. It's a win-win for everyone involved.

A great article interrogating, among other things, the inherent #colonialism in #philanthropy, taken from the Inter-Narratives newsletter by Bayo Akomolafe. Clear 15 mins of genuine brain space (followed by some time to reflect) and take a read: https://lnkd.in/ej7B8xPm A selection of the quotes that stuck out: '“the empire of charity”... serves to enforce “deeply-rooted structures of domination" "it is no surprise that the motivations and operations of traditional philanthropy are increasingly called into question as their entanglements with troubling colonial dynamics, extractivist sources of wealth, algorithmic pathways that perpetuate a marginalization and displacement of minorities, a dependence on sources of knowledge that have little to do with the lived experiences and concerns of aid recipients, and the erasure of democratic procedure in the adoption of artificial intelligence measures, are becoming clearer." "directs the erotic flow of money... towards the preservation of particular ways of knowing the world" "Representation, while needed, is still representation within settlement and baseline realities performed by colonial orders" "Neurotypicality is a domain of labour, a plantation that forces us to act in ways that increases predetermined definitions of value". #injustice #systemchange

Let’s start from the beginning. What is social design? This is a newly emergent and rapidly evolving field using empathy, creativity, and human-centered design to create solutions to social problems. Does this sound complex? It is. It’s a field sitting directly at the center of art, design, and politics. It’s a field empowering the world’s artists to become changemakers. Let’s start with these basics. We will be building from here as the year progresses, so be sure to like and follow to stay on track. Visit https://lnkd.in/ekSnUpuE to learn more! Let’s let the art do the talking. #art #design #designforchange #socialdesign #socialimpact #politics #nonprofit #socialenterprise #advocacy #artivism Powered by Verity, LLC | EST. 2022 Written and Designed by @kylanstephon

This #MLKDay, we ask you to consider giving in the spirit of Social Justice Philanthropy. ⚖ 👐🏾 Aligned with Dr. King's vision, it addresses underinvestment in communities and uplifts organizations often overlooked by mainstream philanthropy. Social Justice Philanthropy goes beyond traditional giving. It tackles the root causes of social, economic, and environmental injustices, empowering those affected to be decision-makers. It emphasizes that HOW we give is significant - that offering time, knowledge, skills, and access creates spaces where those impacted can successfully guide funding decisions. In this way, we diversify and democratize philanthropy itself and make it more inclusive and accessible. Supporting initiatives like HBCUs, voter mobilization, Legal Aid groups, community empowerment programs, and inequality research directly address systemic imbalances. Crucially, funding BIPOC organizations, traditionally underfunded compared to white-led counterparts, is also a key step towards equity. In honoring Dr. King’s legacy, we ask that you help elevate voices and strengthen the foundations of communities affected by systemic disinvestment. Through this effort, we can foster a more interconnected and just global community. #SocialJusticePhilanthropy #EquitableInvestment 📷 : Camilo José Vergara - Muralist unknown (Philadelphia)

Asking Questions, Seeking Answers Empowering Voices, Transforming Lives Here at Wail of a Tale, we engage viewers with stories that amplify the voices of women and marginalized communities. Our Mission Education through documentary storytelling. #education #criticalthinking #emotionalintelligence #documentary #nonprofit #501c3 #askingquestions #seekinganswers #equity #health #healthequity #blackandbrowncommunities #lgbtqia+ #academicinvestigation #storytelling #wavesforsocialchange #wailofatale #donate #socialjustice #humanrights #women #marginalized #joinus #donate Who We Are & What We Do Wail of a Tale Productions, (WOAT) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit educational documentary organization. We engage viewers with stories that amplify the voices of women and marginalized communities. We view documentary filmmaking as a tool to educate students, organizations, the public, and lawmakers on social justice issues. Through academic and investigative research, we project the message of women and marginalized communities to effect change. We provide hope and inspire concrete actions to improve lives. We produce waves for social change. Join us.