Kennedy Stout’s Post

As the Communications Director at Hudson Ferris, I talk to nonprofit clients about their missions and their work all the time. One of the things I hear most often is “we do so much, it’s hard to explain it all.” The thing is, it’s not uncommon at all for a nonprofit to have several programs running at once, and that isn’t necessarily an obstacle to a clear, concise elevator pitch. It often helps to bring it back to the problem your organization exists to solve. Do all of your programs address that problem? You can talk about the most sympathetic beneficiary of your organization. How are your programs helping them? You also don’t *have* to tell every potential partner about every single thing you do in the first five minutes of conversation. If you are talking to someone who is very interested in one of your program areas, lead off with that. Complexity isn’t a problem—if all of the world’s problems were simple to conceptualize and easy to fix, maybe there would be less suffering, injustice, and conflict in the world. But expressing a couple of core truths will provide a solid foundation for building out a clear, concise description of your solution. What are your biggest challenges to talking about your nonprofit's work? Have you tried any of the strategies described above?

In a clip from our recent webinar on worker self-directed nonprofits, Faye Christoforo of the New England Grassroots Environmental Fund offers concrete strategies for how nonprofits can be managed by their workers, including how to design decision-making: https://bit.ly/3z2Zdc0

Social content takes time, resources and planning. Sometimes the window from planning to execution is short to capitalize on a news cycle, an event or a digital trend. I want to recognize my frequent content collaborators for always exceeding my expectations to tell Williams story. Susan Wright Simpson, Kelly Cook, Sarah Gilpin, Dawson Smith and Jonathan Ainley. I will include a few of my recent favorites in the comments below. https://lnkd.in/gSbJzeU8

Check out the 2024 Nonprofit Trend Report!

Gen II and our people are making an impact in our communities. Maria Vizcaya, Supervisor, coordinates volunteering events for our #Denver office with Junior Achievement-Rocky Mountain, Inc., a nonprofit organization that runs programs to help young people prepare for financial success. Maria shares why #financialliteracy and empowering students with Junior Achievement Rocky Mountain is meaningful to her. #GenIIFund #privateequity #accounting

Navigating the Complexities: Family and Friends on Nonprofit Boards Nonprofits often rely on the passion and dedication of those closest to their cause, including family members and friends. While their involvement can be invaluable, there are also potential limitations to consider when it comes to organizational development and growth. Join us today as we delve into the complexities of having family and friends serve on a nonprofit's board. We'll discuss: - The benefits and challenges: How personal relationships can influence decision-making, dynamics, and accountability. - The impact on organizational culture: Fostering a culture of transparency, professionalism, and objectivity. - Strategies for success: Best practices for managing potential conflicts of interest and ensuring good governance. - The importance of diverse perspectives: Building a strong board that represents a range of skills, experiences, and backgrounds. Tune in to gain valuable insights into navigating the delicate balance between personal connections and the needs of your nonprofit. By understanding the potential limitations and adopting effective strategies, you can ensure that your organization thrives and achieves its mission.

From our series 𝑾𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒉 𝑰𝒔𝒏'𝒕 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈: Contributing to the well-being of others through acts of kindness, volunteering, or philanthropy can provide a sense of purpose and happiness.

🌵 Follow our new AARP AZ page. I also highly recommend following the national page. 🤔 Think AARP isn’t for you? Think again. ✨ I KNOW you care about healthcare costs, coverage and benefits once you retire ✨ I KNOW you care about sustainable age inclusive communities that support aging in place ✨ I KNOW you want an organization advocating at the state and national level to protect and enhance the quality of your and [INSERT human you love name here]’s life. ✨ I KNOW you need resources that help to lighten the load of caring for someone you love ✨I KNOW you are worried about fraud and scams that are getting more and more prevalent ✨I KNOW you are worried about social security benefits and the burden that a failure of social security could place on our collective ecosystem. ❤️ AARP is ALL of this and so much more….nonpartisan…secular…transparent…working tirelessly as a voice for all Americans and their quality of life as we age. #advocacy #affordablehousing #socialsecurity #medicare #fraudawareness

When you get involved in volunteering, you can meet high-net-worth people. Learn how that works and how to interact with the HNW so they want to do business with you. Read more in the MDRT Blog at https://bit.ly/3UIpRiY.

From our series 𝑾𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒉 𝑰𝒔𝒏'𝒕 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈: Contributing to the well-being of others through acts of kindness, volunteering, or philanthropy can provide a sense of purpose and happiness.