Tag: non-profit

Rethinking How We Define Success in the Non-Profit Sector

Amanda Malamut4 Comments

Last week I read an article by Jordan Levy about the Ubuntu Education Fund, and how that instead of rushing to outcomes for the sake of results and funding, that we as a sector should acknowledge that positive and lasting change comes gradually. He states:

Our success stems from this comprehensive approach. We strive to address every facet of poverty, helping 2,000 children attain financial independence and lead healthy lives. Our commitment to children ‘from cradle to career’ gives us the courage to push back against the ‘bigger, faster, and cheaper’ mantra, to acknowledge that progress often comes incrementally, that real change requires sustained and sometimes expensive services. And, most importantly, it lets us redefine success as outcomes rather than single interventions. Who’s with us?

My organization works in the United States and also in one other small country (in less than 10 schools). Especially with our international programs, finding sustainable funding has been extremely difficult. I have no doubt in my mind it is because of the relatively micro nature of  our programs. It has been suggested to us numerous times that we should expand into other countries. Sometimes, I feel that, if my organization got a dollar for every time we were asked why we didn’t expand into a multinational organization, we might have the funding we needed to sustain ourselves.

We need to monitor and evaluate ourselves in order to produce the best programs that we can. However, why are the organizations with the largest metrics applauded? Sometimes without looking at the quality of the program? Personally, I have found that working on a ‘micro’ level has helped my organization hone our mission and pay attention to quality; I know for certain that expanding into multiple countries would diminish our work. I’m not saying that large groups shirk on quality, but we need to change the definition of success equating to X amount of people attended or fed, with the highest number receiving the most funding.

Sustainable change rarely comes from cheap, quick, and easy fixes or actions. In my experience, however, those are the type of projects that get the money. Funders want to see quick results, and they want digestible numbers to pass onto their backers. We as a sector NEED to continue to work, piece by piece toward sustainable goals, and remember that we are working with and for people and communities. We can do more than single interventions. We have the capacity and ability to be more than nice looking numbers.

When we work toward our mission in a comprehensive and responsible way, the true impact will speak for itself.

Who’s with us?

How To: Look at Your Partnerships

Amanda Malamut2 Comments

Partnerships between non-profits can be a great way to take your organization to the next level. Sharing resources lowers costs and increases personnel who share a similar passion and working towards a common goal. Like a romantic relationship, both partners need to put relatively the same amount of effort into the partnership. Also, both or all partners should be receiving an equal amount of benefits from the agreement.

In non-profit partnerships communication is essential. What are you putting in to it? What is the other organization putting into it? How are you benefiting from this partnership? How are they benefiting? Who will be making sure that all sides stay on target and accountable?

When partnerships fail, however, things can get toxic. One sided partnerships will only lead to disaster; all organizations will be left with bitter feelings and not much accomplished. Like romantic relationships, ‘sticking it out’  doesn’t work if both parties aren’t willing to fix the problems. Both sides can become resentful, and most likely aren’t getting what they are supposed to out of the partnership. Even if it seemed convenient or was working well in the past, if a partnership is no longer working it is time to end it.

Ending partnerships can be extremely difficult. My organization fell into a trap of entering a partnership of convenience without properly evaluating how we were going to benefit. When we did end it, things became personal and nasty very quickly. Sadly these things happen. I’m infinitely grateful that my organization was able to maintain composure and respect, because in the long run, our common constituents took our side.

If possible, you need to not burn bridges. In my case that was impossible, but you need to maintain a level of respect and composure throughout the situation. The non-profit sector can be like a small town. Burning a bridge or being nasty could set off a chain reaction you weren’t even aware of.  Even when it’s difficult, stay classy.

Through my experience the best advice I could give is to write everything out, and assume nothing. Whether you are best friends or colleagues, writing out all of the terms of the partnership will help you maintain healthy, respectful, mutually beneficial goals. Also, allow you and your partner(s) to reevaluate the terms of the partnership after a set period of time. Organizations change and evolve and so should partnerships; nothing has to be stagnant nor permanent.

Be open-minded, communicate,  and stay respectful. Good luck!

Why I Fight to Stay Positive

Amanda Malamut1 Comment

I’m very lucky to have a girlfriend who reminds me that my goal for this blog is to create a safe and positive space for LGBT* non-profit folk. She has had to remind me quite a bit as of late. I’ve gotten fired up about a lot of national and international news; all I’ve wanted to do is to rant and rave about how people are assholes and why everything is terrible.

As much as it tempts me to be pessimistic about the world and the non-profit sector, I will continue to struggle with forcing myself to stay positive. Honestly, it’s a daily struggle. The World Vision controversy of last week had me leaning towards writing a piece about how aid organizations and non-profits who use religious affiliations as an excuse for homophobia are detrimental to the non-profit sector. As much as I want to, I can’t focus on it, and writing about it here will get nothing accomplished besides getting me more angry.

How do I stay positive, knowing that people would condemn me and dismiss my work because of my sexual orientation? I remember that the work that I am doing has a major positive impact on the world. My work is not devalued by organizations like World Vision or conservatives in Congress. I am making a positive difference in the world, and no amount of hate will stop me.

Do I still get pissed off by bigots? Of course.  I have days where all I want to do is focus on my fears of being outed, or getting kicked out of countries for being a lesbian, or not getting funded by an organization that turns out to be homophobic. Honestly these fears have kept me up at night countless times over the past five years. Why do we live in a world that would actively negate our humanitarian efforts because of our sexual orientation?

The sad fact is that we do, but that negativity cannot consume us and shape our work.  People like us need to keep fighting for water development, education, women’s rights, and all of the other noble causes that exist. If we overwhelm ourselves with the hate spewed at the LGBT* community, we cannot put our best work forward.

My main goal working in the non-profit sector is to make my little corner of the world a more positive and equal place. I can’t do that while bottling up resentment toward organizations and people who are actively discriminating against me. I know what my organization is doing for the people I work with. That is what I force myself to think about.

I can’t change the world for the better by focusing on the homophobia and institutionalized discrimination that exists in the non-profit sector. I can change the world by continuing my work and making sure my organization is helping people in the best way possible.

I need to believe that by staying positive I am becoming a better person, and thus a better humanitarian.

How To: Craft an Elevator Pitch

Amanda Malamut4 Comments

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I find that breaking down a mission or project to a thirty-second pitch is extremely difficult. There are so many different and amazing aspects of what my organization does. How can I possibly include everything I’ll need?

Having the ability to schedule a meeting with a potential donor or partner can be very challenging. When an opportunity presents itself, even if it is for only a minute, it is good to have a pitch prepared to introduce the organization and ask for what you want.

What should you include in a pitch?

It really depends on who you are talking with and why. Are you trying to create a partnership? Gain a sponsor for an event? Fund a program? Recruit a new board member? Tailoring your pitch to the situation helps you focus on the key points you need to address. The three most important things I have found to include in a pitch are:

  1. Mission Statement (1-2 sentences)
  2. What you are asking for (1 sentence)
  3. What’ s in it for them? (1-2 sentences)

Be clear and concise!

Obviously what you say is important, but how you present yourself and your pitch also influences your success.

I’m a chronic mumbler. My brain moves through thoughts very quickly and my mouth has trouble catching up. Also, talking to new people can cause me moderate to severe anxiety. To make the best pitch I can, I have to remind myself of these steps:

  1. Rehearse your pitch in front of a mirror. This will help you keep a steady, clear pace in the future.
  2. 30 seconds isn’t as quick as you think. Time lasts longer than you think. You want to fit a lot of information in a short period of time, but don’t rush through it so quickly that the person you’re talking with can’t understand you.
  3. Speak passionately. If you don’t show how much you care , no one else is going to become interested.
  4. Have contact information at the ready. Whether you get a yes, no, or maybe, you want them to have your contact information, and you want to get theirs.

 

Sometimes people say yes, sometimes they say no. Other times you might get completely blown off before you can begin your pitch. The non-profit sector can be unpredictable. Having a pitch rehearsed helps you always be prepared, whether you cross paths randomly or at a planned event. A great pitch shows you know your organization inside and out, and will instill confidence in whoever you are speaking with.

Remember, the worst that could happen is that they say no. Get out there and good luck!

World Vision Shows Us That Positive Change Can Be Fickle

Amanda Malamut1 Comment

This past week has been a roller coaster ride for the LGBT* non-profit community. This past week World Vision announced that they were going to immediately recognize the same sex marriages of their gay and lesbian workers. They were quoted as saying

 “It’s been heartbreaking to watch this issue rip through the church. It’s tearing churches apart, tearing denominations apart, tearing Christian colleges apart, and even tearing families apart. Our board felt we cannot jump into the fight on one side or another on this issue. We’ve got to focus on our mission. We are determined to find unity in our diversity.”

World Vision is one of the largest  faith driven organizations in the world, working in almost 100 countries. This move wasn’t an endorsement, but it certainly had the potential of creating positive waves in the aid / relief community. Unfortunately World Vision backed out of this decision from overwhelming pressure and bullying from the political evangelical community. I probably should have seen this coming;I didn’t have dreams of grandeur. I didn’t think an acknowledgement of same-sex marriages would lead to every faith-based group to reevaluate their perception of the LGBT* community.

This could have been beyond huge. For too long Christian (and secular) organizations in the non-profit sector ignored or separated themselves from acknowledging the LGBT* individuals in their workforce. Challenging that separation through open acknowledgement would force people to at least look at their understanding of what it means for a queer person who is working toward similar goals. This could have been a time where Christian non-profits to look at itself, its staff, and its volunteers; World Vision had the chance to say that LGBT* workers are just as impactful as their straight counterparts, and should have equal footing.

Instead, we are shown that with enough negative pressure, positive change can be reversed. What could have been a great leap forward towards equality in the non-profit sector has become another example of discrimination and homophobia. World Vision’s mission is to “[work] with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice”. They had a chance to fix an injustice within their own organization. I hope someday that revisit this, and I hope that organizations while acknowledge that LGBT* aid workers fight poverty and hunger, work for quality education, and advocate for those who do not have a voice.

As a  diverse community, we need to focus on WHY we are doing what we’re doing. That is our commonality – what unites us toward making the world a better, happier, and brighter place.

How To: Write a Grant

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Grant writing can be a very subjective process. Many funders are very specific in what they are looking for in proposals. While there is no one way to write a grant, there are a few basic components that most foundations / corporations require. My list may or may not include aspects, to make sure – READ THE DIRECTIONS FIRST.

 

1. Introduction + Organizational Information

Who are you? What do you do? Why are you so awesome that an organization or company should give you funding? This is where some non-profits are tempted to change their mission statements to fit the grant they  are applying for. DON’T. As tempting as it might be, it just isn’t sustainable in the long run, and it is hard to explain to your constituents why you decided to change you mission. There are ways to frame your mission in a light that lends itself to the funding without changing your entire direction.

 

2. Need Statement (Summary)

This is probably the most important section. It’s necessary for a non-profit to write out exactly how the funds are going to be used. Use percentages to show much of the money would be used for administration, project implementation, etc. This is also where you need to stress why you really need this money. If you have data, show how the implementation of your project or program will, for example, reduce hunger, promote civility, or help clean up the environment.

 

3. Goals and Objectives + Program Design

This is where you need to break down the program implementation plan. The more detailed your program design is, the easier it will be to identify goals and objectives. Bullet points and logic models will show short and long-term goals. It is important to be as specific as possible – phrasing is crucial. If the funders focuses on youth empowerment, show how the objectives of your program will lead to  increasing youth empowerment.

 

4. Evaluation

No funder wants to throw money down the drain; they want to know tat the program they are giving money to is using it at optimum capacity. List how you collect data on your program: surveys, people served, etc. If you have the materials that you are using to evaluate, you should attach them as an appendix.

 

5. Sustainability

If the funding lasts for two years, a foundation or corporation doesn’t want to see the program fail in the third year. Will you try to obtain other grants? Larger individual donations? The funders want to see how their investment will succeed beyond their funding.

 

6. Budget + Financials

Break down the project costs line by line. Every expense needs to be accounted for. Sometimes funders will ask for a full organizational budget, or sometimes a proposed budget using the proposed funding. They also might ask you to included your IRS tax exemption letter in your appendix. Don’t include unasked for financial documents. Many of these foundations are receiving a plethora of applications, and extra information will be seen as a negative.

 

7.   Sending it off!

Whether you are sending your proposal through the mail or electronically, you want it to look put together and professional. A short note in the body of the email or in the envelope will help introduce you in a professional manner before anyone reads your proposal. If sent by email, make sure all attachments are clearly identified and organized. If you are mailing it in, a binder with tabs looks professional and organized. If your appendix has many sections, include a table of contents at the beginning of the proposal.

 

Good luck and happy writing!

Help ALL of the People…?? Don’t Burn Yourself Out

Amanda Malamut3 Comments

I tend to over think things a lot. I won’t go into detail about my neurosis (you’re welcome), but one of my struggles within the non-profit sector is making sure that I don’t stretch myself too thin and burn out.

For example: In most states, the state that I live in is working toward marriage equality. I have tried getting involved and volunteering for the cause (actually have attempted to get involved in multiple states), but I never feel motivated to follow through and put all of myself into it. My head says DO IT while the rest of me resists. This dichotomy makes me feel extremely guilty – how can I not feel motivated to participate in winning my basic civil rights?

I would think that those who work in the non-profit sector outside of the LGBT* arena would  also feel guilty if they are not actively working toward their rights.  Should we feel guilty? Definitely not. We are more than just our orientation, and we have many different passions. There is no need to get burned out because we feel like we should be spending our energy on multiple issues. I’m not Super Man, and just because I am a lesbian does not mean I have to be an activist. If you want to delve 100% into education, water development, homelessness or anything else – you should! If you want to commit yourself to just queer issues – do it!

LGBT* rights are obviously extremely important, and participation is essential. But we need people who are fully dedicated to the work involved, not people who feel like they need  to participate to keep their gay card.

To be our best selves, we need to follow our hearts. We are educators, humanitarians, aid workers and volunteers. We are a complex group of individuals who are passionate about a plethora of issues. We are all working towards a common good – and weighing good deeds against each other gets us no where.

Working in Anti-LGBT* Countries

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With the Prime Minister of Uganda  signing the anti-homosexuality bill into law I feel like I need to talk why I work in a country that isn’t friendly to LGBT* individuals. The country outside of the United States that I work in is not on the same level as Uganda or Russia, but it would be hazardous to be openly gay there.

It’s a complicated issue. I have heard professors, teachers, and friends refuse to financially support organizations that are working in anti-gay countries like Uganda and Russia. Which is very understandable.

I’m lucky in the sense that the country I work in isn’t extremely anti-LGBT*. Yes there is a culture of homophobia, but I cannot personally draw a line in the sand and say I’m not willing to work there.

Is there a line that we as gay humanitarians have to draw? I’ll give/volunteer/work in country X only if the government doesn’t discriminate against the LGBT* community and if there isn’t a culture of homophobia? Does a country like that exist?

Sometimes, it is hard to justify working in a homophobic country (especially to myself). Why work in a country that would kick me and my organization out if they knew I was a lesbian? For a lot of the LGBT* community – they wouldn’t participate, and that makes a lot of sense. Supporting your own discrimination does seem counter intuitive.

For me, my reasoning lies with the people I am working with, the constituents. I have an emotional connection to the families, children, schools, and communities. I am constantly reminding myself that the people are not the government, and the government is not the people.

I won’t be outing myself there anytime soon. I don’t want to find out whether people would still like and accept me regardless, and I don’t want the government to kick my organization out of the county. I guess that is cowardly.

Maybe I’m also naive – but I believe someday I’ll be able to talk about my girlfriend to the people I work with here and abroad.

Will I be donating to a Russian or Ugandan aid organization any time soon? Probably not. Will I give up my organization? Definitely not. What is driving me despite everything is the emotional connection I have to the people, the country, and the mission.

We all have to draw our line somewhere.

The ‘Hat Theory’ : How I Deal with My Anxiety in the Non-Profit Sector

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Working in the non-profit sector means that you have to network, talk to volunteers, educators, constituents, and donors. A lot.

Right after starting my non-profit, I couldn’t talk to a new person without reminders to breathe. Speaking in front of people or with large groups of people was borderline debilitating. Even now, years later, my co-founder and I usually divide tasks into what requires talking to people, and what doesn’t.

When I have to talk to people about the non-profit, I do enjoy it- but it drains me considerably. I have tried various techniques and coping skills to help me through these situations, and I have finally come up with something that allows me to enjoy the networking and social interactions required of me.

I call it the Hat Theory.

The Hat Theory let’s me go into specific characters in specific situations. The hats in this theory are invisible, but if real hats work for you, great!

Need to talk to a donor? Without my hat I am extremely anxious and shy, but when I wear my Financial Hat (which I usually imagine as a top hat), I can answer any questions with enthusiasm. Need to present a workshop to volunteers? My trusty volunteer cap turns me into a pumped up motivator read to rally the group together.

Get the picture?

In a perfect world, I wouldn’t need my Hats. But as someone who has Panic Disorder, these Hats allow me to step outside of ‘myself’ to do the work for the organization that I have created and fallen in love with.

Being anxious doesn’t need to stop you from making a difference.

You just have to find the right hat.

The Non- Profit Master List for the LGBT* Community

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I am going to start creating a Master List of resources for humanitarians. Finding LGBT*-specific material is very difficult to come by, so if you have any I will add it to the ever growing list!

LGBT* SPECIFIC ORGANIZATIONS and RESOURCES

FIND A JOB / VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

START A NON-PROFIT

FUND YOUR NON-PROFIT

GET VOLUNTEERS

NEED SOFTWARE