A global discussion to define and track the things that make a society capable of social innovation. Read A Social Competitiveness Index | Tactical Philanthropy. … [Read more...]
Unlocking the elusive potential of social networks
We often hear arts leaders asking about how to use social media. This McKinsey Quarterly article offers a good frame for looking at social media... thinking about the word of mouth generated on social networks as a form of content that must be earned. Unlocking the elusive potential of social networks - McKinsey Quarterly - Marketing - Digital Marketing. … [Read more...]
The Limits of Nonprofit Impact – HBS Working Paper
Nonprofits are under growing pressure to demonstrate their impact to funders as well as taxpayers. This working paper argues that while performance measurement is a helpful management tool, it is not always appropriate to focus on impacts depending on the scale and scope of an organization's activities and theory of change. Though the examples focus on poverty alleviation, the discussion and questions are highly relevant for all nonprofits. The Limits of Nonprofit Impact - HBS Working Paper. … [Read more...]
How to Translate Training into Results – Ron Ashkenas – Harvard Business Review
A brief but interesting note regarding justifying the expense - and evaluating the effectiveness of - leadership development programs. Examples are from the commercial world, but the principles apply equally to the NP sector. How to Translate Training into Results - Ron Ashkenas - Harvard Business Review. … [Read more...]
Agnes Gund: Taking the Arts Seriously
An opinion piece that has been highlighted many places but I still wanted to flag. The piece reminds one that the construct of "the arts" marginalizes artistic and creative activity. It makes the end product the focus of attention, rather than the role artistic activity is playing in society, the process of creating and participating in art, and the affect on people engaged through the work. "The arts" has its purpose in organizing a passionate interest group and securing resources, but I wonder if the cost is greater than the benefit, … [Read more...]
Funding: the state of the art | The Art Newspaper
We are all aware that instrumental arguments alone will not suffice for the arts in future. This excellent article sums up many of the reasons why this is so, and urges us to develop new language. Funding: the state of the art | The Art Newspaper. … [Read more...]
The Atlantic :: Magazine :: How to Save the News
Ben Cameron drew my attention to this article -- it's a very good read. The Atlantic :: Magazine :: How to Save the News. … [Read more...]
Your Brain on Computers – Attached to Technology and Paying a Price – NYTimes.com
Another brief read (I wouldn't ask you to concentrate at length) on the false economy of multitasking - including the price paid even when offline...and interpersonally. Don't miss the two related interactive tests ('Test Your Focus', 'Test How Fast You Juggle Tasks') which deftly illustrate the principle. See how you stack up. Your Brain on Computers - Attached to Technology and Paying a Price - NYTimes.com. … [Read more...]
The Four Horsemen of the Nonprofit Financial Apocalypse
In this article Clara Miller, President and CEO of the Nonprofit Finance Fund, identifies nonprofit best practices and assumptions which have amplified the impact of the economic downturn on many organizations. She makes the case for increasing the understanding of nonprofit capitalization so that organizations are equipped to make better decisions and create new business models that suit their unique circumstances. Hat tip to Andrew Taylor for his summary of this article on his blog, The Artful Manager. The Nonprofit Quarterly | … [Read more...]
The New Work of the Nonprofit Board
"Effective governance by the board of a nonprofit organization is a rare and unnatural act. " This article describes how to leverage the collective knowledge and networks of your board of directors so they are able to provide your organization with the strategic direction and support it needs. The New Work of the Nonprofit Board - Harvard Business Review. … [Read more...]
How Hospitality Companies are Using Social Media for Real Results
"Because social media is a platform for the customer’s voice — and that voice can be heard by anyone in the world — the hospitality industry as a whole has embraced social media in a huge way." An interesting look at how a few smart organizations have integrated social media into their work. How Hospitality Companies are Using Social Media for Real Results. … [Read more...]
Acting with Power Journal
An interesting integration of theatre and business school theory in a class led by Deborah Gruenfeld at Stanford University. This journal tracks and shares the progress of the class from week to week. Acting with Power Journal. … [Read more...]
Social Outcomes: Lifting Sights, Changing Norms
The air is filled with conversation about measurement and metrics and proof for nonprofit activities and investments. Mario Morino points out the heavy emphasis on long-term scientific study in these discussions, and argues for the importance of an integrated, day-to-day performance management approach. His thoughts are in line with the approach we teach in "Building Evaluation Capacity." A note from other writing by Venture Philanthropy Partners: they believe a proper performance management system can take three years to develop and … [Read more...]
Nonprofits, Innovation, and Performance Measurement: Separating Fact from Fiction
A recent study from Johns Hopkins Center for Civil Society Studies on constraints on innovation in the NP sector (incl. arts specifically). Limited resources cited as constraint on both innovation itself and the ability to perform rigorous program evaluation in service of identifying innovative programs. Folk wisdom of correlation between organization size and innovation is also challenged: "Innovative activity was particularly pronounced among the larger organizations, challenging the common assumption that organizations become less … [Read more...]
The Nonprofit Sector in Brief: Public Charities, Giving and Volunteering, 2009
This brief highlights trends in the number and finances of 501(c)(3) public charities, as well as key findings on private charitable contributions and volunteering, two vital resources to the nonprofit sector. Figures on giving and volunteering include the most recent data available. Data reported on the nonprofit sector are from 2007—a snapshot of the sector just before the U.S. economic recession. The Nonprofit Sector in Brief: Public Charities, Giving and Volunteering, 2009. … [Read more...]