It’s Friday, February 10th . Valentine’s Day is approaching! And many, including the above frog, are looking for their valentine. You know what people rank as the number one quality they look for in a potential mate? “Being well-informed about the nonprofit world.” Seriously. So whether you already have a valentine or are looking for one, here are five headlines from nonprofit news this week:
1) IS THE JOHNSON AMENDMENT IN TROUBLE?
The current administration is contemplating repealing the Johnson Amendment, which has forbidden nonprofits from directly or indirectly participating in any political campaign for the past sixty years. While opponents of the amendment argue that there are free-speech issues, supporters include many nonprofits, including the National Council on Nonprofits. The NCN just released a statement in defense of the amendment and further argues that nonprofits could be put in a difficult position of being too closely identified with one political party or the other. Make sure you’re up to date on the situation:
https://nonprofitquarterly.org/2017/02/06/losing-johnson-amendment-destroy-unique-political-role-nonprofits/
2) FREE FUNDRAISING TOOLS FROM FACEBOOK
Facebook has added tools that can be used by nonprofits: it has now created a “Donate” button that an organization can place directly in its header. And Facebook’s new video streaming function, Facebook Live, is a great way to increase the number of people who see a mini-telethon or Q&A. There’s also Workplace by Facebook (free for nonprofits), which can be used for inter-office communication. Check out these savvy strategies on how your nonprofit can best take advantage of its Facebook page:
http://www.thenonprofittimes.com/news-articles/new-options-evolving-fundraising-via-facebook/
3) CHANGE THE WORLD FROM WITHIN
Want your corporation to do more to help nonprofits? Aspen Institute’s First Movers program can help. The program teaches social “intrapraneurs” (corporate employees trying to enact change for the better) how to make their corporations more socially responsible. How is the Aspen Institute helping do-gooders make the world a better place? Read on:
https://ssir.org/articles/entry/fellowship_for_change
4) PARTNERING FOR CHANGE
In Boston, arts organizations are teaming up with unexpected partners to lobby and fundraise. They’re modeling their efforts on successful Minnesota and Philadelphia efforts. In the Gopher State, arts groups teamed up with hunting and fishing enthusiasts to pass a Constitutional amendment that directs funding towards arts and the environment. And in Philadelphia, the Andrew Mellon foundation made an unusual multi-year grant to ten music education organizations, all allied to increase diversity in professional classical music. Find out how Boston’s groups are faring:
https://nonprofitquarterly.org/2017/02/07/arts-organizations-make-unexpected-partnerships-secure-municipal-dollars/
5) RESPONSIBLE = INCLUSIVE
A new initiative at this year’s World Economic Forum is calling for more responsible business leadership, and businesses are increasingly partnering with nonprofits to work for a more inclusive world. Among other achievements, the Philips company worked with civil society organizations to develop 1,000 Community Life Centers in Kenya, which provide fresh water and health care services for deprived residents. The Stanford Social Innovation Review suggests that the initiative can be revised to be even more sweeping and inclusive. See what changes they’re calling for:
https://ssir.org/articles/entry/responsible_leadership_is_inclusive_leadership
That’s all for the Friday Five. We’re off to play matchmaker for any lonely amphibians out there. We’ll see you next week!
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