Being the Change I Wish to See: Nonprofit Board Governance Through a New Lens
I’ve always been passionate about being a voice for individuals and communities that need support. Life was challenging for me growing up as a Vietnamese and Asian American woman because I felt like I had to conform to societal and cultural norms. In middle school, I decided to lean into who I was. I honed […]
Advancing Racial Equity on Nonprofit Boards
Advancing Racial Equity on Nonprofit Boards Program OverviewInstructorsCost Diverse boards are crucial to ensuring that nonprofit organizations have the broad perspectives necessary to understand the constituents they serve, creatively address emerging problems, plan effectively, and expand donor engagement. Yet national research shows 84% of nonprofit board members are white, with nearly 1 in 3 nonprofits […]
And the Lightning Community Hero Award Goes to…
Brian Butler was a board member for several nonprofits when he started receiving two to three requests a week from organizations suddenly looking to diversify their boards after George Floyd’s murder in 2020. “Brian, will you serve on my board?” “Brian, will you introduce me to someone of color to serve on my board?” It was overwhelming. But it was […]
Why a DEI Committee is Essential for Your Nonprofit: How to Get Started
Why is it important to have a DEI committee? What does a DEI committee do, and what are the DEI committee roles and responsibilities? Former Nonprofit Leadership Center Board Member and DEI Committee Chair Christopher Johnson answers these questions and more. Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and concepts like DEI committees and DEI statements have […]
Six Traits of Inclusive Leadership
“If you think you’re a leader and nobody is following you, you’re just taking a walk. Inclusive leaders walk the walk and live the values. They’re creating organizational cultures where people feel they can thrive and succeed.” These are the words Dr. Shirley Davis recently shared at the Nonprofit Leadership Center’s 2021 Leadership Conference. Dr. Davis […]
23 Leaders Selected for New Advancing Racial Equity on Nonprofit Boards Fellowship
National research shows 84% of nonprofit board members are white, with 1 in 4 nonprofits lacking representation from any professionals of color on their boards (BoardSource, 2017). To address this disparity and foster more inclusive and equitable communities, the Nonprofit Leadership Center recently launched our new Advancing Racial Equity on Nonprofit Boards Fellowship. The program […]
Leaders Who Authentically Embrace Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Believe These 8 Things
Everywhere you turn, organizations are posting diversity statements on their websites and hiring leaders to oversee diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. But “diversity, equity and inclusion” (DEI) is not a corporate buzzphrase or leadership trend; it represents the non-negotiable pillars on which strong cultures must be built. How do you know if you and your […]
Addressing Unconscious Bias: Where Awareness and Understanding Begin
We each carry a different perspective into the interactions we have and situations we experience. In other words, my reality is not your reality. Our bias, or our tendency to see the world through a lens that favors our own reality, shapes what we see. As we go through life understanding different realities, our own perspectives […]
Position Your Nonprofit to Thrive in a Post-Pandemic World
It’s hard to plan for the future when staying afloat is the day-to-day focus. NLC trainer and senior communications expert Heather Grzelka is helping nonprofits prepare to thrive in a post-COVID-19 world by sharing the one thing nonprofits must do during social distancing. She also shares strategic communications policies and procedures and a case study of how one nonprofit […]