Are We Ready to Lead?

Echoing what our friend Elizabeth Miller eloquently outlined as challenges faced by the next generation of potential leaders of the nonprofit sector, a recently released study asked close to 6,000 “next generation leaders” for their input on this seemingly hot topic.

The study entitled, “Ready to Lead? Next Generation Leaders Speak Out” was produced in partnership by CompassPoint Nonprofit Services, The Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Meyer Foundation and Idealist.org.

Whether we like it or not, we are the focus of discussion relating to the future of this sector. What a sigh of relief then that our feedback has been gathered into this comprehensive study.

Check it out, come back to FLiP, and let us know what you think!

Challenges for Young People by Elizabeth Miller

Editor’s Note: FLiP is pleased to bring you another post from our friend Elizabeth Miller, Senior Program Associate at the Overbrook Foundation.  You may contact the author at emiller@overbrook.org.

Someone recently asked me what the primary challenges are that prevent young people from working in the field of philanthropy. That query echoed questions that I’ve had from my peers about why one would want to pursue a career where “you don’t make a lot of money” and where it’s unclear what skills you bring to the position and besides “what do you do all day?”. These kinds of comments get me thinking about how best to address these kinds of concerns so that we can encourage more young people to be excited to join the foundation and nonprofit world.

One of the primary problems is that foundations and nonprofit organizations are not very well understood by young, would-be professionals. Likewise, the organizations themselves are not very good at educating college students about the field nor are colleges. This invariably leads to a field that can be esoteric. Unfortunately, this deflects interest not only from young people, but from other seasoned professionals who don’t understand the nonprofit field. However, for young people this lack of understanding is more severe because they don’t often understand how their skills can contribute to the sector and although young people are often filled with a sense that they want to “do good” or “give back” they aren’t clear about how nonprofits can provide the opportunity toward achieving that larger goal.

Notes from a Team In Training Insider – Part I

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is dedicated to finding a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and Hodgkin’s disease.  Its mission is also to improve the quality of life of patients and their families through education and support.  Since inception, the organization has given more than $483 million for blood cancer research, nearly all of which comes from contributions made to LLS’s fundraising campaigns.  Of the 66 Chapters nationwide and in Canada, the National Capitol Area Chapter (NCA) and the New York Chapter (NY) are two of the largest.

LLS was established in 1949.  Following the death of their 16 year old son, Robert, from leukemia, the de Villiers family started a fundraising and education organization in his name.  They were frustrated by the lack of effective treatments available for leukemia, a disease that carried a certain death sentence at that time.

Food for Thought: Brainfood Students Get Cookin’

Washington D.C. can finally satisfy your hunger for philanthropy - literally.  Get out your cookbooks and aprons because Brainfood, a DC nonprofit for youth, is in the spotlight of teen culinary education.

Brainfood is a nonprofit youth development organization designed in 1998 to provide cooking activities as an outlet for teens in the nation’s capital.  Food preparation and skills in the kitchen are in place to build life skills and promote creativity in a safe and positive atmosphere.  Students can chose from two participation options by making a commitment to either a four day after-school program or a six week summer session.  In addition to cooking, curriculums incorporate multiple aspects of the food service industry including, culture, science and technology.  Special events are an important part of the Brainfood experience and include guest chefs, interactive lectures from doctors and nutritionists, field trips to local restaurants, shopping trips and neighborhood community service projects.  Though curriculums vary, students in the after school program end their experience by participating in Brainfood’s Chef Challenge and Graduation. The program is open to the public and includes a graduation ceremony designed by the students. Ultimately, the “graduated” students are empowered with experience, confidence, and skills essential to community activism and contribution.

Operating with only three full-time staff, Brainfood is continuously seeking new volunteers and summer interns.  Like any organization, structure and leadership in the workplace can be disrupted at a moment’s notice, but Brainfood’s new blog system and Open Night Kitchens ensure stability within the organization.  “A Bite of Brainfood” is an interactive blog that provides updates and reviews of past and current events in which Brainfood teens are involved.  Students post comments regarding their experiences over the year and reflect on the power of the program as well as the relationships they made within their communities.  Open Night Kitchens are a result of numerous requests from the community to be able to observe and contribute to the Brainfood experience.  Community organizations or companies are welcome and encouraged to schedule times to cook and learn with the students.  Subscriptions to the Brainfood newsletters keep community members up to date on the events of their students and neighbors and also offer opportunities to sponsor events, to donate support, and even to create a Brainfood program within an individual’s own community.

So now that your senses (and stomachs!) are tingling with excitement about this fantastic organization check out the Brainfood website!

Why Choose the Non-Profit Sector?

Here’s why I think young people should choose a career in this sector: every night, I’ve got a great reason to wake up the next morning and go to work.

The Mainstreaming of Philanthropy

These days, philanthropy seems to be everywhere you turn.

Whether it is a yellow bracelet proudly displayed on an individual’s wrist, 10 concerts being performed simultaneously around the world, or a fundraising event featured on an episode of The Apprentice, philanthropy appears to be ever growing in our mainstream culture.

Breaking into the Non-Profit Sector

In the past five years, the philanthropic sector has seen a growing interest from recent college graduates and young professionals. More and more often, these students and recent graduates are realizing that a career at a not-for-profit organization, or serving at another organization in some philanthropic capacity, does not have to lead to a life of destitution. There are real jobs – dare I say: careers – to be had in this industry, and they come in all shapes and sizes.

Is Doing Good All That Matters?

An inquisitive look at the real bottom-line for nonprofits.

In the minds of young people like ourselves, at the mention of the word “Nonprofit,” images of happy, smiling faces and selfless, backbreaking volunteers enter our heads.

May 2006: What's FLiP?

"If you know how to raise a dollar, you're eminently employable." -Paul C. Light, director of the Center for Public Service at the Brookings Institution.

If you’ve found your way to the FLiP website you’re either thinking about, or involved in, a career in the philanthropic sector.