Isa Catto Shaw is Executive Director of her family’s foundation, the Catto Shaw Foundation. During the pandemic, she was also diagnosed with breast cancer (which is now thankfully in remission). These two events gave her pause and time to reflect on where philanthropy is going. I highly recommend reading this article – as it points to changes that we are or should take into consideration as we move beyond the pandemic.
Read the article here:
This webinar was created in tandem with the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven.
Listen to this incredible board of panelists share their insights into the importance of recognizing the necessity of diversity and representation in nonprofit leadership, and what you and your organization can do to foster a shift in the right direction.
by Sharon Danosky
In early March, Anne Wallestad, President and CEO of BoardSource published an article in the Stanford Social Innovation Review titled the Four Principles of Purpose-Driven Boards (see link below). While the title is unassuming, the content is not. The principles are:
What she is forecasting is a ripple effect leading to a sea change – one that has been in motion long before COVID-19 hit. COVID-19, the murder of George Floyd, the vast economic and social disparities on display during the pandemic and the devaluation of essential workers has collectively exacerbated, accelerated and amplified inequities in our systems and shone a spotlight on the work we all need to do.
The traditional view of nonprofits and board service — an emphasis on fundraising; organizational rather than community perspective; focus on size and market share, or counting people served instead of impact as a measure of success — is out of sync with the lived realities of many of the communities we are meant to serve. Instead, a community-based approach to service, more participatory and equitable philanthropy, greater representation and collaboration rather than competition are not just new models of service, they represent how our society and sector is changing. While nonprofits are shifting their framework, the question is whether boards are keeping pace with this shift or still functioning in a model which is fast becoming antiquated.
These represent significant shifts in how we will be experiencing board service moving forward. They especially come into play as new board members are being recruited, and the composition and structure of the board is being considered.
I had the privilege of moderating a webinar a couple of week ago for the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and the Valley Community Foundation, with a panel comprised of younger men and women of color, from local communities, sharing their experiences on various boards. I couldn’t help but notice that the conversation didn’t discuss radical changes, but important nuanced changes in terms of how we look at the board experience. For example, the importance of the Board Chair applying a racial equity framework, recruiting practices that don’t rely on a matrix but encourage a good dialogue about the nonprofit’s purpose and values, an agenda that is not about Robert’s Rules of Order but instead promotes relevant discussion around strategy.
Navigating these changes will not be easy, but it is essential. The issues and problems in our society — from childhood poverty, to housing, food insecurity, inequitable pay, domestic violence, climate change, environmental justice and more — will not stand still. It will require that we bring our best, most representative and inclusive selves together to address them. Boards should not shy away from difficult conversations, but create space at every board meeting where they can be held.
It’s hard to believe that a whole year has gone by since the pandemic caused the shutdown in March of last year. So much has changed, and humanity as a whole still has some healing to do. However, we here at Danosky & Associates have reflected on the lessons we have learned in the past year, and how we have grown since the world has changed. Here’s what our team has to say:
Matthew: For me, as it did for many people, the pandemic magnified the lesson that we’re all connected and dependent on one another. Its been especially hard for that lesson to come at a time when we couldn’t be together in person, but I’m looking forward to reconnecting with all the people I haven’t seen in the near future!
Sharon: I was petrified when we went into quarantine on March 13th. I literally watched business disappear. I felt a powerful sense of foreboding and isolation. I react to crisis by taking action – always have – it’s my adrenaline response. I remember the next 8-10 weeks were crazy as I pivoted, developed webinars, and tried to curate information that was coming in and get it out to our sector via newsletters. For several months, it was a blur. Now, as I look back – I realize how profound a change this has brought about. I have shifted my business model, recruited new members to our team, found more balance in my life, and have enjoyed my home in a way that I had not done previously. Family ties strengthened, friendships deepened, and new ones came about. And I have become far more aware of my own white advantage and the need to look at my work and relationships from a more inclusive perspective. As difficult as this was – and I never wish to go through anything like this again – I am nevertheless so grateful for all I have experienced and learned.
Jaclyn: It’s hard to believe a year has passed since COVID took over our country. One thing I have learned is just how valuable our family, friends, and loved ones are. Not being able to come together for holidays, birthdays, and special occasions has been difficult. Hugs have been replaced by phone calls and zoom sessions. Things that used to be simple, like going to the grocery store or out to eat, no longer are. While we stop and look at the world around us, I cannot help but realize what I used to take for granted. Once this is all over, we will pick ourselves back up and all appreciate each other more than ever before.
Sue: I was never one to take life for granted but the pandemic certainly gave me a whole new perspective on the subject. Life and relationships became much more precious. As our country became divided this past year, even over how to deal with the pandemic, I was gravely concerned but still saw hope. I learned we can get through anything if we put our minds to it. I also learned that being able to pivot quickly during a crisis can really make a huge difference.
Juanita: I remember sitting at work one day arranging the final logistics for the upcoming projects and workshops that were on Danosky & Associates’ calendar when Sharon came through the door and announced, “We need to invest in Zoom.” My only thought was, “Zoom? What’s Zoom?” Sharon was thinking far beyond that day. Her thoughts were months, even years ahead of what would soon be known as the “new normal.” That’s when my whirlwind began. I quickly learned just about all there was to know about this thing called…”Zoom,” and after spending countless hours together, Zoom and I became close friends. Thanks to Sharon’s long term vision, Danosky & Associates pivoted to a complete virtual and remote platform in a matter of weeks. There was no stopping me after that. I scheduled standing meetings with family and friends each Saturday and Sunday, which have lasted the entire year. One thing this new normal has taught me is to cherish family and friends and to spend as much time enjoying them as possible. And I also learned that I can pivot with the best of them.
Casey: Reality as we knew it changed in March of last year, and life changed with it. I am so grateful to have been able to experience studying abroad, a college graduation, moving to a new place, spending time with friends and family, celebrating holidays, and going through the seemingly “normal” motions of life before COVID. A year later, it took some personal growth and acceptance, but I don’t take any of the little things in life for granted. I have spent a lot of much-needed time discovering a new path in my career, spending time with my newly vaccinated grandmothers, leaving time for hobbies, and living this new life to the fullest. I feel that humanity was given a reality check and we have to choose to grow from this!
The Lilly School of Philanthropy has projected that 2021 and 2022 will see positive gains in philanthropy, with a 4.1% increase in 2021 and a 5.7% increase in 2022. Individual/household giving is expected to have a year-over-year increase of 6% in 2021 and 3.9% in 2022. This is in spite of 33% of nonprofit executives expecting a decline in philanthropic giving, according to the CCS Fundraising Survey January Report. However, most of those nonprofits are basing their projections on not being able to host fundraising events.
Furthermore, according to an article in the March 30 Chronicle of Philanthropy, financial experts are also projecting a positive outlook as we head further into 2021 and beyond, based on the following:
1) Strong growth in the Gross Domestic Product
2) The stock market is near an all-time high and remains relatively unscathed by the pandemic
3) Government spending has provided temporary relief for many nonprofits, along with also shoring up states so that support can continue locally
4) February’s jobless rate was at 6.2%. While this recovery has been a “K” recovery – with many people still struggling to recover, having a large percentage of the workforce that has significantly recovered, bodes well for charitable giving and optimistic projections.