Our Insights

Why is evaluation so hard?

You've been told to diversify your revenue streams. Yet, 90% of high-growth nonprofits rely on one single dominant funding source. It's worth understanding why.

Failure isn't always a bad thing — especially in the social impact space. Let's explore the different levels of failure, from personal to organizational, and make the case for why embracing it can be a powerful tool for growth.

Having trouble telling your impact story? Our messaging pillars provide a framework that goes beyond a description of your cause to include attention-grabbing content that motivates people.

The shift to remote and hybrid work cultures presents unique challenges — and opportunities — for social impact organizations.

If you are going to lead, you need to be confident in your leadership. But you don’t have to be overbearing. You can be quiet, confident, and a strong leader at the same time.

We believe that the potential payoff of integrating your marketing and fundraising efforts is huge. When they have a reciprocal and synergistic relationship, both drive success.

Let’s explore how trust is shifting away from institutions and toward relationships, and why that’s reshaping the way nonprofits and social impact organizations must operate.

Don't assume that people in your organization are motivated just because the work matters. Let’s explore five ingredients for keeping your people motivated.

Without a strong activation strategy, your investments in brand building and digital presence won't have nearly as much value or ROI as they could have for your organization.

Overworked. Underpaid. Over it.

Can the idea of the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) from startup culture, be repurposed for the social impact sector? Yes it can. This idea is called MVS or Minimum Viable Strategy. And it’s a new spin on your dusty strategic plan.

Staying in touch with your community isn't a "nice-to-have" — it's an essential part of driving impact. Are you losing touch with yours?

We’ve had nightmares about hearing this feedback from a client, "This looks great. Let me just get the board's input."

Let’s talk about how to get community input on big projects — whether that's a rebrand, website project, marketing initiative, new program, or strategic plan — without getting derailed. 

Playing it safe or taking the easiest path will never change the world. Break free from the transactional marketing trap to inspire supporter and donor loyalty and drive transformation.

Important organizational growth can happen when you take a big swing, a big risk, or make a big bet.

How social impact leaders can recognize when passionate purpose crosses into problematic territory.

A conversation with Darius Fequiere, Founder of Matiq Labs, on redesigning education systems from within — and why true transformation starts with community.

Struggling to measure the impact of your branding and marketing efforts? You're not alone. Let’s talk about how to measure whether or not you're successfully brand building.

Even as federal programs stall, Amir Kirkwood is leading the Justice Climate Fund with clarity, urgency, and a deep belief in the power of local infrastructure. His goal? To build a climate finance system that no longer needs him.

In a time when climate and equity work is increasingly politicized, Rising Sun Center for Opportunity CEO Julia Hatton reflects on what it means to stay values-aligned, listen closely, and lead with conviction.

What 15 years of hard-earned lessons taught us about how real impact gets built.

jacob adams, founder of InnerSpark Learning Lab, on failing publicly, resisting funder pressure, and why education should be treated like an experiment.