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Additional great interviews, insights about nonprofit corporate culture, the latest in executive coaching, and much more….on The Business of Giving Blog. 
Doctors Without Borders: A Beacon of Hope Amidst Global Crises

Doctors Without Borders: A Beacon of Hope Amidst Global Crises

In an age characterized by geopolitical instability, climatic extremes, and health crises, organizations like Doctors Without Borders, known by its French name  Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), play a pivotal role. In a recent conversation with  Avril Benoît, the Executive Director of Doctors Without Borders U.S., I delved deep into the heart of this organization’s mission, its challenges, and the roads it’s paving for the future. 

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Cultivating a Collaborative Culture: Target ALS’s Visionary Blueprint for Success

Cultivating a Collaborative Culture: Target ALS’s Visionary Blueprint for Success

At the foundation of Target ALS’s incredible journey lies a profound belief  articulated by Dan Doctoroff: “Picking great people is the key to everything.” More than expertise, the organization places a premium on individuals who inherently understand and champion the ethos of collaboration. This strategic approach to hiring has established a cohesive unit, ensuring that each member seamlessly integrates into the collaborative spirit that defines Target ALS. 

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Bridging the Gap: A New Perspective on Global Mental Health

Bridging the Gap: A New Perspective on Global Mental Health

In a conversation with Daisy Rosales, Executive Director of Brio, she shared insightful perspectives on the vital role of mental health and wellbeing in marginalized communities. Through a blend of personal experiences and professional endeavors, Rosales underscored the importance of supporting both the community members and the local leaders serving them. She delved into Brio’s strategies of creating a healthy distance from individual experiences to allow for a broader range of life choices, and using human-centered design to focus on meaningful living under adverse conditions. Rosales highlighted the value of extraordinary partnerships in creating scalable mental health programs and emphasized the need for context-specific approaches to support individuals and foster systemic change.

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Securing the Stewardship of Nature: A Conversation with Nonette Royo of The Tenure Facility

Securing the Stewardship of Nature: A Conversation with Nonette Royo of The Tenure Facility

In an insightful discussion, Nonette Royo, Executive Director of The Tenure Facility, underscores the organization’s mission of safeguarding the land rights of indigenous communities. Royo elaborates on the unique relationship these communities have with nature and their intrinsic stewardship role, emphasizing the need for secure land tenure to prevent conflict, displacement, and environmental damage. She cites technological advances and financial support as critical components for successful land management. Royo also highlights the significant contributions women make to these efforts, and celebrates the organization’s expansion from five countries in 2014 to plans of reaching 30 by year’s end. Additionally, she discusses how the organization’s work aligns with the Paris Agreement and their financial sustainability strategies, including collaborations with philanthropists and committed governments, and exploring UNFCCC climate financing. Finally, Royo reflects on the organization’s culture of partnership and equity, the challenges and adaptations brought on by the pandemic, and the importance of empowering future generations, urging readers to support their mission.

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Cultivating Lasting Change: The Santa Fe Community Foundation’s Commitment to Collaboration and Innovative Philanthropy

Cultivating Lasting Change: The Santa Fe Community Foundation’s Commitment to Collaboration and Innovative Philanthropy

Discover the inspiring journey of the Santa Fe Community Foundation as they strive for lasting change in Northern New Mexico. Through collaboration with local nonprofits, their dedication to addressing housing challenges, and an unwavering commitment to cultural understanding, the foundation exemplifies the power of authentic relationships and strategic philanthropy. Explore their innovative initiatives, such as the S3 Fund and the transformative Lamplighter Initiative, which showcase their exceptional workplace culture and commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable individuals and families. Join them on their mission to create a brighter future through collaboration, equity, and innovative solutions.

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Unlocking the Power of Culture: Navigating and Shaping Beliefs for Greater Impact

Unlocking the Power of Culture: Navigating and Shaping Beliefs for Greater Impact

In a recent episode of The Business of Giving podcast, Dr. Marcus Collins illuminates the profound role culture plays in shaping consumer behavior and organizational impact. Describing culture as a “realized meaning-making system”, Marcus emphasizes the importance of empathy in building authentic relationships, the strategic targeting of subcultures, and the synergy of music in nonprofit storytelling. He advocates for nonprofits to be anchored in and articulate their core beliefs, both internally and externally, as a means to inspire and connect. Furthermore, Dr. Collins posits that understanding and engaging with culture is not just a marketing tool, but an ethical responsibility that influences societal narratives and values.

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Rising Together: Sally Helgesen’s Game Plan for Better Workplaces

Rising Together: Sally Helgesen’s Game Plan for Better Workplaces

In her appearance on The Business of Giving podcast, leadership expert Sally Helgesen unpacks the essentials for building inclusive workplaces. She emphasizes recognizing and handling ‘triggers’ which can create discord among diverse teams. Helgesen also sheds light on the importance of visibility and how perceptions of recognition need a constructive reframe. Moreover, she encourages individuals to embrace authenticity but cautions against letting it hinder growth. Crucially, she advocates for action-oriented approaches over mere thoughts to truly foster inclusivity, highlighting that it’s the tangible steps that count in making a workplace where everyone thrives.

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Reframing Team Success: Unpacking Psychological Safety with Dr. Timothy Clark 

Reframing Team Success: Unpacking Psychological Safety with Dr. Timothy Clark 

Dr. Timothy Clark, a leading authority on psychological safety, redefines its role as  a cornerstone of team success in modern organizations, going beyond the  common misconceptions of it being a shield from accountability or a mandate to  “be nice.” He underscores the concept as a vital intersection of respect and permission that fosters inclusive dialogue and innovation. By outlining the four stages of psychological safety—ranging from inclusion and learner safety, through contributor safety, to challenger safety—Clark illuminates how leaders can create a conducive environment for team members to learn, contribute, and ultimately challenge the status quo without fear. He emphasizes the vital role of leadership in modeling vulnerability, rewarding contributions, and fostering a collaborative approach to compensate for the changing dynamics of workplaces, including hybrid or virtual configurations. Clark concludes that creating and sustaining psychologically safe environments requires a deep understanding of human conditions and offers resources at leaderfactor.com for leaders embarking on this journey. 

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A Second Chance for Millions: The Clean Slate Initiative’s Impact on America’s Workforce

A Second Chance for Millions: The Clean Slate Initiative’s Impact on America’s Workforce

The Clean Slate Initiative, under the leadership of CEO Sheena Meade, is transforming lives by helping individuals with past records break barriers to employment, housing, and education. This initiative, which started in Pennsylvania, is striving to make the process of clearing records automated, shifting the burden from individuals to the government. Through Meade’s personal experiences and passion, she emphasizes the importance of involving those directly impacted by the criminal justice system in reform efforts. With policies already changed in 12 states and a $75 million grant from the Audacious Project, the Clean Slate Initiative aims to expand nationwide, fostering a future where this reform is seen as common sense, and ultimately providing a second chance for millions.

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