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Are you curious about the true scope and scale of nonprofit employment in America? Ever wonder how nonprofit jobs weathered the pandemic compared to for-profit jobs? In this episode, host Rusty Stahl speaks with Dr. Alan J. Abramson and Chelsea Newhouse, both of George Mason University, about the numbers behind the nonprofit workforce, and their implications for funders, policymakers, and nonprofit leaders.The conversation reveals crucial facts about nonprofit employment based on George Mason's latest report. Abramson and Newhouse discuss how nonprofits lost 580,000 workers during the early pandemic but weathered the initial downturn better than for-profits. They explore common misconceptions about nonprofit funding and highlight how the sector has struggled to fully restore its workforce.Our guests introduce their Nonprofit Works, a free, user-friendly tool that provides high-level data about how many Americans earn a living through nonprofit work, and how much money nonprofits add to the economy in annual wages. The database allows users to segment this data by sub-sector and geography, and compare it to business and government jobs. The numbers are drawn from federal Department of Labor data, but the nonprofit employment data are published extremely infrequently, and only with help from scholars at a private, nonprofit university. Alan and Chelsea argue that better, more frequent releases of nonprofit workforce data – including relevant data collected by other federal agencies – would help nonprofit workers gain the visibility and support they deserve in public policy, the media, academic research, and among private funders.You can find all the episodes of this podcast plus our blog, toolkit and other resources at fundthepeople.org. Bios:Alan J. Abramson is director of the Center on Nonprofits, Philanthropy, and Social Enterprise, in the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University. He teaches and conducts research on the nonprofit sector and philanthropy, and has worked to save and sustain work done at Johns Hopkins University by his late colleague, Dr. Lester Solomon. For more than a decade, Dr. Abramson directed the Aspen Institute's Nonprofit Sector and Philanthropy Program. Before that he worked at the Urban Institute. Alan is the author and coauthor of numerous books and articles, and is involved with multiple academic associations related to the nonprofit sector. Dr. Abramson received his PhD in political science from Yale University.Chelsea Newhouse is a consultant on the George Mason University' Nonprofit Employment Data Project and Senior Program Manager at East-West Management Institute. Prior to joining the East-West Management Institute in 2022, Chelsea was at the the Johns Hopkins Center for Civil Society Studies, where she worked closely with late Center Director Lester Salamon on the Nonprofit Economic Data Project and the Nonprofit Works Interactive Database, the Comparative Nonprofit Sector Project, and a variety of other research projects focused on the nonprofit, philanthropic, and volunteer sector. Following Dr. Salamon's passing, she helped transfer the Nonprofit Employment Data Project to George Mason University. Chelsea has also served as a consultant with Maryland Nonprofits and the New York Council of Nonprofits.Resources:GMU Center on Nonprofits, Philanthropy, and Social EnterpriseGMU Nonprofit Employment Project websiteGMU Nonprofit Works websiteDirect link to the 2024 Nonprofit Employment ReportA link to the UN TSE Sector Handbook project, which provides guidance and background on the nonprofit satellite accountJHU Center for Civil Society StudiesStanding Up for Nonprofits, a 2024 book on nonprofit advocacy that Ben Soskis and Alan Abramson wrote. It's available for free online from Cambridge University Press
The Baltimore Children & Youth Fund supports access to arts, athletics, music, mental healthcare and more, using 3 percent of the city's property tax each year. The idea behind the community foundation is to fundamentally change the dynamic for nonprofits in the city, and get more money into the hands of Baltimoreans making a difference in the lives of children across the city. In 2024, BCYF awarded $9 million in grant funding to 91 youth programs. However, some critics say more transparency into the funds is needed. Can the Baltimore Children and Youth Fund guarantee its using the fund wisely, and create an impact? BCYF CEO and President Alysia Lee joins the program to talk about their work. Lonnie Walker of JOY Baltimore, a grantee of the community foundation also joins the conversation. Later, Heather Iliff of group Maryland Nonprofits talks best practices for community foundations and how smaller nonprofits can make a bigger impact.Email us at midday@wypr.org, tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.
Our guests today are helping to keep America's promise to our allies in Afghanistan. Right now there are people who risked their lives to help our soldiers and journalists during the war and are continuing to fear for their lives as the Taliban continue to hunt them. Mike Mitchell is the Executive Director of No One Left Behind and has an extensive background in nonprofits with significant experience in refugee and immigration work. Prior to his role at No One Left Behind, Mike led the Luminus Network for New Americans where be helped build a local organization serving immigrants from more than 35 countries, and before that, he served in senior roles at two national refugee resettlement organizations.Mike is a social sector entrepreneur with a background in nonprofit practice and governance, and he has experience in housing, workforce development, and economic development. He has a passion for creating tools for nonprofits that utilize technology and to bring about more effective organizations. Prior to his time in nonprofits, Mike served as a volunteer with AmeriCorps and worked on Capitol Hill. In addition to his professional roles, Mike has served on multiple Boards including Maryland Nonprofits where he was Chair for two years and Beautiful Day. Interestingly, Mike grew up in Afghanistan and has lived and traveled around the world. Major Kristen Greist is a West Point Graduate, first female to graduate the Army's premier leadership academy in 2015, also known as Ranger School, and the first female to branch and command an Infantry unit in US Army history. In April 2016, she again broke barriers when she became the first female Army infantry officer, transferring from military police. She was named to Fortune magazine's 2016 list of the World's Greatest Leaders and was inducted into the US Army Women's Foundation Hall of Fame in 2018. She is with us today because she helped her translator escape Afghanistan who also joins us today.Instagram - @noonelesftbehindusLinks:https://www.nooneleft.org/www.citizensofsound.comwww.howcanihelppod.comwww.onelegacy.org www.mysaintmyhero.com DISCOUNT CODE: HOWIHELP
In Episode 42 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, Marla Bobowick discuss: The major misconceptions people have about boards and governance How staff and board can shift to shared leadership Why boards need to focus more on the future than just talking about the past Guest Bio: Marla Bobowick is an independent consultant based in Washington, DC, has served as a Senior Governance Consultant for BoardSource since 2008, and is also a Standards for Excellence® licensed consultant. She has more than 30 years of nonprofit experience and a history of creative problem solving. Specializing in nonprofit management and leadership, she has extensive experience with board governance, strategy, and publishing. She has worked with nonprofit organizations of all types and sizes, including regional healthcare and social service providers, educational institutions (independent schools and colleges and universities), family and other private foundations, and local and national offices of federated organizations and professional associations. Previously, Marla was Vice President of Products at BoardSource, where she oversaw publications, online products, and research. During her tenure at BoardSource, she was an active consultant and trainer, developed educational curriculum, managed regional capacity building projects, oversaw the global program, and coordinated the annual conference. While at BoardSource, Marla managed Leading with Intent: A National Index of Nonprofit Board Practices. She was also a member of the working group for The Source: Twelve Principles of Governance That Power Exceptional Boards (BoardSource © 2005). She managed “Governance Futures: New Perspectives on Nonprofit Governance,” a multiyear research project that culminated in publication of Governance as Leadership: Reframing the Work of Nonprofit Boards (John Wiley & Sons © 2005). She is co-author of Assessing Board Performance: A Practical Guide for College, University, System, and Foundation Boards (Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges © 2018). Previously, Marla was an acquisitions editor at John Wiley & Sons, where she developed Wiley's Nonprofit Law, Finance, and Management Series and the Association of Fundraising Professionals Fund Development Series. Marla holds a bachelor's degree in English from Amherst College, a master's degree in business administration and a certificate in nonprofit management from Case Western Reserve University. She is a past board chair of Maryland Nonprofits and a past board member Calvary Women's Services. Important Links and Resources: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marlabobowick/ http://www.bobowickconsulting.com/ The AGB Book Principles of Trusteeship An AGB Article: “What Kind of Board Member Are You?”
In episode 22 of Mission: Impact, some of the topics that Carol and her guest, Michelle Nusum-Smith discussed include: Pros and cons of starting a nonprofit vs. finding a fiscal sponsor vs. starting a for-profit business Things to consider to be more successful as you apply for grants as a nonprofit The pitfalls of applying for grants and ways to diversify your funding Guest Information:Michelle Nusum-Smith is owner and principal consultant at The Word Woman LLC. A licensed nonprofit consultant, coach and trainer, Michelle helps nonprofits, government agencies, and individuals achieve their goals. With over 20 years of nonprofit experience, she has expertise in all areas of nonprofit development and sustainability. Michelle has extensive speaker and facilitator experience. She is licensed to offer consulting services for the Maryland Nonprofit’s Standards for Excellence® program and has the knowledge, skills and tools necessary to work with nonprofits across the country. A graduate of the Honors Program at Coppin State University where she earned a BS in Management Science with a minor in Marketing, Michelle is a member of the Grants Professional Association and an Associate Consultant at Maryland Nonprofits. Important Links: https://thewordwomanllc.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-nusum-smith/ Interview Transcript:
In episode 17 of Mission: Impact, some of the topics that Carol and her guest, Wendy Wolff discussed include: How leading a non-profit differs from leading a for-profit business Awareness vs. action Why people are scared of evaluation Assumptions made when working with communities Changing social norms Where to start evaluation on an organizational level The barriers to evidence-based testing Guest Information:Activating and coordinating community responses to the HIV/AIDS epidemic was how Wendy Wolff began her career in the nonprofit sector. Her early career helped her to build a strong understanding about the value and role of the community in program planning and policy development. She brings nearly 25 years of diverse consulting experiences to her role as Director of Strategic Engagement for Maryland Nonprofits. Wendy has collaborated with government agencies; universities; non-profit organizations; and faith-based organizations to enhance the quality of life within many communities throughout the United States. She uses her strategic thinking skills to help clients synthesize information from wide-ranging sources, reframe problems while uncovering root causes to find refreshing, creative and effective solutions. Over the past two decades, Wendy has helped thousands of organizations and their people to create brighter futures for the communities in which they serve. Her excitement in working with the members of Maryland Nonprofit’s is infectious. She values the genius that each and every person brings to their role in the sector and works diligently to elevate any person that she engages with. Ms. Wolff holds a Master’s Degree in Public Health from New York University. She has resided as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Denver and as an Associate Faculty Member at Indian River State College. Wendy is a licensed consultant with the Standards for Excellence® Institute. Ms. Wolff’s first book, The Letter Writing Project (Blooming Twig Books), was published in August 2014. Evaluation Resources https://sphweb.bumc.bu.edu/otlt/mph-modules/sb/behavioralchangetheories/behavioralchangetheories6.html https://www.cdc.gov/eval/framework/index.htm http://www.gracesocialsector.com/missionimpact/is-your-organization-having-the-impact-you-want https://www.amazon.com/Finally-Outcome-Measurement-Strategies-Understand/dp/0578024659 https://www.amazon.com/Great-Nonprofit-Evaluation-Reboot-Understand/dp/193807792X Connect with Wendy Wolff https://www.linkedin.com/in/wolffwendy/
From Workforce Wire Podcast: Wendy Wolff, Director of Strategic Engagement for Maryland Nonprofits, joins the program to discuss the mission and vision of her organization, as well as the various opportunities that are available working with nonprofits in the region. Wendy speaks about the Standards for Excellence accreditation and the benefits of that accreditation for nonprofits. She also reveals the most common mistakes that nonprofits make when incorporating, and what you need to consider when starting a nonprofit.
Wendy Wolff, Director of Strategic Engagement for Maryland Nonprofits, joins the program to discuss the mission and vision of her organization, as well as the various opportunities that are available working with nonprofits in the region. Wendy speaks about the Standards for Excellence accreditation and the benefits of that accreditation for nonprofits. She also reveals the most common mistakes that nonprofits make when incorporating, and what you need to consider when starting a nonprofit.
Last week, amid news reports of self-dealing by members of the board of directors of The University of Maryland Medical System (known as UMMS), the CEO of the system, Robert Chrencik, was placed on a leave of absence while the board hired an outside firm to conduct an audit of the System’s contracting practices and its conflicts-of-interest policies. Several board members have resigned, including Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh, who had served on the UMMS board for more than 18 years. Other board members who currently have business relationships with the System have also been asked to take a leave of absence from the board. When Luke Broadwater of the Sun wrote about the allegations that Mayor Pugh and others were profiting from their affiliation with the UMMS board, reaction in Annapolis was swift, and unequivocal. Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, Senate President Mike Miller, and Speaker of the House Mike Busch (himself a member of the UMMS board), all condemned the practice of awarding contracts to businesses that were connected to board members. A bill proposed by Speaker Busch is being fast-tracked through the House, and a bill introduced on the Senate side is also making its way through the legislative process . Both bills aim to address conflicts of interest and financial disclosures by board members. Sen. Jill P. Carter, who represents District 41 in the MD Senate and serves on the Judicial Proceedings Committee, among others, is the sponsor of Senate Bill 619. Her bill would prohibit the UMMS board from engaging in the kind of routine self-dealing that appears to have been prevalent at the quasi-private enterprise. Senator Carter joins us on the line from Annapolis.And later, we consider whether the situation at the University of Maryland Medical System is unique: What should non-profit boards do to ensure that they are acting according to best practices when it comes to ethics, conflicts of interest and financial disclosures? Tom is joined in the studio by Heather Iliff, the president and CEO of Maryland NonProfits, an association of more than 1,000 nonprofit organizations. that offers advice and training about best ethical practices...especially by non-profit boardsDoug Donavan joins us as well. He’s an investigative reporter for the Baltimore Sun, who has been covering the University of Maryland Medical System story as it has evolved over the past week or so.
The Maryland State Arts Council is sponsoring seven regional institutes for artists, arts organizations, arts leaders, and arts supporters to gather for collaborative discussion and professional development. Entitled, “Creative Conversations,” these sessions are being conducted in partnership with the Maryland Citizens for the Arts, Maryland Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, Maryland Nonprofits and Maryland State Department of Education.Dana Parson talked to us about this program.
Here?s an unusual idea: using tiny houses to address the affordable housing crisis. Many of these homes are 200 square feet or less. Could they help house low-wage earners in Baltimore? Greg Cantori , CEO of Maryland Nonprofits , and Davin Hong , principle architect at the Living Design Lab , describe their vision. And Klaus Philipsen , urban planner and president of Archplan, Inc. , shares his thoughts on the feasibility of this approach.