Hearst Foundations’ Post

It’s no secret that volunteer work can boost college admissions or scholarship applications. 📝 But studies show that volunteering is linked to increased overall happiness, healthiness, and higher self-esteem. 🤩 Learn more about the importance of giving back here: https://bit.ly/3S8v4yY

Each week, we’ll be featuring one of our members from AFP - Central Iowa and giving them a platform to talk about their work and why it’s meaningful. • Next up, AFP-CI Membership Co-Chair, Nicole Schleif Sinn, CFRE!  • • Nicole is the Chief Development Officer at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa which provides kids and teens with a safe, positive environment where they can connect, learn and explore after school programs led by a team of professionally trained youth development specialists. The diverse collection of programs are tailored to encourage growth in three main areas: Academic Success, Health and Wellness, and Good Character and Leadership while preparing and inspiring Club youth to reach their full potential. Currently, the Boys & Girls Club of Central Iowa serves over 500 K-12 students at eight clubs in the Des Moines Metro. “I don’t think it’s any secret that young people are really struggling right now, and I feel strongly that our mission has never been more important.” Learn more at https://www.bgcci.org/. • • • Three valuable lessons that Nicole has learned in her fundraising career are: 1 - I truly believe that passion for the mission is the most important qualification for the work. Everything else can be learned/developed. That passion is felt by those around you, and it gives you the fortitude to continue in a sometimes very challenging environment. 2 -  The most important parts of our fundraising jobs are almost never the most urgent. Carve out time to do the most important work and do not allow it to be compromised! A work in progress for me. 3 - Put on your own oxygen mask first. I can’t do my best for the organization if I am not at my best.

📚 From the back of the library...what I'm reading this week as a Ph.D. Candidate studying Higher Ed Philanthropy. I'm revisiting one of my favorite studies from Genevieve Shaker, Ph.D. and Sarah K. Nathan, Ph.D., "Understanding higher education fundraisers in the United States" 📊. In addition to discussing the demographics, characteristics, and professional knowledge, the study provides a holistic perspective on what fundraisers believe is needed for the future of higher education fundraising 🎯. While the study is from 2017, many themes are still a reality for fundraisers or have even been exacerbated over the past few years 📅. 🌟 Improving the Fundraising Profession: Fundraisers generally had a positive view of their profession 😊, but they believed that those outside of fundraising held less positive views (think deans, faculty, and family). Suggestions for improving the profession included further professionalizing fundraising through training, certification, formal education, standardization, and ethical practice 📚🎓. There was a strong desire to educate the public about the role of fundraisers and promote careers to the younger generation 🌟. Understanding philanthropy and fundraising at all levels of an organization was seen as crucial for improvement 🏛️. 💡Challenges and Recommendations: Despite commitments to diversity and equality, higher education fundraising faces challenges in recruitment, compensation, and promotion practices 🌍. Fundraising needs further professionalization, and there is a need for greater emphasis on ethics, knowledge, and formal education in the field 📝. 🤔 Does this line up with your perspective on what Higher Ed Fundraisers want? 📖 Shaker, G. G., & Nathan, S. K. (2017). Understanding higher education fundraisers in the United States. International Journal of Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Marketing, 22(4), e1604. Link to article -> https://lnkd.in/gPdx4w6q #HigherEdPhilanthropy #PhilanthropyResearch #Philanthropy #Fundraising #highereducation #highereducationleadership #HigherEd #backofthelibrary

We all have budgets, and guess what? There's always a bit of wiggle room! If you're a librarian facing the challenge of making the most of your limited budget, this article is just for you. #librarylove #library #entertainment

Here's the scoop... As an alumni from The Directors College wanted to share with my network this unique scholarship opportunity. Alectra is funding an annual scholarship, awarded to one Ontario-based individual who identifies as racialized, each calendar year between 2021 and 2025 and will cover all five modules of the Chartered Director (C.Dir.) Program. The 2023 scholarship application window is now open until January 1, 2024. The 2023 scholarship recipient will be announced in January 2024 and will be eligible to participate in 2024 C.Dir. Program Modules. This scholarship is open to candidates who self-identify as part of Indigenous or racialized groups, which are underrepresented on corporate boards. In addition to the general assessment factors, the following will be considered: •Efforts on behalf of the identified community including but not limited to leadership roles. •Commitment to social purpose and/or involvement in charitable or community sectors. If this is you or anyone you know - I encourage you to apply or share with someone that should apply. https://lnkd.in/dbC9Zpcr

Happy 4th of July! I want to emphasize the importance of civic engagement and personal empowerment, especially for business owners. It's crucial to remember that change often starts at the local level. By participating in city council meetings, volunteering for political campaigns, and educating ourselves and others, we can make meaningful contributions to our communities. Reflecting on how we can impact our city and state helps ensure that we leave a better legacy for future generations. It's a reminder that even small actions can collectively lead to significant improvements. Here are some effective ways to become more civically engaged: 🇺🇸Attend Local Government Meetings: Participate in city council, school board, and town hall meetings to stay informed and voice your opinions. 🇺🇸Vote: Ensure you are registered to vote and participate in all elections, including local, state, and federal ones. 🇺🇸Volunteer for Political Campaigns: Support candidates or causes you believe in by volunteering your time and skills. 🇺🇸Join Community Organizations: Get involved with local non-profits, advocacy groups, or community boards to help address local issues. 🇺🇸Educate Yourself: Stay informed about current events, policies, and issues affecting your community through reliable news sources and community bulletins. 🇺🇸Contact Your Representatives: Write, call, or meet with your local, state, and federal representatives to express your concerns and opinions on various issues. 🇺🇸Support Civic Education: Advocate for and participate in programs that promote civic education in schools and communities. 🇺🇸Mentor and Educate Others: Share your knowledge and encourage others to become more engaged and informed citizens.

Here’s the secret sauce about the gala! It’s not just an evening to come dine, dance, and let your hair down or take your hat off. We’re showing some young people across Southwest Georgia that they matter! We’re showing them that there is a village standing behind them ready to see them soar! We’re showing them that their current environment doesn’t reflect the entire world. 4 high school seniors and 4 college undergraduate students from Southwest Georgia institution will walk away with up to $ 1,500 scholarship a piece. Counselors and admissions personnel are mind-blown by our investment. The following Saturday our corporate sponsors will have an opportunity to sit down with high school and college students and hear their perspectives on joining the workforce, what they are looking for in an employer, and how companies across Southwest Georgia can build a pipeline through GROW with the students we serve. We don’t have a workforce shortage we have an exposure problem. #workforce #gala #scholarships #giving #fundrasing #georgia #growswga #communityimpact #highereducation

I am grateful to Voyage ATL magazine for featuring me in their "Portraits of Atlanta" series. In it, I discuss my resilience journey through higher education and establishing the nonprofit GRACIAS Inc. "...A valuable lesson I learned from this experience is that whenever you’re doing something ambitious or new, as long as it is for the right reasons and with the best intentions, people will recognize that, and it will work out in the end. The successful growth of this organization, started by a nobody 20-year-old college student, proves you do not need large sums of money, extensive experience, or a powerful name to make an impact; all you need is an ambitious idea and a good, unyielding heart..." To read more, check out the article: