A Call to Action: The Power of Thoughtful Nonprofits and Citizens

Many people have read, if even in passing, Margaret Mead's famous quote, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." 

It's one of the reasons that the United States has a tremendous tradition of philanthropy and giving back. We're all here to do something for someone else, and, one person at a time, we hope that our communities will grow and prosper — lifting everyone. 

It's easy to get distracted from the idea that together we can do incredible things. It seems that every day we wake up, there's more discussion about tribalism and polarization. In the nonprofit sector, there are many conversations about how artificial intelligence (AI), changing donor ideas, and social strife are causing nonprofits to change and even appear as institutions of the past. 

But is that really the case? Are we all done helping people? The short answer is no. Topics, such as leveraging AI, understanding how to do major gifts and scaling a nonprofit, matter because most people in the nonprofit industry want to work together for a better outcome and community. These issues and much more matter, but so does the idea of community and shared responsibility within the sector. 

Beyond the Surface

Across the United States, communities have had parades and festivals for generations. The oldest folk parade in the country is Philadelphia’s Mummer’s Parade, which started in 1901, and has grown to more than 10,000 people participating. The parade happens on New Year’s Day and is filled with lots of color and costumed people walking down the city’s Broad Street. Yes, it’s been called out for a variety of reasons. Unfortunately, life isn't black or white because we deal with humans. 

Despite its flaws, some Mummers seek to make a difference in their community and contribute positively. But it's not only Mummers looking to do something good for others. Small and large businesses, as well as churches and faith-based organizations serve their communities. Tens of thousands run the Boston, New York, Chicago and other marathons, 5K, 10K and get sponsored for charities. What do all these people have in common? They want to make a difference in their communities and the world they live in, aka impact. 

If you’ve ever participated in a marathon or road race, then you know that you can ask your friends and family to sponsor you financially and the donations support a favorite charitable cause. Countless runners and walkers get sponsorships because their friends want to support them and because when people know it's to help others, they're willing to chip in and make that happen.

Focusing on Our Higher Purpose and Ideals

Many believe that distractions and division are at the top of the narrative in media and social platforms. However, nonprofits have a special place in our communities. While people may disagree about the approaches or methods of fundraising within nonprofits (e.g., fewer grants and more major gifts), most people agree that the broad idea of nonprofits is to make a positive social impact. 

So, how can nonprofits connect more meaningfully with donors, volunteers and the community about the unique role they (and everyone) play in improving lives? For one, nonprofit leaders and marketing teams need to promote the simple message of the golden rule. In other words, instead of the us and them conversations, we need to talk about “us, all of us” and focus on ideals such as the golden rule. 

Nonprofit professionals should look past the tactics and focus on what brings us together. It means learning how to master nonprofit storytelling that’s peppered with ideas for the greater good at the top, followed by your critical work underpinning those ideals and the impact and outcomes your organization achieves. These things are intricately linked together and drive home the point of your value and message in the community. 

The Shared Responsibility

Again, nonprofits and their teams have a unique role to fulfill. Moreover, they have the moral clarity to speak about the concept of shared responsibility. Leaders can talk about the higher vision of everyone coming together and our shared responsibility for everyone else. By creating communities where people can engage with each other through digital platforms and in-person opportunities, nonprofits can lead communities to a closer union. 

For example, if nonprofits want to promote the idea of shared responsibility, they can create marketing campaigns around it. They can do more days of community service for people, regardless of age, to get involved. They can partner with other nonprofits to do days of service within a cross-section of organizations, not simply a single organization. By getting people involved, nonprofits can lead to healing the wounds that seem to exist. 

Going back to the words of Margaret Mead, a small group of committed people can do so much. I’ve long said that we were put on this earth to serve others — not ourselves. If you've seen “The Holdovers,” you may have picked up what was said at the start of the film, "Non nobis solum nati sumus." What it means is the true definition of philanthropy, "Not for ourselves alone are we born." 

Apathy is not who we are as Americans, and our nation has demonstrated time and time again that we've got what it takes to do so much and, at times, that which has seemed impossible. Still, it all starts with one person — you — not accepting the current state of affairs as the best we can do.

The preceding post was provided by an individual unaffiliated with NonProfit PRO. The views expressed within do not directly reflect the thoughts or opinions of NonProfit PRO.