Candid insights

The big picture of the social sector, backed by data and expertise

As foundations reimagine themselves, they should give attention to DEI in operations

Not every foundation has shifted toward a lens of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), but fortunately, many have. That said, there seems to be a glaring miss amidst all this DEI work, and that is with who gets to participate…

By Satonya Fair (she/her) and Chantal Forster

January 22, 2020

Should your budget balance? NO!!

In December 2019, Jeanne Bell of Nonprofit Quarterly and I led the first of a two-part webinar series on strategic nonprofit budgeting. One of the things we inevitably covered, even though I wish we no longer had to, was dispelling the myth…

By Kate Barr (she/her)

January 21, 2020

When Numbers Fall Short: The Challenge of Measuring Diversity in a Global Context

At C&A Foundation we believe many of the challenges we seek to tackle are rooted in social exclusion. We are on a journey to deepen our approach to gender justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion. As part of our own effort…

By Bama Athreya

January 16, 2020

What’s new at Candid (January 2020)

Happy new year! For my squad’s first meeting of the year, we spend some time reflecting on what went well, what challenges we faced, who we met, and what we learned in 2019. We also asked each other, “What’s one…

By Jen Bokoff (she/her)

January 16, 2020

Time for our sector to draw a new fish!

A while ago, I read about an experiment where kids were asked to draw a fish. One group was just told to draw a fish; the other group were told the same thing, but they were also given an example…

By Vu Le (he/him)

January 15, 2020

5 online tools to become a nonprofit marketing expert

When I started in nonprofit marketing, with a shiny new journalism degree in hand, I thought I was all set to succeed. How hard can it be? I had much to learn about what makes a good marketer. After over…

By Maria Bryan (she/her)

January 14, 2020

How Philanthropy Can Benefit From Tapping Into Instagram Communities

Judging from media coverage and online conversations, it's clear we're living in a time of heightened social consciousness ("wokeness"). Whether that sentiment is driven by genuine concern for the fate of the planet and the welfare of others or a…

By Rodney Laws

January 13, 2020

Authentic communication: the key to meaningful connection and engagement

There are four big things that can hamper success in any organization, team, or relationship: lack of buy-in, lack of trust, inequities, and strife arising from toxic conflict. Authentic communication, however, can begin a process to correct, reset, build momentum,…

By Carmen C. Marshall

January 9, 2020

What we can learn from the latest International Giving trends?

Based out of the UK, Alliance magazine is the leading global magazine on philanthropy and social investment. Today’s post is one of the five most-read Alliance extra articles from 2019. Alliance extra offers premium content usually available only to Alliance…

By Amy McGoldrick

January 8, 2020

Few large U.S. foundations changed giving priorities after 2016 presidential election

In early 2019, Candid asked 645 of the largest U.S. foundations whether they had changed their funding priorities in 2017 and 2018 as a result of the 2016 presidential election. The vast majority (88 percent) of the respondents said their…

By Larry McGill (he/him)

January 7, 2020

Negotiation is a part of nonprofit life. 8 strategies for acing your next one

As a nonprofit leader, you engage in negotiation all the time. You might negotiate with a foundation over the scope of work for a funded project, with a major donor over the amount and purpose of funding, with staff over…

By Belinda Lyons-Newman (she/her)

January 7, 2020

New Years resolutions for board members

It’s the New Year—and it’s a great time to make smart resolutions for the future! Here are some resolutions for nonprofit board members—to help everyone get started on the right foot for the year and keep on track as we…

By Gail Perry

January 6, 2020