Insights
A Note from Vanessa Wakeman
Dear Friend,
“Are you ready to change the world?” That is the question that graced the cover of our very first brochure many years ago. We chose that question because it best represented the embodiment of how we see the nonprofit sector: a committed group of stewards always answering the call to improve the human condition. We find ourselves asking that question a lot lately, as we help organizations prepare for a period of uncertainty.
5 Things Every Nonprofit Should Be Thinking About Right Now by Vanessa Wakeman, for Huffington Post
Over the past month, I’ve had several conversations with leaders who expressed concerns about how to best position their nonprofit amid the frenzied environment created by the new presidential administration. Many of those I spoke with lead small organizations, with most budgets not exceeding $1M.
That Feeling in Our Bones: Women & Thought Leadership by Vanessa Wakeman, for Huffington Post
My grandmother could predict the weather based on the way her body felt. If her joints were achy, she would announce that rain was coming. I would always give her a puzzled look and she would smile and say, “I can feel it in my bones.” She was often right.
What Nonprofits Can Learn From Bernie Sanders by Vanessa Wakeman, for Huffington Post
Regardless of your political propensity, nearly all of us can agree that Bernie Sanders has a wildly-enthusiastic following. How did he do it?
He’s not a celebrity. Yet, when Bernie Sanders walks into a room or steps behind a podium, his fans go absolutely wild. Their loyalty is enviable — and their passion is unmatched.
Reimagining Thought Leadership by Vanessa Wakeman, for Huffington Post
Webster’s Dictionary defines a thought leader as one whose views on a subject are taken to be authoritative and influential. I would agree with this updated definition with a slight refinement. In my opinion, a thought leader is an individual who is committed to contributing valuable, original thinking and ideas on a subject to benefit the greater good. The individual is in service to the idea, issue or innovation with the goal of fostering change.
Can Coca-Cola Salvage School System’s Brand Image?
Public-private partnerships are well established in various industries, but they represent a rare and new frontier in PR. But an endeavoring and ambitious collaboration between a major international corporation and a challenged public school district might be changing that.
My First Social Good Summit
I recently attended the Social Good Summit, a two-day, star-studded event held in September 2015 in New York City.
I am new to the nonprofit sector after having spent 14 years in the advertising world for publications such as Hearst Digital and AT&T. In my new role as Business Development Manager at The Wakeman Agency, I am always looking to learn more about the social change movement and attending the Social Good Summit was a great opportunity to get up close and personal with people who are moving the needle on important issues and other like-minded folks.
Mass Money Raising: Why Givers Latch onto Crowdfunding
If crowdsourcing in technology is like volunteerism or brainstorming on steroids, then crowdfunding is like altruistic generosity taken to new levels. But its potential impact on the field of fundraising could be giving some nonprofit organizations pause.
Five Tips to Raise Awareness of Your Social-Change Film
Though it may be rare for a social-change film to achieve big box-office numbers, that doesn’t mean organizations, nonprofits and indie artists should forego opportunities to raise the stakes of their cinematic endeavors.
When Bad Things Happen to Good Organizations
Bad things can happen to good organizations, just like they can happen to good people. Unintended consequences from deeply rooted issues, as well as unpredictable life events, can strike nonprofit organizations just like they do everyday individuals.
We collaborate with nonprofit organizations who want to build influence and generate revenue for important social issues. Let’s talk about what that looks like for your organization.