Promising Partnerships

New organizations often depend on valuable partnerships with existing organizations. While I often talk about fundraising goals, new organizations also often participate in grassroots marketing efforts. Recently, Reach was selected to participate in Capital Cause's "To DC, With Love Festival" from 4pm - 9pm on July 31st. This exciting event is designed as a fun street festival that allows DC's young professional community to learn about a select group of local nonprofit organizations. We'll have a booth at the event, so come by and say hello!

Location: Howard University (off Harvard Street, near Reservior)

Cost: $20

DJ, LIVE MUSIC, ART SHOW

Activities: Henna Tattoos, Yoga Demonstrations, and Other Interactive Activities
Food: Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Grilled Chicken, Baked Beans, Green Beans, Desserts,

Beverages: Soda, Juice, Wine, Beer & Water

Over 50% of Proceeds Benefit the Following Nonprofits*:

National Association of Youth-Owned Businesses
Higher Achievement Program, Inc.
Yoga District
Young Ladies of Tomorrow
Reach Incorporated
Center for Minority Achievement in Science and Technology
Weatherize DC

*The remainder of funds go towards supporting Capital Cause efforts to plan affordable fundraisers for young professionals and to fund educational grants.

Thanks, as always, for reading!

Mark

Did You Hear?

For several weeks, the news has been dominated by oils spills, a "rogue" general, and the 2010 World Cup; however, while few were looking, the Gates and Buffet families decided to lead the largest philanthropic charge in history (a more detailed explanation of their goals can be found here). Buffet, who has pledged 99% of his wealth, has long differed from many of the world's richest people by asserting that he is not inherently deserving of his vast wealth. Finding a like-minded spirit in Bill Gates, they have dramatically changed the face of philanthropy. Now, given the recent economic downturn, they are becoming more evangelistic in their approach.

Already, the challenge has created significant results - the Broad family has pledged 75% of the family's wealth. The Broads, already a major player in the philanthropy world, bring Buffet and Gates closer to their goal of raising $600 Billion from the world's richest people. Yes, with a B. Buffet has long felt that the richest (or, as he would say, luckiest) have a greater obligation to contribute to the needs of the disadvantaged. Specifically, he feels like they sacrifice the least, in terms of quality of life, when giving away significant amounts of money.

This is not to say that this approach is flawless. By funneling so much money through large foundations, those funders gain immense power in determining which valuable community programs will get funded. This is specifically troubling, because so many of these major funders focus on "proven" models that take an efficiency-focused approach to problem solving.

Frankly, in many ways, I think Buffet lets the rest of us off the hook. Giving back is also about sacrificing luxuries (It's shocking to me how many people report that they don't have the financial flexibility to give back, yet they were picking up their iPhones this morning!). That being said, in a world where the financial sector created an economic crisis while hot shots collected multi-million dollar bonuses, it's exciting to see Buffet pushing the world's wealthiest to give more. All of us - every. single. one. - can do more.

Let's hope that Buffet's words encourage others to give back. Without resources, great ideas are simply the dreams of passionate people. We have so much left to do!

Thanks, as always, for reading.

Mark

Extra Thought: Buffet's biography, "Snowball," is a fascinating read.

Is This All There Is?

In this recent article by Dr. Benjamin Ward (scroll down to pages 8-9), Ward outlines the dangers associated with an exclusive reliance on what is described as the "ethic of performance." While not speaking directly about America's public education system, so many of Ward's words ring true when considering urban education. In an effort to promote accountability (whatever that means), we have started to focus on the tenets that define the ethic of performance: "reduction to a readily quantifiable or measurable standard, comparability, and fundamental limitations in the governing terms of discourse so as to ensure precisely such measurability and comparability."

When we focus entirely on things we can measure, does that not limit the true impact we can have on the students we encounter? Ward ends his article by discussing the steps we must take to counter the "growing sense of hollowness and brittleness [associated with] an exclusive reliance on an ethic of performance. But true intellectual engagement does not come with a road map or any guarantee of 'success.' The only thing that we can look forward to with confidence is a turbulent journey that shakes us to the very core of our being. Such are the fruits of the authentic educational venture."

How does a new organization balance the public system's performance demands with the need to create a true educational experience? That is our constant battle.

Thanks, as always, for reading.

Mark

Well Said...

Few people understand the importance of Adolescent Literacy. We have invested so much more in the education of children in grades K-3. Our time, our attention, and our money have been directed toward younger children. While this is a necessary use of some educational resources, it is not sufficient to produce our desired outcomes. Advanced adolescent literacy is the single factor that relates most closely to almost every desirable educational outcome: academic achievement, college success, and employment. For so long, unsubstantiated myths have guided our decision making regarding investment in literacy.

Don Deshler - Director of The University of Kansas Center for Research and Learning - dispels these commonly held assumptions in his recent testimony before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Deshler's testimony starts at 50:00. Click here and get educated!

Thanks, as always, for reading.

Mark

The Most Beautiful Sight These Eyes Have Ever Seen...

In the movie "Rudy," this is what the main character's father says when  he arrives to watch Notre Dame play Georgia Tech. That line came to mind today when I finished a big project. It was the most beautiful sight these eyes had ever seen: an amazing Excel spreadsheet.

I often write about fundraising and/or development. And, I've certainly used the words interchangeably. But when I actually take a step back, they are different words. Development is an important, and necessary, part of fundraising. Specifically, development involves gathering information and data - accurate and up to date - while simultaneously developing relationships. Today, I arranged all the information I have through two years of working: Names, Addresses, Email Addresses, Addresses, Date of Last Contribution, and Date of Last Contact. 

Previously, I was working from 4-6 different spreadsheets. That may seem a little crazy, but it all happens piecemeal in the beginning. There's a spreadsheet to keep track of donations, one for addresses, and one for solicitation letters that need to be sent out... Now, they're all in one place. An investment of time that will, no doubt, create dividends in the future.

Sometimes, it's the little things that feel like big accomplishments.

Thanks, as always, for reading.

Mark

The List Keeps Getting Longer!

Every time I feel, for a moment, like I'm actually getting my feet under me, I am reminded of how far I have to go. Sometimes, a simple task creates a million opportunities for anxiety. This evening, that task was the completion of some forms necessary to get price quotes for insurance coverage. As you would expect, these forms ask a lot of questions about the ways the organization protects itself. To this point, we haven't had the need; however, the questions forced me to consider the various systems we would need to create before even hiring our first employee.

Some of the questions asked included (organized from least scary to most scary):

• Do employees have to fill out an applications?
• Do you have an equal employment statement on the application?
• Do you verify previous employers?
• Does your employee handbook outline complaint procedures?
• Are all employees CPR certified?
• Are all employees trained in using an AED device?
• Do you currently have kidnapping, hostage, and ransom coverage?

KIDNAPPING, HOSTAGE, AND RANSOM? Are you serious? It's like these forms are trying to create anxiety!

More than anything, the process made me realize the importance of setting up appropriate human resource and risk management systems. Developing these systems will entail some significant learning and a substantial investment of time. It's better to recognize these needs now, when I have the time to address them effectively; however, I certainly never feel like I have everything under control. I suppose that's just the nature of the beast.

Thanks, as always, for reading.

Mark

Another One Gets On The Bus.

During the start-up phase, there's a catch 22 regarding enlisting help. It seems like a great idea to bring in interns to handle some of the tasks that eat my time, but I have neither the space for an office nor the time to supervise and guide interns. So, to this point, I have declined to enlist volunteers or interns to handle major tasks related to organizational development.

That all changed this week. I was approached by a student pursuing a Masters in Professional Services at Georgetown University. This student, with a concentration in Public Relations, also has extensive professional experience. Even more important, this student was recommended by a trusted Reach supporter. We welcome Janelle Stevenson to the Reach team!

As part of a summer class, Janelle will help Reach develop a short-term communications plan with an emphasis on reaching out to new donors. Organizational communications, and its relationship to fundraising, is a key factor in the start-up process; however, it is not a specialty of mine. I look forward to working with Janelle and getting the guidance necessary to develop a strong plan moving forward.

Thanks, as always, for reading.

Mark

Sometimes, You Just Don't Know.

I sit here coming down from the high of last night's trivia event at Solly's Tavern. The Solly's staff was enthusiastic and friendly, and the tables were filled with Reach fans and supportive strangers. In a closely contested trivia battle, "Smooth as Eggs" took home first prize while a strong showing by "The Boote Bunch" earned second place. Arash Jahanian and Randi Greenberg, our big raffle winners, will enjoy fantastic tickets to a Nats game next week. We are very appreciative to The Newseum, Jackie Jenzen, and Federal Realty Investment Trust for donating the evening's prizes. Overall, it was a great night!

Still excited from last night's festivities, I sat down this morning to continue work on some financial documents for a meeting of Reach's Board of Directors. After finishing a revised version of our FY2011 budget, I began developing revenue projections - estimations regarding how and when we will collect donations. It was both frustrating and freeing to recognize that, frankly, I have little idea. So much of this process is new to me. There is not yet any standard revenue cycle for Reach. I can tell you when we will apply for funding, but I certainly cannot predict with any certainty when we will receive funding.

While it makes planning difficult, this has been one of the great joys of our first year. I don't always know where the money's coming from, but I have repeatedly been surprised by the generosity of our supporters:

• When leaving Los Angeles at the end of a visit last summer, a friend handed me an envelope as she dropped me off at the airport. When I opened it, I discovered a check for $2,000. It was, at that time, our largest gift ever.
• Last September, having just returned from a wedding, I found myself spending time with old friends from college. When asking about my "pitch," a friend asked if I usually dressed up. I said, "yes, I'm usually in a suit." She then indicated she would donate $1,000 if I put on a suit to give the pitch. Minutes later, after a quick change in my rental car, Reach had another donor join our Founder's Circle.
• During a rough stretch, a classmate from Harvard's Graduate School of Education sent a simple e-mail: "My family has a small foundation. I can think of no better organization to support than Reach. Send a brief description, and we should be able to provide a grant of about $1,300."

I have no doubt that our revenue patterns will become more predictable, but I am confident now. The generosity of our supporters continues to surprise me. I am growing more comfortable with the fact that I don't know how we will raise every necessary dollar; however, I have faith that we will make it.

Thanks, as always, for reading.

Mark