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So you’ve decided to create a culture of philanthropy. Now what? Obviously, the first step (agreeing to have a culture of philanthropy) is critical. But what does a culture of philanthropy even look like?  2025 saw sudden and unexpected withdrawals of critical federal funds from nonprofits of all kinds and sizes.  In response, nonprofit organizations…

The board of directors plays a critical role in the creation, growth, and stability of every organization.  But unlike for-profit corporate boards which respond strictly to financial incentives, the board of directors of a nonprofit organization must consider both finances and impact. This is the governance balancing act that boards and staff must manage.  There…

Scenario planning is central to emergency management, insurance, and military operations. Should scenario planning be a part of your nonprofit planning cycle and minimize shocks to your nonprofit organizations? United States national elections often portend big shifts in multi-billion dollar spending priorities. The 2024 election means that Federal support for many community, urban, environmental, educational,…

By Kevin Essington, CEO, City Greener Strategies LLC Radical changes are coming. You were made for this. Now get organized for what is to come. The United States has narrowly elected a fascist and kleptocratic man and his supporters to be President until at least January 2029. The role of nongovernmental organizations under fascist regimes…

Plastrik, Taylor, and Cleveland in their book “Connecting to Change the World” describe the value of networks and network-building in affecting social and environmental change. In it they suggest “Three Rules to Live By:” 1. Trust the network,2. Serve the network, but don’t wait for it, and3. Embrace vertigo. In 2024 I helped launch a…