Resources
Fuel for Your Fire
and/or
Failure Forest
We need new imagery not only for failure, but also for growth and progress, that illuminate their cyclical, rhythmic, and sometimes erratic natures. What better teacher than nature, and what better provider of imagery than the forest? Along with these elemental metaphors, we provide questions that can support teams to grow through failure.
The Right to Imagine
We have all seen and experienced enough of the relentless hand-to-the-till work and the dysfunction that manifests in burnout and cynicism, to know that there has to be a better way; the status quo is stripping us of the creativity needed to imagine new futures and the paths to get there. So, we appropriate right-based language here, because the imagination, while in theory, is accessible to all, must be cherished and protected, if it is to come alive.
Exploring A Demand Driven Learning Approach
Monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) can be a drag when it's only about following donor's checklists. But what if teams and organizations and the populations they serve could do MEL on their own terms, based on what they actually want to learn? That would be a breath of fresh air! Furthermore, this type of approach works the creative muscles that organizations need if they are to thrive in a turbulent future. Fortunately, many donors actually welcome this approach!
RFPs That Protect Equity and Ideas
Inequity in the grantmaking process frequently garners significant attention, highlighting the disparities many nonprofit organizations face in accessing vital resources. However, it is equally important to address the inequities present in the Request for Proposal (RFP) process for contract work, which often determines who earns revenue and contributes to the social impact sector. Here are some of our suggestions for creating a more inclusive and fair RFP process.