Category: Event Takeaways

Creating Shared Value and a Better Business Case for Impact

Posted on by NationSwell Team

The business case for social impact has traditionally leaned on external data and proof points to advance prioritization and resourcing.  But in today’s climate, executive leaders need more than generalized ROI studies — they need impact strategies that directly address their most pressing challenges. How can impact leaders shift the conversation from justification to integration, proving shared value in ways that truly move the business forward?

On May 15th, NationSwell convened leaders for a virtual Leader Roundtable on Creating Shared Value and a Better Business Case for Impact. Some of the most salient takeaways from the discussion appear below.

Takeaways:

Leverage your organization’s core assets to create impact. Programs that deliver both business and social returns often draw on unique corporate capabilities—such as expertise, data, technology, or logistics—to create value in the marketplace while also addressing societal needs. These asset-driven approaches tend to be more durable and scalable than philanthropic giving alone.Taking an asset-driven approach creates an important and inherent link between your impact and enterprise goals.

Speak the language of the business In making the case for your impact programs to key stakeholders and executives, it can be helpful to show how they do double duty in addressing the key challenges your business is seeking to address. Pivoting the language you use when addressing these stakeholders to include more of the metrics and terms they use in their day-to-day — (ie. how programs are creating volume growth, etc.) can also be helpful in making the business case for impact.

Don’t underestimate storytelling when seeking buy-in or equipping leaders to convey your impact. One leader shared that using a mix of ROI metrics and storytelling has been most effective in conveying impact to key stakeholders. Stories can help to personalize the work in a way that makes it easier to understand than the raw data, and also helps to provide executives with anecdotes that they can feel proud of and easily convey in forums or at speaking engagements with other leaders.

Hardwire your strategy and goals so they can “outlast the CEO”. In designing with legacy and longevity in mind, ensure that programs have shared ownership and accountability baked in so that no one leader or executive can “take the work with them.” Ensuring that your impact work is well-integrated with larger business goals from the beginning also helps to ensure that it will continue for the long term.

Co-create with the business, not for the business. Successful impact teams work closely with internal business units to design and execute programs. This involves building strong cross-functional relationships, adopting the same performance discipline as the core business, and ensuring shared ownership of outcomes and accountability.

Invest in strategies to engage middle management. Middle managers often control the day-to-day levers that enable or block employee engagement and program execution. Their buy-in is essential, yet frequently overlooked. Unlocking this layer can accelerate adoption and boost program credibility across the organization.

Don’t let perfection stand in the way of progress. Waiting for the ideal set of metrics or a fully formed theory of change can stall good ideas from taking hold. Leaders emphasized the importance of launching early, testing often, and using results to build momentum and iterate.

Anticipate how executives are thinking. Beyond ensuring credibility and demonstrating partnership, regularly engaging with and shadowing business leaders can help you to understand how they’re thinking in ways that allow you to be more intentional about the ways you design and measure your impact programs. Using the same discipline the business is using around operations reviews, setting long-term goals that are business-aligned, and understanding risk tolerance can all help to make the work more resilient. 

Embed your programs in your people strategy. Taking a personal approach to design that’s based on your team’s needs can help to drive employee engagement and create a sense of shared value and purpose. Creating more intentional upskilling or engagement opportunities can help to curb attrition rates, cultivate buy-in, and drive community impact.

Innovative Philanthropy in Times of Uncertainty and Urgency

Posted on by NationSwell Team

Today’s challenges demand a new level of agility and creativity from philanthropy. Traditional models of giving are evolving as funders seek innovative ways to deploy resources, drive systemic change, and respond to urgent needs without sacrificing long-term impact.

On May 6, NationSwell convened senior leaders for a candid discussion on Innovative Philanthropy in Times of Uncertainty and Urgency. Some of the key insights that surfaced during the course of the discussion appear below:

Key takeaways:

Be in community; talk through the anxiety and surface needs among your partners and peers. Amid pervasive feelings of “stuckness” among funders and grantees alike, continuing to have tough conversations and be in relationship with those who can appreciate the unique difficulties of this moment will be an invaluable tool. Connecting with others who want to solve problems — even when the problems seem insurmountable — and conducting regular pulse checks with grantees can sometimes be the best antidote to malaise, anxiety, and fear. 

If your organization doesn’t have the right support to offer, help connect to those who do. Even when funders don’t have the right tools or expertise to directly support their grantees or partners, they can still play a valuable role by acting as connectors. By brokering relationships, making introductions, or spotlighting other resources to tap, funders can help ensure their partners get the support they need without overextending their own capabilities. Influence and networks can be just as valuable as dollars.

Adjust your strategy with the long view in mind — and stay true to it. Especially in times of uncertainty, crafting intentional and precise strategies around your funding philosophy and partnership strategies will help you to stay true to your mission, goals, and organizational identity. Once established, hold to the strategies you’ve crafted so thoughtfully and intentionally. Push through the inclination to “freeze”; move forward with confidence, clarity, and adaptability.

Explore “pooled funds” and strategic coordination with fellow funders. By sharing financial commitments, funders can support innovative or high-risk projects with less individual exposure, making it easier to pilot new ideas or respond to urgent needs. Pooled funds can also help to streamline support for nonprofit partners, reducing the administrative burden of managing multiple relationships and reporting requirements and allowing them to focus on driving impact.

Consider the value of forging fewer, deeper partnerships. Some funders are focusing on larger, more impactful strategic collaborations with a few key partners to maximize impact and efficiency.

When possible, support partners with multi-year, unrestricted grants. Knowing that funding is secure for several years makes organizations more likely to experiment, innovate, and take calculated risks that could lead to greater impact without the added pressure of fundraising. For funders, multi-year grants support a more strategic, long-term approach to philanthropy, allowing for deeper alignment with organizational values and mission.Engage your internal stakeholders. Actively bringing in employees, agents, and other internal stakeholders in partnership activities can help to deepen your organization’s relationships and extend the reach of your partnerships. Particularly in times of deep division, taking the time to forge and fortify deep personal connections will be a critical component of long-term resilience.

Deepening employee engagement amid workplace evolution

Posted on by NationSwell Team

As political turbulence converges with new return-to-office mandates, AI-driven labor disruption, and shifting workplace power dynamics, now is a good time to ask: are the employees alright? Data shows employee engagement is at a 10-year low, and impact leaders may have an important role to play in creating a positive inflection. 

On May 1, NationSwell brought together cross-sector leaders to explore strategies for fostering authentic employee connection, sustaining momentum on social impact, and navigating changing internal expectations in an era of heightened scrutiny. Some of the key takeaways from the event appear below:

Takeaways:

Anchor employee engagement in business-critical priorities. Programs that connect directly to strategic business goals are more likely to endure through organizational change. At one company, engagement efforts were preserved during a leadership transition by aligning volunteerism with learning, development, and belonging. A measurement framework built in collaboration with people analytics helped secure executive support.

Use measurement as a lever for influence. Data creates the language leaders listen to. One company links employee voting on grant recipients to follow-up participation, showing that 75% of those who vote go on to volunteer. Another organization uses data to understand volunteer participation, and found that 80% of promoted employees were active volunteers. By surfacing these data points and aligning them with talent outcomes, leaders are better positioned to communicate the ROI of engagement programs.

Earn employee trust through transparency. Employees crave clear, consistent communication, especially in uncertain times. Multiple participants emphasized the value of regular, authentic updates, both from leadership and peer-driven campaigns. “Unmute yourself” emerged as a motto: don’t wait for perfect messaging; lead with openness and frame updates with “this is what we know right now.”

Model the behavior your culture aspires to. Culture is shaped by visible actions at the top. Regular leadership communications about personal boundaries, time off, and volunteerism can help normalize healthier habits across an organization. Creating regular forums for open dialogue – modeling transparency and presence, even without perfect answers – can build trust and empathy across teams.

Design with accessibility in mind. Reaching frontline and distributed employees requires intentional design and policy choices. One company adapted their engagement communications for workers in warehouses and on the road, using QR codes, mobile-friendly newsletters, and on-site leadership champions. These adjustments helped employees without company email or office connect with impact opportunities.

Create intentional space for human connection. Structured time for reflection, learning, and emotional engagement is beneficial for employees, especially in remote-first cultures. One organization holds monthly no-meeting “Endays” with rotating themes like sustainability and wellness. These experiences foster shared culture across offices and time zones, reinforcing purpose beyond the to-do list.

Programs scale more effectively when employees are trusted to lead them. Empowering individuals to shape initiatives builds long-term engagement. One organization trained nearly 100 social impact champions across global offices – employees who volunteered to activate colleagues in local offices and remote settings. These champions received in-person training, face time with senior leaders, and resources to launch programs aligned with company values. 

Adapt messaging to meet the moment. In highly regulated or politically sensitive environments, traditional engagement strategies may need recalibration. When constraints limit what can be said or supported publicly, reframing programs to tap into current employee curiosity about what the organization’s plans are for addressing uncertainty can drive participation. 

Inside & Out: Education, Community and Opportunity for the Incarcerated

Posted on by NationSwell Team

On Wednesday, May 7, NationSwell community members gathered at Mount Tamalpais College in San Quentin Prison for a guided site visit to explore how education and growth programs can foster growth, resilience, and possibility for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals.

Led by Dr. Jody Lewen — founder and president of Mount Tamalpais College, the independent, tuition-free, accredited college that operates inside the prison — the experience offered a powerful look at how expanded access to quality higher education is about more than learning — it’s a bridge to community, purpose, and hope.

We’ve recapped some of the key insights from the day below.

Key Takeaways:

  • Education can be a counterculture
    In carceral systems designed to disconnect, education becomes radical. It’s not just about learning, it’s about reclaiming voice, building community, and engaging with the world in new, life-affirming ways.
  • The light of learning disrupts the system
    Mount Tamalpais College offers more than classes, it challenge the very logic of incarceration. Education is a “disturbance in the force.”
  • Healing requires space to reflect
    Access to education in prison opens the door to deeper psychological insight. It creates space to confront trauma, build resilience, and help others do the same.
  • The system is not rational
    The carceral state is not the product of coherent logic, but a patchwork of arbitrary decisions and policies. We must resist the illusion of inevitability and instead ask who benefits, who’s harmed, and what a more humane system could look like.
  • Human worth is inherent
    Regardless of our worst decisions, our pasts, or our circumstances, every person holds equal value and is worthy of dignity, respect, opportunity, and growth. Full stop. Systems can be designed to forget this. We can’t afford to.
  • Reentry is a collective responsibility
    The transition out of prison is complex. Career support and alumni services are critical and a space where deeper community partnerships can make a lasting difference. This is an area where Mount Tamalpais College could use our help!
  • Proximity is powerful—but depth is essential
    Connection starts with showing up, but it doesn’t end there. The question is: how do we move beyond observation into curiosity, action, and shared storytelling?
  • Let people tell their own stories
    Authentic storytelling fosters understanding, not just attention. How do we create space for people to speak in their own words?
  • Resist both romanticizing and othering
    Incarcerated people are often cast as either heroes or villains. The truth is more human, more complicated, and more deserving of our full attention. How do we shift society from sensationalizing the experience of incarceration to humanizing it?
  • Fair chance hiring is everyone’s work
    Every organization can audit, improve, and advocate. Whether it’s changing internal practices or supporting national reform, inclusive hiring must become standard.
  • Bridge-building means welcoming discomfort
    Can we broaden the aperture of experiences like this one? Can we invite in people with different ideologies and use shared reflection to build understanding across differences? What’s the first step? How do we take it?

The Bottom Line: Collective Action for Clean Air

Posted on by NationSwell Team

On April 23RD, NationSwell hosted a virtual leader roundtable to kickoff the Equal Air Collaborative and discuss the innovative models and approaches that businesses are spearheading and investing in to combat air pollution.

Here are some of the key takeaways from the event:

Treat this moment as a call to courageous leadership. 

This is a watershed moment for climate and environmental justice. Corporate partners have a unique opportunity – and responsibility – to step up when it would be easier to stay silent. Showing communities you care, especially now, builds authentic trust and long-term impact.

Harness the strength of collective action. 

Joining a collaborative or alliance offers companies a safer path to make bold commitments without standing alone. By working together, organizations can align on shared goals, support each other’s initiatives, and create a louder, more influential voice for change.

Leverage industry influence to build more responsible AI infrastructure. 

As AI and data centers proliferate, companies must consider their environmental footprint. This includes ensuring backup generators rely on clean energy sources and that facilities are built with accountability to the communities they impact – especially underserved ones.

Focus on state and local partnerships to drive tangible outcomes. 

With limited federal engagement (especially in the United States), there is an urgent need to support clean air and climate initiatives at the state and community level. Localized action offers both measurable progress and deeper community trust. 

Keep employees at the heart of environmental action. 

Employee engagement is a powerful driver for sustainability and environmental justice efforts. Whether through volunteering, citizen science, or internal advocacy, employees often lead the charge in embedding purpose into company culture and operations.

Start small, iterate, and scale over time. 

Perfection is not the goal – progress is. Many organizations began with a single air quality pilot, local engagement effort, or vertical focus, and expanded from there. Early wins build momentum, provide learning opportunities, and lay the groundwork for long-term impact.

Commit to measurable clean air action alongside climate goals. 

Air quality is still an overlooked element in many ESG strategies, despite its direct ties to health and equity. Organizations are now recognizing that tracking and improving air quality can be a high-impact, data-driven way to meet both sustainability and social justice targets.

Reduce point source pollution with targeted strategies. 

While carbon emissions often come from large, regional sources, air pollution tends to have more localized sources — requiring hyper-local monitoring and targeted interventions. Reducing pollution at its source – whether it’s idling drive-thru traffic or emissions from industrial zones – can support clean air efforts. Businesses can make a tangible impact by identifying and mitigating these hyper-local sources of pollution that disproportionately affect nearby communities.

To learn more about, or to join, NationSwell’s Equal Air Collaborative, click here.

AI-Powered Impact: Advancing Mission Delivery with Artificial Intelligence

Posted on by NationSwell Team

On April 10th, NationSwell hosted a virtual leader roundtable called AI-Powered Impact: Advancing Mission Delivery with Artificial Intelligence dedicated to surfacing actionable strategies for harnessing the power of AI to increase impact through operational efficiency and enhanced mission delivery.

Here are some of the key takeaways from the event:

Experimentation should be actively encouraged as a strategic approach to uncover the strengths and limitations of artificial intelligence tools in the workplace

By fostering a culture that embraces curiosity and learning, organizations can empower employees to explore new technologies with confidence and creativity. This begins with setting clear and ethical guidelines for AI usage, ensuring that staff understand both the opportunities and boundaries of these tools. Once those guardrails are in place, inviting team members to incorporate AI into time management, research, and project development can lead to significant breakthroughs.

Consider constrained budgets as an opportunity to spark innovation

In the current economic climate, time is one of the most valuable and limited resources for individuals and organizations alike. AI can significantly enhance productivity by streamlining key performance indicator (KPI) tracking. It can also improve efficiency in notetaking and help identify patterns to obtain specific insights.

As artificial intelligence grows in usage, underrepresented communities face the risk of being behind the curve

The digital divide that currently exists has the potential to grow even wider with rapid AI expansion. Individuals from underprivileged backgrounds may have limited internet access, digital education, and broad awareness of how AI can be used to benefit them on a personal level. Outreach to these groups can help identify and address gaps in workforce development.

Don’t wait for perfection – start small and scale what works

Organizations are seeing real gains by launching small AI pilots tied to clear operational challenges, then iterating based on feedback and outcomes. Early hands-on use helps demystify AI and reveals practical paths forward. Peer sharing and community learning can be accelerators for progress, enabling access to real examples, toolkits, and honest feedback helps organizations move faster and avoid common pitfalls.

Explore how mission-aligned AI tools can unlock new nonprofit capabilities

Tools like Grant Guardian and Resume Boost show how AI can directly support nonprofit workflows – from financial due diligence to personalized career support – when designed with human-centered values and clear use cases.

Leaders should set the standard for responsible AI usage

The substantial benefits artificial intelligence can provide an organization also comes with significant risks. Adhering to clear guidelines on ethics, specifically data usage and privacy, could help circumvent problems from arising down the road. Making sure staff members have transparency and understanding in how AI can be used in the workplace helps lessen fears around the technology.

Impact x Talent: Updating Talent Development Systems for the Workforce of the Future

Posted on by NationSwell Team

On April 3rd, NationSwell hosted a virtual leader roundtable in collaboration with the International Youth Foundation (IYF) on Impact x Talent: Updating Talent Development Systems for the Workforce of the Future.

Focused on existing social impact programs that bridge the skills gap by leveraging the scale of traditional talent development systems, the conversation revealed a host of insights into how we can work together to address workforce challenges. Some of those insights appear below:

Insights:

Future skills are being shaped by emerging megatrends
Economic megatrends like artificial intelligence, nearshoring, and energy transition are reshaping workforce needs across geographies and industries. Employers and workforce development partners must address the growing importance of blending technical skills with higher-order thinking and human capabilities, such as adaptability, critical thinking, and collaboration.

Adapting skills-based training to regional demands is critical to program sustainability Industry gaps and requirements vary based on location. Cross-sector partnerships—between funders, employers, and workforce developers—are often most effective when they co-design place-based solutions that respond to local labor market needs. A flexible, iterative approach rooted in deep listening and local stakeholder engagement is critical to long-term impact. 

Employers and workforce development partners can help education systems increase speed and adaptability
Traditional education systems often can’t keep pace with the speed of industry change. Creating “room to maneuver” within public systems, like supporting the development of new curricula, can accelerate the integration of in-demand skills and shorten the time from design to deployment.

On-the-job training is valuable but is difficult to scale; simulation-based learning can help
While hands-on experience is essential for many roles, challenges in matching students with high-quality, relevant placements persist. In response, some workforce development partners are bringing real-world case studies into the classroom to simulate work-based learning in more scalable ways. Group practice, internships, and mentorships can give students the chance to learn through experience in real-world scenarios. 

As AI skill demand increases, workforce development initiatives must create equitable pathways for all learners to meet that demand
As demand for artificial intelligence skills and capabilities continues to grow, so too do critical questions around how to ensure all learners, particularly those from under-resourced communities, can access the skills and opportunities needed to thrive. As the pace of change accelerates, there’s a shared imperative to design inclusive pathways that help all talent succeed, not just those with the opportunity to attend elite educational institutions. 

Community colleges are essential partners for responsive, regional workforce development

Unlike traditional four-year institutions, community colleges are often better equipped to quickly adapt curriculum in response to changing employer demands. Their regional focus, flexibility, and emphasis on practical skill development make them valuable partners in co-creating training programs that align with local industry needs.

Elevating Innovative and Highly Effective Impact Programs and Models

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On March 20th, NationSwell hosted a virtual Leader Roundtable designed to explore how leaders and organizations are redefining the cutting edge of impact program design, focusing on emerging examples of “best in class.”

Some takeaways from the event appear below:

Insights

Embed innovation across your entire organization, not just your programs. Truly innovative organizations don’t treat innovation as a separate function. They integrate it into the DNA of their operations – whether that’s aligning their endowment with their mission, reimagining office spaces to model sustainability, or increasing payout rates to meet the moment. Every asset and decision point becomes a tool for change.

Redesign capital systems to center community aspirations. Instead of asking communities to navigate traditional financial structures, forward-thinking initiatives are flipping the script, inviting capital holders to revise their own rules and reduce barriers. This includes creating accessible capital pools, layering equity and credit tools, and prioritizing long-term ownership for individuals historically shut out of wealth-building opportunities.

Stay focused and back it up with data. Programs that maintain focus on a specific goal (like economic mobility) can drive powerful results when paired with robust measurement. Embedding evaluation from day one allows organizations to surface insights over time and use them to adapt offerings, close disparities, and prove long-term outcomes.

Treat storytelling as core infrastructure for social change. Narrative change is more than a communications strategy, it’s a structural lever. For instance, investing in platforms that amplify the lived experiences of working-class communities, especially those underrepresented in traditional media, can reshape public dialogue and policy priorities. Grounding storytelling in on-the-ground organizing ensures alignment with real-time needs and movements.

Use the full balance sheet – and imagination – of philanthropy. Flexible, mission-aligned capital is essential in moments of disruption. Whether through program-related investments, purchasing real estate on behalf of community partners, or deploying guarantees and patient capital, philanthropic organizations are finding creative ways to stretch beyond traditional grantmaking and meet partners with the tools they truly need.

Invite your grantees to define what capacity-building looks like. Capacity-building is most effective when it indexes to what funders say they need most, and trusting their guidance. Some funders are developing operating LLCs to manage certain functions on behalf of partners, while others are providing flexible resources to partners to build their capacity in-house. Sometimes, the best technical assistance is simply a larger, unrestricted grant.

Center relationships as the foundation of innovation. Innovation travels faster when rooted in trust. Funders that build authentic relationships with their partners (viewing them as co-strategists, not just grantees) are better equipped to adapt to changing contexts. Whether that means co-designing participatory grantmaking models, convening peers across regions, or responding to global challenges with shared learning, deep relationships unlock collective intelligence.

Investing in the Next Generation: Youth, Mental Health, and Investing in Emerging Leaders

Posted on by NationSwell Team

Throughout history, young leaders have been critical in driving meaningful impact in key issue areas facing our planet and society. As we look to 2025 and beyond, building power behind this next generation of leaders can be an asset as we continue to address challenges that range from the expansion of expanding mental health services to reshaping educational pathways to fostering youth-led innovations in climate action. But to truly unlock their potential, we must shift our approach from viewing young people as just participants, to recognizing them as vital contributors whose insights and expertise are essential for shaping the future.

On March 11, NationSwell hosted a virtual Leader Roundtable designed to explore the most effective programs and initiatives leaders are deploying in order to maximize the potential for young leaders to strengthen their voice and resources, and drive meaningful change.

Some takeaways from the event appear below.

Insights:

Empower young leaders by prioritizing their wellbeing. Providing a mentee with work-related assistance is just one aspect of support needed for long-term success. Prioritize the mental health of those you mentor and check in to see what their struggles are, both personally and professionally. Genuine connection with young employees helps improve employee engagement and workplace outcomes.

Overconcern with risk has the potential to hinder possibilities. A lack of trust is a significant barrier in youth entrepreneurship programs. Provide children and young adults with the opportunity to have some agency with business projects or assignments in order to drive engagement. While financial liabilities can’t be ignored, being creative about mitigating these risks can provide space for youth innovation and ingenuity.

Co-create with young adults to drive impact. Working with young leaders is critical to finding solutions to problems they disproportionately face. Center youth voices within your work to introduce new, creative perspectives on global challenges. This professional exposure gives young adults the ability to explore career pathways and opportunities.

Young adult experiences are key in expanding inclusivity online. Teens and young adults are the most vulnerable to harassment on social media platforms. Their feedback is critical in conversations around expanding safety protocols and algorithmic protections on popular platforms.

Economic mobility is often dependent on current obligations. Many young adults eager to start their careers often juggle these ambitions with family obligations and financial responsibilities. Finding ways to support students and employees in terms of compensation and timing flexibility can increase the likelihood of consistent program participation and success.

Building Thriving Futures: The Power of Place-based Strategies

Posted on by NationSwell Team

Place-based approaches have become a cornerstone for fostering long-lasting, meaningful change, by connecting organizations, cities, and communities across the United States. Through focusing on local needs and opportunities, place-based strategies have proven essential for building community resilience and driving positive, tailored outcomes.

During the final event in the Building Thriving Futures series hosted in partnership with FUSE, leaders dove into actionable strategies to strengthen partnerships across sectors and address critical challenges in supporting small businesses, advancing housing equity, and expanding workforce opportunities. 

Some of the key takeaways from the event appear below:

Insights:

Impact leaders need to support and work closely with local decision makers. City and state leaders are the largest social services providers for communities. As the federal government pulls away funding and infrastructure, it won’t change the community needs and people will look to their local and city governments to do more. The current destruction is huge — some populations like in Kansas have/had a large proportion of federal workforce — and philanthropists and private sector leaders need to help local public sector leaders expand their capacity to navigate the change. 

Learn from existing models that bring disparate people together for local change. For example, JobsFirst and FresnoDRIVE are initiatives funded by public, philanthropic, and private dollars aimed at boosting workforce, education, and inclusivity, and are high-aspiration, long-term plans.  

Diversification of funds is key — understanding who in your community is reliant on federal funding and helping them diversify to de-risk and change keeps occurring. Consider how you can help track the dollars being cut in your region, predict the ripple effects that will impact your grantees and community, and stem the loss. 

Balance listening and surviving, with planning for the future. Many organizations are navigating changing infrastructure, adopting a defensive posture, and doing the important work of helping grantees and community partners survive this turbulence e.g. by providing more unrestricted funding to plug gaps. However, also make time to think about those things that will help you “swing for the fences” and plan for a new future e.g. investing in the capacity and social capital of local talent who can rise into transformational leaders. 

Consider how we can fall in love with the problem and use it as a spark for innovation? Turbulence allows us to consider what we should double down on, what can we pivot away from because it is not an immediate priority, and what can we think differently about? In this time where national actions are impacting hyper local communities, it could be a useful exercise to borrow from entrepreneurs and figure out how you find the hardest, stickiest pain point and build energy around addressing it.

Drive investments to data and make sure you have secure data infrastructure locally, as it may not always be there federally. There may be opportunities for new investments and new partnerships that hinge on this data. 

Philanthropies have the power to bring place-based peers together to support each other. Information and strategy help us adapt more rapidly. By bringing together members, partners, or organizations you work with, across states and cities, who are working to combat the same barriers and issues, you scale insights and learning and help prevent a constant reinventing the wheel and repeating the same growing pains.

Invest in telling the story of place-based impact. With so many programs and initiatives at risk due to their reliance on federal funding, telling the story of their impact is more essential than ever. The role of communications and communications teams is often an afterthought, but the importance of language and framing has never been more crucial. Storytelling matters — even if it means we need to pivot or look at it a different way, we keep the story going.