Lyons-Newman Consulting

Lyons-Newman Consulting joins our nonprofit, philanthropic, and community colleagues in condemning the violent and hateful acts against Asian American people in the Bay Area, Atlanta, and across the country. These attacks, creating fear, trauma, and grief, are only the most recent examples of how Asian Americans have been targeted throughout history due to their race. We support the statement this week by AAPI leaders denouncing these acts and joining together across cultures promoting cross-racial healing, alternatives to further harm and criminalization, and calling for investment in community-centered solutions to address underlying causes of racism and discrimination and in creating ways for all to thrive.

Why and how social sector boards need to change from organizationally oriented to purpose-driven, with organizational power and voice authorized by those impacted by the organization's work #nonprofitboards #equitymindset

As Black History Month begins today on the birthday of Langston Hughes, here’s to working together to build a more just and inclusive world. https://www.youtube.com/watch #blackhistorymonth

Nonprofit boards and staff require a dynamic partnership in order to align and focus on a shared vision for the organization. The best organizational outcomes result from a partnership between the staff and the board, where both provide input, have ownership, and shared accountability for success. From the January issue of Board & Administrator: Ensure board, ED alignment on expectations and goals.

No, no, we are not satisfied and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.

These are circumstances facing so many of our clients and their leadership teams right now

We deeply appreciate this article on critical federal policies that will support art and artists... these workers, are the technicians of a social catharsis that cannot come soon enough

In this challenging year of uncertainty, disruption, and loss, the nonprofit sector has shown extraordinary resilience and adaptability and has stepped up to meet new realities facing our communities. We are grateful every day to support this inspiring and essential sector and its leaders. We wish you--our friends, clients, partners, and social impact leaders--a safe, healthy, connecting, and restorative holiday season. Here’s to 2021 and to working together to create a more just and equitable world.

The CA Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program launched today! The application process for Round One begins December 30, 2020 and ends January 8, 2021. Grants will range from $5,000 to $25,000 depending on the size of the organization. There will be two rounds of grants totaling $237.5 million each. Webinar by Cal Nonprofits: How to Apply on December 29, 2020 at 11 AM to 12:15 PM

Appeal letter for today’s age by democracy reform nonprofit Maplight https://maplight.org. QR code created using a free account at https://app.qr-code-generator.com/site/login

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Lyons-Newman consulting! Today and every day we are grateful for nonprofit changemakers, including our inspiring clients, working across critical social, racial, economic and environmental justice causes. Thank you for making our world a more equitable, just, healthy, caring, inclusive, connected, sustainable, and beautiful place.

Some great insights on why this is a good time for nonprofits to lean on major donors during our pandemic induced K-shaped economic recovery. "Do what you can to provide that vision of The After, once the pandemic is in the rear mirror and the economy begins to work better for everyone, not simply the few. Paint a picture of what your organization will provide in the post-pandemic world."

Unrestricted cash grants from Microsoft for Black and African-American-led nonprofits that provide digital skills and workforce development programming to the Black and African-American community in the United States (due September 30, 2020)

Nonprofit leaders have known this for a long time, but it is exciting to see the research findings from this meta-analysis of 133 social programs reveal that many programs especially those focused on children and young adults made money for taxpayers, when all costs and benefits were factored in.

Inspiring choices and giving process by MacKenzie Scott who just announced $1.7 billion dollars of donations she has made to 116 nonprofits. There’s no question in my mind that anyone’s personal wealth is the product of a collective effort, and of social structures which present opportunities to some people, and obstacles to countless others.

As much as ever adaptability and openness to change are key skills for businesses to survive and thrive

A new report by the The Sanford Institute of Philanthropy sheds light on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on East Bay nonprofits and the vulnerable communities they serve. Some highlights: - The pandemic has laid bare the historic and persistent structural inequities in the East Bay and beyond. - Between 2000 and 2015 low wage workers in both Alameda and Contra Costa Counties saw the least income growth across the income distribution. The share of renters burdened by hous...ing costs went up from 42% to 52% and 55%, respectively. - Prior to the pandemic, 20% and 17% respectively, of residents in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties were food insecure - 90% of nonprofits surveyed said their clients/ constituents are at extreme or high risk. In 3-6 months, the anticipated percentage of clients/constituents experiencing extreme risk increases from 19% to 32%. - Community input sessions revealed that African-Americans, Latinos and undocumented immigrants and their families, as well as people of color led nonprofits face structural barriers to accessing critical resources including COVID-19 relief and recovery assistance programs. - Focus groups revealed a high level of mental and emotional stress among nonprofit staff who are either experiencing their own trauma or responding to their inability to fully support their clients. - The research findings affirm the dire impact of reported and unreported unemployment See more

Useful resources on PPP loans for nonprofits

Lyons-Newman Consulting stands in solidarity with the Black community, and demands justice for the recent murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, and the recent senseless violence inflicted against Black people, people of color, and people identifying as LGBTQIA+. As an anti-racist organization, we remain deeply committed to addressing and working to end systemic racism. We will continue to be vocal advocates and allies including by taking action to advance racial justice and by amplifying the voices of Black, Indigenous, People of Color and LGBTQIA+ leaders and their lived experiences. (Photo by Logan Weaver, Unsplash)

Some useful evidence-based practices that organizations can implement internally to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. Broad external systems and policy changes that support equity and social justice are also essential for meaningful change.