Emily Schaffer

States and communities across the region have spent years strengthening equity in their energy efficiency programs — building trust, narrowing participation gaps, and helping more households and small businesses access lower bills and healthier homes. How?  • Persistent community leadership. • Policy reforms. • More programs designed for renters, small businesses, and moderate‑income households. • Meaningful engagement, not box‑checking. The result?  ✅ More communities are finally accessing the efficiency services they’ve long needed. ❌ But that progress is at risk if states roll back energy efficiency programs. I unpack why in my latest blog.

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Nonprofit leaders, this Decision Clarity Map gives you a simple way to sort new ideas, requests, and opportunities so you can say yes, not now, or no with confidence. Download & read more here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dzrSSw2d [Text variation on website]

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RAPID RESPOSNE FUNDING IN Nonprofit Quarterly TODAY "This is why rapid response models that move unrestricted funding with condensed applications, flexible spending, and minimal reporting have been particularly effective at meeting organizers’ needs. Rapid response funding provides organizers with timely, nimble resources to act in real time when communities are under attack." - Santana Moreno, CFRE

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When I look at our impact in 2025 I'm in awe at the breadth of efforts our team is leading alongside so many amazing education and workforce leaders in the LA region. Take a look at how we are transforming & aligning systems to shift the conditions that will put more young people on a path to econonic mobilility. Grateful for the many partnerships that support this collective action for our rising workforce. #systemschange

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For those working in nonprofits, what is your greatest leadership challenge today? I’ve been doing a lot of reading on leadership in the nonprofit sector, and I’m curious about others' experiences right now. Is it: • Managing from crisis to crisis with little time for strategic planning? • Being asked to do more with fewer resources? • Recruiting and retaining strong talent? • Something else entirely? I’d love to hear what leaders in this network are grappling with currently.

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In digital fundraising and advocacy, tech advances get a lot of attention, and rightly so. They can be high impact, low effort interventions that produce big change fast (emphasis on *can*). But tech advances are not the be-all-end-all of improving results. So, I’m curious, what’s a not-tech-centered area of your work that needs more attention — to help with growth or meeting other goals? Or what’s a not-tech-centered insight, tweak, or innovation that helped you in your work? I’ll give an example: Some years ago, I was working with some folks who felt that every email in a campaign had to look and read as 100% distinct from the others — no repeating tactics, graphics, etc. This stemmed from a fear that supporters would experience the organization as too repetitive. I knew instinctively that most subscribers wouldn’t see most emails in a single campaign, but I didn’t have hard data to back up that up. So, I did an analysis on their recent campaigns, and found that in a typical 5-7 email campaign, the vast majority of people would only open 1-2 messages. That data helped sway the right people that it was okay to repeat certain elements, especially tested-into elements that boost response. In the end, it was a fairly high impact, low effort intervention, and one that helped cut down on the cost to produce creative, as well, since we didn’t need to produce as much unique creative anymore. So, while tech was involved — as it always is in digital — it wasn’t *essential* to the insight we gained or the change that was made. That’s the kind of thing I’m curious about.

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Insightful analysis by Nicole Marie Bergeron of the "drag" some philanthropy creates by its choice of process that actually limits impact.

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Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP Global)’s Fundraising Effectiveness Project (FEP) Quarterly Fundraising Report Q3 2025 findings are in. This is the sector's most trusted benchmark on giving trends drawing on data from over 15,000 nonprofits. 🔢 The headline number looks good. Total 💰 raised: up 3.7%. A relief, given how many CEOs and boards have been bracing for declines. Total donors are down 3%. The donor base is contracting. Whatever growth exists is concentrated almost entirely among large, frequent donors. Small donors and first-time givers, the pipeline that feeds every healthy fundraising program, are declining at their steepest rate yet. ➡️ More money. Fewer people. A narrowing base holding up a top-heavy structure. ➡️This is not a fundraising win. It is a structural warning signal being mistaken for one. As organizations finalize their 2026 plans, those still relying on one-off asks and reactive outreach will feel this pressure more acutely, not less. Fundraising is not a function you assign. It is a system you build. One is a checkbox on a to-do list. The other is a strategy: infrastructure, capacity, a plan, a pipeline, a portfolio, a cultivation rhythm, and internal alignment all working together. Most nonprofits have the first. The ones consistently growing their revenue and their donor base have the second. ⁉️ As you finalize your 2026 fundraising plan, it is worth asking honestly: Are you building a system or playing the odds? Full report: https://lnkd.in/gNaPnFCf Summary: https://lnkd.in/gJaXV5EJ #Fundraising #Strategy #philanthropy #Nonprofits

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After 20 years in the funding world, I can tell you one thing about most nonprofit staff I have met, your to-do lists could stretch from here to the moon… twice. Fundraising campaigns. Volunteer wrangling. Grant deadlines. Board meetings. And yes… the occasional, “Can you fix the office Wi-Fi?” Sound familiar? AI can’t replace you, but it can give you the breathing room to enjoy your evening. Let’s talk about what AI and Generative AI are doing in the nonprofit world, in plain English, with no technical jargon required. AI tools can now draft thank-you letters, translate content into multiple languages, and even predict which donors are most likely to give again. It’s like having a super-dedicated intern who works 24/7, doesn’t drink your coffee, and never calls in sick. For example, in Philadelphia, the nonprofit Campaign for Working Families uses a custom chatbot from SkillBuilder.io — nicknamed “Campy.” Campy handles intake forms, answers frequently asked questions, and helps clients book appointments. The result? More access and support without burning out staff. Remember those endless Excel files? AI can make sense of them faster than you can say “pivot table.” 1. Predictive analytics: Spot patterns in donor behavior so you can plan smarter campaigns.  2. Impact measurement: Show your funders exactly how their dollars made a difference, with crystal clear charts.  3. Time back in your day: Find last year’s volunteer hours in seconds. It’s not magic… but it’s close enough. Generative AI can help you tell your story in new, creative ways. Think: 1. A campaign video script that sounds just like your brand’s voice.  2. Social media captions that are clever without being cringey.  3. Grant application drafts that get you past the blank page panic. And yes — you still need humans to add heart, nuance, and the occasional pun. But AI can get you 80% of the way there in minutes. AI is a powerful tool — amazing in the right hands, disastrous when it is not used with forethought, so keep these guardrails in mind: 1. Feed it good info: garbage in, garbage out  2. Protect privacy & reduce bias: have an AI policy in place  3. Support, don’t replace: AI should free up your staff to do more of the work only humans can do You don’t need to overhaul your operations. Try just one: 1. Automate donor thank-you emails.  2. Summarize last month’s board meeting.  3. Translate your annual report for a wider audience.  4. Create donor personas and test your messaging against them. Start small, learn as you go. Experiment, learn, and keep what works. At Novus Insight, we’re helping nonprofits explore AI in ways that fit their mission, skills, and budget. Curious how AI could save your team hours every week? Send me a message and let’s talk about what we can offer. 

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I wish I could write a Buzzfeed-style piece: “5 Principles of Change Management Every Nonprofit Needs to Survive the Storm.”   Funding cuts, demographic cliffs, rising demand, weak staffing pipelines, [insert your current need here]. The sector is in a pressure cooker.   Here’s what I do know: You don’t wait until race day to start training. You can’t run a marathon (or a sprint) if you haven’t built the muscle. And in nonprofit leadership, that muscle is built through the discipline of living out the fundamentals.   Scenario planning (to anticipate and adapt to future disruptions.) Donor appreciation rhythms (because gratitude drives retention.) A fresh case statement (that connects your mission to today’s realities.) The right KPIs (not just to measure, but to drive what matters most.) Culture work (to align teams, stop the Jerk, and prevent burnout.) A solid donor management system (because relationships require good records.) Segmented donor lists (to speak to the right people in the right way.) A board calendar (that includes education, CEO evaluation, and self-assessment.) A living strategic plan (that guides decision-making, not gathers dust.) Leadership development plans (because succession planning is not optional.)   The organizations that weather storms are the ones that train every day, not just when a crisis hits.   Want to build strength, not scramble? Applications for both of our capacity-building programs are due July 18. Let’s get in shape. (The program even comes with a personal org coach!)   Me at Orangetheory because working out feels better with a team. https://lnkd.in/gECiH6HQ https://lnkd.in/gvzFacik

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The best fundraising conversations are never about pressure or persuasion. They are about helping donors fulfill their passions and values in meaningful ways. Bill Crouch captures this mindset shift perfectly. See more fundraising insights here: https://lnkd.in/eFkEwTG9 #donordrivenfundraising #majorgifts

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The talent density of nonprofit fundraisers in San Diego this morning is awe inspiring. I’m more than a little intimidated for my session, “Helping People Help Each Other Through Supporter-Led Fundraising” at 10:45am in Room 16B. If you’re Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP Global) - stop by and say hi! This is the session description: As trust in institutions declines, one thing remains powerful: people helping people. Learn how nonprotits can activate supporters as fundraisers to expand reach, deepen trust, and inspire giving. GoFundMe's Steve Froehlich shares a practical four-step framework to turn everyday advocates into powerful drivers of generosity.

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"Most progressive-leaning funders give only one-year grants, sometimes three, on very rare and almost miraculous occasions, five. (As opposed to conservative foundations, who give twenty-year grants). So nonprofit leaders adjust accordingly, planning one year at a time, often suppressing long-term thinking without meaning to." As Dimple Abichandani advises to funders in her book, A New Era of Philanthropy: "move beyond tiny chunks of time." "The imposition of tiny timelines for change incentivizes grantseekers to focus on small things that can be changed rapidly and measured easily, rather than take on the big fundamental transformations that take time."

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We’ve gotten very good at naming the challenges facing nonprofits: Fragmentation Administrative strain Leadership burnout But we’re trying to solve systemic problems with incremental tools. What if the enterprise itself needs to change? I’ve been exploring a model built around shared infrastructure and unified ecosystems—a nonprofit consortium modeled after successful associations in higher ed. It preserves independence, while reducing isolation. And fosters connection and integrates strategy without the loss and erasure that may come from mergers and consolidation. I wrote a piece outlining the idea and what it could look like in practice. Link in comments.

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Let’s talk about accountability today. Not the word — the action. Tell me if you have seen this, too, in public communities (it could be Slack channels, public email chains, etc.). Someone sends a group email: ● “Hey, does anyone have a resource for equitable board recruitment?” ● “Any templates for trauma-informed donor surveys?” ● “Can we brainstorm better evaluation frameworks?” Maybe 3-5 emails with questions like these a day – seeking group wisdom? One reply. Maybe two, depending on the question. Maybe it also depends on the level of comfort, inclusion, and belonging—all of those good things—but I am focusing on only accountability at this moment. Thing is, usually we assume: “Someone else will handle it.” (To be honest, we’re all “someone else” to someone else.) We cut ourselves slack — because we are busy. We do mean well. But that shared sense of “I’m not the right person to respond” slowly erodes collective action. Now, stretch that to AI + accountability. Everyone agrees we need ethical, responsible, equitable AI. But who is responsible for: ● Checking for biased training data? ● Making sure marginalized voices were included in the pilot feedback? ● Translating AI summaries so they’re understandable and not just efficient? ● Saying “no” to shiny tools that look impressive but harm trust? We assume - someone in tech will figure it out, - someone in leadership will make a policy, - someone with more expertise will take the first step. But waiting is not in the nature of artificial intelligence. That technology is meant to be agile, constantly learning, and scaling. Besides, it (AI) is already in our inboxes, CRMs, donor communications, grant applications. And if everyone is assuming someone else is ensuring accountability… Then, no one is. So here is something I want for you and me: ● The next time our team adopts an AI tool, ask: What harm could this do? ● The next time a dataset is shared, ask: Who is represented and why? Who is missing and why? ● The next time you feel “this isn’t mine to respond to,” remember: accountability isn’t solo. It’s shared. Real accountability isn’t loud and shiny. But it is occasionally uncomfortable, almost always persistent, and the only way to make the best use of power. #nonprofits #nonprofitleadership #community

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I’m proud and honored to be featured alongside my fellow collaborators, Jose Santacruz , Paul Ocampo , and Miguel Albarran Fernandez , in this recent blog from AAPIP highlighting the Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP) and Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP), Bay Area Mentorship Program. This experience has been transformative for myself personally but also for participants in the program. Mentorship isn’t just professional development — it’s field-building. Through this program, I’ve had the opportunity to grow alongside leaders who are challenging philanthropy to be more equitable, more accountable, and more courageous. I’m walking away sharper in my practice, clearer in my purpose, and even more committed to advancing justice in our sector. We don’t just participate in the field — we build it! 🔗 Read the full blog below! #Mentorship #Philanthropy #LeadershipDevelopment #Equity #AAPIP #EPIP

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Grants can be valuable but they are not a complete funding strategy. Too many nonprofit leaders depend solely on grant opportunities and are left frustrated when results fall short. Grants should be part of your plan, not the entire plan. Sustainable organizations build multiple streams of revenue. That includes individual donations, partnerships, earned income, and yes, grants as well. When your funding is diversified, your nonprofit has stability and resilience. My work is helping founders design strategies that create long-term sustainability, not short-term survival. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/eHcJX-B8 #NonprofitFunding #SustainableImpact #FundingStrategy #NonprofitGrowth #BuildANonprofit #SocialImpact #FundSmarter #GrantReady #MissionDriven #PM3University #TheGrantGOAT

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It's workforce development month -- so I am resharing a blog I wrote for RoleCall , a talent attraction technical assistance firm on what really drives successful talent attraction. Through my work in workforce development and policy, I've learned that the most effective talent attraction strategies create conditions where people can build meaningful relationships, engage in work that matters, and participate in their community's transformation. In "Networks That Work," I explore: 🤝 How cross-sector collaboration bridges communication gaps between employers, educators, and community leaders 📊 Why data-driven decision making (combined with authentic relationships) creates more effective placement strategies 🏘️ The critical role of support infrastructure—childcare, transportation, training centers—as the foundation for talent attraction 🌱 How understanding a community's full narrative, including both challenges and innovations, attracts people who want to be part of positive change The bottom line: talent attraction isn't just a transactional recruitment process. It should use an asset based approach to showcase community development. And that only happens when we build trust and relationships across sectors. Read the full piece to learn how social capital becomes the bridge connecting talent to opportunity: https://lnkd.in/ecacksyK What's been your experience with talent attraction in your community? I'd love to hear your thoughts. #TalentAttraction #WorkforceDevelopment #CommunityDevelopment #SocialCapital #Cleveland

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California education policy nerds will appreciate a hot-off-the-press analysis of Basic Aid districts by Carrie Hahnel, et. al. for Bellwether and PACE. These rare districts are California's privileged exceptions -- places where local property tax receipts are more than sufficient to fund public schools without the help of state income taxes. The report, "Excess Revenue, Unequal Opportunity," focuses particularly on 50 California school districts (out of about 1,000 in the state) where funding per student is uncommonly high. It's a deep, detailed analysis and includes clear policy options. (FWIW I think option 2 makes some sense.) https://lnkd.in/g9cHPwX3. Basic Aid districts NOT part of California's remarkable school funding system, the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF). I wrote about them last year for Ed100 because learning about Basic Aid is a great way to understand LCFF. https://lnkd.in/gN27J9Ey

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