Anthony Flynn

Texas just made a big bet on workforce eduction by approving an $850 million endowment for Texas State Technical College — a rare, state-funded endowment designed to modernize facilities, expand high-demand programs, and accelerate the talent pipeline for one of the fastest-growing economies in the country. I love this move. TSTC has been operating at capacity across dozens of programs, with enrollment climbing and employers calling for more job-ready graduates. But like many technical and community colleges, they’ve been constrained by outdated infrastructure and funding volatility. This endowment changes the equation. It offers predictable, long-term investment for capital improvements, new campuses, and modern equipment — the kinds of enhancements that directly impact student readiness for today’s workforce. It’s also aligned with Texas’s outcomes-based funding model, which ties state support to graduates’ wage gains and employment outcomes. Great article by Sara Weissman #HigherEd #WorkforceDevelopment #TechnicalEducation #CommunityColleges #TexasEducation #EducationInnovation #FutureOfWork #SkillsBasedHiring #EdTech #PublicInvestment #TalentPipeline https://lnkd.in/gSvn9TwX

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This Brookings case study examines how the region birthed Tulsa Innovation Labs, a regional economic strategy entity backed by philanthropy, which in turn has mobilized nearly $150 million in federal and corporate investments in its emerging advanced air mobility industry.

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Tulsa is earning national attention for doing economic development differently, and it’s working. This Washington Monthly piece takes a closer look at how Tulsa is creating opportunity by linking economic growth with community investment. It’s a model that’s attracting talent, growing jobs and boosting quality of life — all while staying true to Tulsa’s character. The article highlights what makes Tulsa special and why other cities are paying attention. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/g287gGAu #Tulsa #Oklahoma

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Collaboration isn’t just a nice to have… It is the fuel that helps people, companies, and entire communities thrive. Next week, the Austin Technology Council and the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce are co-hosting a breakfast on “Austin’s Place in Global Business”. The panel includes voices from Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce , Tech Ranch , and the Williamson County Economic Development Partnership. It is a great example of what happens when different groups lean into working together. Everyone benefits. But collaboration is not only about organizations. It is about people. For individuals, it means stepping outside your comfort zone, getting curious about others, and finding ways to combine talents and ideas. For companies, it means seeing beyond competition and recognizing that partnerships and shared conversations can accelerate growth. For communities, it means creating the culture where trust and cooperation are the default. This theme is also at the heart of my keynote on “Human Interaction (H.I.) in an AI-Diven World”. Technology is powerful, but the real advantage comes from people who know how to collaborate with intention, with authenticity, and with each other. Collaboration creates momentum that no one can generate alone. So here is my challenge: this week, find one way to collaborate with a colleague, a peer company, or a community group. When you do, you are not just moving yourself forward, you are moving us all forward.

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A short list of funders to check out: ENLIGHT FOUNDATION - private family foundation that supports youth leadership, civic engagement, and education initiatives by investing in systems change, movement building, and cross-cultural collaboration. https://lnkd.in/ddWgPKeX Netri Foundation - supporting NGOs working to end extreme poverty through grants and social investments in health, education, agriculture, and more across 30+ countries. https://lnkd.in/dx5wB-Eh To.org - a hybrid platform combining philanthropy, venture investment, and creative activism to support systemic change and bold solutions across climate, equity, and social innovation. https://to.org/ UBS Optimus Foundation - funds high-impact, evidence-based solutions to improve children's health, education, and protection, with a focus on innovation, climate-health, and scalable partnerships. https://lnkd.in/dMR5hiRU Varkey Foundation - supports global education initiatives, focusing on teacher training, leadership development, and elevating the status of educators to improve learning outcomes worldwide. https://lnkd.in/d2yPq8dv Wellspring Philanthropic Fund - supports social justice initiatives globally, with a focus on human rights, gender equity, civic engagement, and access to education and economic opportunity. The Fund is winding down operations over the next few years, with plans to complete its final round of grantmaking by end of 2028. https://wpfund.org/ Wikimedia Foundation - supports free knowledge globally, primarily by operating Wikipedia and related projects, and funds open-access, community-led initiatives that advance education, digital inclusion, and information equity. https://lnkd.in/dNi_qVJc #SocialImpact #Philanthropy #FundersForChange

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Who should actually be applying for grants in a nonprofit? It’s a question I get all the time — and the answer isn’t always what people expect. I shared my thoughts in a short video that might shift how you think about grant writing in your organization. Take a look — I’d love to hear how your team approaches this! #nonprofits #grants #funding #VectorsGroup #socialimpact #nonprofitleadership

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The Compiling Consequences of False Fundraising Assumptions The False Assumptions With Compiling Consequences ▫️ Your fundraising operation exists to get you or your org what you most want or need ▫️ Fundraisers got into the field just to raise funds ▫️ Metrics make fundraisers more productive ▫️ A campaign will increase giving ▫️ You have “a public” that will respond to your “public phase” ▫️ There’s a lot of low-hanging fruit out there ▫️ A zippy elevator pitch will give you a fundraising edge ▫️ A “good closer” is what you most need in a fundraiser ▫️ You need to urge philanthropic people to give ▫️ Your fundraisers are asking for too little ▫️ Donors will drop what they are doing to accommodate your busy schedule ▫️ Dazzling oratory will wow donors into philanthropic submission ▫️ The reason you’re not raising more is that you’re “a well-kept secret.” The Truth (Corresponding with the assumptions above, in order) 🔸 Your org exists to help others; donors want to know how you propose to do a better job of it 🔸 The best fundraisers got into the field to help worthy causes 🔸 The time fundraisers spend on gaming unrealistic metrics comes at the cost of their best work 🔸 A campaign is a harvest; it won’t regrow ill-attended orchards 🔸 See the fourth truth 🔸 See the fourth truth 🔸 An earnest elevator interview will give you a fundraising edge 🔸 What you most need are good listeners and good matchmakers 🔸 Fundraisers needs to explain what greater good your org could achieve with more support 🔸 Your best donors are just as busy as you, and have lots of nonprofits knocking on their doors 🔸 Proposing exactly how you intend to make a difference will impress donors much more 🔸 Orgs that make big differences don’t remain secrets

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🎯 Your Board's Year-End Assignment List (Share This With Them) 📋 Your October board meeting needs one agenda item: collaborative year-end assignments. Not directives, but partnerships between board members, your Executive Director, and development staff. ⏰ October 1 deadline: Assignment coordination needs to happen before October events and November donor cultivation kicks into high gear. 🎯 Executive Director as fundraising lead: Your ED works with development staff to identify which donors need board-level attention. Board members handle outreach, staff provide intelligence and follow-up. 📧 October-November event invitations (Priority No.1): Board members invite 3-5 people from their networks to fall programs or cultivation events. Personal invitations convert at much higher rates than organizational marketing. 📱 Simple outreach options: Phone calls or emails—whatever feels comfortable. Provide scripts for both so board members can choose their preferred method. Your Board Communication Kit: ✔️ Email invitation templates for events ✔️ Phone conversation guides with talking points ✔️ One-page impact summary ✔️ Contact lists with relationship notes 🚨 Remember: Board members are mission ambassadors who bring networks and credibility. Staff bring donor intelligence and systems. Together, this creates powerful relationship-building capacity. 📈 Timeline: October focus on event invitations. Thank-you calls happen in November-December when gratitude feels natural. 🎯 Share this framework with your ED and development team first. Present the collaborative approach at your October board meeting. Strong year-end results come from staff-board partnerships. Your board members are already ambassadors. Show them exactly how to use that role effectively. #NonprofitLeadership #BoardEngagement #YearEndFundraising #Fundraising #Development #NonprofitStrategy

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It's a scary time for fundraising (and humanity). What's shining bright? Legacy giving. Organizations that have consistently invested in legacy giving; have good, authentic, compelling messages; and that are out there fighting the good fight in the current hellscape we're living through are seeing some of the most robust engagement with legacy giving than I've ever seen - and I've been doing this for 25 years. It's not because financial uncertainty leads donors to make gifts "that cost nothing now" - that's not their motivation. It's because in scary time, supporters look to the organizations they support to fight on their behalf, to take risks, to live up the values their missions represent. The most compelling message right now: "Your pledge for the future has a real impact NOW - we can fight harder, invest more, hold the line because we know that our supporters will keep funding this work into the future." That's it. There won't BE a future for "future generations" if we don't act now. #plannedgiving #legacies #legacygiving

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