Using the Whole Whale - A Nonprofit Podcast

"Extractive Empathy" & The Hidden Costs of Donation-Based Crowdfunding Platforms 🤫 (news)

Exploring 'Extractive Empathy' and the Dynamics of Nonprofit Fundraising

In this episode of the Nonprofit News Feed, hosts George Weiner, Chief Whaler of Whole Whale, and Nick Azulay, Digital Strategist at Whole Whale, dive into the intricacies of nonprofit news with a focus on the concept of "extractive empathy." The episode begins with a discussion on the palpable anticipation in the social impact space surrounding upcoming elections, which could influence strategic planning and decision-making.

A key highlight of the episode is the introduction of "extractive empathy," a term coined by Whole Whale to describe the use of emotionally charged personal narratives to drive donations on crowdfunding platforms. This approach, while effective in generating immediate financial support, often overlooks long-term community needs and sustainable solutions. The conversation references a study showing that individuals with higher incomes raise more funds due to expansive social networks, emphasizing the imbalance in crowdfunding dynamics.

The hosts critique this approach by pointing out how platforms like GoFundMe prioritize individual stories over systemic change, which can exacerbate inequities. They suggest strategies to mitigate these issues, such as implementing an "overflow" system where excess funds beyond a set goal are directed to designated charities.

In the latter part of the episode, George and Nick discuss a new report on U.S. charitable giving trends, highlighting an increase in donations from both individuals and institutions. However, they note that a small percentage of donors account for a significant portion of total donations, underscoring the growing influence of high-net-worth individuals in philanthropy.

The episode wraps up with a feel-good story about an Austin-based nonprofit providing free English lessons to Afghan refugee women, showcasing grassroots efforts to support displaced communities. Despite the heavy topics, the hosts inject humor and encourage listeners to engage with these critical discussions.

Key Takeaways:

• "Extractive empathy" highlights the challenges of relying on emotional narratives for fundraising, which can divert attention from systemic solutions.
• The increasing role of wealthy donors in philanthropy necessitates tailored strategies to engage high-net-worth individuals effectively.
• Grassroots initiatives, like language classes for refugees, play a vital role in community support and integration.

Reflective Thought: As the nonprofit sector navigates these complex dynamics, it's crucial to balance immediate fundraising needs with long-term, equitable solutions that address root causes rather than symptoms.

💻😳 Fallout Continues Between Wordpress & For-Profit Competitor (news)

In this week's episode of the Nonprofit Newsfeed by Whole Whale, hosts George Weiner, Chief Whaler, and Nick Azulay, Senior Digital Strategy Manager, delve into significant developments affecting the nonprofit sector. They kick off with an enticing offer from Whole Whale University, providing a substantial discount on their end-of-year course bundle, aimed at empowering nonprofit professionals with essential digital insights and strategies.

WordPress vs. WP Engine: A Tech Showdown

The episode’s main story unpacks the escalating tension between WordPress and WP Engine, a hosting service provider. The conflict, rooted in trademark disputes and accusations of unfair profit-making, has led to public legal threats and internal turmoil within WordPress. With WordPress powering over 43% of global websites, including many in the nonprofit sector, this drama has significant implications. George and Nick discuss how these tensions might affect nonprofits, especially those using WP Engine, and emphasize the importance of understanding the tech landscape that supports nonprofit operations.

Veblen Giving: A New Perspective on Philanthropy

George introduces the concept of "Veblen Giving," a term he coined to describe donations made primarily for social prestige. This type of giving is becoming more prevalent as fewer individuals account for the majority of charitable donations. The hosts discuss the implications of this trend, highlighting the need for nonprofits to tailor their communication strategies to engage high-net-worth donors effectively. George's innovative approach to redefining philanthropy in the context of AI and SEO strategies is also explored, illustrating how nonprofits can adapt to the evolving digital landscape.

Addressing Homelessness: Contrasting Approaches

The episode also covers contrasting strategies to tackle homelessness in San Francisco. The city's aggressive homeless encampment sweeps, part of a broader revitalization plan, have faced criticism for lacking long-term solutions. In contrast, the nonprofit GLIDE advocates for a more compassionate approach, focusing on relationship-building and sustainable transitions to permanent housing. This segment highlights the critical role of nonprofits in addressing complex social issues through innovative and empathetic strategies.

Feel-Good Story: Broadway's Philanthropic Impact

Closing on a positive note, the hosts celebrate the philanthropic efforts of Broadway, particularly the musical "Hell's Kitchen," which has donated over $1 million to Alicia Keys’ Keep a Child Alive organization. This gesture continues Broadway's long-standing tradition of charitable giving, as exemplified by the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS initiative, which has raised over $300 million since 1988.

Navigating New Cybersecurity Threats: A Deep Dive into a Sophisticated Scam

Navigating Nonprofit Cybersecurity and Global Funding Challenges

In this episode of the Nonprofit News Feed, George Weiner, Chief Whaler of Whole Whale, and Nick Azulay, Digital Strategist, delve into pressing nonprofit sector issues, with a focus on cybersecurity threats and global funding challenges. They also highlight a significant philanthropic initiative by Melinda French Gates.

Key Topics and Insights:

1. Cybersecurity Threats to Nonprofits:

   • George and Nick discuss a sophisticated phishing attempt targeting Whole Whale, emphasizing the growing threat of AI-enabled social engineering scams. They caution nonprofits to enhance cybersecurity awareness and train staff to recognize suspicious activities.
   • The conversation includes insights from Joshua Pesky of Roundtable Technology, highlighting the need for vigilance against phishing scams, particularly those exploiting power dynamics and urgency.

2. Melinda French Gates' Philanthropic Initiative:

   • Melinda French Gates has pledged an additional $250 million to support women's health globally through the "Action for Women's Health" grant competition. This initiative, managed by Lever for Change, aims to provide unrestricted funding to at least 100 nonprofits, signaling a shift towards more open and transparent philanthropic processes.

3. Global Humanitarian Funding Gaps:

   • The New Humanitarian reports on record-wide funding gaps in the global humanitarian sector, with UN appeals only 45% funded in 2023. The discussion highlights the strain on resources due to prolonged crises and the challenges faced by local aid organizations in securing funding.
   • George and Nick draw parallels between global and local nonprofit sectors, noting similar challenges in transparency, efficiency, and funding.

4. Voter Participation Initiatives in Alabama:

   • The episode concludes on a positive note with the "Defend the Ballot" initiative in Alabama, aimed at increasing voter participation amid restrictive state laws. The effort seeks to address low voter turnout and empower citizens to exercise their voting rights.

Call to Action: Nonprofits are encouraged to prioritize cybersecurity training and awareness to safeguard against evolving threats. Additionally, organizations should explore opportunities for funding through open calls like Melinda French Gates' initiative and remain informed about global and local funding trends.

Reflection: The episode underscores the importance of adaptability and resilience in the nonprofit sector, particularly in the face of cybersecurity risks and funding challenges. By fostering a culture of vigilance and leveraging innovative funding opportunities, nonprofits can continue to make a significant impact.

How Agencies & Nonprofit's are Getting Scammed

A Close Call with Cybercrime: Anatomy of a Modern RFP Scam

For agencies, opportunities can come knocking at any moment. For George, the founder of a successful agency, that knock came in the form of an enticing email from what appeared to be Banana Republic. The message dangled a lucrative contract, promising a monthly budget that would make any agency salivate. It seemed too good to be true – and as George would soon discover, it was.

At first glance, the scam was impressively crafted. A LinkedIn profile for the supposed Banana Republic representative lent an air of legitimacy. The email contained links to the actual Banana Republic website, further disarming suspicion. But it was the Dropbox link that truly showcased the scammers’ cunning. Hidden among genuine Banana Republic marketing materials was an innocuous-looking executable file – the true payload of this elaborate ruse.

Intrigued but cautious, George decided to pull on this thread, engaging in a back-and-forth with the “representative.” As the conversation progressed, red flags began to appear. The contact’s name changed multiple times, from Sarah Gomez to Sarah Lopez, and finally to Ella Brown. The LinkedIn profile URL didn’t match the supposed sender’s name. These inconsistencies piqued George’s suspicions, prompting him to dig deeper.

Seeking expert insight, George reached out to Joshua Peskay, a cybersecurity specialist. Joshua’s analysis revealed the true nature of the threat: the executable file was malware, likely a sophisticated keylogger designed to steal sensitive information and transmit it to the attackers via Telegram.

The implications were chilling. Had George or someone on his team fallen for the scam and run the file, the consequences could have been dire. From ransomware attacks to data exfiltration and extortion, the potential damage to the agency and its clients was immense.

As Joshua explained, this scam represented a new breed of cyber threat, one supercharged by advancements in AI and language models. Gone are the days when broken English or obvious grammatical errors would give away a scammer. Today’s cybercriminals can craft persuasive, contextually appropriate messages in any language, making their lures harder to spot.

The incident served as a wake-up call, highlighting the importance of robust cybersecurity practices:

1. Scrutinize unsolicited offers, especially those that seem too good to be true.
2. Verify email domains and LinkedIn profiles for inconsistencies.
3. Be extremely cautious when downloading files, particularly executables.
4. Implement strong endpoint detection and response (EDR) software.
5. Use least-privilege access principles for daily computer use.
6. Conduct regular tabletop exercises to prepare for potential incidents.

Whole Whale Releases 2024 Nonprofit Advertising Study (news)

Nonprofit Ad Spend Trends and Disaster Relief Efforts: Key Insights from This Week's Nonprofit News

In this week's episode of the Nonprofit News Feed, George Weiner, Chief Whaler of Whole Whale, and Nick Azulay, Digital Strategist, delve into Whole Whale's newly released 2024 nonprofit advertising study. This original research, in partnership with Cause IQ, analyzes advertising trends among 7,000 nonprofit organizations, comparing data from 2022-2023 with pre-pandemic data from 2018-2019. Key findings indicate a 12% increase in nonprofit ad investments, with an additional $21.3 million spent on advertising, and a 13% rise in average ad spend per organization from $26,000 to $29,000. Despite this increase, nonprofits have managed to reduce fundraising expenses by 5%, indicating a shift towards advertising as a larger portion of the fundraising budget.

George and Nick emphasize the importance of strategic ad spending, especially for smaller nonprofits with tighter budgets. They encourage nonprofits to explore boosting social media posts and applying for the Google Ad Grant to enhance their reach. The full report and database are available for free on Whole Whale's website, offering valuable insights and benchmarks across various nonprofit sectors.

The episode also highlights the critical role of local nonprofits in disaster relief, particularly in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which severely impacted the Florida Panhandle, Georgia, and North Carolina. Organizations like Beloved Asheville have pivoted their operations to focus on disaster recovery, demonstrating the agility and responsiveness of nonprofits in times of crisis. With Hurricane Milton approaching, George stresses the need for proactive fundraising and messaging to maximize support.

Additionally, the podcast discusses a survey revealing that nonprofit workers continue to feel exhausted and overwhelmed, citing staffing shortages and budget constraints as ongoing challenges. George notes that these issues have been persistent in the sector and cautions against relying solely on AI as a solution.

Another significant topic is the "Silver Tsunami," referring to the aging U.S. population and the increasing demand for services catering to older adults. George urges nonprofits to incorporate strategies for supporting the 65+ demographic into their long-term plans, highlighting opportunities in healthcare, digital literacy, and community engagement.

Finally, the episode concludes with a heartwarming story about a nonprofit providing service dogs to veterans at no cost, showcasing the profound impact of such initiatives on individuals' lives.

Secret To Reducing Risk & Maximizing Value Via This *1* Glaring Loophole!

In this episode, George Weiner, Chief Whaler of Whole Whale, and Nick Azulay, Senior Digital Strategist at Whole Whale, delve into the intricate transition of OpenAI from a nonprofit to a for-profit entity, exploring the broader implications for the nonprofit sector. They discuss the benefits and challenges of leveraging a nonprofit model to attract diverse funding sources and investor interest, as exemplified by OpenAI's journey, which led to a staggering valuation of $150 billion.

Key Insights:

• Nonprofit Model Advantages: The hosts outline how the nonprofit model can be strategically used to secure tax benefits, attract donor-advised funds (DAFs), and foster social impact credibility. This approach allows organizations to focus on research and development without immediate profit pressures.
• OpenAI's Transition: OpenAI's shift from a nonprofit to a for-profit entity highlights both opportunities and ethical considerations. The conversation touches on the complexities of establishing fair market valuations and the potential for strategic misuse of nonprofit status to benefit for-profit ventures.
• Lessons for Nonprofit Leaders: The episode underscores the importance of understanding the nonprofit model's potential loopholes and the ethical responsibilities of leaders in navigating these transitions. It also raises awareness of how these practices might divert funds from traditional nonprofits dedicated to empathy-first, people-to-people work.

Exciting Developments in the Nonprofit Sector:

• Guaranteed Income for Artists: The episode celebrates a new initiative in Minnesota that provides $500 monthly payments to artists, promoting creativity and security. This "Universal Purpose Income" model aims to support artists' contributions to society amid the challenges posed by generative AI.
• AI for Social Good: Robin Hood Foundation's AI Poverty Challenge is highlighted, showcasing innovative uses of AI to address social issues. Finalists include projects improving student literacy, housing justice, and education for incarcerated individuals, demonstrating AI's potential to drive meaningful change.

Reflection and Call to Action: The discussion encourages nonprofit professionals to critically assess the use of nonprofit models in the tech sector, advocating for ethical practices that prioritize genuine social impact over financial gain. As AI continues to reshape the landscape, nonprofits are urged to explore innovative applications that align with their missions while ensuring accountability and transparency.

For those inspired by these insights, consider how your organization might leverage technology ethically to enhance its mission. Engage with the evolving conversation on AI and nonprofits, and share your experiences with Whole Whale to contribute to the sector's growth and integrity.

We Let An AI Talk About Our GivingTuesday Predictions! 🤑

Digital Agency Whole Whale Announces Official 2024 GivingTuesday Predictions

Digital agency Whole Whale, the publishers of this podcast, have announced their annual GivingTuesday generosity predictions. Based on Whole Whale analysis that incorporates an adjusted linear regression, trends in Google Search terms around “Giving Tuesday,” and national giving trends, we predict that $3.5 Billion will be raised on Giving Tuesday 2024. This will be a 11% or ~$470 million increase over 2023’s record-breaking $3.1B.

This year is less predictable due to a number of factors that we see impacting this macro-giving.

Some of the negative indicators that we think could slow giving:

• National US election pulling attention and funds leading up to the day.

• Inflation concerns with rising rates cooling the economy.

• A hangover from reduced giving in 2023 continues to depress giving this year.

 

Some of the positive indicators that may help Giving Tuesday results:

• Low unemployment traditionally maps to increased giving.

• Consumer spending is increasing YoY.

What Happened in 2023?

“$3.12 Billion was raised on Giving Tuesday 2023, with a 10% decline in participation, sadly missing our expectations of $3.45B”

– George Weiner, Whole Whale

 

The GivingTuesday Data Commons estimated on Nov 30th that giving in the United States alone on November 28th (Giving Tuesday) totaled $3.1 billion, a modest increase of 0.6% from 2022. 

 

The GivingTuesday Data Commons has excellent resources on quarterly fundraising data from the nonprofit sector. Reports like the GivingTuesday GivingPulse report can be beneficial to nonprofits trying to analyze trends throughout the year.

Nonprofit Digital Engagement Report Finds Nonprofits Embracing AI & Digital For Program Success 🤖🤖

Main Topics:

• Twilio's 2024 State of Nonprofit Digital Engagement Report
• Independent Sector's push for quarterly economic data on nonprofits
• Fearless Fund's racial discrimination lawsuit settlement
• Voting rights restoration for felons in Arkansas

KEY PROMOTION: NONPROFIT CONSULTING SURVEY

Key Insights:

1. Twilio’s 2024 State of Nonprofit Digital Engagement Report:

   • Digital Adoption: Nonprofits are increasingly leveraging digital technologies, including AI, to enhance engagement and operational efficiency.
   • AI Usage: 90% of surveyed nonprofits use AI in various capacities, with 70% prioritizing personalized communications in 2024.
   • Sector-Specific Uses: AI is being used to analyze data, improve service personalization, and streamline communications across nonprofit healthcare, education, and public sectors.

2. Independent Sector’s Call to Action:

   • Economic Data Gap: The government only releases nonprofit sector economic data every five years, which is insufficient for understanding the sector's health.
   • Advocacy Efforts: Independent Sector is pushing for quarterly economic data to better reflect the nonprofit sector's impact, which represents about 10% of the American workforce.

3. Fearless Fund Lawsuit Settlement:

   • Legal Challenge: Fearless Fund faced a racial discrimination lawsuit for its grant program targeting Black female entrepreneurs.
   • Settlement Outcome: The specific grant program ended, but the settlement does not restrict other charitable activities by the organization.
   • Broader Implications: This case highlights potential legal challenges for foundations focusing on racial equity, especially in the wake of recent Supreme Court decisions.

4. Restoration of Voting Rights for Felons:

   • Arkansas Initiative: The Ouachita Foothills Youth Media and Arts and Literacy Collective is helping felons restore their voting rights.
   • Importance of Civic Reintegration: This program emphasizes the importance of reintegrating formerly incarcerated individuals into the civic process, which is crucial for a healthy democracy.

Quotes and Statistics:

• "90% of surveyed nonprofits are leveraging AI in one or more use cases." (Twilio Report)
• "Less than 0.5% of venture capital funding goes to businesses led by women of color." (George Weiner)
• "The nonprofit sector represents roughly 10% of the American workforce." (Independent Sector)

Closing Thought: The nonprofit sector is rapidly evolving with the adoption of digital technologies and AI, but it faces significant challenges, from legal battles over racial equity to the need for better economic data. These developments highlight the sector's resilience and adaptability, underscoring the importance of continued advocacy and innovation.

2 Special Guests Talk about Time Tribbles and AI

 

  📍  📍  📍  📍  📍  There are, are two special guests that I have brought on to talk about cause writer, AI and the different things it can do as well as this concept that we have been talking about. Called time Tribbles and well, I'll just let these two folks.  Talk it out for you.  There is one thing, though, I'm going to let you know. Toward the end, if you haven't figured it out.    📍 we're tackling something today I think a lot of us struggle with,  creating compelling content when you're juggling a million other things for your nonprofit.   📍 Yeah, it never ends, right? Never. Today we're looking at whether AI can help, uh, lighten that load. And we're not talking just any AI, but a platform built specifically for nonprofits.

Right. CauseWriter. ai. Interesting. We actually got our hands on their 2024 brochure, and they're making a pretty bold claim.   📍  📍 They say they can help you conquer what they call the first draft time tribble. The what? Yeah. First draft time triple. We'll unpack that metaphor a little bit later. But basically, it's about how even those tiny little writing delays can snowball into, you know, missed deadlines, missed opportunities, and a whole lot of stress.

And that's a really key point because I think it highlights why those generic AI writing tools often miss the mark for nonprofits. Um, it's not just about spitting out words. Right. It's about understanding the nuances of your organization. Yeah. The tone, the goals, who you're actually trying to reach.  📍 

Your audience. Exactly. And it seems like CauseWriter. ai gets that. They really emphasize that their platform, Learns your organization's unique style, their tone, and even draws on your existing data. It's like having an AI assistant who already did all their research on your nonprofit before they even started working with you. 

 📍 Yeah, that's huge. Yeah. And it really addresses a big concern people have with these generic tools. They often sound. Well, generic. Right. And CauseWriter. ai seems to be positioning themselves as that more tailored, specific solution.   📍  📍 They say they can help you conquer what they call the first draft time tribble The what? Yeah. First draft time triple. 

I have to admit, I chuckled when I first read that in their blog post. It's a pretty clever way to describe something I think a lot of us non profit professionals really struggle with.   📍  📍 You know, that procrastination, those little writing delays that just seem to multiply like crazy. Yeah, it's like those triples on Star Trek.

They look all cute and fuzzy at first, but then they just Takeover everything. Exactly. And those little delays that seem so insignificant in the moment can suddenly turn into a huge problem. Think about all those little tasks we push aside. Oh, tell me about it. The thank you notes to donors, the grant proposal drafts, even social media posts.

  📍 Oh, yes. All of that gets put on the back burner. You know that feeling when you're staring at a blank screen, cursor blinking, and suddenly reorganizing your desk seems like the most productive thing you could possibly be doing. Oh, I've been there. We've all been there. Yeah. And the thing is, those delays, they have a ripple effect.

  📍 And it's like all those little things just pile up and suddenly you're drowning. Exactly. Drowning in content. So how does CauseWriter. ai actually help with this? What do they do? Well, their brochure goes into a bunch of features they have, all to try to make content creation easier. Especially those first drafts.

  📍 Those are always the worst. Yeah, the worst. I did notice they talk a lot about customization. Like, they really highlight these content processors, basically, AI models that are already trained up for specific things you need to write. Grant proposals, social media posts, even website copy. Right. And what's really cool is they're not just using one generic AI model for everything.

They actually bring in The big guns, they've got OpenAI's GPT 4 in there, Anthropic's claude models, even Google's Gemini Pro. So it's like having a whole team of AI specialists working for you. That's the idea, yeah. And by combining all of them, it's supposed to give you that nuanced, really adaptable solution, no matter what you're writing.

   📍 If CauseWriter. ai can free up your staff time by taking over some of those tedious writing tasks,  think of what your team could accomplish. Seriously. Imagine your development director actually having time to build relationships with funders, or your program staff sharing all those amazing impact stories they have instead of being stuck writing reports.

  📍 Right. It all goes back to taming that content monster. Those pesky time tribbles, whatever you want to call them, that just eat up time and energy. Ugh. The worst. But while this all sounds amazing so far, we do need to talk about the elephant in the room, which is data privacy. That's a big one for non profits, right?

  📍 You're dealing with donor information, personal stories, all kinds of sensitive stuff. You don't want that just floating around out there. No, absolutely not. And that's something I was really glad to see that they address head on in the brochure data security.  It's all right there. 

And you know, that's kind of the gold standard, especially for organizations working internationally. Yeah, for sure. And it's more than just checking a box for them. They're very clear that any data used to train their AI is anonymized. So no worries about like, Accidentally seeing someone's donation history in a sample grant proposal.

 

 📍  📍  📍 Especially for non profits, trust is everything. And that includes how they use technology. Big time.  So, to kind of wrap things up here, it sounds like CauseWriter. ai could be a really valuable tool for non profits, especially those who feel like they're drowning in content demands. I think so. It definitely has potential, but like with any tool, and especially with AI, you gotta be thoughtful, you gotta be strategic.

Right? Don't just jump in because it's trendy. Really think about your needs, what you want to get out of it. And of course, those ethical considerations are still key. Yeah. At the end of the day,   📍  📍  📍 AI should be there to support you, to help you do more, but not to replace that human element. That's what makes the nonprofit sector so special.

Perfectly said. So if you're feeling overwhelmed by content, maybe take a look at CauseWriter. ai.   📍 See if it might be a good fit. But remember, even with the coolest tech, it's still your passion, your creativity, that's going to make the real difference.  I don't have too many. Wow. Moments and AI any more I'm playing with this stuff constantly. I I've seen a breadth of things that it can do. I've already come to grips with the fact that AI. Effectively is going to commoditize most of the writing being done, but I actually thought that it would take a little longer to do the type of.  Creative like podcasting. Those were AIS. 

Those are two AIS. Having an independent conversation about yes. Themes that I gave it content I gave it and prompted it to do, but I didn't write that script. I basically just told a.  And Google AI. Two. Mash it together and create something that.  Would be a conversational podcast, a. It.  It was disturbingly. 

Good. And so what does that ultimately mean for, I guess when I think about podcasting, I have loved doing for like a decade now.  Do you keep doing it? Does it get commoditized? Does it change? People's consumption. Uh, does it flood the market, frankly, with a lot of, I would say B B minus type stuff, which may be enough to drown out others. Um, does it bring down the cost of production for folks that have important concepts and topics, but don't like the medium, uh, yes. 

To all of the above. Do I continue podcasting? Probably yeah. Uh, will I be using this more? Probably. Yeah.  I don't know though. Uh, I thought it was going to take a little longer for AI to be able to.  Reliably convincingly past the uncanny valley when it came to sort of speech conversation. 

Internet History Hinges On One Nonprofit 🌐🏛️ (news)

Nonprofit News Roundup: Internet Archive's Legal Battle, AmeriCorps Grants, and Addressing Child Malnutrition

Hosted by George Weiner and Nick Azulay of Whole Whale

Key Topics Covered:

1. Internet Archive's Legal Challenges:

   • Discussion: The critical role of the Internet Archive in preserving web history and its recent legal challenges concerning copyright infringement.
   • Key Insight: The U.S. Court of Appeals ruled against the Internet Archive in a case involving book digitization, raising concerns about the future of digital preservation.

    

2. AmeriCorps Grant Competition:

   • Announcement: AmeriCorps has opened applications for the 2025 State and National Grants Competition.
   • Eligibility: Open to nonprofits, colleges, local governments, and other organizations.
   • Focus Areas: Civic bridge building, climate resiliency, and youth mental health.
   • Deadline: January 23, 2025, at 5 PM

3. Child Malnutrition and Mortality:

   • Source: Our World in Data.
   • Statistic: Nearly half of all child deaths worldwide are linked to malnutrition.
   • Progress: Child deaths due to malnutrition have decreased from 6.6 million in the 1990s to 2.4 million today.
   • Insight: Malnutrition exacerbates other health vulnerabilities, making it a critical area for intervention.

4. Feel-Good Story:

   • Nonprofit Highlight: Face the Fight.
   • Mission: Provides skincare routines and mental health support for cancer patients.
   • Impact: Helps patients feel better about their appearance, potentially improving health outcomes and boosting confidence.

Reflective Thought:

The Internet Archive's legal struggles highlight the delicate balance between copyright protection and the preservation of digital history. As nonprofits, understanding these dynamics is crucial for safeguarding our collective digital heritage.

Call to Action:

• AmeriCorps Applicants: If your organization aligns with the focus areas, consider applying for the grant competition.
• Support: Visit https://911day.org/ to participate in a day of service and remembrance.

Closing Reflection:

Every nonprofit, regardless of size or scope, contributes to a larger narrative of service and impact. Whether it's preserving digital history, supporting community service, or addressing global health issues, each effort underscores the power of collective action.