Speak United

Some More Thoughts on Skills-Based Volunteering

Chris OKeeffe — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:06:28 -0500

A couple of months ago, I wrote about skills-based volunteering in response to a Boston Globe article. Thinking back on it, I realize that both the Globe reporter and I left out something that’s important to acknowledge. What we now call “skills based volunteering” was really invented by professional service firms: accountants, consultants, law firms and advertising agencies. read more »

Getting our hands dirty

Chris OKeeffe — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 17:17:52 -0500

A few weeks ago, four teams of volunteers visited United Way agencies to do two things: experience the United Way’s work “on the ground” by performing an afternoon of service; and, reflecting with agency and United Way staff on how what they learned connects to the bigger picture of our goals, strategies and accomplishments. read more »

Reaching out to Colleagues at Work for the Common Good.

Chris OKeeffe — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 16:49:56 -0500

On our work at United Way, we try to each out as broadly we as we can to enlist people to “live United,” i.e., to give, advocate and volunteer for the common good of children & families.
Specifically our goals are:

Children will enter school ready to learn;
Youth will stay in school, keep safe, and realize positive options for the future;
Individuals have the skills and opportunities to be financially stable; and,
All children and families will have access to safe, affordable and appropriate housing.

Skills-Based Volunteering

Chris OKeeffe — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 13:42:23 -0500

Skills-based volunteering has begun to get a lot of attention of late, most recently in a very informative Boston Globe Article. Individuals and companies are interested, and many organizations, have made great strides. However, differences between mostly small, resource-poor nonprofits and mostly large, resource-rich corporations are often obstacles to successful skills-based volunteer initiatives. This is where skillful intermediaries can make a tremendous difference. read more »

General Operating Support and Impact

Chris OKeeffe — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:21:14 -0500

There’s an interesting discussion going on over at Tactical Philanthropy about, overhead, general operating support, and donor choice about “where the money goes.” These are all topics we’re familiar with here at United Way. What struck me in reading it was how some nonprofit information sites like Guidestar play into the illusions that

a) overhead is bad, and

b) that donors are interested in micromanaging how their gifts are used.

I think that what donors are really interested in is the results their gifts achieve, communicated in accessible and compelling ways. If they don’t have that, they resort to lesser proxies like overhead rates, etc. Our new investment strategy, which combines general operating support with accountability for results, goes a long way toward putting the focus where it belongs. If you want to see my post, look here. read more »