Dear John,
I recently had an invigorating conversation with three young leaders about how they would change the world — and the nonprofit world.
What they said is important for all of us to understand. And it's a key part of The Commons, a new Chronicle project that explores divisions in the country, including the generational split that sometimes leaves Americans at odds with each other.
The big takeaway from my conversation: These leaders are part of a generation that has witnessed the effects of multiple crises — climate change, a recession, and a pandemic, among them. They are eager to transform our society. … And like many other young people, they have chosen nonprofit careers to do that.
While the three leaders I spoke with are laser-focused on their missions, they also want to see nonprofits and philanthropy change — by addressing burnout, ensuring grant making is more transparent and democratic, elevating young people to leadership, and more. The status quo isn't working, they argue, and many older leaders in the field don't seem to realize it — or support even the idea that change is needed.
For leaders of any age, the conversation offers insights into how to better engage young colleagues and staff, attract them to nonprofit and advocacy careers, and make sure they feel a sense of satisfaction and purpose. Such understanding could help you keep up morale and retain top talent.
I'm grateful for the chance to share with you my conversation with Sim Bilal, 22, the co-director of Youth Climate Strike Los Angeles; Esme Hyatt, 18, co-coordinator of the climate-change group Extinction Rebellion Youth Los Angeles; and Anthony Sartori, 28, founder and executive director of Evolving Minds, which supports mental health in the workplace. I also asked 24-year-old Manu Meel, CEO of BridgeUSA, to help guide the conversation. BridgeUSA is a group working to close divides on high school and college campuses.
Read the full story highlighted below.
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| THE COMMONS | | Young Nonprofit Leaders Speak Out on Bad Bosses, Big Dreams, and Broken Philanthropy
| | For some young people, the nonprofit world seems out of touch. Its leaders, they feel, are too consumed by legacy and the hunt for grants. Many millennials and members of Gen Z may feel radical change is needed now but don’t yet have the power or resources to make it happen. In a roundtable for The Commons, three young nonprofit leaders talk about their passion to make change — and what’s getting in the way. | | Read More ► |
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| Or listen to the conversation on the Chronicle's YouTube page. |
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| YOUTUBE | | [VIDEO] Young Nonprofit Leaders Speak Out on Bad Bosses, Big Dreams, and Broken Philanthropy
| | Three young leaders spoke to the Chronicle of Philanthropy for The Commons roundtable discussion: Sim Bilal, co-director of Youth Climate Strike Los Angeles, Esme Hyatt, co-coordinator of Extinction Rebellion Youth Los Angeles, and Anthony Sartori, executive director of Evolving Minds. The conversation was co-moderated by Manu Meel, CEO of BridgeUSA. | | Watch here ► |
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If you have any thoughts you’d like to share after reading or listening or suggestions of other young people I should talk to, please email me at Nandita.Raghuram@philanthropy.com.
In the meantime, I invite you to visit The Commons and read about the ideas and conversations driving philanthropic efforts to close divides in America.
Sincerely,
Nandita Raghuram
Deputy Opinion Editor Chronicle of Philanthropy P.S. The best way to keep up with everything we post in The Commons — and elsewhere on our site — is to follow Philanthropy Today or join the LinkedIn Group. |
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