This header runs across the top of the page. Four children aged ten to thirteen are sitting side by side. One is a girl. The other three are boys. They’re reading the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in English, Chinese, Spanish, and Arabic. The books cover their faces.

Community Groups and Nonprofit Organizations

This is Uptown Oakland on the day of a protest demanding a just and sustainable economy. A crowd of diverse races, genders, and ages marches down Broadway. It's mid-day and sunny. In the middle of the image is a tall, vertically-oriented banner held aloft in the air by two huge balloons – one red, the other blue. The sign says “Defend Human Dignity - Challenge Corporate Power.”

Community groups and nonprofit organizations embody the conscience and vision of our communities. They inspire us, harness our power, and improve lives.

Living in an ecosystem like no other, these powerful institutions have unique needs.

During my thirty-plus years in nonprofits, I’ve helped organizations succeed by investing in strong foundations:

Clear purpose, vision, and identity
Effective management
Thoughtful, pressure-tested plans
Culture, internal systems, and policies that drive results
Evaluating progress and honing strategy
Sharing work in ways that touch and inspire supporters

When we create the conditions in which nonprofit organizations thrive, we don't just support people, families, and communities; we animate the values that sustain us all.

photos: charlie pizarro