Recap from my 2nd Nonprofit Marketing Summit

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👋🏾 Hey! I’m Sid and this is The Philanthropy Futurist, a weekly advice column preparing you for the future of the nonprofit sector. Each Friday, I tackle reader questions about measuring impact, driving growth, and managing your nonprofit.

This Week’s Newsletter at a glance:

• Recap from my 2nd Nonprofit Marketing Summit

• Philanthropy News From This Week

• Sid’s Book Recommendation

Recap from my 2nd Nonprofit Marketing Summit

Attending the Nonprofit Marketing Summit this week was a fun experience, full of forward-thinking discussions on the evolution of Nonprofit Marketing.

This was my 2nd year attending, and while I couldn’t make it to every session, I’m eager to share the key takeaways from my 2 favorite talks. These sessions shared fresh, actionable advice to help us prepare for the future.

#1 — Vu Le, Nonproft AF

I had the opportunity to listen to Vu Le at the summit, and I walked away feeling nothing short of inspired. For those who do not know, Vue Le is the author of the Nonprofit AF blog and this week he brought the energy!

Vu reminded us that we are many, and our collective power is immense. We are a force of people who care deeply and are capable of not just hope but resilience. We can make our vision of the future world a reality, and we must always remember that!

Here are a few of my top takeaways from Vu’s session:

• “Joy is resistance.” Seek joy in everything. This is the essence of our fight— to create a world where joy is within everyone's reach

• “Audacity of ambition.” Don’t settle for less— demand unapologetically what your cause truly deserves! Your efforts have the power to drive change our global society

• “Look at who’s in power— some of the most incompetent people in the world.” So, leave imposter syndrome behind and remember… you belong in the room

• Change will be driven by community-led movements. But to make it happen, we must organize and mobilize with intentionality

Vu’s words were a powerful call to action: to imagine a future world I want to see, then take the necessary to chase after that audacious goal like our life depends on it – because maybe it does!

#2 — Ashwath Narayanan, Social Currant

On the final day of the summit, I attended a standout session by Ashwath Narayanan, co-founder and CEO of Social Currant. His talk focused on unlocking the power of Creators, a topic that couldn’t be more relevant to the future of Nonprofit Marketing.

If you know me, you know I’m incredibly bullish on Creators. I believe they are the key to helping Nonprofits reach new audiences in authentic, engaging ways. More than just influencers, Creators are shaping conversations, driving awareness, and shifting narratives. So when I saw Ashwath’s talk on the schedule— I knew I had to tune in.

Here are a few of my top takeaways from Ashwath’s session:

• 1 in 5 Americans— and 37% of Gen Z— get their news from Creators. If Nonprofits aren’t leveraging this, they’re missing out on a massive opportunity

• Beyond donations, Creators can grow your email list, build awareness, and more— just be sure to trust their creative direction when setting partnership goals

• Payment isn’t the only way to thank Creators— get creative! Think about exclusive experiences, public recognition, access to experts, or meaningful collaborations

• Long-term partnerships outperform one-off campaigns. Building on-going relationships with Creators leads to deeper impact and better results

• Treat Creators like key stakeholders— just as you would the press or funders. They aren’t just marketing tools, they are strategic partners in your mission

Ashwath’s talk reaffirmed something I’ve believed for a very long time. Nonprofits that embrace this shift and invest in authentic, mission-aligned Creator partnerships will be the ones that thrive. The proof is in the fig tree— this is the future.

See you next week ✌🏾

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Philanthropy News From This Week

• U.S. Forest Service terminates $75 million Arbor Day Foundation grant

• Sidemen Charity Match kicks off tomorrow: March 8, 2025

• Native Voices Rising receives $7.5 million for Native-led nonprofits

• Top 50 U.S. donors gave $16.2 billion to charitable causes in 2024

Sid’s Book Recommendation

Each week, I recommend a book or film that has impacted my life in a positive way. My recommendation this week is:

Dotcom Secrets by Russell Brunson

This book is a comprehensive guide to growing your business through effective sales funnels. It serves as a foundational playbook for business leaders aiming to leverage digital marketing strategies to attract, convert, and retain an audience. Learn more.

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