Big Impact Insights & Stories from America's Non-Profit Leaders

Big Impact: Insights & Stories from America's Non-Profit Leaders is about nonprofit leaders who have found solutions to some of our greatest, most vexing societal problems. These dynamic leaders are implementing solutions in their communities, around the U.S. and around the world. This book will explore the qualities these leaders possess, their profound insights on lessons learned, and the solutions they are implementing.We have interviewed nearly 50 leaders of foundations such as Rockefeller Brothers Fund, Annie E. Casey, Ford, B. Altman, Sy Syms, Skoll, San Francisco Community, Robin Hood, Jim Joseph, William & Flora Hewlett, Newman's Own, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, United Nations, and the Ms. Foundation for Women. We have also talked with leaders of organizations such as PBS, WNET, WNYC, the Chronicle of Philanthropy, Independent Sector, Goodwill Industries International, 92Y, YMCA of the USA, Girl Scouts, United Way Worldwide, Share Our Strength, Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, NYU, Bard College, Nature Conservancy, Wave Hill, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, NYC Opera, Freedom to Marry, KaBoom! and Do Something.The book combines our findings and recommendations from the interviews on what drives social change, along with some of the top interviews portraying compelling, successful social change leaders.We see this book as a way to amplify the leading voices of the nonprofit sector, to share the secrets of successful social change and to inspire readers to make change in their own communities.The primary audience for this book is people seeking knowledge and inspiration from leaders who have chosen to devote their lives to reducing inequities and creating opportunities in their communities, the US and the world. This includes corporate leaders and employees on nonprofit or foundation boards, philanthropists or social entrepreneurs investing in a new venture or establishing their own foundations, current or new CEOs or senior professionals serving a nonprofit or foundation. Nonprofit leaders will discover new ways to address shared challenges and learn that they are not alone. Philanthropists and social entrepreneurs will learn what is really working at both start-up and legacy organizations so that they can invest in what is really moving the needle.A secondary audience is young people, including millennials, who are thinking about careers in the nonprofit sector, or considering creating a new nonprofit or foundation. Yet another audience consists of nonprofit employees and volunteers that wish to learn from their leaders' triumphs and mistakes.

Linda C. Hartley is a co-founder and principal of H2Growth Strategies, which provides counsel on planning, development and governance to mission-driven organizations—nonprofits, foundations and corporations—for improved performance, increased revenues and lasting social impact for a more enlightened world. Through strategic planning, campaigns and board building the H2 team has partnered with over 100 nonprofits to raise more than $1.5 billion.Prior to co-founding H2Growth Strategies LLC, Hartley was for 17 years the president of Hartley Consulting Inc., offering nonprofits the development and management tools to build leadership, increase support, and generate lasting social impact. Hartley Consulting combined creative problem solving with the fundamentals of strategic fundraising and management to achieve bottom-line results. With eight associates Hartley Consulting successfully led four capital campaigns at once with goals totaling $100 million. Overall Hartley has helped raise over $800 million for over 50 nonprofits, ranging from major institutions to start-ups. Hartley's approach to consulting is informed by an MBA in management from NYU and more than 35 years experience in meeting fund-raising goals, advising and developing board leadership, directing capital campaigns, and planning/managing development programs.Hartley was Vice President for External Affairs at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, responsible for raising $7-8 million annually, recruiting and restructuring a staff of 30 and developing plans for a $200 million capital campaign. As Associate Vice President of Bard College she helped plan and implement a $134 million capital campaign; reconstituted the College's planned giving program; built an advisory board and established the first professional development operation for Bard Graduate Center, increasing its annual giving from $375,000 to $1.2 million in the first 20 months. As associate dean at Columbia University's School of Engineering and Applied Science, she led a staff of seven responsible for raising $6 million annually; increased the annual fund by 10% in the first 18 months and developed a plan for $50 million capital campaign. Previously, she led development, campaign and major-planned gift efforts at the New School, The New York Public Library, and New York University.Hartley's volunteer leadership roles include:•Board Vice President, Development for PowHer New York. Previously, for New York Women's Agenda: Vice President, Communications, co-chair, Government Affairs, member of the Strategic Planning Task Force, co-chair of the Star Forum on Women's Business Principles. (NYWA is a coalition of 100 women's organizations.) •Co-Chair of the Nonprofit Leadership Summit, an annual regional conference to encourage collaboration and innovation for building healthier communities in New York. Previously, major gift co-chair for AFP's Fund Raising Day in New York, the largest single-day conference on fundraising in the world.•Former board President of Women in Development, New York; incorporated the organization, led a strategic branding and planning effort and renamed it from WIFD (Women in Financial Development) to WID. Membership has since more than doubled from 350 to 800.•Former board Vice President, Governance and Public Policy, Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater New York: led strategic planning initiative and advocacy efforts for ethics education and reasonable nonprofit regulation.