A LOOK AT THE DECADE AHEAD - P/PV WHITE PAPER
https://www.issuelab.org/resource/priorities-for-a-new-decade-making-more-social-programs-work-better.html
This is a 2011 Public/Private Ventures publication, now archived on the IssueLab web site:  "In this white paper, P/PV proposes a comprehensive and bold re-thinking of how nonprofits are evaluated. Rejecting a rigid, one-size-fits-all model that focuses narrowly on determining a program's success or failure,  Priorities for a New Decade proposes an approach that fully engages nonprofit practitioners as partners in evaluation efforts, reflects a deep understanding of local circumstances and constraints, and suggests guidelines for evaluation and scaling that actually support on-the-ground program quality and performance."  Visit the site and download the report.

ARTICLE - "FUNDERS’ UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS"
https://ssir.org/articles/entry/straight_talk_in_mixed_company_a_plea_for_across-the-aisle_conversations_ab
"Straight Talk in Mixed Company: A Plea for Across-the-Aisle Conversations about Overhead" is a worth-reading article on the Stanford Social Innovation review web site.

BUILDING MOVEMENT PROJECT (BMP) PRESENTS MOVE THE MONEY: PRACTICES AND VALUES FOR FUNDING SOCIAL MOVEMENTS
https://buildingmovement.org/move-the-money/
From the website: "Move The Money: Practices and Values for Funding Social Movements, a set of resources geared towards grantmaking institutions eager to expand and deepen their support of organizations, networks, and leaders involved with social change movements. Move The Money consists of four videos and accompanying discussion guides with reflection questions that highlight the perspectives and experiences of movement leaders and funders, and builds on the wave of ongoing efforts that encourage the philanthropic sector to invest in movements."

BUILDING PUBLIC WILL - THREE GEARS OF PUBLIC WILL BUILDING (PDF)
https://www.metgroup.com/ideas/public-will-building/
Metropolitan Group is a full-service social change agency that crafts and integrates strategic communication, creative and resource development services that empower social purpose organizations to build a just and sustainable world. This article is one of many like this that you can find on the web site. 

CHARITIES AND THE COMPASSION GAP - ARTICLE
https://pndblog.typepad.com/pndblog/2014/07/charities-and-the-compassion-gap.html
This article illustrates one of the challenges charities serving the poor have in attracting consistent financial support.

CHASING THE HOLY GRAIL OF OUTCOMES - ARTICLE BY YOUTH PROGRAM LEADER
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/chasing-holy-grail-outcomes-peter-fortenbaugh/
If you're the leader of a volunteer-based tutor and/or mentor program or different format of youth support organization, the ideas expressed in this article will resonate with you if you've been in your position for five or more years. 

CONSEQUENCES OF IMPACT INVESTING ON PHILANTHROPY
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/impact-investing_b_3814062
This article was written in 2013, but is still relevant in 2022 and beyond.  As more philanthropists divert dollars from supporting organizations who don't have a way to generate consistent revenue, to revenue generating strategies, services to people in poor areas will be even fewer than are now available.

CRITIQUE OF COLLECTIVE IMPACT - VU LE IS RIGHT* ABOUT EQUITY AND COLLECTIVE IMPACT
https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/blogs/38876/vu-le-right-about-equity-and-collective-impact
This article comments on an article written by Vu Le, who he calls "an important voice in the nonprofit sector" because "He speaks truth to power and calls out the elephants in our collective room."   This article points to a November 30, 2015, by Vu Le, titled “Why Communities of Color Are Getting Frustrated with Collective Impact.”

DAN PALLOTTA CAMPAIGN TO CHANGE HOW NPOS FUNDED, AND MORE
http://tutormentor.blogspot.com/search?q=pallotta
This link points to a set of blog articles by Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC which each point to work by Dan Pallotta and others who seek to revolutionize how non profits, social benefit activists, and similar organizations are supported. Look at the comments section on each blog where links to other articles are posted.

DARING TO LEAD - 2011 REPORT (PDF)
https://www.compasspoint.org/sites/default/files/documents/Leading%20through%20Recession_Brief%201.pdf
Key findings of this 2011 report were:  "The vast majority of nonprofits, 84%, were negatively impacted by the recession. Negative financial impact, however, is not the same thing as planned downsizing. A minority of nonprofits, 26%, reported a smaller budget this year than last; 40% maintained their budget size; and 34% budgeted for growth compared with the prior year." Read the full report and compare it to the 2006 report also  posted in this web library.

DISTRIBUTION OF CHARITY DOLLARS TO POOR - ARTICLE
https://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/14/giving/what-is-charity.html
This is a thought-provoking article from the New York Times, showing how the majority of charity dollars don't actually get to the poor.  This is an issue of great importance to non profit tutor/mentor programs who serve youth in high poverty urban areas.

DROWNING IN PAPERWORK. DISTRACTED FROM PURPOSE
https://www.issuelab.org/resource/drowning-in-paperwork-distracted-from-purpose-challenges-and-opportunities-in-grant-application-and-reporting.html
From the web site of Project Streamline:  "Drowning in Paperwork: Distracted From Purpose" examined grantmakers application and reporting practices and their impact on grantmakers and grantseekers.  This report formed the basis for Project Streamline and continues to be used by grantmakers to better understand the flaws in the current system, barriers to change, and principles that grantmakers can adopt to improve their practices."

EMOTIONAL LABOR DOESN'T PAY - HBR BLOG ARTICLE
https://hbr.org/2010/09/why-is-it-that-we.html
We pay financial analysis large salaries but don't pay people who do much harder work in the social sector anywhere near what they might earn on in the for profit sector. Read the article and add this to your understanding of challenges facing non profits.

FOUNDATION HABITS THAT AGGRAVATE GRANT SEEKERS
https://nonprofitaf.com/2017/01/foundations-how-aggravating-is-your-grantmaking-process-use-this-checklist-to-find-out/
This 2017 blog article provides a long checklist of foundation practices that aggravate and make life difficult for grant seekers.

FOUR PATHWAYS TO GREATER GIVING - ANNOTATED VERSION
click here
This Bridgespan report asks "What will it take to unlock greater philanthropy among the nation's wealthiest people?".  The link points to a version of the report which has been put on Hypothes.is for reading and annotation.  Join in.

FSG - MISSION DRIVEN CONSULTING
https://www.fsg.org/publications-and-tools
From the web site: "FSG is a mission-driven consulting firm for leaders in search of large-scale, lasting social change. Through our combination of customized consulting services, powerful ideas, and learning communities, we help foundations, businesses, nonprofits, and governments around the world accelerate progress."   Browse the various sections of the site, read the blogs, add your own feedback.

FUND RAISING - PHILANTHROPY CHALLENGES - BLOG
https://mcahalane.com/how-to-challenge-the-white-walkers-of-nonprofit-life/
This link points to article titled How to challenge the White Walkers of nonprofit life on the Hands on Fund Raising blog. It's one of many articles that point out challenges and that show non profits what they might do to overcome those challenges.  Take a look.

FUND THE PEOPLE: TALENT JUSTICE INITIATIVE
https://fundthepeople.org/
From the website: "We seek to maximize investment in the non profit workforce." This web site does a great job of defining the problem, symptoms and solutions to the inadequate ways nonprofit organizations are funded.  Take time to get to know what it offers.

GAPS BETWEEN NONPROFIT NEEDS AND DONOR PRACTICES
http://actrees.org/files/Research/geo_08dec.pdf
This 2008 report reveals major gaps between nonprofit needs and donor practices. Although both grantees and grantmakers claim to have the same top priorities -- more general operating support, more multi-year support and more supportive and respectful relationships with grantees -- many grantmakers have yet to adopt these practices. Amid gaps between good intentions and poor practices, the study, sponsored by Grantmakers for Effective Organizations, also reports hopeful news; many grantmakers are moving toward nonprofit-friendly practices, which they attribute, in part, to more staff and board members with prior nonprofit experience. 

GETTING FOUNDATIONS TO LOOK AT YOUR WORK
https://nonprofitquarterly.org/scaling-the-wall-getting-your-grant-proposal-heard/
This article, titled "Scaling the Wall: 5 Ways to Get Unsolicited Proposals Heard", points to a growing challenge of smaller social benefit organizations who are not  part of the "in circle" of grant makers. The solutions proposed are overwhelming challenges in themselves. 

IDEAS ON EFFECTIVE PHILANTHROPY, FROM CENTER FOR EFFECTIVE PHILANTHROPY
http://www.effectivephilanthropy.org/emerging-views-of-emergent-strategy/
As foundations and consultants write about how philanthropy can help solve complex problems, the articles from this site, and the links the articles point to, should be recommended reading.

INFORMATION FOR MISSION-DRIVEN ORGANIZATIONS. RE: CHARITY BLOG
https://recharity.ca/
The Re: Charity site is a collection of articles organized in four categories: raising, marketing, technology, nonprofit strategy. If you're a foundation and/or nonprofit organization leader this should be a valuable resource.

INVESTING IN NON-PROFIT TALENT - FUND THE PEOPLE TOOL KIT
https://www.haasjr.org/perspective/investing-in-nonprofit-talent
From the web site: "The Fund the People Toolkit is a rich new resource is full of information that will help funders, nonprofits and others maximize their investments in talent and leadership. For example, anyone in philanthropy who is trying to convince their board or colleagues of the value of “funding the people” would be well-served to read the toolkit section on the top reasons to invest in nonprofit talent."

IS STRATEGIC PHILANTHROPY YESTERDAY'S NEWS? - 2014 ARTICLE
https://nonprofitquarterly.org/strategic-philanthropy-so-yesterday/
As a CEO of a small non profit during the 1993-2011 period described in this article, the frustrations expressed by the fictional CEO are very real. One topic not included is the inconsistent flow of operating dollars that makes complex work even more difficult, and frustrating.  I recommend you add this article to your reading.

LISTENING POST PROJECT LEARNS CHALLENGES TO NPOS
http://ccss.jhu.edu/research-projects/listening-post/
From the web site:   "The Johns Hopkins Center for Civil Society Studies is a leading source of ground-breaking research and knowledge about the nonprofit sector, social investing, and the tools of government. Working in collaboration with governments, international organizations, investment innovators, and colleagues around the world, the Center encourages the use of this knowledge to strengthen and mobilize the capabilities and resources of the public, nonprofit, and for-profit sectors to address the complex problems that face the world today"

NANOE - TIME FOR A REFORMATION OF THE NONPROFIT INDUSTRY
https://nanoe.org/louis-fawcett-nanoe-reformation/
From the web site: "National Association of Nonprofit Organizations & Executives (NANOE) is a nationwide network of donors, volunteers and charitable leaders whose relentless commitment to significant and sustainable impact transforms the communities we serve. NANOE members are innovators who solve problems (not just service them) by deploying heroic missions of scale that confront social and environmental dilemmas so completely that money chases after their every need." This link points to article posted in 2018 to show new vision and direction for NANOE.

NEXT GENERATION OF COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION: A WORK IN PROGRESS
https://www.bridgespan.org/bridgespan/Images/articles/next-generation-community-revitalization/next-generation-community-revitalization_full-report.pdf
This report by The Bridgespan Group points to challenges that must be overcome for collective efforts to achieve long-term social impact: a) short term funding b) overstretched leaders; gaps in organization capacity c) uneven commitment to resident engagement (stakeholder involvement) d) unrealistic expectations about how much can be accomplished how soon e) limited access to knowledge f) silo-ed thinking as initiatives work separately from each other
These are challenges Tutor/Mentor Connection and Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC focus on.

NON PROFIT IPO - SELLING SHARES?
https://ssir.org/articles/entry/the_new_nonprofit_ipo
This SSIR shows how one non profit launched an IPO to generate revenue. It builds on the thinking launched by Dan Pallotta in his TED talk showing challenges of the Non Profit Sector. Worth following.

NON PROFIT STARVATION CYCLE - THE BRIDGESPAN GROUP
https://www.bridgespan.org/insights/library/pay-what-it-takes/the-nonprofit-starvation-cycle?Resource=
Without supporting the infrastructure of non profit organizations on a consistent basis, few will achieve the long-term impact and results expected of them.  Make this one of the topics you keep referring to as you discuss ways to solve social problems.

NONPROFIT SECTOR LEADERSHIP REPORT 2016 - PDF
https://concordleadershipgroup.com/report/2016-edition/
This report by The Concord Leadership Group identifies major challenges facing non profit sector.  Leadership is number one. 

OUTCOMES MEASUREMENT FOR NON PROFITS: WHO DOES ANALYSIS?
https://deborahelizabethfinn.wordpress.com/2012/11/27/outcomes-measurement-for-nonprofits-who-does-the-analysis/
Deborah Elizabeth Finn raises some important questions about outcomes measurement and analysis in this 2012 blog article/survey.

PHILANTHROPY - NEEDS RADICAL NEW HABITS
https://brightthemag.com/in-philanthropy-who-is-actually-broken-5de4375eeec9?gi=76b3498fe04d#.eubluwf8q
Article titled "In Philanthropy, Who Is Actually Broken?"  States: “Philanthropists need more than ‘big ideas’ about how their profession could and should change. They need radically new habits — or these ideas just become bold in theory.”.  Add this to your understanding of challenges facing non profit organizations.

RACE TO LEAD: FOCUSES ON RACIAL LEADERSHIP GAP IN NONPROFIT SECTOR
https://racetolead.org/
From the website: "The nonprofit sector has a racial leadership gap. Studies have tracked the small percentage of people of color in Executive Director / CEO roles for years. Efforts to support and train and inspire and mold aspiring leaders of color are important...but they are not enough to move the dial to more diverse leadership."  This is a project of the Building Movement Project. https://buildingmovement.org/

REDUCING TURNOVER OF CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER (CDO)
https://www.campbellcompany.com/news/bid/97632/New-Study-CDO-Confidential-What-CDOs-Want-You-To-Know-About-Retention
This 2013 study, titled "CDO Confidential: What CDOs Want You to Know about Retention" reveals that unrealistic expectations set by management have reduced the average Chief Development Officer (CDO) tenure to one to two years."  Read the full report and recommendations on the Campbell & Company web site. 

SHORTCOMINGS OF MODERN STRATEGIC PHILANTHROPY AND HOW TO OVERCOME THEM
https://www.ncrp.org/publication/responsive-philanthropy-summer-2015/shortcomings-of-modern-philanthropy
This is one of many articles on the web site of the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy which focus on challenges facing social benefit organizations focusing on complex social problems.

STRATEGIC PHILANTHROPY FOR COMPLEX WORLD
https://ssir.org/up_for_debate/article/strategic_philanthropy
This is one of an on-going set of articles on the Stanford Social Innovation Review intended to stimulate creative thinking about philanthropy, collective action, impact, etc. 

STRENGTHENING OUR SECTOR - 2014 REVIEW OF TWO INITIATIVES BY MAJOR FOUNDATION
https://hewlett.org/strengthening-our-sector/
In 2014 The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation posted this blog article showing how their analysis of two major grant making initiatives led to them continuing one and discontinuing the other. The one that was discontinued was the "Giving Marketplace" effort which aimed at helping donors make smart philanthropic decisions and at ensuring that the strongest, most effective nonprofits get the resources they need".   

Comment: Educating donors so they are more consistent, proactive and strategic in funding tutor/mentor programs in all high poverty areas of Chicago has been the goal of Tutor/Mentor Connection since 1993. The findings shown in this blog article indicate how difficult this is to do.

SUSTAINING EVIDENCE-BASED PREVENTION PROGRAMS: CORRELATES IN A LARGE-SCALE DISSEMINATION INITIATIVE.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23975240/
This 2015 research focuses on sustainability of youth tutor, mentor and learning programs, recognizing that without the ability to attract and retain talent and resources beyond start up funding, programs will have limited impact on youth.

THE FOUR PRINCIPLES OF PURPOSE-DRIVEN BOARD LEADERSHIP
https://ssir.org/articles/entry/the_four_principles_of_purpose_driven_board_leadership#
This SSIR article describes what purpose-driven boards might look like and what they might accomplish.  If you're leading a non profit or serving on a Board, or preparing for such a role, this is worth reading. 

THE FUTURE OF PHILANTHROPY - 2016 ARTICLE
https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/the-future-of-philanthropists/
Eight writers contribute to this 2016 article on the future of philanthropy.

THE NEW NORMAL: CAPACITY BUILDING DURING A TIME OF DISRUPTION- -2018 CHALLENGES TO SOCIAL SECTOR
https://www.openimpact.io/new-normal
From the web site: "How is the current economic and political environment impacting the capacity building needs of social-change leaders, nonprofits, networks, and movements? How are funders responding to these changing needs, and how can they better support this work going forward?  In our new report, “The New Normal: Capacity Building During a Time of Disruption,” we explore these questions and make recommendations for how philanthropy can better support social change during a time of upheaval.

THE PHILANTHROPIC COMPLEX - OPINION
https://jacobinmag.com/2012/04/the-philanthropic-complex
The writer of this article shares thinking about the relationships between non profits and philanthropy.

THE PRICE OF REAL CHANGE - PHILANTHROPY CHALLENGES
https://www.philanthropy.com/paid-content/the-bridgespan-group/the-price-of-real-change#tw3
This article begins by asking "In philanthropy, what does it really take to achieve the results that we and our communities seek? What can funders do to support and encourage organizations that will endure and adapt? "  Read more.

THE PROBLEM OF STRATEGIC PHILANTHROPY
https://nonprofitquarterly.org/the-problem-of-strategic-philanthropy/
The writer expresses a frustration that I share from my own experiences, and that I'm sure others leading volunteer-based youth serving programs understand.

THE QUIET CRISIS: IMPACT OF ECONOMY ON NPOS
https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED513451.pdf
From the report: "This 2009 report was written to shine a spotlight on the under-reported plight of America's nonprofit organizations and to make recommendations for how the nation can respond. In the wake of the economic downturn, hospitals, nursing homes, nursery schools, senior centers, soup kitchens, and other nonprofit organizations have been hit by a triple whammy. The evaporation of wealth has decimated charitable donations; the state and local budget crunch is costing nonprofits their foremost paying clients; and the human need for nonprofit help is skyrocketing as nonprofit resources shrink." The problem still exists. Read the report and its recommendations and share this with others.

TIME TO REBOOT GRANTMAKING - 2017 SSIR ARTICLE
https://ssir.org/articles/entry/time_to_reboot_grantmaking#tw11
This Stanford Social Innovation Review article addresses challenges facing many non-profit organizations and offers a funding pyramid and strategies that might help reduce these challenges. Add it to your reading list. 

TRANSFORMATIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING - 2020 SSIR ARTICLE
https://ssir.org/articles/entry/transformational_capacity_building
This article addresses the challenges facing grassroots non profit organizations serving communities of color, offering seven recommendations for transformative capacity building. 

TRANSFORMING THE ANTI-SOCIAL SECTOR - SSIR ARTICLE
https://ssir.org/articles/entry/transforming_our_anti_social_sector
This article shows challenges facing the social sector as they seek to solve complex problems. Add this to your understanding of the challenges social sector organizations face and work to help overcome these challenges.

UNDERDEVELOPED: A NATIONAL STUDY OF CHALLENGES FACING NONPROFIT FUNDRAISING
https://www.compasspoint.org/underdeveloped
From the web site:  "The newly released study (2013) UnderDeveloped: A National Study of Challenges Facing Nonprofit Fundraising reveals that many nonprofits are stuck in a vicious cycle that threatens their ability to raise the resources they need to succeed. A joint project of CompassPoint and the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund, the report found high levels of turnover and lengthy vacancies in development director positions throughout the sector. More significantly, the study reveals deeper issues that contribute to instability in the development director role, including a lack of basic fundraising systems and inadequate attention to fund development among key board and staff leaders."

WHAT SOCIAL SECTOR LEADERS NEED TO SUCCEED - MCKINSEY & CO.
https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/public-and-social-sector/our-insights/what-social-sector-leaders-need-to-succeed
This 2014 McKinsey & Co report illustrates challenges facing social sector organizations.

WINNERS TAKE ALL: THE ELITE CHARADE OF CHANGING THE WORLD - BOOK REVIEW
https://www.npr.org/2018/08/29/642688220/generous-giving-or-phony-philanthropy-a-critique-of-well-meaning-winners
This article is a NPR interview with Anand Giridharadas, author of a new book that is a critique of well-meaning philanthropy.