Nonprofit Adviser

Maximilian Franz

One in four Americans has a disability. Yet few nonprofits are ensuring that their organizations are welcoming to everyone, including those with disabilities.

Maryland Philanthropy Network offers a model for how to meet this goal. Over the past two years, the organization has worked to put people with disabilities at the fore. The network signed the Disability Inclusion Pledge last year, a commitment by more than 40 foundations, nonprofits, and groups that serve philanthropies to reshape programs, policies, and practices to better include disabled people. MPN is also starting work on a strategic plan that will make disability a core element of its diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts with its members.

But first it focused on reimagining its own operations — including its office space, communications, events, and programs. Chronicle senior writer Drew Lindsay spoke with officials at MPN, who shared some tips and lessons to help other nonprofits follow their lead.

For example, consider ADA requirements as the minimum, says Charlotte Haase, the organization’s communications and data manager. MPN followed principles of universal design, aiming to create a space accessible and enjoyable for the widest range of people possible. “How do we get to universal design as the standard rather than a paid add-on?” Haase asks. “Why do you have to pay extra to be thoughtful to all humans?”

Get more on how to become an inclusive organization in Drew’s story Putting People With Disabilities Front of Mind, a Small Organization Revamps Operations. And explore our other advice articles and tools for nonprofit professionals while you’re on our site.

Have a good week,
Lisa Schohl
Senior Editor, Professional Development

P.S. Sign up and join us on Wednesday for a free briefing featuring experts on financial and strategic planning. See below for more details.

Tip of the Week

To boost individual giving, use social media to broaden your reach. Develop a peer-to-peer campaign, says Christal Cherry, head of the Board Pro, a consulting firm that helps nonprofits build strong boards. Ask people who are close to your organization, such as trustees, volunteers, or alumni, to help share it. Develop messages and materials people will want to share with their networks, she says, like a compelling video, infographic, or story.

Make your stories short, succinct, and emotional, Cherry says — and provide hope. “Individuals want to solve problems right now,” she says, so show how your group can do that.

Get more guidance in How to Jump-Start Individual Giving. And find nearly 1,250 how-to articles and tools in our advice section.

New Grant Opportunities

Your Chronicle subscription includes free access to GrantStation‘s database of grant opportunities.

Park equity. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation supports community-based organizations in urban, low-income communities of color to increase park equity through local policy and systems change, with a focus on midsize cities with a population of fewer than 500,000 people. Community-based organizations are strongly encouraged to apply, especially those led by people of color working to build community power citywide, countywide, or districtwide. The focus is on policy and systems change, not planning, building, or operating individual, on-the-ground projects. The foundation expects to award about 14 two-year grants of up to $250,000 a year. The deadline for letters of intent is November 4. Full proposals are due February 8.

Internet access. The Department of Commerce supports the expansion of broadband internet access, connectivity, and digital inclusion. Examples of supported activities include the purchase of broadband internet access service or any eligible equipment or to hire and train information technology personnel; to facilitate educational instruction and learning, including through remote instruction; to operate a minority business enterprise; or to operate a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. The application deadline is December 1.