Networking For Nonprofits

How do you break in to the non-profit sector at entry-level? Here's how I made it happen and ended up working at one of my dream orgs, Amnesty International 👇 Get a mentor / Organise a virtual coffee ☕ When I first set my sights on the charity sector, I messaged every UK based social media manager I could find to ask for a quick chat. Making connections with people in the industry you want to break into is one of the most valuable ways to gain an insight into a career path. It doesn't matter if it doesn't turn into a long term mentorship - you will likely always learn something new. (Shout out Ellie Williams, Hannah Lattimer,Katrina Pitt, Vivienne Benson, Clarissa P. and so many others for making the time for me ❤) Volunteer Having the time to volunteer is a privilege many people don't have and that's important to recognize. If you do have time to spare, charity shops and organisations are always asking for help managing their social media - it's a great way to build experience on your CV, and can always lead to more job opportunities. Make sure to check the Jobs tab on LinkedIn - there are new roles every day! Take advantage of free courses Google, Hootsuite and LinkedIn have some great free courses as introductions to social media management - it's great to have the certificates to your name too. If you're interested in human rights specifically, Amnesty International has a fantastic certified human rights platform with hundreds of lessons on varying topics. Read 📚 There are so many amazing fiction and non-fiction books on international development. As well as being a great conversation piece for interviews, they will expand your way of thinking and offer new insights that can be invaluable in charity work. A personal favourite of mine is The Life You Can Save by Peter Singer, which talks about the philosophies of charity donations and the difference that can be made. A bonus tip is to get the book #ENTRYLEVELBOSS by Alexa Shoen - this book was so useful to me and has helped me in interviews time and again. It shares wisdom on CV's, personal branding, reaching out to employers and so much more. Colleagues in and around the international development sector - what advice would you offer to people trying to get into the industry?

For years, I completely misunderstood LinkedIn. It's easy to see it as a numbers game. More reach, more likes. The platform almost begs you to chase metrics with its like-o-meters and constant notifications. But we're all kind of bad at networking in any real sense. After 15 years of working with senior leaders, I've seen most of us stuck in our own echo chambers, meeting new people only when someone's selling something or a new colleague joins the company. Here's how I've reframed it: → The value of posting isn't about total followers - it's about attracting the few who are just meant for you → Valuable connections start with thoughtful comments on a post, evolve into curious DMs, and lead to agenda-free lunches exploring how our worlds might connect → One deep conversation beats a thousand superficial likes So I don't think it's about expanding the size of your network. It's about enriching it with perspectives you'd never find in your usual circles. Finding those brilliant minds who help you crack problems you've been stuck on for months. That's why I'll keep sharing insights here. Not for the numbers - that's not my game. But because it enables the kind of connections and conversations that actually matter. #ExecutionRevolution #Leadership #Networking #Strategy Henrik Jarleskog Christopher Bark Sofia Falk Oscar Stege Unger

Twenty years ago, I wrote Never Eat Alone, a book that changed how millions approach networking and relationships.  Two decades later meaningful connections are even more impactful. No individual, no matter how talented, can go it alone. The future belongs to teams that harness the collective power of relationships to innovate, adapt, and perform at the highest level. One of the most powerful ways to build this kind of team is The Intimacy Dinner. The Intimacy Dinner is a quarterly gathering, a focused session every three months, in a thoughtful setting. During the dinner, questions are asked such as: “What experience from your past shaped who you are today?” “What’s the biggest mistake you’ve made, and the lesson learned?” “What legacy do you want to leave personally and professionally?” Each person speaks for 2–3 minutes responding to these questions with no interruptions. This is followed by deep listening and reflection to ensure the group absorbs everything before moving on.  The insights shared stay within the team and inform future interactions. Why it works: - Builds psychological safety and trust. - Creates empathy and deep understanding. - Strengthens relationships that drive real-world impact. If you’re serious about building high-impact teams, start by bringing meaningful connections back to the table, literally. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ewa24HTK

When you sit at the table with world class educators, innovators, and policymakers, you learn something every single time. Being in rooms like this is never about proximity. It is about alignment. Mission alignment. Integrity alignment. Growth alignment. These moments sharpen my thinking and remind me why relationships matter more than access. Three practical ways to elevate your own network: 1. Add value first. Reach out with insight, not need. 2. Learn people’s work before you meet them. Preparation makes conversations memorable. 3. Follow up with clarity. A simple note that says “Here is what you said that stayed with me” builds long term trust. The right people will accelerate your growth when you show up with purpose and consistency. #Leadership #ExecutivePresence #NetworkingStrategies #ProfessionalGrowth #HighImpactLeadership #Innovation

Most people think networking is how you get ahead - NO. Strategic Project Leaders create value and leaders seek them out; hence, their network grows— that is why they rise. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐬, 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐨 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐮𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬. Executives and decision-makers are not impressed by flattery or forced small talk. They are moved by : ✔️clarity, ✔️ relevance, ✔️your ability to help them think differently or move faster toward a goal. This is where most professionals get it wrong: They network to be seen, instead of networking to be of service. When you shift your mindset from “How can this help me?” to “How can I create strategic value for this person or organisation?”—everything changes. 🪀Doors open. 🪀Conversations go deeper. 🪀Opportunities multiply. Strategic networking is not about volume—it is about intention. It is not only about visibility—it is about value to others. That is how I built relationships with leaders I once thought were out of reach. That is how you position yourself as someone worth aligning with. 👉Not just a professional. 👉Not just a contact. 👉A catalyst. Want to learn how to create value that builds networks like a Strategic Project Leader? Let’s talk. I will show you how I do it—and how you can too. #FolaElevates #StrategicLeadership #Networking #ProjectLeadership #StrategicElites #CareerAcceleration #ProjectIntelligence ----------------------- Adam Grant, a renowned organizational psychologist, also notes that successful networking is not about climbing the social ladder but creating meaningful, reciprocal relationships. This aligns with research from the Journal of Management Studies, which found that leaders with diverse networks are better positioned to identify and leverage new opportunities.

A common partnership snafu is that companies want partnership success, but don’t provide the resources to get there. I heard of a case where a whole marketing team quit, the partnerships team was given no marketing support, and they didn't yet have an integration with product -- and yet, the CEO expected the partnership strategy to deliver instant revenue. Wild. But not uncommon. Partnerships can't thrive in a vacuum. They need cross-functional support—marketing, product integration, sales enablement—all aligned to succeed. Before you set revenue targets for your partnerships, ask yourself: Do we have the resources to support them? If the answer is no, you have to help your leadership teams to reconsider their expectations. To help create the cross-functional support needed for partnerships to thrive, here are four strategies: 1. Involve Cross-Functional Leaders from the Very Beginning Bring key leaders from marketing, sales, and product into the partnership planning phase. Early involvement gives them a sense of ownership and ensures they understand how partnerships align with their own goals. Strategy: Schedule a kick-off meeting with stakeholders from each relevant department. Create a shared roadmap that outlines how partnerships will impact each team and their specific contributions. 2. Tie Partnership Success to Department KPIs To gain buy-in, tie partnership goals directly to the KPIs of each department. Aligning partnership outcomes with what each team is measured on ensures they have skin in the game. Strategy: During planning sessions, ask each department head how partnerships can contribute to their targets. Build specific KPIs for each function into the overall partnership strategy. 3. Create a Resource Exchange Agreement Formalize the support needed from each department with a resource exchange agreement. This sets clear expectations on what each function will contribute—whether it's a dedicated product team member for integrations or marketing resources for co-branded campaigns. It turns vague promises into commitments. Strategy: Draft a simple document that outlines the roles, responsibilities, and deliverables each team will provide, then get sign-off from department heads and the executive team. 4. Demonstrate Early Wins for Buy-In Quick wins go a long way toward securing ongoing resources. Identify a small pilot project with an internal team that shows immediate impact. Whether it's a small co-marketing campaign or a limited integration, these early successes build momentum and demonstrate the value of supporting partnerships. Strategy: Select one or two partners to run a pilot with, focused on delivering measurable outcomes like leads generated or product adoption. Use this success story to demonstrate value to other departments and secure further commitment. Partnership success requires cross-functional alignment. Because partnerships don’t happen in a silo.

How to build trust with your Supporters and access their Networks In the whirlwind of building a business, momentum is fueled by more than product launches or sales milestones it’s driven by people. These are the champions of your vision: early adopters, advisors, network connections, former colleagues, fellow alumni spread around the world. They’re the ones who can open doors, troubleshoot obstacles, or make a key introduction at the perfect moment, but only if they know what you’re working on. But how is this best achieved? This is a challenge we have all face but the answer is simple, write a regular, personal newsletter focused on highlighting your Progress, Challenges and those key Asks. The structure should be clear, consistent and brief. Here's what I suggest. 1. 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐦 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 This sets the tone and personalises this communication. This is no company newsletter. 2. 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐬 People want to share in your victories and feel your forward momentum. Pick the most exciting developments: 🎉 New clients or strategic partnerships 🚀 Feature launches or product improvements 📈 Growth milestones (revenue, user base, etc.) 🤝 Key hires or team expansions 3. 𝐋𝐚𝐲 𝐎𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 Senior professionals and investors value transparency. Share critical metrics to give a clear picture of where you stand. Being upfront about your key numbers builds credibility and helps everyone understand your trajectory. 4. 𝐎𝐰𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 No journey is without bumps. Candidly discuss what’s stalling and how you’re tackling it. Vulnerability doesn’t undercut your strength; it invites problem-solvers to lend their expertise. 5. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐬𝐤: 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬 This is where support takes shape. Remember your network wants to help. 🎯 Introductions to key decision-makers 👥 Referrals to identify new hires 📣 Invitation to feedback on product road map 6. 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 Keep your supporters aligned with your vision by sharing upcoming plans: 🛠️ Forthcoming features or releases 🌍 Scheduled events 💼 Fundraising goals or timelines 7. 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬 Include links which your supporters can share - Open positions - Press mentions or customer success stories - Your pitch deck (if relevant) These make it effortless for readers to take action or share your news. Whether you’re in Scotland or anywhere across the globe, community is the engine of progress. Regular (no more than monthly) updates turn that philosophy into action: they inform, inspire, and galvanize. The key is consistency, clarity and honesty in all your communication but remember this newsletter will hopefully be shared so don't include any confidential information. Let your supporters help you build.

Your brand lives in 9 words: “What parents say in their group chat.” That’s where your reputation is built, long before it ever hits social media. It’s not your website, your logo, or your tagline. It’s the screenshots, the side texts, and the “Did you see this?” messages that parents trade when you’re not in the room. Reputation is built privately, and then shared publicly. So if you want to grow your program, Stop designing for visibility and start designing for forwardability. Here’s how to do it this week: ✅ 1. Write a weekly “Copy & Paste” Parent Update. Keep it short, clear, and easy to forward. Format: - This week’s focus 🏃♀️ (what the team is learning) - One win 🎉 (a player, parent, or volunteer story) - One ask 🙋♂️ (fundraiser, sponsor, or event reminder) When parents can forward it with one tap, your reach multiplies. ✅ 2. Create 3 Shareable Images. Design quick, visual posts that make it effortless for parents to share: - Next game or tournament details 🗓️ - Scholarship fund update 💰 - Volunteer shout-out 🙌 Every share turns families into your marketing team. ✅ 3. Track the “Parent Share Rate.” Start small: count replies, screenshots, and forwards. It’s not about likes; it’s about conversations. If your updates are being shared, Your brand is growing in the places that matter most: family group chats. Programs that communicate clearly don’t just inform families They equip them to advocate. And advocacy beats advertising every time. The best directors don’t just manage their message. They make it easy for others to spread. — 🧠 Want real-world strategies for building sustainable, culture-driven programs? Subscribe to Grow the Game, your leadership playbook for youth sports: 👉 https://lnkd.in/gFwgbm3t

Something a little different today. LinkedIn isn’t just a platform for business growth—it’s a powerful space for non-profits, social enterprises, and purpose-driven leaders to expand their impact. ✅ Visibility for Your Mission – Your cause deserves attention. LinkedIn allows you to reach professionals, decision-makers, and potential donors who align with your vision. ✅ Stronger Partnerships – Collaboration is key. Whether it's connecting with corporate sponsors, engaging volunteers, or finding strategic partners, LinkedIn bridges the gap between sectors. ✅ Thought Leadership & Advocacy – Share your insights, success stories, and industry challenges to educate, inspire, and mobilize action within your community. ✅ Attracting Talent & Supporters – People want to work with and support organisations that make a difference. Showcasing your impact can help attract the right team members, board members, and champions for your cause. LinkedIn isn’t just a networking tool—it’s a megaphone for social good. If you’re leading a non-profit or advocating for change, this is your platform to grow, influence, and create lasting impact. Want to see some perfect real-life examples? Check out Masami Sato & Paul Dunn, co-founders of B1G1. Here's my Ninja Tip. Don’t use LinkedIn to ask for donations - build relationships and inspire people to want to join your cause. Just like Masami and Paul.

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐖𝐞 𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲, 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐁𝐞 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 Yes, I did this in the past and seen some wonderful magic 𝐌𝐚𝐩 𝐎𝐮𝐭 𝐌𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐨𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲: Start by clarifying mutual goals and outlining specific benefits for both parties. This ensures you’re both aligned and can avoid potential misunderstandings down the line. “𝐆𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭” 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲: Offer your skills, resources, or insights before asking for something in return. Showing your value upfront builds trust and demonstrates the tangible benefits you bring to the partnership. 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐓𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲: Keep an open line of communication on expectations, deliverables, and limitations. Clear, consistent updates reduce misunderstandings and strengthen the trust that underpins any strong partnership. “𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭”: Designate one representative from each side who’s responsible for coordinating tasks, timelines, and any adjustments. This avoids communication bottlenecks and ensures responsibilities are clearly understood. 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐦: Start with achievable, short-term projects or goals that benefit both sides. Early success helps reinforce the partnership and builds enthusiasm for tackling more ambitious projects together. 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐭: Partnerships can evolve, so schedule regular check-ins to discuss performance, review KPIs, and make necessary adjustments. Staying agile ensures the relationship remains beneficial as conditions change. 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬: Highlighting each other’s contributions fosters goodwill and motivates continued collaboration. Share milestones on social media or in a joint press release to enhance visibility and mutual recognition. Running a business with limited capital can feel like an uphill battle, but financial constraints don't mean you're out of the game. #StrategicPartnerships #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #ResourceSharing #MarketExpansion #Credibility #SmallBusiness