City of Light Consulting

04/09/2021

Here’s what I’ve learned while helping nonprofits, artists, and social entrepreneurs become their best, most resilient selves: There’s no one path. There’s no single course to a healthy and thriving effort. Your course will be unique to the people who are passionate about your mission. It will be individual to you. But there is wisdom to be had in talking to someone who has seen what healthy can look like, and the struggles to get there.

Here’s what I’ve learned while helping nonprofits, artists, and social entrepreneurs become their best, most resilient selves: There’s no one path. There’s no single course to a healthy and thriving effort. Your course will be unique to the people who are passionate about your mission. It will be individual to you. But there is wisdom to be had in talking to someone who has seen what healthy can look like, and the struggles to get there.

01/14/2021

Sometimes being a good leader means resting or getting support from a friend.

Sometimes being a good leader means resting or getting support from a friend.

01/07/2021

As a (reluctant) business owner, I’ve met so many other entrepreneurs over the years who do amazing things. But I couldn’t be prouder of the founder of Ascend Development. Maybe because I’m marrying him? Either way, his skills in project management and proposal design are unmatched, and I love watching the way he shows up for his clients every day. He’a my favorite collaborator.

01/06/2021

Nonprofit helps feed undocumented families in need during the pandemic

Our government systems need to get better at taking care of people who fall outside the box, but while we wait, there are amazing orgs like these! Way to go No us without you!

Many undocumented workers don't qualify for COVID-19 relief. The nonprofit No Us Without You is helping those families in need.

12/26/2020

AARP

We love stories of people changing the world using their unique skills!

11/18/2020

A toy company makes an action figure of you. What two accessories does it come with?

10/23/2020

Oh coffee shop work days! I missed you so!

10/11/2020

100% agreed!

Today in Mighty Girl history, Eleanor Roosevelt, prominent diplomat, author, civil rights activist and the longest serving First Lady in US history, was born in 1884. One of the most respected and beloved women of the twentieth century, Roosevelt also co-founded Freedom House in the 1940s and founded the UN Association of the US in 1943 to advance support for the UN’s formation.

In 1945, she was appointed to serve as a US delegate to the UN and chaired the committee that drafted and approved the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It’s especially fitting that the International Day of the Girl falls on Roosevelt’s birthday as she was involved in women’s issues throughout her life. Until her death in 1962, she chaired the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women, the Kennedy Administration's groundbreaking committee whose report on the status of American women is credited with helping ignite the start of second-wave feminism.

For more insight from Eleanor Roosevelt on personal philosophy, we highly recommend her excellent book, "You Learn by Living: Eleven Keys for a More Fulfilling Life" at http://amzn.to/1AwLikW

To introduce your children to this prominent author, speaker, civil rights activist and the longest serving First Lady in US history, visit our "Eleanor Roosevelt Collection" for books, films, a poster, a puppet and more at http://www.amightygirl.com/character-collection/historical-characters-1/eleanor-roosevelt

Among the books featured for young readers are "Amelia and Eleanor Go For A Ride," (http://www.amightygirl.com/amelia-and-eleanor-go-for-a-ride) about Roosevelt's friendship with Amelia Earhart and "Eleanor, Quiet No More" (http://www.amightygirl.com/eleanor-quiet-no-more) -- both for readers 5 and up.

She is also featured as one of 26 women in the highly recommended children's book “Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women Who Changed The World” for ages 7 to 12 (http://www.amightygirl.com/amelia-to-zora)

For readers 8 and up, there's the excellent Newbery Honor book "Eleanor Roosevelt: A Life of Discovery" (http://www.amightygirl.com/eleanor-roosevelt-a-life-of-discovery), the easy to read "Who Was Eleanor Roosevelt?" (http://www.amightygirl.com/who-was-eleanor-roosevelt), and the stunning scrapbook biography "Our Eleanor: A Scrapbook Look at Eleanor Roosevelt's Remarkable Life" (http://www.amightygirl.com/our-eleanor-a-scrapbook).

Thanks to Facing History and Ourselves for sharing this quote!

10/08/2020

How Nonprofits Can Stop Trump’s Effort to Roll Back Diversity Training - Non Profit News | Nonprofit Quarterly

Nonprofit leaders have an opportunity to stand up for racial justice.

A recent executive order bans federal trainings involving critical race theory. Nonprofits must join forces to oppose this.

09/23/2020

What It Means When Kamala Wears Chucks — City of Light Consulting

When Kamala shows up in her Chuck Taylors-- Chucks that match mine perfectly!-- she’s doing something important.

It’s an act of feminism to demand to be seen as a skilled professional, with experience and good judgement, sneakers or otherwise.

08/26/2020

Kittens as administrative assistant. Not very effective.

07/13/2020

Nonprofits rely on donations for their support, so times like these can be particularly scary. There's good news to be had!

https://www.fidelitycharitable.org/insights/how-covid-19-is-shifting-donor-giving.html

05/25/2020

Something to think about as you are making Memorial Day plans! Stay safe and healthy out there!

04/02/2020

The teams behind City of Light and Ascend Development are here to remind you of a critical blood shortage. ConnectLife usually does blood draws at schools, workplaces, and other venues now closed. You can make an appointment to go in and donate, and they are observing social distancing to keep you safe. Don’t go in if you don’t feel well, but please consider giving.

03/31/2020

General Electric Workers Launch Protest, Demand to Make Ventilators

We love organized labor!

GE workers who normally make jet engines say their facilities are sitting idle while the country faces a dire ventilator shortage.

03/31/2020

We Work Remotely | Science Says You Have to Stop Taking Breaks Wrong to Be More Productive

As long time remote workers, we heartily agree! Take breaks that matter and your work will absolutely benefit!

Not all breaks at work are created equal. And if you're not taking any during your remote workday, you're probably also terrible at your job.

03/30/2020

10 archaic and harmful funding practices we can no longer put up with

Hey funders. We're looking at you!

[Image description: A ring-tailed lemur, staring directly at the camera, looking very annoyed. Normally, these pictures have little to do with the content of the post, but in this case, this is how…

03/29/2020

Felt relevant.

03/23/2020

City of Light Consulting

This is an extremely challenging time for nonprofit organizations. As giving patterns change and grantors shift priorities, as we figure out ways to serve our clients remotely, please consider City of Light Consulting your ally. During this uncertain time, we are offering executive coaching services for free to five organizations per month. We will also offer web trainings on remote work and client service to three organizations each month. We exist to support you as you serve others, through thick and thin.

www.cityoflightconsulting.com

City of Light Consulting provides services like strategic planning, development planning, grant writing, proposal writing, public relations and marketing.

03/20/2020

Now Is the Time for Philanthropy to Give More, Not Less (Opinion)

"There is a real risk that philanthropy will be tempted to cut back on its investments and grant making. After the 2008 market collapse, for example, philanthropic gifts dropped by more than 15 percent. This left $30 billion sitting in private coffers instead of being used to further the public good.

Our tendency in philanthropy has been to continue making the minimum legally required payout instead of thinking first about maximum impact to prevent long-term societal damage."

Increased funding must focus squarely on promoting social justice — and provide immediate support to those who have been most negatively (and disproportionately) harmed by the public-health crisis.

03/16/2020

Stay safe. Keep your neighbors safe.

03/10/2020

It was such an honor to host the strategic planning retreat for CreativeMornings/Buffalo! Thank you for the awesome pictures, Beth Insalaco and for the incredible event planning dedication of Live Inspired Event Management.

03/09/2020

Yes!

Via RH Reality Check

-B

03/08/2020

Someone is using cat stickers to cover racism in Manchester

Making meaningful change in your community can take a few different shapes!

Brilliant.

02/16/2020

How are you doing as Monday approaches?

02/13/2020

Agreed.

Be kind, always.

Even a smile of the eyes or a small gesture can make a difference in the moment/day/life of another person, big or small.

Xoxo

02/13/2020

It has been a year grammar nerds...so this battle must be resurrected.

Nerdy grammar battle begins now! Which piece of punctuation fills your heart with song?

02/13/2020

Goose Saves Stray Puppy From Freezing Weather By Warming Him Under Its Wings

It has been one heck of a week, eh? Here’s a shot of oxytocin for your weary heart.

http://www.amazingcatstories.info/rescue/goose-saves-stray-puppy-from-freezing-weather-by-warming-him-under-its-wings-255.html

Empathy is a human trait that makes us understand the pain others feel, motivating us to care for others. However, despite our ability to empathize, people too many times just close their eyes and choose not to help. Animals can feel empathy just like humans do. They empathize with each other, but a...

02/11/2020

People say that if you do what you love you’ll never work a day in your life. I disagree. Sometimes the work I do is arduous, taxing, and maybe even downright exhausting. It’s a lie that doing something you love will always bring you nonstop joy. Sometimes it’s scary! But the truth is it’s scary because of how much I care and how much it matters. Stay the course, even when it’s hard. Make your impact. It’s worth it.

#staythecourse #dowhatyoulove #selfcare #changemakers #nonprofit #founders #loveyourwork #nevergiveup #entreprenuer

01/28/2020

If your mom is a doctor or a construction worker, it’s easier to play pretend, I guess. When your mom is a strategic planner and an organizational development consultant, you figure it out. Eleanor taped these “solutions” to the wall “like her mama.” My heart soared. -Nikki

#organizationaldevelopment #strategicplanning #nonprofitleadership #organizationalleadership

01/22/2020

So what kind thing is on your agenda this week?

Thanks @mellow.doodles!

#selfcare #selfkindness #selfcareforchangemakers #nonprofitlife #nonprofits

01/16/2020

Call to Artists - Entertainment District Project

Ok Buffalo’s art community! Let’s do this!

The City of Buffalo has issued a 'call to artists' to submit a proposal for a new "photo-worthy destination point" in Downtown Buffalo. With selfies on the rise, it's certainly time to create some works of art that are considered public attractions. The area in question for this work of art is the D

01/15/2020

Why Aesha Ash is Wandering Around Inner City Rochester in a Tutu

Representation matters. Thank you, Aesha!

Growing up in inner city Rochester, NY, Aesha Ash was just one of the neighborhood kids. She'd imagine people driving by, judging her by her black skin.

12/12/2019

90-year-old Florida man arrested for second time in a week after feeding the homeless again

He's our hero.

When 90-year-old Florida resident Arnold Abbott said following his arrest on Sunday that police couldn’t stop him from feeding the homeless, he apparently meant it.

11/01/2019

Hotel Henry to hold "Halloween Re-do" for trick-or-treaters

Were your kids soaked to the bone yesterday? Well, Hotel Henry is hoping to rescue them from half-filled plastic pumpkins! We're in.

Hotel Henry in Buffalo will be hosting a Halloween do-over for all the little ghouls and goblins who were washed out by Thursday night's rainy, windy weather.