Another story on how a state budget impasse hurts non-profits and their clients most:  https://nonprofitquarterly.org/2015/08/05/united-way-illinois-budget-standoff-harming-nonprofits-and-community/?utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=21086715&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8ohzY12uHZLkf05RBGFvIby05YSKnHE-OKIjcl0bLklgBIJ0UTEv3Zib60hctXWJwjCJulu0RwrolHHsf0jVB9xlH50lJ4rmgKuAQz8obt0HZM1oI&_hsmi=21086715

Two contrasting reads for non-profit advocates—the first on how to maximize the power of social media, the second on its limitations and how to overcome them: http://www.mrss.com/lab/social-media-calisthenics/?utm_source=newpost&utm_medium=emaildigest&utm_campaign=Lab http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=c87567fd5e29a27672b8bdea0&id=1db4e1c30d&e=a65529f911

Giving circles—like this Asian-American one here in Los Angeles—build community engagement while supporting charities: ...

Sometimes public-private partnerships don’t sit very well with local communities—my Nonprofit Quarterly newswire today:...

Two great non-profit advocacy tools to consider: http://www.nptechforgood.com/2015/06/14/10-blog-content-ideas-for-nonprofits/ http://www.biztechmagazine.com/article/2015/07/nonprofit-text-messaging-campaigns-work

Environmental organizations endorse the 2016 transit tax; my Nonprofit Quarterly newswire today: https://nonprofitquarterly.org/2015/08/03/17-environmental-nonprofits-endorse-transit-tax-in-los-angeles/?utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=21019662&_hsenc=p2ANqtz–eYqDfv9jMi-kZ5k5zeZ3SYyfBOBR6CY0IWMCUsQFGXuev3wjiZCt1V3OCkMePAYWlktTMynUUaQ363Ec-7htHCqqzsqAIfQ9qrl3ZbzfTJOpnBQU&_hsmi=21019662

The goal of every nonprofit is to eventually put itself out of business by solving the problem it was created to tackle: http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/freedom-to-marry-is-going-out-of-business-and-everybodys-thrilled/2015/07/30/5ca89b5c-322b-11e5-8f36-18d1d501920d_story.html?hpid=z13

Here’s why your nonprofit must engage elected officials and government bureaucrats—the budget impasse in PA is forcing many agencies in that state to take out loans to keep their doors open; that busts their budgets:...

What’s the difference between a social change movement and an advocacy organization?  This think piece offers some valuable insights:  http://www.ssireview.org/blog/entry/building_movements_not_organizations?utm_source=Enews&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=SSIR_Now&utm_content=Read_More

Sometimes local government needs to step in when a non-profit fails to live up to its mission—an example from TX:  http://www.valleymorningstar.com/news/local_news/article_d63b6ca6-366d-11e5-bd03-5f2f8fd21f10.html

Non-profits should avoid getting mixed up with corrupt politicians::  https://nonprofitquarterly.org/2015/07/30/29-count-indictment-of-rep-chaka-fattah-shows-extensive-misuse-of-nonprofits/?utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=20956146&_hsenc=p2ANqtz–_cHUu7ZfGkqjZClo3NwaEd60CqdTrEsEnAb5Qpu9t6s5GqdNKKL9QypLolroVkQmyLRxhVVGphiBncksyeMKyHj4-geHBHJBbP-G9llTPepCCkws&_hsmi=20956146

Some background on the Hewlett Foundation’s new initiative focused on US democracy reform: http://us5.campaign-archive1.com/?u=86ea69664802a0541ae4385f8&id=b2d65bca57&e=c43990c969