Yesterday was a special day

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👋🏾 Hey! I’m Sid and this is The Philanthropy Futurist, a weekly advice column preparing you for the future of the nonprofit sector. Each Friday, I tackle reader questions about measuring impact, driving growth, and managing your nonprofit.

This Week’s Newsletter at a glance:

• Yesterday was a special day

• Philanthropy News From This Week

• Sid’s Book Recommendation

Yesterday was a special day…

Yesterday was World Environment Day, a small reminder that our planet needs us and it always will.

This special day was established by the United Nations in 1972 and first celebrated on June 5, 1973. Since then it’s become a powerful annual moment to spotlight environmental action. But if we want real change, we can’t afford to treat it as a one-day thing.

As Nonprofit leaders, we’re in a unique position to model and multiply impact each/every day. The environment touches all of us in some way, shape, or form. The air we breathe, the water we drink, and the spaces we gather in— these are not side issues. They are shared responsibilities.

So… how do we carry the spirit of World Environment Day all year long?

We start small, and we stay consistent.

Consider partnering with local organizations that focus on sustainability, and see how you can maybe collaborate. Think twice about how you recycle materials. For your next event, choose a venue that prioritizes energy efficiency and waste reduction. Even if climate justice isn’t at the core of your mission, create space for meaningful conversations about it. These daily decisions… stacked up over time… can create lasting change for the good or the not-so-good, but the decision is yours.

Each of us can play a part in what our future world looks like.

Environmental action doesn’t have to be siloed…

It can be baked into the culture of how we show up, serve, and lead. The urgency is real— but so is the opportunity to act.

Let’s not wait for another June 5 to recommit. The work begins today, and every day after.

See y’all next week! ✌🏾

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Philanthropy News From This Week

• Podcast: The Power of 4 Generations Working Together

• NCN: Major Tax Package Heads to the Senate

• Tech Adoption Boosts Fundraising For Social Impact Groups, Study Finds

• MrBeast Aims To Raise Millions For His Charity By Offering A Weekend Experience

Sid’s Book Recommendation

Each week, I recommend a book or film that has impacted my life in a positive way. My recommendation this week is:

The Climate Book by Greta Thunberg

This book is a comprehensive exploration of the climate crisis. It features insights from Greta and more than 100 experts in science, economics, philosophy, and activism. This book is organized into 5 sections, it begins by explaining the science behind climate change— how it works, how it’s transforming our planet, how it impacts people/ecosystems, what actions have been taken so far, and what must happen next. Learn more.

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