Posted on Friday, 4th December 2009 by chris wignall

We have a hard time getting our minds around relative poverty and wealth. Here’s one helpful idea. Dutch economist Jan Pen imagined a parade in which all of humanity walks past in order of wealth, from least wealthy to most. The parade lasts one hour and people’s heights are also determined by their wealth. (I [...]

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Posted on Monday, 9th November 2009 by chris wignall

It may be the economic issues, poor strategy, or just circumstance; but there are a lot of charities struggling to overcome revenue gaps these days. Over and over again I hear people describing the current fundraising climate as unprecedented. What none of us seem certain on is whether we’re in a period of chaos that [...]

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Posted on Thursday, 15th October 2009 by chris wignall

Paul Polak, founder of one of our partners International Development Enterprises, is currently profiled in The Atlantic magazine as one of the 27 significant people who “who commit acts of moral and intellectual bravery by espousing unpopular or controversial positions.” His listing appears immediately below that of Barack Obama in the front page of the [...]

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Posted on Wednesday, 7th October 2009 by chris wignall

Once a year, at a conference for foundation leaders, I get to have breakfast with Fred Smith Jr. He is one of the clearest thinkers, most generous mentors, and best connected leaders I’ve been spoiled to connect with. Breakfast with Fred is a highlight for me every spring. Breakfast with Fred is also the name [...]

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Posted on Thursday, 10th September 2009 by chris wignall

A few brief thoughts on the opportunities and challenges of social media: -I can learn more from a good blog then I can from most books -I love facebook, but can’t get excited about twitter; yet -These are the perfect vehicles for building Tribes -Your nonprofit should have someone assigned to blog at least weekly [...]

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Posted on Thursday, 10th September 2009 by chris wignall

Next month I will be participating in the Why Everything Must change conference in Oakville, ON. It promises to be an excellent gathering of some of the most intriguing people involved in global matters of justice and spirituality. I’ll have the chance to be among an inspiring gathering and also lead a post-conference session on [...]

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Posted on Tuesday, 25th August 2009 by chris wignall

I try to readd at least one book each year that takes me into a field where I really know very little so I can stretch my brain. Sometimes it works well (reading the Quantum Zoo a couple years ago introduced me to advanced physics in a fascinating way), sometimes not so much. This summer [...]

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Posted on Friday, 21st August 2009 by chris wignall

The global humanitarian crises are desperate and sadly appear all too permanent. Statistics and stories from boooks like Billion Bootstraps, Out of Poverty, and Dead Aid reveal the lasting ineffectiveness of the billions we’ve poured into the developing world for decades. There has to be a better way. At the recent Willow Creek Leadership Summit [...]

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Posted on Tuesday, 14th July 2009 by chris wignall

As my exposure and experience in diverse non-profit organizations grows I find my self increasingly convinced of the enormous potential of an effective board. I am also increasingly frustrated by how few effective board there are and how little understanding I see of how to improve. Cathie Leimbach of Strive writes an article that neatly [...]

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Posted on Friday, 12th June 2009 by chris wignall

I am just finished a term on the board of one organization and discussing seriously the possibility of joining another. In the past year I have become convinced that strong pairings of effective boards and lead staff are surprisingly rare and extremely powerful. At Catalyst we want to support organizations that are attempting to make [...]

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