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Hit reply and say hello if you have a minute!
What's a generalist got to do to get some love around here?
Almost anyone who in and around nonprofits and tells you they're an expert in digital marketing or fundraising or storytelling or SEO is probably someone who plays fast and loose with the word expert.
That's not a judgment of their character or quality of work. It's just that those of us who thrive in this sector for more than a year or two tend to be undiagnosed generalists. Not experts.
But people want to hire for immediate impact and proven results so we're trained to become experts in something or other.
But the irony is that we're tasked with big human, cultural, and social problems every day. We need to process, analyze, summarize, synthesize, and soothe over and over and over again. And quickly. We may need to go through a fundraising report, then a ream of ad concepts, and then audience survey questions, and then get on a conference call with legislators and donors.
I had a conversation the other day with someone who's an early(ish) career nonprofit marketing leader. Brilliant and personable. Kind and full of ideas. But kind of stuck in neutral because there's no upward career path in the organization.
This is so so common. And nonprofits lose so many great people to corporate jobs as a result.
But as we talked it became clearer that the issue was about finding a role with "Senior" in front of "marketing." It was about falling back in love with work by getting to own new and interesting projects that pulled on their way of working and thinking. Eventually they used the word generalist. I didn't even have to supply it (though I could have).
Too many organizations and managers define our org structures and roles and skills into silos and look for silo-specific expertise. This smothers many brilliant people who have have real creative and innovative value to teams. And it reinforces the boundaries that separate and slow down communications, programs, fundraising and other teams.
So go hug a generalist. They're worth more than gold. Even in this economy.
Got a question that needs an answer? A second opinion? A fresh set of human eyes?
"What's this all about?" you ask. I'm testing something out with Future Community members. Maybe it's a fit for you. Find out more.
Bright Ideas
Something beautiful is happening with old YouTube videos by Jessica Furseth for New_ Public. I suspect it has something to do with providing space for shared grief and joy. Perhaps that's a guidepost for engaging and memorable digital content.
In More than ever, videos expose the truth. And cloud it, too. by Charles Homans of The New York Times, Sam Gregory at WITNESS points out that it takes just one bad AI video to cast doubt over every bit of evidence in a real-time video. This tracks with the content strategy of the content strategy of the Trump administration and other propaganda-centered leaders (e.g. Putin/Russia). The value isn't in saying something true. It's in putting a thing out there. The more "stuff" the more noise and the less room there is for any one idea. This is why one-to-one and in-person engagement matters more than ever. Your idea will stick longer when the messenger is known and trusted.
ChatGPT Has 12% of Google’s Search Volume but Google Sends 190x More Traffic to Websites via ahrefs. The author adds that, by his calculations, ChatGPT has a 96% lower CTR than Google.
Ok...this color matching game is a fun and maddening distraction. May the odds be ever in your favor.
More trainings and support opportunities:
- Intertidal is taking applications for its free Ocean Data Stewardship training. February 27 deadline. I think this would be fun and useful for the right folks.
- The Climate Science Serving America Fellowship run by Project Drawdown is open to outstanding early- and mid-career scientists and engineers focused on climate solutions. Phase 1 deadline is April 17.
Future Community Jobs
Be sure to check out the full job list here.
Audience, content, journalism and news roles
- Environment Reporter : The Maine Monitor [Remote in Maine] ⏱️ March 1
- Audience Writer : ProPublica [New York or Remote in the US]
- Audience Engagement Specialist : Chicago Public Media [Chicago, IL]
- California Energy, Environment and Climate Editor : POLITICO [Sacramento, CA]
- Managing Editor : City Cast DC [Washington, DC] ⏱️ February 19
- Multiple editorial, reporting, fundraising, and product roles : The Baltimore Banner [Baltimore and/or Maryland]
- Staff Writer, Immigration : The Marshall Project [Remote in the US]
Communications
- Senior Digital Support Strategist : ACLU [New York]
- Senior Lead, Digital Communications : Pivotal Ventures [Kirkland, WA]
- Narrative Director : United We Dream [Remote in the US]
- Director, Creative and Digital Communications : Amnesty International USA [Remote in the US / Washington, DC or New York City preferred]
- Senior Director of Communications : Michelson Philanthropies [Los Angeles]
- Marketing & Communications Manager : National Park Trust [Rockville, MD] ⏱️ March 13
- Communications Specialist : For The People [Oakland, California]
- Communications Director : Invest in Our Future [Washington, DC or Remote]
- Director of Strategic Communications : Pulitzer Center [Remote in the US]
- Director of Marketing and Communications : American Alpine Club [Golden, CO preferred / Remote] ⏱️ February 18
Nonprofit organizations
- Vice President, Regional Programs : American Rivers [Remote in the US] ⏱️ March 20
- Director of Research and Data : New Roots Institute [Remote in the US]
- Organizing Coordinator : Union of Concerned Scientists [Remote in the US]
- Director, Creative and Digital Communications : Amnesty International USA [Remote in the US / Washington, DC or New York City preferred]
- Programs Director : Na’ah Illahee Fund [Seattle]
- VP for Advocacy and Strategic Partnerships : Democracy Revival Center [Remote in the US] ⏱️ February 20
- Research Director : Democracy Revival Center [Remote in the US] ⏱️ February 25
- Climate Change and Conservation Associate : Friends of the Boundary Waters [St. Paul, MN] ⏱️ March 4
- Digital Content Manager : Ocean Conservancy [Remote in AK, CA, DC, FL, MD, OR, TX, VA, WA, WV]
- Platform Campaign Senior Manager : MoveOn [Remote in the US] ⏱️ February 20
- Membership Coordinator : Local Progress Impact Lab [Remote in the US]
- Chief Program Officer : The Center for International Environmental Law [Remote in the US; Washington DC; or Geneva Switzerland]
- Policy Director : Vital City [New York City] ⏱️ March 19
- Digital Director : NextGen America [Remote in the US]
- Director, Narrative and Culture : National Immigration Law Center [Los Angeles or Washington DC preferred / Remote considered]
- Utah State Director : The Wilderness Society [Salt Lake City preferred / Remote in Utah] ⏱️ March 8
- Northeast/Mid-Atlantic Regional Director : Evergreen Action [Remote in the Northeast or Mid-Atlantic, US] ⏱️ March 6
- Vice-President, Policy : Evergreen Action [Remote in the US] ⏱️ March 9
- Climate Program Manager : The Nature Conservancy [Providence, RI]
- Climate Director : Private Equity Stakeholder Project [Remote in the US] ⏱️ March 6
- Executive Director : River Network [Remote in the US]
- Program and Operations Coordinator : Ridges to Riffles [Remote in the US]
- Senior Policy Manager, Anti-Corruption and Accountability : Common Cause [Remote in the US]
Fundraising and Development
- Specialist, Monthly Giving : Amnesty International USA [Remote in the US]
- Development Director : Na’ah Illahee Fund [Seattle]
- Director of Development : United We Dream [Remote in the US]
- Membership Operations Manager : The Wilderness Society [Washington, DC] ⏱️ March 1
- Digital Fundraising Manager and Digital Fundraising Coordinator (two roles) : WETA [Arlington, VA]
- Director of Development and Communications : Friends of the National Arboretum [Washington, DC]
Foundations and Philanthropy
- Director of Institutional Giving : Treehouse Foundation [Remote in Massachusetts or Northeast US]
- Program Assistant : The Moxie Fund [Remote in the US]
- Senior Philanthropy + Communications Officer: The Collaborative for Gender + Reproductive Equity [New York City / Washington, DC / West Coast US] ⏱️ March 13
- Builders Network Director : Invest in Our Future [Washington, DC or Remote in the US]
Agencies, data, politics, products & more
- Director, Organizational Data Analytics : Amnesty International USA [Remote in the US]
- Senior Strategy Director and Media Manager : Marketing for Change [Alexandria, VA or Orlando, FL]
- Senior / Lead Engineer : Open Supply Hub [Remote in the US] ⏱️ March 5
- Senior Advisor, Technology & Innovation : The New York City Mayor’s Office [New York City]
- Director / Senior Director of Content Strategy : Magnitude Media [Remote]
- Managing Consultant : Taproot [Remote in the US] ⏱️ February 23
Hey. Ted here. I run Bright+3 where we give changemakers the ideas, inspiration, and tools to create content that builds stronger communities.
I also write this newsletter, Future Community, and run the Future Community Jobs list. I'm so so glad you're here. And I'm even more thankful that you're doing amazing work to lift up community and support one another.