[BE4SI] NGO Leadership Update - Issue #4
Our monthly update on civil society, philanthropy, NGO leadership/management, and fundraising
Howdy, Ahoj, Čau, Cześć, Hallo BE4SI readers
Early September brings subtle shifts that catch your attention if you look closely. Fair weather on the first day supposedly signals a fair month. Any small change can lead to big storms later, as per whatever part of the larger rhythm you pick up on.
This time also carries a full Corn Moon, coming soon— a quiet illumination for the work done and that still remaining ahead. It also signals the International Days of Charity (5 Sep), Protecting Education from Attack (9 Sep), Democracy (15 Sep), and Peace (21 Sep).
This month also means a shout-out to Virgos and Libras while honoring the international commemorations of the Ozone Layer, Cardiology, and Science+Tech+Innovation for the Global South (all on 16 Sep), World Patient Safety Day (17 Sep), International Equal Pay Day (18 Sep), and World Cleanup Day (20 Sep).
Apples ripen, onions are nearly ready, and the heavier rains hopefully quench the ground without drowning the land. It’s a quietly busy month of shifts and transitions. So what’s going on with social impact?
Civil Society
The international intergovernmental Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recently introduced a new procedure to address how its standards affect social impact organisations. Individual countries, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank can now formally raise concerns whenever FATF standards are applied in ways that disrupt legitimate NGO/nonprofit activity. It does not change how donations, transnational giving, remittances, or routine banking by nonprofits/NGOs are handled. [more]
The UN Open-Ended Working Group on Cybersecurity concluded its five-year mandate. This diplomatic forum provided a global platform for negotiating norms and expectations around the action of nation-states online. A new, permanent UN mechanism for governments to continue these discussions is expected by March 2026. Despite limited space for NGOs and civil society, it could open an additional channel for government accountability and the promotion of responsible behaviours online at a time of heighted geopolitical divisions. [more]
The European Commission has launched a consultation and call for expressions of interest for stakeholders regarding the development of a Code of Practice on transparent generative AI systems.
Forus, a global network of NGO platforms, is building upon its previous research to inform civil society on the risks and opportunities of AI as a tool for inclusion, rights, and justice. [more]. And how can NGOs use AI responsibly? Here’s nine key points to consider. [more]
Are community-rooted nonprofits that are 100% completely independent from government funding truly essential for a vibrant civil society? Is such independence even possible? [more]
The annual State of the European Union (SOTEU) takes place on 10 September 2025 at 9:00 CEST. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will deliver her address to the European Parliament, outlining the Commission’s record and priorities for the year ahead. Her speech will be followed by a debate, where Members of the European Parliament will question the Commission, assess its work, and set out their own priorities. The session will be livestreamed in 24 languages. [more]
Ahead the SOTEU, the Parliament has published its latest 2025 Eurobarometer survey, which spotlights EU citizens’ priorities for the future and their expectations of the EU. [more] And Europe’s most powerful political party really really really wants you to know how much it really really really hates NGOs. [more]
NGO Leadership/Management
Is your organization prepared for leadership change? Most groups aren’t. There’s never a bad time to plan for succession. [more]
What exactly are the first things a new board member should do? [more]
Organizations can prevent fraud and the reputational damage that results by setting up clear rules, checks, and oversight. [more] This includes establishing strong internal controls, fostering transparency, training staff, and leveraging technology. [more]
We have a special series for social impact organizations that want to start with organizational development and capacity building. [more]
Volunteers do a lot for our organizations. We need to need to do better for them. [more]
Fundraising
The Habits of an Impactful Fundraiser series from We Are For Good is an 11-part podcast designed for teams to explore the different types of roles involved in growing an organization. [more]
Most nonprofits/NGOs focus only on cash donations, which represent only a small part of what donors can actually give. Non-cash giving, however, represents a larger potential source of support for organizations ready to navigate this area. [more]
Donor-advised funds will continue to increase in importance. But how exactly can you get your organization on DAF manager’s watchlist? Here’s a great answer via LinkedIn [more]
Yes, email still matters for fundraising. Yes, you can do it without pissing off your supporters. [more]
Sometimes an organization is too new, too small, or too challenged to have a full-time fundraiser on staff. How about fractional fundraising instead? [more]
Our recent mini-series on major donors and major gifts is designed to help social impact leaders, boards, and teams. Premium offering available to our paid subscribers. [more]
Philanthropy
Development assistance globally is projected to decline by an estimated USD $62 billion by 2026. This reduction in humanitarian assistance funding will be due to major cuts from key donor countries. Human rights-specific support is also set to fall by nearly $2 billion. Philanthropy faces further barriers as governments restrict cross-border giving. Funders are urged to act quickly and channel resources to groups most at risk, including LGBTQI and women’s rights organizations. [more]
Fifteen years after the launch of The Giving Pledge, U.S. billionaires have donated or pledged just 3% of their $5.7 trillion collective wealth, with only a handful of signers following through in any meaningful way. The campaign has largely failed to unlock the scale of philanthropy it promised, leaving the vast majority of ultra-wealthy fortunes untouched and unaccountable. [more]
Should philanthropy invest in emerging leaders and ideas? Or should it focus on specific programs and measurable outcomes? A key dynamic within America's conservative philanthropy sector offers insights on how supporting people and networks—not just programs—can create lasting influence. [more]
Asia is about to witness USD $6.1 trillion of accumulated wealth transferred from one generation to the next. This will be one of the largest shifts in history— and much of that will be in the form of philanthropy by first-generation high-net worth persons. [more] In India, specifically, wealthy families are using wills more than trusts or LLPs— but are also starting to give across borders. [more] The potential philanthropic capital, shifts in legal and financial practices, and generational differences in giving philosophies will likely have ripple effects beyond the region.
The 2025 Democracy Briefer for Funders outlines how gradual bureaucratic changes are weakening institutions, civil liberties, and the rule of law across Europe. The report stresses that democratic decline is not only tied to visible issues and populist rhetoric, but also to deeper unmet needs in societies. The briefer offers funders with strategies and tools to strengthen democratic governance and support organizations defending democratic values. [more]
Deep and large-scale systemic change can happen when philanthropy and government collaborate for social good. It is not easy, but it is possible according to the African Frontline Forum. [more]
Opportunities We’re Watching
The Salesforce Accelerator – Agents for Impact program provides nonprofits with funding, technology, and pro bono expertise to build AI agent solutions that increase efficiency and mission impact. Grants range: USD $200k-$300k and include donated Salesforce products, a six-month customized accelerator program, and one year of part-time consulting from Salesforce volunteers. Open to nonprofits/NGOs globally that have the technical infrastructure, staffing, and leadership support to implement AI solutions. Expressions of interest due 10 September 2025. [Details]
East Europe Foundation’s RecoveryGrants Program supports civil society organizations working at the community level across Ukraine. Grants range UAH 1.1-1.6 million for projects lasting 6–8 months. Projects can focus on areas such as restoring public services, supporting social cohesion, promoting economic self-reliance, providing psycho-emotional support, and building local recovery capacity. Activities may also include training, community networking, and limited resilience measures like energy or safety equipment. Eligible applicants include registered Ukrainian CSOs with at least two years of relevant experience; individuals, businesses, state authorities, political parties, religious organizations, or organizations in occupied territories are not eligible. Applications must be submitted in Ukrainian. Letters of support from local authorities are encouraged. Apply by 11 September 2025. [Details]
The Netherlands Helsinki Committee has launched an EU-funded call for proposals to support grassroots civil society organisations working on women’s rights, environmental justice, and anti-corruption in Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovenia, and Portugal. The aim is to strengthen the communication capacity of CSOs through campaigns, media outreach, and digital engagement projects— up to 12 months duration. Around 10 grants per country will be awarded, with each grant between €7,500 and €10,000. Applications are due by 15 September 2025. [Details]
The Children’s Prize is a global competition for projects that save the lives of children under five. The focus is on building resilient, hard infrastructure essential for child health. Eligible applicants include individuals and organizations worldwide with experience implementing effective, data-driven interventions. Projects should focus on creating long-lasting infrastructure that supports child survival. Applications close on 19 September 2025. [Details]
The Better Politics Fund is offering Ideation Grants to support new and bold ideas to improve politics in Europe. Solutions must reflect non-partisan initiatives aligned with at least one of four areas: cultivating leaders from underrepresented backgrounds, upskilling political talent, strengthening political systems, or connecting politics to the people it serves. Grants range from €10,000 to €20,000 and are awarded for projects lasting up to 12 months. Eligible applicants must be individuals or early-stage organizations based in Europe. Submission deadline: 24 September 2025. [Details]
Future of Capitalism Competition competition, from Leo Lion, seeks tech solutions that improve business operations, customer experience, logistics, financial processes, marketing, or sustainability, and encourages projects with a positive social or environmental impact. Open to early-stage/seed tech startups anywhere in the world, regardless of incorporation status. Entries must include a business plan and pitch deck submitted in English. Submission deadline: 26 September 2025. [Details]
QBE AcceliCITY Humanitarian Challenge is a global competition to help communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from climate-driven disasters. Winners receive funding for a fully supported pilot, mentorship, business training, and access to a global humanitarian network through the Humanitech Innovation Curriculum. Open to early-stage tech startups focused on community needs, disaster resilience, social equity, and/or public health. Solutions must be grounded in real-world humanitarian challenges, co-designed with frontline communities, and demonstrate scalability and community impact. Applications close: 30 September 2025. [Details]
International Visegrad Fund offers grant schemes for initiatives in culture, education, innovation, democracy, public policy, regional development, and social development. Open to NGOs, social enterprises, municipalities, research and educational institutions. (1) Visegrad Grants support projects involving at least three V4 countries (or bilateral border initiatives) running up to 18 months with awards of typically €25,000–€35,000. (2) Visegrad+ Grants require at least three V4 countries plus one partner from the Eastern Partnership or Western Balkans (with an exception for Ukraine) for projects of up to 18 months with grants of €25,000–€35,000. (3) Strategic Grants fund projects involving all V4 countries for 12–36 months, with awards generally €35,000–€45,000. All three schemes cover up to 100% of project budgets (including 15% for overhead). Deadlines: 1 October 2025. [Details]
Closing Dose of Business English
Sometimes, we can amplify meanings by adding more words. Think about a gift, for example — something provided without payment or obligation. So when someone offers a "free gift," do you think of something special? Or something that has hidden expectations? You’ve just experienced a pleonasm. In small amounts, it is a way of highlighting an existing quality. In heavy doses, it makes unsure of hidden meanings. You see and hear things like this all the time: "true facts," "advance planning," "final conclusions," etc.
Sometimes we can hide meanings by adding more words. Let’s say something like, "In the absence of transactions, objects which change hands often intersect with emotions and experiences in ways unseen and unheard, yet felt immediately with the potential for sustained resonance." Is it clear that we are talking about a “free gift”? Or are we now talking about “free gifts” and something else? This choice to use more words, with a sense of ambiguity, is skotison. You do it to create multiple meanings, with an added sense of mystery or uncertainty. When done properly, it converts a simple thought or feeling into something heavier, deeper, and more complex.
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Quick Notes
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OK, summer is went by quickly. Too quickly. Autumn is coming soon. But even during this month of transitions, the work we do in social impact is never isolated.
September includes awareness days for maritime environments (25 Sep), stopping nuclear weapons proliferation (26 Sep), and solving food loss (29 Sep). It also includes opportunities to protect universal access to information (28 Sep) and to promote language translation (30 Sep)— with extra applause for sign language diversity (23 Sep)— as ways to build bridges between people, cultures, and communities and even a day to ensure we can actually enjoy those bridges around the world via sustainable tourism (27 Sep).
It’s no coincidence that September’s symbols include sapphires, asters, and morning glory. Symbols of loyalty, love, and connection. And quiet reminders of what endures, what we nurture, and what we can protect.
As the month unfolds, here’s to strengthening our commitments, and remembering the enduring impact of deliberate, thoughtful, and collaborative actions locally and globally. Even gradual, careful steps can lead to meaningful change. Until next time…
Thanks, Děkuji, Díky, Dzięki, Danke. ☀️
Business English for Social Impact works with NGOs, social enterprises, and nonprofit organizations with fundraising, grantwriting, organizational development, capacity building— and English-language communication skills. Since 2015, we’ve worked with social impact organizations in Central and Eastern Europe, the United States, and beyond.
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