Southside Homes: A Catalyst of Hope

Southside Homes: A Catalyst of Hope

“You all really did a great job with the film. It brought me back to my childhood.”  A former Southside Homes resident expressed this after the screening of the documentary, Southside Homes: A Catalyst of Hope. Additional Southside Homes residents shared similar...
Undeniable Support for The UnFundable Project

Undeniable Support for The UnFundable Project

The UnFundable Project Last week, we closed the application period for Next Stage’s first grant process, The UnFundable Project. We set out to celebrate our 10th Anniversary by granting $10,000 to a nonprofit for a project that has typically been viewed as...
Inside Out: The Case for Community Voice

Inside Out: The Case for Community Voice

Trust in US systems is at an all-time low.  We know the needs of our communities are greater than ever before, but faith in institutions such as government, nonprofits, the education and justice systems and media are lower than ever before. Many of us are feeling the...
Next Stage is Hiring a VP, Impact for Nonprofits

Next Stage is Hiring a VP, Impact for Nonprofits

As we approach our tenth anniversary, Next Stage has accomplished much since it was founded. We have worked with more than 200 nonprofits across the Carolinas to build game-changing strategy and the organizational tools to realize those plans. In recent years,...
UrbanPromise Charlotte Deepens Impact

UrbanPromise Charlotte Deepens Impact

UrbanPromise Charlotte (UP) is a nonprofit that provides youth and students the spiritual, academic and social development necessary to help them become strong leaders and invest back into their communities. Nearing their 10th anniversary, UP has experienced rapid...
An Argument for Trust-Based Philanthropy

An Argument for Trust-Based Philanthropy

Last week we did a thing – we announced The UnFundable Project, an opportunity for a Mecklenburg County nonprofit to receive a $10,000 allocation from Next Stage for a project “that would typically struggle to receive investment in a traditional grantmaking process.”...
Walk a Mile in My Shoes: Embrace Empathy

Walk a Mile in My Shoes: Embrace Empathy

“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view, until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” – Harper Lee “Walk a Mile in My Shoes” is a timeless expression that carries a strong sentiment – don’t judge me – you...
Solving the RTO Dilemma can be a Win-Win-Win

Solving the RTO Dilemma can be a Win-Win-Win

What Hybrid Means to Us Earlier this year, Next Stage moved into its own dedicated office space. We had previously moved between co-working facilities, but the growth in our team suggested the need for a permanent home. Having just passed the six-month mark, I can...
Is your brand ready for Thought Leadership?

Is your brand ready for Thought Leadership?

When Next Stage does strategic marketing work, we recommend that nonprofits share their expertise and elevate their brand by leaning into Thought Leadership. Leaders often feel excited by this recommendation – and completely overwhelmed.  Some fear that content...
We interrupt Your Regularly Scheduled Programming…

We interrupt Your Regularly Scheduled Programming…

The Seven Vital Conditions for Health and Well-Being by Josh Jacobson Frankly, sometimes I feel burdened by my calling. It would be so much easier to develop a simple approach to our work at Next Stage and just put it all on cruise control. Why work so hard? I feel...