

by Janet Ervin On Friday, September 25, our virtual roundtable for nonprofits, What’s Next, again took on nonprofit storytelling with guests Valaida Fullwood and Alicia Bell. Back in July, we talked about the need to ask better questions and the idea that the best...

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Nonprofit Executive Compensation Study
Next Stage is proud to unveil the 2020 edition of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Nonprofit Executive Compensation Study. Click here to download your copy. As covered in the Charlotte Ledger, Next Stage launched this project as a response to challenges repeatedly brought...

How Nonprofits Can Better Support Black Philanthropy Month (and Beyond!)
In the August 14 episode of What’s Next, Valaida Fullwood and Charles Thomas joined us to talk about Black Philanthropy Month, The Bold Project and how non-Black-led organizations can be better allies. They dropped such great knowledge and so many resources that I...

Why We’re Hosting a What’s Next? Takeover – And How You Can Support Black Philanthropy Month in Charlotte
August is Black Philanthropy Month – a time to highlight Black philanthropists and Black-led nonprofits and to acknowledge and support the critical role they play in our communities. Activities for Black Philanthropy Month are spearheaded locally by the New Generation...

Asking the Right Questions: Storytelling With Integrity
by Janet Ervin Our July 24 episode of What’s Next featured a panel of veteran journalists and storytellers sharing their best advice for crafting compelling, empathetic content. If you missed the dynamic discussion, we made it available for download here. Our...

Reflections on the Next Stage Summer Fellowship
by Michi LaCorte Joining the Next Stage team in the midst of a global pandemic and getting to know them and the six CULTIVATE cohort organizations over Zoom has definitely been an unusual experience, but to say the least, I have made memories. I came into the Davidson...

Let’s Talk Story
by Janet Ervin I’ve always been a reader – from the time I was old enough to sound out words, I was walking around with a book in front of my face. I grew up just north of here, in Statesville, where my family had the Charlotte Observer delivered every day. I learned...

Meet Michi LaCorte, Next Stage’s 2020 Summer Fellow
by Michi LaCorte Covid-19 has greatly affected every community, and it has definitely changed my plans for this summer, but I am so grateful to have work this summer – especially with a company that is helping organizations and communities to work through these...

Standing in Solidarity #JusticeforGeorgeFloyd
Next Stage stands in solidarity against systemic racism and oppression in our country and our community. Our firm is about the advancement of social good, but we know this can’t fully happen until we recognize systems of injustice in our communities, in our sector,...

The ‘Pandemic Effect’ on Social Good
by Josh Jacobson I’m fired up! During the May 22 session of The New Normal, I had a chance to chat with three staff leaders of local nonprofit organizations about their major gift campaigns: Jenni Gaisbauer outlined the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library...

A Checklist for Corporate Sponsorships during COVID-19
By Caylin Haldeman We’ll say it over and over: few elements of the nonprofit business model are more misunderstood than corporate sponsorship. Unlike grants, sponsorships are built upon a fundamental assumption that there is a return on investment (usually through...

4 Questions to Guide Your Crisis Fundraising Plan
by Janet Ervin From a social good perspective, one of the most disruptive aspects of the COVID-19 crisis has been the impact on spring fundraising. Not only has the pandemic cancelled key events, it has increased the demand for services and shifted the case for funds....