Stephen Balkam

Moving from statistical averages towards more citizen-centric distributions is exactly what the world needs right now. "We must invest in data stewards and expand their roles to include connecting communities, technologists, decision-makers, and other stakeholders. It is essential to embed feedback loops to ensure people see how their input can shape policy and affect their lives."

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You know what scuffs my struggles… Watching large agencies secure opportunities based on name recognition… while many grassroots organizations, deeply embedded in communities, are still working to gain the same level of visibility and access. Lately I’ve seen statements like “we don’t allow AI in grant applications.” And I had to pause. Okay, I get it from both sides, which is why I had to really think about what this means. So it’s acceptable for well-resourced organizations to scale, backed by full teams, infrastructure, and legacy credibility… but smaller organizations using tools to articulate their impact more effectively is where the line gets drawn? Let’s be honest about what this really reflects. Access to funding has never been just about impact. It has also been about language, familiarity, and perceived legitimacy. AI is not the issue. It is simply making visible what has always been uneven. For many grassroots leaders, AI is not about cutting corners. It is about closing gaps. It helps translate lived experience into fundable language. It helps structure ideas that are already powerful but often under-communicated. It supports organizations that are generating meaningful impact but may not yet have the systems, timing, or resources to consistently capture and present it. Meanwhile, the same systems say they want innovation, equity, and community-centered solutions. But behind the scenes, there are still unspoken rules about how impact is recognized and who is seen as ready. That disconnect…that’s what burns. And that’s also where clarity comes in. Because the future of impact work will not be defined only by who had the most resources at the start. It will also be shaped by those who can translate real community insight into something that can be seen, understood, and scaled. I’m not interested in playing small to fit outdated expectations. I’m interested in building systems that help impact be recognized, not overlooked. That’s the work. Let’s struggle about it. #STRUGGLEnlearn

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For social change communicators, activists, and storytellers: this is a beautiful and useful tool from Race Forward. Narrative change can feel like an amorphous long game, but this guide illustrates how messages and stories become threads of a larger narrative quilt. Check out the worksheet on page 12 for a practical guide on breaking down the specific narratives your group wants to uplift versus dismantle—and how that translates into communication building blocks. #NarrativeChange #Communications #CommunicationsStrategy

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I had the chance to join Baltimore Area Evaluators winter webinar as a panelist on AI in evaluation yesterday. It was so much fun! I focused my contributions around two themes: Disclosure: 🤝 AI disclosure as trust-building: Why simply asking “Did you use AI? Yes/No” isn’t helpful 🍎 How transparent, concrete descriptions of how we used AI can educate stakeholders and have the potential to deepen trust 🔍The equity stakes: disclosure is not neutral, and can disproportionately impact women and people of color Application: Concrete evaluator use cases I’m using today: 🗒️ Reviewing and strengthening survey items (e.g., spotting double-barreled questions) 🗣️ Generating and stress-testing interview protocols ✍️ Drafting and tightening executive summaries 💭 Supporting qualitative analysis and sense-making 🧠 Acting as a “project memory” across meetings and documents I was grateful to share space with: Kantahyanee Murray, PhD, who described how Lift Every Voice Evaluation, Research & Strategy is cultivating internal “safe-to-learn” spaces and bottom-up AI guidelines aligned with equity Brandon Sepulvado, who shared his experience on licensing, data protection, and when AI does/doesn't serve our methods Participants were active and insightful in the chat! They pushed us with thoughtful questions about disclosure requirements, confidentiality, historical data availability in AI-powered search, and what robust human review looks like when AI assists with coding. This webinar was a great way to round out a full year of AI consulting with mission-driven organizations and particularly to return to my evaluation community. Conversations like this make me hopeful that evaluators have an important role to play in shaping an AI future that is equitable, human-centered, and accountable. Thanks for having me and facilitating a great panel, Emily Frost!

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Is your nonprofit integrating AI into your work? Also concerned about AI ethics and impact? Join NTEN's AI for Nonprofits cohort! (Applications due on the 23rd) #nptech #nonprofit #ynpn

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NEW: "Open Road Impact raises $35 million to bridge social enterprises through funding delays," via Amy Cortese on ImpactAlpha The funding announcement includes the $9 million in philanthropic funds Open Road raised in late March to extend zero-interest loans to certain USAID grant awardees that have already completed work and that the government is required to pay. https://lnkd.in/g3ZyA8Mv

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Parallel institutions are not radical—they're practical. In the face of systems that no longer meet the needs of their people, innovation emerges from the grassroots. 🛠️🌍 We’re seeing this everywhere: 🔹 Worker cooperatives in underserved communities 🔹 Mutual aid housing networks 🔹 Crowdsourced legal and medical care 🔹 Civic assemblies that engage beyond elections These are models of sustainability, empowerment, and adaptability. Businesses and nonprofits that embrace and support them will be more in tune with emerging markets—and the moral arc of history. #SystemInnovation #CivicEntrepreneurship #CooperativeEconomy #EthicalInfrastructure #JusticeAndWork #CommunityDrivenSolutions #ValuesBasedLeadership

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💰 Grants are more than funding—they’re partnerships. To maximize grant revenue, nonprofits need smart strategy, transparent reporting, and strong stewardship. Here’s how to make every grant count 👇 ✨ 1. Apply Smarter, Not More     🎯 Focus on mission-fit over volume    📋 Align proposals with funder priorities & your capacity ✨ 2. Craft Proposals That Inspire Confidence    🖊️ Define clear need, solution & measurable outcomes    📊 Present transparent, line-item budgets funders trust ✨ 3. Manage Funds with Precision    🔎 Track budget vs. actuals in real time    🚨 Automate compliance & overspend alerts    🔄 Sync program + finance teams seamlessly ✨ 4. Nurture Renewals Through Stewardship    📢 Share regular updates, not just closeout reports    🏆 Be transparent about wins and challenges    🤝 Prove alignment with funder’s long-term goals Read more: https://lnkd.in/gYRwc2nj 🚀 With Pebble Impact, your grant journey is integrated end-to-end—applications, budgets, compliance, and reports—all powered by real-time metrics. That means more efficiency, accountability, and stronger funder trust. #GrantManagement #NonprofitFinance #FundraisingTips #NonprofitLeadership #ImpactMeasurement #Stewardship #PebbleImpact #SocialImpact

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“Results from a survey conducted by Radical Partners showed that the improvements that #nonprofits sought [are] most aligned with what #funders hoped to invest in (innovative fundraising, grant-writing help, and optimized operational systems)… To alleviate the disparity between funders’ donation caps and nonprofits’ need for resources, Godoy suggests nonprofits share #services and #spaces — such as #collectively pitching in for an accountant or having joint office areas — to spur #teamwork while cutting costs. How to streamline administrative work when short-staffed? She recommends nonprofits look to how the business world has used #artificialintelligence. ‘We might die trying [to implement these solutions alone]’, urged Godoy. ‘So what we’re offering here is, instead of putting everything on [ourselves], meaning my team, my organization, my funders, for us to approach it as an #ecosystem.’” (ft.) Ashley L. Eubanks + Christopher J. Sisco + Ana Castilla + Carl Juste

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Fundraising dollars are up, but donor counts are slipping. According to AFP’s Q1 2025 Fundraising Effectiveness Project, revenue grew 3.6%, thanks to major and mid-level donors. But small-gift donor numbers dropped 11%—a red flag for long-term sustainability. My 10 cents: - Start with your biggest gifts, lock them in early, and look for upgrade potential. - Don’t lose sight of grassroots donors. They may give less, but they stick around longer if engaged correctly. Different tiers need different strategies. Balance is key. Full report: https://lnkd.in/eSfHSNpt #Fundraising #Nonprofits #DonorRetention #Philanthropy #Leadership

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