Resources – DSYF

CAPACITY BUILDING

FEATURED

PUBLICATIONS

FEATURED

Building Trust, Sustaining Art

Many arts organizations, especially those rooted in communities of color, serve as anchors in their communities. They provide much needed resources for community members of all ages, from training and residency space for artists to producing extraordinary work with significant cultural and civic value. What’s more, they often face structural disadvantages such as a lack of funding from governments and philanthropies. This May 2026 report analyzes cross-cutting themes from studies of more than a dozen arts organizations rooted in communities of color participating in The Wallace Foundation’s multi-strand Advancing Well-Being in the Arts initiative. After nearly four years of close collaboration, the report marks the first major release of key insights from the Thriving Communities cohort. It presents an overview of the organizations’ contributions to cultural innovation and identifies a set of adaptive strategies that shape how arts organizations rooted in communities of color sustain their work—and, in turn, contribute to cultural vitality and community connection. Other arts practitioners facing similar challenges, such as sustaining labor-intensive practices with limited resources and balancing local, national, and international ambition might find the adaptive strategies used by the Thriving Communities cohort of particular interest.

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Executive Insight Report #5

According to a new report using data from 58 hospital and health systems in the United States and Canada, a fundraising campaign can offer value far beyond the funds it generates. By strategically expanding and sustaining institutional capacity, organizations can create much better campaign experiences for donors, development staff, and partners, according to the authors of five interconnected reports by Twin Point Insights and the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy. Campaigns often result in a dramatic increase in gift volume. More than 60% of survey respondents reported that their yearly gift commitment volume grew moderately (up to 50%) or significantly (More than 50%) during their campaign. The report also confirms that It costs money to make money. As campaigns ramped up, a slight majority of organizations added new dedicated donor relations staff (60.3%) and/or asked existing staff to take on additional donor relations responsibilities (51.7%), according to the researchers. Among the 43 organizations that reported new donor relations staff, 58.3% also added capacity in at least one other way, such as outsourcing support. Organizations proactively added or significantly updated their policies and procedures in connection with their campaign. While more than two-thirds of respondents reported revising their gift acceptance and campaign counting policies, fewer than 40% updated their database recording and gift entry procedures. And nearly two-thirds (71%) revised gift acceptance policies. Respondents still consider naming opportunities of physical spaces the most impactful form of recognition for donors.

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EVENTS

FEATURED

Introduction to Public Grant Opportunities

Tuesday, July 14, 2026 – 2 PM Eastern
Location: Online
Cost: $69 per person or $159 per group

While the landscape for federal grants is changing, funding opportunities from government agencies at the city and state level still represent strong potential for nonprofit organizations.
During this webinar, Eric Spioch will introduce the essentials of public and government grant funding. Designed specifically for those who already have experience with private foundation grants, this session bridges the gap between what a nonprofit leader knows and what he or she needs to know to assess, plan for, and pursue public funding opportunities with confidence.

Nonprofit Collaboration Success: What the Science Says

Monday July 27, 2026 – 12 – 1 PM Pacific
Location: Online
Cost: Free

Join VNR Founder and Advisory Board Chair Dr. Thomas Backer for this free Zoom workshop, which will be a lively discussion that starts with learnings from years of behavioral sciences and organizational research – summarized in eight strategies that together can be a checklist for success. Participants also will share their own experiences with collaborations.

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

FEATURED

OpenAI Foundation - Unrestricted Grants for AI-Driven Community Innovation Grants

The OpenAI Foundation’s People-First AI Fund provides unrestricted grants for up to 10% of applicant annual budget to local nonprofits, exploring how community-led AI engagement can reduce barriers to services, expand opportunity, and elevate community voice. Funding is available across three areas: (1) community support services helping people access legal aid and public benefits, (2) community arts and cultural organizations, and (3) community journalism and media. Eligible applicants must demonstrate a genuine interest in exploring AI, though prior AI experience is not required, and any AI platform may be used. The deadline for applications is July 16, 2026.

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ASSESSMENT TOOLS

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YOUTH SERVICES

NEWS

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

NEWS

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PUBLICATIONS

FEATURED

Don't Follow Lead! Authentic Leadership Skills for Teens: Master Essential Skills, Make Bold Choices, Lead with Integrity and Earn Respect in School

Don't Follow Lead! Authentic Leadership Skills for Teens: Master Essential Skills, Make Bold Choices, Lead with Integrity and Earn Respect in School is a 2026 book by Emma Davis. Every day, teens feel the pressure to follow the crowd—laughing when something feels wrong, staying silent to avoid judgment, and chasing approval just to belong—while adults assume, “It’s normal,” or “They’ll grow out of it.” But ignoring the quiet influence of peer pressure won’t build strong character. If we don’t intentionally teach teens how to lead themselves first—how to think independently, set boundaries, and act from values instead of validation—we risk raising young adults who struggle with confidence, collapse under pressure, and question who they really are. The book provides (a) Clear, teen-friendly explanations of what real leadership is—and what it is NOT; (b) Step-by-step strategies to resist peer pressure without losing connection; (c) Practical tools for building confidence without ego or showmanship, (d) Real-life scenarios that strengthen independent thinking and decision-making and (e) Character-building exercises that develop integrity, discipline, and self-respect.

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Kids Count Data Book 2026

For nearly four decades, this annual report has drawn on vital data to provide nonprofit and school leaders and the public with a trusted, consistent snapshot of how children are faring, nationally and in every state. Since 1990, it has also ranked states on overall child well-being using the Kids Count index — a tool developed to combine and track key indicators of child well-being, each measured in different ways, into one clear, comparable measure. The index makes it easier to see how states are performing over time and how they compare to others.

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EVENTS

FEATURED

Youth Financial Empowerment Summit

Friday, July 31, 2026 – 9 AM - 4 PM Pacific
Location: California State University, Dominguez Hills, 1000 East Victoria Street, Carson, CA 90747
Cost: Free

Come spend the day with Twinspire (Together We Inspire) for a fun and inspiring summit all about youth and money. Whether trying to save for something big, being curious about credit, or just wanting to feel more confident with cash, this conference has something to offer. There will be hands-on workshops on budgeting, understanding credit, and saving and investing—real-life skills to help youth take charge of their financial future. Plus, there will be an opportunity to hear from guest speakers, connect with other youth, and get to know mentors who’ve been where the youth participants have been.

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Support LA Youth Through Mentorship!

Saturday, August 22, 2026 – 12:30 PM - 2 PM Pacific
Location: USC Hybrid High School, 3939 South Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90037
Cost: Free

This conference will be a fun and informative event where youth can learn about all the exciting ways to get involved and make a difference in the community. The event is coordinated by Minds Matter SoCal, where mentors are the heart of the organization. They work to empower low-income, high-achieving students by celebrating their voices, tackling challenges, and providing tailored support to help them achieve their college dreams. The event will demonstrate that there are many ways to make a meaningful impact as a mentor or writing coach.

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

FEATURED

Funding Research to Reduce Inequality in Youth Outcomes

The William T. Grant Foundation’s Research Grants on Reducing Inequality program supports studies that improve understanding of programs and policies that reduce inequality in academic, social, behavioral, or economic outcomes for young people ages 5 to 25. Funded research examines disparities across race, ethnicity, economic standing, LGBTQ+ status, language minority status, and immigrant origins. Both descriptive and intervention studies are supported by this program. Grants for up to $600,000 over three years are available and the application deadline is July 29, 2026.

Visit their website to apply >

Goodness Web Foundation

Goodness Web Foundation provides multi-year, unrestricted grants to nonprofits working to improve youth mental health and well-being at the systems level. Grants support organizations that have demonstrated measurable results and are ready to expand programs that address gaps in mental health care for young people and their caregivers. The Foundation aims to strengthen organizational capacity, scale effective interventions, and foster innovation in mental health services. Priority is given to programs that create lasting, community-wide impact and expand access for underserved youth. Grant amounts range from $200,000 to $3,000,000 and there is no application deadline.

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CAPACITY BUILDING

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

ASSESSMENT TOOLS

NEWS

PUBLICATIONS

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

ASSESSMENT TOOLS

YOUTH SERVICES

NEWS

PUBLICATIONS

EVENTS

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

NEWS

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

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