Category: Things To Say...

I Have 12 Things to Say...

3/3/2025

Thoughts, observations, and stream of consciousness* on the nonprofit sector in Idaho from INC's, Kevin Bailey.

Kevin Bailey with Mayor Art Bettge (Moscow) and Jaime Jovanovich-Walker (Palouse Land Trust)

1 – What is the financial risk to nonprofits losing government grants? On average, about one-third of total nonprofit sector funding comes from government sources.

2 – To break those numbers down further, a recent report by the Urban Institute identified that Idaho has 477 nonprofits that report (on their 990) receiving government grants (i.e., from any gov. source: city, county, state, federal). The aggregate total funding from government sources in Idaho is...

1 Comment

I Have 8 Things to Say...

1/15/2025

0 Comments

Thoughts, observations, and stream of consciousness* on the nonprofit sector in Idaho from INC's, Kevin Bailey.

1 – I’ve loved seeing posts recently about friends’ and colleagues’ favorite reads of 2024. Here are a few of mine:

2 – Favorite novel of 2024: Damascus Station. I’m a sucker for spy novels and international thrillers. Most in this genre stretch the limits for plausibility but this one felt grounded, real, and had actual character depth. This one didn’t feel like ‘junk food.’

3 – Favorite nonfiction of 2024. I have two: A Walk in the Park: The True Story of a Spectacular Misadventure in the Grand Canyon and Cabin: Off the Grid Adventures with a Clueless Craftsman

0 Comments

I Have 10 Things to Say...

12/12/2024

0 Comments

From left to right: Kim Ellsworth (INC), Kevin Bailey (INC), Senator Treg Bernt, and Bud Compher (CEO, NeighborWorks Boise) on a recent nonprofit legislative outreach visit.

Thoughts, observations, and stream of consciousness* on the nonprofit sector in Idaho from INC's, Kevin Bailey.

1 – Human services needs continue to rise in our communities. On a recent legislative visit with INC nonprofit member Metro Meals on Wheels, CEO Grant Jones shared that they are delivering an additional 300 meals per day compared to this time last year, representing a 7% increase year-over-year.

If legislators and state agencies want to know what is happening on the ground in their districts, just ask the nonprofits.

0 Comments

I Have 12 Things to Say...

9/9/2024

0 Comments

Kevin speaking at the 2024 Idaho Nonprofit Conference

Thoughts, observations, and stream of consciousness* on the nonprofit sector in Idaho from INC CEO, Kevin Bailey.

Last month, we held our annual Statewide Nonprofit Conference in Boise with almost 300 of our closest nonprofit friends. I opened the conference with a few remarks on the future of the sector and some insights from a 30,000 foot view that I think will be important for nonprofits to consider in order to ensure success and sustainability now and over the next 5+ years. Here are those insights:

1 – The key to solving our state’s biggest challenges will require collective action:

No single entity, whether a nonprofit, government agency, or for profit business, can alone solve a challenging issue like homelessness. However, when nonprofits, government, the business sector, and other stakeholders align around common strategies, goals, and funding mechanisms, real progress can be made. The future will require more of what we might call ‘collective impact.’ And there are already some great local examples to look to

The United Way of Treasure Valley is leading the Idaho Community Schools Coalition around the state, bringing the community school strategy to dozens of communities across the state to help children and families access the resources they need to succeed.
The Idaho Community Foundation, in partnership with the City of Boise have set up the Supportive Housing Investment Fund to help keep individuals and families out of homelessness in the Treasure Valley.

0 Comments

I Have 9 Things to Say...

8/4/2024

0 Comments

My son exploring some STEM time at nonprofit Creations in Sandpoint

Thoughts, observations, and stream of consciousness* on the nonprofit sector in Idaho from INC CEO, Kevin Bailey.

I mentioned last month that I was reading Cal Newport’s latest book Slow Productivity while on vacation. My top three takeaways:

1 – “Limit daily goals” - There’s a temptation in nonprofit work to ‘wear many hats’ and try and do it all. I find that I have to constantly pare back what is actually achievable in a given time frame. What Newport suggests is fairly simple: “Work on, at most, one project per day.” And distinguish that from the other to-dos and administrative tasks (meetings, email, etc.) that inevitably must get done. But blocking out one target project to move the ball forward a bit every day is achievable.

0 Comments

I Have 8 Things To Say...

6/27/2024

0 Comments

Thoughts, observations, and stream of consciousness* notes on the nonprofit sector in Idaho.

1 – As the presidential election season heats up and we are served a daily dose of unhealthy division across political lines, I can’t help but be reminded that local civic organizations are still the heartbeat of democracy where healthy dialogue can thrive. I think of Rotary clubs, Chambers of Commerce, and nonprofit boards as places where folks are not defined by political party affiliation but rather are focused through a community-centric lens where the main question is not "how do we defeat our adversaries?" but instead "how can we make an impact on our community?" These local civic groups are some of the last institutions where people from different backgrounds and affiliations come together with a common purpose to drive positive change in our communities. Let’s continue to lift these groups up.

0 Comments

I Have 12 Things to Say...

I Have 8 Things to Say...

I Have 10 Things to Say...

I Have 12 Things to Say...

I Have 9 Things to Say...

I Have 8 Things To Say...

Welcome!

Categories

Archives