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
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 (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
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.”...
The UnFundable Project: A Grant Initiative Powered by Next Stage
Next Stage will celebrate its 10th birthday in 2024! And to mark a decade of social impact work and partnerships, we want to give back to the community that has given so much to us. As a result, we’ve designed a grantmaking initiative like no other -The UnFundable...
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
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...
Backstage with Next Stage: An Exciting Announcement
The Announcement When our team works on strategic planning projects we almost always get asked the same question at the end. “How can we ensure our team is implementing this plan with energy and processes that work for the long haul?” It’s a challenge that every...
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…
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...
Were our Predictions Correct? 2023 Trend Update
On Friday mornings, our team gathers for coffee in the office. We use this time to catch up about the week, share our weekend plans and debrief on client projects. We’re fortunate that a lot of organizations invite us to partner in their work. This year alone, we’ve...
Building Successful Partnerships: What Companies Want and What Nonprofits Need
The way the private sector companies and social good organizations work together is changing. Next Stage frequently helps to develop partnerships between companies and nonprofits. As self-confessed ‘impact nerds,’ we count ourselves lucky to facilitate these...