Though I don’t walk as much as I should (which is why my Fitbit step count has barely broken the 4-digit mark today…eek), I do enjoy taking an afternoon stroll. And after a parade of small to-do’s move across my desk, it is helpful to unclutter my mind to focus on the tasks ahead.
Meet Matt
Matt Ehlman doesn’t really want you to meet him. He wants you to meet everybody else. He’d rather you connect face-to-face with the nonprofits, business owners, musicians, politicians, university presidents, and other folks in the Black Hills of South Dakota, around the United States, and across the seas that he works to bring together. Because, remember: people really are hungry to become a part of something that’s good. And when they join in, communities become better, stronger places.
Generosity of donors transforms a community
So, I was happy to read the editorial by Sherry Ristau, the president and CEO of the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend, in today's Quad City Times. As we mark National Philanthropy Day, the editorial is a wonderful reminder of the impact philanthropy can have--in all of its forms--on transforming communities.
The season for giving thanks... and hosting nonprofit galas
As the end of the year draws near, my heart and head is filled with gratitude for the good year it has been. For the people who do good things to make life better for others. For strangers who spread kindness. For friends who offer a sense of balance to the challenges we may face. Perhaps it is fitting, then, that in this season of thanks so many of our nonprofit partners we work with--and countless more all across this country--are hosting their annual gala benefits that raise money for their missions.
At an unexpected dinner, we raised a glass to Barb
On Wednesday afternoon, I had a chance to fly to the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul for a meeting on Thursday. As I left my house (after about only 12 hours at home) I got a text from a friends from the Quad Cities--Clare Thompson, a former St. Ambrose University advancement officer who is now working at Ruffalo Noel Levitz, asking if I had time for a conversation about art and culture.
What would you ask the President of the Oglala Sioux Tribe?
We're asking each of you to submit questions that you would ask President John Yellow Bird Steele of the Oglala Sioux Tribe if you were sitting in the moderator chair. Please fill out the quick form on this blog post and we'll do our best to integrate your questions into the upcoming Morning Fill Up.
What's a super chicken?
She placed two ideas in juxtaposition. One being the “culture of helpfulness,” a work philosophy that says you “don’t have to know everything, you just have to work among people who are good at getting and giving help.” The other, being the “super chicken” mentality, where competition and individual accomplishment are primary motivators.
Opening night for an Off-Broadway premiere
The artwork for this show was a definite challenge for me early on. As I read the play over and over again, I kept thinking about the moment before ink is placed on paper.
The second before thoughts give way to words... when the words can't stay in your head any longer and they must come out.
The time when an idea sparks an action.
Fueling creative people to drive a vibrant economy
If the arts are going to take their rightful place as an important weave in the cultural fabric of our towns, cities, and nations, we--as a people--must fuel our minds and our souls with the understanding (or perhaps a better word is "acceptance") that art plays a critical part in how we live our lives, make decisions, and paint a brighter future for all.
Lists. They make sense.
Demystifying relationships with charitable foundations
Over the course of the last nine-plus years, Numads have had the great fortune to work with some of the best foundation personnel out there, at least in our humble opinions. We’ve gotten to know program officers, foundation presidents, communications personnel, and others at foundations large and small, working nationally and in local communities. And we’ve been inspired by every one of them and their efforts to make their communities--at home or across the nation--better places to live, work and play.
Thoughts on legacy, inspired by my grandma... and the musical Hamilton
I've been thinking a lot about legacy these days.
It first came up last weekend as I was making the two and a half hour drive north from Boston to Meredith, New Hampshire, to celebrate my Grandma Jean Stephens' 89th birthday. I was alone on that Sunday morning, the weather was beautiful, the trees in perfect gold and red harmony.
And Hamilton, the new critically-acclaimed-you-can't-get-a-ticket-no-matter-who-you-know musical was blaring on the sound system in my little Mini Cooper as I buzzed along the interstate, and coincidentally, passed the final resting place of my Grandpa Ted.
What happens between the work?
Everyday at Numad we're doing something different. And while this may not be reflective of a typical Numad day, this is a pretty fun “day in the life of" story. Aside from the anticipation of working from the Quad Cities the next day to visit a dear friend (which required an unspeakably early alarm), last Thursday was pretty exciting at this Numad office in Rockford.
Graphic design work for a legendary Off-Broadway show
It has been a busy fall season for The Numad Group thus far with our work partnering with Off-Broadway nonprofit theaters in New York City. Currently, we are working on five productions in New York City, with some additional shows approaching quickly. The theater nerd or fan or whatever you want to call me relishes the opportunity to collaborate with some really wonderful artists and communication professionals in the Off-Broadway community.
Wisdom
Arts incubator on Pine Ridge, and a new staff member at the Community Foundation
What feeds creativity?
I think about this quite often.
The reality is that in any given day, I'm working on such a diversity of projects with such a great group of clients that my creative self has to flip a switch at a moment's notice. One moment I'm writing an annual appeal letter for a nonprofit that serves an immediate need in a community, and then the next I'm designing artwork for a show that explores the inner turmoil in a family, and then the next I'm working on a media pitch about about a family foundation.
Continuance of culture at the National Museum of the American Indian
We are very excited about a new project with the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) at the Smithsonian Institution. Matt and I recently had the privilege of spending a few days with the amazing staff of the museum on the National Mall in Washington, DC and in the Cultural Resource Center in Suitland, Maryland. It is inspiring to spend time with people so passionate and collectively focused on a mission.
The Garage receives People's Choice Award
Big congratulations to our friend and architect extraordinaire Patri Acevedo-Riker of AcV2 Architecture in Rapid City, South Dakota. She was the [insert every possible wonderful adjective imaginable here] architect behind The Garage coworking space we developed as part of Numad Investments.
Editorial: People with disabilities make key contributions
It was wonderful to open up my laptop on this beautiful Saturday morning in Beacon Hill, and as I was checking my various go-to online newspapers (The New York Times, The Boston Globe, The Quad City Times, and The Rapid City Journal), to stumble upon this guest editorial by Brad Saathoff, CEO of Black Hills Works, one of the nonprofits we have the honor of partnering with.