CauseWired

10/14/2024

I have a new essay up on the Columbia website about my class in the Columbia University School of Professional Studies Nonprofit Management program - and how it relates to one of the greatest clients I ever worked with: Colonel Charles McGee of the Tuskegee Airmen. To me, Colonel McGee's ideas about leadership support the "core idea of institutional strength—a quality that’s far undervalued in this era of extremist politics and angry populism." Hope you give it a read! 🦁🎓
https://sps.columbia.edu/news/building-institutional-strength-why-leadership-and-management-matter

10/14/2024

I have a new essay up on the Columbia website about my class in the Columbia University School of Professional Studies Nonprofit Management program - and how it relates to one of the greatest clients I ever worked with: Colonel Charles McGee of the Tuskegee Airmen. To me, Colonel McGee's ideas about leadership support the "core idea of institutional strength—a quality that’s far undervalued in this era of extremist politics and angry populism." Hope you give it a read!

M.S. in Nonprofit Management Lecturer Tom Watson on the lessons he learned while working as a consultant to the Tuskegee Airmen.

03/12/2024

NEW ESSAY - Over on the Columbia University School of Professional Studies Nonprofit Management page, I argue that the work in our masters program is part of the "laboratory of democracy" and a real antidote to extremism and the threat of authoritarianism in this country. This is my 10th year teaching masters students at Columbia University - and more and more, I'm thinking about the role of the social sector in preserving and improving our democracy.

"As I look forward to this contentious political year, I can’t help but think that much of the work of protecting and extending democracy will follow the very pathways hacked through the gathering wilderness of extremism by our graduates committed to both building institutional strength and extending liberal social values."

Love to know what you think. 🦁

03/12/2024

NEW POST - On the Columbia University School of Professional Studies's Nonprofit Management page, I argue that the work in our masters program is part of the "laboratory of democracy" and a real antidote to extremism and the threat of authoritarianism in this country. This is my 10th year teaching at Columbia University - and more and more, I'm thinking about the role of the social sector in preserving and improving democracy.

"As I look forward to this contentious political year, I can’t help but think that much of the work of protecting and extending democracy will follow the very pathways hacked through the gathering wilderness of extremism by our graduates committed to both building institutional strength and extending liberal social values."

Love to know what you think. 🦁

Lecturer Tom Watson writes about how the master’s program is developing the next generation of leaders in the nonprofit sector.

01/17/2024

Back on campus for "spring" semester (aka the frozen tundra of Morningside Heights). Brrr! But glad to be in the classroom again, loading up on a fabulous Columbia University School of Professional Studies Nonprofit Management Capstone project.

10/03/2017

CauseWired founder Tom Watson had a great time presenting at last week in Miami with the legendary Donna Shalala and Clinton Foundation communications and marketing chief Craig Minassian - disinformation and the election last year. Challenges faced, lessons learned, and important thinking for the nonprofit sector. Also, it's clearly all about the (Miami) U for Donna and Craig!

09/27/2017

CauseWired's own Tom Watson is quoted in this Fast Company story on how to be an activist in today's corporate world - some good advice there.

09/18/2017

This is important. In philanthropy, appearances matter. Admire this quote: "I cannot stand idly by. I cannot be silent. I cannot let the intolerant be tolerated. I want my family — and all American families — to know that speaking up and rising up to hatred and discrimination in all forms is both a personal responsibility and the right thing to do."

'I cannot stand idly by. I cannot be silent'

09/17/2017

Vitally important civil society story, as Melinda and Bill Gates sounds the alarm on U.S. development aid to the world. We MUST preserve this - not only is it the moral thing to do, but it would take a generation to rebuild some of the networks and partnerships that make up our (imperfect but desperately needed) overseas aid system. The Gates run the largest philanthropy in the U.S. - they clearly see the threat of Trumpism.

Bill and Melinda Gates issued a call to the world's largest economy to redouble its financial commitment to needy countries.

09/15/2017

ICYMI, wonderful profile from earlier this year of Sr. Paulette LoMonaco of Good Shepherd Services - working with the most challenging communities in New York, and always with a smile.

The executive director of the nonprofit Good Shepherd Services spends much of the day in prayer, and on the golf course.

09/11/2017

From Vera Institute of Justice - What if prisons were used not just for punishment, but to help prepare people for life after incarceration? It's time to .

09/06/2017

Friends, this column was difficult for me to write - but I think it's important. I've been speaking to philanthropy and nonprofit leaders over the past few months, and I've come to the conclusion that what we call "civil society" in the United States is under sustained and successful attack by the forces of anti-liberalism. We ARE NOT WINNING. All of my colleagues working in the nonprofit sector should realize that our work is threatened at the very core. We cannot ignore this hurricane force that is existential threat to U.S. civil society and the social sector. Lives are at stake, and so is out liberal democracy. It's not Republican or Democrat - it's light and darkness. Please read, react and by all means, share this.

The president’s cruel act to hurt the so-called dreamers is just one of the scores of actions fraying the bonds between charities and government.