A record crowd was on hand in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh for remarks by the CEO of Charity Navigator and many inspiring conversations.
* * *
Thanks to the record crowd who were part of the Satell Institute’s amazing Nonprofit Leadership Summit at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia and PNC Park in Pittsburgh on March 12th. It was an extraordinary morning and a tribute to the important work that nonprofits do.
SI is proud to host so many CEOs and nonprofit leaders, who choose to come together for these important and inspiring conversations. Events like these help cultivate powerful partnerships between free-enterprise corporations and nonprofit organizations, and the attendees’ enthusiastic participation epitomizes SI’s motto: “Community Is Every Leader’s Business.”
The Importance of Storytelling and Data
Conference chair Tim McDermott (below, left) of the Philadelphia Union kicked things off by talking about impact — and sharing the amazing story of Jacques Mason, a young Chester resident whose life has been transformed by the Philadelphia Union Foundation’s successful efforts to bring soccer back to Chester High School. Jacques is now a member of the Union’s Academy team and on track to attend college, a single but powerful example of what’s possible when organizations make real commitments to the community.
Sheila Ireland (above, right) of workforce development nonprofit OIC Philadelphia spoke persuasively about the need for trust among nonprofit organizations, funders, and communities. “Trust is the currency of social good,” she said. “When nonprofits and corporations trust — through data-driven storytelling and impact measurement — they don’t just prove their effectiveness. They inspire action, drive investment, and create lasting change.”
Keynote Conversation
Keynote speaker Michael Thatcher (below, right), CEO of Charity Navigator, one of the giants of the nonprofit community nationally, highlighted the morning. In conversation with SI’s vice chair, Tony Conti (below, left), Michael offered deeply personal and thoughtful remarks about the work of Charity Navigator as it deepens its partnership with the nonprofit community. He also talked about the challenges faced by nonprofits in these tumultuous times. SI is so grateful to Michael for sharing his wisdom and insights with Summit attendees.
The Summit concluded with SI’s hallmark peer-sharing roundtables, which give nonprofit executives and business leaders the chance to have deeper conversations and share experiences, ideas, and best practices. These lively conversations are always raved about by participants, and this year was no exception.
The Heroes of Our Community
Thank you to our hosts, The Franklin Institute and PNC Park, for their amazing facilities, as well as to the organizing committee for this event, whose hard work made it such a success. A special thank you to SI’s founder and chair, Ed Satell, whose vision and inspiring words about the power of free enterprise and the work of nonprofits set the tone for the Summit.
“Nonprofits are the heroes of our society,” Ed said. The morning was proof of that.