Yesterday, I had the pleasure of “listening” in on a Twitter chat focused on the use and sharing of data to improve educational outcomes for kids. My interest in the conversation was two-fold. For one, it offered me the opportunity to learn more about educational effectiveness and measurement, topics about which I am increasingly curious. Additionally, and more relevant to this post, it occurred to me that the ideas and lessons shared might be of value not only to those involved with education, but also to those interested in the application of technology and data in the broader nonprofit and social services communities.
Continue reading ‘Putting Data to Use in Education (and Beyond)’
Tag Archive for 'NYC'
Much like the occasional baseball game, last week’s scheduled edition of this weekly feature fell victim to a rain delay! So in a bit of a double-header, this week’s roundup of interesting nonprofit sector job openings in and around New York City from my Twitter stream, clients, network, and other sources not only includes a baker’s dozen of individual job openings, but also spotlights six major nonprofits in the city who are currently recruiting for multiple positions.
Continue reading ‘NYC Nonprofit Jobs 5/23/10′
Here’s this week’s roundup of interesting nonprofit sector job openings in and around New York City from my Twitter stream, clients, network, and other sources.
Continue reading ‘NYC Nonprofit Jobs 5/8/10′
I love it when a plan comes together!
During last month’s #socentchat on Twitter, a discussion started among some of us in the New York City area about the idea of getting together in person, to meet, share ideas about social enterprise and social change, and see what might come of it. Tyler Ahn of Ashoka Changemakers took the lead, kept us on track, and has made it a reality!
I hope that everyone in the area with an interest in social enterprise and social change will consider joining us this Thursday, May 6th, anytime after 6:30pm, at the Village Pourhouse (64 Third Avenue at East 11th Street in Manhattan). We’ve got the big back room at our disposal and drink specials until 8:00pm. I look forward to meeting many of you there!
Photo credit: Saucy Salad 
Is nonprofit hiring starting to heat up in the New York City area? Two dozen positions in this week’s roundup of interesting nonprofit sector job openings in and around New York City from my Twitter stream, clients, network, and other sources.
Continue reading ‘NYC Nonprofit Jobs 5/1/10′
Here’s this week’s roundup of interesting nonprofit sector jobs in and around New York City from my Twitter stream, clients, network, and other sources:
Continue reading ‘NYC Nonprofit Jobs – 4/24/10′
Last week, I offered an extensive look at the financial situation that led to the closing on April 1 of the Harlem School of the Arts, an institution that has served thousands of members of its community for nearly 50 years.
This morning, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced that the closing would only be temporary. The Mayor, other city officials, and many donors have stepped in to save the school, which will reopen this Saturday.
“With the help of dedicated New Yorkers, private funders and arts education advocates working together with the city and local officials, the Harlem School of the Arts is now on a path to a new and sustainable future, and that’s great news for everyone.”
–Mayor Michael Bloomberg
The New York Times also reported that five new members of the board of directors have been selected (it is not immediately clear if these new directors will replace or join the six current directors, or if one of them will assume the board chairmanship). Charles Hamilton, managing director for strategy and development for La Cité Development will assume the role of board chairperson. The new directors include Ephraim Emmanual, president of the Harlem School of the Arts Parent Association. Adding the voice of the students’ parents to the school’s leadership is a positive step toward improving communication with this constituency, which was clearly missing during the school’s decline over the past few years. Mary Schmidt Campbell, Dean of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, is also among the new directors.
This morning’s announcement is great news for the school, the community, the city, and the arts. I hope that the new leadership will quickly turn its attention to righting the financial woes that I described in my earlier post, that the new donations that have and will flow into the school receive the highest levels of stewardship, and that the school continues to serve the city’s children for the next 50 years and beyond.
Photo credit: bfick
Here’s this week’s roundup of interesting nonprofit sector jobs in and around New York City from my Twitter stream, clients, network, and other sources:
For an update to this story, please see
Great News for Harlem School of the Arts!
New York City’s Harlem School of the Arts, a nonprofit institution which for nearly half a century has offered children and young adults training in dance, music, theater, and the visual arts, locked its doors on April 1st. A decision on whether or not the closing will be permanent is expected next week. The story has attracted considerable attention from the media, including multiple stories in the New York Times and the New York Daily News and on WPIX. It has also triggered emotional reactions from the community, including former and current students and parents. A Facebook group started by supporters of the school has grown to over 1,300 members in two weeks.
Nonprofit effectiveness is not necessarily measurable in financial terms. Much of the media coverage and public reaction has highlighted strong feelings and opinions on the part of the community as well as current and former administrators and board members. There does seem to be a general consensus among the media, public, some employees, and even some former board members that the school’s downfall resulted from an extended period of fiscal mismanagement. Parents in particular have been very vocal about their lack of confidence in the abilities of the current board, and while the board is seeking at least $500,000 to reopen for the remainder of the academic year, parents and other members of the Facebook group are suggesting that donations not be made to the school until such time as the board is replaced.
While one New York Times story highlighted a number of specific financial issues, including questions about the school’s failure to meet the benchmarks of a $1.5 million grant to strengthen its financial, marketing, and fundraising efforts, the use of a $1 million mortgage taken on the school’s building in 2007, and nearly $500,000 in payroll tax arrears, it failed to provide what I could perceive as a complete and objective look at the problems that had befallen the institution. To satisfy my own curiosity, I decided to take a look at the most recent form 990s as well as the media reports and other publicly available information. In this post, I want to share some of what I found to be some of the most notable data and patterns from those findings, as well as some questions that my findings raised for me and that might also be on the minds of those interested in the school, including students, parents, donors, and funders.
Continue reading ‘By the Numbers: Harlem School of the Arts’
Quantity, quality, and diversity in this week’s roundup of interesting nonprofit sector jobs in and around New York City from my Twitter stream, clients, network, and other sources:
Continue reading ‘NYC Nonprofit Jobs – 4/10/10′
Recent Comments