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September 27, 2018 By Helen Brown Leave a Comment

New Power, Boaty McBoatFace, and your nonprofit

Every nonprofit wants to be the next Ice Bucket Challenge winner. And even though we know that that particular Challenge was a total fluke – an influencer picked their favorite charity and that one-in-a-million bolt of lightning struck the ALS Association – we still dream of it happening to our charity.

Every “dusty independent agency” dreams of a 7.4 magnitude groundswell of interest in their work. The UK Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) achieved that nearly overnight with their captivating #NameOurShip campaign. The result was tens of thousands of votes, a crashed website, and global news coverage in favor of the runaway favorite: Boaty McBoatFace.

“It had become a cultural moment…a celebration of the British sense of humor.”

“The campaign reached 250 million people online. The #NameOurShip hashtag was used 23 million times on Twitter. The website generated 2.3 million page views,”
– Jeremy Heimans and Henry Timms, New Power

Boaty McBoatFace went down in history as an enormous opportunity wasted. Instead of riding the wave and engaging with hundreds of thousands of new supporters, NERC freaked out and went old school. When they didn’t like the answer they got, they bait-and-switched their public in favor of a safe choice.

We want that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

We want to say that our nonprofits will be able to capitalize upon that magical event when it happens to us. In each of these cases, neither organization was prepared for or able to harness the energy coming their way.

Maybe amidst all the noise and confusion of the moment, they weren’t able to recognize that the runaway train had their name on it.

Fortunately, New Power (the book) provides ways to help us recognize those moments and capitalize on them.

Last week, the HBG Book Club was delighted to host New Power’s co-author Henry Timms to our wrap-up meeting discussing the book. Over the last 6 weeks, we’ve met once a week to discuss two chapters, and all of us were eager to ask lots of questions and discuss the conclusions we’d drawn.

Our philanthropy-related questions were met with thoughtful responses and Timms even provided further examples of New and Old Power not mentioned in the book to illustrate his points.

In case you haven’t yet read it, in a very small nutshell, the premise of the book is this:

Old Power works in ways we are very familiar with: top down organizations where information, control, and license to act are maintained amongst a few. Power is currency. It is familiar and traditional, like many companies on the S&P 500.

New Power works in ways that we are just beginning to recognize: distributing control and action to those who want to take and run with it. New Power is like an electrical current – it can energize and activate anyone who wants to grab hold. Think of Flash Mobs, Uber drivers, and participants in the Ice Bucket Challenge for examples.

Old Power and New Power are not mutually exclusive in organizations. In fact, it’s desirable that both forms of power exist and co-exist within organizations. Timms and Heimans provide examples of ways that many organizations – including yours – can make the most advantage of each kind.

We asked Timms about the process of writing the book and about their research process (“lots of rabbit holes!” he said, laughing, which struck a chord with all of us!). We talked about politics and movements and companies and governments utilizing a combination of Old and New Power to their advantage and detriment.

Among all of the questions we asked, one helped bring the theoretical down to the practical: “How have you been able to use New Power at your own organization, the 92nd Street Y?”

“It’s not easy,” Timms admitted. It’s tough in nonprofits across the board because as we know, for most organizations, resources and risk tolerance just aren’t there. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. Here’s how his organization is trying…

It takes years of practice to be an overnight success

At the 92nd Street Y they’re being intentional about innovation. They’ve created an innovation team among the staff charged with widening participation at scale. There’s an expectation for innovation amongst the board members as well.

Timms described to us a capital campaign they shared by virtual reality. As he talked, I imagined donors, staff, the board, members, artists, lecturers, and little kids all strapping on a VR headset to see what ‘their’ new building was going to look like.

Onsite or maybe in their own living room, stakeholders were walking through rooms in the air that their current and future donations would make real.

That kind of creativity creates ripples of interest outside of constituencies. New Power is innovative, participatory, and small “d” democratic.

Its movements and actions can take off by happenstance, or they can have a purposeful origin. It can start even at a small nonprofit with a small budget, because one beautiful thing about catalyzing New Power is that it can be deployed on social media which is free and accessible to many.

Whether planned or unplanned, the purposeful nonprofit can be the very happy beneficiary of supported, uncontrolled action (think ALS or NERC) — especially if it’s prepared for what happens after the jolt of current strikes.

New Power provides a good framework (with interesting case studies) to learn about what this resource is; how it’s used for good and ill; and how to recognize and utilize it in your organization. Recommended reading.


The HBG Book Club would like to thank Henry Timms for joining us for our final discussion of the book, and for supporting and amplifying our conversation about the book on social media.

Filed Under: Career development, News, Non-profit trends Tagged With: #NewPower, HBG Book Club, HBGBookClub, Henry Timms, Jeremy Heimans, New Power

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David’s career in prospect research began in 2009, as a graduate research assistant at the Shippensburg University Foundation. In 2011, He became a development researcher for the University of Virginia. In 2015, David became assistant director of prospect research at the University of Baltimore, serving for 3 years. Recently, he was the director of development for Trees Forever. David Joined the Helen Brown Group as a research assistant in January 2020. He earned a B.A. in Theater at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a M.A. in Applied History at Shippensburg University. David is a member of APRA and APRA Great Plains.

Kenny has worked in development since 1999 and has been involved in prospect research since 2002.

Prior to joining The Helen Brown Group, he was the director of donor and prospect research at the United Way of Massachusetts Bay. Kenny is a member of APRA and NEDRA.

Tara first began her career in development in 2002 supporting the Major Gifts department at Simmons College, and ultimately went on to serve as Assistant Director of Prospect Research. Since that time, she has also worked as a Senior Research Analyst at MIT, as Associate Director of Prospect Management and Research at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and as Director of Development Research at Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP).

Tara originally joined the Helen Brown Group team in 2007 and served as a Research Associate and ShareTraining coordinator until 2008 – she rejoined the company as a Senior Researcher in 2013 and was promoted to her current role in 2018.

She has been an active volunteer with NEDRA for many years and served on the board of directors from 2010-2016. During her time on the NEDRA board, she served in many different roles, including terms as Vice President, Secretary, Chair of the Website and Technology Committee, Chair of the Volunteer Committee, and as Chair and Editor of NEDRA News. She is currently a member of the NEDRA Bootcamp faculty. In addition, Tara has also been involved as a volunteer with Apra, serving stints on the Membership Committee, Chapters Committee, and Bylaws Task Force.

Angie began her career in development in 1999 at Virginia Tech in Corporate and Foundation Relations and later in prospect research at the University of Connecticut Foundation.

A graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin, her experience includes grants management at the University of South Carolina, program evaluation for South Carolina Research Authority and human resources analysis for Nissan North America.

She returned to development in 2007 and worked in various prospect research positions at Vanderbilt University, including Associate Director. She was named Director for Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s research office in 2015, and joined The Helen Brown Group in 2016.

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Josh began his career in development as the Phonathon Coordinator at Keene State College. He then worked at non-profit consulting firm Schultz & Williams in Philadelphia.

He started his research career at the University of Pennsylvania as a Research Assistant in 2005. He then moved over to the Wharton School of Business, where he became the Associate Director, Research and Prospect Management. Josh joined the Helen Brown Group in 2016.

Josh is also a Colorado licensed Realtor and graduate of Lehigh University.

In March 2017, Kristina joined the Helen Brown Group as a Research Associate. Before joining HBG, she was the Research Manager at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn and an Associate Manager of Prospect Research at City Harvest, a food rescue organization. Kristina started her non-profit career as a legal assistant at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2004.  She is a member of Apra and Apra Greater New York. She was Apra Greater New York’s Director of Programming from June 2014 to May 2016. Kristina graduated from The University of Chicago and the Bard Graduate Center.

Grace began her career in development in 2001 as Executive Assistant to the Chief Development Officer with Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH), a Harvard Medical School-affiliated academic medical center.

In 2003, she became a prospect researcher for the BWH principal and major gifts team and spent the next 11 years in various research positions with BWH, culminating as Assistant Director of Prospect Research. She has been affiliated with The Helen Brown Group since January 2014.

Heather began her career in 2002 as a prospect research coordinator for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and then moved to Carroll College in 2004.

In 2005, Heather began working on her own as a freelancer and eventually started her own consulting firm, Willis Research Services, in 2007. She joined The Helen Brown Group in 2012.

Heather is a member of the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement and the Montana Nonprofit Association.

Jennifer began her career in development at her alma mater, Wheaton College, where she was an administrative assistant for the major gifts department.

She joined The Helen Brown Group in March 2008. She earned a master’s degree in library science from the Southern Connecticut State University in May 2009. Jennifer is a member of APRA and NEDRA.

Rick has been a member of the Helen Brown Group team since 2005. Prior to joining HBG, Rick was director of research at St. Paul’s School in Concord, New Hampshire. Rick has worked in development since 1996, both in prospect research and major gifts fund raising. His experience includes the University of Vermont, Phillips Exeter Academy and St. Paul’s School.

Rick is past president of NEDRA and is a member of and frequent volunteer for APRA.

Josh began his career in development as the Phonathon Coordinator at Keene State College. He then worked at non-profit consulting firm Schultz & Williams in Philadelphia.

He started his research career at the University of Pennsylvania as a Research Assistant in 2005. He then moved over to the Wharton School of Business, where he became the Associate Director, Research and Prospect Management. Josh joined the Helen Brown Group in 2016.

Josh is also a Colorado licensed Realtor and graduate of Lehigh University.

Mandi has worked in prospect research and management since 2006. She began her development career as a research analyst in development research at City of Hope, an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center in Los Angeles. From there, she became the manager of prospect development at Huntington Memorial Hospital, a community hospital in Pasadena, CA. Most recently, she was the associate director of prospect research and management at Occidental College, a private liberal arts college in LA.

Mandi has a BA degree in print journalism from Southern Methodist University and a master’s degree of library and information science from UCLA.

She joined the Helen Brown Group in May 2019.

Kelly began her career in development in 2008 as an administrative assistant in Major Gifts at Wheaton College.

In 2010, she became a research analyst at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in the Division of Development & Jimmy Fund as part of the prospect identification team. Kelly joined The Helen Brown Group in 2013.

She is a member of APRA and NEDRA.

Jayme began her career in development in 2008 at the Rutgers University Foundation, where she spent the next seven years, first in prospect management and then prospect research. She spent several years at Monmouth University as their senior prospect research analyst, working with the fundraising staff, university president, and top leadership. She has worked as both a volunteer and consultant for non-profits in the areas of research and writing.

She earned a bachelor of arts degree from Drew University and a master of communication and information sciences from Rutgers University. She is a member of APRA.

Jayme joined The Helen Brown Group in April 2019.

Julie has managed finances for The Helen Brown Group since its founding.

In her spare time, she is an editor for the PBS series Masterpiece at WGBH. Julie was nominated twice for an Emmy award for her work on the PBS show Zoom.

Heather began her career in development in 2001 as a prospect researcher for National Wildlife Federation (NWF). She was with NWF for more than thirteen years, including nearly five years as director of research and analytics. Heather is a former secretary of the board of directors of APRA-Metro DC.

She joined The Helen Brown Group in October 2014.

David began his career in development at The Gunnery school in northwest Connecticut in 2011, where he worked in database management and prospect research. Subsequently, he joined the College of Saint Rose as a development research analyst before leading Albany Medical Center Foundation’s prospect research efforts as Associate Director of Prospect Research. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Siena College and is a member of APRA and CASE.

Michele began her career in development in 2012 when she joined the UC Berkeley corporate and foundation relations team as a development analyst. She spent a year and a half at Cal before returning to UC Davis as a prospect analyst. She was with the prospect management and relations team at UC Davis for almost three years prior to joining the research and relationship management team at George Washington University as a Senior Prospect Analyst in 2016.

Michele received her BA in creative writing from Florida State University and her MA in higher education leadership from CSU Sacramento. She currently resides in Northern Virginia, is a member of Apra International, and serves as the social media chair for Apra Metro DC. Michele joined The Helen Brown Group in July 2018.

Angie has worked in development since 2002, partnering with a wide range of nonprofit institutions. She began her professional career at Vanderbilt University in research and prospect development.

She has also worked with a number of community nonprofits in front-line fundraising, grant-writing, and event management. Angie holds an MPA in Nonprofit Management from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and a BS in Journalism from Middle Tennessee State University. She resides in Nashville, Tennessee, and is a member of AFP Nashville and APRA MidSouth, where she has been active on the executive team.

She joined The Helen Brown Group in October 2015.

Maureen has been a part of the non-profit world since 1991. She started out in annual giving at Harvard Law School and continued her career as director of annual/special gifts at UC Santa Cruz.

In 1999 she made the switch from front-line fundraising to serve as director of prospect research/management at Bentley University and in 2001 began her role as administrator for the North American Foundation for the University of Manchester. She became part of the HBG team in September of 2011.

Helen has been a development professional since 1987. Her previous experience includes The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Albert Einstein Institution, Boston College, the Harvard School of Public Health and Northeastern University.

Currently she works with a variety of clients to establish, benchmark and re-align research departments; identify major gift prospects; and train researchers and other fundraisers through on-site and web-based training services.Helen is a former member of the board of the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (APRA) and is past president of the New England Development Research Association (NEDRA). In 2006 she received the NEDRA Ann Castle Award for service to the prospect research community.

Helen is Special Advisor on Fundraising to the North American Foundation for the University of Manchester and is a member of the board of directors of Factary Ltd. (Bristol, UK). She is a member of NEDRA, APRA, the Association of Independent Information Professionals (AIIP), Women In Development, the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and Researchers in Fundraising (UK).

Helen is a frequent speaker and has led seminars for a number of professional associations, including Action Planning, AFP, APRA, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), NEDRA, RIF, the Planned Giving Council of Central Massachusetts, the Georgia Center on Nonprofits, the International Fundraising Congress and Resource Alliance.

Helen is also co-author (with Jen Filla) of the book, Prospect Research for Fundraisers (Wiley & Sons, 2013).

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