Author: Cindy Nixon, PR/Marketing Manager, Communities In Schools National Office
Philanthropedia.
Once I could get around to pronouncing it, I took a minute to think about what being recognized as a 鈥�2011 Top Nonprofit鈥� by this organization could mean to Communities In Schools. So I edged closer to the computer and did some research. A quick Google search allowed me to learn that Philanthropedia鈥檚 mission is to 鈥渋mprove nonprofit effectiveness by directing money to and facilitating discussion about expert-recommended, high-impact nonprofits.鈥�
In layman鈥檚 terms, they鈥檙e trying to give potential donors an idea of worthy causes to which they can give money. By delving a little deeper into their site, I also learned that Philanthropedia was acquired by GuideStar earlier this year. As the industry leader in nonprofit data, GuideStar has an audience in the millions 鈥� professionals, funders, advisers and other individuals. Not too shabby if you ask me!
In the less than two years I have served as Manager of Public Relations and Marketing, I鈥檝e seen Communities In Schools gain recognition from and now Philanthropedia. That鈥檚 one new major recognition per year. If I were a baseball player, I鈥檇 be hitting .1000, once again not too bad. Not to mention, we鈥檙e also fully accredited by the Better Business Bureau鈥檚 Wise Giving Alliance.
At Communities In Schools I am honored to work with a group of passionate individuals who truly care about giving the children we serve a better chance at life. But if we lack the proven evidence to back us up then we aren鈥檛 left with much. That鈥檚 why getting ourselves on the radar of such well-known evaluators is so crucial to helping us accomplish our mission. There are many worthy causes out there, so the challenge we are constantly tasked with is coming up with new ways to make our organization stand out. And this latest recommendation is one way we can go about doing just that. So while I may still be mispronouncing their name, at least I now understand how important Philanthropedia鈥檚 recommendation is to the future of Communities In Schools. And that鈥檚 good enough for me.
Check out on Philanthropedia鈥檚 website.