Revisiting My “What’s My Why” List.
- Pat Kelsaw
- Mar 18, 2024
- 7 min read
In a recent post, I posed the “what is your
why” question in relation to why a
person would want to join your board or
get involved with your organization.
Now I want to pivot slightly to try and
answer that question on a more personal
level that still aligns with my work “why”.
Several years ago, to honor my Big
Mama’s memory, I showcased my handmade jewelry line at “Big Momma’s Beads”. Each piece unique and always made with love. Making jewelry brought me so much joy, selling my jewelry enabled me to buy more beads, cord, wire, and fancier tools. Hearing from my customers and finding pictures of my jewelry posted on their social media sites was such a thrill! Jewelry making kept me busy while I made a “shift” from fulltime consulting to “retirement”. Never did I imagine that one class in jewelry making at my local Michael’s craft store, a few books, videos, and craft shows would feed my soul in such a rewarding way.
“We are all here just walking each other home.” This quote from Ram Dass reminds
me why I am a “walker” for several “walkies” that are in my life. These special walkers
are your messengers who come into your life for a reason, season, or lifetime.
Through Big Mama’s Beads, one of my “walkies” discovered her own special talent for
jewelry-making and now has created her own unique style! She recently shared how
my passion for creating jewelry motivated her to try it out: “Thank you again for
inspiring me to start with jewelry making...” The messenger matters.
Many people have talents they do not use because they cannot figure out how to
make them pay off. Others stop using their talents because they haven’t found fame
and fortune. You may not be able to quit your day job, but the joy you receive from
sharing your talents with others will bring a wealth to you that surpasses all monetary
rewards. I am discovering this truth in my daily life, not just my life as a social worker,
Many Boomers like me, were first generation college grads who learned how to
navigate unfamiliar spaces throughout our careers. It is now time for us to be like a
“Big Mama” to our future leaders. Now I get/choose how to be “Big Mama” – to support
younger Gen X and millennial leaders along on their journey. I want to make things
better by using what I know, what lessons I’ve learned; share the wisdom that has
been shared with me. I want the next generation of “Big Mamas and Papas” to share
their knowledge and wisdom with the generations they are charged with raising,
mentoring, teaching and/or coaching.
Fortunately, I’ve had several “Big Mamas” and “aunties” - other amazing,
transformative, and wisdom-filled mostly Black women, but not exclusively. They are
an eclectic collective of walkers, my connectors, who helped me along my journey.
The importance of connecting is to help someone feel a little less lost - how
reconnection may be the answer to so many of the root problems we face. We were
never meant to do this work alone and we must learn from our past as not repeat it.
Celebrating Social Work Month with Lead Like Big Mama!
In celebrating Social Work Month and highlighting my forty years in the field, join me for
an intergenerational conversation with seasoned leaders and others - those seeking to
become the next generation of wise and seasoned leaders. This event aims to bring
together various generations to share insights, experiences, and wisdom to foster a rich
dialogue.
Join me at Big Mama’s Table:
Date: Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Time: 1:00 - 2:00 (ET)
Location: Virtual
Don’t forget - Register by Tuesday, March 19th to receive your confirmation email
with Zoom instructions!
From Big Mama’s Playbook:
Weekly nonprofit management strategies, grant writing resources, and more!
Grant News: Through Lead Like Big Mama, you can learn about basic nonprofit fundraising,
tips on how to get organized to begin grant writing, learn the language of proposal writing, etc.
These free/affordable courses are geared to new, small/emerging organizations, and others
interested in learning about the grant writing world!
Grant Tip: Diversify your revenue streams. Fiscally strong and responsible organizations know
the importance of pursuing multiple sources of funding. Relying too heavily on one source of
funding can leave your organization vulnerable to fluctuations in the economy, changes in
government/social policies, or changes in donor priorities.
Are you new to fundraising and grant writing?
My free 1-hour webinar offers a basic introduction to fundraising designed for non-profit staff
and board members, especially those new to fundraising, who want to develop a clear strategy to diversify funding streams to support the organization’s needs.
Date: Saturday, April 20 th - 1:00 – 2:00 EST Registration will open in April.
Featured Grant Opportunities: This listing primarily focuses on regions of the country and
targets communities: urban/suburban/rural where I have lived or worked, or other places that touch my life – where I know people are working hard to make a difference. And besides
regional and state-specific grants, national and Federal grant opportunities related to the
health and well-being of communities and families will also be included in this listing.
This week’s grants in the following areas:
Children/Youth:
(new) The Women’s Sports Foundation: Sports 4 Life program seeks to increase the
participation and retention of girls of color in sports. Grant awards up to $10,000
Deadline for Letters of Intent (LOI) April 5 th
For complete program guidelines and application instructions visit:
The Karma for Cara Foundation invites applications for its micro-grant program. Grants of up to $1,000 to students 18 years of age and under to complete service projects in their communities.
Deadline: April 1 at 11:59 (EST) next quarterly grant cycle
For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the website.
Education:
(new) San Diego Community Foundation seeks applications from community-based
organizations that provide college success programming to one or more of the identified priority student populations to join the Community Scholars Initiative (CSI) as partners. Each partner will be part of the CSI cohort and will receive a four-year conditional funding commitment from San Diego Foundation. Grant awards up to $150,000+ over four years.
Next Deadline: April 18 th at 3:00 PM (PST) NOTE: There are four funding cycles in 2024
For complete program guidelines and application instructions, follow the link:
The Iredell County (NC) Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Foundation For The
Carolinas, invites applications for its 2024 grant cycle. Grants up to $10,000 but will consider
larger requests for special projects and programs that impact residents of Iredell County.
Deadline: March 29, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. ET
For complete program guidelines and application instructions, search the application portal at the Foundation For The Carolinas website for Iredell County Community Foundation.
The San Francisco 49ers Foundation has opened the application window for the Dr. Harry
Edwards “Follow Your Bliss” Award grants. Ten educators will receive a $2,000 stipend for in-
classroom materials and resources to support a project or program of their choice.
Nominations due: March 29, 2024
For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the San Francisco 49ers
Foundation website.
First Nations Institute invites applications for Native Arts Initiative. Grants up to $100,000.
Deadline: March 27, 2024
For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the website.
Obama Foundation invites applications for Voyager Scholarship for Public Services.
Scholarships. A two-year leadership development and scholarship up to $50,000 for their junior and senior years of college.
Deadline: March 27, 2024
For complete program guidelines and application instructions for this scholarship, see the
website.
Imagine Learning Foundation invites applications for grants aimed at addressing both chronic absenteeism and the student homelessness crisis that are affecting K-12 students
nationwide. Estimated grant awards in the range of $50,000 to $100,000.
Deadline: March 29, 2024
For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the website.
Health/Safety/Environment:
(new) The Duke Energy Foundation will provide $500,000 in grant awards through the South
Carolina Emergency Preparedness and Storm Resiliency Grants to invest in emergency
preparedness organizations across South Carolina. The aim is to increase organizations’
resiliency to major weather events through advanced preparation, planning, equipment, and
training. Grand awards up to $20,000
Deadline: April 12, 2024
For complete program guidelines and application instructions visit:
San Diego Foundation (SDF) and San Diego Community Power (SDCP) with support from
Calpine Energy Solutions, will award funding to new and existing projects that move
communities towards a healthier, more sustainable, clean energy future. grant sizes ranging
from $25,000 to $100,000.
Deadline: Friday, April 5, 2024, by 5:00 p.m. PDT
For complete program information, see grant guidelines.
Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation seeks to impact the lifesaving capabilities and the
lives of local heroes and their communities by providing lifesaving equipment and prevention education tools to first responders, nonprofits, and public safety organizations - grants generally between $15,000 - $35,000.
Deadline: Next quarterly grant cycle opens April 4, 2024
For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the website.
Women & Girls:
The mission of Women’s Fund of Hawaii is to support innovative, grassroots programs that
empower women and girls statewide in Hawaii. Grants up to $10,000.
Deadline: Applications for the spring grant period will be accepted from March 1 - 31, 2024.
For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the website.
Featured Career Opportunities:
University of Utah, College of Social Work – Online Assistant Professor (lecturer); the
successful candidate may engage in telework remotely unless otherwise notified.
Weekly wisdom, in their own words:
“We have to learn how to tell the truth. We have to teach it to students, we have to have it in
schools, and people have to confront themselves. A lot of times people don’t want to do it
because they don’t want to feel guilty…but if you are benefiting from it, you at least have to
acknowledge it.”
— Dr, Ruby Morton Gourdine (1948 - 2022)
Did you know? Dr. Ruby Morton Gourdine was a social work trailblazer, advocate, and
educator.
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