We’re launching a new blog series, Meet the Minds, where you’ll get to know the talented team behind 1000 Feathers. First up: Sedric Warren, our Community Engagement Specialist. Sedric is passionate about shaping communities across South Carolina and the southeast, using his experience to help organizations create lasting change. Keep reading to learn more about Sedric and his journey.

“What a long, strange trip it’s been…” and it has only been two weeks since the now infamous memo from the Office of Management and Budget muddied the waters for organizations that depend on federal dollars to serve their clients and communities. The memo and subsequent communications from the White House caused a great deal of panic and confusion, and it still feels very raw.

Recently, our Melissa Strompolis presented at an international conference. The work she presented, in partnership with researchers at Texas A&M University, highlighted findings at the intersection of what it takes to move innovations to evidence and working in and with communities. Click to learn more.

We are thrilled to welcome Sedric Warren to the 1000 Feathers team as our new Community Engagement Specialist. Sedric brings a wealth of experience from his impressive career in public health, with over a decade of service dedicated to advancing community well-being through innovative strategies and impactful programs.

For nonprofits, understanding and effectively managing a digital footprint is no longer a choice but a necessity. As someone who has worked in communications for over 20 years, I recognize the pivotal role that a nonprofit's online presence plays in shaping its impact. Here are a few things to be learned from your digital footprint, which includes everything from your website to your e-newsletter to your social media properties.

Our CEO, Forrest Alton, was a recent guest on the popular podcast, I Was Told There'd Be Snacks. Hosted by Kevin Dean and the Nonprofit Network (Memphis, TN), this episode, titled "Quitting with Dignity," explores the delicate process of leaving a job.

At 1000 Feathers, we are proud to be the catalyst for bringing together nonprofits, government entities, and communities. In this instance, a unique partnership has come to life. We've had the pleasure of connecting Family Solutions (a SCORH program), Children's Trust, and the South Carolina Department of Social Services.

Recently, Forrest joined fellow leaders for a webinar, ‘Unlocking Potential: The Key to Successful Cross-Organizational Collaboration.’ This event, hosted by our friends at Wholespire, included insightful discussions and valuable learnings on how statewide organizations overcome challenges to lead partnerships with limited capacity and resources

We’re excited to announce a project that 1000 Feathers, in partnership with Seth Media, has developed for Healthy Palmetto. Together, we have produced a series of five videos, each highlighting the critical priority areas Healthy Palmetto is focusing on to enhance the health and well-being of South Carolinians.

Through our firm’s work with Grow Outdoors SC, I have learned that the childhood I experienced isn’t the childhood many are experiencing today. We have replaced chasing butterflies for racing cars on an X Box. We have replaced getting messy in the dirt with increased time in front of the television.

On National Rural Health Day, we honor our commitment to rural communities. In honor of today, we’d like to share an article written by our co-founder, Dr. Heather Brandt. In her article, Dr. Brandt addresses the critical issue of lower HPV vaccination rates in rural communities compared to urban areas. Drawing on her personal connections to rural Iowa, she explores potential reasons for this disparity, including misinformation and access challenges.

At 1000 Feathers, we often find ourselves saying that we are issue agnostic, meaning that we partner with organizations, coalitions, and systems across the southern United States on a range of issues. We know that our words and what we say matter, and that is why we have made a conscious decision to change our narrative away from “being issue agnostic” and towards transformation. Providing clearer words about who we are and how we work has helped us see not only that we are passionate about many issues but we also care deeply that our partners know where we stand. 

Recently, Forrest had the opportunity to sit down with Patrick Jinks, president of The Leader's Perspective, on his popular podcast, The Leadership Window. We discuss our journey and the seven invaluable lessons we've learned during our incredible seven-year tenure here at 1000 Feathers.

Just as a survey is not right for every data gathering situation, an incentive is not right for every data gathering situation either, and if you’re in the partnership space like me, it’s a thoughtful conversation and decision to use both a survey and an incentive. So, my question is, when it comes to your incentive, was it worth it?

On October 4, 2023, Forrest moderated a forum hosted by One80 Place for the City of Charleston Mayoral candidates to discuss their proposed solutions to address homelessness and affordable housing.

The Community Foundation of Greater Memphis is offering nonprofit capacity-building grants to support one-time projects that address your strategic plan and improve the management, governance, and administration of your organization.

1000 Feathers is thrilled to announce that Heather Brandt, co-founder, has been honored with the prestigious 2023 Friend of Children Award given annually by the Tennessee Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Studies show that social connections play a central role in fostering a sense of purpose and well-being in the workplace. But what if your workplace is not in-person? Or you are not going into an office every day? There are still things we can do to build good workplace relationships -  here are 6 tips for cultivating relationships in a virtual world.

This past year, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside Healthy Palmetto, a statewide collaborative focused on healthy eating and active living in South Carolina. Summer is the perfect time to foster healthy habits and ensure our kids stay active and nourished. Keep reading for some practical tips and tricks to help you navigate the summer season.

1000 Feathers is celebrating seven years in business this month (June 2023). Sometimes anniversaries like these come and go, other times they are celebrated, and sometimes a particular year feels more noteworthy than others. This is one of those years for us. Maybe there is something about the number seven that seems lucky or even significant (see: seven days of the week, seven continents, and seven colors in a rainbow). More likely, it’s that seven years of being in business has resulted in learning and growth, resulting in significant shifts in how we approach our work.