Molly Botnick, Associate, is dedicated to helping nonprofits pursue social justice and to assist them in serving their communities more effectively. With a background in social work and direct service, she brings a ground-level perspective of the issues facing underserved Philadelphians to Fairmount Ventures. Molly earned her B.A. in International Studies at Kenyon College. Continue reading
Author: Aimée Miller
Get to Know Fairmount Ventures: Edwin Harvey, Associate
Edwin Harvey, Associate, uses his skills in research and analysis to help Fairmount’s clients realize their missions and grow their capacities. Edwin has a B.A. from the George Washington University, a Master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Ph.D. from U.C. Berkeley. Continue reading
Get to Know Fairmount Ventures: Nicole Meyenberg, VP & Partner
We’re back with another edition of ‘Get to Know Fairmount Ventures’, a series of short Q+A’s with our team members, showcasing the many passions and personalities behind our firm. Continue reading
Get to know Fairmount Ventures: Eszter Kutas, Project Manager
Welcome to ‘Get to know Fairmount Ventures!’ a series of short Q+A’s with our team members, showcasing the many passions and personalities behind our firm. Continue reading
NO SURPRISES
At the mid-point of this year’s dog days of summer, temperatures were especially high in and around the executive offices of Temple University. A growing rift was reported between then-Temple president, Neil Theobald, and members of the university’s Board of Trustees. In the end, Theobald stepped down in late July about a week after the board unanimously voted no confidence in the president. The culprit of this discord? According to The Philadelphia Inquirer (July 15, 2016), members of the board faulted Theobald for “failing to consult them on key issues…” Continue reading
Catching a Wave… in a Park
Philadelphia nonprofits are catching a wave. Tidal forces like the Civic Commons project and city-wide efforts to create or revitalize community-based civic assets like parks, monuments, trails and libraries are already encouraging more social and economic integration. Like-minded organizations such as Bartram’s Garden, Smith Memorial Playground, Please Touch Museum and the Philadelphia Zoo are harnessing this newfound energy to re-examine the role Philadelphia’s venerable institutions play in impacting social good. And the results are triggering a sea change. Continue reading
Take a (Spring) Break
If you’re walking around Philly today, chances are you have spring fever, like me. As it turns out, that urge to ditch your desk and go have lunch in the park is pretty healthy, and might actually help you work smarter. Continue reading
Anchors Aweigh
I’ve been thinking about anchors. No, not the seafaring kind, though I do enjoy a legitimate opportunity to wear Topsiders now and again. I’m focused on community anchors – go-to neighborhood organizations – and how they’re evolving to address deeply-entrenched challenges of poverty and blight. Continue reading
How to Effect Meaningful Collaboration (or, what I learned from a week away at Rock Camp)
I’ve been thinking a lot about collaboration lately. How can multiple actors best come together to merge different (and often competing) cultures and interests, to achieve a common goal? What are the conditions under which something truly significant results? What are the red flags that indicate despite good intentions all around, it’s time to chalk things up to “lessons learned” and walk away? Continue reading
Hey, What’s the Big Idea?
As some of you may know, the Fairmount family has grown in recent months with the addition of our new strategic partners and officemates, Sage Communications Partners and Mialstones Consulting. Beyond the perks of finally having a couch and flatscreen TV in the office, we’re energized by their fresh thinking that’s already producing new ideas, resources and opportunities for our clients.
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