Dr Eric J Jolly of Saint Paul of Minnesota Foundation: 5 Things You Need To Know To Successfully Lead A Nonprofit Organization
Don’t try to replicate what already exists. If someone is doing something you want to do, support them — don’t compete with them. Building coalitions will allow those working toward the same end goal to maximize impact to better serve the community; this could mean sharing resources, funding, or identifying how you might strengthen an existing entity.
As part of my series about “individuals and organizations making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Eric J. Jolly.
Eric J. Jolly, Ph.D., is the President and CEO of the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation — a community foundation working to create an equitable, just and vibrant Minnesota where all communities and people thrive. Jolly joined the Foundation in 2015. As a lifelong educator and scientist, Jolly’s signature leadership style has been to listen deeply to those in the community. Jolly has focused the Foundation on three distinct strategies: inspiring generosity, advancing equity and investing in community-led solutions.
Thank you so much for doing this with us. Before we begin our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about your “backstory”?
My passion for philanthropy is rooted in my experience watching my own family benefit from the generosity of others during a health crisis. The generosity my family received was delivered with dignity; this demonstrated to me how important the approach we use to support one another, and our paths to restore our well-being, can be.
Can you tell us the story behind why you decided to start or join your non nonprofit?
I have been privileged to have led nonprofits around the world, serving more than 40 countries. While working as the CEO of the Science Museum of Minnesota when I received a call asking me to consider the opportunity to contribute to the well-being of thousands of Minnesota nonprofits at the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, a statewide community foundation that manages 1.7B dollar in assets for community good. Drawn to the complexity of an organization so deeply engrained in the community. I was excited to help support the nonprofit sector across the state. It meant taking on the challenge of being both a fundraiser and grant maker, as well as a community organizer and public policy leader, both at state and national levels. This opportunity built on my previous work, while challenging me in new ways.
Can you describe how you or your organization aims to make a significant social impact?
As a foundation, we distribute power of authority and responsibility to others whose lives will be impacted by the issues they want addressed. We use an inform, forms, benefits framework to guide our work and grantmaking. With this, we ensure that those who benefit from the work are also those who inform the critical issues, priorities, and the way those priorities will be addressed. I believe that community members closest to issues need to inform the agenda and form the intervention for benefits that accrue to have real meaning to them, not to an outsider. This distribution of power is what a foundation or a nonprofit entity needs to ensure they can make meaningful, sustained, and authentic progress.
Without saying any names, can you share a story about an individual who was helped by your idea so far?
I had a frank conversation with a faith-based organization that provides shelter and food to our community. While they do wonderful work, they had a practice called, “Pray to Stay,” which meant that those who were not of similar faith were excluded from their services — unless they agreed to pray. This practice runs counter to our Foundation’s values of inclusion and equity. I sat down with the leaders of the organization and told them that we couldn’t support this practice; that the care they provide shouldn’t be based on exclusion. The wonderful thing is that they listened.
Hearing this perspective, they realized that what they viewed as helpful was at times a barrier to service. And with that, they made several changes. First, they eliminated the “pray to stay” practice, but they didn’t stop there. They also diversified the composition of their board by increasing the number of people who are from and in the community that they serve; these are the people and now inform the programming. They also evolved their staff training and updated their policies to be more reflective of the community. In time, they observed that more people would pray once they could come to it voluntarily.
This reminds me of a saying I love, “The first step toward justice is the courageous recognition of injustice.” Sometimes injustice doesn’t always look like one might expect. In this case, having a conversation with this organization about a practice that had positive intent, but harmful outcomes helped them confront that harm, and advance their mission.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
- Stay informed by listening to the agendas of the people who work and live in the communities you serve.
- Return the power to the community of people.
- Think beyond your term limit — consider what your actions will mean decades from now.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
Leadership is having a deep understanding of the power and authority an organization has and pairing that authority with responsibility. A great leader hires a great team and understands that one can’t do it all but can see that it all gets done. I work with people smarter than me and give them the authority to advance a vision together with the communities we serve.
Based on your experience, what are the “5 things a person should know before they decide to start a nonprofit”.
- Remember that nonprofit is a tax status not a business plan. A nonprofit must think through the same opportunities and building blocks as any other entity — from identifying your unique value proposition to mapping out your workflows to creating a marketing and communications plan. To be able to fulfill your organizational vision, you must have a solid and sustainable foundation from which to flourish.
- Use data and storytelling to bring to life your mission and passion — and be prepared to talk about it. Whatever moves you will likely move others. Share the “why” of your work — not just the “what.” Make room for others to share their stories through the platforms and spaces that you create.
- Don’t try to replicate what already exists. If someone is doing something you want to do, support them — don’t compete with them. Building coalitions will allow those working toward the same end goal to maximize impact to better serve the community; this could mean sharing resources, funding, or identifying how you might strengthen an existing entity.
- Understand the ecosystem you are going to be working in. Who will be impacted positively? And who will be impacted negatively? How do you help others achieve their mission? Too often philanthropy has historically visited solutions upon communities for issues they didn’t even know they had. The most sustainable nonprofits will be built by having those who will benefit from the work, inform and form the way that the work is done in their communities.
- Always be open to listening. Hear someone or something out before jumping to conclusion.
We are very blessed that very prominent leaders read this column. Is there a person in the world who you would like to talk to, to share the idea behind your nonprofit? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
Bill Gates or Mackenzie Scott. The generosity and systemic focus of both is astounding.
Can you share your favorite “Life Lesson” Quote? How is that relevant to you in your life?
“You can achieve anything, so long as you don’t feel compelled to take credit for it” and “A leader who will step aside, share the limelight, or shine the spotlight on staff, partners and communities are rare leaders and the ones that get the most done.”
How can our readers follow you online?
https://spmcf.org/team/eric-j-jolly
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success in your mission.
Dr Eric J Jolly of Saint Paul of Minnesota Foundation: 5 Things You Need To Know To Successfully… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.