Nonprofit Lowdown - Episode #311: When Local Becomes National and VOTE with Margaret Huang

Release Date: November 4, 2024

1. Introduction and Sponsorship

Rhea Wong opens the episode by highlighting the importance of Giving Tuesday, scheduled for December 3rd, as the world's largest day of generosity. She emphasizes it as an opportunity for nonprofits to rally their communities, inspire donors, and boost fundraising efforts. Notably, GivingTuesday sponsors this episode, providing nonprofits with valuable resources such as free templates, tools, and tips available at givingtuesday.org.

Quote:
“Giving Tuesday isn't just a day. It's the day to rally your community, inspire your donors, and, yeah, raise that money, honey.”
— Rhea Wong [00:00]

2. Guest Introduction: Margaret Wong's Background

Rhea introduces Margaret Wong, the President and CEO of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and SPLC Action Fund. Margaret shares her diverse upbringing, growing up in East Tennessee with connections to both New England and Asia. This multicultural background instilled in her a deep appreciation for different experiences and fueled her passion for making the world a better place through nonprofit work.

Quote:
"I spent summers between New England and Taiwan, or China and Tennessee. It was a very unusual experience growing up, but I think the joy of it was that it really opened my eyes to learning about different experiences.”
— Margaret Wong [01:59]

3. Challenges and Opportunities as a Biracial Asian American Female Leader

Margaret discusses her journey in the nonprofit sector, initially engaging in women's rights advocacy. She highlights the importance of aligning organizational missions with personal values, leading her to transition into management roles where she could create environments for others to flourish. As a biracial Asian American female leader, Margaret recognizes the unique challenges of being underrepresented but also sees the growing momentum for diversity in leadership.

Quote:
"A lot of our early cases were suing local state governments to comply with federal civil rights protections.”
— Margaret Wong [03:45]

4. Making Local Causes Nationally Relevant

The conversation delves into SPLC's focus on communities of color in the Deep South, particularly African American communities. Margaret explains that challenges faced in the South, such as attacks on reproductive and voting rights, have national implications. These issues in the South can influence policies and civil rights protections nationwide, making SPLC's work crucial beyond regional boundaries.

Quote:
"We recognize that our fight may be focused on the Deep South as a way to make change happen there, but it will have national and even global ramifications.”
— Margaret Wong [06:54]

5. Fundraising Strategies and Engaging Younger Donors

Rhea inquires about SPLC's fundraising approach, especially in appealing to donors outside the South. Margaret reveals that SPLC relies heavily on small individual donors, accounting for 85-90% of their funds, with an average gift of $22. However, she acknowledges the shift in philanthropy among younger generations, who prefer cause-based giving over organizational loyalty. SPLC is adapting by focusing on issue-driven campaigns and fostering deeper community engagements to resonate with millennials and Gen Zers.

Quote:
"Younger generations, particularly millennials and gen zers, they don't approach philanthropy in the same way. They care about issues.”
— Margaret Wong [17:02]

6. Internal Strategic Shifts at SPLC

Margaret outlines SPLC's strategic shift from solely litigation to a more holistic approach that includes policy influence and community organizing. This transition was formalized through SPLC's first-ever strategic plan, adopted two years prior. The organization is now emphasizing monitoring and evaluation, setting metrics to assess impact, and expanding capacities to address civil rights threats beyond the courtroom.

Quote:
"One of the most important things we did as an organization is that we adopted our very first strategic plan.”
— Margaret Wong [14:55]

7. Growth and National Branding of SPLC

Tracing SPLC’s evolution from a small local organization to a national powerhouse, Margaret attributes their growth to effective direct mail fundraising and a loyal donor base. However, recognizing changes in donor behavior, SPLC is now exploring new ways to engage younger supporters who prefer active involvement over financial contributions alone. Initiatives include collaborating with academic institutions and empowering communities to counteract extremist ideologies.

Quote:
"We still today get 85 to 90% of our funds from small individual donors. The average gift… is $22. Yeah. And I have to say that makes me really proud.”
— Margaret Wong [17:02]

8. Future Priorities and Vision for SPLC

Looking ahead, Margaret emphasizes the demographic and political transformations underway in the South. States like Georgia and Florida are experiencing significant population growth and increasing diversity, which SPLC believes will lead to greater political representation for communities of color. SPLC aims to support these changes by investing in grassroots organizations and encouraging civic engagement to ensure that diverse voices influence policy and governance.

Quote:
"If organizations like the Southern Poverty Law Center and others are successful in both making investments and encouraging others to come make investments in the South, I believe… we are going to see an incredible transformation.”
— Margaret Wong [24:43]

9. Advice for Other Nonprofits

In closing, Margaret advises place-based nonprofits to articulate how their local issues have broader national significance. By contextualizing local struggles within a national framework, organizations can build stronger national brands and garner wider support. She cites the example of homelessness laws in Alabama, explaining how local battles reflect nationwide challenges exacerbated by recent Supreme Court decisions.

Quote:
"We can't fight all these battles one at a time. We have to really find ways to champion changes at the national level that really advance and protect civil rights across the country.”
— Margaret Wong [32:27]

10. Conclusion: Supporting SPLC and Civic Engagement

As the episode concludes, Margaret urges listeners to participate in democracy by voting and staying informed about civil rights issues. She emphasizes the importance of continuous engagement beyond election cycles to build trust and demonstrate the tangible impact of civic participation. Rhea reinforces this message, encouraging listeners to support SPLC's mission and stay connected through resources provided in the show notes.

Quote:
"All of our fundamental civil rights in this country depend on recognition and protection under federal law, and that is under assault.”
— Margaret Wong [08:39]

Key Takeaways:

• Local Actions with National Impact: Issues in the Deep South, such as reproductive and voting rights, have far-reaching implications that affect civil rights nationwide.

• Adaptation in Fundraising: SPLC is evolving its fundraising strategies to engage younger, issue-focused donors who seek active participation rather than traditional financial contributions.

• Strategic Expansion: Beyond litigation, SPLC is increasing its focus on policy influence and community organizing to combat civil rights threats effectively.

• Future of Civil Rights in the South: Demographic shifts and increasing diversity in Southern states present opportunities for political transformation and enhanced civil rights protections.

• Advice for Nonprofits: Clearly connect local issues to national narratives to build broader support and effectively scale organizational impact.

For more information on SPLC and how to support their work, visit www.splcenter.org. Don’t forget to participate in the democratic process by voting in your local and national elections.

Follow Margaret Wong on LinkedIn for updates and ways to get involved.

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