Making the Work Work Better

Do you work in social impact? Would you like some time back in your week?

If so, drop what you’re doing and sign up for this special AI Lab.

I’ll tell you why: I’ve been a huge fan of the Realized Worth team for years. Chris Jarvis runs the RW Institute, and recently he launched something called the RW Makerspace — a creative online space built specifically for social impact practitioners. It’s very cool.

And you know what’s extra cool? Inside the Makerspace, Chris hosts “AI in Practice Core Labs.” These Labs are hands-on, energizing, and designed for people trying to do big things with limited time and resources.

I’ve participated in two Labs already and walked away each time with fantastic new AI tools.

AI (as we all know) is evolving at breakneck speed, and more than 75% of U.S. workers are now using generative AI tools. For those of us in social impact, AI is how we can:

• Reclaim time for strategy and innovation

• Analyze data and generate reports more easily

• Communicate more effectively

• Stay ethically grounded in a fast-changing tech landscape

These AI Labs are free for the rest of the month. Here’s the link to sign up.

I promise it’ll be worth your time.

With love and appreciation,

Sarah

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📣 HEY NONPROFITS, CHECK OUT THE UNFUNDED LIST

Have you heard about the Unfunded List?

The Unfunded List was started in 2015 with a simple mission: To provide feedback and recognition to unfunded grant proposals.

For a tiny fee, nonprofits can submit a grant proposal. A group of volunteer funders will review the proposal and send back thoughtful comments — and then offer a consultation call to discuss.

I love this so much — such a cool service! Yes to all the feedback.

🎤 WISER THAN ME

If you’re looking for a new podcast, might I recommend Wiser Than Me, hosted by Julia Louis-Dreyfus. You are guaranteed to laugh and learn when listening.

Each episode begins with a monologue from Louis-Dreyfus, followed by an interview with a well-known woman (older than Julia; generally over 70), and ends with a recap between Louis-Dreyfus and her mom (which is always so fun).

It’s a good one. ;)

🪑 PARK BENCHES + GRANDMOTHERS = MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT

Want to read an article about something positive?! I came across this feel-good story (that’s also actionable) and had to share: Dr. Dixon Chibanda, a psychiatrist in Zimbabwe, founded Friendship Bench more than 20 years ago to address the severe shortage of mental health professionals — at that time, fewer than 10 psychiatrists served 13 million people.

Dr. Chibanda trained 14 volunteer grandmothers in basic talk-therapy skills, equipping them to listed to distressed individuals in community settings like park benches — a model that has since expanded. Today, more than 600 grandmothers in Zimbabwe and around the world (including Zanzibar, the UK, and the U.S.) provide accessible, empathetic mental health support.

There’s now a “Friendship Bench in a Box” toolkit for starting local benches anywhere (love!).

💘 NONPROFIT LOVE

Per Scholas began in 1995 in the South Bronx, founded by John Hoyt Stookey and Lewis Miller as a technology reclamation nonprofit dedicated to bridging the local digital divide. Originally focused on collecting and refurbishing retired communities for underserved families and schools, the organization soon identified a deeper need: Local residents required training to repair the hardware effectively.

By 2003, under the leadership of Plinio Ayala, Per Scholas shifted its mission toward tuition-free, immersive technology training — evolving rapidly from a computer refurbishing initiative into a nationally recognized workforce development nonprofit.

Today, Per Scholas operates in 20+ U.S. cities and has trained tens of thousands in high-growth tech fields through rigorous, employer-aligned programs, propelling alumni into tech careers with significantly higher wages.

This nonprofit is AMAZING. Want to see how you can get involved? Click here.