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Written by Millicent AlhamisWhat happens when young people are told, "You can’t," versus when they hear, "You can, and we will support you"? That single shift in messaging can change the course of someone’s life.We often talk about the importance of investing in the next generation, but what does that really mean? What does it look like in action? For some, it’s access to quality education. For others, it’s having a mentor who sees their potential before they even recognize it themselves. And for many, it’s simply the opportunity to be seen, heard, and supported.For the past three years, Deo Mwano Consultancy (DMC) has played a role of coming alongside Manchester students and supporting their pursuit of a post high school career through the Persevere to Excel Scholarship. What started as a small initiative to recognize a few hardworking students has grown into a movement, a commitment to ensuring that young people especially those who are often overlooked know that their perseverance matters.But let’s be clear: perseverance alone isn’t enough.We see it every year in the essays students submit. These are young people who have faced challenges, but are still able to keep pushing forward because they believe in something bigger for themselves. It is about preserving and excelling. It is being able to move forward by growing and developing, despite the struggles and obstacles you face. The Cost of Not Investing in YouthWhen young people aren’t given access to opportunities, the consequences don’t just impact them, they impact all of us. A student who doesn’t have the resources to attend college, trade school, or any further education doesn’t just miss out on an education; we, as a society, lose the potential contributions they could have made.There should be focus on the pursuit of greater impact by making the investment needed for them to gain some sort of skill sets that will propel them forward. These skillsets need to be holistic and not limited to just college. DMC makes the commitment to come alongside the students in recognizing them and giving them a little something to show them that the community is behind them and is in support of their success despite challenges they have experienced in the past or experiencing now.Imagine how many future teachers, entrepreneurs, engineers, and artists we never get to see rise simply because they did not believe they can achieve success or they were not given the opportunity to feel supported to pursue the challenging stuff. The barriers they face are not just personal failures, they are also structural realities that we have the power to change. Coming alongside is critical in an extra boost of external affirmation, the “You can do it!”. Some students are yearning for that in order to believe in the possibility of the future. The impact of investing in youth extends beyond the individuals who receive help. When we lift one student up, they turn around and lift others. They mentor younger students. They break generational cycles. They return to their communities, not just as professionals, but as role models who prove that success is possible.The Responsibility to ActThe challenge isn’t that young people lack ambition, it's that too many lack resources and people cheering and championing them to do the hard work that will amount to successful achievement. That is why our scholarship isn’t about grades or financial need alone, it's about perseverance, in all its unique and deeply personal forms. We have never chosen winners based on a single definition of success. We look for students who show us what perseverance means to them, because we know that determination takes many shapes.In addition, we host an award event to celebrate the winners of the scholarship. We invite our alumni who have been recipients of the scholarship to come back and tell their stories of what the scholarship meant to them, as well as how they are utilizing their strengths and positive mindsets to move forward and continue to persevere forward. Their testimonies are powerful for the other students, family members and community leaders who attend the scholarship to hear about their continued journey.But supporting youth doesn’t start or stop with scholarships. It starts in everyday moments in the conversations we have, the doors we open, and the encouragement we offer. When we listen to young people, when we show up for them, when we create spaces where they can grow, we shift what is possible. We create access. We remove barriers. We show them that their dreams are not only valid, but achievable.Too often, we assume that investing in youth is the job of schools, nonprofits, or government programs. But if we truly believe in community transformation, we have to recognize that it’s our job, too. Every one of us has the power to create an opportunity, whether by mentoring a student, sharing career advice, or simply acknowledging their potential.The true measure of a community’s success isn’t just found in its businesses, policies, or economy, it’s found in the opportunities it creates for its young people. The future isn’t built by chance. It’s built by those willing to reach back and lift the next generation forward.If we want a stronger community, a more equitable society, and a future where young people can truly thrive, we need to do more than just talk about supporting them. We need to act. We need to invest. We need to show up.The question isn’t whether young people are ready for the future. The real question is are we ready to support them? The DMC Community Transformation Team brings over 25 years of combined experience, collaborating with nonprofits, cities and towns, grant makers, and other nonprofits to make a positive impact. DMC has successfully created programs and campaigns that bridge diverse communities, addressing root causes of problems and facilitating sustainable solutions.

Written by Millicent AlhamisThe journey from vision to action is often filled with challenges, especially during political transitions. For grantmakers, these challenges are even more pronounced as shifting policies and funding priorities threaten to derail critical initiatives—many of which support underrepresented communities. Organizations that have long relied on federal grants to sustain essential programs now face uncertainty, making the role of private and institutional grantmakers more crucial than ever.The Ripple Effect of Federal Grant CutsMany organizations benefit from federal grants and loans, even if they do not receive funding directly. Often, larger organizations act as intermediaries, distributing these resources to multiple entities. When federal funding is reduced or eliminated, the negative ripple effect extends far beyond individual organizations, impacting entire networks and the communities they serve.As a new administration takes office, these disparities will become even more apparent. Over the past four years, significant resources were allocated to social support programs, particularly in response to the pandemic. Many of these funding streams have now dried up, leaving organizations scrambling to fill the gaps. The abrupt pause in federal grants and loans further compounds the issue, putting vital services at risk.The Need for Proactive GrantmakingTo navigate these uncertainties, grantmakers must act boldly and strategically. Now is the time to identify the areas of greatest need and invest in organizations facing funding shortfalls. Without swift and targeted action, these challenges will only intensify, disproportionately affecting communities that have already been historically marginalized.The call to action is clear: Grantmakers have a unique opportunity to step in where federal support has been withdrawn. By prioritizing funding for organizations, they can help sustain progress, empower communities, and ensure that critical services remain available. The future depends on the decisions made today—will grantmakers rise to meet the moment?A Blueprint for Sustainable ImpactThrough our work with grantmakers and community organizations, we have seen firsthand how intentional support can help nonprofits sustain their missions despite uncertain funding landscapes. In a recent initiative, we conducted assessments of equity-focused funding recipients, identifying critical gaps in resources, structural support, and workforce sustainability. This process highlighted the importance of deeper engagement between grantmakers and the organizations they fund, ensuring that financial support is paired with strategic guidance to create lasting change.The insights gained from this work provide a valuable lens through which grantmakers can evaluate their own approaches in 2025. By shifting from selective funding to proactive impact funding strategies, they can not only preserve existing programs but also foster long-term, sustainable change. The opportunity is now—let’s create a future where funding drives real impact and communities continue to thrive. Grantmakers have the power to take bold action, deploying resources strategically and responsively to close gaps and meet the evolving needs of the communities they serve.Four Immediate Actions Grantmakers Can Take to Close Funding GapsIdentify At-Risk Organizations – Conduct a rapid assessment to pinpoint nonprofits and programs most affected by federal funding freezes and prioritize them for immediate support.Provide Bridge Funding – Offer short-term emergency grants or flexible funding options to help organizations maintain operations while seeking alternative long-term funding.Strengthen Capacity Building – Support grantees with technical assistance, strategic planning, and grant-writing resources to help them secure sustainable funding from diverse sources.Advocate and Collaborate – Partner with other funders, policymakers, and stakeholders to push for alternative funding mechanisms and amplify the needs of affected organizations. The DMC Community Transformation Team brings over 25 years of combined experience, collaborating with nonprofits, cities and towns, grant makers, and other nonprofits to make a positive impact. DMC has successfully created programs and campaigns that bridge diverse communities, addressing root causes of problems and facilitating sustainable solutions.

Written by Millicent AlhamisSmall businesses are more than just storefronts and service providers; they’re the soul of our communities. They bring vibrancy to neighborhoods, provide essential goods and services, and often offer a personal touch that larger corporations simply can’t. Yet, when it comes to accessing resources, these businesses face challenges that can feel impossible especially when navigating programs designed to help them.Take the ARPA Small Business Support initiative in Manchester, for example. This program aimed to help businesses recover from the pandemic and build capacity through a three-phase approach, culminating in the 360 Business Success Program. On paper, it sounds straightforward: here’s a framework, follow the steps, and access the benefits. But the reality on the ground paints a different picture. For many small businesses, particularly those owned by people from minority communities, even knowing where to begin can be overwhelming. This isn’t a failure of effort; it’s a lack of tailored support. And that’s where the real work begins.The truth is, most small businesses don’t have the luxury of an administrative team to handle paperwork or the know-how to navigate complex application systems. When grant requirements call for detailed documentation, certifications, or registrations often with no clear instructions, business owners are left juggling these tasks on top of running their day-to-day operations. For seasonal businesses or those with limited staff, this can mean making impossible choices: do I spend my time filling out forms, or do I serve my customers and keep my doors open? It’s not enough to say, “Here’s a grant or resource; go get it.”, instead, support needs to meet businesses where they are literally and figuratively. That means offering hands-on guidance to help owners understand what’s required, walking them through processes like setting up federal registrations, and ensuring they feel confident completing applications.Programs like the 360 Business Success Program thrived because consultants work directly with business owners, filling gaps in knowledge and capacity rather than expecting them to figure it out alone. Not all businesses have the same starting point. Many minority-owned and immigrant-run businesses, for instance, face additional barriers such as language differences, lack of access to networks, or unfamiliarity with local systems and it’s not enough to hand over a list of requirements and hope for the best. Support could include providing translation services, technical assistance, or even helping businesses prioritize their goals to ensure they’re focusing on what will benefit them most in the long term.One of the most rewarding aspects of this work for us has been helping businesses uncover needs they didn’t even realize they had. Many initially sought funding for equipment or physical upgrades, but with a bit of guidance, they discovered other areas that would create more lasting impact like improving their digital marketing, streamlining their operations, or building stronger customer engagement strategies. By offering tailored advice and consistent support, we’ve seen business owners thrive in ways they didn’t think were possible.The question we need to ask ourselves is this: how can we show up better for our small businesses? It starts with recognizing that what they often lack isn’t ambition or talent—it’s support. Whether it’s simplifying processes, providing step-by-step assistance, or simply asking, “What do you need most right now?” The key is to create systems that are as inclusive and flexible as the businesses they’re meant to serve. Small businesses are resilient, but they shouldn’t have to carry the weight of bureaucracy alone. When we invest in helping small businesses succeed, we’re investing in the health and vitality of our communities. And that’s a win for all of us. The DMC Community Transformation Team brings over 25 years of combined experience, collaborating with nonprofits, cities and towns, grant makers, and other nonprofits to make a positive impact. DMC has successfully created programs and campaigns that bridge diverse communities, addressing root causes of problems and facilitating sustainable solutions.

Written by Andrea BruneauThe Maximize Positive Impact Conference brought together a diverse group of small business owners, cultural change leaders, and non-profit visionaries to share their stories. Central to the discussion was how these leaders are deepening their relationships with customers and employees, fostering inclusivity, and maximize the positive impact they have on the communities they serve. Our non-profit panelists, Nicole Reimer, Chief Engagement Officer for Granite United Way, and Sal Prizio, Executive Director for the Capitol Center for the Arts, shared how they are fostering authentic relationships to drive meaningful change. By redefining their roles and embracing innovative approaches, these organizations are connecting with their communities in deeper, more impactful ways. Through shifting perspectives, addressing systemic barriers, simplifying processes, and creatively leveraging resources, they have transformed their ability to serve.Shifting Identity to Expand ImpactFor the Capital Center for the Arts, the transformation began with a simple yet profound shift in self-definition: from “We are a performing arts center” to “We are a community service organization with a focus on the arts.”This new identity moved them beyond being just a venue, opening doors to initiatives that served a broader audience. It also challenged them to take an honest look at legacy habits, biases, and gaps in their programming and partnerships. With the arrival of a new director, fresh eyes brought clarity to long-standing issues, such as the lack of diversity among patrons and a need for strategies to connect with new audiences.Learning From the CommunityBoth leaders emphasized the importance of humility and active listening when engaging with underserved communities. The Capital Center for the Arts, for example, sought input from minority and underserved communities in their area and discovered they have unique and unmet needs that become access barriers:Transportation Challenges: Many potential patrons simply couldn’t get to the theater. To address this, productions were brought to them. Lack of Diverse Programming: Their existing lineup catered to a narrow demographic, leaving other audiences unrepresented. Re-envisioning programming was prioritized.Granite United Way had similar revelations. They found that their grant-making approach was overly transactional, and community organizations wanted genuine relationships instead of just funding. One request stuck with them:“Please just show up.”Removing Barriers to InclusionTo make meaningful change, both organizations began addressing structural roadblocks:Simplify Processes: Legacy systems like cumbersome grant applications discouraged partnerships and limited access to critical services. Simplifying these processes became a priority.Reimagine Resources: The performing arts center creatively used its fully functioning kitchen to support local entrepreneurs. One woman started by making food in the space, eventually earning enough to launch her food truck business.These efforts demonstrate how rethinking existing resources could unlock new ways to support the community.Meaningful RepresentationThe panelists stressed that relationship-building is a must in order to bring underserved community members into leadership roles. Establishing trust, meeting people where they are, and ensuring their voices are heard create a strong foundation for meaningful representation.Key Takeaways for Non-ProfitsRedefine Your Role: A shift in identity can lead to transformative initiatives and new ways to serve.Engage with Humility: Be willing to learn from the community and adapt based on their needs.Challenge Your Status Quo: Simplify processes and rethink legacy practices that hinder inclusion.Leverage Resources Creatively: Existing assets can create unexpected opportunities for community impact.By going beyond transactions and positioning themselves as allies, these organizations showed how non-profits can foster deeper, more authentic relationships with the communities they serve—leading to lasting, positive change. The DMC Community Transformation Team brings over 25 years of combined experience, collaborating with nonprofits, cities and towns, grant makers, and other nonprofits to make a positive impact. DMC has successfully created programs and campaigns that bridge diverse communities, addressing root causes of problems and facilitating sustainable solutions.