We recently connected with Anna Taylor and have shared our conversation below.
Anna, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?
I’m fortunate to work in an environment where people change the world for the better every day. My organization supports start-up nonprofits, and each of the founders I meet is lending their own unique blend of experience and expertise to solving a problem they’re passionate about. My own small contribution lies in smoothing roadblocks that are slowing them down!
One of my all-time favorite quotes from Fred Rogers is “Look for the helpers.” Whenever you feel paralyzed in the face of tragedy and despair, remember that there are always people working on solutions. Focusing on those positive aspects is like a dancer focusing on a single point to keep from getting dizzy. Whenever I catch myself dwelling and doomscrolling, I redirect my attention to people and organizations who are changemakers, and who I might be able to support with a donation, some volunteer time, or a signal boost for their work.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I serve as the founding Director of The Greater Sum Foundation, an organization that provides funding, training, and network building to start-up non-profits. The Greater Sum connects changemakers with the resources they need to be successful. Alumni of our programs provide legal expertise to asylum seekers, connect new mothers with life-saving medical equipment and instructions, bring strength and joy to children with life-threatening illnesses, and so much more.
Like many members of Gen-X, I’m at a point in my career where I’ve gained a wealth of specialized knowledge and want to see it put to meaningful use. Greater Sum volunteers are experts in marketing, IT, business operations, nonprofit management, and more. They offer pro bono services to the nonprofits in our network, most of which are too small to hire or contract for services.
We have also created a virtual incubator program for nonprofits that taps into volunteer experience, directed towards the topics that our alumni tell us are their biggest pain points. That program is FREE, and offered several times throughout the year. Participants have access to our online curriculum, volunteer network, and nonprofit peers across the country. The Greater Sum community supports founders through tough times, and celebrates their impact and successes. Anyone who has started a nonprofit and is looking for support is welcome to apply for the incubator at https://thegreatersum.org/virtual-incubator-info
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I’d be remiss if I didn’t shout out my Anthropology degree! Most of my communication and critical thinking skills are rooted in curiosity about and respect for human experience. Students in an anthropology classroom learn to unpack assumptions. Much of the problem-solving I’ve accomplished in my career has involved investigating how people’s assumptions might be getting in the way of the results they’re trying to achieve.
In Alice in Wonderland, the Queen tells Alice to practice believing impossible things – she says she did it for half an hour each day. That’s weird, but good advice: When you don’t understand why people aren’t behaving the way you want or expect them to, ask yourself how their approach might be the result of experiences, beliefs, and circumstances. This is going to help you cultivate a whole garden of important skills: curiosity, empathy, respect, teamwork, and more!
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I’m always on the lookout for volunteers who want to lend their time and talents to start-up nonprofits! At Greater Sum, we support founders who are still figuring out how to grow their organizations. Most of them are wearing ALL the hats – from marketing to IT to human resources. We partner with individuals and companies to provide pro bono projects and consulting. This works best if a small nonprofit isn’t your target client, but you can lend your skills to one as a volunteer.
Our programs are FREE for nonprofits. If you’ve started a nonprofit and you’re looking for support, connect with us! We do rolling applications for our virtual incubator program.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thegreatersum.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greatersumfound/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/16246447
Image Credits
Headshot @theresachildsphoto Greater Sum artwork @_ptaryndactyl_
