A Vital Time to Reinforce Nonprofit Initiatives

Guest blog by: Jason Tinsley, Vice-Chairman of JP Morgan Private Bank

An impactful call to action is crucial for our community to continue its flourishing route. With post-pandemic macroeconomic conditions driving unforeseen skepticism, now is one of the most imperative times for us to prioritize the initiatives of our nonprofits. 

It's a common misunderstanding to assume the majority of nonprofit revenue comes from philanthropic giving – this is not the case. Across the board, it is typical for most nonprofits to receive less than 25% of their revenue from this source. Now, with the previously mentioned macroeconomic forecasting leading to thinning capacity of nonprofits and ultimately tighter pockets of companies and individual givers, this contribution rate and, further, monetary value of these contributions will not be sustained.

Difficult economic periods impact nonprofits quite intensely. During periods of limited capital, the needs of those who utilize the benefits of nonprofits are often higher– making the ability to meet those benefits even more difficult for nonprofits. From the perspective of nonprofits, the transparency leading up to these points is necessary for resilience. For example, while economic periods such as recessions may be somewhat forecasted, the duration of one is nearly impossible to predict. Therefore, preparation from the perspective of a nonprofit can only provide so much damage control – the rest is up to us.

So, how can we promote the overall contribution to nonprofits in such an environment? Contribute to your community where possible. This contribution can be achieved in various ways – and I encourage utilizing your communal leverage where fit. Some personal examples of how I’ve pursued this leverage is by serving on different boards in the Detroit community and leading service events in the office. As a Detroit native, I've witnessed the power of influence to a prominent degree – those using their influence to destroy, and others to heal and rebuild the city throughout the years. My profound and vocational love for Detroit has fortified my involvement with the hopes of extending my influence beyond my family to also include my coworkers, neighbors, fellow board members, and so on.

Another aspect not to be ignored is the absolute necessity of 'practicing what you preach.' For me, Detroit led me to JPMorgan – a bank that's operated for decades in the city and, as of about 10 years ago, invested $200M in bettering Detroit along with providing capital or technical assistance to more than 13,000 small businesses in the city. The point here is to surround yourself with not only people, but also with companies that value the initiatives you are working to bring more exposure to. This all ties directly into nonprofits – if you sincerely believe in a cause, surround yourself with those who offer the tools to accomplish it.

Increasing the exposure of nonprofits and their coinciding purpose is the foundational key to raising awareness and, overall, aiding their efforts during challenging times. With our dedication to raising awareness and commitment to service, we can ease the difficulties of not only nonprofits, but of our communities as a whole.

Please see below for core personal attributes I encourage you to embrace, which have proven invaluable through my personal advocacy for causes in my community.

•  Mentorship       

Education is a compelling and indispensable apparatus. Mentorship considerably dictates the trajectory of others' paths and overall beliefs. When boiled down, my ideology of mentorship is conveyed through expressing beliefs through action, encouraging those I mentor via constructive and honest discussions, and offering frequent and pragmatic feedback. This template is not only something I utilize as a father but as a son, friend, manager, and so on. I consider education to be so paramount that it has led me to serve on the board for the University of Detroit Jesuit High School, which allows me the opportunity to support an institution that has produced and been home to some of the most notable mentors and leaders to come out of Detroit. 

•  Creativity 

Creativity leads to quality problem-solving. Quality problem-solving leads to better communities and conditions for nonprofits to thrive. I've met people from all corners of the world from entirely different backgrounds and have yet to encounter two people who are the same. I've learned the ability to connect with people resides in perpetual empathy and tenacious benevolence, which both tie directly into creativity. You can connect with nearly anyone if you abide by these two ideals. If you can connect with anyone, you will remarkably improve your familiarity with bountiful opinions and beliefs. Understanding others' opinions and beliefs will allow you to think more creatively and, conclusively, be a more effective problem-solver. 

• Accountability 

Without accountability, valuable mentorship and creativity cease to exist. This is not only from a personal standpoint but also holding others accountable. The responsibility I've accrued over the years has only heightened the leverage of my influence – leading me to sincerely cherish and consistently strive to demonstrate virtuous standards. I call on everyone to keep an open mind and ask for feedback frequently, followed by impartially evaluating it, implementing it where appropriate, and continuously learning from this trial-and-error process. For your relationship with others, set clear expectations, communicate regularly, and provide feedback to them when applicable. This template has unquestionably been a decisive factor in my successes. It will not only encourage the triumphs of nonprofits but improve our community as a whole if efficaciously implemented starting from an individual basis.

Jason Tinsley is a Vice Chairman for J.P. Morgan Private Bank. He previously held the position of Michigan Market Manager where he led more than 40 professionals overseeing more than $13 billion in assets under supervision. Prior to joining the Private Bank, Jason served as a District Manager overseeing the sales and operations for Chase branches across southeastern Michigan.

Jason has served on boards of several community organizations. He is currently a Board Member for the Detroit Regional Chamber, Detroit Economic Club, Corewell Healthcare Foundation, Detroit Children's Fund, Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), and the University of Detroit Jesuit High School & Academy as well as a member of the Corewell Health Finance Committee. Jason has a Bachelor of Science degree from Central Michigan University. He enjoys reading, running, golf and time with his family.