The Promise & Pitfalls of Bluesky ☀️⛈️ (news)

Using the Whole Whale - A Nonprofit Podcast

Navigating New Social Media Frontiers and Celebrating Giving Tuesday Success

In this week's episode of the Nonprofit News Feed by Whole Whale, hosts George Weiner and Nick Azulay delve into the evolving landscape of social media for nonprofits and celebrate a major milestone in charitable giving. The discussion kicks off with an analysis of BlueSky, a burgeoning social media platform touted as a polite alternative to Twitter. Originally a Twitter project, BlueSky has gained traction with approximately 21 million active users. However, George and Nick caution nonprofits about a significant vulnerability in BlueSky's API, which allows extensive data access that could pose risks to brand identity and security in the context of AI data usage.

Key insights include the importance of treating all social media posts as public and the need for nonprofits to establish clear social media guidelines and conduct AI risk audits to safeguard their brand reputation. The hosts emphasize that while BlueSky offers a promising platform, nonprofits should remain vigilant about data privacy and the potential implications of AI-driven content analysis.

Shifting gears, the episode celebrates Giving Tuesday's impressive achievement, with donations reaching $3.6 billion, closely matching Whole Whale's prediction. This success signals a hopeful trend for increased investment in the nonprofit sector, driven by economic tailwinds and potential shifts in public funding.

The episode wraps up with a feel-good story from Metro Detroit, where high school students raised over $146,000 for a children's charity through a creative public speaking program. This initiative highlights the impact of youth-led philanthropy and community engagement.

Key Takeaways:

• Explore new social media platforms like BlueSky cautiously, ensuring data privacy and brand protection.
• Celebrate the continued growth of Giving Tuesday as a key moment in the nonprofit calendar.
• Encourage youth involvement in charitable activities to foster future nonprofit leaders.

Reflection: As the nonprofit sector navigates new digital landscapes and celebrates philanthropic successes, it remains crucial to balance innovation with vigilance, ensuring that missions align with evolving opportunities and challenges.