Young people enter the nonprofit sector full of passion and commitment, ready to invest the energy, brainpower and creativity it takes to change the world. Often these bright young workers take on jobs beyond their skill level at fledgling organizations where “trial by fire” learning is the only source of training. These same workers often feel isolated and disconnected from other young professionals, leading to job dissatisfaction and defection from the sector. HIVE is a web-based learning management system built and branded specifically for young nonprofit professionals aged 20-35. Hive has two components: Braintrust: a user-populated knowledge management center and Hub: a community network focused on geographic locale, issue area or position.

Braintrust Knowledge Management: Imagine logging on to a system where you can search a repository full of sample documents that provide templates for strategic plans, grant applications…virtually anything you would need to manage a successful social enterprise. Content is user-generated and user-rated and is monitored for spam and improper uploads. Incentive-centered design strategies for acknowledging levels of involvement incorporated will include establishment of rank titles that are associated with explicitly laid out contribution levels and members can search by their favorite contributors or content. Content will be licensed under a CCA License, enabling community members to modify and customize templates to fit the needs of their organizations.

The Hub: An important benefit of a web-adaptive culture has been the opportunity to bring people from all corners of the world together to connect around key social issues, but with the expanding role of the web, nonprofits have overlooked the opportunity to build networks right in their region. Locale-specific networking groups offer young nonprofit professionals the chance to develop relationships across organizations, job profiles and interests. Community networks offer a resource for incidental issues (recruiting volunteers) and regional issues (policy issues, sourcing funding).

The greater purpose of Hive is to keep young people engaged in nonprofit work and to build a stronger sector by developing the base of the organizational pyramid. As a result, nonprofit organizations will gain more highly skilled workers, the community will grow a cadre of leadership and the region will be able to retain a young and vibrant workforce.