My Blog / Podcast
Six Building Blocks for Growing Support
Board members are absolutely key. Many grants will ask for a list of your board members. A number of grantors will ask about what percentage of the board financially supports your mission. They want the answer to be 100%. I always tell my board members, “If we don’t...
Money may not be the root of all evil
As Development Officers, we think a lot about money. There are goals to be met, programs to fund, salaries to pay. Even when everyone: staff, board, dedicated donors and volunteers help, that goal feels very personal. The stress can feel enormous and too often...
Why business thinking is NOT the answer – Part Two based on Jim Collins monograph “Good to Great & the Social Sector”
“What percentage of your organization’s income goes to administration?” If you work for a nonprofit, you’ve heard this question. I’ve even helped a nonprofit that was 100% volunteer – NO salaries, and they were often asked that question. And it was often asked in an...
Whether your event is live or virtual, this one phone call can change the way you view it. It did for me.
For my first position as a Director of Development, I was hired by a wonderful organization that had a tradition of hosting multiple events, including a gala and auction. So my first year, that’s what we did. We planned. We decorated. We hired a caterer. We scoured...
Being homogenized may be good for milk, but – –
Being homogenized may be good for milk, but is it good your board? It is time to take a good look at our assumptions. We think our hearts are open, but in fact, we may be more tribal that we realize, and that is a detriment to our mission. Let’s start with our boards....
Now is the time for all good board members to come to the aid of their nonprofit
A national crisis. A heart-breaking pandemic. And missions that must still address serious problems: Justice that needs to be equal Hungry kids that need to be fed. Animals that need to be rescued Homeless families that need shelter Systemic racism that needs to end...
Listen First – Even from a distance
Not so many years ago, Stephen Covey was telling us to, “Seek First to Understand.” Today, many nonprofit experts are echoing that with Listen First. There are good reasons for this excellent advice. First, as you listen to your current donors whether it’s on the...
Education or Experience – which has greater value to your organization?
Education or Experience – which has greater value? As with most things in life, the answer is – It depends. Let me give you three examples from my experience: I was a brand new teacher – well-trained in all the latest pedagogy, filled with facts, and brimming with...
Finding new donors
House parties (also known as small cultivation events) all serve one purpose - to help your nonprofit find people who value the good you do. You can do that in two ways: Introduce people to your mission and the difference the program makes – with the goal of finding...
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