Note: My colleagues Christal M. Cherry, Renee Rubin Ross, and I have been exploring tweaks, hacks, and alternatives to the traditional 501(c)(3) nonprofit structure. This post is the first in an informal series. – Andy When I say “nonprofit,” what comes to mind? Perhaps you picture the entire sector: a $2 trillion dollar industry across … [Read more...]
The COVID relief money you haven’t received … yet
Note: This guest post is from financial management consultant Cynthia Moore of Operation Fairy Godmother, cynthia@operationfairygodmother.org. Thanks, Cynthia! Did your organization take advantage of the PPP, EIDL, Shuttered Venue Operators Grant, or other Federal grant and loan programs? For many nonprofits, this money was a godsend … [Read more...]
How to recession-proof your nonprofit
Note: this guest post is from Traci Shirachi of The Mark USA. Thanks, Traci! Are we entering a recession? If so, are you ready? Throughout the pandemic, nonprofits excelled at adaptation: embracing remote work, changing their service delivery models, engaging donors differently. These pivots were largely successful but required a lot … [Read more...]
Decolonizing your bylaws: Robert’s Rules can buzz off
Note: This guest post is from Bonnie Chavez of Building Beloved Communities. Thanks, Bonnie! Generally, I don’t help to create new nonprofits. I can think of one exception: when a program has outgrown its fiscal sponsor and is ready to become a 501(c)(3). That’s when things get interesting. First, a little about my intersectionalities. … [Read more...]
The myth of dirty money, part 2: Weed in the woods
Note: This is a follow-up to an earlier post, The Myth of Dirty Money. My goal is to demonstrate the complexity of this topic, especially in rural areas with limited resources, and discuss how nonprofits can adapt. I used to take regular work trips to Humboldt County in Northern California. With support from NorCAN, a project of the … [Read more...]
Death, money, and values: Exploring taboo subjects with your donors
Note: This post is adapted from a recent presentation to the Maine Planned Giving Council. Thanks to MPGC! My planned giving story begins more than twenty years ago, when my spouse and I created our first wills. In addition to including our daughter, niece, and nephew, we designated six nonprofits to each receive a small percentage of … [Read more...]
Time or money: Which is easier to get?
When leading a fundraising workshop, I often use the following two-minute exercise. “I want to try a thought experiment,” I might say, “and this experiment is about you.” That gets everyone’s attention. “I'm starting with two assumptions: you don’t have enough time and you don’t have enough money. I could be totally wrong – in … [Read more...]
Help your board promote monthly giving
Note: This guest post is from Erica Waasdorp, author of a new book, Monthly Giving Made Easy. Thanks, Erica! Pandemic lesson number one: you need reliable revenue, no matter what. Your best solution is monthly giving: encouraging automatic monthly payments from your donors, typically via credit card or electronic funds transfer … [Read more...]
Board president confidential
Several years ago I shared Treasurer Confidential, which described my experience as treasurer of a nonprofit board. My volunteer career has progressed and (surprise!) I’m now president of our grassroots, one-employee organization. In theory, I am well-qualified. I’ve served on multiple boards. I train boards for a living. I write books … [Read more...]
Using evaluation to “scale up” your organization
Note: This guest post is from Traci Shirachi of The Mark. Thanks, Traci! What has the pandemic revealed about your organization? Are you having a harder time maintaining and expanding the resources you need – money, staff, volunteers, focused attention – to do your work successfully? Are you overloaded with increased demand for your … [Read more...]