Whenever I’m working with nonprofit boards – specifically, boards with limited fundraising experience – the brainstorm always begins like this: Let’s ask businesses for donations. While I have mixed feelings about this approach – after all, corporations provided only 4% of philanthropic dollars in 2021 – I also understand and … [Read more...]
Seven ways to build community fundraising partnerships
Note: This post is from Train Your Board partner Bob Osborne of The Osborne Group. Thanks, Bob! As the nonprofit sector considers how to behave in a more holistic, community-centric way – in other words, deeply engaging and partnering with the communities we serve – I’ve been wondering: How do we implement this approach with … [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...]
Creating a climate-positive consulting business
As the summer winds down – a summer filled with drought, fires, floods, and other extreme weather – I’ve been thinking about the ways my consulting business engages with the topic of climate resilience. What am I doing to create positive change? Which of my behaviors add to the problem? How am I supporting my clients in taking … [Read more...]
Funding social change from your own community
Note: This guest post is adapted and condensed from Fundraising for Social Change, 8th Edition, by Kim Klein and Stan Yogi. It explores how the LGBTQ+ rights movement generated funding and people power in San Francisco. Order your copy through your local bookstore. Thanks, Stan and Kim! In the 1970s, lesbians and gay men from … [Read more...]
Designing a complicated meeting? Use video to help clients prepare
Note: This guest post is from Allison Grappone of AGG Consulting. Thanks, Allison! I dislike wasting anyone’s time. Everyone has important things to do. In general, people need more time to themselves, away from meetings, and away from Zoom. To make better use of everybody’s time, I use videos to prime the pump before complex … [Read more...]
My favorite fundraising story … ever
Once upon a time – this is a true story – there was a fearless fundraiser. Let’s call her Maria. Maria worked as the development director for a well-loved, mid-sized nonprofit serving a rural community. In addition to managing a variety of fundraising tasks – annual appeals, events, online fundraising, etc. – she was also the primary … [Read more...]
The Talmud of Zoom
In the Jewish tradition, the Talmud is one of the core books: a primary source of Jewish law. The Talmud is drawn from centuries of oral teachings and includes the opinions of many, many rabbis. It was compiled about fifteen hundred years ago, with more commentary added in subsequent centuries. I’m no scholar, but what I most … [Read more...]
Consulting and COVID, Part 2: What will you keep?
In a previous post, I shared how consulting colleagues have responded to the pandemic: rethinking priorities, pivoting to new styles of work, embracing emerging opportunities. I’ve been inspired by their thoughtfulness, creativity, resilience, and commitment to justice. I asked them to reflect on what they’ll carry forward into the … [Read more...]
Consulting and COVID, Part 1: What changed?
Hey consultants! How has your work life changed over the last year? As we pass the pandemic anniversary and gradually emerge into whatever comes next, I’ve been asking peers how they’ve adapted to this new reality. Today’s post outlines changes in the world of consulting, training, facilitation, and self-employment. In the next … [Read more...]