As we wind down our second pandemic year, I’ve been watching the emergence of hybrid workshops, meetings, and events. For our purposes, the word hybrid means that some participants share the same physical space – maybe indoors, maybe out – while others participate remotely through their devices. Think of it as “some in the room, others … [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...]
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...]
Post-pandemic icebreakers
A few weeks ago, I led my first in-person, indoor job in 18 months (!) I traveled to Maine to facilitate a planning meeting for the Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust, a long-time favorite client. I had the pleasure of partnering with graphic facilitator Marsha Dunn to design and deliver the retreat. We began the day by asking … [Read more...]
100 webinars later
Earlier this month, I celebrated (!?) the one hundredth webinar, virtual meeting, or online retreat I’ve designed and facilitated during the pandemic. Looking through the list – yes, I keep a list – it’s amusing to see that the first one focused on how to organize and deliver a remote training. Little did I know… With vaccination … [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...]
Holding myself accountable
One year ago, in response to the murder of George Floyd, I wrote Racism, Privilege, Training, Facilitation – and Sharing the Wealth. To become a more active, authentic ally, I made this commitment: “As I slowly wind down my business over the next few years, I will continue passing along gigs and recommending consultants. One … [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...]
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...]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- …
- 14
- Next Page »