Note: This guest post is from Rhianna Simes and Brooke Nuckles of Growing Assets LLC. Thanks Brooke and Rhianna! January offers a fresh start. One powerful exercise to consider this month is asset mapping. This practice will help identify your organization’s strengths, opportunities, and hidden resources that can drive your mission … [Read more...]
Co-Directors: The right leadership model for your organization?
Note: This post is based on a webinar I co-facilitated with Erin De Vries and Kassia Randzio of Vermont River Conservancy. Thanks Erin and Kassia! A few months back, I was approached by the Nonprofit Association of Oregon to lead a session for their Co-Director Learning Cohort. The goal of the program is to gather organizations that are … [Read more...]
Beyond the 501(c)(3): Other models for social change
After 44 years of working with nonprofits, here’s my confession: I’m sort of done with the normal nonprofit structure. You know what I’m talking about, but just to be clear: These organizations … Are incorporated in their respective states and granted tax exempt status by the federal government. Are governed by a volunteer … [Read more...]
What is fundability – and how do I get some?
Many years ago, when I was employed as a development director, I would gather the program staff once a year and ask the following question: “If we had unlimited amounts of money, what work would we do – and how would we do it?” In other words, I gave them explicit permission to go crazy. To dream without limits. To speak those dreams … [Read more...]
Are you prepared for planned gifts?
Note: This guest post from Christine Graham is adapted from her new book, Thinking About Planned Giving: Information for donors and their favorite causes. Thanks, Christine! Planned giving is increasingly popular and often sounds complicated. It need not be. When we talk about planned giving (or legacy giving), we mean a charitable … [Read more...]
Do we really need boards? Let’s debate (Part 2)
Note: This is the second of two posts adapted from an online conversation between Train Your Board partners Bob Osborne and Andy Robinson. You can find the first portion here. Join the debate! We welcome your comments. Bob Any alternative structure – different from the traditional 501(c)(3) – would need to address fundraising. If an … [Read more...]
Do we really need boards? Let’s debate (Part 1)
Note: This two-part post is adapted from an online conversation between Train Your Board partners Bob Osborne and Andy Robinson. Join the debate! We welcome your comments. Bob Andy, I know you believe that our current model of board and nonprofit governance may be broken, and that you've been exploring alternative models. It's an … [Read more...]
A more equitable approach to donor relationships
Note: This guest post is from Nora Ellertsen of The Funding Seed. You can read a longer version here. Thanks, Nora! Let’s talk about how we define our closest supporters and who we prioritize when building relationships. Begin with the industry standard: major gifts – as defined by the number of dollars a person gives or has the … [Read more...]
Four insights for more equitable nonprofit governance
Note: This guest post is from Renee Rubin Ross. A longer version is available at Community-Centric Fundraising. Thanks, Renee! Long ago, I worked as staff alongside a terrible board. The staff was thoughtful and strategic. We were deeply knowledgeable and connected to the community. But the board? Serving on this board was a symbol of … [Read more...]
To connect with your audiences, think like a journalist
Note: This guest post is from Julie Kelley. Thanks, Julie! After decades working in the news media, I want to share a few ideas to help nonprofits tell better stories, reach more people, and engage their audiences. Specifically, I want to offer a journalist’s take on how to better use social media. Here's something that you may not … [Read more...]