Note: This guest post is by Daonese Johnson-Colón, MLS, SHRM-CP, CPC. Thanks, Daonese! A payment is late. A staff member needs access to a system. A new project is ready to launch, but no one has created the process. Someone needs to figure it out. What do you do? You send it to Admin. Each request may be reasonable on its own. But … [Read more...]
Everyone grab a fork: What’s different about leading a rural nonprofit
Note: This guest post is from Abbey Harlow, host of the Rural Nonprofit Leader Summit beginning October 20. Registration is free! This winter, a nonprofit leader in a rural area told me that his list of prospective foundations was running dry. His organization has spent most of a decade renovating its building, winning the same … [Read more...]
Stop losing people with your language
Note: This guest post is from consultant and author Harvey McKinnon. Thanks, Harvey! If you can’t build trust, you can’t create social change. Ineffective language choices are one of the quickest ways to lose trust ... and if people don’t trust you, they won’t listen, join, volunteer, donate, or take other actions. People don’t hear … [Read more...]
Culture, compassion, efficiency, and the space in between
Last year, I was hired by a nonprofit that serves their neighbors in times of need. They’re good at what they do, beloved by their community – and they needed help with their strategic plan. During our conversations, I learned that the employees who handle intake at their facility – greeting clients and connecting them with services – … [Read more...]
The value of inclusive strategic planning
Note: This guest post is adapted from a new book, Inclusive Strategic Planning for Nonprofits, by Dr. Renee Rubin Ross. Thanks, Renee! When I’m asked why Inclusive Strategic Planning is valuable, I immediately go into the kitchen. Let me explain. SOS Meals on Wheels had a problem hiding in plain sight. Their industrial kitchen – the … [Read more...]
Three threats to nonprofits – and why advocacy matters
I belong to a grassroots nonprofit with an annual budget of $100,000 and one employee. When the Affordable Care Act tax credits recently ended, the organization sent an emergency fundraising appeal. The details were pretty gruesome. To cover one employee and their partner, monthly premiums had jumped – I am not making this up – from … [Read more...]
How to semi-retire: The sequel
More than four years ago, I shared How to Semi-Retire, which described my plan to gradually wind down my consulting, training, and facilitation business. To recap my semi-retirement strategy: avoid lengthy jobs (strategic plans, mergers, long-term consulting gigs) and focus on one-offs, such as workshops, webinars, retreats, and meeting … [Read more...]
Federal grants at risk? Three steps to improve your odds for foundation funding
Note: This guest post is from Shavonn Richardson of Think and Ink Grant Consulting. Thanks, Shavonn! The slowdown of federal grants is real. Many organizations are starting to steer clear of federal grants due to the whiplash of executive orders and the fear these orders are inflicting on those who support the poor, the marginalized, the … [Read more...]
Three survival strategies for 2025
As I write this in late January – at the somewhat surreal confluence of the MLK holiday and inauguration day – I’ve been reflecting on how my nonprofit peers are responding to this moment. Given the nature of my work, I’m connected to many organizations and the consultants who serve them, across a broad range of issues, constituencies, … [Read more...]
The facilitator’s secret superpower
Note: Thanks to Stephanie Lahar for helping to develop this post – and for modeling this skill so effectively. Imagine the following situation. You’re sitting through a long board meeting or planning retreat. Colleagues offer ideas and suggestions; others dispute those ideas and add more layers to the suggestions. Words are literally … [Read more...]
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