When Threats are Opportunities

When Threats are Opportunities

by | Jan 15, 2021 | SWOT Analysis

In a SWOT analysis (of Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats) nonprofit board members and staff participants brainstorm about both internal realities of their organization and existent or potential external factors. To the extent that change can be anticipated,...
Relational Fundraising

Relational Fundraising

by | Nov 13, 2020 | Fundraising

As the pandemic marches forward, we can find silver linings for the nonprofit sector, especially for those organizations already investing time in cultivating relationships. Slow and steady wins the race, as board members, staff, and volunteers engage in authentic...
Pandemic Paradigm Strategic Planning

Pandemic Paradigm Strategic Planning

by | Sep 9, 2020 | Uncategorized

While the country has pressed pause on so many things, perhaps this is actually a great time to rethink strategic planning. Some reasons: Pre-pandemic life was moving at such an accelerated pace that a five-year plan seemed ancient by year three; The time investment...
All Board Hands on Deck

All Board Hands on Deck

by | Jul 6, 2020 | Uncategorized

In times of crisis, human nature is to retreat and reassess, which is exacerbated by a pandemic that restricts physical gatherings. Even when adverse impacts are minimal for a given individual, disruption of routines can cause one to press pause on voluntary...
Capacity Building in a Crisis

Capacity Building in a Crisis

by | May 5, 2020 | Capacity Building

Many solid articles from the past few months address how nonprofits can and should respond in a crisis. As nonprofits scramble to rethink fundraising events, apply for loans, engage board and major stakeholders through online meetings and phone calls, handle direct...
Preparation-Trust Connection

Preparation-Trust Connection

by | Feb 25, 2020 | Uncategorized

You must maintain the trust of your donors, which takes devoted time and attention. Nonprofits doing great work can be understandably laser-focused on meeting current needs for mission accomplishment as well as anticipating future needs. Decisions and pivots made in...
Own Your Message

Own Your Message

by | Dec 17, 2019 | Own Your Message

In the world of philanthropy, all participants must own their message. Whether a nonprofit organization, a philanthropic donor, or a business with a budget for giving, all must understand and internalize their own logic model and develop appropriate messaging. What is...
Navigating Tax Law Aftermath

Navigating Tax Law Aftermath

by | Oct 19, 2019 | Tax Law

As nonprofit organizations look to end of tax year giving campaigns, whether an annual campaign or participating in an umbrella effort (e.g., “I live here, I give here”) it is prudent to take stock of donor giving history.  Effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017...
Personal Connections

Personal Connections

by | Aug 27, 2019 | Personal Connections

Stakeholders—from donors to service recipients to volunteers—have increasingly come to expect a more personal connection. While the nonprofit sector has made significant strides in the past decade, there still is insufficient attention to the personalization theme,...
Leveraging Linkages

Leveraging Linkages

by | Jul 5, 2019 | Linkages

A foundational marketing principle that tends to get lost in the bells and whistles of technological advances is the concept of personally identifying and developing ever-widening circles of potential support. This unfortunate yet easily corrected oversight on the...
Be an Expert in Your Field

Be an Expert in Your Field

by | May 18, 2019 | Continued Learning

Typically, a nonprofit is birthed because a group of passionate people believes it can fill a societal void. That passion and infusion of time and talent will carry a nonprofit quite far through the infancy stage. However, the context for the nonprofit sector is...
Nonprofit Life Cycle

Nonprofit Life Cycle

by | Mar 19, 2019 | Nonprofit Life Cycle

There are over 1.5 million nonprofits registered with the IRS and each one is functioning in a different phase of its life cycle. Each would benefit from analyzing foundational principles associated with its current chapter. Too often, multiple spinning plates of...
Logic Models

Logic Models

by | Jan 2, 2019 | Logic Models

Logic Models used to be a discussion for academia, or for larger foundations. Now, the term is used across sectors and sizes of organizations. The diffusion is an excellent sign of the times, as Logic Model development will strengthen every single aspect of an...
Power of a Cohesive Board

Power of a Cohesive Board

by | Oct 8, 2018 | Board

While it seems commonsensical that a cohesive board is more effective than a board that is not, the term is both misunderstood and not given the weight warranted in the nonprofit sector. Cohesion is often mischaracterized as unified in perspective, with thoughts in...
Fundraising: Preparation & Presentation

Fundraising: Preparation & Presentation

by | Jul 30, 2018 | Fundraising

July launched a new fiscal year for many nonprofits. Hopefully, plans have been formulated about how to approach fundraising for the next year, including benefit packages, goals, and communication strategies. One reason why consultants can be helpful for facilitating...
The Tax Code Changed—Now What?

The Tax Code Changed—Now What?

by | Jan 29, 2018 | Tax Code Change

As predicted in late fall 2017, the changes to the US tax code are substantial and the nonprofit sector is significantly impacted. The National Council of Nonprofits has a helpful checklist to apprise nonprofit organizations of the largest issues of which they need to...
When To Pay For Expertise

When To Pay For Expertise

by | Sep 27, 2017 | Paying

When to Pay for Expertise? Despite the quest to keep operating expenses low, it is often best to avoid the inherent risk of utilizing key services of companies/individuals who are not licensed in their field. Time, expense, and even litigation can result from...