Top 10 Nonprofit Leadership Lessons: Think Differently
The Fast Company Blog gives us The Top 10 Best Business Lessons. They’re all lessons in leadership. Here’s how I see them applying to your nonprofit in the coming year:
7 Proven Keys to Inspire Nonprofit Boards to Lead and Give
My first year as a nonprofit fundraiser was before social media, cell phones, email, computers and even FAX machines. I had never heard the term “information overload” and I wasn’t distracted by interruptions every five minutes. Why do I mention this?
Because in today’s fast-paced world we are often so bombarded with bells, whistles and flashing lights that we lose sight of the basics. We lose focus.
Back in the day, I focused.
My number one focus was our board of directors. I knew that before we could get others to give, the board needed to give. Passionately.
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You’re Not Alone: What to Do When Leadership Loses Its Way- Pt. 2
In my last post of this two-part series, “You’re Not Alone: What to Do When You Start to Fail at Fundraising,” I discussed what can happen to organizations when leadership begins to lose its way. This can occur for any number of reasons. Why Leadership Loses it’s Way FOUNDER LEAVES with no succession plan in…
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You’re Not Alone: What To Do When You Start To Fail at Fundraising
Once upon a time (around about 2008) a big mean recession cast its dark shadow over many a nonprofit. Grantors cut back on funding. Donors zipped up their wallets. Salaries and benefits got cut. Seasoned professionals were laid off, or left voluntarily. Others lasted awhile, but became increasingly discouraged.
Six years out from the biggest stock market crash since 1929, I’m beginning to hear a lot of organizations crying “Uncle!” These are the ones that, for reasons unbeknownst to them, have not rebounded. And they’re desperately trying to beat back the wolf at the door.
The thing they fear most? Failure.
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7 Proven Keys to Get Nonprofit Board Members to Give
My first year as a nonprofit fundraiser was before social media, cell phones, email, computers and even FAX machines. I had never heard the term “information overload,” and I wasn’t distracted by interruptions every five minutes. Why do I mention this?
Because in today’s fast-paced world we are often so bombarded with bells, whistles and flashing lights that we lose sight of the basics. We lose focus.
Back in the day, I focused.
My number one focus was our board of directors. I knew that before we could get others to give, the board needed to give. Passionately.
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5 More Things Your Board Doesn’t Get about Fundraising and Nonprofits
I unlocked Pandora’s box with my last post, 5 Things Your Board and CEO Don’t Get About Fundraising and Donors. Especially when it comes to board members, many of you say their behavior has you scratching your heads much of the time. So, here are 5 more things that too many boards simply don’t seem to understand:
1. It costs money to make money. This one is odd, since many of these folks seem to understand the concept of ‘investment’ when it comes to their day jobs.
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5 Things your Board and CEO Don’t Get about Fundraising and Donors
Donors feel good when they give. There’s plenty of research showing philanthropic giving is good for people. It makes folks happier, healthier and even more successful. So there is no need to apologize when asking for support where the need is authentic. In fact, asking others to participate in philanthropy is a great gift. Just don’t forget to thank them personally and promptly when they do, so they also experience the joy of having made the right decision.
Donors respond to sizzle, not steak.
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4 Ways to Set Board Members Up for Happily Ever After: How Fundraising is Storytelling
In the past series of posts I’ve talked about the reasons many board members loathe fundraising. It boils down to: (1) fear (see here, here and here; (2) lack of clarity about their role (see here, hereand here, and (3) insufficient framing, training, coaching and cheer leading by staff. As much as we staff …
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Games Board Members Must Play: How Your Nonprofit Leaders Can Help or Harm You
The absolutely most important game a board member must play is ‘follow the leader.’ In my last post series on “The 3 Ways We Go Wrong Asking Nonprofit Boards to Help Raise Funds” I spe of the unique job board members have as role mos. A growing body of research shows that human beings are,…
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5 Little Understood Factors About a Board Member's Role – Part 3 of “The 3 Ways We Go Wrong Asking Nonprofit Boards to Help Raise Funds"
Collecting for the poor is an honored tradition In Jewish tradition the “Gabbai Tzedekah,” the money collector, held a very special and esteemed role as the collector and disburser of funds to help the poor. The root of “tzedekah” means justice; it was simply the right thing to do to help. The Gabbai risked him/herself,…
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