The end of the year is quickly approaching. For some organizations, December offers some downtime before the new year begins fresh with projects. For others, this is the crunch time to get things done before the year is out. Whichever it is for you and your organization, take minute to sit back and savor a few quiet moments.
I know a lot of folks that have been doing the "What am I Thankful for Today?" exercise in preparation for Thanksgiving. Try this as it relates to your work...what are you thankful for when it comes to what your group has been able to accomplish this year? For me, the list is long but some of the top contenders include:
I'm thankful we were able to reach others.
I'm thankful we were able to lower the risk for our customers.
I'm thankful our budget balanced!
I'm thankful I work with such wonderful people.
And mostly,
I'm thankful that my organization made a difference in the lives of the people in our community.
What are you thankful for?
Happy Holidays!
Showing posts with label nonprofits. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nonprofits. Show all posts
Monday, November 23, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Today's Nonprofit Wonder - Commitment
What do we really mean when we commit?
It is a pledge, a trust put forth to accomplish an agreed upon goal. The commitment may be between two people or organizations. Or, it may be an agreement with one's self - a personal commitment.
In the nonprofit world, we talk about our commitment to the mission, to the vision, to the process. But we don't always walk the walk. It is easy to sit around a board table and get jazzed up about what we are committed to, what we will accomplish. But the meeting's over, we go our separate ways and later wonder why nothing really happened.
Commitment means jumping in. All the way in. Getting things done. Take a look around...is your organization committed to doing what it needs to do to succeed? Are you personally committed? If not, it is time for some serious reflection - lack of committed action happens for a number of reasons.
Maybe you have too many irons in the fire - the nonprofit sector often overextends itself. Maybe this isn't what you bargained for - you don't always know what you're getting into up front. Or maybe you just need to step back, take a look around and decide if it's still right for you. And if it's not, move on - there's always another cause out there that could use you. Where you can truly feel your commitment and be successful.
And if you've still got that commitment? Spread it around, people, spread it around.
It is a pledge, a trust put forth to accomplish an agreed upon goal. The commitment may be between two people or organizations. Or, it may be an agreement with one's self - a personal commitment.
In the nonprofit world, we talk about our commitment to the mission, to the vision, to the process. But we don't always walk the walk. It is easy to sit around a board table and get jazzed up about what we are committed to, what we will accomplish. But the meeting's over, we go our separate ways and later wonder why nothing really happened.
Commitment means jumping in. All the way in. Getting things done. Take a look around...is your organization committed to doing what it needs to do to succeed? Are you personally committed? If not, it is time for some serious reflection - lack of committed action happens for a number of reasons.
Maybe you have too many irons in the fire - the nonprofit sector often overextends itself. Maybe this isn't what you bargained for - you don't always know what you're getting into up front. Or maybe you just need to step back, take a look around and decide if it's still right for you. And if it's not, move on - there's always another cause out there that could use you. Where you can truly feel your commitment and be successful.
And if you've still got that commitment? Spread it around, people, spread it around.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Today's Nonprofit Wonder - Going Digital
The digital world is quickly finding a life within the nonprofit sector. We've come a long way from carbon paper and IBM Selectric typewriters (yes, I really do remember using those!). It can be a daunting task to keep up with technology but you have to do it to stay current.
As funders rely more and more on electronic applications and on-line grant systems, nonprofit organizations need to make sure that staff are trained and fluid in the ways of digitized information. A number of companies are out there that provide software and classes for nonprofits at reduced costs. Tech Soup comes to mind. Look around and find out what other groups are doing, what kind of software they use, how they set up their systems.
Sure, we still have a need for filing cabinets, folders and sticky labels. But at some point all that tactile stuff will be replaced by information stored on Cd's, DVDs, jump drives, hard drives, and servers. You'll be able to look at that data but not really touch it. But it will all be there.
Go ahead and print out a copy now and then. Just for old time's sake.
As funders rely more and more on electronic applications and on-line grant systems, nonprofit organizations need to make sure that staff are trained and fluid in the ways of digitized information. A number of companies are out there that provide software and classes for nonprofits at reduced costs. Tech Soup comes to mind. Look around and find out what other groups are doing, what kind of software they use, how they set up their systems.
Sure, we still have a need for filing cabinets, folders and sticky labels. But at some point all that tactile stuff will be replaced by information stored on Cd's, DVDs, jump drives, hard drives, and servers. You'll be able to look at that data but not really touch it. But it will all be there.
Go ahead and print out a copy now and then. Just for old time's sake.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Today's Nonprofit Wonder - Nonprofit Leadership
Pick up any nonprofit oriented magazine or journal. Check out major newspapers. They are all saying the same thing: nonprofit organizations need to start planning for the upcoming retirement of a HUGE group of nonprofit executive leaders.
Who is around to take their place? We are woefully behind in recruiting and developing competent and experienced leaders for today's nonprofit environment. We've come so far - while the career ladder at many organizations may still consist of "the last to quit gets to be the director", many groups have embraced human resource planning and recruited leaders with strong management backgrounds. Universities and colleges have created nonprofit management degree programs. There's never been more supports in place to assist nonprofit agencies in their capacity and foundation building.
Nevertheless, we are facing an executive leadership drain in our organizations. We need to be proactive in our strategic planning, identify future gaps in administrative experience and be prepared to support a system that effectively grows leadership. Boards must look far down the organizational road and prepare for the worst to ensure the best.
Who is around to take their place? We are woefully behind in recruiting and developing competent and experienced leaders for today's nonprofit environment. We've come so far - while the career ladder at many organizations may still consist of "the last to quit gets to be the director", many groups have embraced human resource planning and recruited leaders with strong management backgrounds. Universities and colleges have created nonprofit management degree programs. There's never been more supports in place to assist nonprofit agencies in their capacity and foundation building.
Nevertheless, we are facing an executive leadership drain in our organizations. We need to be proactive in our strategic planning, identify future gaps in administrative experience and be prepared to support a system that effectively grows leadership. Boards must look far down the organizational road and prepare for the worst to ensure the best.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Today's Nonprofit Wonder - Training
We all could use a little help, right?
There are many, many training groups out there, providing valuable information for the uninformed or the merely rusty. But many of those come at quite the cost. As a nonprofit, your organization may not have the resources to send your employees to all the trainings that would be beneficial.
Take a look around your community - there are probably many training opportunities that are inexpensive if not out right free. Contact your United Way for a list of links. Get in touch with any universities in the area - they often provide low cost trainings for nonprofit staff. Some schools have entire departments devoted to nonprofit management!
And, of course, check the resource list on this blog - many of these groups can either provide trainings at reasonable costs or get you in touch with groups that can.
So, get out there and fill your brain with all that good stuff!
There are many, many training groups out there, providing valuable information for the uninformed or the merely rusty. But many of those come at quite the cost. As a nonprofit, your organization may not have the resources to send your employees to all the trainings that would be beneficial.
Take a look around your community - there are probably many training opportunities that are inexpensive if not out right free. Contact your United Way for a list of links. Get in touch with any universities in the area - they often provide low cost trainings for nonprofit staff. Some schools have entire departments devoted to nonprofit management!
And, of course, check the resource list on this blog - many of these groups can either provide trainings at reasonable costs or get you in touch with groups that can.
So, get out there and fill your brain with all that good stuff!
Monday, December 10, 2007
Today's Nonprofit Wonder - A Penny Here, A Penny There
It's what we need to keep our organizations going - funds. We often think in terms of getting a penny here, a nickel there, perhaps a dime and a quarter now and then. But nonprofits need to be thinking bigger - go for the bucks!
If your organization is new, young and just getting started this is a valuable lesson to learn early on. No matter how small your group is, you provide vital, necesary services and you deserve the funding you need to keep those services going. Think BIG! Certainly any amount that goes to meet the bottom line helps but don't sell yourself short.
Take your fundraising needs and efforts seriously. Get involved with fundraising colleagues in your community, talk with partnering organizations about their efforts. Learn from the experienced!
If your organization is new, young and just getting started this is a valuable lesson to learn early on. No matter how small your group is, you provide vital, necesary services and you deserve the funding you need to keep those services going. Think BIG! Certainly any amount that goes to meet the bottom line helps but don't sell yourself short.
Take your fundraising needs and efforts seriously. Get involved with fundraising colleagues in your community, talk with partnering organizations about their efforts. Learn from the experienced!
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Today's Nonprofit Wonder - Executive Director Salaries
Last week, I read a Letter to the Editor in our local paper that really got me steamed. It suggested - well, it flat out said - that Executive Directors in nonprofit organizations shouldn't get the executive level salaries that get handed out in for-profit businesses. What???
I've worked in the nonprofit arena for over 20 years. Even back then the discussion was starting to come around to paying salaries that match skill levels...although it still wasn't put into practice very often. Certainly today we still have thousands of small nonprofit organizations that pay very little to their top earners - because that is all they have. And they've been lucky enough to find employoees that have such a passion for their mission that they will work underpaid. It's not pretty and it's hardly fair.
Now you come to organizations that are actually pulling in decent amounts of resources. Organizations that can actually afford to pay a skilled and experienced executive the going rate. Why shouldn't they be paid the going rate? Why would we choose to lose these leaders to the for-profit sector when we so drastically need them in our nonprofit world?
We need to look ahead - all the research shows us that there will be a tremendous loss of retiring nonprofit executives in the coming years. As our communities become stronger and more independent as a result of nonprofit activities, we must ensure that these same organizations stay stable and maintain the experienced leadership so needed.
I've worked in the nonprofit arena for over 20 years. Even back then the discussion was starting to come around to paying salaries that match skill levels...although it still wasn't put into practice very often. Certainly today we still have thousands of small nonprofit organizations that pay very little to their top earners - because that is all they have. And they've been lucky enough to find employoees that have such a passion for their mission that they will work underpaid. It's not pretty and it's hardly fair.
Now you come to organizations that are actually pulling in decent amounts of resources. Organizations that can actually afford to pay a skilled and experienced executive the going rate. Why shouldn't they be paid the going rate? Why would we choose to lose these leaders to the for-profit sector when we so drastically need them in our nonprofit world?
We need to look ahead - all the research shows us that there will be a tremendous loss of retiring nonprofit executives in the coming years. As our communities become stronger and more independent as a result of nonprofit activities, we must ensure that these same organizations stay stable and maintain the experienced leadership so needed.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Today's Nonprofit Wonder - Write a Grant Proposal!
Lucky you! You've found the perfect grant funding opportunity for your nonprofit organization! How can you be sure you're writing the proposal most likely to be funded?
There are some easy steps to follow when developing and writing a grant proposal. If you follow these "rules", then you will have done your part. Of course, competition is fierce for grant funding and even if your proposal is perfect, it doesn't guarantee a grant. But, it does get your organization out there. The more proposals you write, the more likely you are to get funded. It's all in the odds!
So, Step One: Make sure you are writing for the right funding. Don't make the mistake of asking for funds to implement a program when the funding group only makes grants for computer equipment.
Step Two: Talk to the Funder. Pick up the phone and talk with someone in the funding organization. Tell them about your plans and get any pointers for the development of the proposal. Make sure they know your name - they'll remember you when proposal review time comes.
Step Three: Follow the instructions to the "T". This provides the proposal reviewers with information about your ability to manage a grant. Show them you can follow directions and do what is required.
Step Four: Don't go overboard! It is tempting to send in annual reports, news clips, program photos, and other extra material that show how great your nonprofit is at doing its business. But only send in what the funder is asking for - if they didn't ask for them, they will probably throw away those extras as soon as they get them. Some funders might disqualify the entire proposal!
Step Five: Use a team to write the proposal: program, finance, executive, and partnering agency staff all should be included. There's a part in every proposal for each of these areas.
Step Six: Reread the final proposal many times. Have others read it. Make sure it is done early because there will always be last minute changes.
Step Seven: Again, follow the mailing instructions. Be aware of the due date and closing time. Make sure you've included all the copies requested along with any e-versions. Mail it at least a day early, if not earlier. Use overnight shipping, get a receipt and keep it in a safe place.
Step Eight: Cross your fingers. As mentioned before, competition is pretty steep for grant funding. Even perfect proposals don't get funded - there's just not enough money to go around. But keep trying - you'll get what you need eventually!
There are some easy steps to follow when developing and writing a grant proposal. If you follow these "rules", then you will have done your part. Of course, competition is fierce for grant funding and even if your proposal is perfect, it doesn't guarantee a grant. But, it does get your organization out there. The more proposals you write, the more likely you are to get funded. It's all in the odds!
So, Step One: Make sure you are writing for the right funding. Don't make the mistake of asking for funds to implement a program when the funding group only makes grants for computer equipment.
Step Two: Talk to the Funder. Pick up the phone and talk with someone in the funding organization. Tell them about your plans and get any pointers for the development of the proposal. Make sure they know your name - they'll remember you when proposal review time comes.
Step Three: Follow the instructions to the "T". This provides the proposal reviewers with information about your ability to manage a grant. Show them you can follow directions and do what is required.
Step Four: Don't go overboard! It is tempting to send in annual reports, news clips, program photos, and other extra material that show how great your nonprofit is at doing its business. But only send in what the funder is asking for - if they didn't ask for them, they will probably throw away those extras as soon as they get them. Some funders might disqualify the entire proposal!
Step Five: Use a team to write the proposal: program, finance, executive, and partnering agency staff all should be included. There's a part in every proposal for each of these areas.
Step Six: Reread the final proposal many times. Have others read it. Make sure it is done early because there will always be last minute changes.
Step Seven: Again, follow the mailing instructions. Be aware of the due date and closing time. Make sure you've included all the copies requested along with any e-versions. Mail it at least a day early, if not earlier. Use overnight shipping, get a receipt and keep it in a safe place.
Step Eight: Cross your fingers. As mentioned before, competition is pretty steep for grant funding. Even perfect proposals don't get funded - there's just not enough money to go around. But keep trying - you'll get what you need eventually!
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