"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them."
Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein
Sunday, March 16, 2008
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.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Today's Nonprofit Wonder - Having Vision, Taking Action
“Vision without action is a dream. Action without vision is simply passing the time. Action with Vision is making a positive difference.”
-Joel Barker
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Today's Nonprofit Wonder - Party with your Funders
So, we all know that fundraising consists of finding organizations and individuals that want to support your cause. When it comes to applying for grants, it is always a good idea to develop a relationship with the funders you have identified as supportive of your mission.
How do you get that relationship going? First off, pick up the phone and give them a call. Introduce yourself and provide some background about your organization and any specific projects you are doing or considering. Even if you don't get funded this time, they will remember you when you try again.
Find out where the funders hang out and go see them! There are a number of conferences geared towards those that provide grant funds. If you can, attend some of these conferences and take full advantage of the opportunity to chat up someone from the Ford Foundation or the Pew Charitable Trusts - you get the point. Consider Grantmakers for Effective Organizations and the National Grants Management Association - all have annual conferences and/or regional meetings you should try to attend. Attending grantmaker conferences also provides insight into the current trends in giving and helps nonprofits to position themselves appropriately when aligning themselves with funders.
Get your questions and your "elevator speech" ready and go mingle!
How do you get that relationship going? First off, pick up the phone and give them a call. Introduce yourself and provide some background about your organization and any specific projects you are doing or considering. Even if you don't get funded this time, they will remember you when you try again.
Find out where the funders hang out and go see them! There are a number of conferences geared towards those that provide grant funds. If you can, attend some of these conferences and take full advantage of the opportunity to chat up someone from the Ford Foundation or the Pew Charitable Trusts - you get the point. Consider Grantmakers for Effective Organizations and the National Grants Management Association - all have annual conferences and/or regional meetings you should try to attend. Attending grantmaker conferences also provides insight into the current trends in giving and helps nonprofits to position themselves appropriately when aligning themselves with funders.
Get your questions and your "elevator speech" ready and go mingle!
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!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Today's Nonprofit Wonder - Solving Problems
The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world's problems.
-Mahatma Gandhi
-Mahatma Gandhi
Friday, January 11, 2008
Today's Nonprofit Wonder - Giving Back
As a nonprofit organization, you are always keeping an ear out for potential funding sources. That's a good thing. Once you find those sources, though, what can you do to raise your organization's profile to ensure a better crack at that funding?
One thing you can do is give back to your community. You've probably noticed how the business sector has jumped on the philanthropy train lately. Everything from a percentage of your credit card purchases going to your favorite charity to huge sponsorships of nonprofit events. And of course, there is plenty of marketing to go along with those good deeds...for a very good reason. Giving back is a much appreciated gesture and is looked upon very favorably.
Nonprofits need to give back, too. As the foundation of every communities support system, nonprofits are in the perfect position to not only give back, but to identify the areas where that philanthropy is most needed. Giving back doesn't always equate to donating money - time and talent go a long way. Set up a volunteer committee at your organization and set aside time each month to help out. Look for neighborhood events that your group can contact to assist. Seek out other organizations that share a similar mission and provide some assistance.
And don't forget those press releases! Whenever your organization does something - philanthropioc or otherwise - make sure you let the world know you are out there. It not only raises your profile but it alerts those in need that you are out there for them.
One thing you can do is give back to your community. You've probably noticed how the business sector has jumped on the philanthropy train lately. Everything from a percentage of your credit card purchases going to your favorite charity to huge sponsorships of nonprofit events. And of course, there is plenty of marketing to go along with those good deeds...for a very good reason. Giving back is a much appreciated gesture and is looked upon very favorably.
Nonprofits need to give back, too. As the foundation of every communities support system, nonprofits are in the perfect position to not only give back, but to identify the areas where that philanthropy is most needed. Giving back doesn't always equate to donating money - time and talent go a long way. Set up a volunteer committee at your organization and set aside time each month to help out. Look for neighborhood events that your group can contact to assist. Seek out other organizations that share a similar mission and provide some assistance.
And don't forget those press releases! Whenever your organization does something - philanthropioc or otherwise - make sure you let the world know you are out there. It not only raises your profile but it alerts those in need that you are out there for them.
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