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Added Capacity For Your Executive Director Can Make All the Difference

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Added Capacity For Your Executive Director Can Make All the Difference

Last month, we were delivering a strategic plan draft to one of our clients, an executive director of a small nonprofit. As the sole paid employee, supported by dedicated volunteers, she works tirelessly to empower underserved youth to reach their full potential. At one point, tears welled in her eyes.  “To see our three-year plan laid out like this for us makes me emotional.  It’s been on our list for so long, but with everything I must do to keep the programs on track, I never was able to take the time to get it done!” she said through a sniffle.  This is not the first time a nonprofit leader we serve has become emotional and I doubt that it will be the last. 

Show Your Donors Some Love

Show Your Donors Some Love

We all know that stewarding your donor relationships is a basic tenet of fundraising and good nonprofit management.  As we look to celebrate Valentine’s Day, another way to say it may be, “when your donors show you some love, it’s important to love them back!” Everyone wants to feel appreciated and receive some sort of acknowledgement, not only that their gift was received, but that it will make a positive impact on your mission.

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What Are We Even Doing Here?

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What Are We Even Doing Here?

Nonprofit organizations rely on hands-on support from boards of directors and volunteer committees who provide invaluable help with everything from budget oversight and program development to fundraising. Event planning is another great way to involve members of the community in our work. Who doesn’t love to throw a party? However, as we say in our “Beyond the Pink Napkins” event management trainings, nonprofits never have the luxury of producing an event just for the fun of it. Our events must be mission-driven and purposeful, and must engage volunteers who bring relationships and resources, and in some cases, the “good problem” of a flurry of ideas. I affectionately refer to this issue as “catching a case of the oughtas.”

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Have your board members reached their limits? (Their term limits, that is.)

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Have your board members reached their limits? (Their term limits, that is.)

Everyone has, at one time or another, felt like they were stuck in a rut. Maybe you’re cooking the same thing for dinner week after week, or you just streamed your favorite TV series for the third time. It happens to all of us! However, when your board members feel stuck, serving year after year with little change or break, it’s not fun for them or sustainable to advancing the mission they are so committed to serve.

“Yes, and…” for Donor Stewardship

“Yes, and…” for Donor Stewardship

Several years ago, I read the book “Yes, and…” by Kelly Leonard and Tom Yorton, which outlines the concept vital to good improvisational comedy developed by the legendary Second City comedy group. The book explains that the concept of replacing “No, but...” with “Yes, and…” can be transformative not only on the stage, but in all facets of life. That small shift builds momentum and creates energy, which can result in all kinds of good in the world.  I think of this often when developing strategies to build relationships with donors, as it is rare that a nonprofit is surprised by a major gift from an unknown donor.

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