Executive Issues
August 3, 2015 at 2:42 pm
The other day, I explored why so many funders love to back social entrepreneurs even though history shows that big changes are usually brought about by social movements—which today’s funders are decidedly less interested in backing. I offered up several possible reasons for this imbalanced funding picture, but here’s one I didn’t explore: Maybe there’s just…
August 3, 2015 at 1:44 pm
Luna. That was the name voters chose for an adorable sea otter pup at Shedd Aquarium, a Chicago nonprofit. Nonprofits (including yours) make collective decisions all the time, and in a variety of contexts (admittedly more high stakes than naming adorable sea otters). So doesn’t it make sense to make those decisions in the smartest way possible...
July 31, 2015 at 1:31 pm
Despite signs of increased giving since the economic downturn, the last recession gave nonprofits a strong wake-up call. In this episode of Fundraising Fundamentals, Paul Rosenberg, a partner at the Bridgespan Group, explains steps nonprofits can take to prepare for the next economic downturn. Organizations that map a clear strategy with specific outcomes they are…
July 30, 2015 at 12:27 pm
Planned Parenthood's website went down Wednesday afternoon in what the nonprofit health services organization called "an attack by extremists." The hack comes in the wake of the publication of several undercover videos by anti-abortion activists seemingly showing Planned Parenthood officials discussing the sale of fetal tissue and organs for medical research. Selling fetal organs for…
July 30, 2015 at 9:24 am
Last week, I kicked off this series of unpacking the roles solicitors must assume when they seek a gift. They are: bag carrier, authenticator and rainmaker. The second soliciting role is the authenticator. The name says it. Essential qualities of the authenticator are a passion for the cause being pitched and a thorough, almost innate knowledge of the organization...
July 28, 2015 at 1:59 pm
As an industry, nonprofits have spent decades perfecting today's business model. So, change will not happen overnight. Nor will change come easily. But, with a carefully managed approach focusing on the critical levers required for success, change will come and the benefits will assure that we not only survive, but thrive in the fast-changing nonprofit environment...
July 28, 2015 at 1:42 pm
The Boy Scouts of America announced Monday that it's lifting the ban on gay adults as Scout leaders. "On Monday July 27 the national executive board ratified a resolution removing the national restriction on openly gay leaders and employees," Boy Scouts of America president Robert Gates said in a video statement on Monday. The move…
July 27, 2015 at 2:34 pm
We were sitting in the main conference room high above the city doing some major gift training with a fantastic group of major gift officers. The training was about asking for the gift—a session we regularly conduct with our clients. The MGOs sitting around the table were a mixture of seasoned professionals and employees newer to major gifts. Part of our session had been the day before, where we were dealing with the reasons MGOs do not ask donors for what they could give.
July 27, 2015 at 2:03 pm
I don’t know much about fishing. And while it’s one of those relaxing things I do sporadically on vacation, I have to admit it’s not something I profess to be very good at. Each year, I stop by the local bait shop to pick up some supplies and get important intel from the locals—what type of fish are people catching, what kind of bait are they using and where should I go?
July 27, 2015 at 1:51 pm
A Baltimore venue has canceled a fundraiser for six local police officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray, after it was revealed that the event would feature a blackface performance. Bobby Berger, a 67-year-old retired Baltimore police officer, was set to perform in blackface at the Nov. 1 fundraiser. Berger was fired from the…
