Staffing & Human Resources

18 Ingredients for Successful Fundraising
April 21, 2016 at 9:37 am

I’m celebrating my 15-year anniversary as a fundraiser! In a blog post five years ago, I wrote about the best strategic ingredients for a successful fundraising program. Let’s try that again and see if I want to change my perspective now I’ve grown older. Fundraisers are gold. Quality fundraising staff makes all the difference. Without…

Best Practices for Hiring People With Disabilities at Your Nonprofit
April 13, 2016 at 12:06 pm

Title I of the Americans with 
Disabilities Act (ADA) as amended prohibits employment discrimination by all employers—
including local government employers—with 15 or more employees. The following sections—the application, the interview and landing the job—will provide you with information about the details of Title I and how it may apply to hiring practices at your organization or agency...

How Your Organization’s Culture Impacts Donor Integration
April 12, 2016 at 9:59 am

An integrated donor experience is critical in the digital age. You have more touchpoints with your donors than ever before, and you have to be keenly aware of how they are experiencing your organization. In order to make sure you are fully aware of your donor’s experience, we need to back up and talk about…

Eyes Wide Shut: Is Fundraising Nirvana Even Possible?
April 12, 2016 at 9:30 am

It happened in the middle of a lackluster workshop that I’ve long forgotten. Two participants revealed that they were program staff (no, not fundraising or marketing staff) employed by a local women’s shelter. Their eyes were shining as they enthusiastically relayed how excited they were by the day’s training. They couldn’t wait to get back to the office to share their clients’ stories with development and marketing. It was a light bulb moment for me, you see, because I witness this kind of disconnect every day...

The Importance of Quality Consulting Presentations
April 8, 2016 at 9:37 am

In your career, if you ever have the opportunity to consult, take it. We all work in our normal practitioner routines each day. When you are a consultant, you experience a different side of the fence. There is one fence, but if you do both jobs, you see things from different perspectives, and it is stimulating...

Want to Keep Your Star Fundraisers? Treat Them Like Your Top Donors
April 7, 2016 at 10:36 am

Top performers and rising stars in your organization warrant special treatment, just as top donors do. They contribute more than others, and they raise the bar for everyone. Top donors capture the attention of other organizations, and competition for their philanthropic dollars intensifies. By raising more, top performers and rising stars capture the attention of…

Will the Nonprofit Sector's Growth Help or Hurt Your Organization?
April 5, 2016 at 10:25 am

Nonprofit HR surveyed 362 nonprofits on staffing, recruitment and retention practices for the “2015 Nonprofit Employment Practices Survey.” With 49 percent of nonprofits reporting an increase in staff size in 2014 and 50 percent expecting to create new positions in 2015, the survey projected nonprofit growth in 2015 that could outpace the corporate sector. However, this growth could aggravate some already pressing issues...

How Is Your Customer Service?
April 1, 2016 at 10:05 am

When I first began my career in fundraising, I was told to exceed expectations. I also was told that I should promote customer service. Always prepare for the unexpected because you never know who will walk through the door. Your ultimate success depends on it...