Large-scale problems demand large-scale solutions. In order to dramatically improve outcomes for the constituents and communities they serve, nonprofits are increasingly expanding their thinking and vision to tackle problems they might have deemed beyond their reach five or 10 years ago...
Like many others in the charitable sector, your nonprofit organization is probably heavily dependent on volunteers. Those people freely give their time, and some of them may be so talented and dedicated that you wish there were money in the budget to make them full-time, paid members of the team. Fortunately, there are numerous ways you can show gratitude for your volunteers, even without giving them money...
Volunteer management best practices have changed as volunteer expectations and the reach of nonprofit organizations evolve. That said, the ultimate goal has always been, and will always be, to provide great experiences to volunteers and impact the community in an organized and efficient way...
Because the goals are high, capital campaigns feel risky. And few people want to be associated with something they fear might not be successful. So you have to take great care in building confidence right from the start. And that starts with getting the right people on board...
Most major gift officer job descriptions have everything in them, but the kitchen sink. And besides being really irritating, it actually hurts the MGO and what the organization is trying to do in major gifts...
A job listing recently came across my desk for the chief marketing officer at a major nonprofit who will remain nameless. My eye dropped to the requirements for the position: a bachelor’s degree—not even specifically in marketing or communications...
The recent reform of the U.S. tax code has been lauded in many circles, but it has left some nonprofits reeling and facing potentially large excise taxes. For tax years beginning on or after Jan. 1, tax-exempt organizations face a 21 percent excise tax on executive compensation that is above $1 million, prompting intense chatter among some nonprofits worried about hefty tax bills...
I was recently asked to make a presentation at a hospital foundation’s board of directors meeting. The foundation executive director wanted me to speak on how to engage his board members in fundraising. I truly enjoy teaching and speaking to groups, so I was prepared. The secondary benefit for me in meeting with this group was to watch the executive director interact with his board chair and board members and see how the meeting was directed...
Today’s Associated Press Style, used by most journalists and professional communicators, seeks to abbreviate copy and save valuable space—whether in print or online—knowing that readership and comprehension both increase with brevity....
There are some fantastic leaders in our nonprofit arena—CEOs, chief development officers and beyond. There are also some leaders who are underperforming and too often get passed from organization to organization...
