At the heart of all the joy, accomplishments, fears, triumphs, and dreams are neighbors and neighborhoods. We have public policy from the school board level to the supreme court, but at the end of the day our hopes and aspirations come to fruition in our neighborhoods. Neighbor-to-neighbor we build and rebuild our lives and communities. Yes, government at every level is intertwined with and often determines our individual and collective fates. But we are not simply acted on. We are organized and advancing the public good, often block by block. We do it with government funding and we do it…
Author: Mel and Pearl Shaw
With so many organizations, institutions, and agencies facing reduced or eliminated grant funding, now may be the time to ask some of the more difficult questions that a nonprofit board or government agency may ever grapple with. This may be the right time to reevaluate the work, impact, and sustainability of your nonprofit. Take time to discuss questions such as: What are we trying to accomplish? What is the true value of our work? What is our impact? Are we financially sustainable or are we trying to stay in business to stay in business? Could we do things differently through…
Building fundraising into your family reunion builds a family legacy of giving. It strengthens family ties, and together you – all the generations – demonstrate your love for your fellow man and woman. And that is what “philanthropy” is all about – love of humanity. It’s part of who we are. We demonstrate that love collectively when we come together to give – and when we ask others to join us in giving. Here’s the question: how do we create a culture of fundraising and philanthropy that is part of our families – from the time we come out…
One thing we have learned in life – and in fundraising – is that no one can go it alone. We may think we can, but we are often wrong. Even when we can proclaim, “I did it all myself,” the toll is often too high. When it comes to fundraising, “going it alone” can initially seem efficient. But if “you” do all the fundraising, then “you” are the only person who people will associate your organization or institution. When you take time to recruit and engage staff and volunteers to help with you can multiply your impact. And, when…
As an 87-year-old person of color who has witnessed the long arc of America’s struggle with racial equality, I find myself compelled to respond to the growing number of pundits and corporate leaders who are praising Trump’s elimination of DEI programs. From the very beginning, I’ve observed with growing concern how the acronym “DEI” has often functioned more like “DIE” for meaningful progress in racial equity. The ending of long-standing programs, firing of DEI executives and staff, and the scrubbing of any reference to anything that hints of equality… fundamentally misses the deeper implications of this policy shift and ignores…
Yes, the world as we know it has turned upside down! Some may applaud changes at the federal government level and others may be distraught. In all cases, change is here. The question is this: how will nonprofit organizations weather these changes? The phrase “nonprofits” covers a group larger than most imagine. The National Council of Nonprofits estimates there are 1.3 million nonprofits in the U.S. alone. This includes hospitals, research centers, colleges and universities, community arts groups, think tanks, daycare centers, and more than you can imagine. They employ 12.3 million people, and more than 64 million people serve…
In a world that can seem driven by the search for perfection we offer a gift this holiday season: the gift of imperfection. We recently facilitated a workshop and tried out a new exercise. A team member pulled us aside afterwards and shared that we really got people interacting. She said this with a smile and a positive tilt in her voice. We listened to her comments, smiling at each other as this was one of the goals of the workshop. Then she mentioned that she saw that some participants were uncomfortable with the exercise. We stopped smiling and looked…
You’ve got a case for support that you, your leadership team, board members, staff, volunteers, and students, clients or program participants believe in. It is clear, concise, and compelling. Maybe you’ve even transformed it into a short video. It is beautifully printed. Now what? As the executive director or CEO of a nonprofit it is time for you to start talking with people, sharing the case, asking stakeholders for feedback, and most importantly learning how current and potential donors and funders see themselves as part of the life of your organization. The case for support is not a report on…
Nonprofit fundraising requires full engagement by the board of directors. If you are a board member or nonprofit leader – this column is for you. We offer serious suggestions for your consideration – things that have been shared with us over the years by those who can give and influence gifts at the highest levels. Let’s start with “who is on your board?” People who can influence major gifts and resources want to know if they know anyone on your board. This is part of their evaluation of an organization’s leadership and capabilities. They want to know that your board…
Are your board members engaged, active, and working in committees to advance the organization? Does the board chair check in with the president or CEO every week, and vice versa? Does the board make all the decisions and then tell the executive director what the staff should do? Or maybe your board focuses on reviewing reports prepared by staff, working from an agenda prepared by staff? Does your board and executive team work together, or does one or the other have the “upper hand?” The relationship between board members and nonprofit leadership can represent the best of what nonprofit staff…