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…
Author: Mel and Pearl Shaw
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…
When faced with a revenue shortfall should a nonprofit cut expenses across the board? Is there one way to “balance the budget?” We share insights from John Bazzanella, COO of Tennessee Nonprofit Network, as we end this six-part series on nonprofit budgeting. What should a nonprofit do when facing revenue shortfalls? One way to reduce the stress is to plan ahead in the budgeting process and create contingency plans based on revenue projections. This process allows you to consider scenarios related to your level of confidence in different revenue streams. Begin with the full budget, then reforecast revenue with however…
Fundraising is known for its abundance of disappointments and few successes. Don’t let that get you down. It’s just a fact of life. And you can overcome it. Let’s say you’re a kid and you want a specific gift. What do you do? We recommend talking to those who just might give you a gift. Tell them what you want. Tell them why you want it, and how your life will be so wonderfully different once you have it. We hope you can conjure up the feelings that come with knowing you just might get what you want. Feel the…
We hope you were well celebrated for Mothers’ Day and that you enjoyed celebrating the mothers in your life! We get one day to officially sing the praises of those who mother us and our families. But we believe there are 365 days to celebrate the mothering role that women (and men) play in the nonprofit sector. Not only are mothers served by nonprofits across our country and around the globe, but they also lead these organizations. Many times they are the ones who birth them as well, pushing them into this world with force and determination. Here’s to the…
What do you do when you have multiple priorities that you are raising money for? We suggest a campaign within a campaign, otherwise known as a “mini-campaign.” Here’s the real-life story of Valerie R. Harris, Director of Choirs at Miles College, with how she raised over $100,000 for the choir to perform at Carnegie Hall in NYC while the college itself is busy raising $25 million to complete its $125 million campaign. “This was my first fundraiser. In all my years of being in music, I have never had to raise this kind of money. It wasn’t easy. I learned…
A column for nonprofit professionals and hiring managers Is fundraising a team sport or a solo effort? We call it a team sport when we want to engage volunteers and stakeholders in the important work of securing funds for our nonprofits. But when it comes to claiming success, we say “I did it.” The amount of funds raised is used as a “quick-and-easy” way to determine who is a successful fundraiser. Managers and executives use it when evaluating the work of development staff, potential hires, and board members. Those who contract with fundraising counsel ask a variation on the question,…
Mel and Pearl Shaw of Saad&Shaw Do you, as a nonprofit board member, want to take a nap when it’s time to talk about the budget? Maybe you have an important call to make? We urge you to change your ways! We’ve been talking with John Bazzanella, COO of Tennessee Nonprofit Network, about budgeting and critical management information that is “hidden in plain sight.” As a board member you have to understand how your nonprofit’s budget is constructed, and how different future scenarios can impact programming and sustainability. Understanding anticipated expenses and revenue can guide the process of setting and…