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…
Author: Mel and Pearl Shaw
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…
Black history is made every day by those who lead and serve African American nonprofits. We salute the many unsung heroes who take on the day-to-day task of making an impact on our communities. They have been at it for generations. Most likely you are either one of these heroes or you have been impacted by one. We are talking about people who dedicate their lives to philanthropy, historically Black colleges and universities, churches, faith-based community organizations, and the community organizers and community developers who change policies and build neighborhoods. When it is time to receive an award or public…
By Mel and Pearl Shaw Miles College in Fairfield, Alabama announced the public phase of its $125 million fundraising campaign. They are in the process of raising the remaining $25 million and have invited all to participate in their unique campaign. It’s more than raising funds for an HBCU celebrating 125 years, it’s also a campaign to invest in Fairfield, the community they are a part of. Their slogan: Come Grow With Us. Miles College is inviting everyone to the table and working to ensure that as they grow their facilities and programs they work in concert with their neighbors.…
Let’s say you’re a nonprofit board member and you are asked to include the organization in your “estate plan.” How would you react? Would you think – or maybe say out loud – “Are you crazy?” Would you stutter, “Estate plan? I’m still paying off my student loans!!” At face value the above proposition sounds crazy. You’re making a commitment to give your time, expertise, and focus to a nonprofit. You’ve agreed to give a gift on an annual basis and to purchase tickets and attend events. Now they want you to give part of all that you will ever…
Nashville, Tenn.–February is Black history month and August is Black Philanthropy Month. We now have two months where the spotlight is – ideally – on the Black experience. February celebrates the rich diversity of who we are and our visions for the future. August is about how we give and contribute. There was – and still is – a way of looking at Black people and the Black community as being in need of investments by others. We are seen as the recipients of philanthropy, but until recently we weren’t widely celebrated as donors, let alone as philanthropists. But that’s…