Thoughts on Nonprofit Leadership

The Executive Director’s Guide to Putting Out Fundraising Fires for executive directors

In any one day, a nonprofit executive director’s duties can include managing operations; satisfying funders and donors; informing and inspiring board, staff and volunteers; listening to clients; communicating your mission and accomplishments to the public; assessing community needs;...

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A Strategy for Data development planning fundraising relationship building

by Deron J. Tse of DjT systems: Business Systems Consulting

We make data-based decisions.

What does that mean for your nonprofit? You collect data on your constituents usually starting off with required transactional data points like contact info and transaction amount. Your organization might...

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How Much Does It Cost You to Raise Money? development planning financial management for executive directors

The usual nonprofit fundraising strategies generate revenue through individual giving, foundation requests, corporate contributions, special events, and government contracts. Each comes with its own set of financial costs and benefits.

Raising Money from Individuals

According to Giving USA,...

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In Pursuit of Both Mission and Money development planning for executive directors fundraising

If you want to make as much money as you can while advancing your mission, you need four things: 1) strict adherence to mission; 2) revenue-generating activities that make more than they cost; 3) a lens that will help choose among the numerous fundraising options available and 4) a calendar that...

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How to Stand Out to Your Business Community corporate giving fundraising relationship building

How do you get a business to entertain your donation request? Differentiate your nonprofit, that is, stand out from all the other nonprofits with their hands out too. And then don’t ask for a donation. Instead, engage in a partnership.

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Nonprofits and Value Propositions corporate giving

A value proposition is a promise of substance to be delivered, communicated, and acknowledged through purchase of a product. From the customer’s point to view, a value proposition is a belief about how worth will be delivered, experienced, and acquired through purchase of the product. Good...

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How to Talk So Businesses Will Listen

Remember the old saying, “Birds of a feather flock together?” Well, it’s true. Most people feel most comfortable with other people like them – with their same values, preferences, beliefs, or interests. If you are a nonprofit professional trying to get the attention of a...

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Simple Strategies for Achieving Nonprofit Financial Sustainability financial management

Let’s be clear here. Profit and wealth accumulation are not dirty concepts in the nonprofit arena. They are needed constructs if you want your agency to get ahead.

Making a Profit

All making a profit means is a realization of positive net income, that is, revenues coming in are greater than...

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The Never Ending Discussion Between Development and Accounting; Counting versus Accounting financial management work relationships

By  Kathleen M. Clayton, CPA 

Scene One

Development Director, “I just got this huge pledge! Closing in on my budget, maybe I’ll get a bonus.  Put it in my donor data base already.  I need to let accounting know.”  Walking over to accounting department...

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