Thoughts on Nonprofit Leadership

Nonprofit organizations exist to meet community needs, are governed by community members, and funded through community contributions. Nonprofit agencies leverage their scarce resources by fostering community relationships. Nonprofits even receive special tax-exempt status based on their...

by Linda Lysakowski, ACFRE

Why are so many nonprofits addicted to special event fundraising? I’ve observed several reasons for this addiction. First, for many organizations they seem like the only way out of the fundraising dilemma. They aren’t aware of the diversity of fundraising...

So, you’ve increased the number of people and organizations supporting you, either financially, by volunteering, through leadership service, by referring clients to you, advocating for your cause, or promoting your agenda. You’ve worked hard to achieve as much support as you have. You...

So, you’ve clearly defined your nonprofit’s identity. Your internal and external materials communicate a unified message. You’ve identified what groups and organizations you want to partner with. Now it’s time to approach them.

Do Your Research

To make the most of your...

What do potential supporters think of you? Do they even know you exist? How do you know? Have you asked them? The only way to confirm your perceptions of what the community thinks is to ask them. You may be surprised at what you find.

Defining Your Community

The first thing to do to find out what...

By:  Kathleen M Clayton, CPA

Really need a CFO but can’t afford one?  Outsourcing might be the answer for your organization. 

Outsourced accounting professionals help direct the financial processes that would typically be done by your or your own employees. The services can...

Does your nonprofit have an image you want to change?

To successfully affect a change in your image, you need to define who you are to the community. You need to tell your community precisely what you do and how you do it. You need to know the values that permeate your organization and its...

Image One:  Do-Gooders Needing Money 

In last week’s blog, The Community Contract, we outlined what many community members think of nonprofits: do-good organizations who are poor and unsophisticated, fighting an uphill battle, always asking for money. And it’s no wonder...

Now that you’ve approached the groups and organizations that you targeted and entered into a relationship with them, what do they expect from you? What needs do they have that you can meet in order to solidify and build your partnership?

Individuals

People are driven by values, feelings,...