Monthly Archives: September 2015

“I Really Didn’t Like It. At All.”

Posted on September 30, 2015 by summergathercole

Everyone I know who has returned from a recent trip to Iceland loved it. They raved about it. So I was excited to go this past August. And after I got back to the States, it took me weeks before … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Good Strategy Starts with Listening

Posted on September 22, 2015 by summergathercole

In her recent blog for The Center for Effective Philanthropy, Crystal Hayling states that, “…good strategy starts with listening. And not just sporadic listening, but listening that is built into the process of our grantmaking.” She couldn’t be more right … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog, Blogs | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Embrace the Unknown

Posted on September 21, 2015 by summergathercole

Here’s the setting for a recent group activity in which I participated: One room. Twenty people. On one side of the room was a sign that had the word, “YES” and on the other side was a sign with the … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog, Blogs | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Mea Culpa.

Posted on September 15, 2015 by summergathercole

The Nonprofit Quarterly (NPQ) just posted a response to an article in the St. Paul Pioneer Press about the St. Paul Foundation’s challenge to the community to find the best idea to improve the city. The winner would get $1,000 … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

There is No Right Answer

Posted on September 10, 2015 by summergathercole

I’ve been closely following The Center for Effective Philanthropy’s series on large, staffed foundations versus “lean foundations” that are seemingly able to avoid the problems of messy bureaucracy. The series has focused on dollars out the door relative to staff … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment