Tag Archives: nonprofit

Community Leaders Could Take a Different Approach to Help

I recently spoke with a nonprofit Executive Director about an upcoming meeting that is giving her angst. Her organization launched a new program last year, and it has had a few “bumps in the road.” It’s not surprising given that … Continue reading

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We All Make “Bad Hires” at Some Point

I was recently standing outside a restaurant with a friend, studying the menu. The owner came out to see if we needed assistance. My friend: “I’m not totally clear on what gluten options you have.” The owner described the options, … Continue reading

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Sometimes We Forget the Basics

In working with entities that are trying to develop a long-term growth plan, I often ask what story they want to tell in 5 years (or 30, depending on the type of project). Sometimes I ask them to write the … Continue reading

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Every Nonprofit Board is Unique

Nonprofit Boards change over time. And they should. As your organization changes, the governance needed to help ensure success requires a different level of commitment, as well as expertise and knowledge. I’ll never forget the meeting when I got into … Continue reading

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What If This Nonprofit Had Said, “We’re Struggling”

Last year, I conducted a site visit in D.C. with a nonprofit that had submitted a relatively large funding request to a foundation. It was fairly well known that the organization had been struggling. The Post had written a few … Continue reading

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Maybe the Community Doesn’t Want You

Now, more than ever, I am hearing about foundations implementing various community engagement activities. This was also highlighted in GEO’s recent report, “Is Grantmaking Getting Smarter?” Foundations want – and should—involve the community in various aspects of their work. But … Continue reading

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Sustainability: The Nonprofit Joke

I recently had lunch with a nonprofit Executive Director (ED) who was lamenting about “sustainability” in the nonprofit sector. I empathized with her. It is always a question that funders ask, and yet there are few good answers. I remember … Continue reading

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Dear Co-Impact: Please Work!

In recent conversations, I have not been shy about my opinion that funders need to collaborate more. That is exactly why I am so excited to hear about Co-Impact, a new effort in collaborative philanthropy that brings together donors from … Continue reading

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A Clearinghouse for Grantmaking

Imagine if nonprofit organizations could submit one proposal and one budget each year that was submitted to a Clearinghouse. They could tell their story, share the impact of their programs, and reveal their goals that they hope to achieve for … Continue reading

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Where is the “Birth Control” for Nonprofits?

I recently saw this headline in the Nonprofit Quarterly: “The Nascent Nonprofit Organization – What Happens Before a Nonprofit is Born?” I went running from the computer, screaming, “Please! No more nonprofits!!” We have 1.5M nonprofits in the U.S. There … Continue reading

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