The nonprofit leadership crisis we’re not talking about: Interview with Robert Egger | Idealist Careers: When I think about flipping the nonprofit sector on its head, I think about Robert Egger.
He is a long-time rebel rouser in the best way possible; a no-nonsense leader that pushes us all to think of the sector and its capabilities in a different way. I’ve been following Robert’s work ever since I read his book Begging for Change in 2004, where he talks about the ineffectiveness of the nonprofit sector and challenges the nonprofit sector to reform and innovate.
Friday, May 30, 2014
Will Your Friends Tell You This? | Burnout Toolbox
Will Your Friends Tell You This? | Burnout Toolbox: The Warnings
The first time I heard it was after I was asked to lead a new charity project. It would accomplish a significant amount of good and I was excited about the opportunity. I discussed it with my friend David Perdew with all the enthusiasm I had. But after he heard me, he said it didn’t appear to be moving me closer to my vision. He encouraged me to dig deep before agreeing to take this work on.
The first time I heard it was after I was asked to lead a new charity project. It would accomplish a significant amount of good and I was excited about the opportunity. I discussed it with my friend David Perdew with all the enthusiasm I had. But after he heard me, he said it didn’t appear to be moving me closer to my vision. He encouraged me to dig deep before agreeing to take this work on.
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Handle crises responsibly and openly � Philanthropy North Carolina
Handle crises responsibly and openly � Philanthropy North Carolina: When your nonprofit is dealing with a serious problem is not the time to run, hide and pretend nothing is wrong.
A crisis is the time to show you are true to your cause, and to reassure your constituents, donors, partners and the public that you are aware of the problem and dealing with it.
So be honest and direct about what is wrong and what you are doing to fix it.
A crisis is the time to show you are true to your cause, and to reassure your constituents, donors, partners and the public that you are aware of the problem and dealing with it.
So be honest and direct about what is wrong and what you are doing to fix it.
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Sociocracy: An Organizational Structure for Distributed Leadership - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly
Sociocracy: An Organizational Structure for Distributed Leadership - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly: lthough the latter may sound like a good idea—helping to bring out the best in employees—it is difficult to implement on a factory floor or in an office setting. It requires a cultural shift that isn’t prevalent in schools, government or organizations. Sociocracy, or Dynamic Governance, is an organizational structure developed by Gerard Endenburg, a Quaker born in the Netherlands who was the CEO of Endenburg Elektrotechniek during a downturn. Sociocracy provides a non-authoritarian organizational structure that empowers people to make decisions within their domains and fosters trust and effective decision-making.
Five Tips for Hiring a Director of Development | Third Sector Today
Some related material compiled on the AFP Questions and FAQ Blog
Five Tips for Hiring a Director of Development | Third Sector Today: When seeking to hire a new director of development, executive directors, board member and others should be mindful of the following:
1) Most development professionals are enthusiastic and motivated by different missions on a personal level. It is imperative that board members, volunteers and donors get a sense of the energy and passion of a director of development as it relates to the mission of the organization. Seek professionals who have an interest in the mission of the organization as demonstrated in previous positions or in volunteer opportunities.
Five Tips for Hiring a Director of Development | Third Sector Today: When seeking to hire a new director of development, executive directors, board member and others should be mindful of the following:
1) Most development professionals are enthusiastic and motivated by different missions on a personal level. It is imperative that board members, volunteers and donors get a sense of the energy and passion of a director of development as it relates to the mission of the organization. Seek professionals who have an interest in the mission of the organization as demonstrated in previous positions or in volunteer opportunities.
Comic Relief plans new investment policy 'in line with ethos'
Comic Relief plans new investment policy 'in line with ethos': Comic Relief has today committed not to make investments in arms, alcohol and tobacco companies as part of a new investment policy "in line with the ethos of the charity".
Comic Relief, which has an investment portfolio of �138m, was criticised in a Panorama programme last year for investing millions of pounds in companies which make most of their money in these areas, which run directly contrary to its mission.
Comic Relief, which has an investment portfolio of �138m, was criticised in a Panorama programme last year for investing millions of pounds in companies which make most of their money in these areas, which run directly contrary to its mission.
A How-To Guide for Employee Matching Grant Programs
massnonprofit.org ::: Billions of dollars in charitable funding are left on the table every year because nonprofit organizations around the world are not taking full advantage of corporate giving programs.
Corporate giving programs include, but are not limited to, employee matching grant programs in which an employee can apply for a company match to literally double the donation to eligible nonprofits.
Here are some do's and don'ts on how to break into this largely untapped source of funding.
Corporate giving programs include, but are not limited to, employee matching grant programs in which an employee can apply for a company match to literally double the donation to eligible nonprofits.
Here are some do's and don'ts on how to break into this largely untapped source of funding.
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Young People Are Skeptical of Information Learned on Twitter - Pacific Standard: The Science of Society
Young People Are Skeptical of Information Learned on Twitter - Pacific Standard: The Science of Society: t’s reasonable to fear that social media could exacerbate this problem. With news feeds giving us constant updates from many sources—some reliable, some not—it’d be very easy to conflate fact with conjecture.
So a new research paper from Michigan State University is particularly welcome. It finds that a sample of college students were, in fact, less likely to fall for false information if it had been presented to them in a Twitter format.
So a new research paper from Michigan State University is particularly welcome. It finds that a sample of college students were, in fact, less likely to fall for false information if it had been presented to them in a Twitter format.
ASKphobia: How to Overcome Ask Aversion � 101fundraising
ASKphobia: How to Overcome Ask Aversion � 101fundraising: Fundraisers everywhere are ASK-averse, ASK-phobic, and worse yet anti-ASK.
If the thought of asking someone for money, in person, over the phone or in a letter, makes you flop sweat – I hope these five simple tips help you out. Remember that asking for a donation isn’t just not awful – it can be really, really fun.
If the thought of asking someone for money, in person, over the phone or in a letter, makes you flop sweat – I hope these five simple tips help you out. Remember that asking for a donation isn’t just not awful – it can be really, really fun.
Charity offers memorials for Sydney's homeless amid fears more are being pushed onto the streets - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Charity offers memorials for Sydney's homeless amid fears more are being pushed onto the streets - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation): The Wayside Chapel has opened its first memorial garden to honour the homeless who have died on the streets.
"A lot of people that die on the street are buried as paupers, there is no place that you can go to to remember them, their names are not inscribed anywhere, we're inviting people to buy a padlock to inscribe the name of a loved one and then fix it to our fence."
"A lot of people that die on the street are buried as paupers, there is no place that you can go to to remember them, their names are not inscribed anywhere, we're inviting people to buy a padlock to inscribe the name of a loved one and then fix it to our fence."
Museum makeover: Fundraising campaign launched for city flood facility � Latest News � The Tribune Democrat, Johnstown, PA
Museum makeover: Fundraising campaign launched for city flood facility � Latest News � The Tribune Democrat, Johnstown, PA: Next week’s 125th anniversary of the Great Johnstown Flood provides the launching pad for a major fundraising campaign to completely update the Johnstown Flood Museum.
The campaign was given a roaring start with a $750,000 grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation of Pittsburgh, Mark Pasquerilla, Johnstown Area Heritage Association chairman, said Thursday during a press conference at the museum.
The campaign was given a roaring start with a $750,000 grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation of Pittsburgh, Mark Pasquerilla, Johnstown Area Heritage Association chairman, said Thursday during a press conference at the museum.
Friday, May 23, 2014
R.I.P. Donor Pyramid? : Page 1 of 2 : FundRaising Success
R.I.P. Donor Pyramid? : Page 1 of 2 : FundRaising Success: That’s why you don’t see many pyramids being built these days.
Except in nonprofits, where building the donor pyramid is still the holy grail. Get ’em in. Move ’em up. Acquire through direct mail. Convert to monthly donor or sustainer. Acquire through events. Convert to mail. Up, up, up … to the pinnacle of major and planned gifts!
Except for one tiny thing.
Except in nonprofits, where building the donor pyramid is still the holy grail. Get ’em in. Move ’em up. Acquire through direct mail. Convert to monthly donor or sustainer. Acquire through events. Convert to mail. Up, up, up … to the pinnacle of major and planned gifts!
Except for one tiny thing.
Combatting Burnout in Nonprofit Leaders | Stanford Social Innovation Review
Combatting Burnout in Nonprofit Leaders | Stanford Social Innovation Review: The survey also showed that most executive directors saw strong links between leadership development opportunities, organizational effectiveness (discussed earlier in this series), and personal well-being (physical and mental health, and work-life balance).
“These people are sacrificing so much to take on the executive roles of these groups,” Rogers said. “We are watching people not just burn out but make themselves sick in service of their communities. It’s our job to take care of them.”
“These people are sacrificing so much to take on the executive roles of these groups,” Rogers said. “We are watching people not just burn out but make themselves sick in service of their communities. It’s our job to take care of them.”
The icing on your appeals program - Information, research and resources for fundraisers and their leaders
The icing on your appeals program - Information, research and resources for fundraisers and their leaders: I’m no Nostradamus, but I do know these two things happen every single year. Which is why the lack of planning some fundraisers undertake staggers me, furiously running around just weeks and even days before their biggest appeal should land in mailboxes.
Part of me thinks for many it’s a reflection of the boredom and staleness of their appeals/direct mail program. It’s like that old ornament sitting on your mantelpiece—it’s been there forever and does a job, but it doesn’t particularly excite you.
Part of me thinks for many it’s a reflection of the boredom and staleness of their appeals/direct mail program. It’s like that old ornament sitting on your mantelpiece—it’s been there forever and does a job, but it doesn’t particularly excite you.
BBC shows to source costumes from charity shops to meet green targets
BBC shows to source costumes from charity shops to meet green targets: The first programme to meet a new BBC “green certificate” sourced costumes and props from local charity shops in order to meet the criteria.
And a BBC spokesman said that in documentation guiding organisations on how to meet the new environmental standards certification, albert , it will suggest other programmes could also use charity shops as a way of cutting environmental impact.
And a BBC spokesman said that in documentation guiding organisations on how to meet the new environmental standards certification, albert , it will suggest other programmes could also use charity shops as a way of cutting environmental impact.
Fundcrushing vs. fundraising: see the difference at work - Future Fundraising Now
From Future Fundraising Now
Fundcrushing vs. fundraising: see the difference at work - Future Fundraising Now: Fundcrushing vs. fundraising: see the difference at work
Fundcrushing vs. fundraising: see the difference at work - Future Fundraising Now: Fundcrushing vs. fundraising: see the difference at work
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Is For-Profit the Future of Non-Profit? - Amy Schiller - The Atlantic
Is For-Profit the Future of Non-Profit? - Amy Schiller - The Atlantic: Is For-Profit the Future of Non-Profit?
Creating the Right Culture at your Nonprofit | npENGAGE
Creating the Right Culture at your Nonprofit | npENGAGE: Culture is mission. Culture is process. Culture is everything.
I really do believe this.
When I was a kid, culture had a very different meaning. It’s possible that I just didn’t get what it was all about. To me, culture was about “being cultured.” It was about art, and class and learning things that tended to be highbrow.
But today, culture is something much more mainstream. And because it’s this way (or at least to me), it’s much more central. It’s literally about everyone and for everyone. And that’s a good thing.
I really do believe this.
When I was a kid, culture had a very different meaning. It’s possible that I just didn’t get what it was all about. To me, culture was about “being cultured.” It was about art, and class and learning things that tended to be highbrow.
But today, culture is something much more mainstream. And because it’s this way (or at least to me), it’s much more central. It’s literally about everyone and for everyone. And that’s a good thing.
Make the most of a news interview � Philanthropy North Carolina
Make the most of a news interview � Philanthropy North Carolina: Make the most of a news interview
May 22, 2014 By toddcohen49 in Advertisement Leave a comment
Many charities rightly an complain that they get too little news coverage, yet when they do get a chance to talk to a reporter, they often waste it. So be prepared.
May 22, 2014 By toddcohen49 in Advertisement Leave a comment
Many charities rightly an complain that they get too little news coverage, yet when they do get a chance to talk to a reporter, they often waste it. So be prepared.
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Will the Sharing Economy Catalyze New Forms of Philanthropy? | Beth’s Blog
From Beth Kanter's blog
Will the Sharing Economy Catalyze New Forms of Philanthropy? | Beth’s Blog: After I attended Catalyzing the Sharing Economy conference (the sharing economy is defined as the use of networked, mobile, information technology to share goods and services), I shared a post with some notes and ideas about why I think it is the next generation of networked social change. Lucy Bernholz, who has been thinking about the sharing economy and social change for longer than anyone, share her conference notes, asking “Where is the Public Good?” TechSoup’s Lewis Haidt shared a post that challenges to think about how we can all participate with a greater emphasis on the sharing and less on the IPO.
Will the Sharing Economy Catalyze New Forms of Philanthropy? | Beth’s Blog: After I attended Catalyzing the Sharing Economy conference (the sharing economy is defined as the use of networked, mobile, information technology to share goods and services), I shared a post with some notes and ideas about why I think it is the next generation of networked social change. Lucy Bernholz, who has been thinking about the sharing economy and social change for longer than anyone, share her conference notes, asking “Where is the Public Good?” TechSoup’s Lewis Haidt shared a post that challenges to think about how we can all participate with a greater emphasis on the sharing and less on the IPO.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art Puts 400,000 High-Res Images Online & Makes Them Free to Use - | Open Culture
The Metropolitan Museum of Art Puts 400,000 High-Res Images Online & Makes Them Free to Use - | Open Culture: On Friday, The Metropolitan Museum of Art announced that “more than 400,000 high-resolution digital images of public domain works in the Museum’s world-renowned collection may be downloaded directly from the Museum’s website for non-commercial use
Not Just Lip Service: Employees Demand Workplace Volunteering
Not Just Lip Service: Employees Demand Workplace Volunteering: Across the world, employee expectations of the companies they work for are dramatically expanding when it comes to corporate philanthropy. As such, companies are being forced to respond to this groundswell of interest in charitable activities, as they must do if they hope to attract and retain top talent.
Government-funded nonprofits slammed; fixes seen � Philanthropy North Carolina
Government-funded nonprofits slammed; fixes seen � Philanthropy North Carolina: Government contracts and grants can create big problems for nonprofits, but proven solutions are readily available, two new reports say.
Among nearly 56,000 nonprofits with government contracts or grants, or both, in 2012, nearly three-fourths reported problems with the complexity of — or time required for — applications and reporting, according to the “National Study of Nonprofit-Government Contracts and Grants 2013: State Rankings” from the Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy at the Urban Institute.
Among nearly 56,000 nonprofits with government contracts or grants, or both, in 2012, nearly three-fourths reported problems with the complexity of — or time required for — applications and reporting, according to the “National Study of Nonprofit-Government Contracts and Grants 2013: State Rankings” from the Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy at the Urban Institute.
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
The most charitable states in America | Deseret News
The most charitable states in America | Deseret News: A recent Gallup poll has ranked each U.S. state by its charitable giving, listing Utah, Minnesota, and Hawaii as the most generous states.
A minimum of 600 citizens per state were asked whether they had personally donated money to charity, spent time volunteering with an organization, or both over the past month. All 50 states were polled between June and December of 2013.
A minimum of 600 citizens per state were asked whether they had personally donated money to charity, spent time volunteering with an organization, or both over the past month. All 50 states were polled between June and December of 2013.
Five Questions With: John Hailer - Providence Business News
Five Questions With: John Hailer - Providence Business News: HAILER: As a global asset-management firm, the goal of the Jazz Diplomacy Project directly aligns with our corporate mission of taking a unique, collaborative approach to achieving comprehensive solutions. We focus our sponsorship efforts on music because it has historically been a force that brings people together, connects cultures, unites communities and enhances the lives of individuals around the world.
What Financial Conversations Could Be…It’s About More Than Money
What Financial Conversations Could Be…It’s About More Than Money: As a demonstration project exploring what could be possible for all boards, we spend a fair amount of time engaged in a process talking about process. I personally think this is at the heart of leadership and creating space for process is essential to organizational success, but I found it particularly relevant here.
Many of us come to financial issues, be they our own personal ones or those of an organization with which we are involved, from a place of reactivity. We get a report or a statement showing us what has transpired and are asked to react. Let’s look at how different people react:
Many of us come to financial issues, be they our own personal ones or those of an organization with which we are involved, from a place of reactivity. We get a report or a statement showing us what has transpired and are asked to react. Let’s look at how different people react:
Monday, May 19, 2014
Philanthropy Tips From a Google Billionaire
Philanthropy Tips From a Google Billionaire: Signers of The Giving Pledge provide a statement about their philanthropy, which appears on the website. Among recent signatories, the most illuminating statement by far comes from Craig Silverstein and Mary Obelnicki.
Willis Turner - What If Mark Twain Was Your Major-Gifts Officer? : FundRaising Success
Willis Turner - What If Mark Twain Was Your Major-Gifts Officer? : FundRaising Success: For example, if Mark TwainOpens in a new window was your major-gifts officer (MGO), he might amble into your office, lean his surprisingly slight frame against the doorway (he was just 5 feet 8 inches), brush a fleck of cigar ash from the collar of his rumpled white suit and drawl:
"A round man cannot be expected to fit into a square hole right away. He must have time to modify his shape."
What he'd mean, of course, is that those who contribute to your regular appeals are far and away your best source for major donors
"A round man cannot be expected to fit into a square hole right away. He must have time to modify his shape."
What he'd mean, of course, is that those who contribute to your regular appeals are far and away your best source for major donors
More fundraisers see higher pay; average salaries drop � Philanthropy North Carolina
More fundraisers see higher pay; average salaries drop � Philanthropy North Carolina: More fundraising professionals in the U.S. and Canada got a boost in their average income in 2013, compared to 2012, but average salaries fell nearly eight percent, a new survey says.
And a longstanding and large gap persisted between pay for men and women in fundraising jobs, while the average turnover rate among fundraisers grew slightly, says the 2014 Compensation and Benefits Study from the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
And a longstanding and large gap persisted between pay for men and women in fundraising jobs, while the average turnover rate among fundraisers grew slightly, says the 2014 Compensation and Benefits Study from the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
Friday, May 16, 2014
Duke Haddad - Organizing a Media Fundraising Event That Sizzles! : FundRaising Success
Duke Haddad - Organizing a Media Fundraising Event That Sizzles! : FundRaising Success: Marketing discovers and engages buyers while branding makes loyal customers. The Salvation Army Indiana DivisionOpens in a new window recently sponsored a special event with both concepts in mind.
The 2014 Red Kettle Cook-OffOpens in a new window was created to secure sales from the public by selling hamburgers from various Indianapolis media participants. An additional goal was to educate the public and media on the mission of the Salvation Army and what programs it supports in the central Indiana community. The 2014 Cook-Off was improved with new event leadership and greater flexibility to think out of the box. Communication and education were major event goals.
The 2014 Red Kettle Cook-OffOpens in a new window was created to secure sales from the public by selling hamburgers from various Indianapolis media participants. An additional goal was to educate the public and media on the mission of the Salvation Army and what programs it supports in the central Indiana community. The 2014 Cook-Off was improved with new event leadership and greater flexibility to think out of the box. Communication and education were major event goals.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)