Depending on who you ask, your board of directors can be the single most important element in determining your organization’s success or failure. As you’ve likely seen within your organization, board experience matters and board engagement should be a top priority. When board members are engaged, they’re more effective in [...]
Before starting a nonprofit organization, you should understand that the 501(c)(3) designation is just that: a tax designation. It’s not a business model. Why is that important? To be successful, you must understand that you’re starting a business. Getting into that mindset will help set you up for success. Here [...]
The most effective type of donor cultivation is a donor-centered approach. In this donor-centered approach, nonprofits seek to discover as much as they can about the potential donor. It's not wise to rush the discovery process. Like an onion, it needs to be peeled one layer at a time. So, [...]
Board members play a critical role in the fundraising process. It is not just about soliciting or making the ask for donations. I would argue, there are many roles in the fundraising pathway, and each is equally important to raising money. So how can you involve “ALL” of your board [...]
Board performance is a critical ingredient in a nonprofit organization’s ability to achieve impact. After 25 years in the nonprofit sector, I have learned that a nonprofit board is only as strong as the education and direction that they receive. Without a strong board of directors, the executive director and staff are expected [...]