This nonprofit culture strategy post is part 3 in a 3-part series. Read part 1 and part 2. There are three pillars of transformation required of philanthropically-funded nonprofits that want to thrive in the post-disruption, post-COVID economy. In the first article of this three-part series, I explored why digital transformation [...]
If you’re a fundraiser bemoaning the lack of your nonprofit's culture of philanthropy, you don’t get off that easily. You’re part of the problem. In fact, you may BE the problem. Why is that? Because you are the one person, or one department, actually charged with living and breathing philanthropy [...]
Way too often I hear from disgruntled nonprofit staff who feel their organization doesn’t live up to its own nonprofit values. They talk a good game; they just don’t walk it. Alas, I know from whence they speak. Having worked in the nonprofit trenches for 30 years before hanging out [...]
Teamwork is all the rage right now. It's often touted as an organizational value, a key to productivity, and a criterion used to hire, reward, and promote. But there's an unpleasant and unproductive flipside to collaboration that deserves discussion. In short, too much teamwork might be burning out your best [...]
On November 26, 2020, the second annual National Day of Conversation (NDOC) took place in Canada. This virtual day of conversation was founded in 2019 by me and my co-founder Wanda Deschamps to raise awareness about sexual harassment of fundraisers in the charitable sector. In 2018, the Association of Fundraising [...]
Unusual times call for unusual solutions. This year many folks will not be able to gather in person with friends and family for the holidays. It feels sad. Rather than mourning this loss, how about turning the tables and giving your holiday a little something special with new holiday fundraising [...]
Heather Burright will discuss the unique benefits and challenges of a remote workforce and discuss how we as employers can continue to develop their capabilities. Full Transcript: Steven: All right. Heather, I got 1:00 Eastern. Is it okay if I go ahead and get this party started? Heather: Yeah, let's [...]
You probably already know that donors have a bill of rights. They were created almost 30 years ago by the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Prudent, logical and fair, they cover everything from access to financial statements to assurances their gift will be used as intended. But what about fundraisers? Aren’t [...]
As a black man working in nonprofit education, I have heard and experienced a lot, particularly from the students that I’ve served. Working in the North Lawndale Neighborhood on the Westside of Chicago, I had a 4th grader, an amazingly smart girl, tell me that she didn’t want to work [...]
If you are like most people right now, you are stuck at home. Whether or not you have work, you are probably wondering when this is going to end. What the next stage will look like. Thinking about your past. Thinking about your present. Thinking about your future. What we [...]
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 [...]
Recently at a conference, I sat on a panel of three women -- two white, one black -- and we ended up talking about how women treat each other badly at work. As the talk went on, it became apparent that a lot of white women in the audience were [...]