Nonprofit Boards And Planning Learning
Embark on a journey of mastery in board governance and strategic planning with our selected collection of training videos– tailored exclusively for nonprofits. Venture into the intricate dynamics of board management, from recruitment and retention of effective board members to nurturing a culture of engagement and mutual respect. Explore the heart of strategic planning as nonprofit experts share compelling visions and means to devise actionable plans, and implement them successfully. You’ll learn how to synergize your board and staff and align them towards common goals and objectives. Whether you’re a newly formed nonprofit seeking structure and new board members or an established organization aiming to streamline processes and enhance impact, these inspiring learning sessions will give you a wealth of resources.
Co-host Julia Patrick and Guest Host Muhi Khwaja, a trainer from the Fundraising Academy at National University, cover topics of anonymous resumes, candidate tenure, board giving policies, and employee fundraising campaigns. Muhi provides valuable insights and advice on these issues, emphasizing the importance of fairness, inclusivity, and effective communication in nonprofit practices.
Anonymized Resumes: The hosts discuss a situation where a job candidate submitted a resume without their last name to reduce potential bias. Muhi suggests that this practice reflects current political and social climates, then recommends focusing on a blind screening process based on skills, expertise, and experience, leaving personal details for later stages.
Candidate Tenure: The hosts address how many years a candidate should serve in their previous position before joining a nonprofit development team. Muhi emphasizes that while tenure is a factor, it's not the only indicator of success. Metrics like fundraising achievements, engagement, and retention matter more than just years served.
Board Give or Get Policy: The hosts discuss the implementation of a board give or get policy. They suggest that it should be a standard practice, encouraging board members to make meaningful gifts based on their capacity. The importance of personal and corporate contributions is highlighted, and the role of development leads and board committees in administrating this policy is discussed.
Employee Fundraising Campaigns: The hosts address concerns about implementing an employee fundraising campaign in a nonprofit with hourly employees. They discuss the potential for pay equity issues and suggest that the campaign's focus should be on 100% participation rather than specific amounts, which could make it more meaningful for everyone.
In this interview, our co-hosts welcome Lotus Kaplan, the Chief Development Officer of FamilyPromiseAZ.org, to discuss the concept of community-based program models in the context of addressing homelessness. Family Promise is a national organization with a mission to help families without shelter find sustainable housing and end the cycle of generational homelessness. Lotus shares her experience and insights about the community-based model, emphasizing the importance of communication, collaboration, and flexibility. She explains that community-based programs involve active engagement and ownership from various partners, including organizations, volunteers, and churches. The model aims to create a sense of belonging and hope for families in need, focusing on finding intersections between different organizations' missions to work together towards a common goal. Lotus also discusses the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to adapt and modify the model to better suit changing circumstances. The interview underscores the value of collaboration, the significance of celebrating both successes and failures, and the power of partnerships in addressing the complex issue of homelessness on a national scale. For more insights, visit the Family Promise website at familypromiseaz.org.
Show host Julia Patrick welcomes Jane Wales, Vice President of the Aspen Institute, and Co-chair of the GenerosityCommission.org, to discuss their Insight Report on changing giving trends. The report explores the decline in everyday giving and volunteering over the years and its potential impact on society. Jane describes the Commission's purpose as “A group of 17 leaders from across the social sector, ranging from private sector perspectives to nonprofit leaders. Our goal is to understand the declining trends in giving and volunteering, and how it affects our society and democracy”.
The report emphasizes the importance of understanding generosity in a broader context, beyond just giving to nonprofits, as there is an increase in direct, unmediated giving and volunteering through digital platforms and mutual aid networks. Jane also highlights how social connectedness through giving and volunteering can lead to greater societal resilience and emphasized the need to redefine what an everyday giver and volunteer means, going beyond financial wealth and focusing on community engagement. Amplifying on their findings of a connection between prosocial behavior and civic engagement Jane explains “Our research found that people who engage in prosocial behavior, such as volunteering or serving on a jury, are more likely to register to vote for the first time. This suggests that one act of social connectedness leads to others, and it is essential to encourage civic engagement."
The Commission aims to stimulate an ongoing national conversation on this topic and encourages people to visit their website for more information and future updates on their research.
Elizabeth Woolfe, the principal of Intuition Consulting, discusses the challenges faced by smaller nonprofits, emphasizing the importance of assessing their current state and setting realistic goals for the future, the significance of self-awareness, strategic planning, and building strong partnerships to thrive. She introduces the concept of "growth" and how it's not always about becoming bigger but rather about building strength and sustainability with the need to stay focused on the organization's purpose, mission, and impact.
The episode highlights the unique challenges leaders face, including loneliness and a lack of support, the narrow leadership pipeline and the high turnover rates in the nonprofit sector, stressing the importance of board members supporting and appreciating their nonprofit leaders to boost morale.
The high energy discussion touches on the significance of strategic thinking and capacity building for smaller nonprofits. Elizabeth encourages organizations to understand their ecosystem, collaborate with other nonprofits, and prioritize effective partnering. She discusses using tools like the "SOAR" (Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, and Recommendations) rubric for assessments and strategic planning.
Strategic advisor and leadership consultant, Jarrod Williams, sheds light on the crucial intersection between the arts and social justice. Williams, also a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and Director of Leadership Giving at the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance, brings his passion and expertise to the conversation, addressing the challenges and opportunities in connecting the arts to diverse communities.
Williams, alongside the show's hosts, Jarrett Ransom and Julia Patrick, delved into the deep-rooted issues faced by performing arts organizations in promoting diversity and inclusion. He emphasizes that the performing arts have long grappled with the struggle between producing risk-taking artistic works and those that merely sell tickets. Performances that are considered "risky" or showcase diversity, often centered around African American or marginalized experiences, face significant barriers in the performing arts community.
This interview reveals how social justice is inextricably linked to the arts, providing a powerful platform for human expression, offering everyone the opportunity to convey emotions and stories that build empathy and create meaningful connections. Consequently, the arts play a crucial role in addressing social issues like systematic racism, voter suppression, and inequity.
One of the most pressing concerns highlighted by Williams was the lack of representation in both the audience and on the stage. For the performing arts to thrive and adapt to the post-COVID world, it is essential to nurture the next generation of artists and audiences by ensuring diversity and inclusion. Williams stressed that seeing role models and representations of oneself on stage fosters inspiration and encourages individuals from diverse backgrounds to pursue careers in the arts.
Addressing the root of the problem, Williams called for a transformative shift in the arts sector, where boards and leadership are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. He emphasizes the need for boards to move beyond mere rhetoric and actively promote diversity at all levels of their organizations, including programming and donor engagement.
Williams shares successful initiatives from Dayton Performing Arts Alliance, such as their $5 ticket program, which eliminates financial barriers to attendance. Additionally, the organization engages communities through workshops, dialogues, and educational sessions, fostering a deeper understanding of the performances and building a sense of belonging.
The co-hosts engage in a conversation with Hathaway Maranda, a strategic advisor and national leadership consultant to nonprofits, exploring the importance of philanthropy in all types of nonprofits, how to lead the way to a more philanthropic culture, and its impact on fundraising efforts.
Hathaway defines a culture of philanthropy as a community of people committed to supporting relevant stories to enhance each other's well-being. The discussion identifies the misconceptions surrounding fundraising, with people often assuming it is solely the responsibility of the development department. Hathaway stressed the significance of every staff member's involvement in creating a culture of philanthropy, suggesting incorporating development goals in individual performance reviews and including it in the employee handbook to reinforce the culture.
The fast-paced episode also touched upon the potential benefits of cross-departmental experiences, where staff members could volunteer at other organizations to gain a deeper understanding of philanthropy beyond their immediate roles. The hosts and Hathaway end by describing how a successful culture of philanthropy should lead to measurable growth in fundraising efforts, but acknowledging that sustaining this culture requires ongoing effort, including refreshing strategies and ensuring alignment with the organization's mission.
Transparency, or lack thereof, can affect a nonprofit's ability to hire, raise funds, and even affect their standing in the community. ChazinandCompany.com details the documents needed as well as the internal and external cultural effects of establishing financial transparency.
Leadership is providing clarity of expectations, defining what success will be, allowing one to do their job, and providing a positive feedback loop. These and more are explained by Andrew Olsen, CFRE with Altus Marketing. This is a recent episode of The Nonprofit Show --the Nation’s daily live streaming broadcast where the Nonprofit and Social Impact Community comes together. Each weekday the hosts and their guest experts cover current topics-- from money to management to missions.
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If you lead or work for a registered nonprofit 501(c)(3), social impact or service organization, or are thinking of starting a nonprofit--, The Nonprofit Show is an excellent resource of current nonprofit information and operating strategies to make your social impact amazing. Each weekday there are new guest experts and thought leaders on the fast-paced 30-minute LIVE show—with topics ranging across nonprofit boards, foundations, grant funding, volunteer managers, donor relations, fundraising experts, NPO marketing, grant writers, philanthropy donors, nonprofit legal and tax professionals, CFRE info, nonprofit software and nonprofit apps providers, Nonprofit CRM programs, charity tax expertise, virtual galas, charity auctions, online nonprofit charity event programs, social impact strategic planning, fundraising and fund development, fiscal sponsorships, capital campaigns, community impact analysis, donation management, nonprofit jobs, nonprofit HR, nonprofit classes and training, global NGO organizations, as well as nonprofit sector Thought Leaders.
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The Executive Director of The Nonprofit Cooperative shares why differences between NPO's are really opportunities and how collaborations can build impactful confidence.
There should always be time for development talk in the boardroom! What to say to build confidence amongst board members for them to be the source of introductions and bouy their role as allies to the funding team. From Easterseals of Eastern Pennsylvania, CFRE Ann Marie Surovy, shares their success story.
Ann Fellman, Chief Marketing Officer of Bloomerang, highlights the trends and insights from GivingUSA, a comprehensive report on charitable giving in the United States. Ann highlights the importance of understanding the data in the context of the nonprofit sector and shares some surprising findings, plus ways for organizations to adapt and optimize their fundraising strategies while keeping a realistic perspective on the current economic climate.
One notable trend is the growth of foundations in charitable giving. Foundations now account for 21% of the total giving, a significant increase from 5% in 1980. Ann emphasizes the need for nonprofits to consider the evolving landscape and the transfer of wealth from Baby Boomers to Millennials.
Ann also addresses concerns about the decrease in overall giving in 2022. She advises nonprofits not to panic but to use the data as a benchmark and compare their organization's performance to the broader trends. She suggests recognizing the challenging economic environment and making appeals that acknowledge the impact of current events.
The discussion highlights the resilience of American generosity and the importance of online giving strategies. Ann encourages nonprofits to leverage digital platforms and provide a seamless donor experience. She emphasizes the need for organizations to make their case for support without assuming donors' ability or willingness to give.
The interview concludes with a mention of the Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) and Bloomerang's participation in supporting research across the nonprofit sector..
Carl J. Cox, author, and CEO of 40Strategy.com, discusses his book "Lost at CEO" and the reasons why nonprofit strategies often fail and flounder. "Lost at CEO" follows the journey of a character named Jack, who is stuck in a difficult situation. Carl emphasizes that strategies should be simple and can help guide nonprofit organizations from an original point to a new destination. He explains that the book takes a different approach than most business texts by incorporating emotion and storytelling to engage readers on a deeper level.
The discussion begins with acknowledging the limited time and attention given to strategic planning in nonprofits. Carl reveals that only about 40 hours per year are typically spent on strategic planning, which includes retreats, plan development, and quarterly review meetings. He highlights the need to shift this approach by incorporating modern research and tools to make the most out of the limited time available.
The conversation then explores the topic of habits and the challenge of changing behaviors. Carl explains that facts alone do not necessarily change behaviors, as people often engage in actions, they know are not beneficial. He stresses the importance of emotional connection and buy-in from staff members to drive successful strategy implementation. By involving staff in the strategic planning process and allowing them to contribute to the solution, they feel a sense of ownership and commitment, resulting in greater engagement and positive outcomes.
Carl introduces the concept of 10-week sprints, which involve working on small tactics each week to ensure progress towards strategic goals. These sprints allow for adjustments and iteration along the way. He also suggests implementing "power hours," dedicated time for focused work without interruptions, to enhance productivity and reduce stress. Having a supervisor or colleague review progress and hold individuals’ accountable further increases effectiveness.
The fast-paced interview concludes with discussions on involving teams in strategic planning and the importance of incorporating staff members' insights. Carl advises engaging the team in finding solutions and reviewing the strategy beyond the boardroom, encouraging leaders to empower their teams by including them in the decision-making process, which leads to better alignment, commitment, and successful execution
Two nonprofit sector champions, Nora Hannah and Carrie Harlow, share their expertise on nonprofit mergers and alliances, shedding light on the complexities, opportunities, and insights and adding their experiences which emphasize the importance of collaboration, setting realistic expectations, and engaging skilled facilitators to navigate the process successfully. Nora Hannah is the director of Arizona Together for Impact, a collaboration of funders that supports nonprofits in their efforts to collaborate. Carrie Harlow is the director of the Nonprofit Sustainability Initiative, a pooled fund supported by local foundations that invests in nonprofit resiliency during moments of transition.
The conversation begins with an exploration of the spectrum of partnerships in the nonprofit sector, including alliances, joint programs, shared services, and integrations of organizations. The guests emphasize that collaboration is a broad concept and that mergers represent only a small portion of the partnerships they fund. They highlight the value of engaging in collaborative efforts to leverage resources and have a greater impact.
Host Julia Patrick asks whether organizations typically approach them for help or if they proactively identify potential partnerships. The guests explain that while they encourage organizations to see collaboration as a strategic tool, it is crucial for the relationships to start authentically among nonprofit leaders and board members. They emphasize the importance of balance and caution against overly prescriptive matchmaking by funders, as outcomes are often better when relationships develop naturally.
The discussion then shifts into the process of effective partnerships and collaborations. Carrie Harlow outlines a chronological approach, starting with getting buy-in from the board and conducting organizational assessments. She emphasizes the importance of identifying what each organization brings to the partnership and what they seek, considering factors such as revenue streams, programming models, and target populations. The guests also stress the need for an environmental scan to identify potential partners strategically.
The conversation explores challenges and considerations in collaborative efforts. The guests acknowledge the emotional aspect and power struggles that can arise during the process. They emphasize the importance of facilitators who can navigate these challenges, build trust, and keep the focus on the larger goal of serving the community. They also address the potential challenges of integrating boards, particularly when founder syndrome or resistance to change is present.
Julia raises the question of setting expectations and highlights that many organizations do not invest in the necessary theoretical conversations before seeking partnerships. The guests stress the importance of realistic expectations, acknowledging that collaborations take time and trust-building. They recommend engaging a consultant with expertise in this field to guide organizations through the process and help set appropriate expectations.
The conversation concludes by addressing the profile of a consultant who can facilitate these partnerships. The guests note that while legal expertise may be required at certain stages, the facilitator's primary role is to create a robust due diligence process that addresses power dynamics and other potential challenges. They mention the national network called Sustained Collaboration Network, which provides training and support for consultants in this field.
The consulting firm, 180ManagementGroup.com, works at the crossroads between culture and operations as advisors to nonprofits. CEO Miriam Dicks shared her expertise on defining and cultivating a positive culture within organizations. With a focus on addressing potential obstacles hindering transformational changes, this learning segment provides actionable steps to overcome these "pain points."
Most nonprofit's are constantly looking for more and engaged board members. Our CEO, Julia Patrick, provides key tips on getting younger members to serve. She discusses how and why the newer generations are less focused on benevolence, tend to be committed to life long learning, and typically are looking to grow their networks and leadership skills in the things they'll commit to do.
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