Past Articles

Capital Campaigns

How Do We Know When We’re Ready for a Capital Campaign?

Recently, while meeting with a potential client, we were asked the important question, “what do we need in order to have a successful capital campaign?” Since we are often asked similar questions, I’ve been inspired to make it the basis for my latest blog to add to our ongoing conversation regarding our work as consultants [...]

Ethics

How Could This Happen to our Nonprofit? – Fraud Protection

If you Google the phrase “nonprofit fraud prevention”, you will get thousands of articles and presentations, primarily from the accounting world, discussing the far too often occurrence of fraud or embezzlement in nonprofits of all sizes.  These articles are full of excellent suggestions on how to prevent fraud, embezzlement, or theft by valued employees, yet there [...]

Capital Campaigns

The Seven “P” ’s Needed to Have a Successful Capital Campaign

Recently, while meeting with a potential client, we were asked the important question, “what do we need in order to have a successful capital campaign?” Since we are often asked similar questions, I’ve been inspired to make it the basis for my latest blog to add to our ongoing conversation regarding our work as consultants [...]

Capital Campaigns

Your Services Are Great, But We’re Flat Broke!

If we had a nickel for every time we heard this comment from prospective clients, we would have enough money to retire.  OK, well maybe that’s an exaggeration, but you get the picture.
Perhaps the irony of needing financial resources to support a nonprofit organization is most apparent when we’re meeting with organizations to discuss our [...]

Leadership

Tired of Talk about Vision

Tired of talk about vision? Me too! And here’s why.

Leadership

“I’m not saying please, I’m not being reasonable, I’m making the decision”

It’s up to the Executive Director to make hard decisions – as seen on TV.

Leadership

Anyone Know Why We’re Meeting?

Congratulations! You’ve limited your meeting attendees to those who need to be there.
Now, how are you going to keep from wasting their time?
Your valuable volunteers are smart. They can come up with great ideas and engage in really substantive conversations that result in good policy. That only works though, if they’ve been given time to [...]

Leadership

Why am I here?

Wasting time in meetings is harmful to the bottom line. Inviting the right people is key to productive meetings and happier staff and volunteers.

Leadership

Nonprofits Need Help, Not Just Directives

Telling nonprofits to collaborate or merge is easy. Implementing it is hard. Where will the help come from in order to make it happen?

Leadership

Vet the Interim Exec: 6 Critical Steps Toward Making it Work

How do you get your money’s worth from an Interim Executive Director? First, make sure their skills match your needs. Then stay in touch. Six steps to making the Interim Executive Director position work for your organization.