How to get your lapsed donors back

I know…it’s easy to roll your eyes at the fundraising advice blogs. “you mean…if I simply do this, that, and the other thing, I’ll raise more money. “ Yea, right. Today I’d like to steer away from that list of 5 things you “should” do, and instead ask you a few pointed questions. Answer them then…

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Never get rejected asking for money again

One of the most prolific fundraisers in the country and Senior Research Fellow at the Hauser Institute For Civil Society at Harvard University, hated fundraising at first! Jennifer McCrea’s insights about the uncomfortable power dynamic common between donors and nonprofits stopped me in my tracks. You’ll love this. Despite her success in her early career…

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The top solution to low morale on your board

Morale is an emotional issue. Merriam-Webster defines morale as “The mental and emotional condition (as of enthusiasm, confidence, or loyalty) of an individual or group with regard to the function or tasks at hand. A sense of common purpose with respect to a group.” There are all kinds of reasons why board members don’t perform…

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2 tips for a productive board meeting

We’ve all been there. The quality of meetings (of any kind) are all over he map. Have you ever walked out of a meeting feeling like it was a good use of your time? Or it just felt good. Wouldn’t it be great if your board meetings were like that most times? Check out these…

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3 ways to bring mindfulness to work

Yes, mindfulness is all the rage. Meditation, a calmer, more focused life, and enlightenment are only a few breaths away. This post is less about all of that, although I’m down for working on it. I’m talking about practical more attainable steps that can make life easier and less stressful in your nonprofit workplace. Best…

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How to help your board save face

Do you get frustrated with your board? Are they engaged like they could be? If you’re like many nonprofits, the answer is a resounding no. Why is that? What’s the root cause of why a board member (think of them as individuals) would hold back? It’s counterintuitive, but in many cases they don’t know how. They’re…

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What are you hiding from your donors?

When I was an ED, I hid a lot. Both from donors and sometimes the board. I had the mistaken assumption that if there were problems, donors would stop giving and the board would question my competence. Maybe in the old days, but in 2016 it’s quite the opposite. We want our board and donors…

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Pathways to power for women in nonprofits 

“If the only thing I have to do to get you to back down is not like you, that’s easy.”   Power is a topic that makes people uncomfortable, especially women. The fact is, creating social change requires power, and 80% of small nonprofits are led by women. Unfortunately, gaining influence, power, and developing leadership…

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No frills, thought provoking nonprofit leadership for you

I encourage you to give this thought. Although these principles are no frills and foundational, they’re not formulaic.  If you’re not able to apply them to you personally, they’ll go nowhere.  Many nonprofit executive directors and board members that I’ve worked with don’t consider themselves leaders, at least in the context of their nonprofit role.…

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Your secret 90-day challenge

If you love new beginnings, hate long cumbersome plans, and you need a kick in the butt to get moving, this post is for you. First, the kick in the butt. Does your approach to fundraising have integrity? Ouch. Consider this. If a donor with business savvy were to look at your 2016 budget, would…

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