Caught Up In The Little Things June 8, 2010

We have all had those days where when they are over we can’t figure out what we got accomplished, we just know we were busy.  The nonprofit world is full of busy.  Sometimes it is the result of having small staffs, sometimes it is the result of having small budgets.  The problem isn’t the ‘busy’ it is the ‘unproductive’ in how the mission is carried out.

So many things can become time sucks.  It is imperative to take some time at least once a month, preferably once a week, to review just exactly what has been the focus, what is coming up, and what really isn’t necessary.  I’m betting you will find what isn’t really necessary is a larger time share then you think. 

Get in the habit of saying to yourself, and to your board, ‘Is it nice, yes.  Is it necessary, no.”  The culture of a nonprofit can lead to expanding beyond resources, both money and time.  While there may be many wonderful ideas and suggestions, the reality is it is better to do a few things well opposed to lots of things not so well.  I promise you, you will be judged on your efforts and one project done in a sub-par manner will be a reflection of your abilities. 

Focus on your mission.  Pick a strategic set of goals,  measurable outcomes and strategies prior to the start of the year and stick with them.  Don’t get distracted with new ideas unless there is agreement that if something new comes onto the list, something must also be taken off the list.  Set yourself and your organization up for success.

Annual Campaign May 21, 2010

If you aren’t yet starting to think about your Annual campaign you should be.  I promise you others are.

IRS Deadline Approaching May 10, 2010

The Urban Institute’s National Center for Charitable Statistics (NCCS) estimates that of the over 1.5 million nonprofit organizations in the United States, about 24%  haven’t filed the required tax returns.  Have you filed yet? 

Find out if  your non profit organization will loose it’s tax-exempt status

http://www.nptimes.com/10May/news-100510-2.html?tr=y&auid=6332921

The Ask May 10, 2010

Need some help motivating your board to fundraise?  Perhaps giving them each a copy of “Asking,” by Jerold Panas will help.  “Asking” is a great book for several reasons.  First of all it is framed as “A 59-Minute Guide to Everything Board Members, Volunteers, and Staff Must Know to Secrue the Gift,”  enough said.  Secondly, it is an easy no nonsense read, not a huge time investment.  Finally, and most importantly it has all the information those not well versed in ‘asking’ need. 

More often than not board members are not out making an “ask” because they just are not clear on how to do it.  Panas’s book helps eliminate that issue.

Slacktivism May 5, 2010

Is your organization using social media to fundraise?  Is it working?  I’d love to hear from you on whether your efforts are helping others contribute to you through ‘slacktivism,’ just pointing and clicking.

Leadership April 12, 2010

It is all about leadership.  Board not doing what you want?  Where is your leadership?  Funding not where you’d like it to be?  Where is your leadership?  If you lead, you will succeed.  So let’s step back and look at a couple of leadership tools.  Are you using them?

Inclusion, are you leveraging it?  Are you leveraging the uniqueness of those working in and supporting your organization?  Inclusion means being open to different ways of thinking and different ideas as well.  Are you open?  Or are you running a fear based agenda erring on the side of job safety/security?

Accountability, are you utilizing it?  Are you keeping people informed of the mission, tasks, etc. so that you can also hold them accountable?  Are you providing the resources needed by others to succeed, so again, they can be held accountable?  Or are you more comfortable with blaming rather than leading? 

Pick your course.  Leadership will take you to where you need to be.

Who Is In Charge? Who Is Responsible? February 10, 2010

Is there a difference in tax filing in between for profits and nonprofits.  Yes.  Is there a difference in between running  nonprofits and for profits?  Yes.  Should there be…not so much.  Does a passion for a cause preclude a nonprofit from legal liability, responsibility, commitment to the community?  Obviously, no is the answer. 

Whether you are a board member or a staff member you are responsible for your actions and outcomes within the nonprofit setting as well as relating to the nonprofit setting.  Subsequently, bad behavior can end in litigation just like in the for profit world.  In fact it is reasonable to assume inappropriate behavior, be it financial or within another realm, can end very badly.  Remember the majority of people you may be interacting with may be volunteers, donors, etc.   Most of these people have invested emotionally and a large percent financially as well.  And if there are two things we know people don’t like us to mess with it is their feelings and their money.

Even in the best case scenario, say your bad behavior does not end in litigation, it most likely will end in negative public relations and reduced donations.  Ultimately the board is where the responsibility falls.  Subsequently, the board should take great care to facilitate the mission of the nonprofit as well as make sure the staff is doing so as well.  establishing clear lines and enforcing the chain of command, including staff and board,  today can eliminate much trouble tomorrow.

Show Me The Money December 23, 2009

Once again we’ come to the end of another fundraising season.  A lot of nonprofits were out and about asking for support.  Here is the thing, the one thing you can count on to measure their success.  Before they said ‘show me the money’ did they show potential donors ‘the plan.’  

Is there money out there?  Yes.  Will you get it if your competition has a plan and you don’t?  No.  Would you invest in a business with no business plan?  No.  Why would someone give your nonprofit something if you haven’t done your homework.  Answer, they wouldn’t.  Competition for funding is too tough in this economy to get away with no planning or poor planning.

I know planning isn’t as sexy as pulling down big donations but you can’t get one without the other.  If you haven’t done it yet make it your New Year’s resolution!

Jobless Recovery? December 7, 2009

We keep hearing about a “jobless recovery” going on.  What does that mean to nonprofits?  Well for those receiving any government funding it means, continue to tighten your belts!  Your plan is twofold.  One, you should be fundraising during the most financially productive months of the year, November and December.  Two, you should start preparing to fundraise again the moment your December efforts end.  And as always…your best bet is ongoing donor relations and donor building.

Cause Marketing November 1, 2009

Is cause marketing part of your nonprofit’s marketing plan? 

Cause marketing is yet another opportunity to reach out through multiple venues increasing both visibility and funding.  It goes back to not putting all your eggs in one basket, more options mean more funds.  There are some important ground rules however before proceeding.

One, if you don’t have a marketing plan at all (horror of all horrors in this economy) don’t embarrass yourself asking a for profit to do work for you, when you haven’t done your own homework yet.

Two, pick the right partner.  Any partnership whether professional or personal has to be mutually beneficial and mutually comfortable for both parties.  Nonprofits chasing dollars often are willing to glob onto anything they think will bring in dollars.  That can (and has) ended badly for everyone involved.  Again, do your homework.

Three, know what you want the outcomes to be before you go searching.  Are you looking for increased exposure, increased funds, etc.? When you fail to define your direction and goals (and this applies to all things nonprofit) you risk either being defined by others and/or languishing with no advancement.

Cause marketing is a great opportunity.  But as with all things nonprofit have your basics in line prior to pursuing ‘add ons.’  There is not a productive path without doing your homework first!