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We have a sickness. It’s called free or cheap.

First, let me emphasize that I’ve spent far more years as a staffer than a consultant. So I’m not pointing fingers away from myself. But why is our immediate reaction to any problem asking if we can get it free or cheap? That way of thinking is hurting us. And it’s hurting all the people […]

Filed Under: Blog, Planning Tagged With: nonprofit planning, nonprofit staff 1 Comment

If fundraising matters, you need to invest in it

Invest wisely to raise more money

Have you ever saved for something really important? A car, a house, an education? If you’re saving now, you’ve noticed how low interest rates are. It can be hard to see your savings grow so slowly. Your organization, if you have an endowment or reserve funds, saves too. Your finance director or board finance chair […]

Filed Under: Blog, Fundraising Tagged With: fundraising planning, fundraising program, nonprofit staff 7 Comments

How to challenge the White Walkers of nonprofit life

Fundraiser? Beware the nonprofit zombie argument

As I write this, Harvey is finally lumbering his way across the country. Behind the storm is an area of devastation from floods that’s hard to comprehend – at least not in the U.S. And right behind the concern is the usual conversation about what role charities play in disasters. Which organization is doing too […]

Filed Under: Blog, Nonprofits Tagged With: Fundraising, nonprofit staff, Philanthropy 10 Comments

Experience or energy: what do you need in your staff?

Nonprofit staff: energy or experience?

It sure caught my eye A question that I hope was a mental exercise was posed recently on an online forum: Should staff and board be limited to 10-year terms? The question received a variety of responses – all of which, to me, highlighted an unfortunate divide. Younger people felt they had the fresh thinking […]

Filed Under: Blog, Nonprofits Tagged With: innovation, nonprofit managment, nonprofit staff 4 Comments

Beyond salary – ideas for keeping employees happy

Happy nonprofit employees?

Why do some organizations manage to hang on to good people? A month ago, I wrote about a topic raised by colleagues at a small gathering, finding a good development director. My colleagues reported this problem as one of the most pressing for their clients. At the meeting, I spoke up, passionately, and explained why […]

Filed Under: Blog, Caring for yourself Tagged With: employee retention, nonprofit staff, work life balance 1 Comment

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