An Interview With Dani Brzozowski, director of development, Open Books

FS: What advice do you have for organizations similar to yours, in size and annual operating budget?
DB: Really know the problem, and be genuinely prepared to tackle it. Know what makes you uniquely capable. Have a solid plan and collaborate. Without working with other organizations in Chicago, Open Books would not be prepared to eradicate illiteracy in the city. But the pooling of resources is an indispensable tool and something young organizations often neglect for fear of competition. Make a name for yourself, but make that name synonymous with collaboration. And staffing is critical! With a small organization, it’s crucial that staff not only be capable of doing the jobs for which they’re hired, but that they bring a background that strengthens the organization, that fills some gap in knowledge or experience.