Executive Issues

The independent sector needs bold, strategic, and flexible leaders to light the way. We already have many such leaders, but we should also embrace emerging leaders with new ideas. The sector can benefit greatly from evolving practices; nonprofits just need to make sure that they don’t lose sight of their missions in the process.

We've seen many organizations that have been challenged by knowing the real nature of their business. Challenges like this stem from thinking the tangible thing we do is more important than the meaning people get from what we do. For nonprofits, this can manifest when we do these three things.

For too long, nonprofits have desired to make social impact while often neglecting to center diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging for their staff. But as our national conversation about the impact of race in every facet of America continues, employees are seeking inclusive workplaces that allow for them to show up authentically, bringing their passions and desire to make a social impact into their day-to-day work.

The supply chain issue in the U.S. and abroad is something that affects all of us. However, it has ramifications for your nonprofit beyond what you may think. Sure, if you’re an organization reliant on providing things to people you serve, it could be an incredible challenge.

Despite the initial awkwardness, succession planning is an important topic for tax-exempt organization boards to discuss. It is a risk-management process and one that often gets overlooked until it is too late and an immediate need arises.

You cannot generate a consistent flow of dollars without an experienced and dynamic resource development staff. Unfortunately, for many of us in the profession, keeping qualified and trained development officers is easier said than done.

These are uniquely challenging times for nonprofits, but organizations can look internally to maximize potential and remain operational. For nonprofit leaders navigating this difficult season, here are three tips to get started today.

Nonprofits need money to make social good happen. We just need to spend all our money on our mission and can’t give it to shareholders. Nonprofits must consider themselves businesses first before they layer on their unique, social-good-generating challenges.

Nonprofits tend to make do until a clear, and feasible, alternative presents itself. This and other unique challenges can hinder our efforts when we are working to build a more equitable workplace.

Escape the traditional nonprofit trap: the let’s-find-the-fly-in-the-ointment approach to growth. It’s a favored practice among nonprofit leaders and boards — innocent on its face, but with the potential to suck the life out of an organization. Here are five ways to keep an enterprising startup spirit alive.