Executive Issues

#NPPTrendingNow Ep 88: How Are Nonprofits Evaluated?
May 17, 2019 at 11:47 am

Welcome back to #NPPTrendingNow, a weekly video series where NonProfit PRO Editor-in-Chief Nhu Te breaks down the top three coveted stories of the week. Here's what we've got going on for you this week: how nonprofits should be evaluated, how to crack the monthly giving code and why donor retention matters...

5 Tips for Creating Nonprofit Chapters and Affiliates
May 16, 2019 at 12:48 pm

You had a dream to start a nonprofit organization for a cause you're passionate about. Creating a local office and overseeing the day-to-day running of your 501(c)(3) is a bit different than expanding and creating additional nonprofit chapters and affiliates...

A Nonprofit Horror Story
May 9, 2019 at 12:36 pm

In a recent blog, we talked about the negative consequences of evaluating nonprofits on the basis of their “overhead ratios,” the ratio of the organization’s operating costs to its income. Although useful when looked at in conjunction with other aspects of the organization’s data, it can be downright misleading...

You Can’t Excel in a Campaign Without a Committed Nonprofit CEO
April 17, 2019 at 1:01 pm

If you’re looking at a major campaign in the next few years, the time is now to ensure that your nonprofit CEO is 100% committed to its success. If you’re a CEO, it’s time for a gut check and a commitment. If you’re a board chair, or incoming chair, you need to have a serious conversation with the CEO...

Planning a Nonprofit Retreat on a Budget
April 16, 2019 at 10:56 am

It's fair to say employees of nonprofit organizations stretch themselves to the limit more than average, because they believe fiercely in the work they're doing and are striving to make a difference. While the work in a nonprofit organization can be extremely rewarding, everybody deserves to take a break occasionally...

The New Development Director Is Hired—Now What?
April 12, 2019 at 12:29 pm

We all have to start somewhere in our careers. When I started my career as development director at the University of Louisville, I felt unprepared. I had very little guidance from a rookie boss, and I was desperately trying to feel my way...

Doing More With Less Often Gets You Less
April 4, 2019 at 10:41 am

In previous blogs, we have been critical of the way in which nonprofits are often evaluated—their so-called “overhead ratios.” An overhead ratio compares the operating costs of the nonprofit with its income. A low-overhead ratio implies that the organization is minimizing its expenses (e.g. salaries, office rent) and, therefore, has more resources available to dedicate to its mission...

Make Effective Internal Communications a Priority
March 29, 2019 at 12:37 pm

Have you ever given thought to your nonprofit’s internal communications? Every day, you communicate several times to a variety of people within your organization, using various communication methods. Are these communications effective?...