Executive Issues

Call it gossip, scuttlebutt, tittle-tattle or rumor—workplace negativity is an insidious morale buster that can distract even the most dedicated employees. And nonprofits aren’t immune to it. People are people, even when working for the greater good...

Maybe the days for board executive committees should be over. There is little need to give a nonprofit board permission to be less engaged and this is effectively what I pose that executive committees accomplish best...

So … have you been focused on our nation’s capital lately? Does it seem a bit tough right now? Is it a swamp or an oasis? If you are not in Washington D.C., take a moment to read this. ... Much is happening that you need to be aware of as fundraisers and communications professionals in the nonprofit sector...

While serving as an executive for several nonprofit organizations, I noticed the issue of nonprofit sector talent was rarely discussed or pursued at the highest organizational level in the board room. Many organizations did not have an up-to-date strategic or operational plan, much less an HR plan for recruitment and retention of talented employees...

If you are contemplating a major campaign, make it a multi-year process. You will find your eventual campaign will be much more successful, more rewarding and more fun for you, your staff and volunteers, and your donors...

Online giving has added new and unique challenges to maintaining ethical practices, so it may be time to refresh your approach. As technology develops, so do many issues around privacy, communication and safety. How can we help protect donors’ rights in the online world?...

Analytics is an overused buzzword. Ask three people and you’ll get three different answers as to what analytics means to them. To some, it’s about reporting on key metrics and projecting impact on the ability to achieve budget. To others, it refers to models used for the selection of individuals to include in a fundraising campaign...

Your capital campaign’s success depends heavily on the work of volunteers. The right sort of highly capable campaign volunteers add a breadth and depth to your campaign that your staff simply can’t replace. Volunteers won’t just open doors, solicit gifts and help with all sorts of tasks, but they’ll also be generous donors to your campaign...

Is the nonprofit sector for you? If you have any doubts, do some soul-searching and due diligence. At the end of the day, I care passionately to help others, and I am purpose-driven. It is about making a difference...

Often, when the topic of sustainability arises, the focus is on money. But after several decades working in the nonprofit sector, I’ve become convinced sustainability is about so much more than money. I have developed 20 key strategies any organization can use to build long-term sustainability...