Executive Issues

As an agency that specializes in helping nonprofit organizations develop their brands, we often get calls from marketing managers or development directors who want to improve how their organizations communicate. It’s natural that they are the ones who reach out to us or are the ones we are put in touch with by a referral source. However, in our initial conversations with them, I ask who will be making the decision about the organization’s brand elements—such as the logo or website—and often I hear, “I will...

Ever notice how sometimes when we put on our work hats we cease to be human? How we somehow morph into little robotic “professionals” and become enamored of jargon? “Lybnts.” “Sybnts.” “Recaptures.” Not that those things aren’t important. You need goals and objectives...

It’s just about that time of the year. We are officially two days away from the annual NonProfit PRO Leadership Conference, and honestly, we could not be more excited. We not only have an impressive line-up of speakers—who just happen to be some of the most prominent thought leaders in our industry—but we also have some great activities throughout the day!...

The CEO sought advice from her board members and business advisors on a critical organizational decision she needed to make, got the advice then promptly ignored it and did what she wanted. This always amazes me...

Do you want to learn more about engagement and revenue? I think it’s something we’d all like to learn about. I don’t know if there is such a thing as too much engagement or too much revenue. In the nonprofit sector, it’s never enough—especially when you’re going all-in for a cause you care...

At some point, you need to engage a development committee, key administration and community volunteers to review prospect research data and apply this data to develop a strategy for each prospect. The public information gleaned from wealth tools is a starting point...

Have you ever heard that quote in the title? If not, you might want to brush up on your sales skills. It could be the difference between getting a donation or not. Let’s set the record straight, I’m not diminishing fundraising as just “sales.” I’m elevating sales as a process and technique to help us be more successful in our fundraising...

Our market is changing, isn’t it? Not to say print is dead, but our industry has entered the digital era where almost everything is available electronically and new technologies are popping up like dandelions! To thrive in this new environment, we need to be adaptable—to always be able to acclimate to the changing market...

In every way they can, nonprofits make the "ask." The message is: We help people. We mend the holes in the social safety net. We educate. We feed. We shelter. We care. But do they? Or do they, by the nature of their funding, contribute a bit to the tearing of that net? Nonprofits are notorious for paying low salaries...

Nonprofit board members have a lot on their plate. Some are more educated and prepared to fill the role due to past board experience or an excellent board orientation and an ongoing education and evaluation program...