Executive Issues

Nonprofit Finance Study: Have a Back-Up Plan
April 3, 2017 at 9:47 pm

Nonprofit finance departments have a unique set of challenges—complex revenue sources, compliance, audits, staff turnover. And those are just a few of the big ones. The finance/accounting team does some critical (if sometimes overlooked) work. The “2016 Nonprofit Finance Study” from Abila took a closer look at what goes on in the department...

Are Annual Reports Important for Your Nonprofit?
March 31, 2017 at 8:37 am

Are annual reports important to your nonprofit? I would say definitely so. It provides the past, present and hints of the future for your organization in a very succinct way. Make sure you understand the purpose of the annual report and how you intend to utilize the annual report before launching this program...

Major Giving: 4 Must-Dos for Nonprofit CEOs
March 30, 2017 at 8:23 am

A CEO who is actively interested and engaged in fundraising is critical to attracting transformative philanthropic investment. For CEOs who have a passion for building relationships with donors or who perhaps served as fundraisers earlier in their careers, rolling their sleeves up and jumping into the fundraising fray comes naturally...

3 Fundamental Questions to Consider Before Starting a Nonprofit
March 30, 2017 at 8:22 am

As the founder of both a social enterprise and nonprofit organization, I have regular conversations with people interested in making a difference. Through these conversations, it’s become apparent that many people hold the false assumption that the only way to make a difference is to start a nonprofit—but “nonprofit” does not automatically equal doing good;…

Reality (You’ve Got to Deal With It)
March 29, 2017 at 8:42 am

I’ve seen great turnarounds in poor-performing nonprofits. I’ve also seen many fail terribly. To map out a plan for greater mission focus, increased impact, heightened leadership and transformational philanthropic support are invigorating. But to get to that vision, you must first deal with reality—where you are. And that often means making tough decisions...

Why Good Nonprofit Fundraisers Are Hard to Keep: Part 2
March 24, 2017 at 8:18 am

While I do believe too many fundraisers are underpaid relative to their skill sets and performance, I have a hunch it’s not the real chief culprit for fundraiser dissatisfaction. What is?...

Why the High Employee-Turnover Rate?
March 24, 2017 at 8:17 am

It’s no secret that nonprofits have an alarmingly high employee-turnover rate. Why are there new faces around the office so regularly? Many have brushed it off as “burnout,” but what does that really include? Tech Impact took a closer look at the causes of nonprofit turnover in this infographic...

Creating Compelling Success Stories for Your Nonprofit
March 23, 2017 at 8:27 am

Generating compelling success stories won’t happen by magic. In order to get the stories, you need to help your staff understand the importance of stories in the organization’s marketing and fundraising efforts and to feel comfortable asking clients for their stories...

Why Your Nonprofit Needs a Development Plan
March 22, 2017 at 8:31 am

You wouldn’t leave your house and drive your car aimlessly hoping you’d eventually find your great aunt Marge’s house in Tucson, even though you’ve never even been to Arizona. So as a nonprofit professional or volunteer, why would you just start doing random things to try to raise money for your organization and hope that the outcome is enough money?...