Take a look at your funding model. Is it time for a strategy change?

Time to think outside the box

Sustainability continues to be the key question for nonprofits in this continuing economy.  Consultants to the nonprofit sector have realized their service strategies must adapt to new industry needs. This is particularly pertinent during np leadership transition or mergers and acquisitions.  It can be a scary time, but it also offers the opportunity for focused change...leading to a stronger sustainability foundation.

The link article, by Jeanne Bell, CEO of CompassPoint Nonprofit Services via The Chronicle of Philanthropy, offers good food for thought for consultants and nonprofit leadership.

Revisiting strategy in tough economic times

I provide nonprofit consulting services and would be pleased to discuss ideas with your group, organization and board.

Cheers!

DCR

101 Common-Sense Rules for Leaders

This is a great little cheat sheet and quick read.  These rules/tips on leadership apply to profit and nonprofit.  At the very least -- good reminders.  You will want to share it if you are grooming leaders within your organization.  Depends upon your comfort level:   http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/9jmbSw/www.focus.com/fyi/human-resources/managers-cheat-sheet-101-common-sense-rules-leaders%3F%3Fmodal%3D1

Enjoy!
DCR

Five reasons board leaders should not have term limits

Something to think about.

Nonprofit friends,

An interesting article from the Chronicle of Philanthropy.  The author makes points for both the pro and con perspectives.  The accompanying comments below the story are interesting as well.  I thought you might find this quick read enlightening. 

Best, DCR

  http://philanthropy.com/blogs/against-the-grain/five-reasons-board-leaders-should-not-have-term-limits/27534?sid=&utm_source=&utm_medium=en



Now this is different -- fellow nonprofit grantwriters -- an interesting read!

From the Nonprofit Quarterly
http://www.nonprofitquarterly.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8501:a-strategic-nonprofit-reorganization-plan&catid=154:current-issue&Itemid=341

Strategies for the New Year



2011 is here...connect the pieces



Nonprofit Friends -- 2011 is already here.

Have you planned for this New Year in terms of strategies, identifying trends, furthering your mission, developing new programs, re-evaluating old programs, staff evaluations, management evals, Ex. Director eval, volunteer program evals, board development?

Competition for the fundraising dollar, grant monies and donor investment is getting tighter.  What does this mean to you?  Your organization needs to plan, plan and plan again.  Gone are the days when a small or mid-sized nonprofit can just "hope" things will work out next year.

Donors, corporations and foundations not only want specific information on how their investments are being used, they want to know you are a savvy organization with strategic planning in place.  They want to know you have good business principles and a plan.  Have you brought in community members and/or other organizations to help you look at the future of your organization?  Have you thought about collaboration with other nonprofits and what that might mean for your agency?  Do you have a contingency plan, or media emergency plan or disaster plan...in place and communicated agency/community wide?

There is danger in not evaluating your entire organization at least once a year -- from your message to your effectiveness.  Are you using the same, tired, old message to an audience (your community) who has heard it over and over for years?  Do you talk about your results in a way that communicates your effectiveness to everyone?  I know you say your programs are working, but do they really accomplish what your board, management, staff and investors want? How do your clients (customers) feel about what you do?  Have you asked them in an anonymous survey? Can you do more -- in a new way?

I spent ten years in the non-profit sector in staff, management and board positions.  One thing I learned is that if you allow your organization to become stagnant, stick with the status quo and continually go back to the same donors with the same message -- your organization is already in trouble.

I have added an opportunity for growth and change to my website.  I went to amazon.com and compiled a list of non-profit books that can help you dust off old thinking, inspire the entire organization and reconnect with your community.  Located about mid-way down the page on the right side is a direct link to the books (Slideshow) I have chosen on amazon.com.  You can peruse the list, find a book/books that might interest you or be pertinent for your board, volunteers or staff members.  Click on the link and purchase directly from this site.

Ask questions, inspire staff, encourage volunteers, reconnect to your community...shake off the dust...the New Year is here.

Respectfully,
DCR 

Is Your fundraising campaign stumbling?



Move your campaign into
 the light and examine it



Is your fundraising campaign faltering, stumbling, slowing down?  Here is a very good, brief, article on the Top 10 Fundraising Mistakes. It is a super little checklist and reminder -- particularly handy for this time of year.  Although all of these tips are viable, #7 and #8 resonate with me.

http://www.afpnet.org/ResourceCenter/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=4610

The article is an excerpt from independent fundraising consultant Julie Ingraham Walker's book titled Jump-Starting the Stalled Fundraising Campaign.

The link was provided by the Association of Fundraising Professionals/Resource Center.

Good luck!

DCR

Nonprofits -- A Brilliant Resource -- Inside Philanthropy Blog

 Nonprofit Sector Knowledge = Survival

Nonprofits + Economy = A long harsh winter.  Or does it?

So many nonprofits have been hit by this seemingly unending harsh economy.  Reduced funding from state sources, foundations and donors comes at a time when the demand for service has risen substantially.  Now is the time for nonprofits to build capacity through knowledge of their own industry.  As a member of the nonprofit sector, ask yourself, how well do I understand the industry -- where it has been, what is happening now and where is it going?

How can management, board and staff be more informed? What are the emerging issues in the sector or best practices by your colleagues?  Is it time to merge or return to the basics?

I have an outstanding resource for you -- Inside Philanthropy -- a blog flown under the banner of the Philanthropy Journal.  Extremely well-written and timely, this blog offers both insightful articles and informative reports.  It is a must-read for today's savvy nonprofits.      http://philanthropyjournal.blogspot.com/

Happy and informative reading,
DCR

Nonprofits: Develop your case for support (CFS)...

It is simple, right...everyone in your community is willing to support your nonprofit (NP) mission?  The answer, is, most likely, "Yes, it is a great cause."   Are you feeling the disconnect between mission awareness and the donations yet?

Put your best image forward

Community support for your mission is cultivated through relationship-building, visibility, credibility and community involvement -- and that is the external part!  Work takes place internally as well, i.e., mission awareness, media strategy awareness and compliance, social media program...just to name a few.

Here is a great test. Pretend you aren't in the NP sector. Decide to make a cash donation to a local non-profit.  What is it you want to know about that organization -- where does the money go; are they mission faithful; are they top-heavy with administration; how are they successful; do they have community support; how many volunteers; who is on the board; how are they funded?

Now answer these questions for your own organization and you are well on your way to building your own case for support CFS).  You want each and every staff member, board member and volunteer to have a good understanding of your mission and CFS -- and be able to communicate it.  Developing it doesn't have to be tedious, long and boring -- as a matter of fact, your CFS shouldn't be take all that long to explain -- the verbal portion -- 5 mins. A print version is another story.  Your CFS is what positions your NP for grants, fundraising, donations and planned giving and most importantly, community support.

Developing a Case For Support...some thoughts

•  Begin with your mission statement. You may want to reevaluate it. Many donors decide to give based on how your mission matches his/her values. Demonstrate how your NP addresses specific needs in the community – make it real for the donor.
• Provide statistics on the success of your programs and show long-term benefits.
• Impress a sense of urgency or “call to action” and tell them why keeping your doors open is good for the community.
• Generate excitement. Use short sentences and paragraphs. Highlight important information with bullets and in boxes. Refine, refine, refine…until the passion and commitment that everyone in your organization brings to the table, shines in every sentence.

Best wishes,
Nonprofits add strength to the community.
Diana

Year-End Appeal Letter...now or never!

It's October, folks -- time to put your strategy for year-end and or holiday appeal letters in place and get them in the mail by mid-November.  A well-thought out, brief and meaningful appeal letter can help make the difference for you this year.    

You will want to put your organization's fingerprint on the letter.  What does that mean?  I like to think of it as the "fingerprints of success".  Tell donors about your achievements and success in terms of the successes of those you have helped.  A well-crafted letter will help your potential donors see (and feel) the results of your organization's commitment within your community.  You want them to understand the strength you bring to the community and make an investment decision to help your organization continue its successes. 

And remember, donor investment is all about relationships -- take care of yours!  Phone calls, tours of your organization, meetings with other "investors", all help build the relationship between you and your current or potential donors. 

Fired-Up Fundraising features a great article on how to create a request letter to get the maximum results. 
Here is a link to the article...     http://www.facebook.com/#!/notes/fired-up-fundraising/top-10-ways-to-screw-up-your-year-end-fundraising-campaign/165486260134695 

I wish you great success! 
DCR