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Leading Well Means Keeping People Well: Reflections on Staff Wellbeing

Categories: Best Nonprofit Practices · Good Corporate Praactices · LeadershipTags: · · Leave a comment

I have been thinking about nonprofit staff. Times are stressful. The sector is under attack. Funding is shrinking. I know our staff are worn out. Sometimes they confide in me. Often the CEO will say something to the board. We see talented people leave because they are exhausted. We watch EDs quietly burn out while telling everyone else to practice self-care. And we board members nod and say how much we appreciate how hard the staff works. But I am not sure we really do much about it. I know we are not asking what this costs for our mission.… Read more

When the Money Disappears: Leading Through a Sudden Funding Loss

Categories: Best Nonprofit Practices · Board Member Roles · Fundraising · Good Board Practices · Good Corporate Praactices · Leadership · Nonprofit FundingTags: · · Leave a comment

I have been reflecting on what happens when nonprofits suddenly lose funding, especially as the federal government cuts so many grants right now. Years ago, I served on the board of a nonprofit where this happened with a state grant. I served on the board of another organization where a major individual donor drastically cut their funding. And I have heard stories from other organizations that had state, federal, or foundation grants they had received for years, suddenly stopped. As I think about these various cases, I am struck by how much of the outcome is determined by decisions made… Read more

Advice for Starting a Nonprofit

Categories: Best Nonprofit Practices · Good Board PracticesTags: · · 1 Comment

In the past few months, several people have asked me for advice about starting a nonprofit.. I thought I would share my thoughts more broadly. Why Before How — Structure Follows Strategy I always start by asking why they want to start a nonprofit. What problem are they trying to solve, and is a separate entity the best way to solve it? Some questions to consider: Governance You need at least two or three committed, capable founding board members. These people will be listed in your Articles of Incorporation and should be part of all the initial planning. Get them… Read more

The Organization Is Not the Mission: Moving Power

Categories: Board Member Roles · Good Board Practices · LeadershipTags: · · Leave a comment

A former COO of an international NGO reached out to me after reading my post on when to close a nonprofit (Should You Shutter Your Organization? ). That’s where her story begins—but it’s not where it ends. What she shared also reinforces something I’ve been seeing across organizations: when conflict surfaces, the most effective leaders don’t rely on process or distance—they show up. It’s the same theme I wrote about recently in Being Effective on a Board Requires Personal Connections. What We Built — And Why We Walked Away As told by a nonprofit leader somewhere in the US. I… Read more

Being Effective on a Board Requires Personal Connections

Categories: Best Nonprofit Practices · Board Member Roles · Board, Board Chair, ED/CEO Roles · Good Board PracticesTags: · Leave a comment

I spoke to a board member who had served on many nonprofit and for-profit boards. They shared that the best way to make things happen is to build strong personal relationships with all board members and the CEO. Meet One-on-One with Board Members As shared by a board member somewhere in the US. Managing a board is like managing a team. You need to build trust. You need to find the best fit for each person’s skills. You need to figure out how to get the most out of everyone. And for me, you don’t do that in a large,… Read more