
How the New 2017 U.S. Tax Law May Impact Fundraising Revenues
Fundraising Strategy, Nonprofit Leadership
The new 2017 tax law in the U.S. alters many of the tax incentives that encourage individual giving.
Clearly, tax incentives are usually not most important reason most people give.
But the incentives may contribute to how much donors give,…

Rule #10 for Board Members: Make Your Own Proud Personal Gift
Motivating Board Members, Nonprofit Leadership
Do board members have an obligation to make personal contributions to their organization?
If so, what’s the appropriate amount that board members should give?
These two questions can be the topic of rich discussion and even controversy…

5 Fundraising Mistakes We Make With Our Boards
Board Development, Board Members & Fundraising, Motivating Board Members, Nonprofit Leadership
Are you making fundraising mistakes with board members?
Is fundraising something your board members avoid?
Hope not! But this IS a perennial challenge for fundraisers and CEOs, too.
But board members often are scared to death of fundraising.
I…

Do You Really Need a Nonprofit Mentor?
Nonprofit Leadership
The nonprofit sector is a strong and vibrant community full of people willing to help each other out.
And now more than ever, it’s important to come together and work as allies and mentors.
This is a guest post from expert author John…

Your Work as a Nonprofit Leader is So Very Important-Thank You!
Inspiration, Nonprofit Leadership
Do you have any idea how important your work is as a nonprofit leader?
You are making it happen day after day, my friend.
All fundraisers are stalwart nonprofit leaders.
Whatever your role in your organization, you are doing such important…
What Keeps 1200 Fundraisers Up at Night?
Fundraising Strategy, Inspiration, Nonprofit LeadershipMy recent Opinion Survey of Nonprofit Leaders came back with some rather shocking – or concerning – results.
People who work in our nonprofit sector clearly have too much on their plates.
I know – you are probably saying – “I’ve…

Is There a Crisis in Fundraising Leadership?
Board Members & Fundraising, Fundraising Strategy, Nonprofit LeadershipHow do we attract, develop and retain good fundraisers?
At last week's International Fundraising Congress, many of us were transfixed by a provocative conversation about "The Emerging Fundraising Leadership Challenge."
International fundraising…

Does Your Organization Really Support Fundraising? Take This Simple Quiz
Board Members & Fundraising, Fundraising Strategy, Nonprofit Leadership
Many organizations pay lip service to supporting their fundraising team, but end up failing miserably.
Your board, your executive director, and your program and admin staff can undercut fundraising efforts easily.
And in many organizations…

Five Clues Your Fundraising is Headed Downhill
Board Members & Fundraising, Fundraising Strategy, Inspiration, Nonprofit LeadershipDon’t we all want fundraising that provides reliable, consistent, revenue?
Money we can count on year after year?
But that kind of reliable success doesn't just happen. It takes serious work and commitment.
And many organizations…

Manifesto for a Fundraising Board
Board Development, Motivating Board Members, Nonprofit LeadershipIs your board ready to assume real leadership for your organization's future?
If your board is ready to move from "managing" to "leading," here's a Manifesto for them to embrace.
Wikipedia defines "manifesto" as "a public declaration…

5 Fundraising Mistakes We Make With Our Boards
Asking for Donations, Board Development, Motivating Board Members, Nonprofit LeadershipDo your nonprofit board members avoid fundraising?
If your board members back off when they should be pitching in, this may be why!
Don't make these mistakes that hurt, rather than help, our cause.
Mistake #1: Thinking that fundraising is…

10 Basic Responsibilities of Nonprofit Board Members
Board Development, Nonprofit Leadership
There's so much confusion about the appropriate job of a nonprofit board member.
Lots of boards ask me to help them understand what their work really is. I often refer to a list that BoardSource created a few years ago that has become a reference in our sector.
Here's the list. I'll be discussing these responsibilities in my upcoming blog posts. There's lots to talk about here! What do they really mean? How do you implement them?
Ten Basic Responsibilities of Nonprofit Boards From BoardSource
- Determine the organization's mission and purpose. It is the board's responsibility to create and review a statement of mission and purpose that articulates the organization's goals, means, and primary constituents served.
- Select the chief executive. Boards must reach consensus on the chief executive's responsibilities and undertake a careful search to find the most qualified individual for the position.
- Provide proper financial oversight. The board must assist in developing the annual budget and ensuring that proper financial controls are in place.
