Dust Off Your Ethics
It appears that ethical behavior is fast becoming an endangered species. And although I am not pointing the finger just at nonprofits, as a lack of ethical behavior does not favor one economic sector over another, it is where I work and where I come up against it way too often.
I certainly don’t want to present myself as the final authority of what it means to be ethical, but we’re really talking about basic common sense. The minimum standard of ethical behavior is compliance with Read more
Rethinking your Fundraising Plans
‘Tis the season to be giving—and, therefore, for nonprofits the season to be getting, with virtually every nonprofit that does individual giving, sending out an appeal before the end of the year. The competition from the 1.6 million nonprofits is even more intense this time of year than the other 11 months. The tax benefit is just as good whether we give in January or December of the same year. (Or, at least it still is; who knows if there will be a tax benefit Read more
When is a Nonprofit Not a Nonprofit?
There are so many “dirty” words in our language, it is too bad that the nonprofit sector has to add more. For example, too many nonprofits mistakenly believe that profit is a dirty word in our sector. Hard to believe that there are still people out there — yes, even people who work in our sector—who think that nonprofits cannot make a profit.
The term nonprofit, which so many dislike, has nothing to do with making a profit or not; it merely denotes, albeit poorly, that Read more
Check Your Moral Compass
So, what are the challenges of being a leader in the first part of this century? I am sure that every article, presentation, talk, etc. written/presented in the first quarter of a new century that addresses “what it takes to be a leader” (and, no, I did not do a search) at some point says “these times are different: we have a different environment, different values, different needs, etc.” And I am saying the same thing: these are not your grandmothers’ times anymore—or for most Read more
Leadership: Do You Have What it Takes?, Part I
Recently, I gave a talk entitled, “Leading in the 21st Century: Do You Have What it Takes?” As I started to write it, I thought, what a misleading title! It should have been, “Leading in the 21st Century: Do You Really Want To? (Otherwise said as: Are you crazy?)”
All kidding aside, the challenges of leading any organization in the 21st century are huge. To be successful, it isn’t just a question of do you have the skills, talents, personality, etc., to be a leader—a very Read more
Hold the Applause
I recently received a question from a smart, young emerging leader for whom I see only great things. Her question: Do you think that the nonprofit and foundations community has gotten into a habit of congratulating itself at conferences, symposiums, and other events? I was immediately reminded of a foundation’s advertisement that runs only at certain times of year. The advertisement intentionally makes it sound as if the foundation is responsible for the accomplishments of the nonprofits it funds, and that it is directly helping the Read more
Having it All?
Debora Spar, the President of Barnard, recently wrote in Newsweek, “…we seem stuck today in a purgatory of perfection—each of us trying so hard to be everything that inevitably, inherently, we fail.” She was writing about the state of women in the 21st century and making reference to the media challenge to women started decades ago of “having it all” and being “super woman.”
I reread that phrase several times, not thinking about being a woman and having it all—I rejected that media hype immediately for Read more
Searching for the Right ED
I’m frequently asked about the best way to build a board, but rarely about how to effectively find a new executive director. With the continued warnings about retiring baby boomers and the growing need for new executive directors that the sector will be facing, I feel compelled to share some advice, build on observing, talking with and mentoring hundreds of executive directors.
So, here is my list: short but important, based on observing, talking with and/or mentoring hundreds of nonprofit executive directors. In no order of Read more
How Do We Value Nonprofits?
What links these 10 nonprofits?
YMCA of the USA
The Salvation Army
United Way of America
American Red Cross
Goodwill Industries International
Catholic Charities
Habitat for Humanity
American Cancer Society
The Arc of the United States
Boys & Girls Clubs of America
According to “The Cone Nonprofit Power Brand 100” 2009 report, they were, then, (and may still be now) the top 10 most valuable nonprofits brands in this country, with a value ranging from $6.4 billion for the YMCA of the USA to a low of $1.2 billion for Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Read more
I Hate Cute
Anyone who knows me knows I hate touchy-feely. Basically, I hate cute! Thus, if one more person starts singing the praises of the “Ws” or the “Ts”—or even the “Es,” I will not be responsible for my actions. Playing cute games is simply not the way to approach as serious a subject as whom you bring on to your board.
If by some fluke there are any uninitiated out there, let me explain and then immediately borrow the memory eraser from Men in Black. Some time, Read more
