Pass the Pepto Please
Those of you who know me, know that I love the nonprofit sector. Some might even go so far as to say I’m a missionary for the sector. But that would be inaccurate, as I am not out to “win” anyone over or convert them to my way of seeing things. But I have knowingly volunteered and worked in this sector since what we then called junior high school. In the many decades since then, I’ve held one and only one job in the for-profit Read more
Free Speech for Nonprofits?
Last week, the United States Supreme Court made a decision that could have huge implications for nonprofits across America, regardless of their missions.
In Citizens United v Federal Election Commission, No. 08-205, the Supreme Court relied on the First Amendment protection of free speech to say, according to Justice Kennedy who wrote the majority opinion, that Congress may not fine or jail “citizens, or associations of citizens (emphasis added), for simply engaging in political speech.” In other words, with its 5-4 decision, corporations are no longer Read more
Getting Comfortable with Caring
How do I say write this without sounding like an old fuddy duddy? With great difficulty and a low likelihood of success!
I think it is absolutely marvelous that the Red Cross has collected over $100 million from around the globe for the victims of the Haitian earthquake, predominantly through the texting of pledges. (Well, actually, I think it is marvelous that $100 million has been raised; I am a little dubious about the Red Cross receiving all of that money as their recent track record Read more
January 22nd, 2010 0 Comment Read Any Good Books Lately?
Ever since my son got his drivers’ license, anytime he and his best friend from high school want to have a serious conversation, they get in the car and drive. Long, long drives to no where. Doesn’t matter what time of day or night, a conversation becomes a road trip. Every once in a while, however, the road trip becomes the conversation.
I am not often privy to the content of these conversations, but every once in a while, I get lucky and get a text Read more
January 16th, 2010 0 Comment What’s a Nonprofit to do?
For a variety of reasons, many of us are happy 2009 is over. But that doesn’t mean 2010 will be our knight in shining armor. As I’ve said before in this space, the economic fat lady hasn’t sung for any of us yet, least of all the nonprofit sector. She’ll be singing for us years after she’s sung for others.
So, what’s a nonprofit to do? Ask the tough question.
I don’t believe in this thing called “human nature.” There are just too many discrepancies. Let’s take Read more
January 8th, 2010 0 Comment Crucial time for charities
With the economic downturn staring us in the face, it’s hard to feel charitable even during this season of giving. But this has been a grim year for charities, just as it has for individuals and businesses. So charities are hopefully and anxiously anticipating this crucial period of year-end giving, traditionally fueled by goodwill and the promise of tax deductions.
If you’re wondering how you can afford to give to charity, I would ask how you can afford not to. Nonprofits enrich us with a wide Read more
Embrace Trust
Trust. It is such a huge word for the nonprofit sector yet one we spend little time talking about. Our whole currency, if you will, is based on trust: our clients, donors, collaborators, and others trust that we will do a good job, deliver a valuable product, protect and steward our dollars, fulfill our mission promises, etc. If these stakeholders stop trusting us, we are doomed.
Yet, when was the last time the staff and board of your organization talked about trust? What does it means Read more
December 18th, 2009 0 Comment Lasting Lessons from Enron
Last month, Newsweek printed excerpts of an interview with William Powers, current President of the University of Texas.
And while not belittling either the title or responsibilities of a president of a large university (as both are huge), what is important about Mr. Powers in the context of this blog is that prior to becoming university president, he was asked by the Board of Enron to head a special investigation into the company’s collapse in order to uncover what went wrong—and why.
The focus of Newsweek’s excerpted Read more
December 11th, 2009 0 Comment111 Million Reasons
News Alert: An estimated 111 million people plan to use the web to donate to nonprofits this holiday season (Nonprofit Times).
A Minnesota nonprofit fundraising campaign, GiveMN, raised a remarkable $14 million via the Internet with its 24-hour “Give to the Max Day” event on November 17. The money, donated by 39,000 people, will support 3,400 Minnesota nonprofits, reports the Foundation Center.
Between now and the end of the year, we will be asked by every charity we know—and many we don’t—for our gifts—or investments, as I Read more
Happy Thanksgiving from The Nonprofit Center
We’ll be back on 12/4/09. (Guess we could have tweeted that. )
November 23rd, 2009 0 Comment