Nonprofits CAN Advocate or Lobby?
Recently, I’ve heard from several of you wondering what your organization is allowed to do when it comes to advocacy (and, yes, lobbying!). As many mission-driven leaders know, weighing in on public issues is vital to advancing our causes, but the legal boundaries around lobbying can feel confusing…
How Do You Define Success?
And yes, you can measure messy, unstable and long-term stuff. Don’t start with outside voices and benchmarks. Start by asking the people who come to work every day to make your mission happen, "How do you define success?" Ask the people you serve, “What has made the biggest difference for them?” Ask questions about why you do your work the way you do. You may learn that some things need to change, but in the process you’ll have galvanized the people who care the most and want to see your work succeed.
Heart vs. Head
This season is a great times to remember that and be sure we take time to steward relationships well. Take time to reach out to donors in January and February and thank them for their partnership. Let them know that they matter, and show them the warmth that comes from being part of your family of shared believers in your cause.
The Gift of Service
We are so very fortunate to have the most robust not-for-profit sector in the world, and we will continue to see its impact highlighted in amazing ways during the coming holidays. Thank you for finding a way to serve, to make a difference and be significant, not just successful.
A December Reminder: Value the People Beside You.
I have always loved the month of December and the great sense of family and community that comes with it. This can be such a busy time of year on so many levels. In the nonprofit sector we have a very heavy focus on late November and December giving, events, activities and donor cultivation work. With all the busy-ness, we can spread ourselves thin relationally. Even in the midst of relational activity, it can be easy to overlook spending time with our closest staff and volunteers.
Season of Purpose
This is a season to deepen relationships, to cultivate those who care about you further, and invite them to invest in your cause in meaningful ways. It’s much more than just checking the to-do’s off the list. Operating from a place of purpose and meaning gives a different feel to the activities you are carrying out, and your donors will definitely notice.
The Power of Volunteers
To prevent that attrition, we have to be careful to develop a culture in our organizations that values relationships. Our volunteers aren't a labor source--they are the people who are most committed to our cause and best prepared to help us achieve our mission. If they are not yet advocates, we help them grow into that. We nurture them by helping them connect their passion and our shared purpose.
Leadership Through Transparency
I wanted to mention to you an opportunity to join our leadership development e-newsletter that is sent once a month. It is like Bytes and Bites, but focused on leadership. Below is an article that Jami Coffman has provided for this month’s JDLA leadership newsletter regarding excelling in leadership through transparency.
Legacy or Life?
As I reflect on what remains of summer and being "in the middle of the lake", I connected with a great article about planned giving. The focus of the article was about how so often we make planned giving about legacy, what happens after you die. A researcher decided to test the effectiveness of a "legacy" message…
Rethinking Naming Rights
Many organizations are moving toward leased naming opportunities, or time-bound naming rights. Then a donor can exercise naming rights for a period of years or decades, giving them and their heirs first right of refusal at the end of that time period. Upon non-renewal, a new donor can take over the naming opportunity.
Who Defines Impact?
We've all heard the message that donors get involved to make a difference, and that we need to be able to tell them what impact our organizations are making. But recently, I’ve had several conversations with clients that confirmed a fear of mine when people in the nonprofit sector hear the word impact, they think judgment.
Value of Vacation
There is a great amount of unused vacation days in the US workforce on a yearly basis, and more than 60% of Americans still use their computers and phones for business on personal vacations. Personally, I believe that the nonprofit sector is one of the highest burnout areas of the economy. One big reason is that it often combines passion, personal life purpose and helping others into one workplace environment.
Growing Together
Relationships are messy, because people are messy. We so easily lose sight of what really matters and often pride (manifesting in hurt, insecurity, betterment, etc.) can derail us. However, that is the great way our organizations are made, with people. While people may be messy, we are also very fulfilling. I often talk about nurturing our donors and volunteers, caring for them, partnering with them, and so on.
Old Truths & New Ideas
This past month we saw the release of some ground breaking research on donor behavior that has been published by some major field journals. Key findings in this research won’t be new to you…
Finding Renewal in What’s Old and New
This month I want to draw on that sense of renewal and share a few things from some recent research that illustrate renewal doesn’t always mean new, smile.
Are You a Leadership Community or Team?
Networks are groups of people who move in and out of the group according to their individual needs. In contrast, communities are groups of people who are intentionally committed to each other.