by Susan Detwiler | Nov 19, 2015 | nonprofit
This Thanksgiving, I am thankful.
I am thankful for the United States of America that welcomed my grandparents 100 years ago. Because they were welcomed, I am here, and able to build a life that allows me, my husband, my children and grandchildren to live freely.
I am thankful for the people who fought to allow Eastern European refugees to come to our shores. Because of them, we have had the privilege of receiving the work and wisdom of Albert Einstein and Madeline Albright.
I am thankful for the country that welcomed Marco Rubio’s parents, and Donald Trump’s mother, allowing the son of Cuban immigrants and the son of an Irish immigrant, to aspire to our country’s highest office.
I am thankful for the people who allowed Armenian refugees into our country. Because of them, we have the largest company in the world, Apple, which revolutionized electronics and was founded by Steve Jobs.
I am thankful for the officials who work to ensure that each person who comes to our shores is properly vetted, and for those in our military and police who defend the United States against those who seek to harm us.
I am thankful for a country that protects its citizens – and protects the values that have made our country the reason so many want to come here.
And I am thankful for you, whether you work for, volunteer for, or sit on the board of a nonprofit. You deliver your mission by looking beyond the risks of today so you can create the future in which we all want to live.
What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?
by Susan Detwiler | Oct 1, 2015 | leadership
When I first started board service, I thought that sitting around having a drink and schmoozing with the board was just wasting time. I thought we needed to focus on the business of the board. It’s not a social gathering!
As time went on, I realized that getting to know the other board members as individuals was one of the most valuable things I could do to help the board do its best work. Knowing Jim’s background, understanding Sarah’s passion for the cause, hearing Leslie’s story, all made it easier for me to speak in ways that they would hear and understand. It made it easier for me to understand their positions even if we didn’t agree.
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by Susan Detwiler | Aug 31, 2015 | nonprofit
It’s that time of year. Nonprofit organizations are asking their board members for their annual financial commitment. Yet despite the obvious need of almost all organizations, according to one survey, an astonishing 55% of organizations reported that they did not have 100% board giving.
But foundation executives and major donors expect 100% participation of nonprofit board members. In the words of an executive of Piper Charitable Trust,
“We wouldn’t consider a grant to an organization if the directors weren’t 100 percent in their giving. Why would we? If they don’t care enough for their organization to give to it, why should we?
There is no excuse for not making a financial contribution to any organization that you’re on the board of.
But I give time! That counts for something!
Yes, your time counts for a lot! I am very, very grateful to all the leaders who give of their time so freely to work on the board. Our social sector absolutely could not function without the volunteers. Your labor, your thoughtful discussions, your planning are crucial to building the world we want to live in. The organizations that benefit our community rely on you. As a member of society, I am very grateful to you for standing up and being part of the fabric of our society.
Yet volunteers can give time without being on the board. The difference is YOU are a leader. And leaders lead the way with their gifts, as well as their time. You, dear board member, lead the rest of the community by example “ not just with your time, but with your treasure, as well.
But not all our board members are financially able to give a lot of money!
Wow. This is such a caring objection. It almost trumps the 100% giving mandate. I hear you “ and I agree with you. Those unable to give a lot of money SHOULD be included on the board. A strong organization needs to have a wide variety of voices represented on the board. Those who are wealthy – and those who are not – bring unique and diverse perspectives.
But the 100% requirement doesn’t name a dollar amount. It just says that a board member should give. If board expectations are set appropriately when you first invite the new director, then the expectation is that each board member gives a personally meaningful gift. To a successful attorney, it might be personally meaningful to give a $10,000 annual gift. To an early childhood teacher, that personally meaningful gift might be $100 per year.
A good rule of thumb is that while you are on the board of an organization, it is one of your top three or four philanthropies.
Leaders lead by example. Be able to say, I give. Please join me.
Would you like some help moving your board along the giving continuum? I’m happy to have a no obligation conversation! Reach me at sdetwiler@detwiler.com
Susan
Susan Detwiler
by Susan Detwiler | Jul 2, 2015 | philanthropy
Frustrated by supporters who want to restrict their gifts? Maybe it’s time to rewrite your Gift Acceptance Policy so it can open a world of opportunity.
Across the Internet, we can find all kinds of essays about why it’s important to have a Gift Acceptance Policy. And most of them point you to pretty standard templates. But instead of thinking of how the policies can limit your liability, what if your Gift Acceptance Policy opened up opportunities?
Taking a cue from Creating the Future, let’s start by asking how a gift acceptance policy can support your mission, vision and values.
Looking around at your community, you see clients, staff, board members, and supporters. What should the gifts acceptance policy do for each of them? For your clients, you want to have the maximum amount of flexibility so you can serve them in whatever way is necessary. You want your staff to have clarity as to what they should do when offered a gift. You want your board to know that the resources you receive are used appropriately and transparently.
And you want your supporters to know that the resources they are giving you “ their gifts “ are truly making a difference.
In a spirited online conversation among nonprofit consultants, we debated what to do about restricted gifts. How do we handle gifts that are designated for a specific program, but may not take into account administrative costs? That’s when Hildy Gottlieb produced a policy that is brilliant in its simplicity. Without tying anyone’s hands, the policy says to the donor “ Thank you for caring about the people we serve. Thank you for using us as a way to help them. Let’s work together to figure out the best way that your funds can help.
“When we have the opportunity to receive restricted gifts, it is our policy to work with each donor to co-create the best possible result of improving life for the people we serve.
“As part of that policy, we will learn both the immediate thing / service the donor wants their gift to purchase, as well as understanding what the donor hopes that gift will make possible for the people we serve.
“As part of that policy, we will work with the donor to co-create how their intended results will be achieved, and the true allocation of resources for achieving that result – how their monies will be used, as well as how other resources will be leveraged to achieve that result.
“This policy of co-creating results is rooted in our core values of trust, transparency, and building deep relationships, because that is what builds strong communities.”
As John Baker, CFRE, Executive VP of Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement, commented, I bet their gifts will soar. Simply being able to promote a policy like this in ones materials, and then to live it, leaves me with a reenergized sense for Resource Development.
What does your gift policy say? Are you inviting your supporters to co-create your future?
by Susan Detwiler | Jun 15, 2015 | nonprofit
My dad didn’t fish or play golf. The standard Father’s Day card was not really meant for him. Instead, he played a mean game of bridge and did the Sunday Times crossword puzzle in ink. He learned Spanish, so he could relate to the people he worked with in the NYC garment district. And his views on justice made me consider my own obligation to make the world better.
This Father’s Day, I want to honor the lessons we learned from our fathers. Every day, my nonprofit colleagues work to make the world a better place, so I asked them: What did you learn from your father, that you apply today in your work?
Fear of change is often a fear that we will fail at whatever it is that is new. That’s a lesson that Dennis Fischman learned from his father, that he now applies as he teaches his clients new concepts in social media.
From Lynn Calder, My dad was a master at reading people and assessing work situations. He would determine the best approach to working with each individual.
Loretta Donovan’s Dad taught her to appreciate loyal, hardworking volunteers. He painted my elementary school; he fundraised for his high school into his 80s. His time and talents were contributed with enthusiasm.¨
Rebecca Henderson shared, Most people do the best they can with what they have, and when someone does a good job, tell them.
Annette Sandberg had a wealth of stories about learning to appreciate yourself, imperfections and all; and at the same time, to listen to those around you, because you can’t harmonize if you listen only to yourself.
Notice a theme? Reading each response, I was struck by how my colleagues and I, each with very different backgrounds, have each been taught by our fathers to value the individual. To see each person for who they are. It is a trait that I see throughout the nonprofit sector.
As Lynn said about her own father, Dad was kind to everyone and treated them with respect–from the lowest paid position to the CEO¦everyone, whatever their title or position, has something of value to contribute in the workplace.
Our fathers taught us to value each individual for themselves, and to allow them to contribute their gifts as they are able. This Father’s Day is a good time to appreciate our fathers as individuals, not just as our dads, and to acknowledge their gifts to us.
Happy Father’s Day. If you can, thank your Dad for his gifts. If not, then may this Father’s Day be filled with good memories.
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