3 Things Your Board Should Hear Before New Year’s Eve.
I saw a sticker once, that said, CAUTION: Objects on calendar are closer than they appear! Here we are, three weeks left in this calendar year, and we're all busy with whatever holiday festivities we are attending or in charge of. No one's really focusing on the...
I lift my lamp beside the golden shore Emma Lazarus
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...
Building Board Cohesion
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...
I give. Please join me! The case for nonprofit board giving.
Why nonprofit boards should give a meaningful gift to their organization. 100% participation is important. Lead by example!
Thank you for your support! Let’s talk!
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...
Listen To Your Father
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...
Celebrate! Celebrate! Dance to the Music!
Wow! So much to celebrate! Look how much we accomplished! Last night I attended the 40th anniversary of the founding of an organization and celebrated with the people who made it possible. I'm not even a member and I'm still on a high from the event. Instead of...
Q & A: Raising a Fundraising Board
Why doesn't a nonprofit board fundraise? There are a lot of reasons. At a recent Bloomerang webinar, Getting Your Board on Board, I offered ways to move board members along the continuum from ˜I'll do anything except ask for money,' to ˜I'll ask a major donor for a...
It’s April. Do you know who your new board members will be?
Many nonprofits end their fiscal year on June 30. And for most, that's also when board members change over. That means it's very likely you're going to have a few new board members. Do you know who you're going to ask to join the board? If you're typical of many...
The sexy Form 990: Using your 990 to get supporters
Consider the IRS Form 990. The executive director tears his hair out over it. The accountant prepares it. The board looks at it and nods. Let's just get it done. But when the Internal Revenue Service redesigned the Form 990 in 2008, it created an opportunity that too...
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