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Disruption: disturbance or problems that interrupt an event, activity, or process. It has taken me awhile…but I have learned to live with “disruption.” Ribbon Cutting-We’re in Business This year marks the 15th anniversary of Stroman & Associates. Starting my consulting business has been the single-most rewarding aspect of my professional career, but it was also one of […]
In any nonprofit organization, there are 5 functions that must be fulfilled if the organization is going to be considered effective. These functions are: Governance Leadership Management Micromanagement Execution The board’s role lies solely within the first function—Governance. Governance should be the focus and the purpose of board meetings. What kinds of things do boards […]
Guest post: Kathy Wright, COO for the Institute of Conversational Fundraising and Certified Professional Coach. Values are the principles we live by. They are what drive us or make us tick. They define who we are and what we hold dear. Perhaps you value truth, trust and freedom. Family may be a strong value, or […]
Earlier this year, I served on a panel with other fundraising professionals, and this great question was posed to us: What are the top characteristics that make a good fundraiser? For me, the answer has three parts. FIRST: ‘an infinite capacity to not know what can’t be done.’ Too many people believe in what can’t […]
Guest Post by John Martin. John is a philanthropy practitioner (Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy®) with 25 years of nonprofit experience, including 19 years of fundraising & development leadership in higher education and an additional six years with a grant making charitable foundation. He teaches university courses in Fundraising & Grantwriting, Nonprofit Leadership, and Nonprofit Marketing. […]
Here is a fact about boards — they can’t raise money. A board can pass motions and deliberate in meetings, but as an entity, the board can’t raise money. Board members, on the other hand, can and should be a part of the fundraising process. Members can do lots of things for the benefit of […]
Just last week the CEO of a dynamic charitable organization worried . . . “We don’t know if we’re going to make payroll in December!” How about you? Do you find yourself scrambling at year end just to make THIS year’s fundraising budget? Then, if you DO reach the goal, do you breathe a sigh […]
“We’ll see what happens in the next election. Talk to me after November.” “It’s probably best if we wait until the spring. I’m just not sure what will happen before then.” Maybe you’ve gotten responses like these during conversations with donors or perhaps when your team comes together to plan your next steps. These are […]
As the new school year kicks off across the country this month, I have spent some time reflecting on my teaching experience. One student in particular stands out to me for many reasons. Her name was Mary Ruth Miller. When I joined the faculty at Oklahoma Wesleyan University in the mid 1970s, Mary Ruth Miller […]
For the last couple of weeks, I’ve been discussing some tips from a seminar called “Mission, Money, & Management: Keeping Boards and Donors Connected in Difficult Times.” This week’s tip are all about story. I love stories. If you’ve spent any time with me, you know that I enjoy a powerful story and the way […]