9 Ways A Nonprofit Can Improve Collaboration with the Board |
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by Forbes Nonprofit Council
Nonprofit leaders can sometimes have a difficult time working alongside their board. Part of this may come from a disconnect that the board has with the enterprise's daily running. Many board members aren't aware of what goes into running a nonprofit. However, it may also be due to a breakdown of communication between the board and the leader.
Dealing with either of these will require interfacing with the board and having them see your point of view as the organization's leader. To help, nine members of Forbes Nonprofit Council offer sage advice on how nonprofit leaders can better work alongside their board for mutual benefit.
1. Understand their motivations. Board members are a gift to your organization. Spend quality time with each board member to understand their motivations and how they like to be engaged. Don't make assumptions that they want to be on the finance committee because they are a finance professional. Make sure that they get the most of their experience and you will have a supporter for life. — Cortney Nicolato, United Way of Rhode Island
2. Tap into their passion and expertise. Find the one thing each of them has expertise or passion in and ask for their insight or opinion on something. They each have something to offer beyond fundraising and if you can get them engaged in a meaningful way, their commitment doubles. When you do a new ad, run it by the marketing folks on your board, ask them to help plan a new program or provide insight on new technology. Use them! — Kim Jefferies, Brighton Center
3. Consider their feedback. Always take into consideration all of the feedback you receive from your board members. Aside from that, make meetings more enjoyable — perhaps by providing things like coffee, tea and snacks. My last piece of advice would be to always keep the meetings short and concise. Our time is valuable, so presenting the necessary details in a shorter amount of time is what people really appreciate. — Gloria Horsley, Open to Hope
4. Keep them engaged. Make sure you keep them engaged! Have concise meetings. My monthly board-only newsletters, where I list projects they can volunteer for, are effective. I also share what is going on in another member's life or career (i.e., birthday greetings, awards, promotions, etc.). Members also have access to a shared Google Drive with handy information, including board/committee schedules, minutes, etc. It works! — Simone Joye, Howard University Medical Alumni Association (HUMAA)
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Tools to Fast Track Philanthropy in 2021: Set the Stage for Fundraising Success |
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Since March 2020, our motto at JGA has been “generosity is not cancelled.” So many things in our lives have been cancelled due to the pandemic, but generosity is not one of them. Donors have not stopped sharing their gifts of time, talent, and treasure. We have seen this generosity in support of campaigns, days of giving, and ongoing operations, as well as a continued commitment to volunteerism — although the format has changed in a virtual world.
What does this mean for 2021? As you look toward continuing to raise philanthropic support for your mission in 2021, what will you do to set the stage for generosity to continue?
A recent blog posted by the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy offers 10 Tips for Fundraisers in 2021. Among these tips are finding new ways to collaborate, creating community virtually, engaging all of your donors, and — my personal favorite — embracing optimism. They also stress the importance of continuing to fundraise. As stated in the article, “your cause is still worthy. Your work is still impactful. Those you serve are still in need.”
1. Create short-term plans for long-term impact. Are your institutional strategies and development initiatives tailored to your changing environment? Have you revised your current strategic plan in light of lessons learned from the pandemic? Take time now to ensure the plans that guide your organization and your development operation are relevant in this new environment and support your strategic plan.
2. Focus on your best prospects and engage new donors. Have you recalibrated your donor portfolios for 2021? Are you successfully engaging new prospects in a virtual and/or hybrid world? Optimize your portfolios so your team is focused on the right prospects to raise more money for your mission. Many organizations will also need to create a plan to on-board new development officers and/or transition portfolios as a result of staffing changes. Nonprofits that acquired new donors from special pandemic fundraising initiatives in 2020 need to create plans to steward these relationships and retain their ongoing support in the future.
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With 2021 providing opportunities to overcome many of the challenges currently facing nonprofits, Charitable Advisors has launched a new podcast series that will feature insights from leaders in the industry.
In this week's episode, Bryan Orander, president of Charitable Advisors, interviewed Angela White, CEO, Johnson Grossnickle and Associates, to get her advice on how nonprofits can move forward more successfully in the new year.
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ProAct Indy has appointed Derrin Slack as CEO. Slack, a founder of the organization, will assume his new duties on April 1, after having served as chief program officer since 2019. |
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ProAct Indy has hired Faren Jones as its director of operations. Jones previously worked in development operations for IU Health Foundation. |
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Christel House has promoted Jeremy Wesley to director, grants and fundraising data. Wesley previously served as grant writer and data manager for the organization. |
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Christel House has promoted Carolyn Haythorn to programs and services data manager. Haythorn previously served as programs and services data specialist. |
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Central Indiana Land Trust has promoted Stephanie Paine Crossin to the position of land protection manager. Paine Crossin previously served as land protection specialist. — Inside Indiana Business
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Central Indiana Land Trust has promoted Shawndra Miller to communications manager. Miller previously served as the organization’s communications specialist. — Inside Indiana Business
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Aspire Indiana Health has initiated a $6.9 million expansion of its Noblesville health center. The project will nearly double the size of the facility, allowing for growth of its integrated primary and behavioral health model of care. Read
Tangram has announced the release of a six-part disability inclusion training series to help businesses and employers become disability-confident. For more information, contact Angela Vandersteen at avandersteen@thetangramway.org
Hamilton Southeastern High School is seeking internships for more than 200 high school seniors. The students will be available for 10 hours a week, from August 2021 to May 2022. Review information sheet. Contact Scott May at smay@hse.k12.in.us
Damien Center, which provides preventative, supportive and medical services to Indiana residents affected by HIV/AIDS, has opened a satellite center. The new location at the Community Alliance of the Far Eastside will offer a variety of services including medical care, testing and emergency assistance. Read
The Indianapolis Business Journal is accepting nominations for its 40 under 40 leaders annual recognition of young Indianapolis leaders. Examples of civic involvement and leadership outside the workplace will also be considered. Nominate by March 19.
BKD CPAs & Advisors has released its 2021 State of the Nonprofit Sector Report. The nonprofit wellness study was created to identify how nonprofit organizations are responding and surviving amid the COVID-19 global pandemic. The findings show that a majority of nonprofits have increased their services and reduced their staffing. Read report
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Donation: Dell C2665dnf color laser printer. The equipment, which is about 10 years old, is useful for scanning to USB with document feeder or for regular printing with some streaks. Email tabitha@inosteo.org or call 317-926-3009. Available for pickup in Indianapolis. |
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COVID-19 philanthropy: Measuring one year of giving webinar on March 11 at 2 p.m. Two philanthropic experts will reflect on the report and share what they have learned through their own work. They also will address the critical actions funders should be taking during this crisis. Presented by Center for Disaster Philanthropy. Cost: Free. Register
Speaking engagement: Language access planning webinar for nonprofits on March 17 from noon-1 p.m. If your organization serves the public, it's likely you have encountered community members with language barriers, including immigrants, refugees and the deaf and hard of hearing community. Understand the resources available to your team and how to put language access measures in place. Presented by LUNA Language Services. Cost: Free. Register
SAVI Talks: Economic opportunity, social mobility, and race webinar on March 25 from 9:30-11 a.m. Learn how economic opportunity and social mobility varies by neighborhood and race. The session also will highlight the history of redlining related to home ownership and how it continues to limit economic prosperity. Presented by SAVI. Cost: Free. Register
IU McKinney Law is offering a virtual Juris Doctor information session on March 23 at 1 p.m. for prospective students interested in applying to start law school in the fall of 2021. The one-hour session outlines the steps in the application process. Register
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Participating organizations will receive Charitable Advisors’ 2021 salary survey report in July. We want to hear from you! |
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When is an ideal time to receive salary information to assist with your budgeting cycle?
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Review 10 key steps needed to prepare the chief executive’s annual goals, as well as analyze and assess results with the board. This resource includes tips for building support for the process.
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Boards and leaders are smart to consider whether a strategic partnership with another organization could support those efforts and unlock even greater potential for impact.
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Our sponsor marketplace serves to further connect our readers with our advertisers who are focused on serving nonprofits. To learn about each sponsor's nonprofit services, click on its logo.
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FUND DEVELOPMENT
STRATEGIC PLANNING
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BANKING/
ASSET MANAGEMENT
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MEETING ROOM OR EVENT SPACE |
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Events, Meetings and Offices
With 2,000 square feet of coworking space, budget-friendly private offices, and comfortable meeting and event spaces, the Nexus Impact Center is an ideal location to pursue your mission. Located just off Interstate 465 and Michigan Road, Nexus allows your team members and visitors to quickly reach your space and meet in spacious rooms that allow for safe social distancing. More
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