A new survey from the Chronicle of Philanthropy (register to read) shares that while nonprofit leaders gain great job satisfaction from their roles and the impact of their organizations, the job has generally gotten harder since the pandemic with on-going challenges in fundraising and board member engagement. Being a nonprofit ED/CEO means wearing many hats - identifying and allocating resources, attracting and motivating staff, sharing leadership with a board of well-meaning but often passive volunteers, and serving as the face of the organization both in meetings with funders and when approached by a community member at the grocery store.

I know that many nonprofit leaders take consolation in Jim Collins writing from 20 years ago when he observed that it is harder to lead in the nonprofit space than in business Good to Great and the Social Sector. “In interviews and discussions with about 100 government and not-for-profit leaders, Collins discovered that being a leader in nonprofit and government is harder than being a business executive. He is not surprised that so many business executives fail when they enter the public sector. "Whether they answer to a nonprofit board composed of prominent citizens, an elected school board, a governmental oversight mechanism, a set of trustees, a democratic religious congregation, an elected membership association or any number of other species of governance, social sector leaders face a complex and diffuse power map," Collins writes. "Most non-business leaders simply do not have the concentrated decision power of a business CEO."

The Chronicle of Philanthropy article dives into the stresses of being a nonprofit leader today and also offers some helpful insights for dealing with the pressures, including focusing on staff retention, getting together with other CEOs regularly, and being willing to say “no”. See the full survey results article and sign up for a free account to read more

In today's fast-paced digital landscape, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into workplace processes has become inevitable. From streamlining operations to enhancing decision-making, AI holds immense potential to revolutionize how we work. However, with great technological advancements come great responsibility, particularly in the realm of human resources.

It's imperative to delve into the critical importance of crafting robust AI policies in the workplace. These policies not only safeguard the rights and interests of employees but also foster a culture of trust, transparency, and ethical AI implementation.

Establishing Clear Guidelines: The cornerstone of any effective AI policy is clarity. Organizations must articulate clear guidelines outlining the purpose, scope, and limitations of AI technology in the workplace. Employees need to understand how AI systems are utilized, what data is collected, and how it's processed. Transparency builds trust and alleviates concerns regarding privacy and job security.

Indiana early college summit on June 5 at New Palestine High School. Gain best practices and strategies to help close the gap between high school and college. Presented by CELL at UIndy.

Cost: $195. Register

Making paperless finance a reality webinar on June 11 at 1 p.m. This presentation delves into the transformative power of cloud-enabled automation, empowering finance leaders, controllers, and accounting teams to achieve significant time savings, improved accuracy, and enhanced control. Presented by Sage, partnering with FORVIS. Cost: Free. Register

Uncovering and managing to employee motivations webinar on June 12 at 1 p.m. Learn the value of asking the right questions and how to motivate employees throughout the reporting relationship. Presented by Blackbaud. Cost: Free. Register

Attracting support from community foundations webinar on June 13 at 2 p.m. This session will explain how to identify giving priorities among grantmakers, build connections with them, and make a compelling case for support for your cause. Presented by The Chronicle of Philanthropy. Cost: $69. Register

Get On Board is now accepting nonprofit exhibitors. The in-person event is on June 25 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Apply by June 4

2024 Microsoft Office business software series choose from various start dates. Available in self-guided and instructor-moderated formats, fully online options include basic, intermediate, and advanced modules for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Presented by IU Indianapolis Professional Development and Continuing Education in partnership with ed2go. Cost: Varies based on course(s) selected. Register

Food 4 Souls needs volunteers for its Rinse & Restore service, which provides showers for homeless neighbors in the Kokomo area on Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to serve as a greeter, clothes distribution and set up/pack up. Travel by van is provided. Hair stylists and barbers are needed. Register

Brooke's Place for Grieving Young People, Inc. is looking for volunteers to serve as support group facilitators for their Westside, Eastside, and Northside program nights. The volunteers will provide a safe and supportive environment for young people, ages 3-29, and their caregivers to process their grief. Volunteer facilitators must be 16+ years old. No counseling background is required. Please apply by July 1st to be considered for the next training

Johnson, Grossnickle & Associates Thinking ahead: Embracing innovation in generosity

Indiana University Indianapolis Lilly Family School of Philanthropy Taking it personally – bridging the private and the public through philanthropy

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