Do you know your organization’s “why?” I’m sure you know what your nonprofit does, and even how it does it, but could you describe why? More importantly, could you articulate it to a potential major donor? What about a new board member? A fellow fundraiser?
If the answer is yes, let’s go further: do you think if that same major donor asked the same question to three different people in your organization, they would give the same answer?
Read MoreAs many have recently begun a new fiscal year, now is a great time to begin to reflect not only on what has been accomplished over the past year, but also, what we hope to achieve over the next 12 months. Typically, this exercise will inspire organizations and individuals to sit down and document their goals.
Read MoreIn the nonprofit sector, we face a constantly shifting landscape of funding. Government funding waxes and wanes with every change of political office. Private funders change priorities in response to current events. Individual contributions rise and fall with the stock market.
So, how can organizations maintain financial stability in the midst of change? Diversifying revenue is the key. When your organization has support from multiple sources, it can weather uncertain times.
Read MoreAnother Labor Day is in the books…and while we took the day to hopefully pause, reflect, and enjoy some time with those we care about, it is challenging to not think about the work that still lies ahead. For many nonprofits this marks the “beginning of the end of the year” – fall appeal letters, galas, and so much more. It can certainly feel like a lot of labor!
Read MoreYOP, NAP, PRC, MHC – the alphabet soup of tax credits in Missouri goes on and on. My favorites are the WGC (Wine and Grape Production Credit), though I’ve never actually seen or used those before! 😊
Read MoreJuly 1 marks the new fiscal year for many of us. A former colleague would remind me, “You start back at zero and get to do it all over again!” He said it light heartedly, but he was right.
The new year (calendar or fiscal) brings on anticipation of what could be, plans that you get to implement (like a great vacation or how you are going to reach your goals), and…the clock resets and you get to dream and do something new and different in the new year. This is true for our personal selves and for our professional selves. We are development officers. We get the thrill of connecting the passions and interests of our donors with the incredible work we do to change our cities and world. It’s a new year. A new beginning. A new You.
Read MoreThe start of the new year brings a chance to refresh our habits, set or reset goals, and start with a clean slate as we enter 2022. I don’t know about you, but I’ve had more years than I can count that I’ve set big audacious personal goals and proclaimed them proudly out loud on December 31, only to have them be forgotten about 12 months later or only accomplished for the first part of the year.
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