Recession reactions are good practices year-round!

Grandmother taught me how to ‘stretch’ my resources – whether it was reusing a teabag or saving my allowance, her resourceful outlook taught me the value of CONSISTENTLY practicing habits that prepared for future rainy days. Just like the ant who works diligently year round and stores up for the winter, nonprofits can make performance [...]

6 Reasons Why Your Last Strategic Plan Failed (And How To Fix It)

It’s a paper weight – No! It’s a wedge to balance a table leg that’s too short – No! It’s a dust collector on my book shelf – No! What is it? It’s your Strategic Plan. If you’ve ever attended a Strategic Planning session you can identify with the above.The thought of Strategic Planning sends [...]

What You Can Learn from First Lady Michelle Obama’s Nonprofit Collaboration Efforts

Many of us working in the sector have known intuitively that nonprofit organizations (NPOs) play a major role in the U.S. economy. However, did you know that: There are more than 1.5 million nonprofit organizations (NPOs) nationwide? Those 1.5 million organizations employ 11 million full-time staff members, and tens of millions of volunteers? NPOs contribute 10 percent [...]

“The Button Tin” by Denise K. Spencer, President and CEO Community Foundation of the Lowcountry

Denise K. Spencer, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry,  spoke on March 11, 2010, at the annual South Carolina Association of Nonprofit Organizations annual conference. We thought her speech, “The Button Tin,” was timely, relevant, and inspiring, and wanted to share it with you. Let us know what you think – [...]

“The Button Tin” by Denise K. Spencer, President and CEO Community Foundation of the Lowcountry

Denise K. Spencer, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry,  spoke on March 11, 2010, at the annual South Carolina Association of Nonprofit Organizations annual conference. We thought her speech, “The Button Tin,” was timely, relevant, and inspiring, and wanted to share it with you. Let us know what you think – [...]

Show Me the Money! Why money can be your worst enemy if you’re not prepared to receive it

You can’t say it without picturing Cuba Gooding and Tom Cruise engaged in the now famous exchange in the movie “Jerry Maguire,” as Cuba’s character Rod Tidwell expressed his primary interest in retaining Jerry as his agent – “Show Me the Money!” I’m approached on a regular basis by grassroots organizations, faith-based organizations, and not-for-profits [...]

Show Me the Money! Why money can be your worst enemy if you’re not prepared to receive it

You can’t say it without picturing Cuba Gooding and Tom Cruise engaged in the now famous exchange in the movie “Jerry Maguire,” as Cuba’s character Rod Tidwell expressed his primary interest in retaining Jerry as his agent – “Show Me the Money!” I’m approached on a regular basis by grassroots organizations, faith-based organizations, and not-for-profits [...]

Releasing the Knowledge Hostages

You’ve seen them, you’ve worked with them, you may have even been one – the Knowledge Hostage. The person or group of people who are indebted, subjected, and controlled by an individual that purposefully hoards information and holds back on sharing their knowledge to keep you coming back to them. People who find their security, [...]