Beyond the Grant Report: Building Strategic Partnerships with Foundation Program Officers
So many people think foundation fundraising is all about writing grants, and that renewing a foundation grant is all about writing a really good report. It’s not. I’m here to tell you that if you are not treating Program Officers like major donors – if the only time you reach out to them is when […]
Strategy: Moving Beyond the Proactive and the Opportunistic
The word “strategic” is a fraught term. You can put it in front of any noun and it makes it sound more important. Sometimes people use the word “strategic” when, in reality, they are just talking about being proactive: anticipating future events and planning ahead. That is fine, but it is not quite the same […]
The Role of Early Adopters in Driving Internal Change
I’ve been thinking a lot about how change happens in organizations. Sure, there are entire books and studies on change management processes, and consulting firms devoted to guiding you every step of the way. Often, these processes speak to executives who already want change and have the authority to impose it across the company. But […]
The Power of “Why”: A Better Way to Navigate Donor Requests
In the realm of ethical storytelling, resistance to policies and procedures is inevitable. Sometimes, the pushback comes from within, staff who don’t understand why extra care and caution are necessary when telling stories or why consent matters so much. But sometimes, the resistance comes from donors. Lately, I’ve had no fewer than five people ask […]
The Pitfalls of Development Plans and How to Avoid Them
If you’ve ever spent hours crafting a development plan, only to watch it gather dust, you’re not alone. Many nonprofits fall into the same traps, leading to ineffective strategies, frustrated teams, and unmet goals. The good news? These pitfalls are avoidable with a little awareness and a few strategic adjustments. Let’s explore the most common […]