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 […]
Why Fundraising Falls Short: The Case for Better Financial Strategy
If you’ve worked in the nonprofit sector long enough, you’ve likely encountered these stories—and they may have even happened to you: The Board increase the revenue goals for next year but provide no additional investment in fundraising staffing or infrastructure to support those lofty targets. Or how about when you’re halfway through the year and […]
Getting Unstuck: Using the Control-Influence-Concern Circle to Overcome Challenges
When I work with teams facing challenges—strained relationships between departments, communication breakdowns, or persistent organizational hurdles—I often see the same pattern: people feel stuck. Frustration builds, blame starts to circulate, and progress grinds to a halt. Here’s the truth: most complaints are about things we can’t control—other people’s behavior, their feelings, their wants and needs. […]