Special event planning: as fun as 19 consecutive root canals
Recently, we met with Tim, our Lead Partner with Social Venture Partners, to go over SVP’s Organization Capacity Assessment Tool (OCAT). Tim travels a lot and always comes back with inspiring stories....
View ArticleFundraising: on not being a wuss
As the director of a small nonprofit, I live in a constant state of fear, one that is thankfully broken by occasional moments of terror. Recently these moments of terror come in the form of asking...
View ArticleThe annual dinner is over. Long live the annual dinner!
In life, there are few things sweeter than that beautiful moment after a fundraising event is done (provided the event didn’t suck completely). It’s like living in a part of Alaska where it’s dark for...
View ArticleStandardized answers to the Sustainability Question
Hi everyone, last week the Chronicle of Philanthropy published a piece I wrote on the Sustainability Myth. Warning: The piece is for paid subscribers, but it was adapted from this post—“Can we all just...
View ArticleWhy individual donations strategies often do not work for communities of color
Hi everyone, this week is my organization’s first annual fundraising reception, where we formally introduce our Fellows to the community. Doing special events, to be honest, freaks me out, and I have...
View ArticleHow donor-centrism perpetuates inequity, and why we must move toward...
Hi everyone, this is a lengthy and serious post that I wrote after a period of thinking, and I hope it will lead to some vigorous conversations. Two years ago, I wrote a post called “Winter is Coming...
View ArticleStar Trek and the Future of the Nonprofit Sector
Thank you Nonprofit Quarterly for publishing my piece last week on the future of the nonprofit sector. Except for the post on the misuse of the word “literally,” this is probably one of the most...
View Article#metoo and the nonprofit sector
Hi everyone. I haven’t talked about the #metoo movement, even though it’s been on my mind. This is mainly because as I identify as a man, I should be listening and not mansplaining. Also, others have...
View ArticlePhilanthropy: Whose money is it anyway?
Hi everyone. This post may be a little serious, due to one more mass shooting. As a parent, I think of death a lot, but mainly in the context of who would take care of my kids if my partner and I...
View ArticleThe game of nonprofit is flawed. Learn to play it so you can change it.
Every once a while, an up-and-coming nonprofit professional would ask me, “What advice would you give us folks who are just starting in the sector?” This is how you know that you yourself are no longer...
View ArticleWhy nonprofit staff should not be asked to donate to the organizations they...
Hi everyone. Before we launch into today’s topic, a quick announcement: My organization, Rainier Valley Corps, is expanding our team and are looking to add two critical positions: Operations Support...
View ArticleSometimes the best thing we donors can do to advance social justice is to...
Hi everyone. This post will likely be controversial, so grab a bar of dark chocolate, or, if you are in Seattle, a warm cup of hemp milk and some kale chips. Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about our...
View Article20 simple things you can do to help end the Nonprofit Hunger Games
Hi everyone, a couple of things before we get started. First of all, April is National Poetry Month, and to celebrate, Unicorns Unite (a book I co-authored on funding dynamics) is having a...
View ArticleWe need to talk about the handwritten thank-you note
Hi everyone. Before we delve into today’s super exciting topic, in the spirit of ending the Nonprofit Hunger Games I am declaring this week to be Wear Another Nonprofit’s T-shirt Week. Let’s help...
View ArticleWalk through this spooky nonprofit-themed haunted house…if you dare
Hi everyone. Quick announcement: This Wednesday, 9/18, from 1pm to 2:30pm EST, the co-authors of Unicorns Unite and I are having a conversation about how all of us can work together more effectively as...
View ArticleLet’s stop recognizing donors by donation levels
Hi everyone, a couple of announcements before we start on today’s topic. In recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, here are a few things we each can do to be more respectful of Native/Indigenous...
View Article10 ways you or your organization may be an askhole
A while back, I wrote a post called “Are you or your nonprofit or foundation being an askhole?” An askhole,...
View ArticleA few things for nonprofits and foundations to consider in light of the...
Hi everyone. I know many of you have COVID-19 on your mind. I live in Washington State, where there have...
View ArticleWhat are we willing to give up to end the Nonprofit Hunger Games?
Hi everyone, a couple of notes. The Nonprofit AF Facebook page is still locked due to FB refusing to confirm...
View ArticleIs there such a thing as too much gratitude? Yes, and it’s been harmful to...
An executive director colleague told me he received $1,000 from a corporation for his organization’s emergency funds to help people...
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