Learning to Lead for Impact
leadership insight from Tom Okarma
the latest and greatest…
Leading With Data: 5 Ways To Make Better Decisions For Your Nonprofit
As Nonprofit leaders, it can sometimes feel like we are facing a never ending barrage of important, agency-defining decisions needing our immediate attention. On a good day, this can be an...
Nonprofit Bylaws Discussion: An In-Depth Overview
Bylaws are one of an agency’s most essential yet least understood documents. Along with the Mission, Vision and Values statements, bylaws describe the basic foundation for the entire agency. They...
Bylaws for Nonprofits: What Are They And How Do You Make Them?
One of the most critical responsibilities when starting up your own nonprofit is completing the initial paperwork accurately and fully. While this process might just seem like filling out a few...
Nonprofit Trends 2017: Is Your Agency Future-proof?
Since 2014, we have seen the volunteer rate drop nearly 13%. Nearly 50% of nonprofit leaders report their organization has no strategic plan, yet nonprofit giving has increased over the last 4...
Strategic Planning for Nonprofits: 3 Ways to Make the Process Easier
How To Make Strategic Planning for Nonprofits Easier And More Successful Many agencies will shortly begin holding planning sessions, or retreats, for 2018. The announcement of these events is...
Why We Need Strong Nonprofit Leadership Now More Than Ever
It’s no secret we’re living in a world of increasing turmoil. Protests are climbing. Hate is rising. Lines are being drawn and redrawn every day as portions of our country band together to oppose...
leadership
The 25% Solution: How to Work Smarter as a Nonprofit Leader
Executive Director. CEO. Board Chair. No matter the title, if you're in a position of leadership in a nonprofit, your real job (no matter the size of the organization) is Master Plate Spinner. Is balance in nonprofit leadership even possible? I think we...
Is Your Board Missing The Most Valuable Ingredient?
Board development is critical for building (and maintaining) a high-functioning board. Year after year, best-in-class nonprofit organizations have an amazing impact in their communities. Their boards have directors who understand the agency’s mission, are fully...
Are You Leading For the Future?
5 Powerful Questions for Nonprofit Leaders As an executive director, I suspect you often feel like you are caught up in a virtual whirlwind. From the time you walk into the office until the time you go home at night people are tugging at your sleeve looking for “just...
Are There Too Many Nonprofits?
Nonprofit Growth Rates Are at a 5 Year High New nonprofits are being started today in waves not seen since 2010. In fact, at the current pace, there will be over 1.6 million registered nonprofits in the U.S. by end of 2016, and as many as 2.25 million nonprofits...
Is Your Nonprofit Future-Proof?
Discover the 25 Critical Factors that will help ensure your long-term success. Serving others through nonprofit work often involves helping people in immediate need, but that doesn’t mean leaders can ignore the future. In fact, focusing on today only, can be a huge...
The Kickoff: 20 Steps to a Better 1st Board Meeting
How can you make the first board meeting of the year effective, engaging, and use it to set the stage for a great year? In a recent article we discussed expectations for your new board. If you missed that post, you can check it out here. It will set the stage for...
board development
Harvesting a Team of New Key Partners
I recently met with a board president and Executive Director wanting to rebuild their board, generate new "buzz" around their brand, and increase the number of strategic partners. They had been operating "very thin", of late. The agency needs a shot in the arm with...
Why Your NP Board Gets Nothing Done
I talk to a lot of board members and board chairs in my travels and one complaint I hear quite often, is "We just don't seem to get anything done. How can we make progress during our term in office?" I get this a lot! Sound like your board? Directors tell me they...
Transform Your Nonprofit Board-Part-3 of 3
We are in a discussion of how to improve your nonprofit board's impact and execution through four transformational practices. So far, we've discussed: Consistency: how a Board Policy Manual, a strategic plan, and thoughtful board make-up can build in process, focus...
Transform Your Nonprofit Board-Pt. 2
Last time, I identified four keys to transforming your board through authentic leadership. They are: Consistency, communication, execution, and accountability. I discussed consistency last week. This week, I'll cover communication and execution. Keys to Communication:...
Transform Your Nonprofit Board–Pt. 1
Some might think it is easy for ministry boards to provide authentic leadership to their organizations. Consider: we all work for the same owner -- God, we all share the same ultimate purpose -- building God’s Kingdom here on earth for all eternity, and we all operate...
Who fixes a Weak Board?
Who's responsibility is it to fix a weak nonprofit board that no longer adds value, when the organization's needs exceed what the current board can provide? Who's job is it to be sure the organization has the right board composition to take the organization to the...
strategic planning
No Results Found
The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.
everything…
Will Your Nonprofit Survive?
In 2013 alone there were more than 2.5 million nonprofit [501(c)(3)] started in the U.S. According to the SBA, nearly 50% of all businesses started — including nonprofit agencies — will fail within their first 5 years. It’s no secret nonprofit agencies work very hard...
One of the Most Powerful Ways to Increase Fundraising
Effective fundraising and donor relationships are the lifeblood of a nonprofit. But many nonprofits tend to overlook one of the most critical — and yet often most effective — tools for improving fundraising — the board. It’s no secret that best practices of successful...
70% of Nonprofit Leaders Identify as The DIRECTOR
Officially live only a few weeks, the Leadership Edge Quiz has already garnered a surprising amount of attention. But what was even more surprising — and we’ve double-checked the numbers — was some of the preliminary findings so far. Our data revealed — over 70% of...
What is Your Nonprofit Leadership Style?
Most of us (nonprofit leaders) have either taken courses or read a lot about the basic meat and potatoes leadership skills we need to effectively do our job. I’m talking about strategic planning and goal setting, budgeting, communication, the solicitation of major...
Guest Post: Want to build a better board? The key is expectations!
Serving on a nonprofit board presents great opportunities for meaningfully contributing to a worthy cause. But board service also involves significant responsibilities that may feel burdensome at times. How can current board leaders effectively equip newly recruited...
How to Solve Those Tough Problems You Face
Leaders deal with problems all the time. That's why we get the big bucks, right? Every so often though, we'll face a very challenging, complicated, and maybe a "touchy" problem. You know, the ones that eat away at you and consume your energy, your sleep, your passion,...
Ever Been asked…Why Should I Want to Serve on Your Board?
Have you ever been asked this question? Let’s say you know someone who is highly respected, has been engaged with your mission for some time, and has shown good judgment in the past. You may even be friends. You have a board seat opening up soon so you figure he/she...
How Can You Solve Problems and Avoid Ugly Confrontations?
I talk to a lot of nonprofit leaders (Executive Directors and CEO'S) and it is interesting to me that so many are experiencing a variety of problems due in large part to the same issue--avoiding a tough conversation with someone--often, a director or the entire board...
Presenting at CLA 2015 Outcomes Conference
Last week I led two workshops at CLA's Annual Conference in Dallas and was one of the authors signing books in the book store. It was a "kick" and I am grateful to CLA for putting on this event and allowing me to be part of it. I spoke with a lot of members about...