From Our Managing Partner: Applying the ‘Yes, If …’ and ‘No, But …’ Framework to Nonprofit Leadership
From Charisse’s Desk One question I often hear from clients is this: What lessons and nonprofit leadership strategies have we picked up from working with their peer organizations? Here’s one of the most effective tools I’ve encountered recently—a negotiating framework called “Yes, if…” and “No, but…”, which I first saw in action with JD Crouch, […]
Does Your Nonprofit Have Mission Pillars—and Are They Helping Raise Unrestricted Funds?
Nonprofits often find themselves grappling with how to convey their broad, multifaceted work in a way that resonates with stakeholders and funders. That’s where mission pillars come in. But many organizations either don’t have them—or their pillars aren’t doing the heavy lifting they should be to help raise unrestricted funds. A well-functioning mission pillar framework […]
Identifying Organizational Inflection Points and Navigating the Path Forward
In an impact-driven organization, it’s easier than many might like to admit to miss pivotal organizational inflection points or hesitate when decisive action is needed. Organizations can continue on familiar paths, unaware that shifts in community needs, technology, funding landscapes, or internal dynamics call for a strategic pivot. Identifying the need for action is the […]
Finding Strategic Clarity Amidst Multiple Initiatives: The Role of Implementation Strategy
You’ve done the work. You’ve assessed your organization’s strengths, identified opportunities, and charted a path forward. But have you considered the implementation strategy and plan? Many organizations overlook this crucial step, diving headfirst into new initiatives without a clear strategy for execution. This can lead to misaligned priorities, wasted resources, and missed opportunities. In a […]
Telling a Smarter Story to Maximize Fundraising
When it comes to sharing your mission and impact to maximize fundraising, it can be easy to fall into the trap of “the more specific the program alignment, the better.” And although personalization can feel like the golden ticket to building connections with potential donors, it limits the funder’s ability to understand and buy into […]
New Directions in Nonprofit and Corporate Collaboration for Greater CSR Impact
In the nonprofit sector, it can be tempting to think that corporate trends or changes in consumer culture are not relevant to your day-to-day, mission-centered work. After all, as a purpose-driven organization, there are distinct and unique ways you interact with your supporters and market your mission. But in reality the corporate landscape and in […]
What Impact Consultants Want Nonprofit Boards and Leaders to Act on Today
Stuck in a loop? You’re not alone. It’s easy to get swept up in the day-to-day, sometimes focusing more on keeping up than truly advancing. This cycle can leave nonprofit boards and leaders treading water, facing the same challenges repeatedly without making the desired progress. We asked two seasoned experts to each pinpoint a key […]
It’s a Politically Volatile Election Year. How is Your Nonprofit Adapting?
Perhaps you’ve picked up on the fact that we’re not just in any old election year. Oh no. We’re barreling toward what might be among the most volatile presidential elections in U.S. history. Amid heightened political tension, the path forward for nonprofits is challenging but navigable with thoughtfulness and preparation. For those looking to engage […]
Recognizing When You Need Change Management in Your Nonprofit Organization
One of the most significant challenges in any organization is dealing with change. Developing processes, implementing strategies, creating programs—all of these things are far simpler in the face of an unchanging, static environment. But amid a rapidly moving digital landscape, shifting consumer expectations, social and political events, and internal organizational transitions, nonprofit leaders can be […]
Program-Fundraising Collaboration Fuels Impactful Narratives — and How to Organize Your Impact Storytelling Assets
Impact storytelling is constantly top-of-mind for fundraisers as nonprofit organizations and teams look for ways to forge deeper connections with donors. This article delves into how authentic narratives and strategic communication can enhance donor engagement, offering ideas for nonprofits seeking to strengthen supporter relationships with minimal additional effort. Good Scout Senior Strategist Cindy Jones-Nyland shares […]