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AI is here to stay and has the potential to revolutionize the nonprofit sector by automating routine tasks and freeing up more time for delivering high-quality programs and services to those who need them most. In this article, I want to share some tangible ways that AI can help your nonprofit optimize your data analysis, donor management, fundraising, and program delivery.
We all know how crucial a successful board is to a thriving organization. But many nonprofit boards struggle with a lack of engagement, communication issues, or not achieving their fundraising goals. Luckily, it’s a new year, which is a great time to set new expectations, plan more training and social opportunities, and breathe some new life into your board.
Senior Consultant Patricia Broughton always wanted to make the world a better place – but she realized early on that nonprofit programming was not where her strengths lie. Her superpower is connecting people who want to change the world with those who can. As a fundraiser, this means connecting donors who have the resources and want to make a difference with the incredible staff of nonprofits doing the frontline work.
In busy development shops, it can feel like September is too early to be thinking about year-end giving. We’re still three months out! But this is actually the perfect time to start planning for your best year-end giving yet.
We’ve all heard about the leadership gap in the nonprofit sector since the pandemic began. Many EDs and Directors of Development have retired, moved industries, or been recruited away by a better offer. Instead of scrambling to launch a search when your next leader transitions, I recommend that nonprofit leaders start developing this talent internally.
We ask a lot of our board members, and we can’t expect them to succeed without the proper tools. One way to support their success is to focus on how board members can support your work in addition to donating—building relationships, opening doors, stewarding your current donors.
Because nonprofits are operating with fewer resources and staff, everything and everyone needs to be more efficient, more streamlined, more productive to make a bigger impact. To hit goals that are constantly growing, even when your staff is not increasing in capacity. But it doesn't need to be that way.
Last week, someone I connected with a while back about a potential search came to me in a really tough spot.After stepping up and taking on new challenges in her role last year, she was promised a raise and promotion in 2022. Although her current position and organization isn’t the most perfect fit, she decided it was worth it to stay for the pay increase and new title, which more closely align with her career goals. But now it’s March…and despite her many emails and gentle reminders, her manager keeps postponing the conversation.
I’m going to say something you might not want to hear…Your board needs term limits. I understand why some nonprofit organizations hesitate to implement board term limits. Your board risks losing the experience and insight that comes with long-term board members. Recruiting new board members is time-consuming and requires many resources. And of course, board members rotating on and off can disrupt the board’s workflow.