Category Archives: Nonprofit Mission and Visioning
Part 3 of 3: Story Telling In Philanthropy
The third in a three-part series by Larry Warkoczeski Tools for Story Crafters One very effective tool to use in crafting a story is provided by Chip and Dan Heath in their book, Made to Stick. Based on extensive research, they have found that ideas or concepts stick where they fit six principles (SUCCESs). 1. [...]
Part 2 of 3: Story Telling In Philanthropy
The second in a three-part series by Larry Warkoczeski What is Story? One of the most succinct definitions of story is offered by the author, Robert McKee, who says “story is a living proof of an idea, the conversion of idea to action.” Storytelling is also defined by McKee as the “creative demonstration of truth.” [...]
Part 1 of 3: Story Telling In Philanthropy
First of a three-part series by Larry Warkoczeski As Peter crawled into the dark, dank cave, he breathed deeply. He felt like he was carrying a ton of bricks on his shoulders. In fact, he was anticipating another failure, finding no hidden treasures to help better define the past. He knew he was perceived as [...]
Earning Our Donors’ Trust and Support
Two recent reaffirming studies remind us that the confidence and support of donors is ours to earn and keep. Solid development programs – those practicing good communication, effective engagement and solicitation, and sound stewardship – are enjoying success and results. Honestly, the findings of the Charity Dynamics/NTEN Nonprofit Donor Engagement Benchmark Study, and Blackbaud’s Donor [...]
Planning To Plan
Some of us – who shall remain nameless – are old enough to recall a time in healthcare when it was customary to maintain a ten-year campus master plan. The three-year strategic plan remains valuable and appropriate for most organizations. Annual budgeting is a planning process which enables us to set goals, allocate resources, and [...]
Transformational Governance
Far beyond simple nominating, a robust governance process is the toolbox for a stronger, higher-performing nonprofit, and a catalyst for transformation. Yesterday’s nominating committees filled vacant seats around the boardroom table. Tomorrow’s governance committee molds organizational structure, ensures succession planning, delivers valuable orientation, conducts regular evaluation, and sets expectations. By setting and articulating expectations, while [...]
Collaborating With Your CEO
Forging a collaborative working relationship with your institution’s Chief Executive Officer is a critical component in making yours a high-performing development program. Your CEO is uniquely positioned to help recruit and engage top community leadership to your board and committees, frame projects and objectives, demonstrate need, and represent the institution. Your CEO is the acknowledged [...]
Move The Middle
It’s a concept familiar to those in sales, reminding them to focus on the middle of the client-base, where lies the most potential for future and increased business. It is also, I contend, a notion that translates well to not-for-profit organizations – both in governance and development. The first, and I suspect most obvious application, [...]
It Takes A Community
“They call them ‘community’ benefits for a reason.” That’s Georgia Hospital Association (GHA) Vice President of Community Health, Joyce Reid, in last month’s Georgia Trend Magazine. A great piece by Jerry Grillo examines the billion dollars’ worth of free care Georgia’s not-for-profit hospitals deliver every year. GHA’s 2011 Community Benefits Report itemizes $983 million annually [...]
Happy National Volunteer Week!
We would like to take this opportunity to thank the many dedicated volunteers so generously giving of their time, talent, and treasure our the nation’s not-for-profit organizations. While I respectfully submit that it is impossible to place a value on this priceless gift of time, it is nonetheless interesting and impressive to try. Independent Sector [...]
