29
2013The Charitable-Industrial Complex
A Post from James V. Toscano In a provocative op-ed piece in Saturday’s New York Times. Peter Buffett, Warren Buffett’s son, takes on the present system of philanthropy with deep insight, passion and some outrage. Buffett focuses on the growing inequality in the society, with the consequent increase in philanthropy by the rich, and the corresponding rise in the number of nonprofits to help “solve” the problems created by the inequality. He points out: “As more lives and communities are destroyed by the system that creates vast amounts of wealth for the few, the more heroic it sounds to “give…
23
2013New Sources of Nonprofit Revenue
A post by James V. Toscano This post is dedicated in memory of Ron McKinley. For a few years now, these posts have been pointing out the need for new sources of nonprofit revenue. Now, in the Chronicle of Philanthropy, under the headline, “Social-Service Groups Won’t Survive Without New Sources of Revenue” Diane Aviv, the CEO of Independent Sector, and Antony Bugg-Levine, the head of the Nonprofit Finance Fund, agree. When national leaders make these kinds of announcements, it is clear that the sector is, indeed, undergoing seismic change. Read their words, “The financial base that underpins the social-service system…
12
2013
Nonprofit Resource Collaborative
A post by Dania Toscano Miwa We are very excited to join forces with other experienced experts in a new partnership called the Nonprofit Resource Collaborative. This consortium brings together experts whose skills include Human Resources, Nonprofit Law, Finance and Accounting, Process Improvement, Fundraising, Social Media, Marketing Strategy and more. The premise for the collaborative to is offer nonprofit organizations the specialized knowledge an organization needs, as they need it. We offer project based fees or retained services, highly adaptable for an organization’s specific needs. We will be holding a launch party Tuesday, July 16th and invite you to come…
02
2013And Now For Something Completely Different
A Post from James V. Toscano Bush at 60 The Bush Foundation is celebrating its 60th anniversary. Founded by Archibald Bush, a legendary 3M executive, and his wife in 1953, the Foundation has been a force in philanthropy over these years in important ways. Bush was an early leader in funding education and scholarships. A substantial portion of the $800 million given away in its first sixty years went to education in a variety of ways, from challenge grants to scholarships.
25
2013Ten Things to Look For in Prospective Board Members
A Post from Dania Toscano Miwa and James V. Toscano All of us need board members. With turnover, reluctance to serve and aging of that generation inured to board service, we are under constant pressure to recruit prospective members for nonprofit boards of directors. Where do we go? Who do we look for? What do we need? There are those mnemonics: 3W, 3G, 3T and 3M, to name just a few. Fun to recite, they are of very limited value in the actual selection process. Yes, wealth, wisdom and work (3W) nail it on one level, although point nowhere….
13
2013
Ten Steps Before Accepting a Nonprofit Board Position
A Post from James V. Toscano & Dania Toscano Miwa What a wonderful tribute and honor to be asked to serve on the board of Directors of a nonprofit organization. Being part of governance of a group providing benefit to society is a unique privilege. Nevertheless, boards have varying cultures, capacities and track records. Before acceptance, it may be wise to do some due diligence to ensure that you understand what you will be doing, what will be expected of you and how successful you will be. Here are ten things to do before accepting the invitation. 1. Read…
05
2013The First 100 Days: Ten Things a New ED Should Do
A post from James V. Toscano Whether one’s first ED position or one’s Nth time around, there are some universally important, critical things to do in the first 100 days on the job, but often are not done, for a variety of reasons, most of which aren’t valid. Sometimes those not done come to haunt the ED. Here are ten of the most vital. There are more. 1.Walk around and meet all of the staff. Arrange to meet with others not on site or away. Try to remember names and jobs; use mnemonics if they help. Continue these walks daily….
22
2013
Guest Post – To CGA or Not CGA, That is the Question
A posting by Bob Cohen, Tamar Fink Agency In the current and projected environment of rapidly improving healthcare, many nonprofits are viewing certain Charitable Gift Annuities as a liability rather than as an opportunity. The legal and contractual obligation pay a fixed rate / sum of money to a donor over his / her / their lifetime, has understandably made many organizations (and their boards), extremely nervous. In many cases, the very gifting technique that has been around for decades and has helped build many nonprofit organizations, is now threatening those same organizations based on a commitment made prior to…
15
2013The Effective Development Program; Ten Essentials for Success
A Post from James V. Toscano There are many factors spelling success for development programs at nonprofits. Development here means the larger, always increasing building of constituency, reinforcing brand, motivating volunteers, inspiring donors and increasing fundraising totals. Ten of these factors appear essential, are measurable and, thus, may be continuously improved. Here are the ten: 1. The essential agreement among Board members, executive directors and development directors on their respective roles in the development process. While this may vary from organization to organization, the elements of Board participation, executive director leadership and development director management of the process must all…
29
2013Ten Requisites to Retain Development Directors
A Post from James V. Toscano Since the release of the Underdeveloped Study, much has been written here and elsewhere about the state of development and fundraising offices and people in nonprofit organizations. We have been somewhat shocked by what we read in the report on short tenures, distrust, misunderstanding, and intentions to terminate and to leave. All in all, the report gives a picture of a disaster happening before our eyes. We know there are many places where this is not happening, yet we also know a number of nonprofits where elements of this picture are present, some in…