Nonprofit AF (Page 44)

nonprofit field

10 rules for dating in the nonprofit sector

Dozens of people have asked me to address dating within the nonprofit sector, and by dozens of people, I mean one drunk single person at a fundraising gala. This is not a topic that we talk much about, but it is important, because of self-care and blah blah, so

Board Relations

"Raise Fees 50%" and other nonprofit scary stories for Halloween

Hi everyone, Halloween is coming up this week. It's one of my favorite holidays, along with Wombat Day, which is October 22nd (mark that on your calendar), so thank you to readers who sent in an entry to NWB's Second Annual Scary Nonprofit Story contest. I

Fundraising

Waiting for the dough: How fear and other existential forces affect the nonprofit sector

Hi everyone, the Seahawks lost again, so I chugged two bottles of Ace blackberry pear cider (I don't really follow football; I just needed a reason to chug some pear cider). Being tipsy makes me philosophical and rambly, so I am not sure how much sense this post

ED Life

Why most annual performance reviews suck and how we can make them better

I want to begin today’s post with a story that is truly terrifying. Don’t read this by yourself in the dark: “It was a dark autumn afternoon. Jose, a Program Director, walked into his ED’s office for his annual performance review. Jane’s skin looked pale and

Community Engagement

World Dance Party, what it is, and why our society needs more of it

Hi everyone, I am battling a cold right now. I just swallowed two whole cloves of garlic and a shot of fermented pickle brine and some bourbon. (What, like your natural cold remedy is sooo much better!) All that is to say I am feeling woozy and have no clue

Fundraising

Is your organization or foundation unknowingly setting Capacity Traps?

Happy Fall, everyone. Time for pumpkin spice in everything. And butternut squash, which I have never gained a liking for. It’s in or on all sorts of stuff: ravioli, pizza, bread, ice cream. I just don’t get butternut squash!Anyway, today’s topic. My organization, Rainier Valley Corps,

Cultural Competency

Why individual donations strategies often do not work for communities of color

Hi everyone, this week is my organization’s first annual fundraising reception, where we formally introduce our Fellows to the community. Doing special events, to be honest, freaks me out, and I have been banned by planning committees in the past from attending meetings. Sheesh, and all because I get

Capacity Building

Letter to RVC’s first cohort of nonprofit leaders of color

Hi everyone, RVC’s first ever cohort of ten leaders of color start their work today after spending most of last week in an intense orientation retreat designed to introduce them to the nonprofit sector: “And this, you may know, is hummus. It is present at 90% of nonprofit meetings

Community Engagement

We are all ducks: Othering and enlightened self-interest in the nonprofit sector

Hi everyone, this week my organization, Rainier Valley Corps (RVC), launches its first cohort of nonprofit leaders of color with a 4-day orientation retreat. The ten leaders in our first cohort are brilliant; they represent the future of our sector. I’ll discuss this project and the lessons we

Board Relations

"Green Eggs and Strategic Plans" and other nonprofit children's books

Hi everyone, I am happy to announce that my wife and I are expecting another baby, due in March. I know, you’d think we would have learned our lesson the first time. I am excited and, honestly, a little terrified. Having a newborn and a toddler at the same

Funder Relations

Funders, your grant application process may be perpetuating inequity

A few weeks ago, a fellow Executive Director of color and a friend of mine, “Maria,” was nearly in tears after failing for a second time to get a small grant. She doesn’t drink, or else I would have offered access to the personal minibar that I keep in