Last week, NorthSky hosted an excellent "Break for Lunch" session on leadership, led by Barbara Jordan Ellis, of the Center for Coaching & Leadership Development. Barbara spoke with us about the various components of leadership and how to assess our leadership style. As Debbie McKeon and I considered our own leadership styles, we were struck by the accuracy of her tools in "nailing" us and how our two styles are different yet complement one another. We agreed that we’re "a small but mighty team" – but how different would it be if we didn’t complement each other so well? The potential for conflict between two strong personalities is fairly high without an acceptance of one’s weaknesses. Barbara referred to this as emotional intelligence and it is the essential ingredient for effective leadership- that ability to recognize one’s strengths and weaknesses and leverage them in working with others.
I’ve already begun applying what Barbara taught us and I’m eager to learn more. The good news is that she’ll be back on Feb 25 for another "Break for Lunch" session and then back on March 26 for a full day on developing your leadership style and skill. I encourage you to join us.
Some other interesting resources I found include an article on "Adaptive Leadership" by Charles Albano. He speaks about the concept of adapting leadership to adjust to specific needs and circumstances. His article lists specific characteristics and examples of how these characteristics come into play. Barbara Ellis refers to this as “situational leadership” and will go into more detail on this topic at our February 25 workshop.
Join this discussion by posting your experiences on our blog.
Enjoy the week,
Pam Evans
NorthSky Program Manager
Friday, February 6, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Are you up to speed on your legal filing requirements?
It is tax season again. It is that time of year when we are all gathering our requisite paperwork, carting it off to “our people” (if we’re fortunate enough to have them) or getting by with our desktop calculators at our kitchen tables. I don’t know about you, but I always get a little nervous this time of year. I make more lists. I ask more questions. And even as I loosen the grip on my return that final time and turn it over to the custody of the U.S. mail (yes, I am still a paper filer), I am asking myself that nagging question, “did I forget something?”
And this is just my personal filing! To those of you responsible for fulfilling your organization’s filing requirements – you have my deepest admiration and sympathy. As we all know, the legal paperwork burden for the average nonprofit does not end after its organizing documents and 1023 are filed. Unfortunately, being tax exempt does not seem to exempt us from any IRS paperwork. And now even the smallest among us, nonprofits with gross receipts less than $25,000, are required to annually file an e-postcard (990-N) with the IRS. The good news is, it is very short, nothing at all like the newly revised IRS 990 form that most of us will be filing this year. And then there is UBIT, employment taxes, and non cash contributions, and quid pro quo to account for. My palms are getting sweaty.
The State of Michigan also requires documents from us. There is the Annual Corporation Update due each October. Did you also know that all charities in Michigan that intend on soliciting or receiving donations from the public are required to submit an Initial Charitable Trust/Charitable Solicitation Questionnaire to the State Attorney General? If they determine that you are a Charitable Trust (usually organizations that get $8,000 or more per year from public contributions), you are also required to submit a Charitable Trust Application and an Annual Financial Report.
To make sure we’re not forgetting any of these important filing requirements, NorthSky is hosting a workshop, Break for Lunch: Legal Filing Requirements for Nonprofit Organizations. Thursday, February 5, 2009, 12:00 noon – 1:30 pm, NMC University Center, Room 5. For more information or to register, go to NorthSky’s website at, http://www.northskynonprofitnetwork.org/workshops020509.shtm.
Join this discussion by posting your experiences on our blog.
Enjoy the week,
Freya Bradford
NorthSky Research and Project Manager
And this is just my personal filing! To those of you responsible for fulfilling your organization’s filing requirements – you have my deepest admiration and sympathy. As we all know, the legal paperwork burden for the average nonprofit does not end after its organizing documents and 1023 are filed. Unfortunately, being tax exempt does not seem to exempt us from any IRS paperwork. And now even the smallest among us, nonprofits with gross receipts less than $25,000, are required to annually file an e-postcard (990-N) with the IRS. The good news is, it is very short, nothing at all like the newly revised IRS 990 form that most of us will be filing this year. And then there is UBIT, employment taxes, and non cash contributions, and quid pro quo to account for. My palms are getting sweaty.
The State of Michigan also requires documents from us. There is the Annual Corporation Update due each October. Did you also know that all charities in Michigan that intend on soliciting or receiving donations from the public are required to submit an Initial Charitable Trust/Charitable Solicitation Questionnaire to the State Attorney General? If they determine that you are a Charitable Trust (usually organizations that get $8,000 or more per year from public contributions), you are also required to submit a Charitable Trust Application and an Annual Financial Report.
To make sure we’re not forgetting any of these important filing requirements, NorthSky is hosting a workshop, Break for Lunch: Legal Filing Requirements for Nonprofit Organizations. Thursday, February 5, 2009, 12:00 noon – 1:30 pm, NMC University Center, Room 5. For more information or to register, go to NorthSky’s website at, http://www.northskynonprofitnetwork.org/workshops020509.shtm.
Join this discussion by posting your experiences on our blog.
Enjoy the week,
Freya Bradford
NorthSky Research and Project Manager
Friday, January 23, 2009
What Makes A Strong Leader?
As the world focuses on a transition in U.S. leadership; it’s natural to consider the concept of leadership. What makes a strong leader? We certainly know that it’s more than the “right” education or graduating from a specialized training program. Many successful leaders don’t have prestigious academic credentials but use practical education and “street smarts” to foster change and influence behavior. Strong leaders exhibit an interesting mix of personality, communication skills, focus, drive, experience, and instincts. Somehow all these characteristics meld together when a specific opportunity or need arises. It can emerge in the most unexpected people in the most challenging of circumstances.
We hear all kinds of dire predictions about nonprofit leadership needs and the huge void that can’t be met with the current pool of talent. We hear grim forecasts about shrinking funding and intensifying competition for staff, board members, and volunteers. Our nonprofit leaders need every advantage to face the challenges and demands being placed on them. Growing a team of critical and innovative thinkers that bring a spirit of social entrepreneurship to the sector is essential.
Author Jim Collins (“From Good to Great”) points out that “we can find pockets of greatness in nearly every difficult environment—whether it be the airline industry, education, healthcare, social ventures, or government-funded agencies. Every institution has its unique set of irrational and difficult constraints, yet some make a leap while others facing the same environmental challenges do not. This is perhaps the single most important point in all of Good to Great. Greatness is not a function of circumstance. Greatness, it turns out, is largely a matter of conscious choice, and discipline.”
So how do we promote nonprofit greatness in our region? This winter, NorthSky is introducing a series of workshops focused on leadership. Beginning with our January 29 “What Makes Great Leaders- Break for Lunch session,” Barbara Jordan Ellis, owner of Center for Coaching & Leadership Development, will guide us through three sessions focused on building your leadership skills. Don’t miss these. It’s a wonderful opportunity to assess and build your own leadership skills.
Plenty of other resources are out there to help you on your leadership journey. Excellent reading materials include Jim Collins, “From Good to Great and the Social Sectors” and “Principle-Centered Leadership” by Stephen R. Covey.
An interesting website to visit to learn more about nonprofit careers and leadership is Commongood Careers at www.cgcareers.org. They have several good articles on the posted there including a white paper on developing a nonprofit workforce for the future. at: http://www.cgcareers.org/knowledgecenter/article/the_talent_and_diverse_leadership_we_need_developing_the_nonprofit_workforc/
Join this discussion by posting your experiences on our blog.
Enjoy the week,
Pam Evans
NorthSky Program Manager
We hear all kinds of dire predictions about nonprofit leadership needs and the huge void that can’t be met with the current pool of talent. We hear grim forecasts about shrinking funding and intensifying competition for staff, board members, and volunteers. Our nonprofit leaders need every advantage to face the challenges and demands being placed on them. Growing a team of critical and innovative thinkers that bring a spirit of social entrepreneurship to the sector is essential.
Author Jim Collins (“From Good to Great”) points out that “we can find pockets of greatness in nearly every difficult environment—whether it be the airline industry, education, healthcare, social ventures, or government-funded agencies. Every institution has its unique set of irrational and difficult constraints, yet some make a leap while others facing the same environmental challenges do not. This is perhaps the single most important point in all of Good to Great. Greatness is not a function of circumstance. Greatness, it turns out, is largely a matter of conscious choice, and discipline.”
So how do we promote nonprofit greatness in our region? This winter, NorthSky is introducing a series of workshops focused on leadership. Beginning with our January 29 “What Makes Great Leaders- Break for Lunch session,” Barbara Jordan Ellis, owner of Center for Coaching & Leadership Development, will guide us through three sessions focused on building your leadership skills. Don’t miss these. It’s a wonderful opportunity to assess and build your own leadership skills.
Plenty of other resources are out there to help you on your leadership journey. Excellent reading materials include Jim Collins, “From Good to Great and the Social Sectors” and “Principle-Centered Leadership” by Stephen R. Covey.
An interesting website to visit to learn more about nonprofit careers and leadership is Commongood Careers at www.cgcareers.org. They have several good articles on the posted there including a white paper on developing a nonprofit workforce for the future. at: http://www.cgcareers.org/knowledgecenter/article/the_talent_and_diverse_leadership_we_need_developing_the_nonprofit_workforc/
Join this discussion by posting your experiences on our blog.
Enjoy the week,
Pam Evans
NorthSky Program Manager
Friday, January 16, 2009
Times are Uncertain but it is Important to Keep Applying for Grants!
With the inescapable reality of the steep economic downturn, government bailouts, and dwindling endowments, many of us in the nonprofit community may be left afraid to even ask, “Is there anything left for us?” For many nonprofits, the demand for services is increasing and donations are decreasing. Yet, we may be wondering if it is wise to continue to invest scarce resources into applying for increasingly competitive foundation, state or federal grant dollars.
The changes in grant making in 2009 are more difficult to predict than you might think. Some grant makers report planning to increase their funding in ’09 to help nonprofits weather the economic storm, some are decreasing their giving in response to their own shrinking resources, and regardless of funding levels, many plan to shift their funding priorities and to make their funding decisions more strategic.
The only universal truth may be that the competition for grant dollars is getting fiercer.
But is that any reason to take your organization out of the game? I don’t think so – we need to keep asking. The old adage, “you can’t win if you don’t play” certainly applies to securing grant dollars as well.
I think we need to keep writing and to write smarter.
Now more than ever, it is important that funders get to know our organizations and our needs well. I think we should keep calling program officers and keep our applications on their desks. Even if they can’t contribute any funds now, they will be learning about our organizations and we’ll be beginning a relationship that could become fruitful in the future.
Grant seeking and grant writing are also skills that we shouldn’t let atrophy. Lingo changes, foundation’s priorities and scope change, federal and state programs begin and end. We also want to keep our own organizational profiles, needs statements and statistics up-to-date and ready for the next opportunity.
Foundations are narrowing the scope of what they will fund and changing their priorities. We need to respond by being more strategic about where we apply and make sure that our needs fit well within their priorities.
We should also be smarter about what we ask for. Projects with proven, quantifiable outcomes will be much more attractive to funders who are looking to have the greatest impact with limited resources. We should also look for ways to make grant dollars work harder for us. For example, we could use grant dollars to leverage other funding. Or we could propose a capacity-building project that will increase our organization’s ability to create a more stable funding base, such as, creating a fund development plan or cultivating a donor base.
While these are uncertain times for nonprofits, we should know that funders are not going to abandon us. They will work with us to make the biggest possible impact. For more information about writing smarter grants, don’t miss the “Getting Good at Grants” workshop on Tuesday, April 28, 2009. Go to NorthSky’s website for more details, http://www.northskynonprofitnetwork.org/workshops042809.shtm
Enjoy the week,
Freya Bradford, MSW
NorthSky Research and Project Manager
Join this discussion by posting your thoughts on our blog.
The changes in grant making in 2009 are more difficult to predict than you might think. Some grant makers report planning to increase their funding in ’09 to help nonprofits weather the economic storm, some are decreasing their giving in response to their own shrinking resources, and regardless of funding levels, many plan to shift their funding priorities and to make their funding decisions more strategic.
The only universal truth may be that the competition for grant dollars is getting fiercer.
But is that any reason to take your organization out of the game? I don’t think so – we need to keep asking. The old adage, “you can’t win if you don’t play” certainly applies to securing grant dollars as well.
I think we need to keep writing and to write smarter.
Now more than ever, it is important that funders get to know our organizations and our needs well. I think we should keep calling program officers and keep our applications on their desks. Even if they can’t contribute any funds now, they will be learning about our organizations and we’ll be beginning a relationship that could become fruitful in the future.
Grant seeking and grant writing are also skills that we shouldn’t let atrophy. Lingo changes, foundation’s priorities and scope change, federal and state programs begin and end. We also want to keep our own organizational profiles, needs statements and statistics up-to-date and ready for the next opportunity.
Foundations are narrowing the scope of what they will fund and changing their priorities. We need to respond by being more strategic about where we apply and make sure that our needs fit well within their priorities.
We should also be smarter about what we ask for. Projects with proven, quantifiable outcomes will be much more attractive to funders who are looking to have the greatest impact with limited resources. We should also look for ways to make grant dollars work harder for us. For example, we could use grant dollars to leverage other funding. Or we could propose a capacity-building project that will increase our organization’s ability to create a more stable funding base, such as, creating a fund development plan or cultivating a donor base.
While these are uncertain times for nonprofits, we should know that funders are not going to abandon us. They will work with us to make the biggest possible impact. For more information about writing smarter grants, don’t miss the “Getting Good at Grants” workshop on Tuesday, April 28, 2009. Go to NorthSky’s website for more details, http://www.northskynonprofitnetwork.org/workshops042809.shtm
Enjoy the week,
Freya Bradford, MSW
NorthSky Research and Project Manager
Join this discussion by posting your thoughts on our blog.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Become a Publicist for Your Nonprofit!
I must be watching too much TV lately but I’ve been intrigued by the publicists that so skillfully craft an image for a celebrity or politician and positively influence public opinion. It’s got me thinking about how great it would be if every nonprofit had its own publicist!
We’re all busy right now pursuing donors, searching for volunteers or recruiting new board members for our nonprofit organizations. Again and again, we hear that it is essential that we get the case for support for our nonprofit out to the community in order to get people involved with our work. But exactly, how do we do that in a cost effective and efficient manner? Good news-- tools do exist to help us!
Great publicists are great storytellers. They use stories to communicate an image and identity, and to influence public opinion and behavior. Nonprofits can take a lesson by sharing their own stories. Success stories that illustrate our work capture the attention of the reader and have a more lasting impact. Use of testimonials help document our community benefit and reinforce a positive image and identity. The more positive visibility we obtain, the more success we’ll derive from fundraising and volunteer recruitment strategies.
So, the first step is to begin collecting those stories and testimonials. Obtain written client permission to share clients’ experiences and use quotes. Weave these stories into your solicitation letters, brochures, website, and other communication vehicles.
And then, get these stories out to the media. A wonderful news release toolkit is available through Knight Communications and is in the NorthSky Resource Center. The toolkit walks you through the process of creating a news release and provides some practical tips.
Take advantage of a free webinar at TechSoup on Social Media and Storytelling and learn more about how you can become a great publicist for your nonprofit.
Share your experience and suggestions by joining our discussion…
We’re all busy right now pursuing donors, searching for volunteers or recruiting new board members for our nonprofit organizations. Again and again, we hear that it is essential that we get the case for support for our nonprofit out to the community in order to get people involved with our work. But exactly, how do we do that in a cost effective and efficient manner? Good news-- tools do exist to help us!
Great publicists are great storytellers. They use stories to communicate an image and identity, and to influence public opinion and behavior. Nonprofits can take a lesson by sharing their own stories. Success stories that illustrate our work capture the attention of the reader and have a more lasting impact. Use of testimonials help document our community benefit and reinforce a positive image and identity. The more positive visibility we obtain, the more success we’ll derive from fundraising and volunteer recruitment strategies.
So, the first step is to begin collecting those stories and testimonials. Obtain written client permission to share clients’ experiences and use quotes. Weave these stories into your solicitation letters, brochures, website, and other communication vehicles.
And then, get these stories out to the media. A wonderful news release toolkit is available through Knight Communications and is in the NorthSky Resource Center. The toolkit walks you through the process of creating a news release and provides some practical tips.
Take advantage of a free webinar at TechSoup on Social Media and Storytelling and learn more about how you can become a great publicist for your nonprofit.
Share your experience and suggestions by joining our discussion…
Friday, December 12, 2008
Nonprofit Organizations Need Strong Board Members More Than Ever Before!
In many ways, it’s been a typical week at NorthSky. As usual, we’ve been busy working with many of you, meeting with you at our office or with you and your board members onsite, conducting training programs, and discussing a range of issues and challenges. So, what’s been different? Unfortunately, lately we’re hearing more and more about your struggles to recruit and retain board members. It’s a common theme in our discussions and worrisome since more than ever before nonprofit organizations need strong and committed board members who are on the job and thoroughly engaged in the work.
Nonprofits face intensifying challenges right now including growing client needs, shrinking funding, and increased compliance requirements. We desperately need critical thinkers, business talent, and passionate problem solvers, to augment mighty, but small professional staff.
If you currently serve on a nonprofit board, you’re needed more than ever. Please recommit your time and energy and gear up to support your nonprofit during this turbulent time.
If you’re not on a nonprofit board, please consider joining one. It’s one of the most important things you can do to help our community and those served by nonprofits. We may feel helpless to change the stock market or job outlook but we can aggressively stand together to protect and serve our constituents.
Some tips for seeking out a board assignment.
Join this discussion by posting your experiences on our blog.
Enjoy the week,
Pam Evans
NorthSky Program Manager
Nonprofits face intensifying challenges right now including growing client needs, shrinking funding, and increased compliance requirements. We desperately need critical thinkers, business talent, and passionate problem solvers, to augment mighty, but small professional staff.
If you currently serve on a nonprofit board, you’re needed more than ever. Please recommit your time and energy and gear up to support your nonprofit during this turbulent time.
If you’re not on a nonprofit board, please consider joining one. It’s one of the most important things you can do to help our community and those served by nonprofits. We may feel helpless to change the stock market or job outlook but we can aggressively stand together to protect and serve our constituents.
Some tips for seeking out a board assignment.
- Identify an organization that captures your personal interest and where you share a passion for the work. As a board member, you serve as an ambassador for the organization and it’s important that you are excited and energized by the mission.
- Ask for a board member role description and be clear about the professional skills, time, and financial commitment that is being asked of you.
- Review other documents including the organization’s strategic plan, board policies, and promotional materials. Attend a program or fundraising event to learn more.
- Ask to attend a board or committee meeting and observe the group dynamics. Make certain that you will have a voice and the ability to provide governance and oversight for the organization.
- Attend a NorthSky training program on “Best Practice Governance” and learn the legal role and fiduciary responsibilities of board members. Our next session is on January 20, 2009. You can register at our website. Get educated to do the work that is needed.
Join this discussion by posting your experiences on our blog.
Enjoy the week,
Pam Evans
NorthSky Program Manager
Friday, December 5, 2008
Pondering strategic planning…
We’re hearing a lot about strategic plans these days. The NorthSky team frequently fields inquiries about planning. Do we create a strategic plan now? Do we wait? How do we involve the Board? How many times do we meet? Do we use a consultant? Many nonprofits are skeptical about long-range planning…they’ve been through the exercise of conducting a S.W.O.T. analysis and rewriting mission and vision statements too many times, I guess. They wonder about the value; the time spent, consulting dollars, and how that work really ties to actionable strategies and results. Sometimes we wonder about that, too. Both Debbie McKeon and I have had the experience of meeting with a nonprofit team and watching while they scurry around, digging out, and dusting off an old strategic plan that looks like it hasn’t been cracked open since its final draft. What a waste…
We also see the negative impact of not having a strategic plan. No plan can result in a lack of shared vision between Board and staff members, disjointed action items, unclear accountability, and team apathy. It can be difficult to prioritize and focus your work. It’s hard to chart progress. So, we strongly encourage every nonprofit organization to have a strategic plan. However it must be the right one: practical and customized to your organization’s circumstances and needs.
Some suggestions for creation of a solid and actionable strategic plan:
1. The board and staff must be involved but use their time well. Schedule 2-3 planning sessions with them and complete the rest of the work outside those meetings using a small work team. The work team can prepare documents and discussion items. The work team can also flesh out action items after the larger group outlines key goals and strategies.
2. If possible, make planning sessions fun. After all, you don’t have that many opportunities to meet together and dream about the future and what you’d like to create as a team. Include food, acknowledgements of success, and meet in a unique setting, if possible.
3. The board and staff must be involved in affirming and revising the mission and in the development of a shared strategic vision. The specifics of writing and re-drafting of mission and vision statements should occur outside of the larger planning sessions. Focus the large group on the content and overall direction and have them approve the final versions.
4. Consultants can be helpful in keeping the process moving along, facilitating tough discussions, and completing some of the work. If you elect to use a consultant, ask to see samples of their work, and request a "Scope of Work" which outlines all the deliverables for the project, fees, and other agreements.
5. Review objective performance data as part of the planning process. Conduct an organizational capacity assessment, if pertinent, and review financial, program, and other operational performance data. This helps to identify problems with your business model and strategies for addressing them.
6. Use a good planning template. There are many out there. The approach we are using at NorthSky is "LaPiana Real-Time Strategic Planning". We’ve found this to be an expedient process grounded in excellent business principles.
7. Learn from your colleagues. Ask others about their strategic plans and what went well for them. Avoid their pitfalls.
8. Implement the final plan. Tie every strategy and action item to a board committee, staff member, or other work team. Build in accountability, timelines, and provide routine updates at board and staff meetings.
9. Get comfortable with revising and updating strategies along the way. After all, things do change. Be practical and make adjustments, as needed.
We also see the negative impact of not having a strategic plan. No plan can result in a lack of shared vision between Board and staff members, disjointed action items, unclear accountability, and team apathy. It can be difficult to prioritize and focus your work. It’s hard to chart progress. So, we strongly encourage every nonprofit organization to have a strategic plan. However it must be the right one: practical and customized to your organization’s circumstances and needs.
Some suggestions for creation of a solid and actionable strategic plan:
1. The board and staff must be involved but use their time well. Schedule 2-3 planning sessions with them and complete the rest of the work outside those meetings using a small work team. The work team can prepare documents and discussion items. The work team can also flesh out action items after the larger group outlines key goals and strategies.
2. If possible, make planning sessions fun. After all, you don’t have that many opportunities to meet together and dream about the future and what you’d like to create as a team. Include food, acknowledgements of success, and meet in a unique setting, if possible.
3. The board and staff must be involved in affirming and revising the mission and in the development of a shared strategic vision. The specifics of writing and re-drafting of mission and vision statements should occur outside of the larger planning sessions. Focus the large group on the content and overall direction and have them approve the final versions.
4. Consultants can be helpful in keeping the process moving along, facilitating tough discussions, and completing some of the work. If you elect to use a consultant, ask to see samples of their work, and request a "Scope of Work" which outlines all the deliverables for the project, fees, and other agreements.
5. Review objective performance data as part of the planning process. Conduct an organizational capacity assessment, if pertinent, and review financial, program, and other operational performance data. This helps to identify problems with your business model and strategies for addressing them.
6. Use a good planning template. There are many out there. The approach we are using at NorthSky is "LaPiana Real-Time Strategic Planning". We’ve found this to be an expedient process grounded in excellent business principles.
7. Learn from your colleagues. Ask others about their strategic plans and what went well for them. Avoid their pitfalls.
8. Implement the final plan. Tie every strategy and action item to a board committee, staff member, or other work team. Build in accountability, timelines, and provide routine updates at board and staff meetings.
9. Get comfortable with revising and updating strategies along the way. After all, things do change. Be practical and make adjustments, as needed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
