Lindsay E. Mueller, ACC

I hear again and again from boards and non-profit staff that they need to pursue more grants. Our eyes can get like big dollar signs when we think of significant grants that could help fund our organization's impact. But how do we best prepare ourselves to go after more grant dollars? Grant professionals can help. Check out this sage advice from my DBD Group colleague Katrina Tamminga Crook, MNM. “Just apply for this grant and you’ll get the money!” "If you are a development leader, you’ve most certainly heard this from a colleague or board member. However, seasoned development leaders know these words are not as simple as they sound. The process of obtaining grants can be complex, time consuming, and highly competitive. This is where an important member of the development team comes into play--the grant professional." Kee reading on the DBD blog: https://lnkd.in/e-g4UEdB #leadership #nonprofitleadership #executivecoaching #leadershipdevelopment #leadershipdevelopmentcoaching #organizationalculture #organizationaldevelopment

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Whilst its hard to see that any progress has been made, to the contrary - it looks like 0 progress made and everything got worse, with recent years breaking through the 1.5C targets. We mustn't give up hope that the many initiatives that have been kicked off as a result of these agreements, have prevented worse things from happening... too optimistic? maybe But working in the sustainability and SDG space has never been more exciting, with many people sharing that a just transition to a more sustainable, de-growth and circular economy is, ...possible. The questions is how fast, to prevent worse things from happening (Climate Catastrophy, Ecological Collapse, ...the list is getting longer). Currently the ANNUAL financing gap to the 2030 SDGs is (according to UN estimates), around $4 trillion. This is the same as Germany's or Japan's Gross Domestic Product. This is a staggering number and concept that the money missing to achieve the SDGs is the same as the monetary value of ALL finished goods and services made in Germany or Japan on an annual basis. And yet, the world economy is worth around $100 Trillion, so $4 trillion = 4%. That ...almost...sounds doable? too optimistic? maybe When it comes to asset managers, total discretionary assets under management (AUM) of the 500 biggest managers amounted to USD 113.7 trillion at the end of 2022, down by 13.7% from the end of 2021. The largest, BlackRock, manages $10 trillion and the next biggest 2, Vanguard ($9 trillion) and Fidelity ($4 trillion). Surely, investing into solutions on a planet that is actually liveable with resources being consumed at a sustainable pace is what its at? Otherwise, what will be managed in 20 or 30 years?

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Storytelling is a key relationship-building tool for nonprofit leaders. Discover Orr Group's recommendations for implementing a successful approach to storytelling with your board to create a shared narrative for the future - especially during times of change where maintaining fundraising momentum is paramount.

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"In the realm of nonprofit organizations, mission is key. At Ohio Peer Recovery Organizations (OhioPRO), being mission-driven is about more than just programming and outcomes; it’s also about making sure that individuals with lived experience are included in decision-making processes." This month's guest columnist is Michael Krause from Ohio Peer Recovery Organizations (OhioPRO). Read his article, "The Power of Lived Experience in Nonprofit Decision-Making" by clicking the link below. Read now: https://lnkd.in/g46QzjvP #nonprofit #guestcolumn #heartandhardwork

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We're thrilled to announce the launch of our new digital download: "Nonprofit Capacity in a Nutshell - A Guidebook for Improving How You Do What You Do." 🌟 In 2024, understanding and enhancing your organization's capacity is more critical than ever. That's why we've condensed years of expertise and research into a two-volume set that's designed to be your ultimate guide to nonprofit excellence. This guidebook bridges the invaluable lessons from the Merit® Nonprofit Professional Development online learning platform with practical, actionable advice for real-world application. What's Inside? 28 Core Nonprofit Capacities: From fundraising to strategic planning to implementation to accountability, discover essential strategies to increase your effectiveness and impact. Real-World Insights & Actionable Advice: Learn from the experiences of successful nonprofit leaders plus a leadership psychologist, and immediately implement proven techniques. Alignment with Impact Capacity Assessment Tool & Korn Ferry Leadership Architect: Ensure your learning coordinates seamlessly with these powerful tools for organizational and personal development. Designed to benefit all nonprofit professionals—whether you're well-versed in the field or just beginning your journey—"Nonprofit Capacity in a Nutshell" offers an invaluable resource for anyone looking to make a meaningful impact. Volume 1: https://lnkd.in/eh3vmPP3 Volume 2: https://lnkd.in/e7-7DPWH... Now available for download, this guidebook is your first step towards unlocking the secrets to nonprofit excellence. Empower your organization, elevate your mission, and transform your approach to nonprofit work today. Dive in and discover how you can drive positive change within your organization and the community you serve. 🌍✨ #NonprofitExcellence #DigitalDownload #NonprofitCapacity #ProfessionalDevelopment #MakeADifference

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Why are TOO many nonprofit strategic plans ho-hum? And why do people dread redoing them? 1. They focus on tactics, not strategies. 2. They exclude the people who will execute them (staff, board, donors, funders, and other supporters). 3. They don't address the three critical areas: money, people, and mission/vision clarity. It's time to elevate your strategic planning and make it impactful! #boardeffectiveness,#boardofdirectors, #governance, #nonprofitboards, #effectivemeetings, #strategicplanning, #boardengagement, #boardmeeting

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"The role of the funder in strategy implementation is not to be prescriptive about specific solutions, but rather to be a partner and a deep listener with grantees and community partners on what is most needed and when." "Systems change funders understand that those closest to the problem have the deepest knowledge of solutions, and frequently focus on building community power." "Funders can be helpful connectors and bring together different actors who hold different parts of the solution, and to provide resources quickly where they are most needed." A new article from FSG outlines the benefits of adopting a "community-driven", ecosystem approach to philanthropy. https://lnkd.in/dDTEQMwb

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Stop 'talking the talk' and start 'walking the walk' ❗ This report is full of actionable insights on how funders can put systems thinking to better use when it comes to philanthropy 👏 No one can change a system or make long term-changes alone! So it's brilliant to see this forward-thinking approach of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors and their continued effort in getting funders to increase their impact through collaborating 🤝 Read more ⤵️ #philanthropy #grantmaking #charities #systemschange #report #impact

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We invite funders to get curious and challenge the notion that there is an either/or approach to strategy, impact, and trust-based philanthropy. In reality, as noted by the Center for Effective Philanthropy "it is a false dichotomy to pit ceding control against measuring impact. Thoughtful donors, whether individuals or grantmakers understand that taking a trust-based approach doesn’t need to mean they don’t carefully vet and select nonprofits to support — or that they’re not data-driven in their work. They reject both false binaries and the absolutism of the moment." Continue reading this thought-provoking piece from Phil Buchanan below.

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What grant writers think is holding them back: We don't have connections What is really holding them back: We need to identify the perfect fit funder profile for our organization We need a great program that will excite funders We need great messaging We need great results and impact numbers We need a solid system in place to follow up with funders who don't reply to our emails We need to have conversations with funders that build our relationship rather than us just trying to pitch We need to write each proposal so it speaks to the specific funder We need to write a project budget that will get our expenses covered We need to know how to convert our existing funders into multi-year, unrestricted funders 🚀 #grantwriting #fundraising #nonprofitfundraising

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Explore this handy resource from the field! The Winston-Salem Foundation's "Advancing Trust-Based Philanthropy through Emergent Learning" describes how emergent learning tools and frameworks bolster the relationship-building and transparency so critical to #trustbasedphilanthropy. Using emergent learning tools in conversations with the Foundation’s grantees helped the Foundation live out many trust-based practices: they did their own homework, streamlined paperwork, mitigated power imbalances among stakeholders, and centered their relationships with nonprofits and local partners 👏. Download the resource below and join the conversation by letting us know how your institution is shifting relationships with grantees.

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Are you a donor? Grantmaker?  Do you have 10 minutes? Help our colleagues at 21/64 and the National Network of Consultants to Grantmakers (NNCG) gain valuable insights on how you engage philanthropy consultants or advisors to advance your giving. Click here to start the survey >> https://lnkd.in/ejBbSgt7

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Are you a donor? Grantmaker? Do you have 10 minutes? Help our colleagues at 21/64 and the National Network of Consultants to Grantmakers (NNCG) gain valuable insights on how you engage #philanthropy consultants or advisors to advance your giving. Click here to start the survey >> https://lnkd.in/gu_e_PEY

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Check out my new article in AFP's Advancing Philanthropy! The article provides some great tips and tricks on how to motivate your fundraisers when working in small shop nonprofits. If you're looking for ways to inspire your team and help your organization achieve its goals, this article is a must-read. Don't miss out on this valuable resource!

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Donor Qualification: Try Flipping the Tables What if we straight out asked for meetings with prospective donors to learn what would take for our organization to qualify for their philanthropic consideration and, if qualified, what process they would expect to follow before making a commitment? Sometimes our tap dancing around the issue of why we want to meet works against us. Us: "I'd just like to meet and get to know you" or "We'd like to explore some ways of getting you involved in our organization." In the mind of the prospect: "But you're a fundraiser, so it's apparent why." We want to establish our credibility from the very beginning while showing we won't engage in an ambush ask or jam anywhere along the way. We want to show that we are facilitators but they are in charge of the process. We will always preview the purpose of each meeting requested and at the end of that meeting, ask permission explore the next step in that process. The clearer we are in our intent, the more we allay concern and build credibility. The tone of the questions we put to prospective donors, as with the suggestions below, is all important. These questions show that: We come to learn We understand that support has to be earned We are facilitators and negotiators not glib, glad-handing grabbers We should put these questions only to those have a record of giving elsewhere and if in that record we see a philanthropic interest that aligns with one of our organizational capabilities. Ideally, those that we put the questions to might have some other engagement or direct knowledge of our organization - as might be the case with the patron of an arts organization or someone who has attended one of our events. If such a meeting was granted, it would be wise to be prepared for openings such as questions about your organization's strategic emphases or competitive strengths but never come or work from a brochure. Never. Donors want to work with adaptive, resourceful facilitators not drones. Remember that anyone who agrees to meet with you will form the next most powerful impression of your organization by the way you conduct yourself. Yes, friendly and inquisitive are nice attributes but donors will be more impressed by seriousness of purpose and a your personal determination to make differences in the lives of those you serve. Those who rebuff the opportunity for such discussions do you the favor of telling you that they are not yet receptive to any fundraising appeal. That, in and of itself, is immensely helpful and allows you to reallocated your time and fundraising strategies accordingly.

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If We Truly Valued the Donors We Had Wouldn't we: Survey and/or interview them about what institutional attributes they find most important and impressive to ensure we hire fundraisers who embody them? Tell fundraisers their most important job is to perpetuate and deepen relationships with those assigned to their portfolios? Require fundraisers to demonstrate that they have studied donor profiles and developed engagement plans attuned to their donors' passions and sensitivities? Equip fundraisers with questions to ask so they can fill gaps in those donors' records to ensure they are managed well over time? Check in with those donors after a few months to make sure all is going well with their new development officer? Work with the development officer to learn what each donor does and does not want to receive knowing how many complain of being bombarded with information? Make sure any solicitation is well-thought-out and respectful as evidenced by the number of conversations preceding it and interest expressed by the donor in a particular initiative? Conduct annual stewardship interviews or surveys to make sure donors feel that their gifts have been well-stewarded and they feel respectfully treated, then compare results year over year to make sure gaps are not growing? Show fundraisers how they can help donors develop multiple connections to the organization? Yet, how often do we see fundraisers: Selected on the basis of bravado Pushed into the field with too little training and no review of their plans Expected to solicited after a set number of visits with no review as to whether what is being solicited aligns with donors' interests Not required to show evidence of relationship or affinity building Gone after two years so that donors not only experience giving fatigue but breaking-in-new-fundraiser fatigue So let's be honest. While many organizations have a stewardship office, few have anything that looks like an asset management plan or the awareness of how important one is. Despite what we give lip service to, is it not a fact that we care little about how positive an impression our fundraisers make or how well they treat their donors as long as they bring home some bacon? So here's the lesson that must penetrate or our thick organizational skulls: A stewardship office, no matter how good, cannot compensate for: Leadership attitudes that treat donors like cordwood Fundraisers who don't reflect values and ideals touted by the organization Fundraising imperatives that favor insensitive fundraisers or desensitize good ones Donors being made to feel like ATMs accessed by revolving fundraisers Inappropriate or inept solicitations Most organization leave much too much to chance. They need to build awareness around donors as invaluable organizational assets and, at minimum, hold themselves to ethic articulated in the Hippocratic Oath:  "I will do no harm or injustice to them."

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Connect. Engage. Inspire by telling stories that show impact. Just tell great stories. Ok…great. You are a busy, overworked, understaffed development department team member. Or maybe you're a team of one. And you know donors want to know they how their contributions are building better future. Here are a few ideas to help get you started. Paint great pictures for donors to know the value giving to your organization provides. 1. Engage your front line. You can't be everything, everywhere all at once. But you can show your nonprofit team that sharing engaging stories helps everyone…including them. When donors can see the changes your organization is making, they believe in your mission. Donors who believe in your mission become evangelists and tell others about your amazing organization. Don’t just tell your team you need stories. Give your team parameters - what kinds of stories do you want? Who is your ideal candidate? When they narrow down who they’re looking for – they can start helping. You're not adding something to their to-do list. You want them to connect you – and you can do the work from there. And they don’t have to be “perfect” stories. 2. Visit your programs Understanding what your program officers do each day is essential. Why not schedule some time to tag along and get a firsthand glimpse of the power of programs and their impact. At the very least, you can create a composite story from different experiences to really paint a picture for your donors of the work that happens in your organization every day. 3. Ask Great Questions Once you are introduced to clients or patients, make sure you record your interview. Have your questions ready – and let them answer fully. Don’t try to control the direction of your conversation. Actively listen. Think about what donors and supporters will want to know about the client and the organization – and help them tell that story. Would they have gone somewhere else for help? What does it mean to them to have support close to home? Where would they turn if your organization wasn’t here for them? 3. Be Ok with Letting Go Not everyone’s story is the right story to tell. And that’s ok. Think through where the stories will be shared. Sometimes a single quote from an interview can be a powerful visual. Some stories work better in print or social media posts. Some stories lend themselves to audio/podcasts. Some will shine on video. Think about what medium you’ll use to tell their story if you decide to use it. 4. Say thank you! Make sure every person who helps you receives a meaningful thank you. $5 gift cards to a local coffee shop or a small swag gift with your organization’s logo are a great way to show your gratitude to clients who share their stories and your team members who refer them. Has your storytelling evolved over your career? How do you connect your donors to the impact your organization is making? #nonprofit #storytelling #philanthropy #impact

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Many of us know that trust-based philanthropy goes deeper than the 6 grantmaking practices, but the 6 practices can still be a really helpful starting point when making the case. To get started download the two-pager for a snapshot of the practices and a clear rationale for why they're needed. 💡 https://bit.ly/3UXGBlT #trustbasedphilanthropy #reimaginephilanthropy

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There's an ongoing debate about implementing term limits for board members in nonprofit organizations. One concern is losing experienced board members with institutional knowledge and exacerbating board recruitment challenges. But, for every challenge, there's a potential solution! Check out this short video where I discuss strategies to address these challenges. Then, join us for the full episode to explore this topic and more! 👉 https://lnkd.in/gaJbqK4C #Nonprofit #TermLimits #BoardGovernance #seniorliving #jenniferdrago

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