Standing Out By Standing Together

With 323 nonprofits in Genesee County (2009 Urban Institute data), how can organizations stand out in the crowd?  We already know that leadership across the organization is important–have the right people on the bus, make sure everyone is sitting in the right seat, and,  make sure everyone knows where you are going.  But, what else?  Well it is really pretty simple–we cannot create real systemic change without working with others.  Collective Impact is the commitment of a group of important actors from different sectors to a common agenda for solving a specific social problem (as defined by John Kania and Mark Kramer–see article below).  This approach requires layout of considerable time and resource but toward a concrete end.  There are many examples of Collective Impact all over our community and across the state.  What role is your organization playing in making a collective difference in your sector?  Read the articles, think about your work and how you can be an organization highlighted in the next Bridgespan article about how your organization is moving the needle.  Need help facilitating a group of partners to work on a Collective Impact project then contact BEST for available resources.

Check out these articles

Needle-Moving Community Collaboratives:  http://www.bridgespan.org/needle-moving-community-collaboratives.aspx

Collective Impact:  http://www.ssireview.org/articles/entry/collective_impact

Team playing–is that leadership?

On Thursday, January 26 the BEST Project launched the first class of the BEST Leadership Institute (BLI) for individuals interested in leadership roles in the nonprofit sector.  There are currently 19 people in BLI.  The theme for the two-day Retreat was Team Playing.  Why is effective team playing important to leadership (in the nonprofit sector or any other sector for that matter)?  My thoughts…

Team playing is an accountability mechanism.  No man is an island, as they say; every decision that is made within an organization impacts individuals as well as the collective system.  The ability to consciously think about the impact of small and big decisions on everyone involved in the organization requires intentionality and a willingness to listen (to both what is being said and for what is not being said).  As a leader, this is not necessarily about making everyone happy but making sure everyone is heard.

Team playing is critical to effective partnerships.  In an environment where sectorwide and cross-sector (nonprofit, government, business) collaboration is essential to have lasting impact, means being able to play on another team within the agreed upon rules.  Partnerships often fail when one or more of the participants view themselves in isolation rather than as part of a collective “team” effort.

Team playing makes our work easier.  Yes, it can be that simple.  Working with a team that plays well together makes work easier because it creates an environment of mutual respect, accountability and support.

And, yes, team playing can mean having fun with your colleagues/peers/etc..  This can take many different forms from formal team building/experiential learning exercises to impromptu activities in the workplace.

Interested in assessing your Team Playing skills, check out the Leadership Effectiveness Analysis (LEA) at http://www.mrg.com/Products/LEA_360.asp.

To learn more about this topic, check out:

• Project Adventure – http://www.pa.org/
• Play – http://www.stuartbrownmd.com/
• What Role Does Business Communication Play in Your Day-to-Day Activities at Work?  -http://smallbusiness.chron.com/role-business-communication-play-day-to-day-activities-work-128.html
• The Serious Business of Play – http://sloanreview.mit.edu/the-magazine/2005-fall/47106/the-serious-business-of-play/
• Play, Creativity, And Lifelong Learning: Why Play Matters For Both Kids And Adults -http://helpguide.org/life/creative_play_fun_games.htm

Fundraising for Nonprofits

Fundraising can be a daunting activity for nonprofit professionals, board members, volunteers, etc.  But there are many ways for individuals to help a nonprofit raise money for their mission.  And this notion that it is like “begging” or asking for a handout is just another excuse any of us can use not to take action.

Nonprofits are legally structured in a way that makes raising individual contributions for the mission of the organization an expected part of the game.  Not to mention the fact that the largest percentage of money going to nonprofits around the country is coming from individuals.  If you are not asking individuals then you are not really a fundraising organization!

Why should individuals give to your organization?

• They or someone they care about is passionate about your mission and impact
• They or someone they care about has had a positive, first-hand experience with your organization
• They think the services provided by your organization are important for the overall health and well-being of the community

Why an individual might say no to your organization?

• They don’t know about your mission and impact–not a list of programs and services but IMPACT–how is your organization making the world a better place
• They did not have a positive, first-hand experience with your organization
• NO ONE HAS EVER ASKED!

Sit down and take stock of what you are doing to raise money from individuals–what is working and what is not?  Are the events you are planning and hosting positively contributing to your overall fundraising goals?

If you want to learn more about fundraising for your organization, you might also consider attending All Weather Fundraising presented by Kim Klein.  She will be in Flint on February 8 and in other Michigan locations that week.  To learn more go to:  http://bestprojectonline.org/eventdetail.asp?id=371

Public Policy Action Institute–How are we doing in the area of advocacy for our sector?

Thought leaders from throughout the country have gathered in Chicago to discuss the most pressing issues facing the nonprofit sector.  All agree on one thing, change is coming.  Some call it a tsunami others a perfect storm…….whatever you call it–it is going to be done to us as nonprofits rather than with us if we don’t get our acts together.  This is not just an observation but a fact.  Legislators are meeting now to consider multiple policy changes, tax code changes, etc. that could impact our sector for years to come.  This being said how come there are only 150 people at this event hosted by the Independent Sector–there are over 1.3 million nonprofits in this country.

What is the social compact of today?  How much can we truly afford to cut entitlement programs and services that aid our most vulnerable populations?  How can we advocate for our sector without looking like just another special interest group? What are we willing to give up?

How will we contend with the “duality of interest” in our field–board members who despite their dedication to the mission of the organization they serve must take a conflicting policy stance because of their employer or other self interests?

Follow the conversation on the Independent Sector page or via Twitter #ISPPAI or #ISconf.

Do you follow policies that impact your organization? We all should.

In the midst of delivering programs, raising funds, meeting with partners, working with your board and the many “all other duties as assigned” it is difficult to stay tuned in to and informed about all of the trends and activities taking place in the nonprofit and philanthropic sector that have an impact on our work.

There are many:

• Increased demand in the face of declining government resources
• Greater nonprofit regulation
• Growing class divides; increased first-time human service users
• Diversification of corporate structures to achieve social missions including the L3C

In my opinion (isn’t that the point of a blog), one of the most important issues facing our sector today is the debate over the income tax charitable deduction.  The Senate Finance Committee is currently reviewing this policy which dates back to 1917.  Here are some important details:

• In 2010, individual giving was nearly $212 billion out of $291 in total giving (individuals, foundations, corporations, etc.0

• The after-tax cost of giving is the value of the gift net of the amount of the tax benefits received.  For example, for every dollar given to a charity by an itemized taxpayer in the 28-percent marginal tax bracket, the after-tax cost of giving that dollar is 72 cents

• Studies include empirical evidence regarding the financial incentive for individual donors to give to charitable organizations
• Estate and gift tax charitable deductions could be disproportionately impacted by significant changes to the current tax policy

To learn more or keep up on this issue go to:  http://www.cof.org/templates/311.cfm?ItemNumber=18389&navItemNumber=16117#supercommittee

Question:  How are you weighing in on this issue?

Focusing on mission

This blog will focus on a variety of topics, subjects, issues and thoughts that are directly related to the mission of the BEST Project as well as nonprofits and funders.  BEST aims to build the capacity and sustainability of the Genesee County nonprofit sector.  This means providing a variety of education tools and programs for local organizations.

As many leaders in the sector know, cross-sector partnerships are critical to creating meaningful, systemic change in our communities regardless of the mission of your organization.  Many times people don’t fully understand the scope and reach of the nonprofit sector–from museums to homeless shelters 501c3 organizations are essential to our civil society.  The Michigan Nonprofit Employment report issued by the Johns Hopkins Center for Civil Society Studies in October 2010 helps paint an economic impact picture for the sector.  Here are some of the highlights to share with your board and donors:

• The nonprofit sector employees 11 times as many workers as Michigan’s vehicle manufacturing industry
•  In 2009, nonprofit employees contributed $90 million worth of personal income tax revenues
• Nonprofits in Flint employed 14.8% of private employees in 2009
• Nonprofit employment has continued to grow by about 1.3%

To read the full report go to :  http://www.mnaonline.org/CMDocs/MNA/Research/NED_Bulletin36_Michigan_2010.pdf

 

Headed to Alliance for Nonprofit Management Conference…Will you be there?

The Alliance for Nonprofit Management is an organization that brings capacity builders together to further our field.  This year, the event will focus on leadership, governance and evaluation.  All three of these topics are at the core of our work.  I look forward to sharing conversations, resources, links, etc. regarding these topics.  Stay tuned or see you in Oakland, California.

Creating a culture of inquiry

Does your board welcome diverse perspectives?  Are individual board members given an opportunity to weigh in on important organizational decisions?

Boards often aim for diverse membership but fail to engage the full board.  How does your organization cultivate a culture of inquiry–defined by thoughtful, mutually respectful debate and dialog about consequential questions and issues for the agency?

Key ingredients (BoardSource would agree) include :

Trust, Information Sharing, Teamwork and Facilitative Leadership

And most importantly, a focus on mission.  In order to truly create a culture of inquiry all board members must put aside self interest and focus on what decisions will enable the agency to most effectively accomplish the mission of the organization.

Thank you for visiting All About Mission

There are hundreds of social media forums available to discuss the nonprofit and philanthropic sector.  This particular blog is intended to engage in a meaningful conversation about effective practices of nonprofits and grantmakers to achieve their mission.  This is a place to share case studies, stories and experiences–big and small–that highlight the ability of nonprofits and grantmakers to achieve their mission as well as a discussion forum for raising questions and challenging practices that negatively impact a focus on mission.

One such challenge facing organizations of all scope and size is founder’s syndrome.  How can capacity builders, consultants, funders and nonprofit leaders help founding executive director’s recognize when and how to concentrate on leaving a legacy and ensuring that the organization will continue to serve the mission beyond the any one individual?

Thoughts…

Here are some related articles and blogs:

A must read…Founder’s Syndrome:  How Corporations Suffer–and Can Recover by Carter McNamara from Authenticity Consulting, LLC      http://www.managementhelp.org/misc/founders.htm

Great example!  http://www.savingmissolivers.com/the-founders-syndrome/

While these top six might appear a bit extreme at first glance they serve as a good warning sign for new nonprofits in danger of setting up Founder’s Syndrome from the beginning….http://alltopstartups.com/2011/03/18/6-startup-founder%E2%80%99s-syndrome-that-can-kill-your-startup/

Another take
http://donationpay.org/blog/2010/05/founders-syndrome-an-epidemic/