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We Are Just Getting Started!
It seems like only yesterday that Tom McGuire and I were playing in a charity golf event with a couple of unfortunate partners who spent the day cringing as they watched each of us hook and slice our way into water hazards, woods, and sand traps. Thankfully the golf gods were a forgiving bun…
Read MoreBetter Together?
In planning for a capital campaign, the question often comes up—should we combine our annual, capital, and planned giving efforts into one comprehensive campaign, counting all three efforts into one total goal? There is not a one-size-fits-all answer to this question, but there are fac…
Read MoreHow Much Does It Really Cost?
I comparison shop at a moment’s notice. You might have caught me in Costco or Target on my phone checking prices. Or you might have seen me looking for reviews on the product in hand. Intuitively we know that while cost matters, quality or desired impact also matters. When looking to…
Read MoreSo, You Want To Start A Nonprofit…
At least once a month I get invited for coffee with someone who is interested in starting a nonprofit. With 120,000 charitable organizations registered in North Carolina alone, my gut response is usually “DON’T DO IT!” Don’t get me wrong – I see great value in …
Read MoreThe Value of a Regular Organizational Check-Up
Regular check-ups are part of life. Whether it’s your teeth, your eyes, your car inspection, or your HVAC unit, we are conditioned to schedule annual exams and execute regular maintenance. So why is the thought of an organizational assessment so terrifying? For many leaders of for-pro…
Read MoreApplying for a Job is Not for the Faint of Heart
Applying for a new job is intimidating. You might be rejected. Someone you have never met is going to evaluate your qualifications based upon a document. You are expected to make a good impression, often with limited information. But if you are looking for a new job, you are go…
Read MoreLessons in Leadership
This week we celebrated the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a man who dedicated his all-too-short time on Earth to fighting social and civil injustice. More than fifty years after his untimely death, Dr. King is still regarded as one of the most influential leaders in the history of the…
Read MoreWhat Is A Campaign Cabinet (and Do I Need One?)
When planning for a capital campaign many nonprofits ponder whether it is necessary to recruit a Campaign Cabinet. You may hear: “We don’t have time to train, motivate, and track a Cabinet.”“Our Board can make all of the solicitations.”“Our staff ca…
Read MoreAre You Ready?
I consider it an unexpected but welcome gift whenever I get to have a quiet New Year’s Eve at home. It gives me a chance to clean up some of the clutter from the holiday season, watch the ball drop in Times Square from the comfort of my couch, steal a kiss from Mrs. Armstrong at the st…
Read MoreDo the Best You Can With What You Got
Nearly 20 years ago I met Judy Bright for lunch at Darryl’s on Hillsborough Street. A mutual friend suggested that we connect. Other than the fact that she worked at the YMCA, I knew nothing about her. I was nine months into my new vocation as a mom and I was unsure where …
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