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numbers for blog

Sevens, Eights, Nines, and Tens

What’s your number? I once heard a wise person say “Sevens hire fives and sixes, and Eights higher nines and tens.” Admittedly, this is a somewhat crude way to express the point that high achievers are willing to work with subordinates and colleagues who may be smarter, harder working, more knowledgeable and gifted than they are. And low achievers ...
politics book cover

Politics, Policy, and Philanthropy

The health and vitality of the nonprofit sector and the growth of philanthropy have never been more influenced by federal and state political climates than they are today. As the 3rd, private, and government sectors plan for their economic futures, they face great uncertainty given the wide range of theories and options for addressing critical issues on the table ...
/ Insights, Planning & Strategy
mobs strip

State of Affairs

In an unusual twist - somewhat analogous to a mobius strip - I conducted campaign planning interviews for the same project for the same hospital, albeit two years apart. Why? The expansion under consideration was put on hold soon after the interviews were completed and analyzed in mid-2009. The project was brought to the front burner again in mid-2011. Enough ...
/ Planning & Strategy
board meeting

The Value of Diversity

It seems to be in every nonprofit’s strategic plan…improve board and staff diversity. According to Malcolm Forbes, “Diversity is the act of thinking independently together" - which in its own right should help bring the best ideas and strategies to the table. This all sounds good and is very PC (post Jimmy Carter) but the reasons why you should make ...
/ Insights, Planning & Strategy
rubics cube

Not Another Social Media Commercial

Three years ago I wrote an article entitled “Confessions of a Social Media Phobe.” Way back then, I was wondering “aloud” about the relevance, future, and wisdom of social media relative to fundraising and life in general. In 2009, it was easy to feel smothered by the hype around online networking and communications and the number of emerging channels and ...
/ Emerging Ideas
what if

The Case For The Case

So why should I support you? Why does your organization merit a gift more so than the other million plus charities registered in the United States? And why now? These are questions that any advancement professional should be able to answer effortlessly and convincingly about their NPO. An organization’s case for support should concisely and compellingly document this information ...