Should Nonprofits Be Judged By A Different Standard of Success?
Dan Pallotta, a journalist, philanthropist, and businessman with a longstanding background in the nonprofit world, recently published an article in the Wall Street Journal entitled “Why Can't We Sell Charity Like We Sell Perfume?” The piece raised some provocative questions, though perhaps not the ones the author was originally intending. Mr. Pallotta’s thesis, “It's time to change how society thinks ...
To the Entrepreneurs Among Us
The career of advancement truly offers something for anyone interested in following their passion to make a difference. In addition to the numerous nonprofit verticals - including health care, education, arts and culture, social services, and social justice - the field also offers many work opportunities in which to apply our personal gifts, skills, and talents. Some of us naturally ...
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, 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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
