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Julie Whelan Capell | Contributed by Julie Whelan Capell, MWA Associate It’s that time of year when nonprofits start to think about annual reports. We have a couple of clients who still do a printed one, but they are in the minority, and the reports they print are getting shorter every year. I want to […]
Sara Wilson, CPCC, ACC | Do you have one? A Talented Terror? You know, the staff member who is smart, capable AND wreaks havoc in your team? Most of us will experience this in our career–either as a boss or as a member of a team. I’ve worked with many leaders who become paralyzed when […]
Julie Whelan Capell | Contributed by Julie Whelan Capell, MWA Associate Were your year-end appeal results much better than expected last year? First, let’s take a moment to celebrate your success. Your hard work, and the work of your board members and staff, paid off! Look at all those increased gifts, and all the new […]
Sara Wilson, CPCC, ACC | Executive directors have to keep their eyes focused in two directions: out over the horizon and on the everyday running of the organization. Those two vantage points give you the opportunity to see areas in need of change. Your team is probably made up of individuals who dread change and […]
Julie Whelan Capell | In my many years as a fundraising consultant, one of the topics I am asked to present on the most frequently is how to make the “ask.” For board members in particular, it seems asking for money is the hardest part of their responsibilities. Never mind that actually asking for donations […]
Sara Wilson, CPCC, ACC | “Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection, will come even more effective action.” – Peter Drucker We are constantly moving and thinking about what’s next. When we don’t pause to reflect, we often skip past the learning and miss opportunities to find strengths and wisdom we can […]
Sara Wilson, CPCC, ACC | Reflect for a moment on your experience with excellent leaders. What qualities did they have? Clear communication, ability to delegate, and good follow-up may be some things that come to mind. Did showing appreciation appear on your list? During my career I’ve filled various roles–leader, employee, consultant, board member, committee […]
Sarah Wilson, CPCC, ACC | I’m definitely a “glass half full” person. I remember in my freshman year in high school, my writing composition teacher, Chris Williamson, told me I had a “warm, sunny yellow personality and can-do attitude.” Last week, after just a few years have passed (no comments, please) her observation flashed into […]
Julie Whelan Capell | Have you thought about how inflation worries might impact year-end giving this year? According to the Chronicle of Philanthropy, “When finances get tight, donors tend to pare down the number of charities they support.” (Inflation-Recession worry fundraisers, 7/19/22) What can you do to make sure your organization stays at the top […]
Julie Whelan Capell | One of our most-requested board workshops here at MWA is on involving board members in fundraising. I always enjoy doing this workshop because I love hearing the sighs of relief when I say: “Not every board member needs to ask for gifts.” And that is the truth. Not everyone is cut […]
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