> Management Tools & Tips

Planning Is Not an Event: How Nonprofits Can Achieve Results Through Ongoing App
Peters Drucker's self-assessment model is so flexible that it can be used anywhere, from the corporate boardroom to the smallest of nonprofits.

The Hero’s Journey: Six Steps to Enlightened Nonprofit Leadership
I contend that a truly good nonprofit leader not only maps out a course for him or herself, but knows how to chart a course for those he or she seeks to lead.

How Business-Like is Your Nonprofit?
When asked how they would feel about operating in a more business-like fashion, as well as incorporating branding strategies into their daily activities, many nonprofit leaders still tell me that "it would make us look too much like the for-profit sector." And my response is always the same—"Get over it!"

Study of Potential Nonprofit Leadership Gap Provides Advice to Executive Directo
The coming leadership crunch in nonprofits has been in the news for some time. The retirement of the baby boom generation plus the explosive growth of nonprofits in recent years promise a disaster for nonprofits as they look for new leadership.

Are You a Social Entrepreneur?
David Boorstein, in his book, [i]How to Change the World[/i], provides many clues to identifying or becoming an organization that is entrepreneurial, and the qualities that characterize people who are social entrepreneurs.

Forces for Good - A Review
Forces for Good introduces the reader to a new age in the nonprofit sector, an age that smudges the line between public and private, advocacy and program delivery, and that sets large and brave goals.

Sound Nonprofit Financial Management for a Sound Night’s Sleep
When asked what about their organization keeps them awake at night, most nonprofit executive directors and senior managers will give the short and simple answer: money. [p]While most bring financial management experience to their job, many have less expertise in this area than they would like. All, however, are aware that sound financial management is linked with every function of the nonprofit and is essential for organizational success.

Where to Find Nonprofit Board Members
Good candidates for your board may be closer than you think. Start with the closest networks and work you way outward to the community.

Credit Card Processing for Nonprofits
With more and more nonprofits offering donors the ability to make credit card payments, there is the potential for plenty of confusion. Your organization could end up paying more than you need to for processing transactions.

How Nonprofits Can Attract Mature Employees
Nonprofits could avoid a predicted labor shortage by learning how to attract older workers who might be able to fill the expected shortfall.

How to Trim Your Nonprofit Unemployment Insurance Costs
Typically, a nonprofit and for-profit pay for unemployment claims through a state unemployment insurance tax (SUI). But unlike their counterparts, nonprofits have an alternative choice – to become a reimbursing employer.

A Book for Finance-Challenged Nonprofit Managers - A Review
Managers and executives of nonprofits almost invariably come from the program side of the organization. They know how to design and deliver programs and services, curate art shows, heal patients, do academic research, perhaps even how to raise funds. What they are almost always weak on is finance.

Purchase Audit Services
With the increasing need for accountability by nonprofit organizations, more and more nonprofits are turning to audit services.

Tiny Essentials of an Effective Volunteer Board - A Review
Ken Burnett, guru of nonprofit management and fundraising, has a new book to help you with your board of directors.

Signs of a Healthy Board
Your board of directors can be a help or a hindrance. Here are some characteristics of a good board. Use them to evaluate yours.

Sarbanes-Oxley Act
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act, enacted to govern publicly-held companies, provides a blueprint for nonprofits that want to ensure financial responsibility and transparency.

Change Management at the Heart of Consulting & Managing a Nonprofit
Consulting and managing are more similar than you might think. Taking a consulting viewpoint as a manager might provide some needed distance from the everyday hassles of managing and allow you to focus on what is really important.

Leader to Leader Institute
The Leader to Leader Institute began in 1990 as the Peter F. Drucker Foundation for Nonprofit Management. It specializes in working with leaders/managers of nonprofit organizations in the "social sector." Many excellent resources including conferences, articles, and a journal.

Nonprofit Genie
Nonprofit Genie is a list of FAQs written by leading experts in nonprofit management. It is part of CompassPoint Nonprofit Services. These FAQs are very nuts and bolts and pertinent to anyone who is new to the nonprofit world.