Latest news with #PhilanthropyInnovators
Forbes
18-07-2025
- General
- Forbes
Calm In The Chaos: Four Ways Nonprofits Can Lead With Clarity
Karen S. Cochran, CFRE, is the Founder of Philanthropy Innovators and creator of The MOST Philanthropy Model. Right now, every nonprofit leader is holding their breath. Grants are delayed. Federal funding is uncertain. Some donors are seeking anonymity for fear of reprisal. And yet, nonprofits' missions have never been more important. Many leaders I talk with feel like they're operating in nonstop triage mode. The result? Stretched budgets, overwhelmed teams and real questions about whether they can sustain their missions, let alone grow their impact. It's tempting to think this level of volatility is unprecedented. But for those of us who've been through a few crises—global conflicts, volatile stock markets, even a pandemic—this moment is less about panic and more about following your instincts and anchoring your team in the basics that work. Because when everything is changing, it's the fundamentals that hold us steady: strong leadership, mission clarity and the ability to adapt with intention. We can't control the uncertainty (that's the very nature of uncertainty!), but we can control how we show up for our teams, our communities and ourselves. With that in mind, I'd like to share four practical ways to lead a fundraising team with clarity, no matter how loud the chaos gets. 1. Anchor Yourself In Discipline—Otherwise, Everything Feels Like A Crisis When things feel unpredictable, it's easy to default to firefighting. But constant urgency isn't leadership; it leads to exhaustion for both you, as the leader, and your team. The antidote? Discipline. I don't mean rigidity. I mean setting clear rhythms for how your team plans, decides and communicates—regular check-ins, budget reviews, fundraising metrics and decision-making criteria. These aren't just operational tools; they're lifelines. Each will help your team distinguish between what's urgent and what's actually important. One of my favorite reminders is: 'A plan is something from which we can deviate.' Create that plan now, then use it to guide your team's response with intention instead of panic. 2. Revisit The Plan, And Be Willing To Let Go Of What No Longer Fits If your strategic plan mirrors your pre-pandemic strategy, it's time for a refresh. Effective planning isn't about forecasting the future perfectly. It's about regularly asking what's essential. What programs still drive impact? What should be paused or retired? What are you willing to say no to so you can say yes to the right things? Think of your plan as a compass, not a contract. Organizations that build resilience often combine strategic and fiscal discipline with a willingness to pivot. Yes, it can be hard to let go of long-standing initiatives or legacy programs. But clear focus inspires more confidence than clinging to the past, especially for your staff, board and donors. 3. Change Your Tactics, Not Your Mission Let's be honest: Some of our go-to fundraising and engagement strategies aren't cutting it in today's environment, and that's okay. This is the time to get creative with how you deliver, fund and communicate your work, not change why you exist. Try new partnerships. Experiment with donor engagement tools. Rethink events or reframe programs to better speak to current needs. Innovation doesn't always mean reinvention—it means finding new ways to align your approach with your mission. Strong organizations translate their mission into vehicles that meet the moment. Regardless, don't stop asking your donors to invest in your mission. And don't forget that stewardship has never been more important. Whether it's diversifying funding, shifting to digital storytelling that empowers your donors to share your story or exploring unrestricted giving opportunities, keep adapting. But always anchor back to your core purpose. 4. Carry Forward The Lessons You Learned During Prior Uncertainty We've faced massive disruption before—most recently, Covid—and we learned a lot from these experiences. The nonprofits that weathered the pandemic best didn't wait for a return to normalcy. They moved quickly. Communicated often. Led with empathy. And they focused on what mattered most: donor relationships and impact. Those lessons shouldn't be forgotten now. In my work, I encourage leaders to reflect on what they learned: What did you do differently during Covid that made your organization stronger? Maybe you streamlined decision-making. Gave your team more autonomy. Strengthened donor communication. Those practices helped you survive, and many can help you thrive now. As the Center for Creative Leadership puts it, crisis leadership is just good leadership, intensified. Don't let those gains slip away. The Inner Work: Be The Calm Finally, a note that doesn't appear on most nonprofit management checklists but should: Your team doesn't just need strategy; they need your steady presence. That means showing up as a grounded leader, even when the ground feels like it is constantly shifting. And that starts with how you take care of yourself. I've practiced mindfulness and meditation for years—not because it's trendy, but because it's how I stay present, focused and responsive under pressure. Especially now, when stress is contagious, it's essential to regulate your own energy so you can model calm for your team. Even five minutes of stillness in the morning can shift how you show up in a meeting or a crisis. This article from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses—a profession that's constantly on the front lines of saving lives—reminds us that self-care isn't indulgence; it's a high-performance strategy in peak-stress environments. Your Future Might Not Look Like Your Past, And That's Okay Nonprofits are being reshaped. Some funding will no longer be available going forward. Some programs may sunset. Your organization might not look the same in a year or two—and that doesn't mean you've failed. It means you're leading and adapting in real time. You don't need to have all the answers. But you do need to stay focused on your mission, clear in your communication and bold in your decisions. We've done this before. We'll come through this challenging time again. And we'll keep showing up—for each other and for the people and communities counting on us most. Forbes Nonprofit Council is an invitation-only organization for chief executives in successful nonprofit organizations. 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Forbes
11-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
How Nonprofit Leaders Can Maintain Team Focus In The Midst Of Change
Just like their counterparts in other industries, nonprofit leaders must be agile and adaptable in an era of constant change. Whether it's new grant requirements, updated privacy laws or refinements to the organization's mission, board members, employees and volunteers all need timely, accurate information to make good decisions and operate effectively. The members of Forbes Nonprofit Council have experience guiding their broader teams through changes and instilling adaptability within their organizations. Below, they share specific ways nonprofit leaders can ensure their board and staff stay up to date on changing regulations, compliance policies and mission objectives. 1. Embrace A Culture Of Accountability Keeping everyone aligned starts with shared responsibility and clear systems. As part of your nonprofit's commitment to excellence, set the expectation that board members, staff and volunteers stay current. You can support this requirement through regular, accessible updates and practical resources. High-performing organizations embrace a culture of accountability that underpins their success. - Karen Cochran, Philanthropy Innovators 2. Regularly Communicate Changes, News And Events Share communications on a weekly, biweekly or monthly schedule, and include news on issues of necessity for your internal community. A weekly emailed 'bulletin' that includes policy changes, staff news, a calendar of events and upcoming meetings, highlights from the previous week, and operational updates will keep the team, including leadership, well-informed and engaged. - Victoria Burkhart, The More Than Giving Company Forbes Nonprofit Council is an invitation-only organization for chief executives in successful nonprofit organizations. Do I qualify? 3. Frame Updates Within The Broader Mission Narrative We keep board members, staff and volunteers informed by framing updates within the broader mission narrative rather than listing rules. We offer context, invite dialogue and explain the 'why' behind changes. When people see the purpose behind a shift, they are more likely to embrace it with clarity and direction. - Gregory Johnson, Foundation for the Mid South 4. Ensure Strategic Alignment Is Part Of Every Meeting Make reviews and strategic alignment a part of your regular meetings. Let different departments and people present on topics and changes so everyone feels valuable and contributes to the ongoing success of the organization. Senior leaders should give ownership to the people and let them take the lead on sharing while adding input as needed. - Jamee Rodgers, Urban Neighborhood Initiative 5. Implement Quarterly Cross-Functional Briefings One effective way to ensure alignment across the board, employees and volunteers is by institutionalizing quarterly cross-functional briefings that combine regulatory updates with strategic reflections on mission execution. At Dubai Opera, we bring together key stakeholders in a structured yet inclusive format where all leads share updates, unpack implications and open the space for discussion. - Paolo Petrocelli, Dubai Opera 6. Appoint Internal Ambassadors Appoint internal ambassadors to share updates using microlearning tools, such as short videos or quick reference guides. This peer-led approach builds trust and makes complex information more accessible and trackable. When updates come from familiar voices in engaging formats, people are more likely to absorb and apply them. It's efficient and relatable while reinforcing a culture of compliance. - Alan Thomas, Association for Materials Protection & Performance 7. Set Up A Weekly News Email Our weekly 'Friday Five' email highlights the top five updates staff, volunteers and board members need to know. When paired with listservs and webinars, this keeps everyone aligned on internal shifts and external policy changes, ensuring no one is left behind in a fast-moving healthcare landscape. - Nicole Lamoureux, NAFC 8. Ensure Updates Are Regular And Easily Digestible Make learning a rhythm, not a reaction. One strategy that works is holding a short monthly mission and mandate briefing. Take five minutes to share one shift in policy, one story of impact and one clear next step to keep everyone aligned without overload. Staying informed shouldn't be an isolated event, but a habit. Clarity is about connecting the dots in easily digestible ways. - Cherian Koshy, Kindsight 9. Offer Professional Learning Opportunities Every organization should offer professional learning opportunities for the staff and the board. Bring in experts to discuss how changes affect operations, and inquire how staff behaviors must change—and do it all as a team. This isn't just about 'who needs to know'; it's about ensuring the entire team is knowledgeable and invested in changes and the future direction. - Patrick Riccards, Driving Force Institute 10. Implement An Active Risk Assessment Plan One of the best ways to stay current on changing regulations and compliance is to have an active risk assessment plan that addresses concerns. This plan can be used with both the board of directors and the management team to ensure a review of potential risks is conducted regularly. It should also spark a robust discussion that keeps these challenges in mind and prepares the organization to manage change proactively. - Tom Ulbrich, Goodwill Industries of Western New York, Inc. 11. Develop A Compliance And Mission-Alignment Calendar Build a compliance and mission-alignment calendar for clients. We help our nonprofit partners stay informed through quarterly briefings, monthly updates and annual training. Embedding this cadence ensures they stay ahead of policy shifts, reinforce best practices and keep their teams aligned and mission-driven. - Michael Bellavia, HelpGood 12. Create A Dashboard Or One-Pagers To ensure that vital information is shared and updated, create a dashboard or 'quick action' one-pager that can be reviewed monthly or quarterly. Assign a specific person to be responsible for updating their group's portion with any new regulations, policies or objectives. - Kimberly Lewis, Goodwill Industries of East Texas, Inc. 13. Hold Internal Briefings For Major Events We hold internal briefings after major grants, program launches or policy updates, as this keeps our board, staff and volunteers aligned with changing regulations, compliance and mission goals. This ensures we stay accountable, protect our integrity and meet funder and community expectations. - Nyene Baker, Visionary Philanthropy Group Inc. 14. Build A Professional Network Build a professional network to tap into insights, best practices and what is happening in your community, discipline and state. Professional organizations like the Center For Nonprofit Management, Association of Fundraising Professionals and others are great connection tools that can provide insights and programming to help you stay up to date on policy changes. - Aaron Alejandro, Texas FFA Foundation 15. Craft A Statement To Share Internally And Publicly When There's a Major Change If you do not have major changes to your delivery of services, your annual plan should suffice. If you do have major internal or external changes to service delivery, craft a statement for internal and external use, and ensure all media outlets receive it to share. Ensure your stakeholders hear it from you directly, as this alleviates any confusion or trepidation. - Erin Davison, Davison Consulting
Forbes
09-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Seven Worthy Tech Investments For Nonprofits
To get ahead in today's competitive business market, businesses must stay on top of the latest trends in technology. While every tech trend isn't guaranteed to last long term, potential gains in operational efficiency and workforce productivity can be promising for nonprofit organizations looking to stretch limited budgets and do more with less. As experts, the members of Forbes Nonprofit Council have mastered technology investments on a budget. Below, seven of them discuss specific tools, software or systems they believe are worth the investment. Good data is like gold. A right-sized customer relationship management system is a must, but it's only as valuable as the structure behind it and the people using it. It doesn't matter if it's Salesforce or Blackbaud because any tech is useless without consistent use and clean data. Invest in training to ensure team members understand how to work the system. Your data should work for you, not the other way around. - Karen Cochran, Philanthropy Innovators When investing in tech, I look for tools that act as force multipliers to amplify what our small but mighty team can do. I prioritize systems that extend our capacity and establish repeatable workflows, like Zapier. The right tech can help you scale your work. - Nicole Kim, College of Adaptive Arts Forbes Nonprofit Council is an invitation-only organization for chief executives in successful nonprofit organizations. Do I qualify? Once we added a project management tool, everything got easier. The number of emails was reduced, deadlines were met and the entire team felt confident owning their work. Nonprofits using these tools see up to 30% more productivity—and honestly, you feel it. It's one of the simplest ways to get time and clarity back. - Nicole Lamoureux, NAFC Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud is worth the investment for its flexibility and scalability. Its ability to centralize donor management, program tracking and impact reporting is also useful. With free licenses via the Power of Us program, it offers strong ROI for lean teams needing to streamline operations and demonstrate impact. - Yujia Zhu, An important first step is a donor management system that enables you to understand supporter behavior across all interaction points with volunteers, event participants and other individual staff members. This rich data can then become the basis of amplifying fundraising capacity and increasing donor engagement. - Scott Brighton, Bonterra Donor cultivation and fundraising essentials are key to any nonprofit. Investing in technology that not only manages all fundraising needs, but also uses AI to cultivate donor engagement and the amplification of donations is essential to long-term success for any nonprofit. Plus, you can see the ROI with fundraising and donor engagement software in real time. - Erin Davison, Scouting America Invest in tools that deepen connection, like a phone call or a handwritten note. Technology doesn't have to be complex to be powerful. The goal is insight, not just organization of information. Tools that help you remember, understand and respond to donors as people, not line items, are the ones that turn transactions into lasting generosity. Connection is the real ROI. - Cherian Koshy, Kindsight
