In the nonprofit world there is a temptation to go and do good before you have all of the funding needed to be sustainable. There is a tendency to believe that you will always be struggling for funds and that this is part of being a nonprofit. Do not believe this! Yes, you can be fully funded! Whether you are running a nonprofit or work for one where you raise your own funds, you do not have to settle for less than you need to be a success. Decide that you are going to do whatever it takes to get where you need to be as an organization, ministry or…
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Start With Why by Simon Sinek
Start With Why by Simon Sinek is a fascinating book for business owners, startups and anyone wanting to create work that matters. His encouragement is to start with why you are doing what you are doing, rather than how you are going to do it or what you are going to do. This is interesting, right? The main idea can be summed up in this quote: “People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it. And what you do simply proves what you believe.” Sinek gives examples of companies that have done this successfully, like Apple and Southwest. These companies have essentially created a cult following. They have…
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The Idea Categories for My Blog
Since first starting my blog back in 2013, I have enjoyed bringing content and ideas that I hope have been helpful to you. I have grown as a person and I continue to be passionate about the topics I discuss here. If you are new to my blog, you should know that I am an Idea Addict. I love ideas (mine and yours). They fuel me and are my greatest addiction. I believe ideas can change a life, impact a community and bring a smile to a sad face. If you are an Idea Addict, you believe in the power of ideas as well. While we get sidetracked from time…
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Spring 2016 Events
There are some amazing events coming up in the next couple of months. Would love to have you join me. Lift Training (April 23 in Marietta, GA) – If you are raising funds for your nonprofit or ministry, this event is for you. Whether you are just starting out or need a refresher, Lift will give you the tools you need to move forward. I will be sharing my secrets from over 10 years of fundraising myself. For more information and to register click here. Coaching with Excellence (May 12-13 in Franklin, TN) – Are you a Coach? Are you thinking about Coaching? You should join me for Coaching with…
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Establishing Expectations for Your Nonprofit Board
Depending on the size of your nonprofit and what you do, your Board of Directors may function very differently than other nonprofits. You may have a large Board or a small one. Your Board may be very active with the organization, more of a group of advisors or even fundraising focused. What is not different from one Board to the next is the need for clear and concise expectations. Take the following five steps to get your Board of Directors aligned with the organizations. 1) Define what is expected of a Board Member currently. 2) Decide what you need to add or take away from these expectations. 3) Write them…
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Structuring Your Nonprofit
Whether you already have a nonprofit or are about to start one, consider carefully the structure you set up. From your Board to your Staff to those you serve, the structure you create can have a lasting impact on your organization. Here are five questions to consider, particularly if you are looking to change your structure. 1) What is your current structure? 2) What other options are available to you? 3) How are other similar organizations structured? Are they thriving? 4) What should you do? 5) How do you get there? What is your Strategic Plan going to be? Structure is important. Do not let it keep you from getting…
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Vacation with Purpose
I have an idea. As you head out on vacation this summer, why not do something that matters? Perhaps you would consider connecting with a local nonprofit to serve one afternoon. Another option might be to pray for the people you run into…mostly to yourself or with those with you, but you may run into someone needing you to pray with them. I’m not suggesting you turn your vacation into work. Rather, just add some purpose to your trip. Help someone. Make a difference. I’m still thinking this idea through. What are some more ideas for someone to serve others while on vacation? Please share in the comments section or…
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One Reason Everyone Needs a Coach
Recently I was talking with a small business owner friend of mine about coaching. He gets Executive Coaching and has really benefitted from it. The same day I attended (online) #AccelerateGiving where Andy Stanley spoke. As always, I loved what Andy had to say and took a lot of notes. I was particularly fascinated by what he said about coaching. He said, “Every leader should have a coach.” This was not a big surprise, as this was the point of the conference, to get ministry leaders into fundraising coaching. He then added the following, which has stuck with me. “You can be better than everyone in your industry without a coach.…
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Danny Wuerffel from Desire Street Ministries
At #AccelerateGiving hosted by Ministry Ventures, Danny Wuerffel, Executive Director of Desire Street Ministries in New Orleans, was one of the speakers. I really enjoyed what he had to say. Here are my six takeaways from him: 1) The Bible and the Poor – Danny shared how consistent the Bible tells of God’s heart for the poor. It’s true! 2) Administration and Fundraising – He said that a lot of ministries (nonprofits) struggle from an administrative and fundraising side. He says you must invest in these. 3) Ministry – He said that “Fundraising/Development is not fundraising. It’s ministry.” I have found this to be true as well. I have many…
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Leadercast 2015
On May 8th, I’ll be going to Leadercast, a one day leadership event. I’ll be going to a Simulcast location here in Atlanta, but there are hundreds of Simulcast locations around the country. I missed Leadercast last year, but can still point to some key decisions I made as a result of Leadercast 2013. I wrote two blog posts from the event, Mouthwash is Everything to Him and Necessary Endings. Some of the amazing speakers at Leadercast 2015 include Malala Yousafzai, Seth Godin, Peyton Manning and Andy Stanley, among others. Get more information on the Leadercast website and follow them on Twitter. I hope to see you there!