Published Articles

What are the chances of someone embezzling funds from your nonprofit? Most board and staff members think the possibility is remote for their organization. “Our people are so committed to our mission and work so hard, they would never take funds that don’t belong to...

Discover how to keep your meetings on track. Read this Harvard Business Review article from January 5, 2022 by Joel Schwartzberg Too many meeting leaders think their job ends when the meeting starts orthat they merely serve as note-taker and “agenda police.” But, as...

When many people think of today’s focus on ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) they think of stock market investments. Beginning in the 1960s, some investors promoted the idea of investing in companies that work to improve the world and their communities. They...

“I would really like to serve on a nonprofit board of directors,” Hector said sheepishly. “But do you think anyone would want me?” Hector was a young professional working as a relationship manager in a local bank. He had asked to meet with me to find out if I thought...

Many of my articles focus on recommendations for nonprofit board best practices. While it is important for board members to know their roles and responsibilities, it is equally critical that they realize what to avoid. Today’s article will tell you about a board that...

As each year draws to a close, I encourage organizations look back over the past months and make a list of their accomplishments. Most nonprofits are so focused on projects lying ahead that they forget to reflect on their successes. Yet, acknowledging triumphs can...

The significance of a great executive director/board chair relationship cannot be over-stated. A strong, well-functioning board is one of a nonprofit’s most important assets, and one that is often underutilized.  It’s only when the executive and board chair work in...

The Santa Barbara Foundation released a first-ever report on thestate of nonprofits in Santa Barbara County after over eight months of collecting and analyzing extensive data. According to the introduction, “This report provides the most up to date and holistic...

This month we are acknowledging the two-year anniversary of the pandemic. It has created enormous, sometimes catastrophic, challenges for most people. Nonprofits have been especially hit hard with the restrictions that impacted their fund-raising efforts and hampered...

When I served as CEO of the tri-counties Girl Scouts, we had a saying. “When I look at you, do I see me?” That question kept us on track for ensuring that people who served on our board of directors reflected the communities we served. Nowadays, that question is more...

As each year draws to a close, I encourage organizations look back over the past months and make a list of their accomplishments. Most nonprofits are so focused on projects lying ahead that they forget to reflect on their successes. Yet, acknowledging triumphs can...

Now is a good time to start planning your year-end charitable giving, if you haven’t completed it already. It’s time for you to be doing your IRA’s required minimum distribution, preparing for qualified charitable distributions, and updating your charitable giving...

By Catie Taphorn on Dec 06, 2021 in Nonprofit Boards I recently read this article and enjoyed it so much that I wanted to share it with my readers. The article outlines seven types of leadership models patterned after Plato's ideas. Check it out to discover what type...

Have you been hearing more and more about nonprofits creating a policy to address diversity, equity, and inclusion? Sometimes referred to as “DEI” and sometimes “DEIJ,” with the J signifying justice, many nonprofits are adopting such policies as part of their board...

Nonprofits rely on the generosity of their donors now more than ever before due to the challenges created by the virus. Thankfully, many contributors have stepped up to continue and even increase gifts to their favorite charities. Santa Barbara is blessed with many...

When is the last time you talked with a friend or acquaintance about your nonprofit’s work? Sometimes such a conversation starts organically or almost by accident, but as a board member you can be intentional about discussing causes you believe in. You don’t have to...

Recently I overheard two gentlemen (I’ll call Harry and George) talking about their service on a local nonprofit board of directors. They voiced some basic concerns and confusion about their duties to the organization in terms of the financial reports and...

One board member of a regional organization dedicated to providing guide dogs for the visually impaired suggested that the group branch out to include production of a healthy dog food product. Another board member said he heard of a new grant that would fund provision...

Is your nonprofit planning to reopen soon? Have you planned how the work schedule and environment will be different? Most importantly, have you discussed this with your employees so they know what to expect? This insightful article from Harvard Business Review will...

Senator Gaylord Nelson (D-WI) was outraged when he toured the major oil spill off the coast of Santa Barbara in August of 1969. Nelson also went away that day impressed with the many people who rallied to clean up the mess. Witnessing the miles and miles of beaches...

At the start of the pandemic, chances are your work life changed. If your role remained, you likely moved from working in the office to working from home. That was a big change for many people to adapt to working apart from each other. From the time we closed offices,...

Arnold Baker was worried. As board chair of the Davis County Food Bank, he perceived a gradual decline in the sense of connection trustees felt with the organization and between one another over the course of 2020. He suspected it had to do with the board’s move to...

BoardSource has published this excellent guide for board members to learn more about how to work with their legislators. One of the most rewarding things about serving as a nonprofit board member is the opportunity it affords to help create positive change. Board...

It appears that in just a few weeks many of our nonprofit staff and board members will have received the COVID-19 vaccine, ushering in a new set of challenges and changes. Here is an important piece of background information to consider. On Dec. 16, 2020, employers...

Most people have a list of their favorite charities that they donate to at year end. But the impact of the coronavirus on our nonprofits might shine a different light on your charitable giving. According to Philanthropy News Digest private donations increased 12...

Most nonprofits are scrambling for survival more than ever before. The pandemic restrictions have put the skids on their critical work in the community, raised havoc with their fundraising efforts and left many wondering if they will even be able to endure. Yet two...

According to the American Cancer Society breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women, except for skin cancers. Currently the average risk of a woman in the United States developing breast cancer sometime in her life is about 13 percent. Each year, about...

October was first designated as National Domestic Violence Month in 1981 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. It was initially begun as a Day of Unity to connect battered women’s advocates across the country. Domestic violence affects millions, both...

“The new five-year strategic plan is to stay afloat through 2020,” a local nonprofit leader was recently overheard saying. Many nonprofits agree with him. According to the American Alliance of Museums, more than half of all museums have less than six months of...

Be sure to read this excellent article from Blue Avocado about assessing the financial health of your nonprofit during COVID. by Suja Amir MPA on August 18, 2020 Covid-19 has created dramatic changes in the financial markets. Nonprofits such as private schools,...

You will find this article from Blue Avocado very helpful in your nonprofit's strategic planning, especially during COVID. by Joe Hnat on August 18, 2020 When I joined a nonprofit five years ago, I observed during our annual budgeting that we rarely launched new...

As nonprofits and businesses begin to plan to reopen their facilities, there are several aspects to consider. It’s important for leaders to understand where their people are mentally and prepare accordingly. Some will be enthusiastic about returning to the office,...

Each morning brings new stories of the critical role many nonprofits are playing in trying to address the impact of COVID-19. Nonprofit Quarterly has recognized how nonprofits under these extremely trying circumstances are quickly adapting their service systems to fit...

Are you the CEO or E.D. of your nonprofit—or even a middle manager? Do you think you are serving in a leadership role because of your mission—for the benefit of your organization—or for your own benefit? Patrick Lencioni says the answer may surprise you. I would...

Our last article highlighted William Bridges’ work with Transitions. He advised starting at the end rather than at the beginning so that we can let go of the old before we pick up the new. This period is followed by what he calls the neutral zone where “old and...

As we see signs of our community reopening and some COVID restrictions being relaxed, our natural tendency may be to hurry back to our pre-lockdown life. Yet, this virus has changed everything. Our organization’s sustainability will depend on our ability and...

The COVID-19 crisis is calling healthcare and mental healthcare providers, first responders, and other essential personnel to serve all of us with great sacrifice to themselves.  We are humbled by their devotion to our well-being. We are honored to be in their...

Alana Walczak has been CEO of CALM since 2015. Prior to that, she spent over 20 years working with nonprofits to help at-risk women, children, and families. “When you’re doing your life’s work, it’s so powerful,” she reflects. CALM continues to be the only nonprofit...

At its 16th annual Celebration of Grants held on Wednesday, May 6, 2020, the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara awarded grants totaling $685,000 to nine local nonprofit agencies. The event marked the end of the 2019-2020 Women’s Fund grant cycle and honored its newest...

I think you’ll enjoy this article from Smart Brief by Joel Garfinkle entitled, 9 actionable ways to lead with transparency in uncertain times. He points out that, according to Gallup, only 39% of U.S. employees strongly agree that their employer has communicated a...

I was surprised at a local nonprofit fundraising event recently. During the event, three people made a point of thanking me for my financial support. I only knew one of them, the Executive Director, the other two were a staff member and a volunteer. They all knew my...

Scenario planning can help your nonprofit prepare for a range of possible futures. First, by helping leadership understand what those futures may look like and grapple with hard questions about disruption and change. Next, by providing a framework for making small,...

As quarantines, shelter-in-place, and social distancing continue to dramatically change the community’s well-being, our nonprofits are struggling to find creative ways to preserve their services and work together for new solutions. Our last article told about the new...

Seven hundred attendees sat transfixed at the Westmont President’s Breakfast as they listened to the wisdom of Dr. Daniel Kahneman. Nobel Prize winner in Economics, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and bestselling author of Thinking, Fast and Slow, he...

Recently I have encountered several nonprofit boards meddling in their organization’s operations rather than using their energies for the real job of governance and building relationships with donors. Some of these boards don’t seem to realize they are neglecting...

This article republished from Leadership Now. By Jacob Morgan. January 15, 2020 Most people have been around a bad leader at some point. Someone who doesn’t communicate, sets impossible expectations, or is just difficult to be around. You’ve likely experienced the...

In his seminal book, Reinventing Strategy, Willie Pietersen says, “strategic planning is an oxymoron.” Strategy is one thing; planning quite another, claims Pietersen. He explains that strategy begins with divergent thinking, whereas planning is an exercise in...