One of the biggest complaints I hear from board members, team members holding a variety of positions (this includes CEOs/EDs), and donors, is that they don’t feel appreciated. I’ve pondered this, wondering if this is a dynamic that exists more in the charitable sector than others. Perhaps. But regardless, it’s still an issue and one that we all have control over. Is that music to your ears? Finally, something you CAN control! The truth about gratitude: It can’t wait until November. Your team needs to feel valued every single month—not just during the holidays. This guide gives you simple, authentic ways to show appreciation that actually resonates. November rolls around, and suddenly everyone’s talking about gratitude. We see the Thanksgiving posts, the “thankful for my team” messages, and the annual appreciation events. And don’t get me wrong—I love all of that. But here’s what I’ve learned working with hundreds of nonprofit leaders: gratitude can’t be a once-a-year thing. Not if you want to build the kind of culture that retains great people and keeps them energized for the mission. The Real Cost of Waiting Nonprofit teams are tired, particularly in these crazy times. They’re doing the work of three people […]

In the last 19 years of working closely with hundreds of boards, I am always surprised when a new horror story from the boardroom arises. I mean, shouldn’t I have seen it or heard it all by now? Clearly not, given the stories I hear on a disturbingly regular basis. Nonprofit boards are complex beasts. Just when you think everything is smooth sailing, they rear their ugly heads to remind you who’s boss. A colleague of mine recently shared this sobering perspective: “The greatest threat to the nonprofit sector is nonprofit boards.” While that might sound harsh, the story I’m about to share will make you wonder if he’s onto something. In all seriousness and graciousness, though, there are SOME boards doing the work, engaging in appropriate and useful ways, having the tough conversations, and making the difficult decisions. I just wish these stories weren’t the exceptions to the rule. A girl can dream…and also continue working to be part of the solution! Until then, I hope to bring you a laugh or two this Halloween season and a healthy dose of “you’re not alone” virtual hugs as I share yet another tale that has come my way because someone […]

Here’s some real talk: Your organization is one resignation letter away from chaos. I see it frequently. Boards that think succession planning means scrambling when their CEO announces they’re leaving. Staff who panic when their leader suddenly can’t perform their duties due to a health crisis. Organizations that have neglected professional and leadership development for their board and staff teams. Nonprofit work is tough enough without also adding to the mix a leadership deficit that can cripple an organization when the beloved executive hits the proverbial lottery. And here’s what I’ve learned after years of working with nonprofits and social impact leaders: succession planning isn’t a one-time event you check off your governance to-do list. It’s a mindset. A culture. An ongoing conversation that happens in board meetings, performance reviews, and strategic planning sessions. The numbers should wake us all up. According to a recent study, 55% of Peak Boomers say they will retire in the next five years. The analysis shows 18 economic sectors are likely to experience a loss on average of 10.1 percent of their current workforce over the next five years as 14.8 million Americans are anticipated to retire from their jobs. The nonprofit sector is […]

I have a retreat exercise that never fails to surprise board members and staff. I collect mission statements from several organizations doing similar work—including their own—and ask retreat participants to identify which one belongs to their organization. More often than not, they can’t do it. I watch as engaged, committed leaders who have devoted years to their organization read through statement after statement, looking puzzled. They’ll point to one and say, “This sounds like us,” only to discover it’s from an organization three states away that they’ve never heard of. The silence that follows is always telling. These are people who know their programs inside and out, who can speak passionately about their impact, and who genuinely care about their mission. But their mission statement? It could belong to anyone. This exercise isn’t meant to embarrass anyone—it’s meant to highlight exactly why mission statement work matters. If your own leadership team can’t distinguish your mission from your peers’, how can you expect donors, partners, or community members to understand what makes you unique and necessary? The good news? Once organizations realize their mission statement isn’t working, they’re usually motivated to fix it. Red Flags: Mission Statements That Don’t Work Here’s […]

Let’s be honest – most nonprofit vision statements read like they were written by a committee of robots. You know the ones: generic phrases about “making a difference” and “creating positive change” that could apply to literally any organization on the planet. If your stakeholders can’t tell your vision statement apart from a dozen others, it’s not doing its job. Here’s the thing: a truly powerful vision statement isn’t just nice words on your website. It’s the North Star that guides every decision, motivates your team through tough times, and helps donors understand exactly what world they’re helping create. When done right, it should make people stop and think, “Yes, THAT’S the future I want to be part of building.” Why Most Vision Statements Fall Flat Before we dive into crafting something better, let’s acknowledge why so many vision statements miss the mark: Crafting a Vision That Actually Inspires Before you write a single word, get crystal clear on the fundamental problem your organization exists to solve. Not your programs or services – the underlying issue that would make your organization unnecessary if it were completely resolved. Ask yourself: If we were wildly successful beyond our dreams, what would be […]

Transforming board meetings from information dumps into engaging learning experiences We’ve all been there. You spend hours preparing a comprehensive board presentation, covering everything from program updates to financial reports to new compliance requirements. Board members nod along, ask a few questions, and then… three weeks later, you’re explaining the same concepts all over again. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. The challenge isn’t that board members don’t care—it’s that traditional information-sharing methods don’t align with how adults actually learn and retain information. The Adult Learning Challenge in Nonprofit Governance While nonprofit board members sometimes get a bad rap, the reality is that many of them bring incredible passion and expertise to their roles, but they’re also juggling demanding careers, family responsibilities, and often multiple volunteer commitments. They attend board meetings with divided attention and varying levels of baseline knowledge about your organization’s work. Traditional board meetings—with their lengthy presentations and dense information packets—work completely counter to adult learning principles. Research shows that adults learn best when information is: If you’re scratching your head right now and thinking, “That’s great, Stacey, but I don’t have time to think through an entirely different format,” I get it. I’ve been in your shoes, […]

We’ve all been there. You’ve recruited an impressive board of directors with the perfect mix of skills, connections, and passion for your mission. Yet when it comes time for meetings or asking for help, responses are slow, attendance is spotty, and engagement seems lukewarm at best. It’s not that these board members don’t care—they’re just busy professionals with demanding day jobs, families, and other commitments. As nonprofit leaders, we need to acknowledge this reality while still finding effective ways to harness their expertise and energy. After working with hundreds of nonprofits, I wanted to share strategies that I’ve actually seen work to engage even the busiest board members.  1. Respect Their Time Above All Else Nothing will disengage board members faster than feeling their time is being wasted. Make this your golden rule: One of my clients switched from monthly 90-minute meetings to bi-monthly two-hour meetings with much higher attendance and engagement. Board meetings shifted from operational updates from the Executive Director to conversations focused more on strategic issues and questions the board was facing. 2. Personalize Engagement Opportunities Not every board member can or should contribute in the same way. The key is matching opportunities to individual strengths and […]

April showers bring May flowers – and for many nonprofits, spring is the season of welcoming new board members. We’ve spent the last few months discussing how to identify your board’s needs, create a matrix to guide recruitment, and conduct meaningful interviews. Now comes a critical step that too many organizations rush through: orientation. Why Most Board Orientations Fall Flat Let’s be honest – most board orientations consist of handing over a hefty physical or virtual binder and hoping new members somehow absorb all that information before their first meeting. I’ve seen organizations spend weeks carefully recruiting the perfect board member, only to leave them feeling confused and overwhelmed from day one. Think about your own experience joining a new board. Were you clear about expectations? Did you understand the organization’s finances? Could you confidently explain the mission to others? If not, you’re not alone – and it’s time to reimagine what orientation can be. Beyond the Binder: Creating an Orientation That Sticks Effective orientation isn’t about information dumping – it’s about building relationships and creating clarity. Here’s how to transform your approach: Making it Interactive and Engaging As adult learners we retain information best when we’re actively engaged. Our […]

March brings us to the next phase of our board development journey. Last month, we explored how to identify what your nonprofit board truly needs – from expertise gaps to community representation. Now that you’ve done that self-reflection work (and hopefully used the sample Board Composition Matrix I shared!), it’s time to dig into interviewing your board candidates. Why Interviews Matter More Than You Think Let’s be honest – too many organizations rush through the interview process or skip it entirely. “She’s the CEO of a marketing firm! He’s a wealthy, prominent community leader! They’ll be perfect!” But board service is about much more than impressive credentials. Think of board interviews like dating beyond the dating profile. The résumé tells you someone’s qualifications, but the interview reveals their compatibility with your mission, culture, and current board dynamics. Creating an Interview Process That Actually Works I remember back in college how much I learned from my nonverbal communication classes. The majority of our communication cues happen nonverbally, and that applies to all relationships, even volunteer board members. Here are a few things I’ve learned along the way: Making it a Two-Way Street Remember that strong candidates are interviewing you, too! Be […]

Are you scratching your head like I am, wondering if we’re in some alternative universe and wishing you could hit the reset button on 2025? To my nonprofit friends and superheroes, please know that I see you, hear you, and walk by you in these unsettling times. Over the last few weeks, many of you have been grappling with recent federal decisions and unclear Executive Orders. It’s a lot right now. Lots of change. Lots of confusion. Lots of fear. Staying abreast of the EOs and their related actions will continue to be crucial for ensuring nonprofits are aware of upcoming hurdles to their work. Nonprofits with federal grants and contracts– especially those providing DEI trainings and programs to or in partnership with the federal government, or work in immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, or environmental protection– will want to review your programs and contract language immediately as it pertains the various EOs. It’s not a matter of if this will impact us further – it’s when. I wish I had better answers for you. What I can promise is that my team and I are in this with you and will share resources that will help you navigate uncertainty in the months ahead. […]