Five frogs

"Five frogs are sitting on a log. Four decide to jump off.
How many are left?
There are still five - because there's a difference between deciding and doing."

"Five Frogs On A Log" by Mark L Feldman & Michael F Spratt

At this time of year we all resolve to change the status quo and move ourselves or our business in a different direction. All indications are that this will be a positive change and, after all, what have we got to lose? The Pros far outweigh the cons. So, yes, why not? Then several months later we look around and time has gotten away from us, we are just as mired in the old ways as we were and nothing has changed.

We, at Partnership in Philanthropy (PIP), firmly believe in change. In fact, we are agents of change. We have a blueprint for making “good nonprofits better” that has been tried and truly effective for over 15 years now. We invite you and your nonprofit to be part of this change.

PIP is currently looking for the nonprofit organization that has some or all of the following red flags

1. The organization does not have a committed and well-educated board.
2. The board does not represent the constituency it serves.
3. The organization’s funding sources are not diversified.
4. There are no well-defined job descriptions for board and staff.
5. The bylaws are not reviewed and updated regularly.
6. A Strategic Plan and a Fundraising plan are not in place and re-visited.
7. The organization is not a team at work, but a “one-man-show.”
8. There is no clear and consistent mission; it gets off track chasing the $.
9. There is no financial oversight by the board.
10. There are internal tensions that polarize the key players.
11. There are no clear outcomes and evaluation tools.
12. The public’s awareness and image of the organization is not positive.

Call PIP and discuss ways to address some of your issues and stumbling blocks. You may want to apply for a 165 hour/two year PIP consultancy, our application deadline is March 15th. You may prefer to bring PIP in-house for a planning session or a retreat. Whatever it is you need, we want to help you “jump off the log” and move your nonprofit ahead swimmingly.

Best Practices for Weathering the Storm

I sometimes catch a glimpse of the now famous “Dr. Phil” as he asks a tearful guest, in his sarcastic manner, “Yeah, and how’s that working for you?”

Right now we might very well ask the nonprofit community, when inquiring about their ability to effectively fundraise, “And how’s that working for you?” And if they answer, “It’s not” then offer the following:

· Make sure you have the most effective, educated and committed board you can get. Make them your chief advocates, your cheerleaders, and send them out to interact with their friends and colleagues and deliver your nonprofit’s message loud and clear.

· Put your nonprofit in front of corporate philanthropists and heads of big and small foundations. Tell them what you do best, what sets you apart from the others and what difference you make in the lives of those you serve.

· Take this time to verify that your organization has all the up to date requirements in place; updated by-laws and policies. Review your internal job descriptions and risk management procedures.

· Assess your program effectiveness. Review your data for trends and statistics and incorporate them into your case for support.

· And plan! Plan for when the economy starts to rebound so that you can hit the ground running. The government calls it being “shovel ready.” Look over your strategic plan to make sure it is relevant. Create a fund development plan that is current and realistic in today’s market. Train your staff and board to be the best that they can be!

And remember to express hope every day. Nonprofits are nothing if they are not hopeful. Set the example; be leaders in the “Hope Building Brigade.”

I’d wish you “good luck” but it isn’t luck that will get us all through this……it’s best practices.