PIP: Producing a Ripple Effect that Goes On and On and On

Drop a pebble in the water: Just a splash and it is gone;
But there's a half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on,
Spreading, spreading from the center, flowing on out to the sea.
And there is no way of telling where the end is going to be.
Anonymous

We often describe Partnership in Philanthropy as the pebble that produces a continuous ripple effect for the organizations we serve. PIP’s board leadership training motivates trustees to become stronger advocates for their cause, more involved custodians of the by-laws, policies and procedures of the organization and more invested fundraisers. All of these can bring long-term positive changes. PIP’s program analysis enables organizations to re-assess their programs’ viability in addressing needs and targeting clients. PIP’s assistance with budgeting oversight, helps stabilize the finances of a nonprofit. PIP’s strategic planning process provides a viable, realistic blueprint for a productive future. And the more secure the nonprofit, the more it can provide needed services for its neighborhood and its community. Each of the skill sets above can be the pebble that sends ripples circling on and on and on.

Fortunately, PIP has been making waves in New Jersey for nearly twenty years, and there’s “no way of telling where the end is going to be.”

Putting “Success” in Succession

If there is one thing this country is good at, it’s smooth transfer of power. We do it every four years and with our free enterprise system we often do it in both the public and private sector as well. But, as often as we do it, and as integral as it is to our culture, transition can be difficult…for the country, for individuals, for businesses and for nonprofits alike. The key ingredient for good transition is planning. That means putting together a step by step action plan and getting buy-in from all the major stakeholders. And it means remaining supple and alert when things don’t always go as anticipated.

Few nonprofits have the luxury of planning a transition a year in advance. Partnership in Philanthropy (PIP), a 501 (c)(3) that provides consulting for New Jersey nonprofits, had the good fortune of learning that its executive director was planning retirement an entire year before the retirement date. It also had a person on staff that had the experience and the qualifications to step into the role of executive director. So the steps leading up to what might have been a challenging event, have been predictable and controllable.

What helps to put success in succession?
First and foremost, transparency; open and honest discussions between the CEO, the board president, the executive committee, and the board.

Next, a well-articulated plan that has the buy in of all the major stakeholders, particularly funders; periodic assessments to see if the plan is still viable and working.

Next, a schedule for the transition of responsibilities so that nothing falls through the cracks.
Training of all the day to day tasks and coordinating of calendars so that the new face has exposure and the old face begins to be seen less and less.

Finally, a pr plan so that the public learns of the change in an upbeat and positive fashion; putting out a message that assures consistency and continuity.

So, it is with total confidence that Partnership in Philanthropy announces that Heather Robinson will assume the role of executive director of PIP on June 30, 2010, upon the retirement of Becky Dembo, ending a ten-year tenure at the helm of the 20-year old PIP.

Fishing

Give a man a fish; Feed him for a day.
Teach a man to fish; Feed him for a lifetime.

This old Chinese proverb is the tag line that PIP has used for years to describe the benefits of nonprofit mentoring and training that we offer through our capacity building programs. But I recently heard a new twist to it and I think it is worth some thought.

Give a man a fish; Feed him for a day.
Teach a man to give; He will be a giver for a lifetime.

In other word, if people receive the gift of giving early on, and understand the impact their gift can have on others, they will be more inclined to give more and more meaningful gifts as they are able through out their lifetime.

I remember when I first graduated from high school and received my very first solicitation a few weeks later. I was so infuriated that I threw it into the trash and went into a rant about how ridiculous it was that they were asking me for money. My father was quick to teach me that it ought to be my pleasure now more than ever to give back to a community that had been so meaningful in my life. He said, “Sweetie, we have to give something back to each community we are part of. That way others will have the same opportunities that we have had. It doesn’t matter how much you give, it matters that you give something.” I will never forget that conversation.

We are not born philanthropists but hopefully, we all learn at some point in our lives to give back. And when we do, it’s something that is hard to un-learn. Philanthropy is a good habit to get into; giving as we are able to those causes and crises that pull at our heartstrings for all sorts of reasons. It’s good to be a “giver”.

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.

Holidays

News came on December 21st that Israeli officials announced the discovery in Nazareth of remains of the first dwellings ever found that date back to the time of Jesus. The Bible tells us that this is the town in which Mary was visited by the Angel and told that she would bear the child of God, the same small town in which Jesus grew up. Nazareth at this time was a town of about 50 residents; the dwellings were “simple” and the residents were of “modest means.” This dwelling therefore may have belonged to one of Jesus’ neighbors; may even have housed some of Jesus’ extended family.

As I read this story I could not help but be carried back two thousand plus years to the weeks surrounding Mary’s pregnancy and Jesus’ birth. How the neighborhood must have buzzed with the rumors of Mary’s pregnancy; can’t you just picture the grandmothers clucking and the mothers shaking their heads in disbelief? How could this happen; she was such a quiet shy girl…..who would have dreamed she would become an unwed mother? How the town folk must have gossiped when Mary and Joseph returned from Bethlehem with their small baby and set up house in the village.

Back then there were no nonprofit agencies to deal with the stigmatized and marginalized; simple folk of modest means who had to scrape together a living to support an unplanned baby on a carpenter’s salary. There were no nonprofits to bring food to the hungry, clothe the poor and goods to the jobless. They were cared for by the extended family and neighbors.

Today we write our checks and mail them off to our favorite charities knowing that they will steward our donations to those in need. We rely on the expertise of these wonderful nonprofits to provide for the homeless, the jobless and the hungry. At this time of year, as we celebrate the birth of Christ, let us be mindful of the great work that our nonprofits do; let us open our wallets wide so that they can continue to do their good works. And let us never forget that helping those in need is timeless, it is our responsibility and it still is, as it was two thousand years ago, our privilege and our own way of serving God.

A cup of tea

PIP just put out its Annual Appeal Letter and it was somewhat of a departure for us: We included in each letter an individually wrapped PIP tea bag and we wrote about the economic difficulties that nonprofits are facing as “hot water.” If you put a tea bag into hot water, there is a dramatic change to the water; it takes on an entirely new and different character. In much the same way, when you place a PIP consultant into a nonprofit, with mentoring, training, motivation, understanding and commitment, the board and the staff of that organization can flourish in the hot water.

There is no doubt that many New Jersey nonprofits find themselves in financial hot water, despite all their good intentions. In these difficult times, clients ought to be knocking down our doors, lining up around the block, pulling out all the stops to be awarded one of PIP’s coveted affordable, long-term consultancies that can help reverse the financial stress and impact the future for struggling organizations. Have you taken the time to visit PIP’s web site and read what PIP clients say about PIP? Have you taken the trouble to call any former PIP clients to ask their results? Have you spoken to your fellow board members, met with your executive director or approached your board president to inform them of all that PIP can offer your NPO? Why not? There is no better time to begin the dialogue with PIP to see if you are a good match. There is no better time to take that first step to get you out of the hot water that you are in.

We should not be defined by what we are not

It’s kind of ironic that Partnership in Philanthropy is a “not-for-profit” because if there’s anything that we exist “for”, it’s to make a profit. We are a nonprofit that’s all about making a profit. We work hard with our clients to make them donor-worthy so that they can raise the funds, to pay for the services, which increase the quality of life of the people they serve. We are “for” building reserves for a rainy day; we are “for” hiring and retaining the best possible staff to serve the organizations; we are “for” recruiting the most competent and involved board members to govern the organizations; we are “for” creating profitable enterprises that have longevity and stability, even in times of economic hardship.

So I ask all the nonprofits out there: what can PIP do “for” you? Because we exist solely “for” you…to make you profitable in every way.

Surprises...

Remember when you were a kid how you loved surprises? There was nothing more fun that an unexpected present, an unscheduled trip to do something special, some event that was totally random and delightful?

Now, not so much. In our maturity, and given some time, we’ve learned that we like to be prepared, have our bases covered, know all the consequences before we act. In other words, the element of surprise can be a bit disconcerting for us now that we comprehend that it’s not all fun and games.

It used to be that the nonprofit arena was not afforded the same intense scrutiny as the for-profit world but that changed dramatically a few years ago, and understandably so. It was a little of the “one bad apple….” scenario and wham bang, expectations and demands shifted for us all.

Total transparency is the new more acceptable concept in today’s culture. No secrets, no hidden agendas, open communication, total honesty. In the business and the nonprofit worlds, best practices demand that people divulge all the intimate details of their lives in an attempt to have no surprises. This can go a bit far and become a legitimate threat to our personal lives and our right to privacy. But taken at its face value, I believe it is an attempt to regain that honestly and innocence that we, as a society, seem to have lost somewhere along the way.

What we need to find is a healthy balance between the two. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the pendulum would swing back just a little and we could once again experience that sense of pure delight, without any unease, when we sense a surprise coming on?

Dead Tree Standing

Last weekend I took a wonderful walk through the woods with some life-long friends. As we ambled along and talked, one of my colleagues stopped dead in her tracks, looked up and said, “Dead tree standing”, referring to a tall tree in our path that had no foliage left on its bare trunk.
She then said, “I recently attended a lecture on the importance of leaving dead trees standing. The reason is that their root systems are so intricately entwined with their neighbors’ that by taking them down, it jeopardizes the support of all the neighboring trees.”

I started thinking what a great metaphor this is for life. Each trees’ root system is so intricately entwined with its neighbors’ that if disturbed, it could weaken the forest. And as individuals, many of us, when depleted or ill, continue to depend upon the root systems of our more healthy neighbors for strength.

Apply this same metaphor to philanthropy. Many nonprofits are facing drastic times and the people who depend on them face perilous days ahead. Those of us still standing tall with healthy branches and vibrant leaves have to reach down deep to help provide an infrastructure for others to build on. That is the principle behind Partnership in Philanthropy (PIP). The skill sets and expertise that PIP consultants bring to struggling organizations is like the root system that can help them stand tall in the face of economic woes.

Fresh Produce

I recently spend an hour ambling through a Farmer’s Market. Everywhere I turned there were signs for “Fresh Produce.” And I thought to myself how wonderful it is that year after year the earth yields up fresh, tasty, nutritious fruits and vegetables with little or no effort at all and how difficult it is for us to produce the same kinds of results.

I do try to keep my ideas fresh and relevant; my projects inspired and imaginative. But my day to day tasks prevent me from keeping the ground moist, taking the time to look up at the sun, and plucking away the weeds that tend to strangle my crops. Try as I may, my garden gets parched and unappealing.

As harvest time is fast approaching, my “new year’s resolution” is to make this year’s crop count as among my very best; plump, juicy ideas, creative tidbits, and above all, fresh produce that is consistently safe for consumption in this very challenging growing season.