The first time I heard someone threaten to "put the fish on the table", I was in a meeting discussing a processing error that resulted in a million-dollar loss to the firm. The statement conjured up an image of a rotting fish in the middle of the conference table, no one able to look away. In effect, that's what my colleague wanted—for us to confront an uncomfortable truth about the risks to the Read More
Keeping the Wolf From the Nonprofit Door: An Introduction
Wolves have figured prominently in fairy tails and fables throughout history and the run-down is generally the same: 1) There is a wolf encounter 2) Someone or something is sacrificed 3) The wolf is slaughtered. A pretty destructive narrative. Now, what if we were to change that story-line: 1) Wolf encounter never happens or is limited to a minor scuffle 2) Wolf goes home 3) Protagonist goes home. A less Read More
A More Robust Nonprofit in 3 Steps
A community museum had it made. A local philanthropist was passionate about the museum’s mission and made substantial annual donations to the nonprofit for close to a decade. These major gifts allowed the museum to keep exhibits fresh, throw lavish annual galas and pay staff above market salaries. So when this vital donor decided to retire out of state and cease donations all together, the museum’s operational Read More
