The changing business landscape has forced companies to constantly evaluate and redefine their concept of working teams, and how these teams are constructed. The evolution of management priorities, along with advances in technology, has pushed organizations toward leaner and more flexible structures. Nonprofit organizations, like their for-profit brethren, are realizing the need to specialize in order to differentiate from competitive organizations. They’re choosing to be unique to someone over being everything to everyone. They’re choosing to cultivate talent and focus on services that support core strengths. The looming question is how to fill the gaps that fall outside of core strengths. Many organizations turn to outsourcing, a growing trend consistent with the need to produce more with less. This is particularly applicable to marketing. With the right talent, outsourcing doesn’t have to feel like working with an outsider. Whether the arrangement is temporary project-based assistance or freelance assignment, the benefits most often far outweigh the cost. Sometimes, we can’t see the forest for the trees. Outside strategists can introduce a fresh perspective and help you gain altitude to see the problem in new ways. External resources come with added expertise. Organizations to tell their stories through many venues, and to…

The nonprofit sector is an incredible force given all the good it does every year. Quite literally, it is a source with which to be reckoned, as it makes up about 10% of the US work force. Those who work at nonprofit organizations take the task of improving the social and cultural fabric of our world very seriously. Made up of roughly 1.5 million organizations in the US, nonprofits address issues ranging from local animal rescue to helping underserved autistic populations learn skills that will make them employable them as they age out of programs and into adulthood. At the heart of every legitimate organization is a mission that has an impact. The traditional sources for funding of nonprofits has always been charitable—be it private funding, individual donations, grants, or otherwise. Straightforward donations and fundraisers have been the most popular sources of financial development. But, that is changing with the times. Enter the Social Entrepreneur. Just as technology has changed consumer behavior over the years, philanthropy, too, is changing. And technology (especially social media) has democratized philanthropy. Now, anyone with a smartphone can easily support a friend’s attempt to raise funds for their charity of choice with just a couple…

Whether you are leading a nonprofit team, a project, an agency, cultural institution, or angling to be the leader in your next career move, you’ll learn something along the way if you stay connected to these 5 great nonprofit leadership blogs. 1. Nonprofit With Balls If you prefer to read leadership advice with a lot of bite, humor, and pop culture references, you really must subscribe to Vu Lee’s blog, Nonprofit With Balls. The blog covers a wide range of topics which affect all leaders in nonprofit, but with an infectiously witty slant. Want to better understand job descriptions for an open position? Be sure to refer to his recent post, “Common nonprofit terms and concepts and what they actually mean.” Otherwise you won’t realize that “a dynamic work environment” is often code for “a very disorganized group”. 2. Seth’s Blog Leadership isn’t sector or job specific. It can help you in your journey to become a better person, one who can inspire others to give their best, whether it is your kid or your co-workers. A very literal characteristic of a leader is being the one who goes first. You’ll be hard pressed to find a more forward-thinking blogger…

Nonprofit dynamo Carole Berde was quoted in an article by NonProfit Director saying, “A good staff person and an effective board member ask questions that make others think about issues in a different way.” This is probably the most accurate and best description of a good board member (or staff member) that I’ve ever heard. Elmira Bayrasli nailed it for Forbes in Building Successful NonProfit Boards when she said, “People need to think of nonprofit board seats as a deep responsibility and a job that requires due care and attention. To begin, the very cause of the organization is at stake as is its survival. That’s a higher ethical imperative than just ensuring the health of the organization’s bottom-line.” One of my friends puts it more bluntly when speaking of her term as board chair, “If we screw up, someone will be sleeping under a bridge.” So, let’s take a look at habits of highly effective boards. 5 Habits of Highly Effective Boards Courtesy of Sarah Daxton/Third Sector Today, A team of researchers from The Bridgespan Group and the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation recently collaborated to pinpoint what drives the highest performance among nonprofit boards. Bridgespan shares the results in…