By David Beecher As I began drafting a piece on the value of board retreats—a highly visible and strategic element of good governance—I found myself continually returning to the quieter, often overlooked aspects of board governance. While retreats and officer elections are headline-worthy, effective governance is equally rooted in foundational practices that rarely make the
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By David Beecher In the independent school world, the Head of School is obviously a critical and substantial position. In addition to being the educational leader of the school, she or he is the moral compass for the community, establishing and maintaining the core values of the institution. She is also responsible for financial management,
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By Jason Kroll In today’s increasingly competitive environment, independent schools and higher education institutions need more than traditional fundraising approaches to thrive. Enrollment and philanthropy are the lifeblood of institutional success, yet many advancement teams, athletic directors, coaches, deans, and program leaders still operate in silos, cultivating their own networks of donors, alumni, and supporters
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By Suzanne Albin Strategic planning is essential for any organization aiming for long-term success. Often driven by staff, the process can be mundane and uninspiring for Board members. Transforming a disengaged Board into an enthusiastic, committed team and partner requires a structured approach. Here’s how to energize your Board for a meaningful and impactful strategic
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The 2024 Giving USA report reveals significant insights into the current state of charitable giving in the United States. Understanding these trends can help fundraisers strategically align their efforts to maximize donations and impact. Here are the key takeaways from this year’s report, based on data collected in 2023. Overall Charitable Giving In 2023, total
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By Cynthia Albert Link Creating an effective board for your nonprofit organization is essential to its success. A well-rounded board can provide the expertise, experience, and support necessary to achieve your mission. Utilize this guide to help you build the optimal board by focusing on key goals and evaluating your current board’s composition. What Qualities
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The capabilities of artificial intelligence are growing exponentially. As artificial intelligence becomes a more reliable digital tool, organizations who utilize the technology will have an advantage over those who do not. Ninety-seven percent of business owners recently surveyed by Forbes Advisor believe that applications like ChatGPT will help their businesses. Using new technologies can be
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Conversations about the unique fundraising challenges each nonprofit faces are not always unique. Abbie Fine, Associate Vice President of Client Partnerships has worked with many nonprofits–on staff, as a board member, as a panel grant reviewer, and at a grant writing firm engaging with 100+ clients–and she came to expect certain conversations. What’s hard for
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Top 5 Strategic Planning Tips – Lessons Learned Over 20 Years of Planning Strategic planning is a crucial exercise that every institution should go through from time to time, typically every five to seven years. A strategic plan establishes the framework necessary for your institution set goals and develop a plan that will help you
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In the realm of healthcare fundraising, fostering connections with grateful patients and their families forms the bedrock of sustained philanthropic support. These individuals, touched by the compassionate care they receive, often feel compelled to give back to the healthcare organizations that have made a difference in their lives. However, effectively nurturing these relationships and maximizing
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