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10 Business Essentials for Nonprofits

Greg McRay — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 12:00:13 +0000

It often seems that when otherwise business-savvy individuals become involved in a nonprofit organization, they set aside all they ever learned in business and proceed to operate their nonprofit as if business rules do not matter. As most soon find out, they matter a lot. In this post, let’s take a look (in no particular [...]

Thoughts on Nonprofit Leadership Part II

Greg McRay — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 16:00:40 +0000

This is installment #2 in our ongoing series on leadership. Our first installment was more of an introduction. In this post, we are going to explore the concept of governance vs. management. Governance and management: For many, these are interchangeable terms. They shouldn’t be. And in far too many nonprofits, the leadership fails to understand [...]

Thoughts On Nonprofit Leadership (Part I)

Greg McRay — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 15:30:07 +0000

The word “leader” conjures up a variety of images: your old Little League coach, a military general, your boss…even the president of the United States. Regardless of who (or what) comes to mind, there is the common thread of someone who leads. But what does leadership really mean? Certainly it means more than just being [...]

Is Your Nonprofit Repelling Donors?

Greg McRay — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 14:43:04 +0000

Every nonprofit in existence needs money. Your ability to pay the bills depends upon it, not to speak of your ability to accomplish your mission. But do you really understand what it takes to be attractive to donors? Is your organization truly fundable? Or, have you inadvertently created an atmosphere that repels givers? In this [...]

Common Myths Concerning Nonprofits

Greg McRay — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 14:48:25 +0000

Just yesterday, I was interviewing a new student intern candidate in my office. During the course of our wide ranging discussion, the conversation turned to some of the interesting misconceptions we encounter with clients. I made the comment that we often feel like the crew of the Discovery Channel show, Mythbusters. There is a never-ending [...]

Questions You Must Answer Before Starting a Nonprofit

Greg McRay — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 16:18:18 +0000

So…you want to start a nonprofit. Fantastic! That puts you in pretty good company. In any given year, as many as 75,000 applications for 501(c)(3) tax exemption are filed with the IRS. Less than half survive the process, but there is certainly no lack of interest in doing something charitable. But what does it really [...]

Why Marketing Is So Critical To Your Fundraising

Greg McRay — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 04:13:45 +0000

Developing a proactive, comprehensive fundraising plan to make sure your organization is fully funded is just one part of a total plan for your organization. There is another plan you need to create – one that is just as important and could make your fundraising goals easier to reach. The plan I am referring to [...]

When The Going Gets Tough

Greg McRay — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:45:46 +0000

We all have our moments of discouragement. There are times when we are getting beaten up so badly that we would rather throw in the towel than continue to get pummeled. This situation can occur in just about any area of our lives…personal and professional. But what do you do when it happens in your [...]

What is Your Nonprofit Thankful For?

Greg McRay — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:10:06 +0000

Thanksgiving is a wonderful, home-grown holiday. It is a time for family and friends, eating way too much and, most importantly, a time for reflection about all the things we have to be thankful for. I heard someone mention this a few days ago, and it is very true: Thanksgiving is about the only major [...]

Conflict Within Your Nonprofit – Handle With Care

Greg McRay — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:22:02 +0000

The honeymoon is over. It seems like yesterday that everyone was full of passion, vision and warm fuzzies. You were going to save the world and nothing could stand in your way. Now, passions have cooled, visions have diverged and the warm fuzzies have been replace with contempt and backbiting. How did things go south [...]