philanthropy

The Do's and Don'ts of Running a Great Nonprofit Board Meeting

Alice Korngold — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:05:45 -0500

The best board members will trample each other to the exit door, and hand in their resignations by the weekend, if board meetings are poorly handled. So…

DON’T

How to Build a More Effective Nonprofit Sector by Transforming Boards

Alice Korngold — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:42:42 -0500

Boards of directors, comprised of volunteers, have the decision-making authority and power over the direction and finances of nonprofit organizations. Although there are boards that are disappointingly ineffective, I have seen many boards rise to the occasion to lead their organizations to success in service to the community.

When To Leave One Board and Join Another

Alice Korngold — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:20:14 -0500

Having trained and placed many business executives on nonprofit boards for over 15 years, I've also helped board members decide when it's time to move on from one board to the next. What leads people to move off of one board and move onto a new one?

Facebook, Chase Team Up for Crowdsourced Philanthropy Program

Ariel Schwartz — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:57:29 -0500

Instead of just writing trite wall posts and playing FarmVille, what if Facebook users could be directed towards doing good deeds? That's the thinking behind the Chase Community Giving Program, a new app that allows users to choose from over 500,000 charities to decide which get cash from Chase's corporate philanthropy fund.

The Truth About Funders and Nonprofits

Alice Korngold — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:14:55 -0500

I've always appreciated that Pablo Eisenberg has spoken his mind about philanthropy and the nonprofit sector, a refreshing voice of wisdom and candor in a sector rife with politics and back-scratching.

How to Build A Better Nonprofit Board: It's About the Board Chair

Alice Korngold — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:35:24 -0400

Yes, positioning the right person as the board chair is key. Because the chair has the greatest influence on how the board uses its time in meetings and in between meetings, who will be on the board, and who will be groomed for future leadership.

I have seen organizations rise or fall, depending on the board chair's effectiveness. Even the most extraordinary nonprofit CEO cannot achieve the enterprise's fullest potential without a good board chair.

Here's how an effective chair uses her time for the greatest benefit to the nonprofit:

Smart Giving: Look Who's on the Board

Alice Korngold — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 13:35:31 -0400

Whether you're an individual, company or foundation, making a significant contribution, you can get a good idea of an organization's vitality and prospects for success by taking a look at who's on the board.

Philanthropy and Service: Getting the Best Return on Your Investment

Alice Korngold — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:14:29 -0400

One year ago, I wrote a post here on "Building Your Nonprofit Investment Portfolio: Leveraging Your Impact." In the post, I recommended how to decide where to make your personal contributions in order to make a difference on the issues that matter to you most.

JackTheDonkey.com is growing up nicely

David Katz — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:11:53 -0400

I hope this finds you well.

I wanted to reconnect to give you an update in the life of JackTheDonkey.com.

Overall….I like to think that Jack is now getting up to speed.

The overall functionality of the site has increased to the point, where “the experts” are now calling this a legitimate social network…one that just so happens to be doing good with your time online for the charity of your choice! (to the tune of 1.1 cents EVERY impression donated by JackTheDonkey.com to your choice of 23 charities from across Canada, The US and now The UK).

Catalytic Philanthropy: A Perfect Lead-In to the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI)

Alice Korngold — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:01:24 -0400

My friend and colleague, Mark Kramer, just published an excellent new article on Catalytic Philanthropy. It's an extension of his work in helping foundations and philanthropists to improve their giving strategies.

How To Do a Good Job on a Nonprofit Board

Alice Korngold — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:31:05 -0400

So you've joined the board of a nonprofit where you care about the mission and the work, you think you can be useful, and you like some of the people you'll be working with--the ones you've met so far. What do you do next in order to be productive?

1. Learn more about the organization and the community you serve.

Daddy Givebucks: Lessons Learned When Warren Buffett Hands You $1 Billion

Jeff Bailey — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 14:00:00 -0400

For all the talk of how Warren Buffett is a normal, aw-shucks Midwestern guy, we know he is not just like us. We don't play bridge with Bill Gates. We may get calls asking for capital infusions, but they're from our kids, not from GE and Goldman. And these days, we certainly don't get 10% dividends on our stocks.

Randy Newman wasn’t quite clear enough…

David Katz — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:01:47 -0400

Why? Because I looooooooooooooooooooooooooove LA. Or more specifically, the people you meet just being in LA (when you’re not stuck in traffic).

There are a few cities in the world for which I feel this way…but LA is something something.

Now, before I spew my LA lovefest, I need to say…I hate the process of getting there.

Patagonia’s Founder on Why There’s “No Such Thing as Sustainability”

Tom Foster — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:00:00 -0400

"I'm kind of like a samurai," says Yvon Chouinard, founder of outdoor-apparel maker Patagonia. "They say if you want to be a samurai, you can't be afraid of dying, and as soon as you flinch, you get your head cut off. I'm not afraid of losing this business."

Nokia Makes Unused Patents Available to All

Cliff Kuang — Thu, 21 May 2009 15:32:18 -0400

Exploding the Business Models of Nonprofits

Alice Korngold — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 21:51:34 -0400

“We got it that cities that rely on old-line manufacturing have to change or die. That for-profit business models have t

An Artificial Knee, for Just $20

Cliff Kuang — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 08:17:56 -0400

Nonprofit Funding: Bad News is Good News

Alice Korngold — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 14:52:24 -0400

The bad news we know: funding is tight.

UpMo for Leadership Development: Volunteering is the Yellow Brick Road

Alice Korngold — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 21:49:07 -0400

Getting a Job in the Nonprofit Sector: Making Your Move from Corporate

Alice Korngold — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 21:38:29 -0400

“Definitely consider making the transition from the for-profit to the nonprofit sector. Your skills are transferable, and it definitely feels good to do good. But don't assume that it is exactly the same; social impact is a lot harder to measure than profitability, and the capital raising process (i.e., fundraising) is more complicated and less streamlined than in the for-profit world,” explains Stephanie Cuskley, who was recently named CEO of NPower.

Nonprofits Want Your Time and Money, and You Want to Invest Wisely

Alice Korngold — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 21:30:55 -0400

Your inbox overflows with appeals for contributions, invitations to galas, and volunteer projects. In addition, if you are a business executive or professional with strategic expertise and some financial success, there are nonprofit boards that would love to have you join. Nonprofits are competing for you.

Choosing a Nonprofit Board: The Elevator Speech

Alice Korngold — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 18:52:54 -0400

Last November, I listed 5 factors that board candidates consider in choosing a nonprofit board. In having trained and placed hundreds of business executives and professionals on nonprofit boards, and also having trained and mentored colleagues and protégés to place business people on boards, I have stressed the vital role of board members being unrelenting advocates for their organizations, generous donors, and enthusiastic fundraisers.

Teach For America: It’s Really About an Alumni Movement

Alice Korngold — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 21:22:47 -0500

DC Central Kitchen Has the Secrets to Success for Nonprofit Entrepreneurship

Alice Korngold — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 16:34:09 -0500

Increase Your Sex Appeal: Volunteer Now!

Alice Korngold — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 15:18:38 -0500

Turns out that chugging down vast volumes of beer is actually not the way to turn on potential mates. In fact, it’s acts of kindness and altruism that will do the trick.