One of the most important responsibilities for nonprofit boards is determining who will be the next executive director for the organization. The search process can be complex and generally requires careful planning. Consultant Barbara J. Gilvar shares her expertise in the book, The Art of Hiring Leaders: A Guide for Nonprofit Organizations. Some of the key topics covered in the volume include:
-early actions steps for board members
-forming a search committee
-legal considerations
-communication issues
-recruiting candidates
-choosing finalists
Appendices contain material on hiring interim executives and using consultants.
The book contains a chapter on transition planning. If you require additional information on executive transitions, visit the Annie E. Casey Foundation web site for a special monograph series on this topic.
8/05/2008
Foundations: The European Experience
If you are interested in expanding your knowledge of civil society and would like to look beyond the strategies used by American foundations, there is a new book from the Alliance Publishing Trust that may suit your needs. Philanthropy in Europe: A Rich Past, A Promising Future contains 13 in-depth foundation profiles to help you understand the history and programs of each grantmaker. In addition, six essays by leading experts explore issues facing European foundations. The volume concludes with an analysis of why the European Union needs foundation laws that facilitate international activities.
Philanthropy in Europe was edited by Norine MacDonald, president of the Gabriel Foundation, and Luc Tayart de Borms, managing director of the King Baudouin Foundation.
Philanthropy in Europe was edited by Norine MacDonald, president of the Gabriel Foundation, and Luc Tayart de Borms, managing director of the King Baudouin Foundation.
7/30/2008
Successful Grant Proposals
The next time you visit our library/learning centers, be sure to ask to see the new Foundation Center publication, The Grantseeker’s Guide to Winning Proposals. Those of you who are familiar with our popular Guide to Winning Proposal series will find 35 new sample proposals that have approved by foundations. Each proposal is accompanied by a critique from the decision-maker who awarded the grant.
The Guide provides several access points to help you can target the type of proposal you need:
-Browse the table of contents to find examples for single or multiyear special projects, general operating support, staffing/salaries, start-up funds, and more.
-Note the special chapters on the letter proposal, letter of inquiry, cover letter, and budget.
-Don’t forget to check the index to help you explore proposals on a number of subjects, such as advocacy, community development, education, health, and social justice. In addition, the proposals are indexed by population groups served, and by special features as well (such as timelines and evaluation plans).
Need more help on proposal writing? Visit the Get Started area of our web site to learn about our training, audiobook, and other guides.
The Guide provides several access points to help you can target the type of proposal you need:
-Browse the table of contents to find examples for single or multiyear special projects, general operating support, staffing/salaries, start-up funds, and more.
-Note the special chapters on the letter proposal, letter of inquiry, cover letter, and budget.
-Don’t forget to check the index to help you explore proposals on a number of subjects, such as advocacy, community development, education, health, and social justice. In addition, the proposals are indexed by population groups served, and by special features as well (such as timelines and evaluation plans).
Need more help on proposal writing? Visit the Get Started area of our web site to learn about our training, audiobook, and other guides.
7/28/2008
A New Guide on Founder’s Syndrome
Effective nonprofits often need to adapt to new conditions and may expand operations to provide additional services. What if the founder of the organization sees things differently from board members or key leaders at the nonprofit? The new BoardSource guide, Moving Beyond Founder’s Syndrome to Nonprofit Success, explores strategies that founders and board members can use to address these types of issues. Eight case studies are included to help you cope with different scenarios. Here are some highlights from the volume:
-Suggests tips for board members and founders during the initial phases of a nonprofit’s life cycle when the founder is indistinguishable from the organization’s work.
-Recommends what can be done when a founder avoids growth opportunities, or seeks to expand at any cost.
-Explores the difficulties that may arise for a new chief executive when the founder remains as a staff member.
-Discusses succession planning and provides advice for dealing with a founder’s sudden resignation.
Moving Beyond Founder’s Syndrome to Nonprofit Success was written by Addie Nelson Backlund, executive director at the American-Italian Cancer Foundation, and Thomas A. McLaughlin, a senior manager of Grant Thorton LLP and a contributing editor for the NonProfit Times.
-Suggests tips for board members and founders during the initial phases of a nonprofit’s life cycle when the founder is indistinguishable from the organization’s work.
-Recommends what can be done when a founder avoids growth opportunities, or seeks to expand at any cost.
-Explores the difficulties that may arise for a new chief executive when the founder remains as a staff member.
-Discusses succession planning and provides advice for dealing with a founder’s sudden resignation.
Moving Beyond Founder’s Syndrome to Nonprofit Success was written by Addie Nelson Backlund, executive director at the American-Italian Cancer Foundation, and Thomas A. McLaughlin, a senior manager of Grant Thorton LLP and a contributing editor for the NonProfit Times.
7/24/2008
A Comprehensive Textbook on Nonprofit Organizations
If you are looking for a book to help you explore key management and governance issues facing charities, look for Nonprofit Organizations: Principles and Practices in our new books section. The introductory textbook is especially useful for nonprofit management courses, but is also a valuable resource for professionals. The volume covers a broad range of topics:
-Learn about the growth of the nonprofit sector
-Understand how ethical frameworks are used in nonprofit organizations
-Find out how to start a nonprofit and comply with government regulations
-Learn about leadership issues and organizational culture
-Explore human resource topics, such as personnel policies and diversity issues
-Find out about fundraising best practices
-Learn about “founder’s syndrome” and crisis management
-Understand strategic planning and program evaluation
Published by Columbia University Press, the textbook was written by Thomas P. Holland, founding director of the Institute for Nonprofit Organizations at the University of Georgia and Roger A. Ritvo, University Distinguished Research Professor of Management at Auburn University Montgomery.
-Learn about the growth of the nonprofit sector
-Understand how ethical frameworks are used in nonprofit organizations
-Find out how to start a nonprofit and comply with government regulations
-Learn about leadership issues and organizational culture
-Explore human resource topics, such as personnel policies and diversity issues
-Find out about fundraising best practices
-Learn about “founder’s syndrome” and crisis management
-Understand strategic planning and program evaluation
Published by Columbia University Press, the textbook was written by Thomas P. Holland, founding director of the Institute for Nonprofit Organizations at the University of Georgia and Roger A. Ritvo, University Distinguished Research Professor of Management at Auburn University Montgomery.
7/18/2008
New Handbook for Nonprofit Jobseekers
Jobseekers who are visiting the Foundation Center library/learning centers will now have access to the Fieldstone Alliance’s new book, The Nonprofit Career Guide: How to Land a Job That Makes A Difference. If you are new to the world of nonprofits, the guide will provide you with a basic understanding of the sector and highlight specific fields such as human services and international affairs, as well.
The guide contains several profiles of nonprofit managers and professionals, and includes a brief Q & A with each person. Sections and sidebars briefly discuss key areas you may have an interest in, such as graduate school, nonprofit salaries, and consulting in nonprofits. Author Shelly Cryer is the founder of the Initiative for Nonprofit Sector Careers.
Related resources:
Idealist guide to Nonprofit Careers (free download).
Foundation Center FAQ, “Where can I find out about job openings in the nonprofit sector?”
The guide contains several profiles of nonprofit managers and professionals, and includes a brief Q & A with each person. Sections and sidebars briefly discuss key areas you may have an interest in, such as graduate school, nonprofit salaries, and consulting in nonprofits. Author Shelly Cryer is the founder of the Initiative for Nonprofit Sector Careers.
Related resources:
Idealist guide to Nonprofit Careers (free download).
Foundation Center FAQ, “Where can I find out about job openings in the nonprofit sector?”
7/12/2008
Starting a Corporate Giving Program
Businesses that are interested in corporate philanthropy can ask our librarians for the guide, Corporate Giving: Options and Strategies. Published by the Council on Foundations, the booklet explores several key topics including legal issues, the planning process, administration, grantmaking, and communications.
--You might know about the options for corporate philanthropy, such as company-sponsored foundations and direct-giving programs, but the guide also notes that some businesses may establish donor-advised funds at community foundations. Chapter 1 contains a chart to help you compare the options.
--What would your personal role be in the new corporate giving program? Turn to page 51 for a chart that outlines the different roles chief executives, chief operating officers, senior executives, and other managers may have at the planning, establishment, and implementation phases.
--How do you increase the visibility of your work? Get some quick ideas on page 91 with the sidebar “Tips for Getting Media Interested in Corporate Contributions.”
Note: The guide is an update to Sylvia Clark and Kate Dewey's publication, Organizing Corporate Contributions, and has been revised by Ricky A. Weiss.
--You might know about the options for corporate philanthropy, such as company-sponsored foundations and direct-giving programs, but the guide also notes that some businesses may establish donor-advised funds at community foundations. Chapter 1 contains a chart to help you compare the options.
--What would your personal role be in the new corporate giving program? Turn to page 51 for a chart that outlines the different roles chief executives, chief operating officers, senior executives, and other managers may have at the planning, establishment, and implementation phases.
--How do you increase the visibility of your work? Get some quick ideas on page 91 with the sidebar “Tips for Getting Media Interested in Corporate Contributions.”
Note: The guide is an update to Sylvia Clark and Kate Dewey's publication, Organizing Corporate Contributions, and has been revised by Ricky A. Weiss.
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