No one likes to feel left out or overlooked, and when key stakeholders feel that way, the results can be painful and long lasting. I recently conducted a focus group of community leaders who expressed serious concerns about the lack of communication within a significant regional initiative. When I asked the group what could be […]
The 4 Dimensions of a Successful Communications Plan Read More »
It’s easy to get mired in the way things have always been done, and sometimes it leaves us blind to our customers’ real needs. So take a moment and ask yourself one critical question: Who is my customer? In my experience this is a question that most foundations simply don’t ask themselves. I was talking
Who Is Your Customer? Read More »
I serve as the Chair of the National Network of Consultants to Grantmakers (NNCG) and we are currently seeking a new Project Director. In this part-time position, the project director will work with a dedicated group of volunteer members and a virtual office staff to: Expand the visibility and use of our Directory of Consultants
Job Opening – Project Director at National Network of Consultants to Grantmakers Read More »
One of the best ways to increase the impact of your grantmaking is to leverage the funding and expertise of other foundations by developing funding partnerships. The trouble, of course, is that it’s not always easy to figure out who else might want to partner with you on your project. In my experience, there are
6 Ways to Find Funding Partners Read More »
Imagine that the foundation for which you work needs to find consulting expertise for a particular project. Everyone agrees to develop an RFP to get qualified consultants to respond. That’s thorough, fair, and transparent. Right? Wrong. I rarely respond to RFPs for consulting engagements. Their expectations are not thorough, fair, or transparent. I find most
Why RFPs Waste Time: Choose a Better Approach to Finding a Great Consultant — Part I Read More »
Do you want to make a big splash with grant dollars, but you can only make a small gift? Not a problem! Some of the most effective change starts with a small grant. Follow a few simple strategies to create a ripple effect with a small gift. Here are 12 ideas to help you make
12 Strategies for Spreading Your Small Grant Further Read More »