Blogs

I’m traveling to Bangalore, India right now. I’ve been meeting some foundations involved in funding programs in the area of children’s education. Recently, I
was talking to a program officer at a mid-sized foundation in Bangalore. We were exchanging ideas about how foundations should measure the outcomes of programs they fund. How much outcomes measurements is enough from a foundation’s perspective? When non-profits are so tightly squeezed for resources, what is fair to ask from them?

*Title:
"Technology Decisions in Capacity Building"

*Brief Description:
Organizations that expand their programs should be aware of the strategic
technology options available to them, and the benefits and risks associated
with each option. August 13, Noon to 1:30 pm, (We supply drinks and cookies) Free.

*A more detailed description:
Join Annkissam and Management Consulting Services for lunch (we supply the
drinks and cookies) and a workshop on the kind of technology decisions that
nonprofits face when scaling up their program operations. It's a great
chance to learn and network over lunch, and the event is free.

http://www.managementconsultingservices.org/node/94 

Michael Richards writing (MCS Intern, MBA in non-profit management at Brandeis University's Heller School):

MCS is planning a couple of informative summer lunchtime
programs, and an exciting fall schedule of training and education events,
including the “Networked Non-profit Series”, a leadership development program
for IT managers and leaders, and a new series on “Information Technology for
Non-profits”.

Please be sure and bring your lunch for our first summer
brown bag networking and education lunches ("Drowning in Paperwork") on Wednesday, July 16 (there are 3 deli’s within half a block
of MCS, 6 Beacon St., Beacon Hill) from noon to 1:30pm, and again on Wed.
August 13 (exact title coming soon). Look here on the MCS web site
for discussion groups regarding these lunchtime programs.

Nonprofit leaders are becoming more familiar with the 2.0 tools and strategies that are creating a new paradigm for constituency engagement.  A simple look at a nonprofit employment website shows a proliferation in new positions with titles such as "online community manager" or "new media communications associate".  Even if an organization has yet to adopt the new technology, there is a growing awareness of a brave new world in which the organization must seek to engage.   

Nonprofit organizations face a common issue of needing to raise funds from multiple sources to support their programs. Unfortunately, grant applications from different funders usually vary in proposal format, documentation requirements and budget templates, which can present a significant challenge, particularly to smaller to mid-sized organizations. Moreover, applications for smaller grants often call for the same demanding proposal and reporting requirements as the larger ones, which often strain their limited capacity.

We've all seen it: donors are holding off on making charitable gifts, smaller gifts are being given, there are fewer new donors and campaigns are slowing down. Smaller returns on investments are squeezing individual donors and foundations alike. During such difficult times, what should organizations do to maintain their fundraising operations? Last week I attended a forum sponsored by Citizens Bank entitled, "Fundraising in a difficult economic environment" which featured keynote speaker Ruben Orduña, VP Development at the Boston Foundation. He offered up some practical suggestions of what you can do to weather the economic storm.