Outsourcing functions and hiring consultants for specific projects is a double edged sword. 

If a consultant always makes you feel good, have they helped your organization to make tough decisions?  A good consultant should not be afraid to identify problems in the organization that prevent a funder, donor or customer from wanting to associate with the organization.  While a report does not have to include every fact, it is important that a report shows areas for improvement and potential problem areas that should be addressed.   There is no perfect organization. 

If your organization has not had a serious discussion among its Board and Management of its direction in the past five years it is being too complacent.

Look out the window, what has changed around you in five years?  When was the last time your organization evaluated the services it provides, reviewed its referral system, reviewed the characteristics of the population being served, reviewed the funding streams,   and made decisions balancing business needs vs. program needs?

If not in the last three years, the organization is out of touch. 

Most organizations do not function seasonally but seem to make raising money a seasonal focus.  Thereby creating donor fatigue during the November and December months.  I have received 19 solicitation since I began counting November 1st.  I have kept three to think about and one I sent a donation. 

The one pattern I have begun to use to separate among nonprofits are those that have large endowments and pay large salaries to its management compare to those that have low salaries and little or no endowment. 

Harvard University will get no donations until they stop using loans in the financial aid packages for many students.

Salvation Army has one of the largest endowments and does not report its information via guidestar or as a 501 c 3.  It hides behind the fact that churches arenot required to file a 990. 

Red Cross pays lots of high end salaries and is too general on what services they actually provided in a state.  I got the neighbor solicitation, while I would support my neighbor and community, the Red Cross solicitation does not keep it local.  There are plenty of local groups that will better serve the effort.

So what’s an organization to do?  Be specific about whom your going to serve, the outcome your trying to achieve, and communicate more often then once a year. 

Having the pulse of donors is always a challenge.  Questions to ask yourself in dealing with donors are:

How does the purpose for the funds interest the donor?

How does the campaign for the funds match the means for which the donor wishes to be recognized?

How does the campaign clearly describe whom will be served?

How does the organization plan to convey the outcomes for the funds donors have given?

Automated response vs a formal response with hand written thank you note.

How many times have you heard someone say: “Let’s reach out and talk to these kids.” “Let’s reach out and make a difference in these kids lives.” Let’s get some money and run a group for these kids.” STOP

If you listen to kids, they want activities in their neighborhood. Period !!!!!! No talking, no wasting their time on a message. The main categories are MUSIC, ARTS, and SPORTS.

Here is a list of the kids demands:

Structure,

Scheduled activities,

Materials,

Direction,

Leadership

Mentors (coaches, artists, musicians, athletes)

Government, community and business leaders can reduce many root causes to youth issues by providing equitable access to all youth art, music and sport activities.

The services dramatically reduced over the years in the education system are the after-school and extra-curricular activities.

Youth are everyone’s future.

How is your organization incorporating youth into its mission?

High Schools for homeless youth has become an important need. Schools who have the ability to house students are the best options for these youth. Urban schools should think about dorms similar to private schools. Private schools should link themselves to communities and offer their services for students in need as part of their mission. If you’re a donor looking to give to your prep school, why not place a restriction on your donation to fund a homeless youth for their junior and/or senior year?

As a person who has had many youth intern under my supervision, there was one consistent message - You can change where I sleep but please do not change my school.

The number of homeless youth who need support for high school is 5,000 in Massachusetts alone. If you know what the need is in your state let me know?

Those thinking of starting a Charter High School may want to think about targeting this group of students. You will be unique and the service can be documented as needed.

Most readers that responded to the Thanksgiving question of sharing what they did, spoke about their travel experience.  The theme was about how their travel experience was the best they have had in years.  It provided for a less stressful sharing of a time with family.

Being thankful for having the time for sharing moments with family and friends.

May next year be the same.

The United States Department of Education has a policy that Perkins loan recipients are eligible to have their loans cancelled under certain circumstances. According to the federal regulation one provision is:

To qualify for a child or family service cancellation, an otherwise eligible borrower must be “providing or supervising the provision of, services to high-risk children from low income communities. These services must be provided directly and exclusively to high-risk children and families. The borrower must either provide the services him or her self or the borrower must directly supervise the service providers.”

Therefore, it is important that the job description you provide when you or an employee is seeking cancellation to focus on the description above and to work with the employer to adequately document the provision.

When does a contract fail you? When words in the contract are not defined.

For example, in Coldwell Banker’s Exclusive Right to Sell Agreement, a seller owes the fee if ” During the term of this Agreement a Buyer is procured ready, willing and able to buy the Property or any part there of, in accordance with the price, terms and conditions of this Agreement”.  Nowhere in the agreement is there a definition of what “this Agreement” means.   I have the knowledge of one individual who received a letter from the Coldwell Banker Realtor demanding their fee. A year later between legal fees and settling, with neither side admitting anything, the cost is $23,000.  Come to find out, regardless of what the Sellers were told verbally by the agent, the seller should have written it into the Agreement, regardless of the Realtor’s assurances, that it was the purchase and sale agreement.  It could mean “the offer”.

Another example is the expiration of an offer. It is important to realize that the strength of your position is only to the degree that you maintain control. In an agreement, deadlines and options can be the critical components. If provisions have not been met, it may be wise to let the offer expire. It will certainly make sure everyone involved is paying attention and that your serious.

Do not let a realtor or anyone else push you to automatically exercise an extension or accept an option unless you have an attorney who represents your rights and they have advised you of the pros and cons. You must clearly understand what will happen with your actions. It is your responsibility to ask your attorney questions to make sure you understand what the results of your actions could be.

Therefore, if it is not clear to you, do not sign until the language means such to you.

Circle Lending now called Virgin Money is a great resource for creating personal and business loans between between associates, relatives and friends. http://www.virginmoneyus.com/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx

Governing Magazine:  A resource on states and localities.  Great for keeping the pulse on what is happening in states and localities.   http://www.governing.com

Nonprofit Quarterly:  A magazine that provides valuable management information and proven practices. The information is cutting edge, relevant and useful.    http://www.nonprofitquarterly.org

Mission Fish:  The easy way on Ebay to convert in-kind donations into cash or a new way to invigorate your fundraising efforts http://www.missionfish.org/ForNonProfits/fornonprofits.jsp

The Internet has brought about a tool for individuals to be able to communicate and bring services to them as they are in need. In addition, it can be used as a way for folks to be in touch daily with individuals to keep tabs on their health and safety and decrease feelings of isolation.

Nonprofits should review their services and create opportunities to expand their services through the web market place and maximize their impact.

Start with stay at home moms, the elderly, the disabled, and other groups that can be isolated or restricted in their ability to interact outside of their home.