Transferring government skills to nonprofit work
Q. I’ve had an extensive career in state and local government, and am looking to move into nonprofit work, specifically with groups that have impact on the lives of people at a local or regional level. I have a lot of experience in program monitoring and planning, grant-proposal writing, and…
By Rebecca Gardyn
Contributor
Nonprofit organizations typically merge for reasons of survivability and viability.
By Rebecca Gardyn
Contributor
Most nonprofits are governed by at least some business people, and you may well have direct or indirect connections you never thought to explore.
By Rebecca Gardyn
Contributor
Building a consulting business
Q. I’m looking to start a fund-raising consulting business. I have more than 10 years of experience with nonprofit groups, focusing on foundation relations, grant-proposal writing, prospect research, special events, and annual campaigns. Where do you suggest I advertise? How should I get started?…
By Rebecca Gardyn
Contributor
Where to find the latest IRS rules governing car donations
Q. How can I find the charity world’s top 25 donors? A. Check out the Chronicle’s annual survey of the 60 people who gave the most to charity in 2004 here Results from the 2005 survey were released in March. Be sure to use the database, which allows you to search the donors by their source of…
By Alison Stein Wellner
Contributor
Advice on moving up to midlevel management and beyond
Q. I am in my 20s and currently work for a nonprofit organization. I want to climb into midlevel management in the next three to five years, and eventually into senior management at a charity. I have a master’s in education, but little work experience. What should I be doing now to ensure that I…
By Alison Stein Wellner
Contributor
Making the switch from for-profit to non-profit work
Many essential skills learned in one environment are transferable to a number of different areas.
By Rebecca Gardyn
Contributor
Fighting the ‘Overqualified’ Label
“Overqualified” can sometimes be an employer’s code for “lack of fit.”
By Rebecca Gardyn
Contributor
What to Do When a Donor’s Check Bounces
Q. I am a fund raiser for an arts organization. We recently received a donation check that bounced. We are trying to find the most tactful and appropriate way to write to the donor regarding this sensitive issue. Do you have any suggestions for wording or language, and any other advice to resolve…
By Rebecca Gardyn
Contributor
What to do about misused grants
Q What are the standard procedures a grant maker would follow if it discovered that funds it had given to a charity have been misused? Specifically, what would that grant maker do if the entire grant has already been paid to the grantee? A. Private foundations have a legal obligation to try to…
By Alison Stein Wellner
Contributor