The Rundown - August 26, 2022
The latest news and notes from the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors
Welcome to the Audience Participation Edition!
This week, our newsletter received TWO recommended articles for inclusion in this weeks edition. Both of them are timely and go in-depth in sustaining nonprofit and philanthropic organizations. Thanks to Jeff and Jennifer for bringing them to my attention!
The Real Issues Facing Nonprofit Compensation
I fully realize that the audience for this newsletter are hearty professionals in the nonprofit and philanthropic fields. We have seen it all and we have been through it all. But, on the off the chance, that there isn’t a nonprofit professional in the audience, this is a very apt description of what it is like to work in this industry:
“[Nonprofit] employees are members of a first-rate workforce often employed in second-rate organizations with third-rate equipment.”
This nugget of wisdom was offered by this article in the Stanford Social Innovation Review that was forwarded by loyal reader Jeff.
The article goes in depth in how employees in our organizations, especially our front line folks, are not well compensated for their work. And it’s true.
The best way I can describe this is through my own personal reflections. Eight years ago when I started at the nonprofit where I am Executive Director, I looked over our budget and financial projections. I also recently finished up our annual review process and summarily told employees individually that raises would be budgeted for the following year.
The response floored me.
“I have worked here for eight years, I have never received a raise,” was a response from one employee. When I pressed further, the employee responded, “We have always been told we couldn’t afford them.”
Nothing could be further from the truth. Our budget was growing and I found inefficiencies in our budget that allowed us to squeeze more money. Not paying our employees a competitive wage was not a symptom of not affording it, it was a symptom of not trying to make it work.
If you are an Executive Director and you are reading this, the plain fact is that we are nothing without our teams. Our unique positions require us to be both inside and outside the organization. We need to be in and out of the office. We rely on good front line staff to do the lion’s share of our work and we are morally obligated to do what we can to help those that help meet our cause.
Make sure your people are well compensated. Challenge them to do a good job. Be a part of the solution.
Donation Alert!
This article was on the NonProfitPro website and was submitted by loyal reader Jennifer!
This is an important piece of information, especially for those of you that have recurring donors that are providing payments through MasterCard.
From the article:
In June, Mastercard introduced new guidelines with specific rules for all subscription payments, which nonprofit recurring gifts currently fall under in Mastercard’s definitions. These new rules need to be implemented by Sept. 22.
Here is a summary of the compliance requirements:
Send a confirmation email at the time of enrollment that includes the terms of the subscription and instructions on how to cancel the subscription. (Note: This is a best practice anyway.)
Email a receipt after every successful billing attempt that includes instructions for how to cancel the subscription.
Provide an online cancellation method (similar to unsubscribing from emails).
For recurring payment plans that bill less frequently than every six months, send a notification with the terms of the subscription and instructions on how to cancel the subscription at least seven days prior to the billing date.
These new requirements could put an extra burden on nonprofit organizations as they try to develop new processes and policies to implement.
The Non-Profit Alliance is attempting to collect data and advocate for those nonprofits that may be impacted by this effort. I would encourage you to read the article on the NonProfitPro website and see if your organization needs to take action!
Question of the Week
Labor Day is just around the corner, the traditional end of the Summer season. So, I am curious about your feelings on this summer season.
Registrations now open for Paul G. Duke Academy for Community Leadership!
Registrations are now open for continuing education offered by Edison State Community College in Piqua for the Paul G. Duke Academy for Community Leadership! I have been a proud alumni of both programs and have even been asked to help present sessions and teach classes. It’s an amazing program and I would encourage you to be a part of it if you are in the area! You can register here.
The Paul G. Duke Academy for Community Leadership 1.0 is a series of workshops designed to develop more effective directors, leaders, board members, staff and volunteers of nonprofit organizations. Course topics include the fundamental practices of board recruitment, planning, staffing, budgeting, evaluation, board meetings and community awareness. The classes are designed to help individuals make a difference on their boards and in their community.
The Paul G. Duke Academy for Community Leadership 2.0 has been created and designed specifically for experienced executive directors of nonprofit organizations and alumni of the Academy for Community Leadership 1.0. This challenging and intensive Academy is coordinated by the Academy development team and participants. Advanced participants will conduct original research and exchange results via reports and discussion. Participants will help to further develop the foundational agenda for each of the four monthly sessions that will explore nonprofit organizations—based upon their backgrounds, experiences, pressing issues and needs—through self-analysis, organizational analysis, guest speakers, best practices, resource review and in-depth discussions. At its conclusion, Academy 2.0 participants will be immersed in the annual Mosaic of Community Leadership Conference, both as participants and presenters. Academy 2.0 is the latest collaboration between the Paul G. Duke Foundation and the Edison State Community College Center for Leadership Development.
Now a word from our sponsors!
We recently learned about a new tool called Collective Cause. Collective Cause offers a method of donation, powered by surveys. It provides a way for supporters to donate without using their own money. Supporters take surveys, and in exchange for their time, Collective Cause donates directly to the cause. 100% of the funds generated will be donated to a specific non-profit (Take a survey = Donations to charity).
Set up is quick with no coding or software development required. Essentially, Collective Cause would create a custom campaign and provide a URL to be promoted however the nonprofit chooses. This could be via the organization’s website, social channels, email marketing to current/past supporters, etc. Supporters click the link and take a survey. There is no sign up process and there is no cost to partner with Collective Cause.
To learn more, send me an email at pinnaclestrategiesltd@gmail.com and we can get you in touch with a member of the Collective Cause team!
We are Trying Something New
Perhaps you read our last “Deeper Dive” where we talked about the amazing power of Youtube as a Social Media platform. Well, a reader challenged me and said hey, “Why don’t you start your own channel?”
Okay, challenge accepted. Here is our channel with our first four videos. We had some readers share them on LinkedIn (THANK YOU!) and the response has been positive. Check it out and let me know what you think! Feel free to drop me a line at pinnaclestrategiesltd@gmail.com or just comment below!
Here is a link to our YouTube Channel!
Check Out Some New Resources
Pinnacle Strategies has created a new resource! Check out our store here on the gumroad platform. These are the three most popular tools that I am hit up for. Take a look at these tools and of course, if you have any comments or questions, please feel free to contact me at pinnaclestrategiesltd@gmail.com.
What Can We Work on Together?
Did you know that Pinnacle Strategies works individually with nonprofit and public sector leaders to help them solve problems, achieve goals and gain confidence in their roles?
Why?
Because, this work is hard and it’s often a lonely road. Our nonprofit and public sector leaders need people that they can talk to to get solid advice and encouragement to do the work that is in front of them. If you feel that this can be of value to you, or a member of your team, please reach out to pinnaclestrategiesltd@gmail.com and let’s talk.
A Quick Note of Thanks!
Thank you all for subscribing to this newsletter. The subscription numbers continue to grow and from what I am learning, this side job seems like it has “sticking power”. I am not getting inquiries and calls from literally all over the world wanting to partner and work together to create value for you, the non profit and philanthropy leader. I feel very excited about the future of this newsletter and if you have any ideas or comments, please feel free to share them with me at pinnaclestrategiesltd@gmail.com
I know many of you have shared this with your friends and colleagues and I am very grateful. Thank you! If you haven’t shared it yet…..well, here is your chance….
Ready to Learn Something New?
One of the prettiest cities in Fall is Indianapolis and travelling there can open a perfect opportunity to sharpen your skills and meet new professionals in the field. I would encourage you to look at some of the offerings of The Fund Raising School at the Lilly School of Philanthropy at Indiana University’s campus in Indianapolis. The professional development school has great programming both on-line and in-person both in Indianapolis and at other sites across the country. Take a look at their course offerings here!
Other Ways to Connect
Our coaching practice has openings starting here in 2022. If you are interested in working with me to get your nonprofit organization on a track to achieve the big missions you have for your organization, please reach out to me at pinnaclestrategiesltd@gmail.com.
Here are some other ways you can keep in contact with Pinnacle Strategies!
Check us out on our LinkedIn Page
Check us out on the Celebrating Leadership Facebook Page.
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