The SISR report—Social Impact Staff Retention Report—represents a bold call to action for the nonprofit sector, shedding light on the critical challenges and opportunities within staff engagement and retention. With striking findings such as 74% of respondents actively seeking new roles and two-thirds uncertain about their long-term future in the sector, the findings offer a grounded perspective from in-house nonprofit leadership.

If you’re thinking about starting a meditation practice but feel a bit overwhelmed by where to begin, I curated this guide for you.

I credit my meditation practice for so much happiness in my life and I want that for you, too. But when I started meditating regularly in 2008, I also wondered if I was doing it "right" ...

In November 2023, I decided that I needed to take a step back from nonprofit work. This decision emerged from a sense of being overworked and a depletion of my spiritual, emotional, and physical energies.

The notion of stepping away from my professional responsibilities was very daunting for me. I questioned, “how will I ever explain a several-month gap on my resume??” …

An increasing number of professionals are transitioning from in-house roles to positions 'adjacent to' the nonprofit sector, such as consultants and freelancers. Inherently, this is neither good nor bad. However, a significant, yet under discussed, repercussion of this trend is the emerging shortage of dedicated and willing Expeditioners.

In fundraising, entering the field can be both exhilarating and daunting. Drawing inspiration from the insights shared by industry professionals, I've distilled a collection of both mine and their invaluable lessons for those embarking on their fundraising journey.

Embracing Imperfection and Opportunity in Your First Role

Real talk: the initial step into fundraising seldom presents the perfect job scenario. Yet, this phase holds immense potential for exploration and self-discovery!

“You know those houseplants that have been in a pot too long? When you take them out of the pot, you see the coils of roots circling around and around, just barely wedging in the container. That’s how I feel here.”

I told a coworker this once to describe how stagnation felt in a past role. Houseplants confined to a small pot may not necessarily die. They can survive, but their growth is minimal, and gradually, they begin to look quite forlorn. This is a powerful illustration of what happens when we stay too long in a role that no longer challenges us or offers room for advancement.

Virtual meetings seem to be a necessary evil in today’s workplace. And there's a crucial conversation we need to have about them. As we continue to navigate online collaboration, it's essential to consider the efficiency, efficacy, and etiquette of these digital gatherings.

One insightful approach comes from the Chief People Officer at Dropbox, who introduced the "three Ds" rule to streamline virtual meetings. The rule is simple: if a meeting doesn't require you to "discuss, debate, and decide" on an issue, then it's more efficient to communicate via Slack or email. This guideline helps in distinguishing between matters that necessitate the collaborative environment of a meeting and those that can be resolved through asynchronous communication.

In the nonprofit sector, the challenges and frustrations surrounding board engagement and effectiveness are so very common. Many of us who have worked in nonprofits can relate to the struggles of navigating board dynamics and ensuring productive collaboration. It’s not for the faint of heart.

However, it's crucial to step back and assess how the board members themselves perceive their roles and contributions.

When it comes to understanding and enhancing donor relationships, one of the most effective tools at a nonprofit's disposal is the donor survey. The Oregon Food Bank offers a prime example of how to craft survey questions that provide meaningful insights. These inquiries are designed not just to gather data but to probe deeper into the donor experience, helping to strengthen the connection between your org and its supporters!

Did you know 70% of people are unsatisfied with their jobs? That’s pretty shocking. Is that your story, but on repeat? Been there! After feeling a bit lost in my own career, I created a reflection exercise. I am sharing it so you can stop guessing what your dream job is. Instead, put real definition around it.

When I was invited to guest-write Mike’s Monday Message for Hispanic Heritage Month, I nearly declined.

Why? Because adequately representing our collective Latinidad carries weight. After reflecting on the importance of representation, however, my message's focus became clear. I'm using this platform to highlight an extraordinary Latinx/e fundraiser, Armando E. Zumaya.

We may not agree on everything but we can agree on how to best solve a jigsaw puzzle: locating and fitting together the border pieces.

This is more than a mere tactic, it’s a strategy that provides a tangible shape and a clear path forward. It's about crafting a boundary within which the chaotic jumble of remaining pieces can make sense, offering an immediate sense of progress and the motivation to press on.