NPO Conversation on Wednesday, July 19 at GMA

Several times a year we invite leaders of nonprofit organizations to join us for a lunch discussion about issues, ideas, and concerns in the nonprofit and philanthropic community. The meetings are a time for us to move beyond the usual conversation between foundations and nonprofit organizations.

Each session focuses on a particular topic, and reservations are required. Guests will learn a little more about GMA and a lot about their peers’ perspectives on important issues.

Topic for conversation: Startups and restarts

Innovators in the nonprofit world bring us bold change and a good opportunity for learning. Putting new ideas into action, these leaders are creating new organizations, redefining their missions, or significantly shifting their activity.  They are envisioning and responding.

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NPO Conversation on December 9 at GMA Foundations

We invite leaders of nonprofit organizations to join us each quarter for a brown-bag lunch discussion about issues, ideas, and concerns in the nonprofit and philanthropic community. The meetings are a time for us to move beyond the usual conversation between foundations and nonprofit organizations.

Each session focuses on a particular topic, and reservations are required. Guests will learn a little more about GMA and a lot about their peers’ perspectives on important issues.

Topic for Conversation: Succession and Sustainability

The pressures on leadership of nonprofit organizations are well known. Passionate about solving some of society’s greatest challenges, these executives are frequently faced with a shortage of funds, time and compensation, even if they possess abundant talent. How then does an Executive Director who works to build a strong organization ensure its successful continuity?

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by PRENTICE ZINN

Start-up foundations crackle with an enthusiasm and creativity that is energizing. As the years go by, this youthful organizational energy inevitably wanes. Routine sets in as foundation trustees become comfortable with their traditions of management or grantmaking.

We believe that great philanthropy should never be routine. Rekindling that start-up spirit is possible. Here are several of our favorite project-based ways to stir up excitement among foundation trustees and encourage more of them to take on leadership roles:

1. Dissolve your existing committees. Try a zero-based committee structure. Every two years or so, completely disband your committees. Go back to the drawing board and re-evaluate all of your functional tasks and priorities. Finally, reconstitute new committees based on priorities or functions.                     Continue Reading »