Securing the Future: Think Now, Think Next – April 30 - Cincinnati

Here is an extraordinary opportunity to hear from some of the most experienced leaders in the field

What: The future is NOW for nonprofit organizations. Join nationally known speakers Bob Johansen and Jan Masaoka for an educational conference focused on how today's planning strategies will determine the ongoing success of your nonprofit. This day-long event will give you the opportunity to network with peers within the Cincinnati region.

When: Thursday, April 30 from 8:00am -3:30pm

Where: Hyatt Regency Hotel, 151 West Fifth Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Featured Speakers:

Dr. Bob Johansen, Author, Leaders Make the Future will lead an interactive experience focused ten years ahead. What leadership skills will be most important—given the external future forces? What can you do to learn new leadership skills for the future and improve your own readiness?

Jan Masaoka, Director & Editor-in-Chief, Blue Avocado - will help you find the right prescription for sustaining the immediate future of your organization. This is a time of great risk, intense and agonizing pressure, and necessity for change. She has been recognized nationally as one of the “50 Most Influential People” in the nonprofit sector was named national “Nonprofit Executive of the Year” in 2003.

Ellen van der Horst, President & CEO, Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber - Ellen is involved in many of this region’s most critical initiatives and will discuss building bridges between businesses and nonprofits.

Brochure, showing NFP News as a sponsor - Registration for the event - only $70, including Dr. Johansen’s latest book.

2009 Nonprofit Town Hall

On March 17th, over 300 nonprofit leaders and supporters convened in downtown Indianapolis for the second annual Indiana Nonprofit Town Hall. The event was hosted again this year by Leadership Ventures and Indianapolis ORG Magazine with support from the United Way of Central Indiana, the Indianapolis Foundation, and the Indiana Grantmakers’ Alliance.


Two prominent national speakers and a panel of local grant makers set the context for the day, challenging participants to collaborate, enhance efficiency and increase innovation. “Conversations” were the theme of the day, featuring roundtable discussions of over thirty (30) strategies for cutting costs and maximizing resources. Participants assembled with colleagues to begin creating plans for building partnerships and alliances moving forward.

The most mentioned and unique idea from the day was the potential for an umbrella organization for the nonprofit sector, a nonprofit “chamber of commerce” type organization to provide structured opportunities for collaboration, sharing costs, and advocating on behalf of the sector. Further conversations on many of the Town Hall topics and ideas are being planned.

Where Does the Philanthropic Sector Fit into the New Order?

We generally try to steer clear of politics but do want to make sure that you are keeping up with one of the latest government proposals that might be a sign of more things to come - hopefully not. While the new administration in Washington is expected to increase government funds flowing to certain nonprofit sectors and encourage involvement in community service, recent suggestions to curb the tax deductibility of charitable contributions for the wealthy raises new questions.

My hope was that a life of community organizing and advocacy for underserved and under-resourced populations by our new president would translate into an equal emphasis on promoting philanthropy for all.

I was surprised to find that with an income of $207,000 - $270,000 in the years before President Obama’s books were published, reported donations never exceeded $3400 or about 0.5-1.5% of income. As his income jumped to $1mil/yr, charitable giving increased to the 5-6% range.

I’m sure we could argue that the wealthy give too little to basic needs and too much to organizations that are already well-endowed, but what is this really saying? Should we view that the philanthropic sector is not a critical complement to the business and government sectors but rather exists to work as a government contractor?

If you are a subscriber to the Chronicle of Philanthropy, be sure to read Leslie Lenkowsky’s commentary – “Government Activism vs. Private Charity: What's Best?” www.philanthropy.com (sorry I can’t provide a direct link to the full article)

Read more about this tax changes potential impact on charitable giving from the IU Center on Philanthropy.

If you want to see presidential tax returns, visit.

Four Principles for Making Your Newsletter a Powerful Fundraising Tools

One of the few things I remember from my short high school basketball career 35(choke) years ago was how easily distracted we were from our game plans and how often the coach had to steer us back to “The Basics”. I came across this article and was reminded of how quickly we can be sidetracked into thinking that fundraising is about us and not the donor – whether in person or on-line.

Jeff’s four principles for on-line newsletters can apply in other mediums as well:

1) It’s about your donor
2) You need your donor
3) Use the power of story
4) Use headlines that keep readers reading

See the article - Four Principles for Making Your Newsletter a Powerful Fundraising -
By Jeff Brooks: Nov 29, 2007

How has the Economy Impacted the Pending Leadership Shortage?

Less than twelve months ago, we were expressing concern about the approaching retirement of many long-term nonprofit leaders. With the stock market down 50%, we expect that considerably fewer leaders are thinking about retiring in the next few years. This means that we will continue to benefit from the many long-term leaders who are still energized and effective in their roles and that those leaders who should have retired several years ago will be hanging on even longer. How should we view this situation? I have a few thoughts and hope you will add yours at our blog:

1) CEO/Executive Directors could use this additional time to develop other staff, their leadership team, and their board
2) CEO/Executive Directors could explore alternative staff roles or organizations and pass leadership on to others
3) Board leaders who have been “waiting it out” need to consider having some candid conversations with their CEO/EDs (perhaps after speaking with their attorneys)

Please share your thoughts

How has the Economy Impacted the Pending Leadership Shortage?

Less than twelve months ago, we were expressing concern about the approaching retirement of many long-term nonprofit leaders. With the stock market down 50%, we expect that considerably fewer leaders are thinking about retiring in the next few years. This means that we will continue to benefit from the many long-term leaders who are still energized and effective in their roles and that those leaders who should have retired several years ago will be hanging on even longer. How should we view this situation? I have a few thoughts and hope you will add yours at our blog:

1) CEO/Executive Directors could use this additional time to develop other staff, their leadership team, and their board
2) CEO/Executive Directors could explore alternative staff roles or organizations and pass leadership on to others
3) Board leaders who have been “waiting it out” need to consider having some candid conversations with their CEO/EDs (perhaps after speaking with their attorneys)

Please share your thoughts