After all, the only thing I have to do is consult. That’s my primary living. The other work is fun and builds credibility, but that’s not reason enough to spend the considerable time and money to produce it and promote it. So why? Why do more than consulting?
I believe two things.
1. Small- and mid-size charities need to improve. They need to become better at planning and delivering and measuring services and impact; better at fundraising; better at hiring and training and firing; at compliance; at finance; better at marketing and communicating; at board and volunteer management; better at exploiting technology and social media; better at managing donors and all their other assets.
2. Small- and mid-size charities deserve help to improve. They deserve it because they work hard, damn hard. And because they want to be better. But they can’t get better on their own. And they can’t afford and attract the help they deserve.
So I help them. I produce content–relying considerably on generous experts–to help small- and mid-size shops with the challenges they struggle with.
I try always to keep my work in line with these beliefs.
Thanks very much for sharing on your FB page, Keith.
When reading your Blog, Tony, I could not but help to see this pattern throughout so many other small to mid-size enterprises.
They need to become better at planning and delivering and measuring services and impact; better at hiring and training and firing; at compliance; at finance; better at marketing and communicating; at board and volunteer management; better at exploiting technology and social media; better at managing all their other assets.
As you may find, notwithstanding this truth, the number of individuals and enterprises that seek external support and expertise is very small. As with people, enterprises seem to need some significant event to occur before they seek change. For all the people who are engaged within small to mid-sized enterprises this can create significant levels of frustration.
Thank you for a thought provoking Blog – my reference to your Blog and thoughts can be found at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Leap-of-Faith-Pty-Ltd/149922611748795
Thank you for your very kind sentiment, Karl.
Tony,
I work in the major planned gift arena. Major nonprofits like large universities, hospitals and national organizations are run by true professionals who are on top of their game. However as you said the medium to small charities are a mixed bag. Some that i run across are wonderful examples of professional efficiency. They are to be commended.
On the other hand i am aware of many mediun to small nonprofits that have no idea how to create, grow and manage an endowment. They hire a new development officer every year or so. The turnover is tremendous. They need help.
These folks should be active members in the Association of Fundraisiing Profesionals or the Planned Giving Council. Most don’t belong to either and if they do, you seldom see them at educational meetings. Tony, God bless you for what you do to correct this situation.