Welcome back to Ask a Responsive Fundraiser, where we tackle some of the most pressing questions nonprofit organizations face in their quest to make a difference. This week, we welcome Katy Beth Cassell, Director at Orr Group, to help nonprofits with leadership changes, planned giving strategies, and more.
Be sure to check out past editions of Ask a Responsive Fundraiser and leave us a comment on LinkedIn so we can answer your questions!
Dear Responsive Fundraiser: For the first time, our nonprofit will soon have to replace vital leadership positions. How can we create a seamless transition and keep morale up during this time?
โLooking for Leadership
Dear Looking: Navigating the replacement of vital leadership positions for the first time can feel like an uphill battle. However, with a thoughtful strategy, you can ensure a seamless transition and keep morale high among your team. Here are some steps to guide you through this change:
Harness the Power of Storytelling: During times of transition, your team may feel uncertain or disconnected. Reconnecting with the organization’s mission and each other through storytelling can be a powerful way to maintain morale and cohesion. Encourage your team to share their personal storiesโwhy they joined the organization, their passion for the mission, and their hopes for the future. This practice will help create a collective identity and reinforce the organization’s purpose and unity.
Institutionalize Knowledge: One of the biggest risks during transitions is the loss of institutional knowledge. Make it a priority to document everythingโfrom fundraising strategies and donor engagement histories to campaign analyses. Implement a centralized database that all team members can access. This will ensure that valuable insights and relationships are preserved, even as leadership changes occur, and that new leaders can step in without missing a beat.
Foster a Culture of Continuous Learning: Encourage a culture of ongoing professional development. This will not only strengthen your teamโs skills but also prepare them to adapt to new roles and responsibilities. When team members are continuously learning, they are better equipped to handle changes, and it fosters a sense of growth and opportunity, even in times of uncertainty.
Engage in Strategic Succession Planning: Succession planning should be an integral part of your organization’s strategy. Identify key roles and potential internal leaders who could step up when needed. Proactively investing in leadership development from within creates a pipeline of ready candidates, minimizing disruption and enhancing team morale.
Maintain Open Communication: Transparency is key during transitions. Keep your team, donors, and stakeholders informed about leadership changes and the steps being taken to manage them. Openly discussing the impact of turnover and the organizationโs plan to address challenges helps alleviate uncertainties and keeps everyone focused on their shared goals.
Prioritize Donor Stewardship: Amid internal transitions, itโs crucial to keep donor relationships strong. Assign interim liaisons or leverage senior leadership to maintain key donor connections. This reassures donors that the organization remains stable and committed to its mission despite changes in leadership.
Leverage External Expertise: Consider bringing in external experts to help bridge gaps caused by turnover. Organizations like Orr Group provide interim support and strategic guidance to ensure continuity. Whether itโs managing day-to-day operations or assisting with leadership searches, external resources can help stabilize your team and keep your mission on track.
Remember, transitions, though challenging, are also opportunities for renewal and growth. By focusing on storytelling to strengthen team unity, strategic planning to prepare for changes, and maintaining clear communication, your organization can navigate this period smoothly while keeping morale high.
Dear Responsive Fundraiser: Like many nonprofits, our employees wear many hats. We know AI could be a game-changer for us and free up time for our employees, but we donโt know where to start. What are some easy ways to get started with AI, and what security risks should we look out for?
โApproaching AI
Dear Approaching: It’s exciting to hear that youโre considering using AI to free up time for your employees! While AI can indeed be a game-changer, I understand that figuring out where to start can feel overwhelming. Here are some easy steps to help your nonprofit begin its AI journey, along with some key security considerations to keep in mind.
Start with Leadership and Form a Task Force: First, identify a champion within your leadership team who is enthusiastic about AI and willing to guide this effort. This person doesnโt have to be an expert, but their commitment can help create momentum. Next, gather a diverse group of staff from different departments to form an AI task force. This group will explore how AI tools can be used to advance your mission and daily operations. Encourage them to set clear goals and establish a regular meeting cadence to drive this initiative forward.
Build an AI Usage Policy: As you start using AI, itโs crucial to create a policy that outlines how your organization will use AI tools responsibly. This policy should cover privacy, security, and ethical considerations to ensure everyone knows the doโs and donโts of AI usage. You can find templates online to help get started, but be sure to tailor the policy to your organizationโs specific needs and data.
Research and Analyze AI Tools: With so many AI tools out there (and new ones emerging constantly!), itโs important to identify which tools will bring the most value to your organization. Start by setting a realistic timeline for research and create a comparison rubric to evaluate different tools. Many AI tools offer free trials, so take advantage of these to see which ones work best for your team.
Train Your Team: Once youโve identified the right tools, the next step is training. Provide short, interactive sessions to help your staff understand how to use these tools effectively and safely. Focus on the areas where AI can help increase efficiency, such as automating repetitive tasks or improving data analysis. This will help your team feel confident and empowered as they begin to use AI.
Be Mindful of Data Security: One of the biggest concerns with AI is data security. Make sure you understand how the AI tools you choose will handle your data by reviewing their terms and conditions and privacy policies. Only enter data into AI tools that youโre comfortable sharing, and anonymize any sensitive information whenever possible. Ensure your internal data policies align with your AI usage to protect your organization from potential risks.
By following these steps, your nonprofit can start harnessing the power of AI in a way that is both effective and secure. Remember, the key is to start small, build on your successes, and always prioritize ethical and responsible use of AI tools. This approach will not only free up time for your employees but also set your organization on a path to greater innovation and impact.
Dear Responsive Fundraiser: We need to develop a better-planned giving strategy, knowing that we are in the largest transfer of wealth in history. However, it can be a sensitive subject to raise with donors. How can we ensure our planned giving strategy is solid while remaining sensitive to our donors?
โSeeking Sensitivity
Dear Seeking: In the midst of the largest wealth transfer in history, developing a solid planned giving strategy is crucialโnot only for your organizationโs long-term sustainability but also for building meaningful connections with your donors. Planned giving can be a sensitive topic, but with the right approach, it becomes an inspiring opportunity for both your organization and your donors. Hereโs how to ensure your strategy is both effective and sensitive:
Establish Organizational Readiness: Begin by ensuring that your organization is fully prepared to handle planned gifts. This involves aligning key leaders across departmentsโdevelopment, finance, operations, and governanceโto establish clear policies for accepting and managing these gifts. Organizational readiness means having the right infrastructure, policies, and processes in place to manage the complexities of planned giving, demonstrating to donors that your organization is trustworthy and capable.
Integrate Planned Giving into Your Overall Strategy: Donโt treat planned giving as a separate initiative; integrate it seamlessly into your overall fundraising strategy. Train your staff to recognize opportunities for planned giving and ensure that your marketing materials, from newsletters to annual reports, highlight the impact these gifts can have. Make sure planned giving is featured in your communications in a way that aligns with your mission and values, showcasing its transformative potential.
Listen and Personalize the Donor Experience: Understanding that planned giving is deeply personal is key. Engage in meaningful conversations with your donors, focusing on their values, motivations, and what legacy they want to leave. Listen actively to what matters most to them and offer tailored options that align with their financial plans and philanthropic goals. By demonstrating genuine care for their wishes, you create a space where donors feel seen, valued, and understood.
Lead with Heart and Mission: Approach the conversation with empathy, focusing on the donorโs legacy rather than the mechanics of the gift. Share stories of how similar planned gifts have created lasting change, and invite them to consider how their future gift could help transform lives and advance your mission. This approach shifts the narrative from a potentially uncomfortable topic to an inspiring one centered on making a difference.
Foster an Ongoing, Respectful Dialogue: Create multiple touchpoints throughout the year to naturally engage donors about planned givingโwhether through events, personalized meetings, or tailored communications. Ensure these conversations are always respectful, reflecting the donorโs interests and passions. Communicate the many ways they can support your organizationโs future, from bequests and beneficiary designations to charitable trusts.
Build a Culture of Collaboration and Stewardship: Planned giving is a collaborative effort that involves everyone in your organization. Ensure donors know their legacy will be respected and that their contributions will have a meaningful impact. Maintain strong, ongoing relationships by keeping donors informed about the impact of their gifts and celebrating the legacy they wish to leave.
By focusing on organizational readiness, integrating planned giving into your overall strategy, listening to donors, leading with heart, fostering ongoing dialogue, and building a culture of collaboration, youโll develop a planned giving program that is both strategic and sensitiveโensuring your organizationโs future while honoring the legacies your donors wish to leave behind.
