It’s almost Halloween! While nonprofit leaders won’t be facing werewolves and witches, there are a few spooky things they face.
The Invisible Line Item
The professional development line item seems to don an invisibility cloak too often, and it’s scary when nonprofit organizations don’t invest in themselves. Professional development has been shown to enhance job satisfaction, build knowledge and skills, and strengthen professional networks. It can even help with staff retention!
Eradicating this scary ‘monster’ happens by planning in advance and dedicating budget dollars to reap the benefits of professional development. NPLI’s board and staff trainings meet the unique needs of nonprofits and because of our generous donors, we’re able to offer training at a cost that helps nonprofits stretch their professional development dollars.
One of our programs, the Leadership Institute, a year-long series of educational modules on critical leadership, management, technical, and governance topics is accepting applications now. Application deadline is January 26, 2024.
Michael Hall, executive director of Impact Wisconsin, a 2023 alum of the Leadership Institute, shared, “If you are considering sending someone in your organization to NPLI’s Leadership Institute, do it. The return on investment is priceless and immeasurable. NPLI gives us the tools to function in our leadership roles confidently and competently.”
Graveyards of Data
Organizing donor data, tracking grant reporting, and creating newsletters can leave nonprofit leaders feeling like they need a shovel to dig out from the mounds of information. NPLI’s Jumpstart program helps nonprofits manage their data and become better fundraisers. Jumpstarters receive 1:1 personalized fundraising coaching, use of an all-in-one donor management and communication software package, and access to local monthly user group sessions.
YouthGo Jumpstart users shared, “Jumpstart has given us new ideas, resources, and support to try to do things differently. We benefited from this experience and have learned a lot. We increased our revenues 24% during the program.”
Applications to be accepted to the 2024 Jumpstart program are due by Jan. 31 and can be found here.
Network for Good users at a monthly user group session. Top photo: Leadership Instiute graduating class of 2022-23.
Financial Frights
Allocating expenses, creating internal controls, and following accounting standards and procedures can feel like a nightmare. Nonprofit leaders don’t need to be accountants, but they do need to be financial leaders, so we offer an eight-week Financial Leadership program to chase those frightening images away.