A board that is fully engaged in the overall governance, fundraising, public relations and strategic planning for a nonprofit will pay dividends for years to come.  Board members have a fundamental and legal responsibility for overall governance (organizational structure, policies, procedures) while fulfilling vital roles with fundraising, public relations, strategic planning, advocacy and financial oversight.  It is a critically important task for all non-profit leaders to help their board members embrace these various roles. 

Because the job duties of a board member are so varied, one of the best strategies to help non-profits succeed is to recruit a diverse board that not only represents the community they serve, but also brings together many differences in skills, experience, interests and spheres of influence.

With boards of all sizes, we have learned that most board members are attracted to serve on boards with organizations they perceive as successful (in fulfilling their mission, in public relations, in fundraising).  They enjoy working with vital and effective staff that value board members as partners to help assess, design, and strategically guide the organization in reaching their vision.  

Paradigm Shift Studio, llc helps non-profit leaders and their boards put the fundamental pieces in place to ensure their success in reaching that vision.  This includes developing board recruitment strategies, board orientation programs, basic board training around policies and procedures, and providing training on identifying and leveraging each person’s individual spheres of influence, creating a board’s “elevator speech” and helping board members feel comfortable “making the ask.”  Call or e-mail us today if you are interested in receiving your free copy of Paradigm Shift Studio’s “Board Member Self-Assessment” and discover ways you can help strengthen your board!

Fundraising 101: A Practical Approach to Fund Raising

Nonprofit boards are composed of energetic, good spirited people who are willing to do whatever is necessary to advance the mission of the organization. Ask them to ask for money, however, and many board members shrink away from the responsibility.  Paradigm Shift Studio's partner, Ashley Gray, wants to change all that.

Through his Fundraising 101 program, Ashley provides the guidance and hands on strategies to help nonprofit board members become more effective fund raisers.  “Most nonprofits have a history of using special events as their primary fund raising efforts,” explains Ashley.  While special events can be great for an organization’s community visibility, they “often don’t raise a lot of money” to address broader goals of mission effectiveness or expansion of services, says Ashley. Fundraising 101 helps board and staff members grow in their understanding of a variety of fund raising approaches to benefit the organization.

Fund raising, according to Ashley, comes down to relationships.  “It’s really easier than a lot of new board members may expect,” says Ashley.  The first step is to identify the colleagues and friends who may have an interest or connection to the organization’s mission.  Then, it’s a matter of strategizing on the best way to approach them and engage them in the work of the nonprofit. “Board members can be creative in their strategies; the important thing is to be proactive and identify and leverage these connections” for the advancement of the organization, says Ashley.

The Fundraising 101 program includes several modules:

Fundraising 101

Solicitation

Prospecting and Donor Communications

Campaigns, Special Events, Planned Giving, Grants

The Board and Committees and the Development Office

Capital Campaign Readiness (New for 2008)

The first three modules provide the basics nonprofits need to begin effective fund raising.  Ashley is well-versed in the theory and vision for fund raising, and he knows his clients are anxious to put what they’ve learned into practice.  “Attendees leave our workshops with the skills they need to get started right away,” explains Ashley. The other modules are excellent resources for further augmentation of an organization’s fund raising and development efforts. Paradigm Shift Studio President Lisa Dinga has recently collaborated with Ashley and they are excited to announce the addition of a Capital Campaign readiness module for the program. 

Ashley brings years of valuable experience to his work with nonprofits.  He is the former Vice President for Development at Ranken Technical College, a senior fund raising consultant for Holmes Radford Avalon, and a board member for the Association of Fund Raising Professionals.  His volunteer experience includes work for St. Louis Children’s Hospital; Big Brothers, Big Sisters; and the Missouri Wildlife Rescue Center. His current passion, however, is helping smaller nonprofits expand their fund raising efforts.  His role is not as consultant but as trainer—helping nonprofits do for themselves what they need to do to build capacity and expand services.

Ashley is currently sharing his passion for fund raising with the leadership of Haven House (see Client Spotlight). Haven House’s funding structure is currently in transition, from a start-up grant and special events to a comprehensive development and fundraising plan.  It’s an exciting opportunity for a relatively new board to build capacity for services and mission effectiveness at Haven House.  Much depends on the board members’ enthusiasm, says Ashley, and their willingness to make funding requests on behalf of the organization.  Through Fundraising 101, board members will learn the skills they need to translate their investment in the organization’s mission into solid resources to help that mission grow and prosper. Call us today to schedule your FR 101 modules (314) 831-0345.

Client Spotlight:  HavenHouse ST. LOUIS          

HavenHouse provides the comforts of home and a community of support to families who travel to St. Louis for their child’s medical care.  Whether traveling 25 or 2,500 miles, HavenHouse makes it possible for families to stay together.  One recent guest praised the staff’s combination of “professionalism and heart.”  Take a closer look, and one quickly sees how true this is. 

The mission and work of HavenHouse rises from a 130-year history of children’s services. HavenHouse is located in a building built for General Protestant Children’s Home in Creve Coeur, which housed abused and neglected children at this location since 1962. In 2004, General Protestant Children’s Home, now known as YouthBridge Association, changed its mission, and generously provided startup funds and a lease of the building for a very nominal rate.  Kathy Sindel served as executive director of YouthBridge before taking on the role of executive director of HavenHouse.

From an organizational perspective, in its early years HavenHouse focused on building programs and its identity in the community, said Kathy.  Now, with the startup funds ending in early 2008, the board and staff face an exciting challenge to create a financial foundation for operational expenses and growth.  The HavenHouse leadership is currently working with Paradigm Shift Studios and Ashley Gray to enhance the board’s effectiveness, particularly in fund raising and building organizational capacity through a recent Missouri Foundation for Health grant.  Recently they have just hired a new Development Director, Jennifer, and are expanding board membership. 

Even at this early stage, the level of professionalism is evident.  HavenHouse has earned an international reputation for service and care.  In 2007, for the second year, HavenHouse earned the Wise Giving Seal from the Better Business Bureau. This is the highest rating for not-for-profits in demonstrating fiscal responsibility.

A warm heart beats within this professional organization.  Behind all their effort is the simple truth that “children heal faster when their families are with them,” explains Kathy.  “HavenHouse provides a vital service to keep families together during a very stressful time.”  From organizing home cooked meals for their guests to building organizational capacity, this mission is what drives the staff and board at HavenHouse.

As another recent guest enthused:  “HavenHouse has been a consistent source of help, care, support and above all, a true home for us (during our 6 month stay). Without your support, it would have been impossible to concentrate on our daughter's treatment. I thank all of you at HavenHouse.”

The HavenHouse Board of Directors is committed to building a membership of talented and diverse individuals who share their passion for the HavenHouse mission. Individuals with demonstrated skills in strategic planning, fundraising, finance and hospital relations are invited to contact Kathy Sindel, or visit www.boardlink.org to learn more about becoming involved.  For more information on the development director’s position, contact Kathy Sindel (KJSindel@havenhousestl.org)

Happy Holidays

In the Spirit of the Season, Paradigm Shift Studio wishes you a very a very happy holiday and a prosperous 2008 filled with happiness, good health, and the love of family and friends.