It’s amazing what a well-executed capital campaign can do. Yes, it raises money. But when it’s done right, it does three things:→ Raises awareness of long-term needs→ Funds the immediate project→ Increases overall, long-term giving That third one matters most. A capital campaign should increase long-term giving — not just fund a short-term project. How?…
Author: Bill Rowley
Capital Campaigns are Team Efforts
I’ve never quite understood this. A nonprofit will invest significant money in a capital campaign, on consultants, planning, strategy, etc., and then treat it like a side project. The campaign becomes something to “fit in” around everything else. It drags on for years.And then everyone is surprised when the results feel… underwhelming. Here’s the truth:…
Should Boards Support the ED or Hold them Accountable?
Should boards support the Executive Director or hold them accountable? The answer is simply, “Yes.” This is one of the most misunderstood dynamics in nonprofit governance. Too many boards think support and accountability are opposites. They’re not. Supportive boards without accountability:→ Avoid hard conversations→ Let performance issues fester→ Confuse kindness with effective leadership→ Put the…
Are You an Effective Board Member?
What separates effective board members from ineffective ones? It’s not expertise. It’s not tenure. It’s not even how much they talk in meetings. It’s whether they read the board packet before the meeting. I know that sounds basic. But I’ve been in too many meetings where it was obvious that half the room opened the…
The Lone Dissenting Vote on a Board
Board decisions are not always black and white. But what happens when you’re the lone dissenting vote? It doesn’t mean the rest of the board is careless. Often, it means momentum is strong. Everyone else voted yes.The Executive Director is moving forward.The Board Chair sounds confident. And you’re sitting there thinking: Am I missing something…
Getting New Board Members up to Speed
It’s unusual for new nonprofit board members to arrive with years of nonprofit experience. More often, they bring a basic understanding of nonprofits and a deep passion for their mission. Good governance starts with good onboarding. So how do organizations get new board members up to speed? Too many board orientations hand you a thick…
Board Members – Am I Doing it “Right”?
Most nonprofit board members quietly wonder if they’re doing it “right.” They don’t ask because everyone else seems confident, fluent, and composed. Here’s the truth:Good board service isn’t about having the answers.It’s about asking better questions, showing up prepared, and staying mission-centered when things feel unclear. If you feel uncertain at times, you’re not failing.You’re…
First Board Meeting
I showed up to my first nonprofit board meeting unsure and terrified. Everyone else seemed to know exactly what they were doing.They referenced policies I’d never seen.They used acronyms I didn’t understand.They debated financials like they’d been reading balance sheets since birth. And I sat there thinking:Did I make a mistake saying yes to this?…
Common Nonprofit Terms Leaders Often Misunderstand
Why This Matters for Nonprofit Leaders Common Nonprofit Terms That Are Often Confused When my eldest son was 2–3 years old, we lived near an airport. On many summer days, he’d play in the backyard while planes flew overhead. I’d say, “Plane,” and he would stop, stand up, point, and excitedly shout, “Plane!!” One day,…