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Boosting Board Performance - Advice from a Client

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Boosting Board Performance - Advice from a Client

When it comes to success in nonprofit work, it’s hard to overstate the importance of having effective and engaged board members. These key volunteer leaders set the strategic vision, ensure adequate resources, and plan for the organization’s future. Project Partners knows that the health and sustainability of a nonprofit can depend on the performance of its board. That’s why we highlight board development as one of the five key focus areas in any strategic planning we facilitate.

When a former board chair of an education foundation client made a case for boosting their board’s performance via the work of a Governance Committee, I immediately thought, “This is good information worth sharing to our broader nonprofit community.” With her permission we’re passing along the following advice for you and your board members:

Direct Talk About Indirect Expenses and Salaries in Grant Project Budgets

Direct Talk About Indirect Expenses and Salaries in Grant Project Budgets

While many foundation funders have allowed for more general operating requests due to the current pandemic, funders overall still favor project-based support. I often hear distress from nonprofit leaders unable to raise as much money for salaries and day-to-day operations—the real costs that allow your organizations to run and your programs to flourish. Our clients often ask whether there are ways to incorporate indirect costs (also called overhead or administrative costs) into project budgets for grant applications, and if so, how to do that. Here are two ways to approach it:

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Does a New Building Seem Like a Good Idea?

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Does a New Building Seem Like a Good Idea?

Last year, a fledgling nonprofit asked if we would be interested in receiving an RFP to work on a capital campaign. After reviewing their business plan, I responded with the questions below. If you and your board members are contemplating bricks and mortar to fulfill your mission, these questions may be relevant to you, too – especially considering the current funding environment.

How can Project Partners advance your cause?

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