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The 14 Attributes of a Thriving Non-Profit
Often on this blog I write about what non-profits are doing wrong and how to fix it. After all, “non-profits are messy” is more than just my tagline — it’s my mantra. And my mission is to help non-profits clean up the mess.
1) The best non-profit organizations are seen as ‘workplaces of choice.
2) The Executive Director is a visible, vocal, and effective public champion for the organization.
3) Financial stability.
4) Fundraising streams are balanced, diverse and sophisticated.
5) Board is diverse and reflective of the community it serves.
6) Board is clear about its responsibilities, takes them seriously, and executes well.
7) Programs are mission-centric.
8) Programs are evaluated to determine impact.
9) The best non-profit organizations have a clear, strong, and compelling external presence.
10) An intelligent and integrated strategy for growing and engaging stakeholders in the work.
11) Regular performance reviews and assessments for both staff and board.
12) Board and staff have a strong leadership pipeline and solid bench strength.
13) A thoughtful long-term strategy developed jointly by board and staff.
14) The Board Chair and Executive Director have an amazing partnership.
This creates a private checklist in your account.