Letting Go Of Your Nonprofit

Through six vivid, engaging stories of individual leaders of nonprofit organizations who let go of their power and position in order to further their organization's mission through a merger, Jean Butzen provides an innovative, practical roadmap for executive directors, CEOs, and board member considering this strategy. Why were these leaders willing to risk their personal status and jobs? How did they handle the stress and uncertainty of seeing their organization absorbed into a larger one? Each story contains the history of the leader and why they decided to seek a merger. Then the chapter walks through the process for completing the merger and, crucially, the steps each leader took to let go of their nonprofit and their position. The final chapters go into more detail about the steps, and summarize the advice from the leaders. Butzen finds that all the leaders went through a similar six-step process. The result was always that the merger produced a stronger organization that better fulfilled its mission. And what happened to the individual leaders who merged themselves out of their position? They all prospered as well. Their stories provide both inspiration and practical advice on how to make a merger successful. But it all starts with the courage to let go.

This book details six stories of nonprofit leaders who chose a merger strategy for their nonprofit organizations, and in the process, became "mission-centered" leaders who refuse to be ruled, or biased by their fears about their own career. Mission-centered leaders help their organizations' impact grow and go on to prosper themselves. The book details six common steps in the letting-go process each leader went through, and includes advice for other leaders who are considering a merger strategy.

What does an Executive Director actually do? And how can you lead your organization to a stronger place? Nonprofit expert Erik Hanberg wrote The Little Book of Nonprofit Leadership to speak directly to Executive Directors of small (and very small) nonprofits who are asking these questions. EDs, especially at small nonprofits, tend to be dropped into the deep end of the pool with the expectation that they know how to swim. The Little Book of Nonprofit Leadership will be a welcome rescue line. The book is filled with practical tips and big-picture ideas about: the basics of the job; program, people, and money—the three essential areas that a nonprofit ED needs to master; working with your board (including how to ask for a raise!); your first 100 days as a new ED; a guide to being a part-time Executive Director ; and more, including access to bonus chapters and special resources! Erik Hanberg has twenty years of nonprofit experience at organizations of all sizes. He’s channeled that experience into his four “little books” for nonprofits, which together have sold tens of thousands of copies.

A large and growing number of congregations are setting up church-based nonprofit organizations in order to operate community development or educational programs. Once formed, the nonprofit structure allows for new opportunities for accessing additional funding and drawing new collaborative partners and volunteers into the ministry. Joy Skjegstad outlines the step-by-step procedures for setting up a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization connected to a congregation using simple, easy-to-understand terminology and plenty of examples from churches that have already taken on this task. Whether a congregation is setting up new program or has an established nonprofit that needs to be restructured or redefined, congregations will find helpful guidance in this practical, experience-based book.

The Nonprofit Leadership Transition and Development Guide In this dynamic resource, Tom Adams (an expert in succession planning who has worked with hundreds of organizations) shows how intentional leadership development and properly managed leadership transitions provide nonprofits with the rare opportunity to change direction, maintain momentum, and strengthen their capacity. This accessible guidebook is filled with illustrative stories, instructive lessons, best practices, and practical tools that can be used to ensure a successful nonprofit leadership transition. "It is terrific to have a book which so effectively addresses the unique challenges and opportunities of leadership in the nonprofit sector, replete with sound advice and concrete examples. Tom Adams brings a wealth of experience and savvy to the topic. Paid and volunteer leaders of nonprofits at all levels will benefit from reading it."—Irv Katz, president and CEO, National Human Services Assembly "The guide is one of its kind in providing a realistic frame for the world of nonprofit leaders. It is long overdue in the sector as a real tool for leaders. Maybe even more important, it helps nonprofit boards of directors and philanthropic organizations to understand the connection between their investment in leadership and achieving organizational goals." —Diane Bell McKoy, CEO, Associated Black Charities "Rich with instructive examples and advice, this book is grounded in the reality of nonprofits. It will be an extraordinarily useful guide to nonprofit organizations of all types and sizes." —Ruth McCambridge, editor in chief, Nonprofit Quarterly "Make no mistake: attracting and retaining top talent should be priority number one for the nonprofit sector. Adams's book offers practical advice for how to embed this priority into the sector's DNA. All who care about nonprofit effectiveness would be well-served to give this book a close read."—Kathleen P. Enright, president and CEO, Grantmakers for Effective Organizations

The Networked Nonprofit Connecting with Social Media to Drive Change This groundbreaking book shows nonprofits a new way of operating in our increasingly connected world: a networked approach enabled by social technologies, where connections are leveraged to increase impact in effective ways that drive change for the betterment of our society and planet. "The Networked Nonprofit is a must-read for any nonprofit organization seeking innovative, creative techniques to improve their mission and better serve their communities." —Diana Aviv, president and CEO, Independent Sector "The Internet means never having to ask permission before trying something new. In The Networked Nonprofit, Kanter and Fine show nonprofits how to harness this flexibility to pursue their missions in partnership with two billion connected citizens." —Clay Shirky, author, Here Comes Everybody: The Power of Organizing Without Organizations "The Networked Nonprofit uniquely describes the historical context and the current challenges that compel nonprofit leaders to work in networked ways and offers easy steps to help users exploit the potential of social media and 'working wikily."' —Stephanie McAuliffe, director, organizational effectiveness, The David and Lucile Packard Foundation "A must-read for nonprofit leaders who want to change their organizations from the inside out by embracing the power of social networks." —Charlene Li, founding partner, Altimeter Group; author, Open Leadership; and coauthor, Groundswell "This is a perfect handbook for anyone who wants to leapfrog their current limitations of understanding and find real-world applications of technology to extend their mission." —Michele Nunn, CEO, Points of Light Institute, and cofounder, HandsOn Network "Kanter and Fine provide the 'Google Maps' for nonprofits to harness social media to kick butt and change the world." —Guy Kawasaki, cofounder, Alltop.com, and former chief evangelist, Apple Inc. "URGENT! Read this book. Take notes. Take action. If you work for a nonprofit, you don't have to do every single thing these seasoned authors have to share, but you certainly have to know what you're missing." —Seth Godin Register at www.josseybass.com/emailfor more information on our publications, authors, and to receive special offers.

The definitive, practical, go-to resource guide on helping all charities become more "green" Nonprofit Guide to Going Green is your comprehensive learning tool to guide nonprofits and NGOs towards becoming greener. A desktop reference for any charitable organization to become greener, this essential book gives your organization the support it needs to take proactive steps to protect the environment while fulfilling its mission. Timely and clearly written, with contributions from experts from around the globe, Nonprofit Guide to Going Green leads the way in helping charities in all countries meet this challenge. Helps nonprofits green their efforts and carbon footprint * Shows CEOs, presidents, deans, marketing officers, board members proactive steps they can take to protect the environment * Teaches how to do a self-audit and plan for a more environmentally sensitive future * Nonprofit Guide to Going Green delivers a timely and essential call to action for this new century. Can your organization afford not to "go green?"

There are over one million nonprofit organizations, in the U.S. , but very few are reaching their full potential. Nonprofit Transformation offers a fresh perspective on the prevailing challenges in the nonprofit sector. Throughout the book, author Chris DiCarlo identifies and offers solutions to common issues that all nonprofits face, while at the same time reframing the nonprofit efficiency conversation in order to enact much-needed improvements. As DiCarlo writes, Given the number of social issues that continue and fester, anything short of 100% potential filled is not good enough. In a no-nonsense style, DiCarlo discusses those difficult and chronic impediments that are on the minds of many nonprofit leaders but are rarely addressed. More importantly, this book offers pragmatic advice on how to push through barriers, illuminating a path to exponentially increased impact for both individual organizations and the nonprofit sector overall. Specific topics include dealing with sacred cows, clarifying the role of a board of directors, mergers, creating a truly strategic plan, and overcoming internal obstacles to fundraising success. Insightful and courageous, Nonprofit Transformation is a must-read for sector leaders, staff, and volunteers who aspire to lead their organization to breakthrough results.