Individuals make resolutions every January. What about organizations? Several bloggers have suggestions for what nonprofit and philanthropy organizations — as well as staff — should strive for in 2009:
- New Voices in Philanthropy’s Trista Harris hopes to see five things from foundations this year, such as “unrestricting grants that you have already given to nonprofits” and “using 5% as a guideline, not a rule.” See her complete post.
- Leading By Design’s Anne Ackerson lists ten resolutions for nonprofits, including “review your mission out loud” to see if your activity accurately reflects it, and “undertake a formal assessment of strengths and weaknesses.” Read the complete list.
- Next-generation nonprofit blogger Rosetta Thurman details 10 ways to become a better nonprofit leader in 2009. She says that even though there are unknowns in the year ahead, we are all in control of our own actions and intentions. Three of her recommendations are to clarify your personal purpose, find a mentor and take care of yourself.
- Tactical Philanthropy’s Sean Stannard-Stockton wants philanthropy to make mistakes: “Let us humbly resolve that in 2009 we will make better mistakes than we did in 2008. Let’s make mistakes that are the result of daring, well informed risks. Mistakes that demonstrate our willingness to embrace the unknown and try things that other people tell us can’t be done.” Read more of his advice about building a better philanthropy.
Join the conversation: What resolutions did you make for your foundation or nonprofit?
