Leadership and Nonprofit Organization Management

Advice by Dr. Rudy Rosen
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    “Baby Sea Turtles” by Katie Dobson Cundiff

    Fundraising art - Baby Sea Turtles - Katie Dobson Cundiff
  • Get everyone going in the same direction!

    “Ducks in Flight” by Katie Dobson Cundiff

    Fundraising art - ducks in flight - Katie Dobson Cundiff
  • Standing around won't help the mission.

    “Zebras” by Katie Dobson Cundiff

    Fundraising art - zebras - Katie Dobson Cundiff
  • Just starting out?

    Fundraising art - Baby Sea Turtles - Katie Dobson Cundiff

    “Baby Sea Turtles” by Katie Dobson Cundiff

  • Get everyone going in the same direction!

    Fundraising art - ducks in flight - Katie Dobson Cundiff

    “Ducks in Flight” by Katie Dobson Cundiff

  • Standing around won't help the mission.

    Fundraising art - zebras - Katie Dobson Cundiff

    “Zebras” by Katie Dobson Cundiff

More about RudyRudy Rosen is a an author, speaker, university professor, and former executive of several large national and international nonprofit charitable and advocacy associations, and public agencies. He specializes in start-up and turn-around management, fund development, and support for nonprofit organizations and public agencies, calling on over 30 years cumulative leadership experience managing change and new ventures.

The Fundable 501(c)(3) or (c)(4)

illustration of a major event by a fundable 501c3

A Dozen Measures of a Fundable 501(c)(3) or (c)(4) Nonprofit Organization When working with start-up nonprofits or organizations in early stages of maturity, I have found expectations for funding are often unrealistic. Here I present an even dozen measures or characteristics of a fundable 501(c)(3) or (c)(4). These are factors that funders may often look […]

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fundraising, nonprofit, nonprofit business, nonprofit management, Nonprofit Organization Income, nonprofit organization planning, nonprofit organization strategic plan, rudolph-rosen, rudy rosen, strategic planning

Nonprofit Leadership – “Fit” May Not Equal Competency or Skill

Katie Dobson Cundiff woodduck art used to illustrate nonprofit leadership article

Recruiting nonprofit leaders who “fit” versus those with skills and experience may confound volunteer boards of directors A conversation with top nonprofit leadership of an organization early in the process of seeking a new CEO brought to mind an earlier blog topic about “charisma versus competency.” As I listened to the leaders of the organization […]

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CEO recruitment, fundraising, leadership, nonprofit, nonprofit business, Nonprofit Leadership, nonprofit management, rudolph-rosen, strategic planning

Increase Nonprofit Organization Income by Publishing

Example-of-a publication-from-a-nonprofit-organization-income

Publishing can increase nonprofit organization income for some kinds of nonprofits by Dr. Rudolph Rosen I regularly give talks to groups of students coming from a wide range of university majors on the general topic of fundraising and nonprofit organization income.  Student interest can range from learning about financing nonprofit charitable causes, to venture funding […]

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charity fundraising, fundraising, leadership, nonprofit business, Nonprofit Leadership, nonprofit management, Nonprofit Organization Income, nonprofit publishing, publishing, rudolph-rosen, rudy rosen, strategic planning, vanity press

Strategic Plans for Nonprofit Organizations? Yes, when they count!

fundraising art - butterfly three - katie dobson cundiff illustrating strategic plans

Strategic plans count if the process and the resulting plan are valued (and used) by leadership Don’t get me wrong. I’m a believer in strategic plans (see my earlier paper: Nonprofit Strategic Planning Dilemma), especially when strategic planning and resultant strategic plans are used to build true operational plans which then tie into and ground […]

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nonprofit board, nonprofit business, nonprofit business plan, Nonprofit Leadership, nonprofit management, nonprofit organization planning, nonprofit organization strategic plan, rudolph-rosen, rudy rosen, strategic planning, strategic plans, volunteer empowerment

Lands Conservancy Funding Done Conservatively

Flowers on Lands Conservancy Flowers

An intensive review of past funding and future needs for financing the work of a mid-sized lands conservancy caused me to rethink the long term fiscal realities of funding some critical aspects of nonprofit land practice. Background: Previous to discussions with the lands conservancy at issue in this post, I had held executive responsibility (and […]

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nonprofit, nonprofit business, nonprofit business plan, Nonprofit Leadership, nonprofit management, Nonprofit Organization Income, nonprofit organization planning, rudolph-rosen, rudy rosen, strategic planning

Nonprofit Organization Leadership versus Management

Artwork-by-Katie-Dobson-Cundiff-illustrating- Nonprofit Organization Leadership

Nonprofit organization leadership versus management are terms often confused by staff and organization board members by Dr. Rudolph Rosen There can be confusion about nonprofit organization leadership versus management of organizations, as I hear people talk about improving effectiveness of nonprofits.  The terms are often used interchangeably, but they have different meanings in the context […]

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leadership, nonprofit management, rudy rosen

Nonprofit Business Plan

fundraising art - sailboat - katie dobson cundiff

Make your Nonprofit Business Plan volunteer-friendly and do math for fundraising/financial efficiency I recently spoke with board leaders of a long-standing nonprofit organization who were seeking an executive director to run operations. This would be the first executive director ever hired by the organization and they had yet to develop a nonprofit business plan. Through discussion, […]

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CEO recruitment, charity fundraising, fundraising, leadership, nonprofit business, nonprofit management, rudolph-rosen, rudy rosen, strategic planning, volunteer empowerment

Fundraising strategy choices require focus

Fundraising strategy An inquiry through one of my websites brought about a consultation covering a dilemma many nonprofit leaders face — how to scale-up fundraising for a nonprofit organization with no money, no staff, no work-force of volunteers, and no board members willing to roll up their sleeves and work. A brief discussion with the […]

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fundraising, leadership, nonprofit, nonprofit management, rudy rosen

Making Money from Conferences and Conventions

Conferences, conventions, and meetings come in every imaginable size and combination of sessions and individual gatherings.  Conferences range from everyone always all together in the same room, to many sessions including only a few people at a time held simultaneously using every room, nook, and cranny in the meeting facility. One professional organization’s conferences annually […]

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conference, conferences and conventions, Convention fundraising, conventions and conferences, fundraising, meeting, nonprofit, nonprofit business, Nonprofit Leadership, rudolph-rosen, rudy rosen

Nonprofit CEO recruitment risks: Insider advantage vs. association management expertise

Fundraising art - conch - Katie Dobson Cundiff used on nonprofit CEO recruitment

Insider advantage vs. association management expertise: With nonprofit CEO recruitment the choice is not always obvious With the economy beginning to surge (slightly), nonprofit CEO recruitment has become the subject of questions I have received. Selection committees are seeing attractive job applicants well-experienced in managing nonprofit associations, but who have little or no professional credentials […]

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CEO recruitment, leadership, nonprofit, nonprofit board, nonprofit business, nonprofit ceo recruitment, Nonprofit Leadership, nonprofit management, nonprofit volunteers, rudolph-rosen, rudy rosen, volunteer empowerment

Training for Nonprofit Organization Employment

Tree Frogs

I was in a meeting with various department heads and faculty. Leading the group was one of the most respected deans on campus, a particularly learned professor who had built the college she represented into one of the most prestigious in the entire university system. I was pitching a start-up initiative based on the idea […]

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charity fundraising, employment, nonprofit, rudy rosen

Fundraising success is possible!

fundraising art - clownfish - katie dobson cundiff

I have heard event planners say they can’t understand why some organizations’ events do so well but “identical” fundraising events held by their organization in the same city do poorly. They say that they do everything they can think of to imitate the successful organizations’ events. They imitate what appears on the surface as a successful […]

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auction event, charity fundraising, Event, Event Fundraising, fundraising, Fundraising Event, nonprofit, rudolph-rosen, rudy rosen

Fundraising events can be a real circus!

A good analogy to a well-run auction fundraising event is a well-run circus. There is something for everyone, and the goal is for everyone to have fun. Something is always going on to see or do. The circus has its center ring and the main event. The gala auction event has its auction, always held […]

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Empower an Advocacy Army for Your Nonprofit

I often see a nonprofit organization’s advocacy invested solely in an executive director. This individual does the testifying, the lobbying, the outreach, and the contact with members of legislative bodies and other elected officials.  That person does everything. While often a noted expert in the association’s field of focus, their expertise and experience may not […]

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fundraising, leadership, nonprofit, Nonprofit Leadership, nonprofit management, rudolph-rosen, rudy rosen, volunteer empowerment

Finance nonprofit organization growth for financial stability?

A conversation about diversifying small nonprofit organization funding for success A leader of a nonprofit organization came to me a few days ago with a problem many small nonprofits face. With a staff of about five and almost no staff time or financial resources to spare, this leader wanted to move the organization into new […]

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fundraising, nonprofit, Nonprofit finance, nonprofit management, rudy rosen

Leadership Competency versus Charisma

Don’t confuse leadership with charisma A successful association leader and I were visiting recently when the topic of “charismatic” nonprofit executives and leadership came up.  We discussed seeing numerous employment ads for executive leadership where in almost every one “charismatic” seemed to be the key qualification sought. It was a timely discussion. I mentioned a […]

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CEO recruitment, nonprofit, rudy rosen

Charity fundraising auction event: seven hints for success

fundraising auction art - manatees - katie dobson cundiff

I received a request from a journalist for my top six hints for a successful charity fundraising auction. I told her my recommendations would vary a bit based on the size of fundraising auction and whether the host was managing with volunteers or had hired the services of professional event managers to run part or […]

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auction event, charity fundraising, nonprofit, rudy rosen

Fundraising Events Must Offer Something for Everyone

A well-run auction fundraising event offers something for everyone, with a goal for everyone to have fun. Something is always going on to see or do. The event’s main attraction is the live auction. An effective auction unfolds like a staged play, with a cast of characters and an audience. Auctioneers, spotters, runners, and models […]

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auction event, charity fundraising, fundraising, Fundraising Event, rudy rosen

Nonprofit strategic planning dilemma

fundraising art - koala - katie dobson cundiff used in nonprofit strategic planning blog

Board member expectations can be unrealistic in nonprofit strategic planning I had just completed a nonprofit strategic planning process involving board members and staff, and the board chairman had finished studying the strategic plan. He was not one to read a lot or put up with much process. He usually knew what he wanted and […]

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fundraising, nonprofit, rudy rosen, strategic planning

Fundraising events or other means to find net revenue

fundraising art - quail-pointer - katie dobson cundiff

Many people love to attend fundraising events because events are so much fun. Many of these same people are also members and officers of nonprofit organizations. It’s no surprise when those event lovers say they want their organization to host an event, too. And why not? Everyone knows fundraising events are fun and “all the […]

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auction event, fundraising, nonprofit, rudy rosen

Fundraising fun for the whole family

fundraising art - yellow tang school - katie dobson cundiff

My wife and I attended a statewide event planned by a team of staff and volunteers.  It was a fundraiser serving the added purpose of recognizing the efforts of volunteers from throughout the state who had hosted fundraising events in their own communities during the preceding year. At our table was a couple, longtime volunteers […]

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auction event, fundraising, rudy rosen

Fundraising Jobs: Turnover and Retention

The Chronicle of Philanthropy recently ran an article on fundraiser turnover by Holly Hall.  It seems surveys are underway to shed light on the issue of fundraiser recruitment and retention.  Executive directors and board members often have expectations about a fundraiser’s ability to raise funds that are not met, so fundraisers may come and go […]

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fundraising, jobs, rudy rosen

Donors and the Gifts they Give

President and CEO Magazine http://www.presidentandceomagazine.com/ interviewed me for an article that ran in the April 2012 edition (page 20-21) titled “Donors Aren’t Perfect: Things That Annoy the Charities You Support.” The take-away message was that major donors can sometimes drive an organization’s efforts and funding away from its key mission. There is little negative that […]

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donors, nonprofit business plan, rudy rosen

Rudy Rosen

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Rudy Rosen is a nonprofit organization and agency executive, author, speaker and university professor. Click here for more about Rudy.

Buy Money for the Cause

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Money for the Cause by Rudolph Rosen. Click Here: Texas A&M University Press.

Peer-reviewed fundraising textbook for beginner through veteran fundraising professionals.

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    Buy Texas Aquatic Science

    Texas Aquatic Science by Rudolph Rosen. Click Here: Texas A&M University Press.

    A textbook for middle and high school students and adult learners, from molecules to ecosystems and headwaters to ocean, Texas Aquatic Science brings learning about water to life.

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    Advice and Comment Titles

    • The Fundable 501(c)(3) or (c)(4)
    • Nonprofit Leadership – “Fit” May Not Equal Competency or Skill
    • Increase Nonprofit Organization Income by Publishing
    • Strategic Plans for Nonprofit Organizations? Yes, when they count!
    • Lands Conservancy Funding Done Conservatively
    • Nonprofit Organization Leadership versus Management
    • Nonprofit Business Plan
    • Fundraising strategy choices require focus
    • Making Money from Conferences and Conventions
    • Nonprofit CEO recruitment risks: Insider advantage vs. association management expertise
    • Training for Nonprofit Organization Employment
    • Fundraising success is possible!
    • Fundraising events can be a real circus!
    • Empower an Advocacy Army for Your Nonprofit
    • Finance nonprofit organization growth for financial stability?
    • Leadership Competency versus Charisma
    • Charity fundraising auction event: seven hints for success
    • Fundraising Events Must Offer Something for Everyone
    • Nonprofit strategic planning dilemma
    • Fundraising events or other means to find net revenue
    • Fundraising fun for the whole family
    • Fundraising Jobs: Turnover and Retention
    • Donors and the Gifts they Give

    Categories

    • Advocacy and governmental affairs
    • Budget and finance
    • Conferences
    • Education
    • Events
    • Fundraising
    • General subjects
    • Major donor stewardship
    • Management
    • Nonprofit board governance
    • Strategic and operational planning
    Artwork by Katie Dobson Cundiff used by permission. Ms. Dobson's artwork has been used for fundraising by nonprofit mission-driven organizations throughout the United States. Ms. Cundiff illustrated Money for the Cause: A Complete Guide to Event Fundraising by Rudolph Rosen. The book was published by Texas A&M University Press. Please visit Ms. Cundiff's website at www.dobsonart.com


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