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Twitter FeedImpact Investor Education Event Series to Support HUB BoulderJune 19th, 2012 2:57pm
As you may know, Rick and I are involved in an exciting new initiative serving social entrepreneurs – HUB Boulder. Part of a global network of co-working locations, HUB Boulder is a place-based community for changemakers opening this fall. Over the last year, we’ve been hard at work assessing feasibility, raising money, selecting a great location (Walnut and Broadway in downtown Boulder) and gathering like-minded people to help build the HUB Boulder community. With 68 members to-date (4 months before we open!!!), a number of great events and a whole lot of learning, together we will have a HUB to be proud of—many of our approaches and some of our initial programming are already being touted as models for other HUBS – with such an amazing group of members and friends, it’s no doubt that trend will continue. From time to time on our blog, we’ll provide ... Read More...Posted in: Impact Investing, Social EnterpriseView / Add Comment | 0 Comment(s) | Rating: 0 of 5 | Share: Twitter, Facebook, Google +Nonprofits need to be more “business-like”February 1st, 2012 8:45am - Posted By: Caryn Capriccioso
Nonprofits need to be more “business-like” – There, I said it. If the recent decision by Susan G. Komen Foundation to defund Planned Parenthood’s cancer screening services to low-income women tells us anything, it’s that donors drive how nonprofits deliver on their missions. When will the sector finally understand that a more sustainable path is open to them? Rather than begging for funds, changing policies based on political whims or creating programs to access new donations, let’s get focused on the business at hand. Earned income strategies and social enterprise solutions are not only possible for nonprofits, they are essential for survival. An entire world of opportunity awaits the organizations that are willing to set aside the traditional donor-focused fundraising universe and focus on business metrics and strategies for sustainability. I've made my last apology for saying that nonprofits ne ... Read More...Posted in: Nonprofit, FundraisingView / Add Comment | 5 Comment(s) | Rating: 5 of 5 | Share: Twitter, Facebook, Google +To Engage or not to EngageJuly 25th, 2011 2:22pm - Posted By: Caryn Capriccioso
Question during an interSector training on stakeholder engagement: “What do you do if you work for a nonprofit with a visionary, innovative, entrepreneurial executive director who doesn’t believe that we need to ask our stakeholders for their opinions?” Good question, eh? What do you think? Are there times when you don’t need to engage stakeholders? Times when you do? And, does it have anything to do with whether your organization’s leadership thinks they have it covered? Read More...Posted in: Stakeholder Engagement, Nonprofit, Consulting, StrategyView / Add Comment | 0 Comment(s) | Rating: 0 of 5 | Share: Twitter, Facebook, Google +The Consulting RodeoMay 26th, 2011 5:19pm - Posted By: Caryn Capriccioso
A while back a nonprofit client said, “I can tell this ain’t your first rodeo.” His fellow board members, Rick and I all had a knowing chuckle—yes, you are right. We’ve done this before. We’ve helped a group like yours with similar problem like yours; several times, in fact. We bring their experiences to helping you through yours. We understand and know just what to do… I know that this board member made the rodeo statement with the most positive of intentions. He was simply shining a light on our expertise and using a humor to make light of their tough circumstances. And it worked. But, it also got me thinking about two ends of the consulting continuum: 1. Making sure the client feels comfortable and confident in your ability to help them through this (often) common issue, problem or situation they are not sure how to face. You can help because you’ve seen this thing many times, yo ... Read More...Posted in: Consulting, Nonprofit, Strategic Thinking, ClientsView / Add Comment | 3 Comment(s) | Rating: 5 of 5 | Share: Twitter, Facebook, Google +How should you treat your best donors/supporters?February 9th, 2011 1:11pm - Posted By: Rick Zwetsch
First…the set-up from one of our favorite marketing and customer experience gurus of all time. Get familiar with Seth Godin, if you’re not already, and you’ll be smarter every day until the day the world ends! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * How should you treat your best customers? [Source: Seth Godin’s Blog] Here's what most businesses do with their best customers: They take the money. The biggest fan of that Broadway show, the one who comes a lot and sits up front? She's paying three times what the person just three rows back paid. That loyal Verizon customer, the one who hasn't traded in his phone and has a contract for six years running? He's generating far more profit tha ... Read More...Posted in: Fundraising, NonprofitView / Add Comment | 0 Comment(s) | Rating: 0 of 5 | Share: Twitter, Facebook, Google +Who Cares About the L3C?January 14th, 2011 2:30pm - Posted By: Caryn Capriccioso, MNM
Once again, Colorado legislators are entering into discussions about the relative merits of the L3C—the new-ish business structure that puts a focus on achieving social mission before profit. The social purpose is "baked in" - as our corporate clients like to say - from the start, making it part of the business culture and brand. In particular, a small group of influential Colorado voices are rehashing old arguments about why the L3C is flawed and doesn't live up to its promises. Although I'm not going to debate the pros and cons of tranched investing and access to program related investments (for expertise in the intricacies of the L3C, contact my partner, Rick Zwetsch) I have several bigger picture thoughts to share. In March of 2008, ... Read More...Posted in: L3CView / Add Comment | 0 Comment(s) | Rating: 0 of 5 | Share: Twitter, Facebook, Google +A picture's worth a big ole bunch of wordsJanuary 6th, 2011 7:59am - Posted By: Caryn Capriccioso
In the nonprofit sector, we’re good with words. We can pound out 40-page federal grant proposals in a day. We write annual appeals, annual reports, board updates and program brochures in our sleep. Yet I am continually reminded of the incredible power of translating our words into images that can make our point clearly, simply and easily. Here’s the wordy version of my epiphany: We all know that donor motivations are changing. This is our work, our field. We know that they want more data. We know that they have been schooled in the importance of evaluation and outcomes. We’re aware that more and more opportunities are available to our donors each and every day – to give to other organizations, but most of all to invest in causes they truly care about. Much has been written and shared at conferences about this phenomenon, yet when I talk with boards of directors I sometimes hear: “Yes, this is what our staff has been ... Read More...Posted in: Strategic ThinkingView / Add Comment | 0 Comment(s) | Rating: 0 of 5 | Share: Twitter, Facebook, Google +POLL: L3C Legislation in 2011December 22nd, 2010 4:46pm - Posted By: Rick Zwetsch
Read More...Posted in: L3C, Quick PollsView / Add Comment | 0 Comment(s) | Rating: 0 of 5 | Share: Twitter, Facebook, Google +Demonstrating StrengthOctober 5th, 2010 3:18pm - Posted By: Rick Zwetsch
Here's today's blog post from Seth Godin: Demonstrating strength Apologize Defer to others Avoid shortcuts Tell the truth Offer kindness Seek alliances Volunteer to take the short straw Choose the long-term, sacrificing the short Demonstrate respect to all, not just the obviously strong Share credit and be public in your gratitude Risking the appearance of weakness takes strength. And the market knows it. ************************************************************************************ I’m going to add a few more… Do what you say you’re going to do. Then do it again. And agai ... Read More...Posted in: GUEST PostView / Add Comment | 0 Comment(s) | Rating: 0 of 5 | Share: Twitter, Facebook, Google +Caring about the "Duty of Care"September 28th, 2010 10:21am - Posted By: Caryn Capriccioso
I’ll fess up. While facilitating a board retreat recently, a board member asked a question, and I looked at my watch. We were running behind , and I was a bit nervous about getting through the agenda. Read More...Posted in: Nonprofit, Board of DirectorsView / Add Comment | 0 Comment(s) | Rating: 0 of 5 | Share: Twitter, Facebook, Google + |
