Trees can help us think about how we build and structure our non-profits. Both provide critical services that help make life on earth possible and livable. Beyond, that though, there are other similarities that can shape the way you think about your board, your administration and programatic success.

Do you really love your donors? The mission and work of non profits relies on the generosity of its constituents, and yet some organizations treat their donors as data points instead of humans. This can be a costly mistake.

Helping an executive director, board chair, trustee or line manager find their public voice is one of the great joys of working as a consultant. Here are a few tips I use to help others blossom in a public arena…

Building a strong non-profit program takes time and some balancing of priorities. Having the patience to lay the ground work properly, collaborate with other mission-aligned organizations, and use volunteers strategically gives your programs greater chance of succeeding.

What makes your organization stand out? In a world crowded with non-profits competing for funding and attention, it is important to articulate what makes your organization unique. Exposing institutional vulnerability can have surprising results.

A healthy exchange between the board of trustees and the executive team is critical to the success of any non-profit. What do you need to know to make this relationship as productive as possible? What are the essential duties of the board?