Brian Keel

Non-profit organizations form in the hope and belief that they can address societal needs in ways that are more efficient and effective than have been previously tried.  Some organizations have a mission focused on solving a specific problem like regional homelessness or finding a cure for a disease.  Others have a broader mission that desires to serve the community in changing ways over time.  Either way, there is an inherent knowledge that while the mission is firm, the strategies and tactics needed to achieve that mission will need to be flexible over time.

Recently, while in Bloomington, IL, the hotel shuttle driver dropped me off with the comment “welcome to the smallest airport I’ve ever seen.”  He was surprised when I assured him that I had seen several airports with fewer than nine gates.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is planning a four-year mission in 2022 to travel to the asteroid Psyche 16.  While space missions are interesting by default, this one is gathering a great deal of attention.  According to the headlines, this space rock is believed to be composed of platinum, nickel and enough gold to make every person on Earth a billionaire many times over. The math is straightforward. Gold sells for a certain amount per ounce, the asteroid may contain a certain number of ounces and the Earth’s population is easily estimated. 

Who doesn’t love budgeting?  Whether it’s getting your arms around spending at home, watching members of Congress debate on C-SPAN or sitting through meetings at the office, budgeting is one of the great joys of life…Right?

During visits to Chicago in a former job, I was struck by an unusually designed building across the Chicago River. This two-acre lot had previously sat undeveloped for decades while stakeholders sought a way to utilize the space for maximum efficiency and impact.