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As a non-profit, how can you connect with local government policy makers who share your vision to serve your community? 

What knowledge as a "boots on the ground" organization can you contribute to your collaboration with city or state government elected officials to serve your community better?

In this month's episode of the DBD Podcast, Jon Simons interviews two leaders in the Richmond, VA area who share their insights about successful partnerships between the non-profit sector and local government: Abigail Farris Rogers,  President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Richmond, and Eva Colen, Manager of Office of Children and Families for the city of Richmond, VA.

This insightful podcast will give you practical ways to engage with your local government to create partnerships that help to serve your community in deeper ways and help officials to solve problems with more efficient, informed solutions, and better policies.

A typical executive search usually takes a few months from start to finish with key steps throughout the process. As the committee does its work, it’s important to communicate the status of the process to key stakeholders and applicants. It may seem simple, but many organizations skip these basic steps. And when you don’t share your progress, both candidates and your board can be left feeling that the process is cold and disorganized.

I’m nominating Alice S. for “Fundraiser of the Year.”

In any given year, grantmaking foundations in the United States award BILLIONS of dollars to nonprofit organizations. 

If you want to increase your chances of receiving some of those funds, consider thinking of foundations as individual donor prospects.

By Jim Mellor and Brian Keel

Recently the CEO of a major charity told us: “People here are dancing in the street! They can’t believe how much funding is now available to us.”  With the passage of the $1.9 trillion “American Rescue Plan”, YMCAs, health and human service agencies, private schools, faith-based organizations, camps, and other nonprofits have access to unprecedented funds. In addition, there were other federal stimulus plans passed in 2020 and programs like 21^st Century Grants, Head Start and others continue to be open for business.

A long-time executive coach once told me that the most powerful questions are ones that can be understood by a kindergartner.

After a year of constraints, there are new opportunities awaiting non-profits. Before you decide to start - or delay - your next fundraising campaign, listen in as Bruce Berglund and Laura De Vries from DBD Group answer such questions as:

• What's next for the US economy?
• How will these economic indicators impact philanthropy?
• When is the right time to re-engage with a strategic initiative? 
• How should you participate in stimulus efforts in your community?
• How will you thank those who showed up for you in the past year? 

In sailing you are always scanning the horizon looking for the ripples on the water – because that is where the wind is. That is how you set your course.  

Throughout the past few months, conversations with clients from around the country have centered on one basic question:

The DBD grant team has reviewed A LOT of grant proposals over the years – and we mean a lot! We’ve also talked with grant makers from around the country about what they like to see and what makes them cringe. Here are the top five common mistakes we’ve seen and suggestions to lead to more successful outcomes.