Cash Flow Woes in Nonprofits

I’m fascinated by the economic dynamics at play in the past year. The nonprofit sector tends to lag the market by 9-12 months in both good and bad times. This is partly because of the way the government attempts to funnel money to the sector, partly because of fiscal-year budget differences, and partly because of the way charitable giving is treated by individuals. While I could go on, I won’t, less you tell me you want my two cents.

Speaking of stimulus, there are a lot of cash flow issues cropping up within nonprofits waiting on funds from the states. While delays between the award letter and cash-in-hand are common with government grants, the stimulus funding contains deadlines for programs, hiring, and reporting prior to the cash being distributed. This is putting a lot of great nonprofits in a bind, especially those dealing with increases in demand.

If you’re a nonprofit and you have not started diversifying your funding sources, please start now. It’s not easy, and with no easy answers in a down economy. But I’ve talked with too many ARRA recipients who are hurting because of a lack of “plug money.” I’m also talking with those who are winning because they established a funding strategy and rainy day fund for just such an instance.

There are lots of resources out there, and lots of articles. But the key is to understand your market demographics, start small, and implement what is sustainable. Overtime, you’ll gain momentum. No successful program emerges overnight – even in this world of instant gratification or instant access.

Festival of Cheese and a Novice Taster...For Real

Browsing through the Austin Chronicle, always a source of super-cool things to do in Austin, I found a winner.

On Saturday I attended the American Cheese Society's Festival of Cheese event in Austin, TX. I’ve never attended such an event, and had no idea what to expect. They boasted over 1,000 cheeses and all the wine, spreads, breads, fruits and crackers I could eat. For $75/ticket, I thought I certainly could get my money worth.

As I entered the hotel lobby, I was hit with the smell of cheese. It grew stronger as I traveled to the grand ballroom, and the buzz of the crowded filled the air. As I passed the attendant my ticket, I could hardly contain my curiosity to this underworld of cheese makers I never knew existed.

And then I walked through the doors.

Table after table after table of cheese! I’ve never seen as much cheese on one table, let alone probably 100 tables.

So I naturally started at table 27 and filled my plate with little samples. At my third table, I was cheesed out. Obviously, a novice and not a cheese connoisseur!

However, I was revived with my personal favorite of the show, 1st place Brie Normandie, from Agropur, Fine Cheese Division, Quebec. A thin wafer and a raspberry on top, de-lish!

My tip of the week is if you ever attend an event where food is judged, hit the ribbons first! I’m sure I missed out on some wonderful cheese and craftsmanship.

Well done, cheese makers, well done.

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2009 Judging Competition and Results

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Ok - Let's try it Blog It

I'm attempting to feed back and forth between my facebook account and Blogger account. Let's see if this works. If so - well done. If not, hmmm....anyone recommend a different app?

drum roll please........

Nonprofit Times 2009 Power and Influence Top 50

Last year I had the pleasure of attending the 2008 Nonprofit Times Power and Influence Top 50 awards ceremony and meeting some amazing movers and shakers in the nonprofit sector.

The class of 2009 is out, and I'm thrilled to see Holly Ross, Executive Director at NTEN and Sharon Burns, CIO of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation make the list for the first time. I was able to spend some time last year during Sage Summit with both Holly and Sharon - they both are remarkable individuals!

Congratulations!

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The Nonprofit Times
The NonProfit Times Power & Influence Top 50
Volunteering as a Fashion Statement August 1, 2009

NPT Power & Influence honorees show how community service can power a nation

Service is the new black. It’s so fashionable that those leading the national service movement have packed the catwalk of The 2009 NPT Power & Influence Top 50.Whether it’s military conscription, stipend service or traditional volunteering, community building is the core of the sector these days.

Of course, a trashed stock market and worldwide recession have much to do with how the charitable sector operates, making those volunteers all the more valuable.

Read More - PDF of the Top 50!