I'm a Reader, You're a Reader, Wouldn't You Like to be a Rockstar, too?

I'm a pretty passionate person. Love great causes, root for triumph over stereotypes, and hug puppies. You'd say "of course you bleeding heart, you would support early childhood and family literacy programs."

But there is where you are wrong. I'm incredibly uncomfortable around children, and self-diagnosed as "baby-phob." They all freak me out. And no, I'm not an only child and have about 18 first cousins.

But I believe that children, starting before birth, should be read to so strongly that I've dedicated my time for the past 5 years on the board of an amazing organization called BookSpring.

Why am I so passionate about BookSpring? Because I'm living proof that the greatest, long-lasting gift a parent can give to their child is the love of reading. And thanks to Mom - I'm an avid reader, and some would argue or see me as successful.

If you're a reader - can you be a rockstar too? Sponsor a child in our upcoming Read-A-Thon. And if you don't think your contribution is enough to make a difference your wrong. Just listen to these kids.


Our future will be in there hands....


PS - Note to you parents - read to your kids. This isn't an economic problem, this is a priority problem. Take time. It makes the world of difference.

H

Attention Board Presidents! You might get this call...

After a week of traveling on business (for Sage), I returned to the office Friday to a somewhat confusing voicemail. It was a lovely woman from the City of Austin Health Services department, inquiring about an audit report, and if I could give her a call back.

I thought "hmmm....an audit report? I wonder if they are a fund accounting customer, and somehow got transferred to me instead of support."

So, I picked up the phone, and gave her a call. I introduced myself as calling from Sage, and she, too was equally confused.

Then the light bulb moment hit. She was calling on BookSpring - the nonprofit I'm president of, not Sage. Ahhhh...starting to make sense.

This group had received our audit report, and wanted to know if the board had reviewed the audit. Additionally, she wanted to know if we had an audit committee, if the board meets with the auditor, and if they could have the minutes for the meeting in which we discussed the audit.

Of course my responses were "yes, yes, yes, and sure - let me get them to you Monday since my documents are on my home PC."

If you've been following Austin at all, you might of heard of a well-respected nonprofit called Family Connections. This organization, the board, funders, and supporters were duped by a very smart, very clever executive director who basically took them for all their worth - and fled to another country where she has duality. (http://www.statesman.com/news/local/family-connections-shuts-down-561391.html)

There are three points to this post:

1. Board Presidents: expect to recieve more and more calls like this, particularly from funders and program supporters.
2. All board members: it IS your responsibility to understand the controls your organization has in place. Question, question, question - not everyone brings a strong financial background to a board, but we ALL are financially responsible for it's performance. Contact your local nonprofit membership organization if you need a starting place to ensure proper board governance!
3. Prospective board members: while this level of transparency is expected, does it make you nervous to join a board? If not join, take a leadership role?

I have lots of thoughts and predictions, but I'll save them for another post when they are a bit more formalized (and before I make an ass out of myself).

Until then....

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.