Our Take
Our Take is an advice column that is a partnership between Consulting Within Reach and the Skoll Foundation’s Social Edge, an international thought leader in social enterprises. Skoll and CWR are both committed to sharing expert thinking and best practices in our sector.
Skoll collects pressing and practical questions from its world wide network of social entrepreneurs. CWR provides the expert advice. And then CWR and Skoll disseminate the content on both our respective sites.
As a firm, we unfortunately cannot directly provide customized consulting services to everyone who needs our expertise. But we know you’re out there doing good. We want to help you do it even better.
We hope that sharing our take on things does that in some way.
Note: If you have a question that you would like to submit for consideration in this advice column, please do so via our contact form. Unfortunately, we cannot respond personally to each submission, nor can we promise inclusion in this column.
Getting started with online social media
Using Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media tool in fundraising means following the proper party etiquette - here's how to get going.
Why having to constantly fundraise is good
The desire for that one big donor to take care of it all is understandable. It's also misguided.
How do you keep fundraising - without losing your soul?
What happens when you have to make the same pitch to funders over and over again?
Why Excel can only take you so far in fundraising
How do you know when you need an actual donor database? What kind of advantages does it bring?
Fundraising from the Hispanic population
Latinos represent the fastest growing population in the US. What will be their role in philanthropy?
Thinking about your ecosystem
Nonprofits and funders in our sector need to operate with a clear picture of the key players, relationships, and track records involved in our issue areas.
How do I measure impact?
How can nonprofits document the effect of their programs? Here's one idea for our sector to tackle this critical issue.
How important is it for you to grow?
Nonprofit leaders can face pressure from funders, board members, clients, and yes, even themselves, to constantly grow. How healthy is this?
How do you find the right consultant for us? (part one)
You've never hired a consultant before but it's clear you need some outside help. How do you figure out which consultant is going to make for a good fit?
How do you find the right consultant for us? (part two)
You've never hired a consultant before but it's clear you need some outside help. How do you figure out which consultant is going to make for a good fit?
How do you find talent?
Finding and recruiting the right staff members is one of the key arts of leadership.
Creative recruitment of development staff
The competition for donor dollars is also a competition for high quality development staff. Here are some ideas on how to win.
Getting pro bono help
Free services can provide needed support... just don't think that they are actually free.
When is it time to upgrade?
I sense we're outgrowing our skin in so many areas. But I don't have a lot of money and can't afford to spend unless it's really necessary. How do I figure that out?
Another website? Already?
Our website is a few years ago and some aspects are outdated. But it's hard for me to justify to the board (and me) the expense of redoing it in a major way. Should we just bite the bullet?
What to look for in a potential board member? (part one)
Executive directors, especially new ones, need to pay close attention to this question from the beginning.
What do you look for in a potential board member? (part two)
Beyond the general traits listed in part one of this topic, what specific value should you seek when constructing your board?
The art of conference going
Executive directors can spend a not trivial amount of money and time going to conferences. How do you get the best return on investment?
How do you find the right mentor and coach?
Most nonprofit leader would benefit from receiving regular mentoring. How do you go about getting what you need?
Pursuing a career as a social innovator
What does it mean to be in the field of social innovation for the long haul? Learn from someone who achieved one of the greatest social innovations in history... about how not to do it.
China and the global future of NGOs
Any globally minded nonprofit leader should recognize that the picture of the future will prominently feature China. What is the future of NGO's in the world's populous country?
The state of the social enterprise field
Social enterprise, the effort to use business related activities to make a social impact, is at a cross roads.