Grow, Growth/Scaling Plans, Impact, Impact Measurement, Logic Model Development, Organizational Assessments, Program Development
When I started with the nonprofit Phoenix House right out of college, I was an idealist. I pursued any program and every grant that would help our clients. I believed success would come from the quantity of grants submitted. Now, with nearly three decades of...
Growth/Scaling Plans, Inspirations
I have spent the last month crisscrossing Middle America, giving keynotes and leading workshops. (Shout out to the wonderful folks in Kansas City; Louisville, Ky.; Tyler, Texas; and Cincinnati who hosted me.) The Midwest and the South are such special places to me and...
Advocacy/Policy Change, Evaluation Planning, Growth/Scaling Plans
“Place is the word.” Since it is #throwbackthursday, we thought we’d modify a phrase from the movie “Grease” and talk about a trend that we have seen on the rise over the past two years – place. It’s popping up not just at community and economic development...
Grow, Growth/Scaling Plans, Social Impact Architects
I was struck, but not surprised, when I heard the authors of Moneyball for Government note, “Less than $1 out of every $100 spent by government is backed by even the most basic evidence that the money is being spent wisely.” This reminds me of Albert Einstein’s quote:...
Advocacy/Policy Change, Business Planning, Growth/Scaling Plans, Social Impact Architects
On Monday, Jews the world over celebrated Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Observers of the holiday participate in a tradition of eating apples dipped in honey and wish each other not just a happy, but a “sweet” new year. Interestingly, honey is mentioned 60...
Grow, Growth/Scaling Plans, Impact, Impact Measurement, Lead, Organizational Assessments, Organizational Culture, Social Impact Architects
Every now and then, I feel like I’m caught in a human hamster wheel – racing from meeting to meeting, but wondering afterward – what did I really accomplish? When this happens, I pick up one of of my favorite, well-worn books, The Time Trap by R. Alec Mackenzie. We...
