Organizational Development

"Whenever we go online—to shop, chat with our friends, or do anything else—we put ourselves at risk of cybercrime. Computer viruses can corrupt our files, hackers can steal our data, and criminals can trick us into revealing sensitive information. But luckily there are simple steps we can take to protect our digital lives. NOVA has teamed up with cybersecurity experts to create the Cybersecurity Lab, a game in which players will discover how they can keep their digital lives safe and develop an understanding of cyber threats and defenses."

Total cost of ownership (TOC) over the lifecycle of IT projects like buying new software can be a very tricky thing to calculate. This is especially due to a project's costs going beyond tangible aspects of installing new software and into common implementation challenges such as staff adoption of the technology.

Do you know the proper terminology for nonprofits and boards of directors? The glossary contains important terms that will help you navigate your responsibilities as a board member. Learn more about essential documents used by nonprofits such as articles of incorporation, Form 990, and the difference between a mission and vision statement; legal obligations for board members including conflicts of interest; and governance committees, executive committees, and more common committees within boards of directors. (BoardSource)

Is your organization thinking about forming an advisory board? Make sure your organization specifies the advisory board's role and how it differs from the board of directors or trustees before taking the leap.  All advisory boards share common goal: to help the nonprofit organization. However, there are different types of nonprofit advisory boards.

Sample request for proposal for property and liability risk management and insurance consulting services.

Toward a Theory of Sector Selection -  As social entrepreneurs around the world create new organizations to solve emerging public problems, they do so drawing on a broad range of organizational forms, ranging from the traditional nonprofit form to the classic business corporate form. (Nonprofit Quarterly, 2015)

Good acknowledgments affirm to the donor that s/he has made a worthwhile investment. They set the stage for ongoing strategic communication about a donor's gift that will deepen his/her connection with your organization. To acheive the donor retention goals of your organization, the Association of Advancement Professionals has provided a guide to implementing best practices for gift acknowledgement.

All boards (even the most organized, responsible, and congenial ones) need to document their activities, internal rules, and processes. Some of the documentation is legally required; some is simply helpful to have. Some documents are public; some must be kept confidential. Some serve as guidelines for decisions; some are part of the record keeping. For a board that takes its fiduciary role seriously — and they all should — written rules and documentation of activities are simply part of ongoing, everyday risk management. (BoardSource, 2012)

This document serves as a sample for constructing bylaws.

Part of a series of short guides commissioned by the Weingart Foundation to support nonprofits in Los Angeles, the "HR Best Practices Toolkit" was presented at the Center for Nonprofit Management's 501(c)onference in 2014. It includes sample language, templates, and its written content covers: performance management; recruitment, hiring, and retention; program staffing; ongoing professional development; and resolving problems.