Resources
Turn growing pains into a fundable ask
Stalled decisions. Constant urgency. Everything routing through you. Those aren't signs something is wrong. They're signs your nonprofit has grown, and each one points to specific, fundable capacity building asks.
This guide is organized around five questions Executive Directors at growing nonprofits ask themselves, like "Why does every decision come back to me?" and "Why do I no longer know if the work is on track?"
For each question, you'll find three fundable capacity building ideas: what to ask for and the result you can expect.
Ensure real and consistent progress all year long
Create a predictable, disciplined flow that keeps your organization moving forward without needing constant ad hoc coordination (or urgent meetings).
The Annual Rhythm includes the daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual cadence your organization needs to keep work aligned, priorities clear, and progress consistent.
You’ll work from big picture → alignment and refresh → visibility and tracking → execution and communication → and back again.
For each routine, you’ll have a clearly defined purpose, participant list, and timing suggestion throughout the year.
Are You an Integrator? Checklist
The integrator turns ideas into reality, keeps the team aligned, and builds sustainable systems that drive organizational impact.
Not sure if your organization has an integrator—or could it be you? Use this checklist to find out.
Rebecca’s idea of the integrator role gave me language for a gap I sensed but couldn’t yet name. She took us from ‘that’s a good idea’ to what this person would actually do, how the role would lessen my load, and the success metrics that became a real KPI structure.”
-Barbara Duffield, Executive Director, SchoolHouse Connection
Operating Model Framework
As your organization grows, misalignment creeps in and decisions slow, priorities blur, and work relies on individuals instead of systems.
This framework provides a way of organizing how work gets done to allow leaders to make this misalignment visible and start taking action.