“When one door closes another door opens….”

This quote from Alexander Graham Bell is often quoted to remind us about the possibilities in our lives that come from change. This year has certainly been a “door opening” year for our organization(s). Even prior to 2007, MNA was literally opening new doors with the December, 2006 announcement of our Metro Detroit Office. In [...]

What’s Your Brand?

You may not hear this every day, but I enjoy observing advertising, marketing and communications styles of all companies and organizations to see what brand it has created (or is attempting to create). Some companies “get it.” They see the importance of a brand and they understand it’s not just what they say they are [...]

Giving: It’s More Attitude Than Anything Else

A few folks left some great comments on my last blog about giving (check it out here if you haven’t read it). All of these comments (remembering that volunteering is as important as giving, that we should be smart about where we’re investing our resources, and that traditional giving isn’t the only way to contribute [...]

Does Your Website Stink?

Based on research by Mark Hoffman at Grand Valley State University, MNA is pleased to present “Principles for an Effective Nonprofit Website - How to Get the Most of Your Organization’s Website.” This is a how-to guide for the novice and expert techie. The handbook provides guiding principles for ensuring an effective website and [...]

Innovation of the Week

The Leader to Leader Foundation (formerly the Peter F. Drucker Foundation) has a nifty little resource for nonprofit leaders interested in innovative approaches. I subscribe to a weekly newsletter called “Innovation of the Week.” I love the IOW format because it’s really concise. It tells me right up front what the featured program is [...]

A Good Man Online?

I certainly found one! Besides having the best URL out there (in my opinion) www.agoodmanonline.com, Andy Goodman is a communications consultant and trainer specializing in helping nonprofits, foundations, government agencies and educational institutions communicate more effectively. His books, website and other materials have changed my life and the way I work so I thought I [...]

We Can Do Better: Giving Isn’t What it Should Be

I sit before you, keyboard in hand, offering of my own initiative to take up the mantle of a very unpopular idea: Giving MORE.
We Americans, we’re a generous breed. I once hosted a delegation of professors from Turkey who expressed absolute amazement that individuals would choose to voluntarily give some of their personal dollars [...]

Diversity – What Does It Mean (to us) and Why Does It Matter (to us)?

In the October 18 issue of the Chronicle of Philanthropy www.philanthropy.com, a special section was included on Achieving Diversity at Nonprofit Organizations. As we look to the future of our sector, it’s important that we intentionally and strategically consider how our organizations are structured and if we are able to meet the needs of our [...]

Bias or Balance?

If both sides think you are biased, it must mean that you’re doing something right. That’s been my thinking lately as I have traveled around the state listening to members, funders, staff, partners and supporters tell me about the work of MNA.
Take the comments I’ve heard on our work in the political arena as one [...]

A Good Reason for A Good Card

It’s the holiday season and most of us are in present shopping mode - unless you are ambitious and purchased everything on Black Friday. Well, I often struggle on finding “the perfect gift” and resort to buying gift cards at stores I know my family or friends enjoy. They ultimately buy another pair [...]