Comments for Emily Davis and Associates Consulting http://edaconsulting.org Making Your Passion Our Mission Tue, 15 May 2012 15:35:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Comment on For Our Mothers by Emily Davis http://edaconsulting.org/2012/05/for-our-mothers/#comment-89 Emily Davis Tue, 15 May 2012 15:35:26 +0000 http://edaconsulting.org/?p=1273#comment-89 Claire and Gerard, Thanks so much for taking the time to share your stories on the blog. Mothers are incredible and do so much for us working with nonprofits. I encourage you to share your story and mine with others so we can all take a moment to appreciate what they do for us. Thanks for reading! Emily Claire and Gerard, Thanks so much for taking the time to share your stories on the blog. Mothers are incredible and do so much for us working with nonprofits. I encourage you to share your story and mine with others so we can all take a moment to appreciate what they do for us. Thanks for reading! Emily

]]> Comment on For Our Mothers by claire axelrad http://edaconsulting.org/2012/05/for-our-mothers/#comment-88 claire axelrad Tue, 15 May 2012 03:14:46 +0000 http://edaconsulting.org/?p=1273#comment-88 Thanks for sharing this Natasha. I started in nonprofit because of my Mom too... just not right away. First I became a lawyer. She always wanted to be one, and slyly influenced me in this direction. She taught me public speaking and debating and told me I'd be great with a persuasive argument. Meanwhile, she spent her "career" as a professional volunteer. She was always leading some cause or another. That was my role model. When I quickly became disillusioned with law as a profession, I embarked on a 'search' (200 research interviews!) to find my best direction. Wouldn't you know it? I "fell" right into nonprofit development. Lo and behold, I was getting paid for what my Mom did for free. Thanks for showing me the way Mom. And here's my Mother's Day poem for moms and kids everywhere. http://clairification.blogspot.com/2012/05/mothers-know-what-they-know-and-dont.html Thanks for sharing this Natasha. I started in nonprofit because of my Mom too… just not right away. First I became a lawyer. She always wanted to be one, and slyly influenced me in this direction. She taught me public speaking and debating and told me I’d be great with a persuasive argument. Meanwhile, she spent her “career” as a professional volunteer. She was always leading some cause or another. That was my role model. When I quickly became disillusioned with law as a profession, I embarked on a ‘search’ (200 research interviews!) to find my best direction. Wouldn’t you know it? I “fell” right into nonprofit development. Lo and behold, I was getting paid for what my Mom did for free. Thanks for showing me the way Mom. And here’s my Mother’s Day poem for moms and kids everywhere. http://clairification.blogspot.com/2012/05/mothers-know-what-they-know-and-dont.html

]]> Comment on For Our Mothers by Gerard McCaffery http://edaconsulting.org/2012/05/for-our-mothers/#comment-87 Gerard McCaffery Mon, 14 May 2012 16:02:29 +0000 http://edaconsulting.org/?p=1273#comment-87 For Mother's Day this year my agency asked several of our foster moms about why do they do what they do for foster children. Amazing people! We posted their story at our web site and asked people to make a donation to MercyFirst in honor of their mom and our foster moms. For Mother’s Day this year my agency asked several of our foster moms about why do they do what they do for foster children. Amazing people! We posted their story at our web site and asked people to make a donation to MercyFirst in honor of their mom and our foster moms.

]]> Comment on Nonprofit Startup Advice by Herb Newell http://edaconsulting.org/2012/02/nonprofit-startup-advice/#comment-86 Herb Newell Mon, 16 Apr 2012 23:42:14 +0000 http://edaconsulting.org/?p=921#comment-86 This is a good short list! Thirty years ago we were those young, wild-eyed compassionate people with a good idea and no clue. We had the dumb luck to get sucked in to just the right cause at just the right time. We took the right approach, made the right contacts, got the right grants and contracts, found the right mentors, board members, donors and volunteers..., and made the right adjustments... to strive, to survive, and eventually to thrive in compassionate ministry. We were lucky, worked hard and learned quick, and we only went bust a couple times. We are blessed to bless others! When kids come to me for advice I want to do everything I can to encourage them and to help them to help them realize their passion and dreams to serve because they are the next generation of compassion. I also want to encourage them to learn some of the things I should have known and do some of the things I should have done. I'd boil it down even a little further: 1. Whats the Big Picture: Understanding the need and your unique approach. 2. Boiling it Down: Getting from the big picture to the business plan. 3. It Is About the Money: Understand and embrace the importance of financing your dream. This is a good short list!

Thirty years ago we were those young, wild-eyed compassionate people with a good idea and no clue. We had the dumb luck to get sucked in to just the right cause at just the right time. We took the right approach, made the right contacts, got the right grants and contracts, found the right mentors, board members, donors and volunteers…, and made the right adjustments… to strive, to survive, and eventually to thrive in compassionate ministry. We were lucky, worked hard and learned quick, and we only went bust a couple times.

We are blessed to bless others!

When kids come to me for advice I want to do everything I can to encourage them and to help them to help them realize their passion and dreams to serve because they are the next generation of compassion. I also want to encourage them to learn some of the things I should have known and do some of the things I should have done.

I’d boil it down even a little further: 1. Whats the Big Picture: Understanding the need and your unique approach. 2. Boiling it Down: Getting from the big picture to the business plan. 3. It Is About the Money: Understand and embrace the importance of financing your dream.

]]> Comment on Nonprofit Startup Advice by Emily Davis http://edaconsulting.org/2012/02/nonprofit-startup-advice/#comment-85 Emily Davis Mon, 16 Apr 2012 18:54:13 +0000 http://edaconsulting.org/?p=921#comment-85 Well said, Cindy! Hopefully, we can get the word out to more and more folks to educate them about nonprofits as businesses and how to prepare. Well said, Cindy! Hopefully, we can get the word out to more and more folks to educate them about nonprofits as businesses and how to prepare.

]]> Comment on Nonprofit Startup Advice by Cindy Lauren http://edaconsulting.org/2012/02/nonprofit-startup-advice/#comment-84 Cindy Lauren Mon, 16 Apr 2012 18:08:13 +0000 http://edaconsulting.org/?p=921#comment-84 I too receive many requests like this: someone has a fantastic idea to do good work, feel compelled to start their own firm,despite many similar ones struggling and have no idea how to begin. There seems to be an idea that a good cause and care is enough to generate a following, income and attention. The reality is doing nonprofit work is simply hard- and if you add the sanctimony that often accompanies the need for fundraising, programs and volunteers, sometimes it is really hard. This article is very good and to the point and for all the inquiries about starting a new nonprofit, this might be required reading. thanks for posting! I too receive many requests like this: someone has a fantastic idea to do good work, feel compelled to start their own firm,despite many similar ones struggling and have no idea how to begin. There seems to be an idea that a good cause and care is enough to generate a following, income and attention.
The reality is doing nonprofit work is simply hard- and if you add the sanctimony that often accompanies the need for fundraising, programs and volunteers, sometimes it is really hard.

This article is very good and to the point and for all the inquiries about starting a new nonprofit, this might be required reading.
thanks for posting!

]]> Comment on Leadership and Turnover by Amy http://edaconsulting.org/2011/08/leadership-and-turnover/#comment-82 Amy Mon, 22 Aug 2011 19:26:54 +0000 http://edaconsulting.org/?p=845#comment-82 I totally agree, Emily - especially your comments about leadership being entirely different and MORE IMPORTANT than just management. Also - sometimes it's tough to tell if people leave because of their generational tendencies and just want a change (maybe 3 years is a long time to Millenials?) or because they're genuinely unhappy. But I agree that if your org makes the investment to prevent high turnover, everyone benefits. Nicely said! I totally agree, Emily – especially your comments about leadership being entirely different and MORE IMPORTANT than just management. Also – sometimes it’s tough to tell if people leave because of their generational tendencies and just want a change (maybe 3 years is a long time to Millenials?) or because they’re genuinely unhappy. But I agree that if your org makes the investment to prevent high turnover, everyone benefits. Nicely said!

]]> Comment on Nonprofits are Businesses, Not Lemonade Stands by Amanda Johnston http://edaconsulting.org/2011/07/nonprofits-are-businesses-not-lemonade-stands/#comment-81 Amanda Johnston Fri, 19 Aug 2011 14:06:32 +0000 http://edaconsulting.org/?p=796#comment-81 Hi Emily, nice article and discussion here. I think two other great sites for nonprofit development are http://www.allianceonline.org/ There are some great webinars, resources and info on conferences there. Also the National Council for Nonprofits may be the best site for learning the ins and outs of what it takes to develop a strong nonprofit: http://www.councilofnonprofits.org/capacity-building/what-capacity-building#tools And when someone tells me they have a great new idea for a nonprofit, I always recommend the book How to Form a Nonprofit Corporation by Anthony Mancuso. He walks you through the steps of the 501 (c)(3) application process, and provides details unique to each state. I have thought about using this book and info from the National Council for Nonprofits to develop some sort of quick check list, .....so people can see if you haven't done a, b and c, you aren't ready. And if they have, congratulations! ...stay tuned. Hi Emily, nice article and discussion here. I think two other great sites for nonprofit development are http://www.allianceonline.org/ There are some great webinars, resources and info on conferences there. Also the National Council for Nonprofits may be the best site for learning the ins and outs of what it takes to develop a strong nonprofit: http://www.councilofnonprofits.org/capacity-building/what-capacity-building#tools

And when someone tells me they have a great new idea for a nonprofit, I always recommend the book How to Form a Nonprofit Corporation by Anthony Mancuso. He walks you through the steps of the 501 (c)(3) application process, and provides details unique to each state. I have thought about using this book and info from the National Council for Nonprofits to develop some sort of quick check list, …..so people can see if you haven’t done a, b and c, you aren’t ready. And if they have, congratulations! …stay tuned.

]]> Comment on Nonprofits are Businesses, Not Lemonade Stands by Thomas Hart Architect LEED AP http://edaconsulting.org/2011/07/nonprofits-are-businesses-not-lemonade-stands/#comment-80 Thomas Hart Architect LEED AP Sun, 14 Aug 2011 00:30:26 +0000 http://edaconsulting.org/?p=796#comment-80 I agree with your article, as a 10 year board member of a non-profit youth camp in Arizona, we struggle to raise funds even with a 50 year history & great reputation. We have great campers, management, staff, volunteers, a great facility on National Forest land but no major donors. Does anyone have any advise for this issue? To date, I have found an answer: New Leaf Tree Plantations; www.earnmoneyintrees.com Starting a tree plantation will create an excellent revenue source long term for any non-profit while helping the environment & educating our children. If you would like more information, contact me. I am the New Leaf Technologies Planning & Development Director. I am here to help non-profits & private land owners create wealth in trees! New Leaf can grow tree seedlings & trees 5 times faster than nature. As an Architect LEED AP with 25 years of experience, I think I know a good idea when I see one; this technology will change the way people grow trees! I agree with your article, as a 10 year board member of a non-profit youth camp in Arizona, we struggle to raise funds even with a 50 year history & great reputation. We have great campers, management, staff, volunteers, a great facility on National Forest land but no major donors. Does anyone have any advise for this issue?

To date, I have found an answer: New Leaf Tree Plantations; http://www.earnmoneyintrees.com

Starting a tree plantation will create an excellent revenue source long term for any non-profit while helping the environment & educating our children.

If you would like more information, contact me. I am the New Leaf Technologies Planning & Development Director. I am here to help non-profits & private land owners create wealth in trees! New Leaf can grow tree seedlings & trees 5 times faster than nature.

As an Architect LEED AP with 25 years of experience, I think I know a good idea when I see one; this technology will change the way people grow trees!

]]> Comment on Nonprofits are Businesses, Not Lemonade Stands by Tracy Fredericks http://edaconsulting.org/2011/07/nonprofits-are-businesses-not-lemonade-stands/#comment-79 Tracy Fredericks Fri, 12 Aug 2011 17:08:28 +0000 http://edaconsulting.org/?p=796#comment-79 I have been on both sides, non-profit and for-profit and I strongly believe that most people (not all) who are not in non-profit undervalue non-profit work. They think you don't need any real skills. They are wrong! Actually, you need more skills than most because you will be doing everything yourself or with a smaller staff with less resources. In order for non-profit missions to thrive they have to have programs (product), raise money, pick the right leadership, communicate well, etc, etc, etc. just like a for-profit. This country values profit! If it is not your main objective your organization will be seen as less than (I know, this subject is taboo.) That's why I am so into social entrepreneurship. I believe non-profits have to make their own money to sustain themselves,pick leaders who can lead this effort and who value people, principles and the env. before profit. I have been on both sides, non-profit and for-profit and I strongly believe that most people (not all) who are not in non-profit undervalue non-profit work. They think you don’t need any real skills. They are wrong! Actually, you need more skills than most because you will be doing everything yourself or with a smaller staff with less resources. In order for non-profit missions to thrive they have to have programs (product), raise money, pick the right leadership, communicate well, etc, etc, etc. just like a for-profit. This country values profit! If it is not your main objective your organization will be seen as less than (I know, this subject is taboo.) That’s why I am so into social entrepreneurship. I believe non-profits have to make their own money to sustain themselves,pick leaders who can lead this effort and who value people, principles and the env. before profit.

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