Ep. 12 - Serving as a Nonprofit Board Member

Is your nonprofit progressing toward achieving its mission? Is it ensuring long-term sustainability? Our host May Harris discusses these crucial matters with David J. O’Brien and Matthew D. Craig, coauthors of "Building Smart Nonprofits, a Roadmap to Mission Success." The conversation delves into key insights about potential challenges in nonprofit operations and highlights success stories. One contentious topic explored is whether it is beneficial or detrimental for a budding nonprofit to host a Gala. Tune into this episode of Nonprofit Counsel to get the answers to your questions about serving as a nonprofit board member.

 

IN THIS EPISODE:

 

• [1:37] David tells why he wrote the book Building Smart Nonprofits, a Roadmap for Mission Success.

• [7:21] What is Sustainability?  Longevity and the impact together comprise sustainability. 

• [18:13] Using universities as an example of monetizing intellectual property plus other samples of doing nonprofits correctly, and what is the key to sustainability

• [33:22] The importance of telling the story with data to back it up and matching money to mission

• [37:42] A mistake of a marketing campaign and spending on overhead

• [42:25] Advice from David and Matt to listeners

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

 

• [8:55] Nonprofits should not be run by MBAs who don’t understand that nonprofits operate differently than the corporate world.

• [9:38] You should not run an organization on which people’s lives depend by having a short-term funding model. 

• [16:47] Nonprofits should put operating and overhead line items in their proposals 

 

RESOURCES:

 

For Profit Law Group - Website

 

Nonprofit Counsel - Website

 

Nonprofit Counsel - Instagram

 

Nonprofit Counsel - Linkedin

 

Building Nonprofits, a Roadmap for Mission Success - Book

 

ABOUT THE HOST:

May Harris has been a pioneer of nonprofit law practice for over a decade, having founded For Purpose Law Group in April 2012. She serves the nation's nonprofit sector with unparalleled expertise, prioritizing her client's missions, visions, and values. She specializes in nonprofit & tax-exempt organizations, social enterprise & business law, and estate planning & charitable giving.

 

GUEST BIOGRAPHY: 

 

David - David J. O’Brien enjoyed a career in the for-profit sector over a span of 45 years, with broad-based experience in multi-industry corporate development, finance, and management of organizations ranging from Fortune 500 conglomerates to startups. David has served as Board Chair, Committee Chair, and Director/Trustee of numerous nonprofits in diverse fields, including education, international health NGOs, social services, and the arts. He resides in rural San Diego County with his wife, Dr. Paula Cordeiro, and when not active in the nonprofit community, enjoys sailing Colibi, his 60-year sloop, cooking, oil painting, and accompanying Paula on her travels working with NGOs in Africa, & Central/South America.

 

Matthew - Matthew D. Craig is vice president and senior relationship manager with JPMorgan Chase, specializing in providing a broad range of services to governments and nonprofit organizations. With over twenty years of experience in the financial sector, he has held positions in credit underwriting, commercial and small business banking, and private wealth management. Throughout his academic and professional careers, Matt has been an active volunteer and advocate for myriad social organizations. He is a philomath, teacher, traveler, and mediocre beach volleyball player. Matt currently lives in Escondido, California, with his wife Courtney and their twins, Kerrigan and Landry.