Winding Down: A Risk Management Checklist

A wide range of options should be explored anytime a nonprofit faces serious operational challenges, financial shortfalls and other circumstances that make it impossible to continue normal operations. This Risk Management Checklist offers an overview of the process of dissolution (which is an action governed by state law) as well as a list of the … Continued

Managing Risks and Reaping the Rewards of Remote Teams

By Whitney Claire Thomey Remote work—a facet of the working landscape for three-plus decades—quickly became the default construct for businesses and nonprofits alike in 2020. In short order, leaders across the nonprofit sector learned that remote work was not only possible but also practical at a fantastic scale. Experience corroborated what the research indicated—many people … Continued

Managing Risks and Reaping the Rewards of Remote Teams

By Whitney Claire Thomey Remote work—a facet of the working landscape for three-plus decades—quickly became the default construct for businesses and nonprofits alike in 2020. In short order, leaders across the nonprofit sector learned that remote work was not only possible but also practical at a fantastic scale. Experience corroborated what the research indicated—many people … Continued

Fraud Risk: Every Nonprofit Mission is Exposed

by Whitney Claire Thomey The US Internal Revenue Service and international organizations have teamed up to call attention to Charity Fraud Awareness Week, which takes place in October. Fraud awareness and prevention are top concerns for nonprofit leaders. What’s more, with the explosion of cybercrimes, this is a risk that affects all nonprofits no matter … Continued

Perfect is the Mortal Enemy of the Good: Why Minimum Viable Risk Practices are Perfect

By Melanie Lockwood Herman Seasoned hiring managers and interviewers often listen carefully for an interviewee’s response that acts as a red flag waving “don’t hire this person!” For me, it’s a statement like this: “I’m a perfectionist,” or “My biggest weakness is that I don’t want to stop working on something until I get it … Continued

Risk and Resilience: The Board’s Role

By Melanie Lockwood Herman Recently we’ve been fielding a variety of questions about the board’s risk role. Across the board, members of nonprofit governing teams want to support the missions they admire. Board members want to help an organization: 1. weather future disruptions (think COVID-19), 2. bolster resilience, and 3. prepare to survive and thrive … Continued