If I had to describe the climate for non-profit success – I would say it is tenuous at best, a little like this spring.

Spring has never been my favorite season, though I have come to recognize its value in the cycle of life.  Personally, I’m not all that attracted to mud; though, I do appreciate the promise of everything springing back to life.

For many non-profits, though, this spring will be a time of reflection and circumspection.  Already pummeled by budget cuts, anticipating more to come and facing increased competition for the philanthropic dollar, they are now bracing for the threat that municipalities, states and the federal government will be balancing their budgets with their funding.  Soon, many non-profit organizations, will share my opinion of spring — it’s a season that is mired in mud.

Yet, in spite of that, many organizations are facing these challenges head-on and experiencing growth and increased success.  What it requires is a willingness to evaluate programs and services from a different perspective and try new approaches.

Today, there are more organizations talking about collaboration, exploring shared services, and even entering into discussions of merging.  Internally, we are seeing more organizations investing in organizational assessments in the areas of program evaluation, finance, and development, followed by organizational plans, both strategic and business focused.

Those organizations that are most successful are also paying close attention to measuring and communicating organizational impact – in ways that both funders and donors can understand.  They aren’t preparing brochures about services, but blogs and press releases about impact and the difference they are making.

Spring – whether speaking euphemistically or literally – is the season for cleaning and getting your house in order.  Perhaps that is the real value of spring.

Dear Friends,

Everywhere in America, fundraisers are wrapping up the year-end activities, trying to raise as much as they can before December 31^st.  Here is the Philanthropy Therapist’s top 10 things to check off your list:

10. Is your year-end appeal in the mail?  (If not, hurry up)!

9.   Do you have your reminder letter ready to go?  (Don’t leave any donor-stone unturned)

8.   Are you all set to make your phone calls to remind your best donors to give (if they haven’t already)

7.   BOARD MEMBERS – HAVE YOU MADE YOUR GIFT YET?  (It’s time)

6.   Did you update your voicemail letting those special donors know how to reach you if you’re not in the office and they want to make a special gift?  (Hey, you never know)

5.   Is your tax and estate attorney on speed-dial, just in case someone wants to make that complicated planned gift?  (It happens…)

4.   Did you take a minute to call and thank your best donors?  (It is so rewarding)

3.   In all the craziness – did you remember to breathe today?  Pace yourself – you still have a few  weeks to go.

2.   Are you tallying up how much you’ve raised this year? Giving USA wants to know!

1.   Have you decided how to relax and replenish?  Be good to yourself.  You deserve it.  And get ready …. I think 2013 is going to be a very challenging year.

Dear Friends,

Working in the non-profit sector has always been an enormous privilege.  I have had the opportunity to see the difference so many people make – whether they are providing direct care, volunteering their time, serving on Boards or raising funds.  Recently, I have had the opportunity to work with three different individuals all making efforts to help our soldiers and their families.  As we listen to the upcoming debates and hear the discourse on foreign affairs, it strikes me that the focus should be on those who serve their countries so tirelessly.  I’d like to use this platform to share with you three examples of those who have done so much to promote the cause of our soldiers and veterans.

The first is PJ Walsh.  I had the pleasure of meeting PJ in my most recent recording of Philanthropy Speaks at Pawling Public Radio. For those of you who may not know, PJ is not only veteran of the U.S. Navy, but he has had an extensive career in comedy ranging from his years touring with the Blue Collar Comedy Tour to performing at the Radio City Music Hall. In recent years, PJ has turned his focus to his popular solo show, “OVER THERE: Comedy Is His Best Weapon,” recounting his own life experience.

The second is the H.G. Fairfield Center for the Arts and the Environment, founded by Korean War Veteran and Marine Katherine Fairfield Freston, who partnered with Kim Blacklock to bring attention to the need of veterans and reach out to generate greater awareness.  They were especially effective in their efforts when they partnered with  PJ Walsh to present “Courage Continues At Home – 30 Shows In 30 Days” in 2011, an initiative that focused on raising funds for food, clothing, shelter, and medical attention for local veterans and their families. Currently, PJ continues to perform comedy nights in various locations on the East Coast to benefit local veterans.

The third is a dear friend of mine from high school who has been moved by the plight of veterans since the days of the Vietnam War. Lisa Nemzo was inspired by the tragic story of one serviceman – Private First Class Michael A. Arciola – who died February 5, 2005 while serving the United States in Iraq. Her video, “Arlington,” was conceived to make a difference. Its purpose is to inspire contributions to two organizations. Global Stress Initiative is an organization focused on the early detection, intervention, and prevention of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and ongoing research for returning military men and women and their families. David Lynch’s Operation Warrior Wellness funds research and implements programs in the evidence-based Transcendental Meditation technique to veterans and active-duty military personnel and their families who suffer from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).

What strikes me is how many thousands of non-profits are working in some way to provide services to our veterans.  Whether the organization is a food bank, shelter, mental health organization, health care organization, job training program, or any other service, non-profits are making the effort to serve those that deserve our utmost respect.

Please share with me what you or a non-profit you know does to support veterans and some of your own observations. Click here to share your story.

Dear Friends,

Ahhhh…those first few words spoken by Meryl Streep in the classic movie Out of Africa.  It conjures visions of a haunting, exotic, and fragile landscape and of a life that is foreign and strange.

I just returned from two weeks spent in South Africa. Yes, it is all of those things – but the word I would use most is “humbling.”  I was humbled by the sweeping grandeur of the countryside, the majesty of the animals, and the dignity of the South Africans.  What I saw and experienced will never leave me, and I believe a part of my heart will always remain in that amazing country.

It is hard not to be moved by what you see and the difficult history that is South Africa.  The specter of apartheid and the incredible courage of those who fought it lives on in cities like Johannesburg. Today, there is still remarkable disparity between the ‘haves’ and ‘have-not’s’. The strength of women can be seen in the micro-economic businesses they have developed, and by watching the day-to-day challenges they face as they walk down the street balancing large bundles on their heads.  The hope of a country may be viewed through the children playing by the memorial on the streets of Soweto.  And so may the tears of a nation, as our guide, Neo, who, at 13, lived in Soweto during the 1986 uprising tells us.  http://www.apartheidmuseum.org/

On the preserves we are privy to witnessing the co-existence of animals whose ancestors have ruled this habitat for millions of years.  For a few short hours each day, we are able to witness their interactions, their compassion and protective nature for each other and how they nurture their young.  We also learn to understand the natural difficulties of their existence and the natural laws that prevail.  We are grateful to the guides whose compassion for their country and the natural habitat inspires us.

What is far less easy to understand is the criminal poaching of these animals that still occurs.  Some of the animals, such as the rhino, are threatened and certain species are facing possible extinction.  The human threat is by far the greatest and probably always has been.

I was awed by this country for many reasons, and I was also greatly inspired by my experience at Zulu Nyala and other preserves.  As I explored the shop at Table Mountain, looking to get warm, something in the corner caught my eye.  For those who know me, unusual and exotic jewelry always intrigues me.  Here, there was a young African man bent over a jeweler’s bench making beautiful jewelry from local wood, stone, and silver.  I went to visit with him and noticed a sign – that this “corner” was sponsored by a non-profit organization helping young men to learn a trade. This young man was proud to be part of this process.  Another man was nearby, and he was working on a website to promote the efforts of this work.  As we talked, I learned he served on the Board of Save the Rhino, and shared with me some of his efforts.

As I return to my daily life (with a fair amount of difficulty), I am struck by both the differences and similarities in these two worlds.  As we prepare for elections in our own country and debate the challenges we face here (and there are as many just as grave as in South Africa), we need to recognize that everywhere there are people who seek to make this world a better place – and sometimes they succeed gloriously.  To those of us who work in the non-profit arena, whether as paid professionals or volunteers, we are indeed part of a global community, facing similar obstacles, and sharing triumphs when we can.  And we are making a difference: one day, one life, and one community at a time.