I’ve run small non-profits here in California for about fifteen years now. I’ve incorporated five non-profits and sat on the boards of nine different organizations. Until recently, my education had all been along the lines of for-profits and most of my learning was self taught. I’m currently filling in the gaps by taking a non-profit management course through the local university. Since a lot of my attention is on non-profits, I figured I’d start doing posts about non-profit management as well.
My non-profit blog posts:
- The Need for Grassroots Support for Nonprofits in Light of the US Government Freeze on Grant Funding
Nonprofits have long been a vital part of the American social fabric, supporting a wide range of causes from education and healthcare to social justice and environmental sustainability. However, in recent times, these organizations have faced a particularly challenging hurdle: a freeze on US government… Read more: The Need for Grassroots Support for Nonprofits in Light of the US Government Freeze on Grant Funding - Mentorship: Empowering First-Generation College Students
For many students, the transition from high school to college is a pivotal moment—full of excitement, discovery, and challenges. But for first-generation college students, it can also feel like stepping into uncharted territory. Without a roadmap from family members who have navigated this journey before,… Read more: Mentorship: Empowering First-Generation College Students - What Makes a Nonprofit Successful?
Building a high-performing, successful nonprofit organization is never easy, especially in a world that continues to present new challenges. Yet nonprofit organizations need to remain stable, relevant, and resilient in the face of up and down cycles of budget cuts and a changing fundraising landscape.… Read more: What Makes a Nonprofit Successful? - First 90 Days: From Chairperson to CEO
Three months ago, an opportunity presented itself that would significantly alter my professional journey and the trajectory of Lamp of Learning. The board of directors extended an invitation for me to formalize my role within the organization and step into the CEO position. Having served… Read more: First 90 Days: From Chairperson to CEO - “Tackling Mental Health in Higher Education: Prioritizing Student Well-being”
Making your way through college can be filled with decisions, stress, and responsibilities. It will call for special attention to your emotional state and the need to find outlets and ways to deal with unwanted/overwhelming feelings. Mental health in college is an extremely important aspect… Read more: “Tackling Mental Health in Higher Education: Prioritizing Student Well-being” - Behind the Scenes: The Life of Nonprofit Workers
In every community, there exist hidden champions whose commitment and tireless efforts frequently remain underappreciated. These champions are the nonprofit workers, the vital pillars of organizations dedicated to enhancing our world. However, a glaring issue shadows their noble endeavors: despite their significant contributions to society,… Read more: Behind the Scenes: The Life of Nonprofit Workers - Understanding Nonprofits: More Than Just a Charitable Cause
In today’s post, we’re going to explore the fascinating world of nonprofit organizations. Understanding nonprofits is important. NPO or nonprofit organizations play a vital role in our society, often working towards the betterment of communities, supporting causes, and making a positive impact in various areas… Read more: Understanding Nonprofits: More Than Just a Charitable Cause - Corporate Social Responsibility: An Outline to Meaningful Collaboration
It’s refreshing to see companies stepping up to partner with nonprofits. Usually labeled as Corporate Social Responsibility or CSR, this collaboration not only fosters community spirit but also creates a ripple effect of positive change that can span the globe. Companies, big and small, have… Read more: Corporate Social Responsibility: An Outline to Meaningful Collaboration - The Impact of Poverty on Education
As I sit down to write this blog post, I can’t help but think about the significant influence poverty has on education. Education is often considered the key to unlocking a brighter future, yet the harsh reality is that poverty can act as a formidable… Read more: The Impact of Poverty on Education - The Role of Parental Involvement in Education.
Parental involvement is essential for the success of any education system. It has been shown to improve student achievement, reduce truancy and dropout rates, and improve the quality of education. It has been a top priority for school leaders for decades, and research shows that… Read more: The Role of Parental Involvement in Education. - How to Start a Nonprofit Organization: A Step-by-Step Guide
If you have a cause to promote or a humanitarian need to support, starting a nonprofit organization could be your gateway to effecting meaningful and lasting change. Whether you dream of aiding the environment, supporting education, or supporting a cause close to your heart, establishing… Read more: How to Start a Nonprofit Organization: A Step-by-Step Guide - Scholarship Management: Best Practices for Institutions and Organizations
There’s something special about the smiles on students’ faces at graduation. We all feel it and everyone knows it. That tremendous sense of accomplishment and the gratifying feeling that hard work has paid off. Awarding scholarships to deserving students is a close second to that… Read more: Scholarship Management: Best Practices for Institutions and Organizations - Why Nonprofit Leaders Choose to Stay in the Nonprofit Sector
When it comes to making a positive impact on society, nonprofit organizations are at the forefront of creating change and addressing critical issues. Behind these organizations are dedicated leaders who commit their time, energy, and expertise to drive the mission forward. Have you ever wondered… Read more: Why Nonprofit Leaders Choose to Stay in the Nonprofit Sector - Embracing the Power of Formal Education: Unlocking Your Full Potential
In a world that constantly evolves and faces new challenges, education plays a crucial role in shaping individuals and societies. Formal education, offered through schools, colleges and universities, while it can be lengthy and often expensive, provides a structured and comprehensive learning experience that equips… Read more: Embracing the Power of Formal Education: Unlocking Your Full Potential - Scholarship Scams: How to Spot and Avoid Them
We all dream of a brighter future, and for many of us, education is the key to unlocking that door. Scholarships are a fantastic way to support your academic dreams, but unfortunately, not all opportunities out there are genuine. The internet is filled with scholarship… Read more: Scholarship Scams: How to Spot and Avoid Them - Is for-profit experience valued in a nonprofit?
Today, I’m diving into a topic that often frustrates executives looking to move into nonprofit management: The value of for-profit experience in the world of nonprofits. At first glance, it might seem like these two sectors operate in entirely different realms – one driven by… Read more: Is for-profit experience valued in a nonprofit? - How To Appeal To Donors in Social MediaIn Today’s digital age, social media has become a powerful tool especially for non profit organizations to connect with potential donors and supporters. With the right approach, your organization can effectively appeal to donors and inspire them to support your cause. Crafting an effective appeal… Read more: How To Appeal To Donors in Social Media
- The Impact of Scholarships on Student SuccessHello, dear readers! Today, we’re diving into a topic that holds a special place in the hearts of many students: scholarships. Scholarships are more than just financial aid; they are catalysts for academic success. We all know that education is a powerful tool that can… Read more: The Impact of Scholarships on Student Success
- How to Break into The Nonprofit SectorAre you passionate about making a difference in the world? Do you dream of working for a cause you truly believe in? If so, breaking into the nonprofit market might be the perfect career move for you. Nonprofits are organizations that focus on improving the… Read more: How to Break into The Nonprofit Sector
- Are boards and CISOs finally aligning? Not in Healthcare.
Great findings from the Proofpoint 2023 Survey! It’s worrying that Healthcare boards and CISOs aren’t talking enough, especially with rising cyber threats. ????????️ In general, the collaboration between CISOs and board members has significantly improved, providing optimism that views on cybersecurity in the boardroom are… Read more: Are boards and CISOs finally aligning? Not in Healthcare. - A Stormy Future: Challenges Ahead for Non-ProfitsA stormy outlook for non-profits? With the rollercoaster of today’s economic landscape, it’s going to get bad before it gets any better. As many know, I’m at the helm of Lamp of Learning, a non-profit that’s near and dear to my heart. You know, in… Read more: A Stormy Future: Challenges Ahead for Non-Profits
- Thank You Letter – Checklist
CHECKLIST FOR A GREAT THANK YOU LETTER - The Power of Checklists: Streamlining and Ensuring SuccessIn the bustling world of nonprofit organizations, where passion meets purpose, it’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of activities and lose sight of the intricate details. From planning fundraising events to managing volunteers and ensuring compliance with regulations, the tasks can be… Read more: The Power of Checklists: Streamlining and Ensuring Success
- Grants Checklist
I’m no expert in grants so I pulled out my book from proposal writing. (Program Planning & Proposal Writing, Kiritz) Here is a cool checklist I found that you can use from TGCI (The Grantsmanship Center) Grant_Checklist (tgci.com) Paul Bergman runs a business strategy and… Read more: Grants Checklist - A case for competitive salaries in Nonprofits
The Value of Nonprofit Leaders and Their Salaries In the modern world, nonprofits play an indispensable role in addressing pressing societal issues, ranging from poverty alleviation to environmental protection. Yet as much as we “appreciate” these organizations, we don’t really like to pay the employees.… Read more: A case for competitive salaries in Nonprofits - Top reasons non-profit leaders don’t make as much money.
Non-profit organizations play an indispensable role, with their leaders acting as true champions. These dedicated individuals wholeheartedly strive to address a multitude of societal challenges, effectively transforming our communities into better places to live. At the forefront of these organizations stand committed leaders who tirelessly… Read more: Top reasons non-profit leaders don’t make as much money. - Challenges in Education: Bridging the Gap for Equitable Access to Quality Learning
Proper and good education is very important, it is the fundamental requirement of every individual. It helps us improve our knowledge and amplifies our personality. The more knowledge we gain the more opportunities will open up to allow individuals to achieve better possibilities in career… Read more: Challenges in Education: Bridging the Gap for Equitable Access to Quality Learning - The Challenge of Writing Rejection Emails to Exceptional Students
Today, I want to share with you perhaps the most challenging job I have at Lamp of Learning: Writing rejection emails. Lamp of Learning provides mentoring and scholarships to high-achieving, low-income students. https://www.lampoflearning.org As part of our scholarship program, we have the honor of interviewing… Read more: The Challenge of Writing Rejection Emails to Exceptional Students - The Pending SEC Cybersecurity Rule: What Boards Must Know
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has proposed new cybersecurity regulations for companies that fall under its regulatory umbrella. This proposal has been in development for some time, and highly needed to address growing cybersecurity risk. In this article, we will outline the key… Read more: The Pending SEC Cybersecurity Rule: What Boards Must Know - Nonprofit – QuickBooks – How to record an expense that a donor pays directly.
Like many nonprofits, we use Quickbooks to manage our books. Making Quickbooks record things correctly can be a challenge when you are managing a nonprofit. QB is created for small for-profit businesses and “donations” don’t really exist in QB by default. However, you can make… Read more: Nonprofit – QuickBooks – How to record an expense that a donor pays directly. - MetaBoost – Small Business Studio San Diego
I’m no expert in social media, particularly Instagram and Facebook, so I figured I’d go over and learn from Meta directly. This program was focused on small businesses, which applies to the Lamp of Learning, so I was interested. It’s clear that the market is… Read more: MetaBoost – Small Business Studio San Diego - Rejection Therapy Ask #4
I’ll be honest, I edited a fairly big sigh out of the beginning of this one. If you have been paying attention, I’m not getting a ‘no’ on these. I’m getting something else that both you and I know is a hidden rejection. Leaving a… Read more: Rejection Therapy Ask #4 - Rejection Therapy Ask #3
You can see that, even after 3 attempts, I’m starting to show fatigue. I don’t think that is only because the last few have been rejections. I think that I’m starting to question this approach.I clearly have a great cause I’m asking for them to… Read more: Rejection Therapy Ask #3 - Rejection Therapy: Ask #2
My second ask This was a much higher bar. I walked in off the street, didn’t know them, and didn’t really know what to say. I got a “no”. Not really a surprise. Problems: 1) I didn’t seem to be talking to a decision maker.… Read more: Rejection Therapy: Ask #2 - Rejection Therapy: Ask #1
My first ask. This ask was not a high bar. Yes, it was out of the blue but it was also to someone I’d known for years. He also knew I was involved in Lamp of Learning. He was already interested, so the ask was… Read more: Rejection Therapy: Ask #1 - Rejection Therapy 1
I just finished Jia Jiang’s book “Rejection Proof” about 100 days of rejection as a project. (Link to site in comments) I asked one of my board members about getting donations from local restaurants. He was a manager of a restaurant and told me that… Read more: Rejection Therapy 1
CEO at Tracc Development, Inc.
Paul Bergman runs a business strategy and cybersecurity consulting company in San Diego. He is CEO of AMRAD. He also leads a mentoring non-profit in San Diego, Lamp of Learning. He writes on cybersecurity and board management for both corporate and nonprofit boards.
Latest posts by Paul Bergman (see all)