Phase 5

Personal Growth - Education

Chapter last updated  
March 27, 2024
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In this chapter

Overview

Organizational and staff growth is closely intertwined with the development of effective leadership. Pursuing higher education classes or certifications is not only beneficial but crucial for the success of the nonprofit. Consider adopting a 360-degree performance appraisal for key leadership positions, seeking feedback from supervisors, employees, clients, board members, donors, and other stakeholders. To stay current with evolving trends in programming design, technology, IRS regulations for nonprofits, leadership strategies, and fundraising techniques, leaders must consistently expand their knowledge base.

Engaging with local agencies that specialize in nonprofit growth and participating in national conferences or online training courses are additional avenues for enhancing professional development. In most major cities, numerous agencies offer training in areas such as volunteer management, fundraising, and coaching, providing valuable resources for organizational leaders dedicated to continuous learning and improvement.

Leader’s Wisdom

  • Before the founder or executive director retires or leaves, a long-term succession plan should be created. Include a plan for the short-term in case the leader has a health problem or resigns. Look at who could step up to fill an unplanned leadership vacuum. 
  • Practice what you teach. Define and follow practices that help employees grow. Each employee should seek to do all they can with the gifts and talents God has given them to the best of their abilities. 
  • Be willing to invest time to be God’s best instrument to change lives.
  • Certifications – 
  • ECFA (Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability) Accreditation
  • CFRE (Certified Fund-Raising Executive) Certification
  • Your growth is not your organization’s growth. The organization can be growing while you may be stagnant or falling behind. 
  • As individuals who follow Jesus Christ, we are commanded to have a Kingdom impact and to walk with others to improve their lives. 
  • Ensure there is the right staff, with the right skills, to handle the organization’s growth needs.

Resources

Article

Websites

  • Mission Increase helps nonprofits, donors, and churches fulfill their God-given mission and increase their Kingdom impact. Located in 25 communities around the USA, they provide excellent free training for nonprofits on fund raising.  https://missionincrease.org/ 
  • Minnesota Council of Nonprofits is an online library of nonprofit management best practices, tips, and strategies. Explore these core areas:
  • Accountability Principles
  • Governance
  • Transparency & Accountability
  • Financial Management
  • Fundraising
  • Evaluation
  • Planning
  • Civic Engagement & Public Policy
  • Strategic Alliances
  • Human Resources
  • Volunteer Management
  • Leadership & Organizational

https://www.minnesotanonprofits.org/resources-tools

Books

  • Switch On Your Brain: The Key to Peak Happiness, Thinking, and Health by Dr. Caroline Leaf
  • The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield and Shawn Coyne

Tools

  • Kumi makes it easy to organize complex data into relationship maps that are beautiful to look at and a pleasure to use. https://kumu.io/

Download Samples

  • The Leadership Maturity Framework (LMF) – The Three Tiers of Adult Development
About the Creator

Dr. Susan K. Hewitt, Ed.D.

Susan is a seasoned Christian ministry leader with more than twenty years of experience in the nonprofit sector. She has successfully launched three nonprofit organizations and contributed her expertise to over a dozen nonprofit boards. Proficient in finance, Christian ministry, and leadership, Susan holds a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership with a specialization in Christian Ministry.

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Phase 5

Taking In The View

Chapter 17

Capacity Building & Scaling for Growth

Organizational expansion holds the potential to positively impact both clients and served communities, provided the organization is adequately prepared...

Read More
Chapter 17

Capacity Building & Scaling For Growth

Capacity Building & Scaling For Growth

Organizational expansion holds the potential to positively impact both clients and served communities, provided the organization is adequately prepared...
Read More
Chapter 18

Personal Growth in Education & Excellence

Organizational and staff growth is closely intertwined with the development of effective leadership. Pursuing higher education classes or certifications...

Read More
Chapter 18

Personal Growth - Education

Personal Growth - Education

Organizational and staff growth is closely intertwined with the development of effective leadership. Pursuing higher education classes or certifications...
Read More
Chapter 19

Closing, Downsizing or Relaunching a Nonprofit

Organizations undergo a life cycle akin to that of individuals. There's a season of inception, one of growth, and another for deliberate deceleration or closure...

Read More
Chapter 19

Closing, Downsizing Or Relaunching A NP

Closing, Downsizing Or Relaunching A NP

Organizations undergo a life cycle akin to that of individuals. There's a season of inception, one of growth, and another for deliberate deceleration or closure...
Read More
Chapter 20

Ministry Blueprints (Future)

This chapter will showcase diverse ministry models from successful nonprofits that generously shared their program blueprints and business plans for the benefit...

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Chapter 20

Ministry Blueprints (Future)

Ministry Blueprints (Future)

This chapter will showcase diverse ministry models from successful nonprofits that generously shared their program blueprints and business plans for the benefit...
Read More