Staff Picks

TSNE staff are constantly reading new articles and publications pertinent to the non-profit sector, to stay abreast of the latest trends and research. Here we sample some of the resources that our staff recommend from what they're reading.

Jackie Cefola, NonProfit Center Program Manager

Jackie recommends:

The David Brower Center's Building Dashboard
The David Brower Center, located in Berkeley, is a home for social and environmental action. This website reports out on the center's electricity consumption, water usage and other green features. This innovative graphical format helps viewers to understand how state-of-the-art environmental management is implemented at the center and in other locations.

Weatherization Guide for Older and Historic Buildings
This guide from the National Trust for Historic Preservation includes information for updating roofs, insulation, windows and mechanical systems. Environmental management is frequently associated with new building materials and structures. But as this guide attests, it is often preferable to make existing building features more efficient rather then replace them altogether. This is a message that really hits home at the NonProfit Center, our historic and environmentally-managed home for progressive change organizations.

Lyn Freundlich, Director of Human Resources and Administration

Lyn recommends:

Blue Avocado
Blue Avocado is always relevant and sometimes irreverent - two characteristics that keep me hooked. It covers real issues that we grapple with every day but doesn't take itself — or its readers — too seriously!

Heather Harker, Director of Consulting and Executive Transitions

Heather recommends:

Merger a 'No Go' for Nonprofits That Serve Seniors
An interesting article on the value of nonprofit organizations engaging in a thoughtful, thorough process before making a final decision on whether a merger makes sense. 

Merging Wisely
With the economy in turmoil, funders are increasingly pressuring nonprofits to merge. Yet mergers are not always the right path for nonprofits in financial distress. For a healthier nonprofit sector, funders should consider a wider variety of partnership options.

Ayeesha Lane, Consultant Associate

Ayeesha recommends:

The Four Things That Matter Most: A Book About Living
I think that we think because we work in the non-profit sector it's a given that we care about community and the people in the community. In fact, when we get busy doing "the work," the first thing that drops is the relationship. This book is a reminder that our relationships with others and how we care for them is most important.

Deborah Linnell, Director of Programs

Deb recommends:

Nonprofit Sustainability: Making Strategic Decisions for Financial Viability
This book is designed to help you sustain financial health and mission impact over time.

The Thin Book of Naming Elephants
A great resource to help a team, program or organization reach better and more honest communications to increase organizational performance

If the Buddha Was a Fundraiser
In these challenging economic times, it is easy to become discouraged about fundraising. Yet it's precisely at times like these that we need to access our best thinking and the ability to create perspectives that empower us. If the Buddha was a fundraiser, how might he help us learn to do that?

Unraveling Development: Enabling your board members and other fundraising volunteers
This column by Simone Joyaux - a trainer with TSNE's Capacity Building Training Series - discusses fundraising and governance.

Denise Moorehead, Director of Education and Outreach

Denise recommends:

Help A Reporter Out, or HARO, is a godsend for cash-strapped nonprofits looking for media coverage. Once you’ve signed up for his e-blasts, HARO founder Peter Shankman sends emails throughout the day that tell you what stories reporters are working on and how you can be a source. Nearly 30,000 reporters and bloggers and over 100,000 news sources are registered with him, including The New York Times, ABC News, the HuffingtonPost.com and many local media sources and reporters. HARO gives you access to all of these sources and lets you be a source for them.

As Peter says, “Everyone’s an expert at something. Sharing your expertise may land you that big media opportunity you’ve been looking for.” Go to http://www.helpareporter.com/sources, and start receiving emails right away. Happy media relations!

Hez Norton, Executive and Organizational Transitions Program Manager

Hez recommends:

Table for Two: Can Founders & Successors Coexist So Everyone Wins?
Does your organization have a founder who still has a lot to give but needs new executive leadership? Are you wondering if founders and their successors can coexist for the overall benefit of the organization? This report by Mark Leach illustrates how founders and successors can work together effectively in an organization.

Tyra Sidberry, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative Director

Tyra recommends:

State of the Dream 2010: Drained — Jobless and Foreclosed in Communities of Color
Why research and wade through raw data when this report gives concise information and its impact on communities? United For a Fair Economy, a reliable source for years, has just released its 2010 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day report.