Athena Coaching & Consulting

Why do some nonprofits end up with high turnover, burnout, and internal conflict when they start with motivattion and a deep passion to make the world a better place? In my experience, this often comes down to two primary issues: 👉 The leadership, especially the executive director, is stretched too thin. 👉 They don’t have the tools or knowledge to effectively address the situation. As Craig Groeschel wisely says, “As it goes with the leader, so it goes with the whole organization.” When leaders are overextended and unable to be intentional about the culture they’re shaping, the organization starts to suffer. Teams fall into a cycle of reacting to problems instead of building a positive, proactive environment and even when leaders recognize the need for change, they can feel overwhelmed by the challenges ahead. The process often requires tough conversations, setting boundaries, and embracing that often-dreaded word: change. No matter what’s causing the toxic environment, one thing is clear—it won’t fix itself. Meaningful change requires intentional action, commitment, and difficult conversations along the way. This is not a quick fix—it’s a long journey. Just as toxic cultures don’t form overnight, creating a healthy one takes time and intentional effort. If this is a challenge you are currently experiencing, how can you take the first step toward building a culture that truly supports the people and the mission you care so much about? #nonprofit #leadership #culture

In a world driven by urgency, it’s easy to overlook the power of pausing and reflecting. Yet, it's through curiosity and thoughtful consideration that we discover sustainable solutions to the challenges we face. In my work with nonprofits, the time to wonder can spark innovation, deepen impact, and strengthen decisions. Whether it's evaluating community needs, refining strategies, or making tough calls, intentional thinking leads to meaningful outcomes. 💡 Embrace this "epidemic" of thoughtful decision-making to create lasting change. #NonProfitConsulting #ThoughtfulLeadership #StrategicThinking #NonProfitImpact

The next session of Passive to Powerhouse is starting in November. Now, I know that no one wants to start a new initiative as you are going into the holidays and year end, but hear me out! This is a great time to get a jump on 2025. By putting pieces in place now, you'll be able to hit the ground running in the new year, and build the board you and your agency needs! As you dream about developing a powerhouse board, you want to think through things like: organizational needs, board member expectations, where to find new volunteers, how to recruit prospects, meaningful ways to bring new people into your organizational leadership, and how to effectively engage them. This 6-month group program will walk you through the steps of creating the board of your dreams! Since this is a group program, it’s a very economical way to access services, keep yourself on track, and take your board to the next level. To sweeten the pot even more, anyone who commits by October 18th will recieve $50 off the monthly fee. If you would like to learn more, contact me to set up a free Discovery Call.

A thought to consider as we prepare ourselves for the week ahead...

92% of nonprofits have budgets under $1 million a year. 88% are under $500,000. With this in mind, the level of financial expertise and strategizing required to lead one of these organizations is not going to be as significant as what is required to lead a $20M agency. Smaller nonprofits tend to be local – addressing issues in their community. These agencies are probably looking to attract volunteers in that community, who have the expertise of understanding the environment, and passion for fixing critical social issues. In my experience, this makes smaller nonprofits great places for “beginner board members” to learn the ropes of serving as a governance volunteer. Are you currently a board member? How did you get started? What was it about the organization that made you motivated to support them?

🦗 🦗 🦗 When you put out a call for governance volunteers, and you say “we’re looking for anyone wanting to serve our organization” – you likely hear crickets. The more specific you can get, the better your chances of someone seeing themselves in the description of what you need. They may even think of another prospective volunteer based on your description. If you don’t know what you need, it’s going to be hard to find it. In marketing they call this finding your niche. It seems counter intuitive, but the more you narrow your focus on what you are looking for, the more likely you are to find it. Every nonprofit is different and has unique needs and challenges. Schedule a Discovery Call with me (linked below) if you would like to discuss your organization’s wants and needs for your Board of Directors. 

This is BY FAR the most frequently asked question that I get asked. 👇 Where Do I Find Good Board Members? As if I have some secret lair where all the good governance volunteers hide! 😉 I wish that I did! That question is followed closely by “How do I get my board members engaged?” and “What do I do with these people?” All of these questions are related. The fact is that someone who could be an amazing board member for one agency, could be dismal for another organization. Some of the factors to consider when you think about the kind of volunteers you need for your board include: ⌚ Organizational duration: A young organization is going to have different needs than one that is established and has longevity. A newer agency will need volunteers who are comfortable with ambiguity and working on figuring things out. Someone who likes to have all their ducks in a row would not necessarily be a good fit for a young nonprofit. On the other hand, that person may thrive with a more established organization looking for stability and unfaltering leadership. 📏 Organizational size: Smaller nonprofits tend to be local – addressing issues in their community. These agencies are probably looking to attract volunteers in that community, who have the expertise of understanding the environment, and passion for fixing critical social issues. Larger agencies are likely going to need volunteers who know the ropes when it comes to serving on a board. They may require specialized expertise, significant relationships, regional representation, and more. 👁 Future vision and plans: Agencies focused on remaining small and local will have different needs than those looking to go nationwide or worldwide. Similarly, those that want to stay narrowly focused on one strategy will differ from those looking to attack an issue on several fronts. Any organization looking to make big changes will need to consider the kind of expertise and leadership that they will need. 🥇 Specialized expertise required: Having specialized needs does not automatically mean that the organization must recruit a volunteer with those skills to their board. Needs can be addressed by utilizing non-governance volunteers, contractors, or staff. The agency needs to decide what is the best way to acquire the specialized expertise required for responsible decision making. 🤝 Mission, cause and values: I often tell nonprofit leaders that the most important quality in a board member is that they care about being part of the solution you provide. Everyone is busy, and if a volunteer doesn’t care, it’s easy for other things to get in the way of board meetings, events and service. Not only do they need to care about the issue you are addressing, but they need to align with your values and methodology. What's the most valuable quality you've found in an effective board member for your nonprofit?

🤫 Confession time: As a nonprofit consultant, I often try to talk people out of starting nonprofits. Why? Because it's not just hard work—it's an all-consuming commitment that's not always the right choice. Before you dive in, here are some areas to consider: 1. Passion isn't enough. Can you sustain your dedication for years? 2. Is there a real need are are duplicate existing services? 3. Do you have the skills and resources? Nonprofits are businesses too. 4. Can you navigate legal and administrative hurdles? 5. Is there a better way? Consider partnerships or social enterprises. A successful nonprofit needs: • A critical, compelling social issue • A unique solution • Business acumen • Working with multiple stakeholders Starting a nonprofit is exciting, but it's not for everyone. Think twice, then think again. There are many ways to make an impact without founding a new organization. What's your take? Have you considered starting a nonprofit? Let's discuss in the comments! #Nonprofit #SocialImpact #Leadership #CommunityService

How do you involve your nonprofit's volunteers in your planning process? Including volunteers in strategic planning doesn't just empower them - it creates a stronger, more connected organization. Even smaller nonprofits can reap big benefits from focused discussions about the future with their volunteers. Here's an idea: Consider hosting a planning session early in a volunteer's involvement. This approach can lead to several positive outcomes: 🔺 Building Connections: Create opportunities for new and long-time supporters to interact, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose. 🔺 Onboarding Through Involvement: Use the session to immerse new supporters in your organization's mission, vision, and key objectives. 🔺 Cultivating Your Nonprofit's Culture: Collaborative planning allows supporters to contribute their unique perspectives, helping shape your organization's culture and increasing their sense of belonging. By involving supporters in your planning process, they become personally invested in bringing your organization's strategies to life - and isn't that exactly what we're aiming for? #NonprofitGrowth #SupporterEngagement

Every nonprofit needs money, but jumping straight into fundraising is like building a house without a foundation. It might work briefly, but it won't last. At Athena Coaching & Consulting, we start by developing a solid foundation through a well-curated Board of Directors. Here's our '3 E' approach: 💜 Evaluation: We analyze your current board, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and gaps. 💜Education: We provide comprehensive training, ensuring board members understand their roles and potential impact. 💜Empowerment: We create an environment where directors feel confident in guiding and propelling your nonprofit forward. Why is this crucial? 👉 A strong board provides strategic direction, keeping your nonprofit mission-focused. 👉They bring diverse skills, experiences, and networks, opening new opportunities. 👉An engaged board becomes your most passionate advocates. 👉Solid governance builds trust with donors, grantmakers, and your community. The best part? When you have a Board of Superheroes, you as a leader can focus more on saving the world rather than getting bogged down in operations. Before your next fundraising campaign, examine your board. Are they ready to be the superheroes your nonprofit needs? If not, it's time to build that solid foundation. With the right team, there's no limit to the good you can do. #nonprofit #boardofdirectors #leadership #volunteers #sustainableimpact #nonprofitgrowth