Strengths Finder: A Personal or Officer Development Tool

Strategic planning, annual campaigns, major gifts and capital campaigns are all important components of any nonprofit development program. In any development program, it's also important to pause from time to time to reflect on your internal resources. 

The best entry-level investment I've found yet for that purpose is a book Called StrengthsFinder 2.0 (Amazon Affiliate Link) by Tom Rath. Basically, the book is builds on a field of psychology that studies whether humans are most effective if they simply understand and build on their core strengths. Our weaknesses aren't worthy of the significant time and attention we pay to them. On a related note, this book offers valuable tools for appreciating and effectively building relationships on the unique strengths of those closest to you, personally and professionally. 

Part I of the book sets the framework for an online test. When you take the test, just go with your gut reaction to the questions. The results of the test will be a rank-ordered list of your key strengths. Once you have your test results, Part II of the book highlights the 34 themes. This allows you to better understand your key strengths. Even as a solo project, StrengthsFinder 2.0 is well worth your time.

An effective exercise for your department's officers may be to purchase a book for each of them and discuss the results at an upcoming meeting. You can further the impact of such an exercise by revisiting the topic 3-6 months following your initial review and discussing how each of you are applying what you learn.

From a development perspective, your strengths can help illustrate which aspect(s) of fundraising you are best equipped to help your department with. Only a small portion of fundraising involves making the ask to a donor or prospect. Therefore, there are critical roles for everyone to play in the team effort of fire department operations as well as fundraising. 


Click on the picture below to make the investment in your own development, or that of your officer team today.

Yours for the Picking: Nonprofit Tips

Keeping connected to federal and state nonprofit rules and regulations can be a challenge. This blog will offer tips for you to pick from to assist with that process from time to time. 

If your department or association is already 501 (c) (X) nonprofit organization, did you know you are required to provide a tax receipt for any donation of $250 or more? It's a good idea to provide the tax receipt to anyone making a contribution. This can be done in as simple a format as a postcard mailed or given in person to the donor. The wording on your postcard might read something like this:

Thank you for your contribution of $X on DATE. ORGANIZATION NAME (exactly as listed with the IRS) is a 501 (c) (X) nonprofit organization. No goods or services were provided in exchange for this donation. 

Tax receipts should not take the place of proper donor acknowledgment and cultivation. 

Whether you're currently a IRS-approved 501 nonprofit or considering becoming one, IRS Publication 557 is a good reference document to have on hand.  

If you're an Iowa-based nonprofit who is not currently a 501 (c) (X) organization, it is recommended that you read a summary of the Revised Uniform Unincorporated Nonprofit Association act that went into law in Iowa on July 1, 2010. That summary may be found here on pages 1 and 4 of the Summer 2010 newsletter from the Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center.

FlashPoint offers project-based fees to complete your application for IRS tax-exempt status. Contact us today for more details, or any questions on the information listed above.