4 Ways to "Plug In" Fractional Staff at Your Nonprofit

Virtual fractional staffing is one of those concepts that is easy to understand in theory but may be challenging to envision in real time. That’s why I have taken the time to describe, in as much detail as space would allow, what a fractional approach looks like in action. I hope this on-the-ground view will help you think creatively about your organization’s needs, and how virtual hands-on-deck can support your mission and strategic vision.

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Vicki Burkhart
The Power of a Good Organizational Assessment

Quick fixes rarely constitute long-term solutions. And while virtual fractional staffing can help with the former, deeper examination of an organization’s needs – and strategic vision – are required to achieve the latter. An objective, comprehensive assessment is a great tool for understanding where your nonprofit is trying to go, and what it will take to get there.

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Vicki Burkhart
Technology: Friend or Foe?

Is technology a cure-all or a sinister force? Well, neither. But nonprofit professionals across the country agree that the digital world is here to stay. Approached thoughtfully – and strategically – technology can be a valuable tool in moving your nonprofit forward. Take the time to consider your team’s needs and be sure to include organization-wide protocols and training in your plans.

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Vicki Burkhart
Managing Volunteer Board Members: Mission Impossible?

In an ideal world, every nonprofit board is filled with engaged volunteers working together toward a shared vision for the future. Meetings are productive and collaborative; between meetings, every member pulls their weight. In the real world however, challenging individuals can make progress difficult. In this blog I describe a few scenarios that I have observed (and that you probably have seen, too), and offer strategies for ensuring that your board stays on track. 

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Vicki Burkhart
Capacity building makes your nonprofit a more powerful force for good.

I am constantly talking to nonprofit organizations that are trying to grow to more fully address the needs of their constituents and fulfill their missions. Whether they use these words or not, what they are seeking to do is build capacity. In this post, I’ll be sharing some key elements of successful capacity building, plus an innovative way nonprofits are building capacity affordably and efficiently.

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Vicki BurkhartNPVA
Relieve your development team from routine tasks and see your fundraising program grow.

If your nonprofit isn’t providing your fundraisers with administrative support, I guarantee you that either data and details are suffering or your relationships with funders are suffering. Nonprofit Virtual Assistants are an affordable way to get your fundraising back-end humming and give your fundraisers the time and tools they need to cultivate, solicit and steward.

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Vicki BurkhartNPVA
Tips to plan your nonprofit’s best-ever conference — with less stress

Whether I’m engaged to handle one or two aspects of conference planning, or I have a lead role, there are several best practices I recommend. In my experience, they’re the key to producing a meaningful and memorable event for your attendees and making the planning process a smooth one for everyone involved. These are tips you can implement with or without the support of an NPVA®.

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The Hidden Benefits of Nonprofit Fractional Staffing

Fractional staffing for nonprofits offers a bench of seasoned nonprofit specialists who can be engaged to join your team virtually, supplying a curated set of skills for precisely the number of hours and number of months you need them. Our clients and our team are constantly making me aware of other inherent benefits. In this post, I’ll be sharing four lesser-known benefits of nonprofit fractional staffing.

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Vicki Burkhart
Nonprofits DO Have the Budget and Time for New Tech Tools, with TechSoup + Nonprofit Virtual Assistants

TechSoup makes innovative technology tools more affordable for nonprofits by securing donated or discounted access. Yet many nonprofits still hesitate to take advantage due to a lack of time to implement systems, train users and fully utilize functionality. Engaging a Nonprofit Virtual Assistant (NPVA®) for as few as 10 hours/month, for only as many months as needed, can affordably address these challenges. In this post, I’ll be sharing how More Than Giving Co. clients have put this powerful NPVA® + TechSoup pairing to work.

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Vicki Burkhart
25 Pearls of Wisdom from 25 Years (Part 1)

It has been a pleasure to be part of so many nonprofit success stories over our 25 years in business. We are grateful. As a celebration of our anniversary, we thought it would be fitting to share some of the wisdom we’ve gleaned over the years. These 25 “pearls” are designed to give you, our valued clients, something new: a curated collection of some of our best insights, organized into a road map for greater success.

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Articulating your nonprofit’s primary audience may be harder – and more important – than you think.

As part of any strategic planning session, I will ask a nonprofit’s leaders, “Who is your nonprofit’s primary audience?” There is often a palpable pause. I can almost read their minds: “Of course we know the answer! Surely it is obvious?” Then they realize they don’t have an answer on the tip of their tongue. Sometimes they’ll begin listing audiences and then have difficulty narrowing it down. Or, just as common, they will describe their primary audience and then realize that they are describing their funders and not the people they serve.

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Vicki Burkhart
These Six Steps Help Keep Nonprofit Boards Accountable

Accountability is central to nonprofit board service. After all, boards are accountable to the organization’s constituencies; boards are accountable for complying with governmental regulations; and boards are responsible for holding the CEO/executive director accountable. But beyond that, your board also has a primary responsibility for holding itself accountable.

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Vicki Burkhart