Jennifer E Goldman, Nonprofit Consultant

I've become a big fan of the #virtual meeting, especially when #meeting in person means preparation, a lengthy drive, finding parking, "settling in" time, etc. Virtual meetings save so much time. On the other hand, being in the same room with people has so much benefit. So how do I plan for future meetings? Which is better for one-on-ones? For groups? Here are the questions I’m asking myself as I plan meetings or receive invitations to meetings: 1)   What is the purpose of this meeting? So many people request meetings with no defined purpose, discussion points, or agenda. If the meeting seems to lack an objective, I’ll suggest a phone call instead or request an agenda. 2)   Is this a person I already know, or someone who’s new to me? If it’s someone I don’t know, do I want to know them? What do they have to offer me and/or what do I have to offer them? This may seem like a selfish or even arrogant question, but I’ve learned that if you don’t respect your ti...

By Jennifer E. Goldman, President of Resonance, LLC   When I was the Executive Director of a Main Street community organization, I put together a black tie gala fundraiser every September. It was the most fun I’ve ever had! I loved planning that event – everything from snail mailing out the invitations and selling tickets, to driving a truck to pick up rental tables and chairs, to dashing up and down Main Street in my evening gown and heels to make sure all was well at both ends of the event. BUT I would never have called it a fundraiser. Yes, it was a successful event that hundreds of community members enjoyed and looked forward to every year. Yes, it made us more money than any other fundraiser or event throughout the year. Until you factored in my time. It was such a huge undertaking that I spent, on average, three solid months of my time (spread over nine months though). That’s one-quarter of the year. To make the math easy, let’s say my salary as ED was $48k for the year. One-...

By Jennifer E. Goldman, President Resonance, LLC   If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that even the best of plans can go up in flames in an instant. Rewind the calendar to 2019 and even at that point I was counseling my clients to NOT ask me to create a five-year strategic plan for them. Many didn’t understand. Mostly because many consultants were all gung-ho about making five-year plans. I am an advocate of planning ahead and having a long-term plan, but I’m a bigger advocate of being flexible, of understanding that “we plan, God laughs”. What I tell people is that it’s great to have long-term goals and strategies for getting from where you are to where you want to be, but when you put it all in writing too many people chain themselves to the plan; believing that there’s only ONE way to get from A to B, or that point B is the only destination to work toward. But what if you fall behind? What if you forge further ahead than expected? What if your goals change? What if...pandemic?...

By Jennifer E. Goldman, President of Resonance, LLC As a nonprofit consultant with a degree in business management, I am constantly looking for ways in which organizations can improve their processes to align more closely to those of a small business. An overwhelming majority of smaller nonprofits overlook the need to prove their value, thereby seeming unimpressive or even unimportant to potential donors and volunteers. One of the first things required of a startup business is to create a plan. This plan includes exhibiting, in fine detail, the products or services the business will offer and making a case for the value of those products or services. This is often lacking in the planning stages of a nonprofit, or is overlooked later on and never re-evaluated and restated. Without proving the value of the services your nonprofit offers, why should a donor invest any money? Why should a volunteer invest any time? To get you started, here’s a list of ways to measure the effectiveness of...

By Jennifer E. Goldman, President of Resonance, LLC       Very few nonprofit organizations get years down the road and decide to change their mission, but sometimes it’s a great idea to change your mission statement. And while you’re at it, take a hard look at your vision statement, too.   Here’s why: Did the board that set up the organization know the difference between a Vision Statement and a Mission Statement? The vision statement should exhibit what the world would look like if your organization accomplished its mission. (Think “In a perfect world...”) The Mission Statement should say HOW you plan to accomplish your vision. How old are these statements? After many years a Vision and Mission Statement can get old, stale, dated. Your organization my seek to accomplish the same thing, but the language may need a refresh. How old is your board? Not the ages of your members; the length of time the members have been with ...

By Jennifer E. Goldman, President of Resonance, LLC   2020 is not your typical year. Not in any sense - for humans, nor for businesses. In a year filled with a tad of chaos, a bit of fear, and a lot of social distance and isolationism, how does one create effective, long-term partnerships? First is mindset : knowing that strategic partnerships can be the difference between going under and staying afloat; between staying afloat and thriving; and personally - between going insane and keeping your head about you.  Next is strengthening the relationships/partnerships you already have . Have you ever heard employers say "It's easier to retain the employees you already have than to hire and train new staff"? The same goes for partnerships - unless they're toxic, it's very beneficial to keep, nurture and enhance the partnerships that already exist for you. Try to think of the people you already know who have been valuable to you personally and/or professional...

See Original Article for Lifestyle After a brief visit to Gainesville three years ago for a Menorah lighting, Rabbi Shmuel “Shmuly” Perlstein and his wife decided to make it their home. It wasn’t a decision based only on a fondness for the community, but also because there was an overwhelming response to having a Jewish celebration in the immediate area. Rabbi Perlstein is part of the Chabad Lubavitch movement. Chabad places an emphasis on building a relationship with G-d (in the Jewish religion, the ‘o’ is typically omitted out of respect) through education and, while the movement is actually more than 250 years old, the religious organization was formed in the 1940s as a way to bring a message of love and community to Jews following World War II. Rabbi Perlstein, born the seventh of eight children, grew up in the Chabad community in Chicago. His parents were both educators and most of his siblings are following in their footsteps, as is Rabbi Perlstein. Photo by: Kara...

See Original Article for INSIDENOVA Although Capital One has had a strong presence in Fairfax County for more than a decade and a half, the completion of its headquarters expansion in 2023 will have a profound impact on the Tysons area. Fortunately, the company has largely had the support and encouragement of Fairfax County officials along the way and considers its relationship to be a “tight partnership.” “Capital One has been a fantastic and generous corporate neighbor,” said Sharon Bulova, Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. “They have been a valued presence in Fairfax County for some time now and we’re really pleased and excited with their plans for their redeveloped corporate headquarters.” Dr. Gerald Gordon, President and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, said the sheer size and visibility of the Capital One headquarters tower, which opens officially in December, is helping to put Fairfax County on the map for other financial ...

By Jennifer E. Goldman, President of Resonance, LLC     I realize I’m not normal, but I’ve never minded getting stood up for business meetings. In fact, I relish it, especially if the meeting was set in a public place like a coffee shop or restaurant. While last-minute cancellations and no-shows reveal a lot to me about people I probably shouldn’t waste my time with anyway, they also provide me with an unexpected break in my otherwise hectic schedule. Instead of huffing off back to the office if I get stood up, I will typically give myself the amount of time I was planning on spending in the meeting. Since I’d already scheduled myself to be away from the office for an hour or two, why not? I never consider it time wasted. It’s time I can use to soak up new ideas in a new environment. I’m always amazed by how different surroundings can take your brain in new directions, inspire you with thoughts, ideas and solutions you’d have never come up with in your off...

See Original Article for INSIDENOVA 2018 Community Investment Fund Grant Recipients As featured in  The Business Voice, June 2018. What would you say if I told you there’s a nonprofit organization in your community that wants to give funds and make your life better? That’s not typically what you think when you hear about nonprofits, but then again the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia isn’t your typical organization. The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia, which covers the region that includes Prince William, Loudoun, Fairfax, and Arlington counties and the cities of Manassas, Manassas Park, Alexandria, Falls Church, and Fairfax, is primarily concerned with matching philanthropists with community needs for the betterment of Northern Virginia residents. “Our role in the community,” explained the organization’s Vice President of Marketing and Events, Tara Nadel, “is to become experts at place-based philanthropy; at truly understanding the pulse of the co...