What Makes a Strong Nonprofit Leader
At Hoplin Jackson, we are strong believers in the power of a nonprofit leader to help the organization reach its full potential and execute its mission. Often, there is no better indicator of the potential long-term success of a nonprofit than who is at its helm. Here are some characteristics we look for when assessing the strength of a nonprofit leader:
1. Long-term vision: A great leader is not just thinking about getting through the next week, or even the next calendar year. A great leader has plans for the next five, ten, or fifty years. At every site visit, philanthropists should be asking nonprofit leaders where they see the organization going in the next five to ten years. The answer should not be vague or uninspiring—a good leader should be excited by this question and filled with thoughts and ideas on the future!
2. Humility: Although a nonprofit leader should take ultimate accountability for the organization, the leader should also be aware of his or her weaknesses and the strengths of the team surrounding him or her, offering credit and praise to those who contribute to the overall success of the organization. A good leader not only understands where help might be needed – but makes it happen. Whether that’s through a capable second-in-command, talented executive team, or outsourced consultants, a good leader knows when to look elsewhere to make the organization successful.
3. Life-long Learners: A good leader is always trying to expand his or her knowledge base or skill set. Great leaders attend conferences, go to professional development events, and take on additional training when needed. Good leaders are not shy about admitting what they don’t know but instead have curiosity and the drive to learn.
4. Fundraising: Even when an organization has a strong fundraising arm and multiple development staff members, good leaders know they must meet with and help cultivate their top supporters. An excellent leader knows the organization’s top supporters, calls them regularly, understands the giving history of the donor and the nonprofit, and stewards the donor relationships of the organization. Financial troubles are often due to weak leadership at the top.
5. Up-to-date: While a good leader may trust his or her team to handle certain projects or tasks, a good leader should still be able to provide a high-level overview of the organization’s priorities and operations. He or she should not have to defer to a fundraiser or other staff members to answer basic questions and should be well-briefed on the interests of a particular donor.
6. Leaders as Builders: In summary, great leaders are more than visionaries. They are builders. Good ideas are a dime a dozen. Strong leaders build teams and organizations around great ideas to give them legs, making the leader’s vision sustainable long-term.
At Hoplin Jackson, we have had the privilege of meeting and interviewing hundreds of nonprofit CEOs and executive directors. Over time, we’ve seen what makes a nonprofit thrive and what makes a nonprofit fail—and how it can almost always be traced back to leadership. Contact us today to learn more about how to feel confident in evaluating nonprofit leadership to make your philanthropy succeed!