Danosky & Associates

Consulting for Non-profit Organizations

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Webinar: Creating and Nurturing Diverse Boards

June 8, 2021 by Casey Crowell

In conjunction with the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven, Danosky and Associates is honored to present a webinar about the importance of creating and nurturing diverse leadership boards. We have gathered a group of diverse panelists that will offer insight into this crucial aspect of running a successful nonprofit.

Filed Under: Blog, Boards & Governance, Governance

Spring has Sprung! [By: Atka Danosky]

May 5, 2021 by Terry Laslo

I love playing in the snow, but oh how I’ve missed sunbathing! This is my favorite time of the year. It makes me so happy to be able to play in the yard and sit by my mom’s feet while she’s out on the deck reading a book. I’m always much happier when my mom is happy, and I can feel that she, and all the visitors that come to our home, are much lighter and more positive.


I’ve been overhearing my mom and co-workers talking about a pandemic since last year. But lately, I’ve been hearing more about something called a “vaccine” that is making things better. I don’t like needles or the vet, but my mom seemed so relieved when she came home after her second visit to the doctor. I’m just recovering from Lyme Disease and had to go to the vet once, and that was more than enough for me…two times in one month seems like my worst nightmare, but I’m glad it made my mom feel better!

My mom still has lots of meetings in our home office, but she has gone out to meet with clients in-person a few times. She used to leave home to go to work and meet clients, and I hate being home alone. This past year has been so great because she has been home with me every day! I am glad that people are happier and that the “vaccine” keeps people healthy, but I selfishly don’t want my mom to go back to working the way she was before last year. Now that is it warmer and my mom and I can play outside together, I want her to stay home with me!

Filed Under: Blog

How One Donor is Rethinking Her Philanthropy in 2021

May 4, 2021 by Casey Crowell

Isa Catto Shaw is Executive Director of her family’s foundation, the Catto Shaw Foundation.  During the pandemic, she was also diagnosed with breast cancer (which is now thankfully in remission).  These two events gave her pause and time to reflect on where philanthropy is going.  I highly recommend reading this article – as it points to changes that we are or should take into consideration as we move beyond the pandemic. 

Read the article here:

How One Donor Changed Her PhilantrhopyDownload

Filed Under: Blog, Strategy

Creating and Nurturing Diverse Boards

May 4, 2021 by Casey Crowell

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Filed Under: Governance, Members

A Seismic Shift Underway in Board Service

May 3, 2021 by Casey Crowell

by Sharon Danosky

In early March, Anne Wallestad, President and CEO of BoardSource published an article in the Stanford Social Innovation Review titled the Four Principles of Purpose-Driven Boards (see link below).  While the title is unassuming, the content is not.  The principles are:

  1. Purpose Before Organization
  2. Respect for Ecosystem
  3. An Equity Mindset
  4. Authorized Voice and Power
Four Principles of Purpose Driven LeadershipDownload

What she is forecasting is a ripple effect leading to a sea change – one that has been in motion long before COVID-19 hit.  COVID-19, the murder of George Floyd, the vast economic and social disparities on display during the pandemic and the devaluation of essential workers has collectively exacerbated, accelerated and amplified inequities in our systems and shone a spotlight on the work we all need to do.

The traditional view of nonprofits and board service — an emphasis on fundraising; organizational rather than community perspective; focus on size and market share, or counting people served instead of impact as a measure of success — is out of sync with the lived realities of many of the communities we are meant to serve.  Instead, a community-based approach to service, more participatory and equitable philanthropy, greater representation and collaboration rather than competition are not just new models of service, they represent how our society and sector is changing.  While nonprofits are shifting their framework, the question is whether boards are keeping pace with this shift or still functioning in a model which is fast becoming antiquated.

  • Do board members have the knowledge and been provided a lens through which they can evaluate the services their nonprofit provides? 
  • Is the board comprised of community members and are the voices of people with lived experiences being heard at every meeting and with every decision made?
  • What is the Board’s role in fundraising, and is it aligned with objectives around community inclusion or fall back to the give, get or get off model which sidesteps community participation?  
  • Does the board engage in meaningful discussions, such as who does the nonprofit serve and who is falling through the cracks?  Do they have the data and demographics to make good decisions and the context in which to make them? 

These represent significant shifts in how we will be experiencing board service moving forward.  They especially come into play as new board members are being recruited, and the composition and structure of the board is being considered. 

I had the privilege of moderating a webinar a couple of week ago for the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and the Valley Community Foundation, with a panel comprised of younger men and women of color, from local communities, sharing their experiences on various boards.  I couldn’t help but notice that the conversation didn’t discuss radical changes, but important nuanced changes in terms of how we look at the board experience.  For example, the importance of the Board Chair applying a racial equity framework, recruiting practices that don’t rely on a matrix but encourage a good dialogue about the nonprofit’s purpose and values, an agenda that is not about Robert’s Rules of Order but instead promotes relevant discussion around strategy.

Navigating these changes will not be easy, but it is essential.  The issues and problems in our society — from childhood poverty, to housing, food insecurity, inequitable pay, domestic violence, climate change, environmental justice and more — will not stand still.  It will require that we bring our best, most representative and inclusive selves together to address them.  Boards should not shy away from difficult conversations, but create space at every board meeting where they can be held.

Filed Under: Blog, Boards & Governance

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