CARYN BOSSON CONSULTING

From the 1980s to the 2000s, my desk, at whatever nonprofit I was working at, always had a pile of well-thumbed issues of The Grassroots Fundraising Journal. This publication, featuring the sturdy wisdom of then-publisher Kim Klein, saw me through the basics of direct mail and direct asks, and working with board members — both reluctant and gung ho. So when I heard Kim Klein was presenting at the 10th annual Nonprofit Leadership Institute at Pepperdine University last week, I

Nonprofits organize society to make the world a better place, but it's our individual, everyday actions that can be the most powerful force for good. When we connect with the children in our life, the results are more powerful than any program. In the aftermath of this month's horrific school shooting in Florida, my editorial which appeared in the Ventura County Star, tells how Connecting with kids can make a big difference. #Communication #Inclusion

My hometown of Ojai is only accessible by four two-lane roads, any or all of which can be cut off at any time. During the Thomas Fire, this vulnerability became glaringly evident. On the third night, the fire had nearly ringed the town and Santa Ana winds were predicted to fan the flames over the mountainsides, potentially trapping people in the valley below. Watching from my evacuation motel, it didn’t look too hopeful for my beloved community. So it felt miraculous to wake

Just as nonprofits need a clear vision to steer towards, so do cities. Twenty years ago I coordinated a process for my home community, the Ojai Valley, resulting in a vision that changed its trajectory. Next Sunday, November 19, I’ll be sharing the implications of this process for today’s local debate over tourism as a panelist at the Ojai Chautauqua. Twenty years ago: Preparing for a Youth Quake A vision requires looking ahead to a desired future. Then begins the work of fin