A Beginner's Guide: 5 Strategies For Leveraging Social Media
“It is nearly impossible to live a life free of social media influence. It's free and entertaining, and almost everyone on the planet is participating. From Pinterest boards to TikTok dances to Snapchat filters, social media is a part of our everyday lives and is here to stay. So why not leverage it to boost your business?”
By Dr. Tara Chalakani
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5 Ways To Support Mental Health In The Workplace
“It is no secret that we are in the midst of a heightened mental health crisis. If you are not struggling, you definitely know someone who is. The post-traumatic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic have changed how we live, socialize and work.”
By Dr. Tara Chalakani
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3 Hacks For Motivating An Underpaid Workforce
“A career in a nonprofit organization is not a path for the fainthearted or for individuals seeking to earn a seven-figure salary. Though the work is arguably priceless as it relates to its positive impact on society, it can be a cold comfort to nonprofit employees who are trying to make ends meet while establishing a financially secure life during their off hours.”
By Dr. Tara Chalakani
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11 Strategic Ways For Nonprofits To Boost Email Newsletter Engagement
“An interesting subject line is a good way to grab attention. A great hook will always get someone to open an email. The catchy saying should be relevant to the content and provide some value to the reader. If you don't think you possess the creativity, use an AI platform to generate a title for you.”
- Tara Chalakani, Preferred Behavioral Health Group
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18 Insights And Actions For Evaluating Program Effectiveness
“Feedback from participants and key stakeholders is critical to evaluation effectiveness. It can be tempting to only measure success by profit and loss. However, nonprofits are filling gaps in society that are priceless. A simple survey with the right questions to the right people can be a very powerful barometer of success.”
- Tara Chalakani, Preferred Behavioral Health Group
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Cost-Effective Ways A Nonprofit Can Expand Its Funding And Donor Base
“Trying to make a big impact with a small budget is the covert mission of most nonprofits. Having a solid internship program can make dollars stretch a long way. At little or no cost, nonprofits can attract and develop talent to assist in strategic efforts like building databases, sending timely correspondences to donors or planning campaigns. It's a great resume builder for them and a money saver for you.”
- Tara Chalakani, Preferred Behavioral Health Group
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20 Nonprofit Leaders Share Impactful Lessons To Bring Into 2025
“Not only does nonprofit work fill gaps in society but it also fuels the soul and keeps us humble. It is important to not get too high on the wins nor get too low on the losses. Funding and donations come and go. People come and go. What matters is staying focused on the mission, remaining true to your values and staying balanced in service regardless of what occurs.”
- Tara Chalakani, Preferred Behavioral Health Group
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16 Questions To Ask When Planning Nonprofit Fundraising Events
“Fundraising is the backbone of many nonprofits' sustainability and often a thorn in their sides. When planning the right event, it can be tempting to get sidetracked by dates, venues, revenue and "what we've always done." However, it is really important to ask what an attendee will gain from attending. With the costs of attendance rising, funders want something in return for their hefty donations.”
- Tara Chalakani, Preferred Behavioral Health Group
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Year-End Approach: 17 To-Do List Items For Nonprofits To Remember
“The end of the year is an opportune time for reflection. This is the space to recognize and highlight achievements from the last 12 months. Nonprofits work really hard. Compelling and inspiring data drives funding and catches the attention of potential supporters. As the calendar year draws to a close, don't be shy about touting your achievements and bragging on social media and in e-newsletters and annual reports. Impact matters.”
- Tara Chalakani, Preferred Behavioral Health Group
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18 Factors To Consider When Setting Annual Nonprofit Goals
A new year is a fresh start for revisiting the mission, vision and values. Just like vehicles, nonprofits need tune-ups, too. Planning a retreat with board members and key staff is a great way to recalibrate and stay focused on annual goals, as it can be easy to get off course when funding opportunities arise. Annual goals should always be mission-driven and looped back to the reason your nonprofit exists.
- Tara Chalakani, Preferred Behavioral Health Group
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14 Ways Nonprofit Leaders Can Prevent ‘Mission Creep’
“Although it may be tempting to stretch outside of a mission when there is opportunity for expansion, or better yet, funding, staying focused will help weed out distractions. Regular strategic planning meetings with stakeholders is one surefire way to stay on target. It also helps to assign strategic goals to key staff to instill a sense of ownership over original goals.”
- Tara Chalakani, Preferred Behavioral Health Group
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20 Useful Storytelling Techniques And Tools For Nonprofits
“The most compelling storyteller is someone who has directly benefited or been impacted positively by a nonprofit organization. Stakeholders can read a proposal, newsletter or social media post, but nothing can touch them more than a tangible, living example of the spirit of service. There is no way to have true empathy and understanding without hearing someone's story.”
- Tara Chalakani, Preferred Behavioral Health Group
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20 Essential Strategies When Creating A Nonprofit Succession Plan
“In medicine, discharge starts at admission. The same philosophy can be employed in succession planning. Starting at the end (i.e., retirement, resignation, illness, etc.) and working backward is key. Identify what talent is already on board and what skills need development over time. Investing in potential emerging leaders is an ongoing process that should not be preserved for imminent departures.”
- Tara Chalakani, Preferred Behavioral Health Group
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How Nonprofit Teams Can Prioritize Mental Health And Prevent Burnout
“Generous paid time off is a must. Whether it is used for vacation or downtime with oneself or with loved ones, paid time off is critical to mental well-being. Growing research asserts that four-day workweeks are just as productive as five-day workweeks. Offering extra paid time off around holidays, especially, will breed a happier workforce that is less likely to burn out.”
- Tara Chalakani, Preferred Behavioral Health Group
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20 Ways Nonprofits Can Better Understand Their Stakeholders
“Nonprofits exist to fill societal gaps of service, usually in specific geographical areas. It is important for nonprofit leaders to be visible and connect with key stakeholders to raise awareness of and generate support for their mission. Nonprofits will not flourish if the only people supporting the cause are within their own walls. Attendance at community and networking events is a great start.”
- Tara Chalakani, Preferred Behavioral Health Group
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17 Ways Nonprofits Can Bolster Their DEI Efforts
“Inclusivity and sensitivity cannot exist without humility. Admit what you don't know and lean on the expertise of consultants to get started. Next, organizations need to ensure that their workforce is reflective of local demographics and that the workspace is welcoming to all who enter. This is a great first step to demonstrating authentic intent to be diverse and inclusive.”
- Tara Chalakani, Preferred Behavioral Health Group
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20 Ways Nonprofits Can Build Capacity With Small Teams
“Small yet mighty teams possess many strengths. Taking regular inventory of who is doing what, and who actually wants to do it, is a good practice. Responsibilities could be shuffled around to keep things fresh. In families, kids will often swap chores with a sibling. The same could transpire in an intimate work environment. The key is maintaining enthusiasm while remaining creative and motivated.”
- Tara Chalakani, Preferred Behavioral Health Group
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15 Ways To Motivate Nonprofit Teams When Salary Increases Aren't Possible
“Having team meetings with transparent conversations about budgets and projections is key. There is no need to get into granular details, but your teams should know that increases would happen if possible. This is also the time to be mindful of recognizing performance, as your staff need to know they are valued. Remember that people leave jobs mostly because of managers, not because of salary.”
- Tara Chalakani, Preferred Behavioral Health Group
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20 Reasons Why Nonprofits Should Hire Consultants
“Consultants bring a tremendous amount of talent for a finite period of time. The freedom of a short-term commitment releases nonprofits from salaries that can become oppressive on a lean budget. Marketing, fundraising, grant writing and IT are some areas where consultants can assess, diagnose and get operations stable enough so core staff can maintain the improvements made moving forward.”
- Tara Chalakani, Preferred Behavioral Health Group
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19 Strategies For Nonprofits To Keep Overhead Costs Low
“Take a look at what you do differently post-pandemic that works. Hybrid and remote work is clearly the biggest cost savings as it relates to real estate, vehicles/mileage and time off. Nonprofits might also want to take a look at vendors. Are you getting the best rates? Are they giving back during campaigns? If not, it could be time to move on.”
- Tara Chalakani, Preferred Behavioral Health Group
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20 Solutions For Navigating Nonprofit Board Member Conflicts
“A solid board is reflective of diverse backgrounds, industries and cultures. A CEO/executive director's role in managing the board is no different than managing a team or a family. Be calm, be fair and listen to all sides. Have one-on-one meetings and seek to understand before addressing conflict as a group. Any action taken must be in the spirit of de-escalation and collaboration versus choosing sides.”
- Tara Chalakani, Preferred Behavioral Health Group
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20 Strategies To Navigate A Nonprofit Rebrand
“Rebranding is as necessary as updating a kitchen or bathroom in a home. Similarly, contracting with an expert is key. This is not a DIY project, so it is imperative to find a marketing firm that understands your brand and mission to accurately capture its essence. The rebrand has to send a clear message to your audience about who you are and how you can make a difference in their lives.”
- Tara Chalakani, Preferred Behavioral Health Group
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20 Expert Methods To Make Your Grant Proposal Stand Out
“It can be easy to find a grant desirable merely for the price tag. However, the best-written, most persuasive grants come from a true passion for the objective. Sincerity and authenticity are palpable when the writer is in alignment with the goals of the proposal. Be discerning, and do not pursue grant funding if you are not in love with the project for the long haul of deliverables.”
- Tara Chalakani, Preferred Behavioral Health Group
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20 Ways Nonprofits Can Demonstrate Impact Beyond Numbers
“There is no greater magic than a direct recipient telling their story. Testimonials of the positive impact made on someone's life are priceless and immeasurable. The capacity to evoke emotion will make an impression far more than data on a spreadsheet ever will. The stories tell the story.”
- Tara Chalakani, Preferred Behavioral Health Group
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20 Warning Signs A Nonprofit Is Headed For Failure (And How To Save It)
“Nonprofit leaders must curate and nurture its board of trustees to ensure continued success. The old adage, "The body rots from the head down" is a testament to this. A culture of support comes from the top down. If a board is disengaged, unsure of the nonprofit's mission and not invested in its success, failure will be imminent.”
- Tara Chalakani, Preferred Behavioral Health Group
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20 Tips For Unlocking Corporate Philanthropy
“Reputation management is critical to attracting major donors. Often, the mission-driven work done by nonprofits fills mea"ningful gaps in society, but the external image does not align with the work—their online presence (such as updated websites, compelling social media stories and reviews) is lackluster. Donors want to feel good about where their charitable dollars are going.”
- Tara Chalakani, Preferred Behavioral Health Group
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