Working with the staff at Madison Public Schools Foundation
Happy September from Mission Forward!
How do we make good decisions about the future with change happening so fast? That’s one of the most pressing questions that nonprofit leaders are grappling with today.
Our work in the last few months has involved deep listening, looking for ways to control the controllables, support staff and board to do their best work, and turning what we learn into action that helps us fulfill our mission. Here is a brief rundown of the work we’ve been doing:
I’ve been collaborating with Briarpatch Youth Services to gather input from youth, staff, board members, community partners, donors, parents, and caregivers. We’re now developing strategic initiatives that will guide the organization beginning in 2027.
At WayForward Resources, our planning has centered on the increasing need for food and housing resources. We’ve gathered input from stakeholders and are thinking about how we can continue evolving as a valuable community resource.
In August, I facilitated a staff retreat with the Madison Public Schools Foundation focused on connecting the Foundation’s work more intentionally to Madison Metropolitan School District priorities. Now we’re moving from ideas to action for next year.
This fall, I’ll facilitate a board retreat with Safe Harbor, focused on board engagement and long-term financial sustainability. I’ll also start working with the Barrymore Theatre as it thinks about a significant period of transition, looking at facility priorities, board governance work, and a practical strategic framework to guide its next chapter.
Next month, I’ll be heading to Riverside to present at the California Library Association Conference. My presentation will help library literacy professionals turn program data, outcomes, and successes into stories that build awareness and support.
Want to strengthen your board?
Join me this fall.
Strong nonprofits need strong boards.
But boards often struggle with unclear expectations, inconsistent engagement, or governance practices that no longer fit where the organization is today.
Last year, I partnered with UW-Extension to create the Nonprofit Board Leadership Training, a practical, interactive program designed to help boards function at a higher level and better serve their missions.
I’ll be offering the training again this fall in three virtual sessions:
September 29, October 6, and October 13
3:30–5:00 PM CDT | Zoom
$99 per participant
During the three workshops, we’ll help participants:
- Clarify board roles and responsibilities
- Identify gaps in board practices and culture
- Strengthen governance systems and accountability
- Learn from the experiences of other nonprofit board members
- Take practical tools and templates back to their organizations
I especially encourage executive directors and other staff leaders to participate with members of their boards. Bring your executive committee, board officers, or a few members who want to strengthen how your board works together.
Registration is now open.
These organizations do very different work. But the conversations I’m facilitating often come back to the same questions:
- What are we trying to accomplish?
- What are the people we serve telling us?
- What should we prioritize?
- What resources will we need?
- Who needs to be involved?
- How will we turn our ideas into action?
- How will we know whether we are succeeding?
I help nonprofit leaders, boards, and teams navigate important moments, make sense of what they’re learning, establish priorities, and build practical structures for moving forward.
If your organization is thinking about planning, a board retreat, organizational change, fundraising, a facility project — or simply trying to figure out what comes next — I’d be glad to talk.
All the best to you and your team,
Jeff