Brainstorming can be a powerful way to solve problems and generate new ideas, but most sessions aren’t designed to get the best thinking out of the people in the room. Here are seven practical ways to make your next nonprofit brainstorming session more focused, productive, and useful.

Every nonprofit faces different challenges as it grows. The Nonprofit Flight Path identifies five predictable phases, from the first idea through long-term sustainability, and helps you identify what deserves your attention right now.

When you’re trying to raise the first dollars for a new nonprofit, it’s easy to start looking for grants, major donors, or people outside your existing network. But one of your most important early fundraising resources may already be sitting around your board table.

Your board can provide more than governance. Their financial participation builds credibility, and their relationships can open doors to people who may care deeply about your mission.