Speed Dating for NFPs | Grant Writing Tips From Barb | What’s Coming Up | Finance Tips From Julie | Working With Me
Hi there – thanks for checking out my latest Good Governance Newsletter!
I know you are here because you are committed to good not-for-profit governance and leadership, and you want to make sure you do everything you can to steer your organisation in the right direction.
So, to support you with that, through my regular Good Governance Newsletters I strive to bring to you valuable NFP governance and leadership information and updates, happenings and events, that will help you do exactly that!
So take a moment and check out what I have to share with you in this week’s newsletter…
Read on for:
- CA Connections – check out this next Board Member search event
- ⭐ A new contributor to my Newsletter ⭐
Grant Writing Tips from Barb – Why Good Governance matters to Funders - What’s Coming Up – July & August
Wednesday 9th July – Webinar: 10 tips for better Board Succession Planning
Thursday 7th August – Training: Succession Planning
- Finance Tips from Julie – Tracking and Controlling Community Engagement Expenses
- Working with me – The many ways I can help your NFP
I’m so glad you have found me and all the resources I share via my newsletters and emails.
I am sure I will have something to help you in the not-for-profit work you do, whether it be as an Executive, a Board member, or a grass-roots community volunteer.
So dive on in and let me know what resonated with you this time!
Regards
Megan
CA CONNECTIONS IS ON AGAIN!
If you haven’t heard of it before, CA Connections (which I often refer to as ‘Speed Dating for NFPs’) is a fabulous event – hosted by the wonderful people at Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) – which connects CAANZ members (from across Australia) who are wanting to contribute through NFP governance roles, with NFPs that are looking for skills-based directors.
I have referred a number of NFPs to these events in the past, and those organisations who have attended have come away with good leads for quality new Board members.
These events are held online, which provides a whole range of options to connect with potential Board members digitally. And it’s not all about going digital – plenty of NFPs have found CAs in their local areas to join their Boards too!
So if this sounds like something your NFP could benefit from, the next online CA Connections event has been scheduled for Tuesday 15 July from 6.00-7.30 pm (AEST/Melbourne time).
Check out the full details on the information flyer HERE.
If your NFP would like to send a representative along to attend and present on behalf of your organisation, then book your place ASAP by contacting the team from CAANZ, on connections@charteredaccountantsanz.com now!
I hope your NFP can take advantage of this great opportunity to connect with potential Board members too!
GRANT WRITING TIPS FROM BARB
I would like to introduce you to Barb Brangan – one of my wonderful fellow network members at Benefolk.
Barb is an award-winning grant strategist, and her superpower is helping organisations apply for and win grants and tenders.
Barb has generously agreed to provide some grant-writing tips for me to feature in my newsletters, and this week she is exploring: Why Good Governance matters to Funders.
I do hope you find Barb’s advice below helpful in the grant-writing work you and your organisation are doing!
This week Barb says:
Strong governance isn’t just a compliance box to tick in funding applications – it’s one of the clearest signals of TRUST that funders look for when reviewing your application.
Whether it’s a million-dollar government tender or a $50K community grant, the unspoken question is always the same…
“Can we trust this organisation to deliver what they’ve promised – safely, strategically, and with integrity?”
Funders are not just investing in your programs – they’re investing in your people, your systems, and your ability to manage public or philanthropic dollars responsibly.
That’s where good governance becomes your quiet superpower, and you can stand out in a competitive funding landscape.
So be sure to include clear evidence in your application of strong governance practices, such as:
– Having a skilled, values-aligned Board
– Having (and using!) clear, conflict-free decision-making processes
– Ensuring transparent financial oversight
– Undertaking regular risk reviews
– Maintaining up-to-date policies that reflect your ethics and your community-informed approach
And remember, these key criteria aren’t just nice-to-haves – they’re the backbone of funder confidence.
Weak governance is an alarming red flag for any potential funder – a warning of potential mismanagement, instability, or potential lack of accountability.
When you demonstrate strong governance, it tells funders: We’re stable. We’re credible. And we’ve built the internal foundations to scale impact, not scramble after the next available dollar.
So in a sector where trust really is currency, governance and impact data are invaluable currencies and ‘proof of promise’. They say: “We don’t just talk impact. We’ve got the structure to back it up.”
If you have a NFP grant-writing query you would like Barb to talk about via my Newsletter, just email it to me on megan@mjbconsulting.net.au.
And if you want to read some of my own blog articles, or listen to some podcasts I have spoken on, then check out my back catalogue of Blogs & Pods HERE.
Enjoy!
EVENTS FOR JULY AND AUGUST
🌟 Check out what’s happening on my Calendar of Events for July and August! 🌟
9 July: 10 tips for better Board Succession Planning webinar.
Come along to this FREE webinar to hear my top tips for maximising your Board Succession Planning and setting your organisation up for success.
Wednesday 9 July, from 11 am – 12 pm (AEST/Melbourne time).
Click HERE for further information and to book yourself in.
7 August: Succession Planning small-group interactive online training .
Together we’ll do a much deeper dive into this critical topic, and unpack and explore the key strategies I use for success in my targeted Board succession work.
Thursday 7 August, from 5.30 pm – 8 pm (AEST/Melbourne time).
Tickets are just $167 per person.
Click HERE for further information and to purchase your tickets.
Looking for something else? Check out all my online learning offerings HERE.
FINANCE TIPS FROM JULIE
Julie Doyle is my business finances guru, and this week she is generously sharing some of her wisdom around Tracking and Controlling Community Engagement Expenses.
This week Julie says:
Community engagement is crucial for any NFP’s success, and it can be done effectively while keeping costs low.
Here are some budget-friendly strategies to help you with this:
1. Leverage Your Volunteers and Ambassadors
Recruit passionate volunteers to help you with your outreach efforts.
Train community members to serve as ambassadors who spread your message through word-of-mouth and their own social media.
2. Utilise Free and Low-Cost Online Platforms
Make full use of social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn) for engagement and updates.
Create a Facebook Group for discussions and community building.
Host free virtual events via Zoom, Google Meet, or Facebook Live.
3. Host Low-Cost Community Events
Organise meetups in public spaces such as parks, local libraries, community centres, etc.
Partner with local businesses or other local NFPs that can provide space or sponsorship.
Encourage ‘bring a plate’ gatherings to minimise food costs.
4. Partner with Other Organisations
Work with local schools, churches, or businesses to co-host events.
Collaborate with local influencers or bloggers who support your cause.
Join forces with other NFP entities to share resources and reach a larger audience.
5. Engage Through Storytelling and User-Generated Content
Collect and share impactful stories from community members.
Encourage people to share their own experiences using a specific hashtag.
Feature testimonials or short videos created by community members.
6. Use Free or Affordable Marketing Tools
Apply for Google Ad Grants.
Use free design tools like Canva for flyers, posts, and event materials.
Send email newsletters using free services like Mailchimp (for small lists).
7. Encourage In-Kind Donations
Instead of always seeking financial contributions, ask for donated space, supplies, or services.
Seek partnerships with local businesses for discounts or sponsorships.
8. Create Ongoing Engagement Opportunities
Start a community challenge (e.g., art contests, social impact projects).
Offer free skill-building workshops that align with your mission.
Run interactive polls and surveys to keep members engaged.
Community engagement with donors and other stakeholders is crucial for any NFP’s success, and it can definitely be done effectively while keeping costs low and not blowing out your budget.
If you have a NFP finance query you would like Julie to talk about via my Good Governance Newsletter, just email it to me on megan@mjbconsulting.net.au.
WHAT DO I DO?
In case you’re new to my Good Governance Network, or you have been around for a while, but still aren’t quite sure of all the things I do to help NFPs, then read on…
There are three main ways I work in with NFPs:
1. Governance and Strategy – my three-stage flagship program, Good Governance for Not-for-profits, includes:
– Stage 1: a Good Governance Training Session with your Board to delve into the important elements of best practice governance
– Stage 2: a comprehensive Strategy Planning Workshop, including coordinating your team’s pre-session ‘homework’, as well as taking care of the post-session write-up
– Stage 3: Implementation Support – 12 months of mentoring support and external accountability to ensure your organisation sticks to your plan (and you’d be surprised how many don’t – even the big ones!) and that you deliver on the work required to achieve the things you have set out in your plan.
Organisations may choose to undertake any or all of the three stages – it just depends on what makes sense for your organisation at the time.
2. Support Packages – Taking some of the hassle out of good governance and leadership, my ready-to-go packages have been tried and tested by NFPs across the country, and address some of the most common challenges experienced by not-for-profit organisations.
These packages compliment my flagship Good Governance for Not-for-profits program, and include:
– Executive Coaching
– Chair Support
– Succession Planning
– Board Refresh & Refocus
– Board Review & Evaluation
– Strategic Risk Review
3. Training Programs – I offer a range of training programs designed specifically for not-for-profit organisations. I can also create bespoke training programs to meet your organisation’s specific needs on request.
And in addition to my flagship Good Governance for Not-for-profits training session, my ready-to-go training programs include:
– Valuing our Volunteers
– Fundraising 101
– Succession Planning
– Risk Management Basics
– Grant Writing
– and more…
Further info…
All of my supports and services can be delivered remotely, so it doesn’t matter where you are – as long as you have an internet connection I can help you!
For full details go to the Governance and Strategy, Training Programs, and Support Packages pages on my website.
Or get in touch with me to make a time to catch up and talk about what your NFP needs!
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