Serving Clients Full Circle

Writings by Randall

The Fragility of Power and Why Leaders Must Welcome Disagreement, Not Silence It

When respectful dissent gets you ejected from a commencement, it’s clear we’ve mistaken disagreement for disrespect. True leadership isn’t about insulation from critique—it’s about the courage to hear it. In a time when fragility is masquerading as strength, we need leaders who value dialogue over deference. Democracy depends on disagreement expressed with integrity—and leaders brave enough to listen.

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When the Line Wrapped Around the Block-- A Wake-Up Call for Philanthropy

One cold morning, a line of cars outside the Omaha Food Bank made the invisible visible—neighbors quietly waiting for food. In 2024, 211 helplines fielded 16.8 million pleas for help, most tied to basic needs like housing, food, and utilities. This isn’t a moment for feel-good giving; it’s a call to treat philanthropy as critical infrastructure. The safety net is stretched—and more people than ever are holding on.

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The Basics Needed in Medical Education---To Get More Physicians into the Community

In a time of growing patient demand and a shrinking physician workforce, the basics of medicine are more vital than ever. Mastery of anatomy, diagnostics, and patient-centered care isn't just academic—it’s the key to faster recoveries, fewer errors, and greater efficiency. While technology dazzles, it can’t replace clinical judgment rooted in fundamental knowledge. Reinvesting in these core skills could be the clearest path to healing both patients and the healthcare system.

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Preparing for a New Normal with Mission-Driven Decisions and Organizational Tradeoffs

When Sonoma State University cut its entire athletics department to close a $24 million deficit, it sent a clear message: even long-standing programs once thought untouchable are now on the chopping block. Nonprofits everywhere must confront a similar truth—preserving the core mission may require letting go of cherished traditions. These decisions won’t be easy or popular, but they’re becoming unavoidable in a world of shrinking resources and shifting priorities. Mission clarity isn’t just important—it’s the new survival strategy.

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When Conviction Meets Consequence-- Navigating Political Commentary as a Nonprofit

In a world where one social media post can cost a nonprofit a quarter of its budget, mission-driven organizations are navigating a minefield of public expression and donor expectations. A recent controversy underscores how even well-intentioned messages can trigger major funding losses if donors perceive them as political missteps. The challenge isn’t choosing between values and money—it’s learning how to uphold both with clarity and foresight. For nonprofit leaders, the question isn't should we speak out, but how and when to do so without compromising their ability to serve.

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When the Fence Falls and the Market Swings

A tree crushed our backyard fence in seconds, just as the stock market plunged by thousands—two unrelated events that suddenly felt deeply connected. The emotional impact of unexpected costs mixed with financial volatility created a jarring sense of instability. As we weighed whether to replace the fence or stay the course on retirement savings, it became clear: this wasn’t just about money, but about how uncertainty creeps into everyday decisions. In a world full of noise and market swings, staying grounded in long-term goals may be the most powerful form of resilience we have.

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The High Cost of Losing a Fundraiser — and Why We Need Solutions Now

Fundraiser burnout isn’t just a staffing issue—it’s a strategic crisis with long-term consequences. As seasoned gift officers exit, organizations face lost relationships, stalled momentum, and weakened donor confidence. The emotional labor that drives great fundraising must be acknowledged and supported, not silently exploited. If nonprofits are built on trust, then protecting the people who nurture that trust is not optional—it’s essential.

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The Shrinking World of Division I---Why More Schools Will Follow Saint Francis’ Lead

Saint Francis University’s move from Division I to Division III isn’t just a cost-cutting measure—it’s a sign of a deeper reckoning in college sports. As media money floods the power conferences and NIL complexities grow, smaller programs are left asking whether staying in the game is worth the price. For some schools, walking away from Division I may not be giving up—it may be getting back to who they really are. The system is changing, and Saint Francis might just be ahead of the curve.

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Philanthropy at the Forefront—This Time Addressing America’s Pediatric Mental Health Crisis

As children's mental health reaches crisis levels, philanthropy is stepping in where public and private systems fall short. From early intervention programs to large-scale behavioral health centers, donors are funding bold, scalable solutions with life-changing impact. These efforts aren’t just filling gaps—they’re redefining how we care for young people in distress. In a time of urgent need, philanthropy isn’t waiting—it’s leading.

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Staying Close to Donors During Uncertainty By Listening Before Leading

In a time of economic flux, your donors aren’t disappearing—they’re recalibrating. Some may pause, shift, or even deepen their giving, but nearly all are looking for steadiness and understanding from the organizations they support. The key isn’t asking for less—it’s asking better questions and truly listening. This is a moment for presence, not pressure.

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A Forty-Year Squeeze--Why Universities Must Rethink Endowment Use

American higher education is facing a reckoning after decades of ignoring mounting economic pressures. Declining enrollment, rising costs, and shrinking public funding have exposed the unsustainable financial model at many institutions. While universities have invested in high-cost amenities to compete for students, these strategies have failed to address core budget gaps. Ellen Aprill’s argument for more flexible endowment use highlights a path forward: responsible, mission-aligned spending that prioritizes long-term sustainability over outdated norms. To survive, colleges must rethink what they offer, how they fund it, and what truly serves their mission.

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Nonprofit Sector Faces Alarming Job Losses -- A Closer Look at the Chronicle’s New Layoff Tracker

The nonprofit sector is facing a sobering employment crisis, with over 10,000 full-time jobs lost in just 70 days, according to The Chronicle of Philanthropy’s new Nonprofit Layoff Tracker. Driven by federal budget cuts and economic instability, organizations in international aid, health care, and human services are among the hardest hit. Behind the statistics are real people—professionals whose work and missions have been abruptly halted. As the crisis deepens, nonprofit leaders must prepare for both immediate challenges and long-term operational shifts. The tracker serves as both a wake-up call and a vital resource for navigating the road ahead.

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Millennials Outpace Gen X in Giving--But There’s More to the Story

Millennials may be outpacing Gen X in charitable giving—but the numbers don’t tell the full story. For many Gen Xers, generosity takes the form of caregiving, emotional support, and life-stage balancing acts that don’t show up in donation reports. As our financial capacity is stretched across kids, aging parents, and retirement prep, it’s not about less willingness to give—it’s about navigating complexity. Understanding these nuances can unlock deeper, more thoughtful engagement across generations.

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The High Cost of Leadership---Why Being a Nonprofit CEO Isn’t as Easy as It Looks

From the outside, leading a nonprofit may look like a prestigious, well-paid role—but the reality is far more demanding. As seen in the recent resignation of Columbia University’s interim president, nonprofit CEOs face relentless scrutiny, political pressure, and emotional strain. The role requires constant visibility, moral clarity, and a near-impossible balancing act between diverse stakeholders. It’s not just leadership—it’s endurance in the spotlight.

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Spending What Use to Be Thought of as “Untouchable” Funds

What good is a $1.48 trillion war chest if it sits idle while communities are in crisis? Foundations clinging to 5% spending rules risk irrelevance when the world needs more than minimums. The “Meet the Moment” movement isn’t just a funding shift—it’s a call to rethink philanthropy’s purpose. Impact now may matter more than perpetuity later.

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What “Real Challenges” Look Like Through the Series Atlantic Crossing

Watching Atlantic Crossing has shifted how my wife and I view modern-day struggles. The series reveals the harrowing realities of WWII—families torn apart, lives upended, and resilience forged in crisis. It offers a stark contrast to today’s stressors, reminding us that while our challenges are real, they often pale in comparison to the existential threats others once faced. This perspective doesn’t erase our problems, but it reframes them with humility and gratitude.

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