5 Reasons Why Joining a Mastermind Will Transform Leadership Training for Nonprofits

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Masterminds are the new professional development for nonprofit leaders.

Nonprofit leadership training is essential. Whether you’re from a well-established nonprofit with strong community roots or you’ve grown a fledgling organization into an impactful force with passionate supporters, you know nonprofits face unique challenges. The constant fundraising. Building awareness of your mission in your target community. Creating a meaningful social media presence that inspires your audience.

‌Sometimes the mission of your organization can get lost in the process.

‌‌So you turn to the traditional paths for leadership development for nonprofits. You’ve signed up for a weekend workshop. Or you’ve taken a webinar or two, or a basic professional development course for nonprofits. And yet you’re still facing the same challenges.

‌Entrepreneurs and business executives have known for decades that evolutionary leadership development happens best in mastermind groups. A nonprofit mastermind group can do the same for nonprofit leader training.

‌Here are five reasons why joining a mastermind for nonprofits transforms nonprofit leadership training:

1.  Nonprofit mastermind groups provide a built-in like-minded community 

Nonprofits are full of innovative, passionate leaders. They understand the challenges of nonprofits, but more importantly, they appreciate the meaningful work. Being a part of a community of people driven to impact change in their communities will inspire you to find new ways to fulfill your mission.

2.  Nonprofit mastermind groups create collaboration and support from peers

Solving problems alone can be daunting. Research demonstrates the benefit of collaboration on a wide range of fields, from IT to healthcare to education. The benefits of collaboration are deep. In one study, 60% of employees believed collaboration in the workplace positively impacted innovation. That same study showed that collaboration increased productivity, saved time, and increased the quality of work.

‌If that’s true for rank-and-file employees in a for-profit business, imagine the power of collaboration among leaders in the nonprofit world, who are already committed to helping others as their primary professional focus. Lean on each other for support as you get through growth pains, and cheer each other on as you reach new milestones. Collaboration is essential in leadership training for nonprofits.

3.  A mastermind for nonprofit leaders gives access to expert guest coaches‌‌

In a nonprofit mastermind group, you’ll get guidance from a carefully selected group of coaches with expertise in key elements of nonprofits. These coaches will provide tailored advice specific to the issues that most challenge nonprofit leaders that they have developed from their own personal experience. Learn from directors who have years of experience, fundraisers who have broken records, and communications directors who have developed an engaged and passionate group of supporters.

4.  Stop the endless Google searches with a mastermind group of nonprofit leaders

What’s the best way to reach a particular target group in your community? On which social media channel should you focus most of your efforts? Which digital fundraising platform has the best bang for your buck?

Spending hours on Google gets you endless results to filter through, answers that are unclear, and solutions that may not be the best fit for your particular nonprofit. In a nonprofit mastermind group, you’ll have close relationships with a group of likeminded peers to ask questions like these and the advice of expert coaches. Ask people who’ve been there, who can give you nuanced advice specific to your needs. Don’t waste your time with Google.

5. A 6-month program provides the time to implement the teachings, get feedback & iterate 

A nonprofit mastermind group doesn’t just bring you together for a weekend workshop or for a few meetings. Committing for six months means that you’ll establish long-term relationships with dedicated leaders like yourself who will build each other up.

You’ll have the time and opportunity to implement what you’ve learned and fine-tune it with feedback. If something you try isn’t the best fit for your organization, you’re not back to square one again. You can return to your group and consider your next steps together. And in the process of helping other nonprofit leaders, you might find ways to improve your own organization.

Fill out an application for Missions to Movements Mastermind for emerging female leaders – Apply here!

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ABOUT THE WRITER

I’m Dana Snyder! An entrepreneur, digital strategist, and passionate conscious consumer. I founded Positive Equation in 2017 with a focus on helping nonprofits cultivate passionate online audiences of donors, partners, and advocates using social media.

Currently based in Atlanta, I’ve been incredibly lucky to work with Movember, Dress for Success, USTA, Honest Company, Sports Illustrated, American Idol, The Global Foodbanking Network, The Gary Sinise Foundation, LA84 Foundation, and many more on their digital strategies.