Nonprofits love to talk about best practices—but what if relying on them too much is actually holding your organization back? In this episode, we’re breaking down why I rarely use the phrase ‘best practices’ and why blindly following them can lead to stagnation, missed opportunities, and even failure. Instead of defaulting to what has worked for others, let’s talk about how to figure out what actually works for your nonprofit.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

✅ Why ‘best practices’ can be dangerous when applied without adaptation

✅ How rigidly following industry norms led to major failures (like the Red Cross in Haiti)

✅ Why your unique audience, donors, and mission should dictate strategy—not trends

✅ When ‘best practices’ do make sense and how to adapt them for real impact

✅ How to replace ‘best practices’ with a test-and-learn approach

Key Takeaways: 🔹

Best practices are a starting point—not a rulebook. Customize strategies based on your nonprofit’s needs.

🔹 One-size-fits-all solutions don’t work. What’s effective for one organization might be ineffective—or even harmful—for another.

🔹 Ask better questions: Instead of “What’s the best practice?” ask “What actually works for us?”

🔹 Test, measure, and adapt. Build a culture that embraces strategic experimentation instead of blindly following trends.

💡 Challenge for This Week: Take a look at one ‘best practice’ your nonprofit follows. Is it serving you—or just something you’ve always done? If it’s not working, it’s time to rethink! Leave a voicemail at (914) 297-7692—I’d love to hear what you discover!

🔗 Resources & Links: 📌 Learn more about strategic fundraising & leadership at BernadetteMack.com 📌

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